Natural Resources
Conservation Service
-
Search
Major Land Resource Area or ecological site by name and/or ID.
PreviousSectionsNextGeneral information
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 riparian ecological complex occurs along floodplains and stream terraces adjacent to perennial streams in mountain valleys. Slope range from 2 to 15 percent, but slopes of 2 to 4 are typical. Elevations are 6800 to about 8200 feet.
Average annual precipitation is 12 to about 20 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 39 to 43 degrees F. The climate is dry-subhumid, with cool moist winters and warm dry summers. The frost-free period is about 40 to 70 days.
The soils associated with this site are very deep and well drained to very poorly drained. The soils are formed in mixed alluvium derived from limestone, dolomite and quartzite. The soils typically have a mollic epipedon from 20 to 40 inches in depth. Available water capacity is low to high.
The reference plant community is dominated black chokecherry and basin wildrye.
Potential vegetative composition is about 10% grasses, 5% forbs and 85% shrubs and trees.
Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 70 to 75 percent.Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Prunus virginiana subsp. melanocarpa
(2) SalixHerbaceous Not specified
Physiographic features
This riparian ecological complex occurs along floodplains and stream terraces adjacent to perennial streams in mountain valleys. Slope range from 2 to 15 percent, but slopes of 2 to 4 are typical. Elevations are 6800 to about 8200 feet.
This riparian ecological complex is associated with Rosgen stream type B. This stream type is characterized as moderately entrenched, of moderate gradient, and riffle dominated with infrequently spaced pools. This stream type exhibits a very stable plan, profile and banks. (citation)Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Flood plain
(2) Stream terrace
(3) Mountain valley
Flooding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to long (7 to 30 days) Flooding frequency Very rare to frequent Elevation 6800 – 8200 ft Slope 2 – 15 % 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 12 to about 20 inches. Mean annual air temperature is about 39 to 43 degrees F. The frost-free period is about 40 to 70 days.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 70 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 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
These soils are susceptible to very rare to frequent flooding for between March and September.<br />
Soil features
The soils associated with this site are very deep and well drained to very poorly drained. The soils are formed in mixed alluvium derived from limestone, dolomite and quartzite. The soils typically have a mollic epipedon from 20 to 40 inches in depth. Available water capacity is low to high. The soil series associated with this site include, Devilsgait, Steptoe, and Tierney.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – dolomite
Surface texture (1) Gravelly loam
(2) Very gravelly sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Poorly drained to well drained Permeability class Moderately slow to moderate Soil depth 72 – 84 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 10 – 50 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 10 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)2.3 – 7.9 in 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)6.1 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)35 – 60 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 20 % Ecological dynamics
In riparian areas there often is a continual process of change. Changes in stream channels across valley floors can result in a continual readjustment in successional processes. A common characteristic of riparian areas is a gradual movement of community phases. As streams move or when a meander breaks and forms a stream channel in a new area, plant community phases gradually develop to fit the newly created environments associated with movement of the stream and its intertied soils and water features. Riparian plant community types provide channel and bank stability. As site condition deteriorates the potential for stream channel entrenchment increases. Following entrenchment, and the lowering of the water table, the riparian vegetation is replaced by more drought tolerant plant species.
Fire Ecology:
Fire frequency and severity in riparian areas varies by vegetation types, position in the watershed, and geomorphic features. Fire in riparian areas has the potential to influence the functions riparian vegetation provides to streams by changing plant community abundance, structure, composition. The regeneration of post-fire riparian vegetation likely dictates the magnitude and duration of fire effects on stream systems. Lightning-caused fire ignitions are less likely to occur in riparian areas due to higher moisture content of fine fuels, fuel types, topographic position, and characteristics of lightning. Riparian species exhibit a range of adaptations to disturbance that contribute to the rapid recovery of streamside habitats after fire. Plant adaptations that facilitate survival include basal and epicormic sprouting and thick bark. Adaptations that facilitate recolonization include windborne seeds, water dispersed propagules, fire-enhanced flowering and fruit production and the ability to establish in postfire environments.State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textState 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateCommunity 1.1
Community Phase: Prunus PocketThe reference plant community is dominated black chokecherry and basin wildrye.
Potential vegetative composition is about 10% grasses, 5% forbs and 85% shrubs and trees.
Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 70 to 75 percent.Figure 5. 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 3400 4250 5950 Grass/Grasslike 400 500 700 Forb 200 250 350 Total 4000 5000 7000 State 2
Willow Thicket StateCommunity 2.1
Community Phase: Willow ThicketThe reference plant community is dominated by narrowleaf willow, Booth's willow and Woods’ rose. Potential vegetative composition is about 15% grasses, 5% forbs and 80% shrubs and trees.
Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 80 to 85 percent.Figure 6. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Shrub/Vine 2800 3200 4000 Grass/Grasslike 525 600 750 Forb 175 200 250 Total 3500 4000 5000 State 3
Loamy Bottom StateCommunity 3.1
Community Phase: Loamy BottomThe reference plant community is dominated by basin wildrye. Potential vegetative composition is about 85% grasses, 5% forbs and 10% shrubs.
Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 30 to 50 percent.Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 7. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1275 2125 3400 Shrub/Vine 150 250 400 Forb 75 125 200 Total 1500 2500 4000 State 4
Wet Meadow StateCommunity 4.1
Community Phase: Wet MeadowThe reference plant community is dominated by tufted hairgrass, bluegrasses and sedges. Potential vegetative composition is about 80% grasses and grass-like plants and 20% forbs.
Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 60 to 75 percent.Figure 8. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1050 1500 2400 Forb 280 400 640 Shrub/Vine 70 100 160 Total 1400 2000 3200 Additional community tables
Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Perennial Grasses 250–500 basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 250–500 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses 100–250 slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 25–100 – wood bluegrass PONE Poa nemoralis 25–100 – Forb3 Perennial Forbs 100–250 milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 25–100 – stinging nettle URDI Urtica dioica 25–100 – 4 Annual Forbs 25–50 Shrub/Vine5 Primary Shrubs 3750–5600 black chokecherry PRVIM Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa 3750–5600 – 6 Secondary Shrubs 250–500 rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 50–100 – gooseberry currant RIMO2 Ribes montigenum 50–100 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 50–100 – elderberry SAMBU Sambucus 50–100 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 50–100 – Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Perennial Grasses 280–600 basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 200–400 – Nebraska sedge CANE2 Carex nebrascensis 80–200 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses 80–320 slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 20–80 – wood bluegrass PONE Poa nemoralis 20–80 – Forb3 Perennial Forbs 80–200 lupine LUPIN Lupinus 20–80 – 4 Annual Forbs 20–40 Shrub/Vine5 Primary Shrubs 2400–3200 narrowleaf willow SAEX Salix exigua 1600–2000 – Booth's willow SABO2 Salix boothii 600–800 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 200–400 – 6 Secondary Shrubs 80–200 rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 40–80 – skunkbush sumac RHTRT Rhus trilobata var. trilobata 40–80 – Table 11. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Perennial Grasses 1725–2400 basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 1500–1750 – thickspike wheatgrass ELLA3 Elymus lanceolatus 50–200 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 50–200 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses 125–250 Columbia needlegrass ACNE9 Achnatherum nelsonii 13–75 – sedge CAREX Carex 13–75 – mat muhly MURI Muhlenbergia richardsonis 13–75 – Forb3 Perennial Forbs 125–375 lupine LUPIN Lupinus 13–75 – ragwort SENEC Senecio 13–75 – Shrub/Vine4 Primary Shrubs 175–375 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 125–250 – willow SALIX Salix 50–125 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 50–200 Utah serviceberry AMUT Amelanchier utahensis 25–50 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 25–50 – currant RIBES Ribes 25–50 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 25–50 – Table 12. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Perennial Grasses 1160–2120 tufted hairgrass DECE Deschampsia cespitosa 600–1000 – sedge CAREX Carex 400–600 – rush JUNCU Juncus 40–160 – mat muhly MURI Muhlenbergia richardsonis 40–100 – alpine timothy PHAL2 Phleum alpinum 40–100 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses 100–300 sloughgrass BECKM Beckmannia 10–60 – spikerush ELEOC Eleocharis 10–60 – mannagrass GLYCE Glyceria 10–60 – meadow barley HOBR2 Hordeum brachyantherum 10–60 – Kentucky bluegrass POPR Poa pratensis 10–60 – Forb3 Perennial Forbs 300–500 yarrow ACHIL Achillea 10–60 – Rocky Mountain iris IRMI Iris missouriensis 10–60 – cinquefoil POTEN Potentilla 10–60 – ragwort SENEC Senecio 10–60 – blue-eyed grass SISYR Sisyrinchium 10–60 – clover TRIFO Trifolium 10–60 – Shrub/Vine4 Secondary Shrubs 40–100 silver sagebrush ARCA13 Artemisia cana 20–60 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 20–60 – willow SALIX Salix 20–60 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Interpretations:
This site is suitable for livestock grazing. Grazing management should be keyed to perennial grasses or palatable shrubs production. The early growth and abundant production of basin wildrye make it a valuable source of forage for livestock. It is important forage for cattle and is readily grazed by cattle and horses in early spring and fall. Though coarse-textured during the winter, basin wildrye may be utilized more frequently by livestock and wildlife when snow has covered low shrubs and other grasses. Tufted hairgrass provides good to excellent forage for all classes of livestock. It is often an abundant source of forage throughout its growing season. Sedge provides good to fair forage for domestic grazing. Black chockcherry is palatable to both sheep and cattle. Narrowleaf willow provides important browse for livestock. Dense stands of Booth willow can be inaccessible to livestock. Cattle will utilize Booth willow if accessible.
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:
Basin wildrye provides winter forage for mule deer, though use is often low compared to other native grasses. Basin wildrye provides summer forage for black-tailed jackrabbits. Because basin wildrye remains green throughout early summer, it remains available for small mammal forage for longer time than other grasses. Tufted hairgrass has a high to moderate resource value for elk and a medium value for mule deer. Use of tufted hairgrass by wildlife species is variable. Tufted hairgrass forage value for wildlife has been rated fair to good. Sedges have a high to moderate resource value for elk and a medium value for mule deer. Elk consume beaked sedge later in the growing season. Black chokecherry is a valuable forage species for mule deer, elk, and black bear. Dense thickets of bitter cherry provide important cover for wildlife. Narrowleaf willow is browsed by elk, and to a limited extent, mule deer. Where abundant, it may be important late summer and winter browse for elk. Booth willow is an important source of browse for deer, elk, and small mammals.Hydrological functions
Runoff is medium to very high. Permeability is moderate to moderately slow. Hydrologic Soil Groups are B and C/D.
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
Basin wildrye was used as bedding for various Native American ceremonies, providing a cool place for dancers to stand. Bitter cherry fruits were used as laxatives, and the roots and inner bark were boiled and ingested to prevent heart trouble. The bark of bitter cherry peels off in long fibrous strips which were used to make baskets and other implements. Bitter cherry is also planted as an ornamental. Native Americans made extensive use of Wood’s rose roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and hips for foods and therapeutic materials. The hips are a source of vitamin C and are dried for use in flavoring teas, jellies, fruitcakes and puddings. Wood’s rose is used as an ornamental near homes to attract birds and other wildlife.
Other information
Basin wildrye is useful in mine reclamation, fire rehabilitation and stabilizing disturbed areas. Its usefulness in range seeding, however, may be limited by initially weak stand establishment. Tufted hairgrass has a broad ecological range and is useful for revegetation, particularly on disturbances at high elevation or high latitude. Tufted hairgrass has been successfully established by seeding on alpine disturbances. It is a valuable soil stabilizer, especially in wet, acid locations. Black chokecherry adapts well to disturbed or degraded sites. It is used for land reclamation and erosion control. Wood’s rose extensive rhizomes, and good survivability and revegetation characteristics even on harsh sites makes this species an effective tool in erosion control. It has also been suggested as a useful species for revegetation on high pH and lime soils. Wood’s rose is used to revegetate disturbed sites along streambanks and seeps.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: White Pine County, NV Township/Range/Section T15N R65E S10 UTM zone N UTM northing 4339111 UTM easting 702320 Latitude 39° 10′ 39″ Longitude 114° 39′ 28″ General legal description Approximately 3 miles east of Cave Lake and 3 miles west of Cave Mountain and 100 feet south of the road; White Pine County. Other references
Dwire, K.A. and J.B. Kauffman.2003. Fire and riparian ecosystems in landscapes of the western USDA. Forest Ecology and Management 178 (2003) 61-74.
Fire Effects Information System (Online; http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/).
Halofsky, J.E. and D.E. Hibbs. 2009. Controls on early post-fire woody plant colonization in riparian areas. Forest Ecology and Management. 258 (2009) 1350-1358.
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.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2004. The North American Monsoon. Reports to the Nation. National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center. Available online: http://www.weather.gov/
USDA-NRCS Plants Database (Online; http://www.plants.usda.gov).
Winward, A.H. 2000. Monitoring the vegetation resources in riparian areas. USDA-Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, RMRS-GTR-47
Contributors
CJ ANDERSON
Rangeland 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) Contact for lead author Date Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
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:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-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:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Print Options
Sections
Font
AAAAOther
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.
Accessibility statement
