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Draft. A draft ecological site description is either incomplete or has not undergone quality control and quality assurance review.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 028B–Central Nevada Basin and Range
MLRA 28B occurs entirely in Nevada and comprises about 23,555 square miles (61,035 square kilometers). More than nine-tenths of this MLRA is federally owned. This area is in the Great Basin Section of the Basin and Range Province of the Intermontane Plateaus. It is an area of nearly level, aggraded desert basins and valleys between a series of mountain ranges trending north to south. The basins are bordered by long, gently sloping to strongly sloping alluvial fans. The mountains are uplifted fault blocks with steep sideslopes. Many of the valleys are closed basins containing sinks or playas. Elevation ranges from 4,900 to 6,550 feet (1,495 to 1,995 meters) in the valleys and basins and from 6,550 to 11,900 feet (1,995 to 3,630 meters) in the mountains.
The mountains in the southern half are dominated by andesite and basalt rocks that were formed in the Miocene and Oligocene. Paleozoic and older carbonate rocks are prominent in the mountains to the north. Scattered outcrops of older Tertiary intrusives and very young tuffaceous sediments are throughout this area. The valleys consist mostly of alluvial fill, but lake deposits are at the lowest elevations in the closed basins. The alluvial valley fill consists of cobbles, gravel, and coarse sand near the mountains in the apex of the alluvial fans. Sands, silts, and clays are on the distal ends of the fans.
The average annual precipitation ranges from 4 to 12 inches (100 to 305 millimeters) in most areas on the valley floors. Average annual precipitation in the mountains ranges from 8 to 36 inches (205 to 915 millimeters) depending on elevation. The driest period is from midsummer to midautumn. The average annual temperature is 34 to 52 degrees F (1 to 11 degrees C). The freeze-free period averages 125 days and ranges from 80 to 170 days, decreasing in length with elevation.
The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Aridisols, Entisols, and Mollisols. The soils in the area dominantly have a mesic soil temperature regime, an aridic or xeric soil moisture regime, and mixed or carbonatic mineralogy. They generally are well drained, loamy or loamyskeletal, and shallow to very deep.
Nevada’s climate is predominantly arid, with large daily ranges of temperature, infrequent severe storms and heavy snowfall in the higher mountains. Three basic geographical factors largely influence Nevada’s climate: continentality, latitude, and elevation. The strong continental effect is expressed in the form of both dryness and large temperature variations. Nevada lies on the eastern, lee side of the Sierra Nevada Range, a massive mountain barrier that markedly influences the climate of the State. The prevailing winds are from the west, and as the warm moist air from the Pacific Ocean ascend the western slopes of the Sierra Range, the air cools, condensation occurs and most of the moisture falls as precipitation. As the air descends the eastern slope, it is warmed by compression, and very little precipitation occurs. The effects of this mountain barrier are felt not only in the West but throughout the state, as a result the lowlands of Nevada are largely desert or steppes.
The temperature regime is also affected by the blocking of the inland-moving maritime air. Nevada sheltered from maritime winds, has a continental climate with well-developed seasons and the terrain responds quickly to changes in solar heating. Nevada lies within the midlatitude belt of prevailing westerly winds which occur most of the year. These winds bring frequent changes in weather during the late fall, winter and spring months, when most of the precipitation occurs.
To the south of the mid-latitude westerlies, lies a zone of high pressure in subtropical latitudes, with a center over the Pacific Ocean. In the summer, this high-pressure belt shifts northward over the latitudes of Nevada, blocking storms from the ocean. The resulting weather is mostly clear and dry during the summer and early fall, with occasional thundershowers. The eastern portion of the state receives noteworthy summer thunderstorms generated from monsoonal moisture pushed up from the Gulf of California, known as the North American monsoon. The monsoon system peaks in August and by October the monsoon high over the Western U.S. begins to weaken and the precipitation retreats southward towards the tropics (NOAA 2004).
Ecological site concept
This site occurs on concave to broad linear mountain slopes of all exposures. Slopes range from 2 to 8 percent. Elevations are 7000 to about 9700 feet.
The soils associated with this site are very deep, somewhat poorly drained and formed in colluvium derived mainly from quartzite with minor amounts of limestone. Surface soils are fine textured and the lower profile is modified with 5 to 20 percent rock fragments. The soils have a mollic epipedon and an argillic horizon. The soil temperature regime is cryic and the soil moisture regime is xeric.
The reference state is dominated by silver sagebrush, slender wheatgrass and Letterman needlegrass. Potential vegetative composition is about 40% grasses, 10% forbs, and 50% shrubs and trees. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 65 to 75 percent. Average annual production ranges from 600 to 1000 lbs/ac.
Important abiotic factors include slow runoff, low sloping landscape position and fine textured soils that capture run-in moisture and increase water holding capacity and result in periods of saturation.Associated sites
F028BY067NV POTR5/SYOR2/BRMA4-ELTR7
R028BY029NV LOAMY 16+ P.Z.
R028BY036NV CLAYPAN 14+ P.Z.
R028BY070NV MOUNTAIN LOAM 16+ P.Z.
R028BY085NV CALCAREOUS LOAM 16+ P.Z.
R028BY092NV CALCAREOUS CLAYPAN 14-16 P.Z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia cana
Herbaceous (1) Elymus trachycaulus
(2) Achnatherum lettermaniiPhysiographic features
This site occurs on concave to broad linear mountain slopes of all exposures. Slopes range from 2 to 8 percent. Elevations are 7000 to about 9700 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain slope
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 7000 – 9700 ft Slope 2 – 8 % Water table depth 20 – 30 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate associated with this site is semiarid, characterized by cold, moist winters and warm, dry summers.
Average annual precipitation ranges from 17 to greater than 20 inches. This site also receives additional moisture in the form of run-in moisture from adjacent slopes. Mean annual air temperature is about 38 to 43 degrees F. The average growing season is about 40 to 60 days. Weather stations with a long term data record are currently not available for this ecological site. Associated climate data will be updated when information becomes available.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 40 days Freeze-free period (average) 70 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 3. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 4 Annual average temperature pattern
">Influencing water features
Influencing water features are not associated with this site.
Soil features
The soils associated with this site are very deep, somewhat poorly drained and formed in colluvium derived from quartzite with minor amounts of limestone.
The soils are characterized by a mollic epipedon and an argillic horizon. Surface soils are fine textured and the lower profile is modified with 5 to 20 percent rock fragments. The soil temperature regime is cryic and the soil moisture regime is xeric. The available water capacity is high and a seasonally high water table occurs between 20 and 30 inches during the spring for at least 20 consecutive days during normal years. These soils are subject to occasional ponding for brief periods between march and April. Soil series associated with this site include: Kolcheck.
Kolcheck is classified as a Fine, smectitic Oxyaquic Argicryoll. The mollic epipedon occurs from the soil surface to 27 inches and the argillic horizon occurs from 9 to 60 inches. Reaction is slightly or moderately alkaline. Calcium carbonate equivalent ranges from 0 to 15 percent, increasing with depth. Clay content in the argillic horizon is 32 to 45 precent, generally increasing with depth. Redoximorphic featuers occur as few to common masses of iron accumulation. Lithology is quartzite with minor amounts of limestone.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Colluvium – quartzite
Surface texture (1) Loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Somewhat poorly drained Permeability class Slow Soil depth 72 – 84 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 5 % Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 15 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)Not specified Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7 – 7.9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)5 – 35 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 % Ecological dynamics
An ecological site is the product of all the environmental factors responsible for its development and it has a set of key characteristics that influence a site’s resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasion. Key characteristics include 1) climate (precipitation, temperature), 2) topography (aspect, slope, elevation, and landform), 3) hydrology (infiltration, runoff), 4) soils (depth, texture, structure, organic matter), 5) plant communities (functional groups, productivity), and 6) natural disturbance regime (fire, herbivory, etc.) (Caudle et al. 2013). Biotic factors that influence resilience include site productivity, species composition and structure, and population regulation and regeneration (Chambers et al. 2013).
In the Great Basin, the majority of annual precipitation is received during the winter and early spring. This continental semiarid climate regime favors growth and development of deep-rooted shrubs and herbaceous cool season plants using the C3 photosynthetic pathway (Comstock and Ehleringer 1992). Winter precipitation and slow melting of snow results in deeper percolation of moisture into the soil profile. Herbaceous plants, more shallow-rooted than shrubs, grow earlier in the growing season and thrive on spring rains, while the deeper rooted shrubs lag in phenological development because they draw from deeply infiltrating moisture from snowmelt the previous winter. Periodic drought regularly influences sagebrush ecosystems and drought duration and severity has increased throughout the 20th century in much of the Intermountain West. Major shifts away from historical precipitation patterns have the greatest potential to alter ecosystem function and productivity. Species composition and productivity can be altered by the timing of precipitation and water availability within the soil profile (Bates et al 2006).
This ecological site is dominated by perennial bunchgrasses and long-lived shrubs with high root to shoot ratios. These shrubs have a flexible generalized root system with development of both deep taproots and laterals near the surface (Comstock and Ehleringer 1992). Perennial bunchgrasses generally have somewhat shallower root systems than shrubs in these systems, but root densities are often as high as or higher than those of shrubs in the upper 0.5 m but taper off more rapidly than shrubs. General differences in root depth distributions between grasses and shrubs result in resource partitioning in these shrub/grass systems.
Silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula) is a shrub that often forms colonies from a system of extensive rhizomes (Stubbendieck 1992). This subspecies primarily occurs in mountainous regions in areas of heavy, lingering snowpack (Beetle 1960). The root system of silver sagebrush consists of a taproot with lateral roots and rhizomes, usually located within a few inches of the soil surface. Rhizome length of plains silver sagebrush in Montana averaged 1.1 meters (3.4 feet). Silver sagebrush is the most vigorous sprouter of all sagebrush (Wright et al 1979). It is able to sprout from roots, rhizomes, and the root crown after disturbance (Ellison and Woolfolk 1937, Beetle 1960, Whitson 1999, Blaisdell 1982). It has been known to readily layer, meaning it can generate adventitious roots from branches touching soil (Beetle 1960, Blaisdell 1982). Silver sagebrush is also capable of reproducing by seeds (Whitson 1999). This shrub is typically evergreen but may shed leaves in cold winters (Beetle 1960).
Silver sagebrush is a host species for the sagebrush defoliator, Aroga moth (Aroga websteri) (Henry 1961, Gates 1964, Hall 1965,), but it remains unclear whether the moth causes significant damage or mortality to individual or entire stands of plants. Severe drought has been known to kill the crowns of entire stands of silver sagebrush, however, after release from drought it can rapidly regrow due to its vigorous sprouting ability (Ellison and Woolfolk 1937).
Slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus) is a perennial bunchgrass that tends to be short lived, however it spreads well by natural reseeding (Monsen et al. 2004). Slender wheatgrass tends to persists for a longer time than other perennial grasses when subjected to heavy grazing (Monsen et al. 1996, Monsen et al. 2004).
Letterman’s needlegrass (Achnatherum lettermanii) is a densely tufted, perennial bunchgrass with a fibrous root system. It reproduces by seed and is considered an aggressive seed producer (Taylor 2000).
This ecological site has high resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasion. Resilience increases with elevation, aspect, increased precipitation, and increased nutrient availability. Long-term disturbance response may be influenced by small differences in landscape topography. Three possible alternative stable states have been identified for this site.
Fire Ecology:
Fire return intervals for silver sagebrush largely depend on the fire intervals of surrounding vegetation communities. Usually this silver sagebrush ecological site is a smaller pocket in a large landscape of mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. vasayena). Thus, fire return intervals for silver sagebrush are probably similar to those estimated for mountain big sagebrush. Pre-settlement fire return intervals in mountain big sagebrush communities varied from 15 to 25 years (Burkhardt and Tisdale 1969, Houston 1973, Miller and Tausch 2000).
Seedling establishment can occur in the years after fire if the growing season is favorably wet (Wambolt et al. 1989). Silver sagebrush has spreading rhizomes underground and sprouts or layers after fire (Beetle 1960, Cronquist 1994, Blaisdell 1982). Survival and resprouting ability of silver sagebrush is considerably greater in the spring versus the fall (White and Currie 1983). As burn intensity increases, regrowth of silver sagebrush plants decreases. (White and Currie 1983). Density of silver sagebrush may remain the same or may increase after fire (Winward 1985).
The effect of fire on bunchgrasses relates to culm density, culm-leaf morphology, and the size of the plant. The initial condition of bunchgrasses within the site along with seasonality and intensity of the fire all factor into the individual species response. For most forbs and grasses the growing points are located at or below the soil surface providing relative protection from disturbances which decrease above ground biomass, such as grazing or fire. Thus, fire mortality is more correlated to duration and intensity of heat which is related to culm density, culm-leaf morphology, size of plant and abundance of old growth (Young 1983, Wright 1971).
Fire effects on forbs depend on season of burning. Fall burning does not affect most forbs because they are typically dry by then (Wright and Bailey 1982).State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 5. State and Transition Model
Figure 6. Legend
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThe Reference State 1.0 is a representation of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. The reference state has three general community phases: a shrub-grass dominant phase, a perennial grass dominant phase and a shrub dominant phase. State dynamics are maintained by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Plant community phase changes are primarily driven by fire, periodic drought and/or insect or disease attack.
Community 1.1
Community PhaseThis community phase is dominated by silver sagebrush, slender wheatgrass and Letterman’s needlegrass. Several perennial grasses and forbs are also present. Potential vegetative composition is about 40% grasses, 10% forbs, and 50% shrubs and trees. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 65 to 75 percent.
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Shrub/Vine 318 424 530 Grass/Grasslike 240 320 400 Forb 60 80 100 Tree 12 16 20 Total 630 840 1050 Community 1.2
Community PhasePerennial bunchgrasses such as slender wheatgrass and Letterman’s needlegrass dominate. Silver sagebrush, snowberry, and rabbitbrush will sprout soon after fire. Perennial forbs will also resprout.
Community 1.3
Community PhaseSilver sagebrush increases in the absence of disturbance and is dominant. Deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and perennial forbs in the understory are reduced either from competition with shrubs and/or from herbivory.
Pathway a
Community 1.1 to 1.2Fire will reduce the overstory of silver sagebrush for a period of time and allow perennial grasses and forbs to increase.
Pathway b
Community 1.1 to 1.3Time and lack of disturbances such as fire, drought, or Aroga moth infestation allow silver sagebrush to increase and dominate. Herbivory may also cause a decline in perennial bunchgrasses and fine fuels, leading to a reduced fire frequency and allowing silver sagebrush to dominate the site.
Pathway a
Community 1.2 to 1.1Time and lack of disturbances such as fire, drought, or Aroga moth infestation allow silver sagebrush to increase.
Pathway a
Community 1.3 to 1.2Fire will reduce the overstory of silver sagebrush for a period of time and allow perennial grasses and forbs to increase.
State 2
Current Potential StateThis state is similar to the Reference State 1.0 with three similar community phases. Ecological function has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of invasive weeds. Non-natives may increase in abundance but will not become dominant within this State. These non-natives can be highly flammable and can promote fire where historically fire had been infrequent. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These feedbacks include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Positive feedbacks decrease ecosystem resilience and stability of the state. These include the non-natives’ high seed output, persistent seed bank, rapid growth rate, ability to cross pollinate, and adaptations for seed dispersal.
Community 2.1
Community PhaseThis community phase is similar to the Reference State Community Phase 1.1, but non-native species are present in trace amounts. Silver sagebrush is dominant. Slender wheatgrass and Letterman’s needlegrass are a significant understory component. Potential vegetative composition is approximately 40% grasses, 10% forbs and 50% shrubs. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 65 to 75 percent.
Community 2.2
Community PhaseThis community phase is characteristic of a post-disturbance, early seral community where annual non-native species are present. Perennial bunchgrasses such as slender wheatgrass and Letterman’s needlegrass dominate. Silver sagebrush, snowberry, and rabbitbrush will sprout soon after fire. Perennial forbs will also resprout. Annual non-native species are stable or increasing within the community.
Community 2.3
Community Phase
Figure 8. T.Stringham_7/2012a
Figure 9. P. Novak-Echenique 7/2012
Silver sagebrush increases in the absence of disturbance and is dominant. Deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses in the understory are reduced either from competition with shrubs and/or from inappropriate grazing management, or both. Annual non-natives species may be stable or increasing due to lack of competition with perennial bunchgrasses. This site is susceptible to further degradation from grazing, drought, and fire.
Pathway a
Community 2.1 to 2.2Fire will reduce the overstory of silver sagebrush for a period of time and allow perennial grasses and forbs to increase. Annual non-native species are likely to increase after fire.
Pathway b
Community 2.1 to 2.3Time and lack of disturbances such as fire, drought, or Aroga moth infestation allow silver sagebrush to increase and dominate. Inappropriate grazing management reduces the perennial bunchgrasses and fine fuels, leading to a reduced fire frequency and allowing silver sagebrush to dominate the site.
Pathway a
Community 2.2 to 2.1Time and lack of disturbances such as fire, drought, or Aroga moth infestation allow silver sagebrush to increase. Grazing management that favors the growth of sagebrush will allow the shrub component to increase.
Pathway a
Community 2.3 to 2.2Fire will reduce the overstory of silver sagebrush for a period of time and allow perennial grasses and forbs to increase. Annual non-native species are present and may increase in the community.
Transition A
State 1 to 2Trigger: This transition is caused by the introduction of non-native annual plants, such as cheatgrass and mustards. Slow variables: Over time the annual non-native species will increase within the community. Threshold: Any amount of introduced non-native species causes an immediate decrease in the resilience of the site. Annual non-native species cannot be easily removed from the system and have the potential to significantly alter disturbance regimes from their historic range of variation.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Perennial Grasses 270–400 slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 150–200 – Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 100–150 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses/Grasslikes 20–80 mountain brome BRMA4 Bromus marginatus 4–16 – sedge CAREX Carex 4–16 – thickspike wheatgrass ELLAL Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus 4–16 – basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 4–16 – mat muhly MURI Muhlenbergia richardsonis 0–16 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 4–16 – Forb3 Perennial 40–80 thickspike wheatgrass ELLA3 Elymus lanceolatus 4–16 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–16 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 4–16 – ragwort PACKE Packera 4–16 – common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 4–16 – Watson's penstemon PEWA Penstemon watsonii 4–16 – checkerbloom SIDAL Sidalcea 0–16 – pale agoseris AGGL Agoseris glauca 0–8 – beardtongue PENST Penstemon 0–8 – 4 Annual 10–20 sedge CAREX Carex 4–16 – Shrub/Vine5 Primary Shrubs 450–550 silver sagebrush ARCA13 Artemisia cana 400–450 – snowberry SYMPH Symphoricarpos 50–100 – 6 Secondary Shrubs 20–80 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 0–16 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVIL4 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus ssp. lanceolatus 8–16 – gooseberry currant RIMO2 Ribes montigenum 8–16 – Tree7 Evergreen 4–16 limber pine PIFL2 Pinus flexilis 4–16 – Table 7. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Interpretations:
This site is suitable for livestock grazing. Grazing management considerations include duration, timing and intensity of grazing. Silver sagebrush is one of the most palatable and nutritious sagebrush species for wildlife (Sheehy and Winward 1981). Its forage value is good to excellent for cattle and sheep, however cattle tend to preferentially graze the grasses under the shrubs. Thus, silver sagebrush generally increases with excessive cattle grazing and decreases under browsing pressure from domestic sheep (Stubbendieck et al. 1992). Pronghorn, cattle, and feral horses were all observed preferentially utilizing a silver sagebrush basin throughout June and July in northern California (Salwasser and Shimamoto 1984). In fall and winter feeding trials, silver sagebrush was among the most preferred sagebrush species for mule deer and sheep (Sheehy and Winward 1981).
Slender wheatgrass is palatable and nutritious for livestock. It is also grazed by wild ungulates and used for cover by small birds and mammals (Tilley et al. 2011, Hallsten et al. 1987). Letterman’s needlegrass also provides valuable forage for both livestock and wildlife (Taylor 2000). Letterman’s needlegrass begins growth early in the year and remains green throughout the relatively long growing season, thus, making it valuable forage for livestock. Nevada bluegrass is a widespread forage grass. It is one of the earliest grasses in the spring and is sought by domestic livestock and several wildlife species. Nevada bluegrass is a palatable species, but its production is closely tied to weather conditions. It produces little forage in drought years, making it a less dependable food source than other perennial bunchgrasses. Common snowberry is considered important browse for many types of livestock. It is especially important to domestic sheep and cattle. Common snowberry was found to be highly palatable to cattle. It plays a critical role in permitting cattle to meet their protein requirements during the latter half of the growing season. Domestic sheep also utilize common snowberry for browse and it is considered fair to good forage. It is has no forage value for horses.
Stocking rates vary over time depending upon season of use, climate variations, site, and previous and current management goals. A safe starting stocking rate is an estimated stocking rate that is fine tuned by the client by adaptive management through the year and from year to year.
Wildlife Interpretations:
This site provides valuable habitat for several species of wildlife. Silver sagebrush provides valuable forage for wildlife. Deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and sage-grouse browse the foliage. Mule deer may browse silver sagebrush heavily when other forage is dormant. Silver sagebrush is also important on fall and winter ranges. Common snowberry is considered important browse for many types of wildlife. Bighorn sheep use common snowberry regularly during the summer. Forage value to elk is fair. Common snowberry is important as both cover and food for bird and small mammal populations. These include sharp-tailed, ruffed, and blue grouse, wild turkey and, several non-game species of bird including the kingbird, western flycatcher, and western bluebird. Among small mammals that rely on common snowberry are fox squirrels, desert cottontails, and pocket gopher. Slender wheatgrass is grazed by sage grouse, deer, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep, mountain goat, pronghorn, various rodents, and all classes of livestock. The seeds are eaten by various seed predators. Slender wheatgrass provides hiding and thermal cover for songbirds, upland game birds, waterfowl, and small mammals. Letterman's needlegrass provides valuable forage for many species of wildlife. It is consumed by mule deer and is most palatable early in the season before the foliage becomes coarse and wiry. Nevada bluegrass is desirable for pronghorn antelope and mule deer in the spring and preferable in the spring, summer, and fall for elk and desirable as part of their winter range.
Hydrological functions
Runoff is low. This site also has low saturated hydraulic conductivity. Endosaturation is present with an apparent seasonal high water table between January and June. Occasional ponding may also occur for brief periods between March and April during snowmelt.
Recreational uses
Aesthetic value is derived from the diverse floral and faunal composition and the colorful flowering of wild flowers and shrubs during the spring and early summer. This site offers rewarding opportunities to photographers and for nature study. This site is used for camping and hiking and has potential for upland and big game hunting.
Other products
Tribes of the Great Basin used silver sagebrush branches as a fuelbed for roasting pinyon pinecones. Many tribes use the branches in ceremonial rites. Common snowberry fruit was eaten fresh but was not favored by Native Americans in Washington and Oregon. The fruits were eaten fresh and also dried for winter use. Common snowberry was used on hair as soap, and the fruits and leaves mashed and applied to cuts or skin sores as a poultice and to soothe sore, runny eyes. Tea from the bark was used as a remedy for tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases. A brew made from the entire plant was used as a physic tonic. Arrowshafts and pipestems were made from the stems.
Other information
Silver sagebrush has potential as a soil stabilizer and for use in rangeland, wildlife and riparian restoration projects. Slender wheatgrass is widely used for revegetating disturbed lands. Slender wheatgrass is a short-lived perennial with good seedling vigor. It germinates and establishes quickly when seeded making it a good choice for quick cover on disturbed sites. It persists long enough for other, slower developing species to establish. It is especially valuable for use in saline soils. It has been used for rehabilitating mine spoils, livestock ranges, and wildlife habitat and watershed areas. Letterman’s needlegrass has been used successfully in revegetating mine spoils. This species also has good potential for erosion control.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: White Pine County, NV Township/Range/Section T15N R65E S11 UTM zone N UTM northing 0703642 UTM easting 4339385 Latitude 39° 10′ 47″ Longitude 114° 38′ 32″ General legal description About 5 miles northeast of Cave Lake along Cave Mountain road, White Pine County, Nevada. Other references
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Blaisdell, J.P., R.B. Murray, E.D. McArthur. 1982. Managing Intermountain rangelands--sagebrush-grass ranges. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-134. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 41 p.
Bunting, S. C., B. M. Kilgore, and C. L. Bushey. 1987. Guidelines for prescribed burning sagebrush-grass rangelands in the northern Great Basin. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station Ogden, UT, USA.
Burkhardt, J. W. and E. Tisdale. 1969. Nature and successional status of western juniper vegetation in Idaho. Journal of Range Management:264-270.
Cronquist, A. H., A. H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, P.K. Holmgren. 1994. Intermountain Flora: Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Vol. 5. Asterales. The New York Botanical Garden, New York.
Ellison, Lincoln; Woolfolk, E. J. 1937. Effects of drought on vegetation near Miles City, Montana. Ecology. 18(3): 329-336
Fire Effects Information System (Online; http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/).
Gates, D. (1964). Sagebrush infested by leaf defoliating moth. Journal of Range Management Archives, 17(4), 209-210.
Hall, R.C. 1965. Sagebrush defoliator outbreak in northern California. Research Note PSW-RN-075. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 12 p
Hallsten, G.P., Q.D. Skinner, A.A. Beetle. 1987. Grasses of Wyoming. 3d ed. Laramie: University of Wyoming, Agricultural Experiement Station. 432 p.
Henry, J.E. 1961. The biology of the sagebrush defoliator, Aroga websteri Clarke, in Idaho. Thesis. University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.
Houghton, J.G., C.M. Sakamoto, and R.O. Gifford. 1975. Nevada’s Weather and Climate, Special Publication 2. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada, Reno, NV.
Houston, D. B. 1973. Wildfires in northern Yellowstone National Park. Ecology. 54:1111-1117.
Miller, R. F. and R. J. Tausch. 2000. The role of fire in juniper and pinyon woodlands: a descriptive analysis. Pages p. 15-30 in Proceedings of the invasive species workshop: the role of fire in the control and spread of invasive species., Tallahassee, Florida.
Monsen, S. B., R. Stevens, S. C. Walker, and N. E. West. 1996. The competitive influence of seeded smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyron intermedium) within aspen-mountain brush communities of central Utah." In Rangelands in a sustainable biosphere: Proceedings of the Fifth International Rangeland Congress, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, 23-28 July, 1995. Volume 1.
Monsen, S.B., R. Stevens, N.L. Shaw, comps. 2004. Restoring western ranges and wildlands. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-136-vol-2. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Pages 295-698 plus index.
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Contributors
CJA
T. Stringham/P.Novak-EcheniqueRangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) P.NOVAK-ECHENIQUE Contact for lead author STATE RANGELAND MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Date 05/06/2015 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
Rills are none to rare. A few may occur on steeper slopes after rapid snowmelt or summer convection storms. These are very short (<1m) and stable. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Water flow patterns are none to rare. A few may occur on steeper slopes after rapid snowmelt or summer convection storms. These are very short (<1m), meandering and not connected. They are interrupted by plant bases. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals and terracettes are typically none to rare. A few plants that occur in water flow paths may have small (1-3")pedestals. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground <15%. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Fine litter (foliage from grasses and annual & perennial forbs) expected to move distance of slope length during intense summer convection storms or rapid snowmelt events. Persistent litter (large woody material) will remain in place except during large rainfall events. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil stability values should be 4 to 6 on most soil textures found on this site. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Surface structure is strong fine granular. Soil surface colors are dark grayish browns and soils are typified by a mollic epipedon. Surface textures are loams. Organic matter of the surface 2 to 3 inches is typically 2 to 4 percent dropping off quickly below. Organic matter content can be more or less depending on micro-topography. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Perennial herbaceous plants (i.e., slender wheatgrass, Lettermans needlegrass) slow runoff and increase infiltration. Shrub canopy and associated litter break raindrop impact and provide opportunity for snow catch and accumulation on site. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Compacted layers are not typical. Subsurface subangular blocky or prismatic structure are not to be interpreted as compacted layers. -
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Deep-rooted, cool season, perennial bunchgrasses >Sub-dominant:
tall evergreen shrubs (i.e., silver sagebrush) >> shallow-rooted, cool season, perennial bunchgrasses > associated shrubs > deep-rooted, cool season, perennial forbs = fibrous, shallow-rooted, cool season, perennial and annual forbs.Other:
grasslike plants, evergreen treesAdditional:
With an extended fire return interval, the shrub component will increase at the expense of the understory component. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Dead branches within individual shrubs common and standing dead shrub canopy material may be as much as 25% of total woody canopy; some of the mature bunchgrasses (<20%) have dead centers. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Within plant interspaces (15-20%) and depth of litter is <½ inch. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
For normal or average growing season (end of June) ± 800 lbs/ac; Favorable years ± 1000 lbs/ac and unfavorable years ±600 lbs/ac. Spring moisture significantly affects total production. -
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Potential invaders include Russian thistle, annual mustards, dandelions, Kentucky bluegrass and cheatgrass. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All functional groups should reproduce in average (or normal) and above average growing season years. Reduced growth and reproduction occur during extreme or extended drought periods.
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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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