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.
Associated sites
F029XY069NV PIMO-JUOS WSG 0R0504 12 to 16
R029XY030NV LOAMY 12-14 P.Z.
R029XY057NV LOAMY ASH INFLUENCED SLOPE 12-14 P.Z.
Similar sites
R029XY014NV SHALLOW CALCAREOUS SLOPE 8-12 P.Z.
ACHY-HECO26 codominant grasses; less productive site.
R029XY099NV STONY CALCAREOUS HILL
BEFR major shrub; ACHY & HECO26 codominant grasses.
R029XY104NV SHALLOW CLAY LOAM 10-12 P.Z.
ACHY-ACTH7 codominant
R029XY081NV SHALLOW CALCAREOUS HILL 10-14 P.Z.
PSSPI rare to absent
R029XY008NV SHALLOW CALCAREOUS LOAM 8-12 P.Z.
ACHY dominant grass
R029XY045NV STONY CALCAREOUS SLOPE 8-12 P.Z.
ACSP12 dominant grass
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia nova
Herbaceous (1) Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. inermis
Physiographic features
This site occurs on mountain sideslopes and summits. This site is restricted to cool, northerly aspects at the lower elevations of its range. Slopes range from 8 to 75 percent but slope gradients of 15 to 50 percent are typical. Elevations are 5000 to about 8500 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain
Elevation 5000 – 8500 ft Slope 8 – 75 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate associated with this site is arid, characterized by cold, moist winters and warm, dry summers. Average annual precipitation is 12 to about 14(16) inches. Mean annual air temperature is 46 to 52 degrees F. The average growing season is about 90 to 130 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 130 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 10 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
There are no influencing water features associated with this site.
Soil features
The soils associated with this site have formed in residuum or colluvium from volcanic parent material. The soils are shallow to a strongly cemented duripan and there is a high volume of coarse fragments throughout the soil profile. The soils are modified with high amounts of gravels, cobbles or stones on the surface. The available water capacity is low.
The representative soil series associated with this site is Handpah, a loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic, shallow Xeric Argidurid. The soil moisture regime is aridic bordering on xeric and the soil temperature regime is mesic. An ochric epipedon occurs from the soil surface to approximately six inches. An argillic horizon occurs from approximately six to 17 inches. An duripan occurs from approximately 19 to 60 inches. Reaction is slightly to strongly alkaline.Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Gravelly sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately slow Soil depth 14 – 20 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 15 – 20 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 5 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)0.07 – 2 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 20 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 6 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 5 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.8 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 45 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 % Ecological dynamics
Where management results in abusive use by cattle or feral horses, Douglas rabbitbrush, black sagebrush and annual forbs and grasses increase as beardless wheatgrass and other desirable forage grasses decrease. Cheatgrass is the species most likely to invade this site. In the absence of periodic wildfire, Utah juniper and singleleaf pinyon readily increase on this site where it occurs adjacent to these woodland areas.
Fire Ecology:
Black sagebrush communities generally lack enough fine fuels to carry a fire. In addition to low fine fuel loading, wide shrub spacing makes fire infrequent or difficult to prescribe in black sagebrush types. Black sagebrush is highly susceptible to fire-caused mortality; plants are readily killed by all fire intensities. Following burning, reestablishment occurs through off-site sources. Nevada ephedra generally sprouts after fire damages aboveground vegetation. Underground regenerative structures commonly survive when aboveground vegetation is consumed by fire. However, severe fires may kill shallowly buried regenerative structures. Green ephedra generally sprouts vigorously from the roots or woody root crown after fire and rapidly produces aboveground biomass from surviving meristematic tissue. Burning bluebunch wheatgrass may remove most of the aboveground biomass but does not usually result in plant mortality. Bluebunch wheatgrass is generally favored by burning. Burning stimulates flowering and seed production. However, season of burning affects mortality. Indian ricegrass can be killed by fire, depending on severity and season of burn. Indian ricegrass reestablishes on burned sites through seed dispersed from adjacent unburned areas. Sandberg bluegrass is generally unharmed by fire. It produces little litter, and its small bunch size and sparse litter reduces the amount of heat transferred to perennating buds in the soil. Its rapid maturation in the spring also reduces fire damage, since it is dormant when most fires occur.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 3. DRAFT STM
Figure 4. DRAFT STM 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 1
Reference StateCommunity 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityThe reference plant community is dominated by black sagebrush and beardless wheatgrass.
Potential vegetative composition is about 60% grasses 5% forbs and 35% shrubs and trees.
Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 15 to 35 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 416 520 676 Grass/Grasslike 240 300 390 Forb 80 100 130 Tree 64 80 104 Total 800 1000 1300 State 2
Current PotentialState 3
Tree StateState 4
Anuual StateAdditional 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 245–325 beardless wheatgrass PSSPI Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. inermis 225–275 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 10–25 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 10–25 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses 10–50 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 3–15 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 3–15 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 3–15 – James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 3–15 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 3–15 – Forb3 Perennial 10–40 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 2–10 – aster ASTER Aster 3–10 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 3–10 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 3–10 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 3–10 – 4 Annual 0–15 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 3–12 – Shrub/Vine5 Primary Shrubs 135–175 black sagebrush ARNO4 Artemisia nova 125–150 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 0–15 – mormon tea EPVI Ephedra viridis 5–13 – Nevada jointfir EPNE Ephedra nevadensis 5–12 – 6 Secondary Shrubs 25–75 Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 0–18 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 3–15 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 3–15 – spiny hopsage GRSP Grayia spinosa 3–15 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 3–15 – Tree7 Evergreen 6–30 black sagebrush ARNO4 Artemisia nova 125–150 – Utah juniper JUOS Juniperus osteosperma 3–15 – singleleaf pinyon PIMO Pinus monophylla 3–15 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 4–12 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Interpretations:
This site is suited for livestock grazing. Grazing management should be keyed to dominate perennial grass species. Bluebunch wheatgrass is considered one of the most important forage grass species on western rangelands for livestock. Although bluebunch wheatgrass can be a crucial source of forage, it is not necessarily the most highly preferred species. Indian ricegrass is highly palatable to all classes of livestock in both green and cured condition. It supplies a source of green feed before most other native grasses have produced much new growth. Sandberg 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. Sandberg 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.
In winter, at lower elevations, black sagebrush is heavily utilized by domestic sheep. Nevada ephedra is important winter range browse for domestic cattle, sheep and goats. Green ephedra is heavily browsed by livestock on winter range but only moderately or lightly browsed during other seasons.
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:
Black sagebrush is a significant browse species within the Intermountain region. It is especially important on low elevation winter ranges in the southern Great Basin, where extended snow free periods allow animal’s access to plants throughout most of the winter. In these areas it is heavily utilized by pronghorn and mule deer. Sagebrush-grassland communities provide critical sage-grouse breeding and nesting habitats. Sagebrush is a crucial component of their diet year-round, and sage-grouse select sagebrush almost exclusively for cover. Sage-grouse prefer mountain big sagebrush and Wyoming big sagebrush communities to basin big sagebrush communities. Mule deer, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn browse Nevada ephedra, especially in spring and late summer when new growth is available. Green ephedra is an important browse species for big game animals. Green ephedra is heavily used by wildlife on winter ranges. Bluebunch wheatgrass is considered one of the most important forage grass species on western rangelands for wildlife. Bluebunch wheatgrass does not generally provide sufficient cover for ungulates, however, mule deer are frequently found in bluebunch-dominated grasslands. Indian ricegrass is eaten by pronghorn in "moderate" amounts whenever available. In Nevada it is consumed by desert bighorns. A number of heteromyid rodents inhabiting desert rangelands show preference for seed of Indian ricegrass. Indian ricegrass is an important component of jackrabbit diets in spring and summer. In Nevada, Indian ricegrass may even dominate jackrabbit diets during the spring through early summer months. Indian ricegrass seed provides food for many species of birds. Doves, for example, eat large amounts of shattered Indian ricegrass seed lying on the ground. Sandberg 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 very high. Drainage is well and permeability is very slow.
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
Native Americans used Nevada ephedra as a tea to treat stomach and kidney ailments. Indian ricegrass was traditionally eaten by some Native Americans. The Paiutes used seed as a reserve food source.
Other information
Black sagebrush is an excellent species to establish on sites where management objectives include restoration or improvement of domestic sheep, pronghorn, or mule deer winter range. Nevada ephedra is useful for erosion control, and seedlings have been successfully planted onto reclaimed strip mines, with survival ranging from 12 to 94%. Atrazine may be effective in controlling Nevada ephedra, though some plants can survive through crown sprouting. Irrigation may increase control by atrazine. Green ephedra is listed as a successful shrub for restoring western rangeland communities and can be used to rehabilitate disturbed lands. It also has value for reducing soil erosion on both clay and sandy soils. Green ephedra establishes readily through direct seeding, transplants, and stem cuttings.
Supporting information
Other references
Fire Effects Information System (Online; http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/).
USDA-NRCS Plants Database (Online; http://www.plants.usda.gov).
Contributors
GD/RRK
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) P NOVAK-ECHENIQUE Contact for lead author State Rangeland Management Specialist. Date 04/02/2014 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
Rills are none to rare. A few rills can be expected on steeper slopes in areas subjected to summer convection storms or rapid spring snowmelt. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
A few water flow patterns can be expected in areas recently subjected to summer convection storms or rapid snowmelt, particularly on steeper slopes. If waterflow patterns are evident, they are typically short in length(<1 m) and not extensive. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals are rare. Occurrence is usually limited to areas of water flow patterns. Frost heaving of shallow rooted plants should not be considered a "normal" condition. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare Ground 25-35%; Rock fragments: 15-25% -
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 catastrophic 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 3 to 6 on most soil textures found on this site. (To be field tested.) -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Surface structure is typically moderate medium platy. Soil surface colors are pale browns and soils are typified by an ochric epipedon. Organic matter of the surface 2 to 3 inches is typically 1 to 1.5 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:
Deep-rooted bunchgrasses (i.e., beardless wheatgrass & Indian ricegrass) slow runoff and increase infiltration. Low statured, shrub canopy and associated litter break raindrop impact and provide some opportunity for snow catch 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 none. Massive sub-surface horizons, subsoil argillic horizons, or duripans are not to be interpreted as compacted. -
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 > low shrubs (black sagebrush)Sub-dominant:
associated shrubs = deep-rooted, cool season, perennial forbs = shallow-rooted, cool season perennial grasses > rhizomatous warm season grasses > fibrous, shallow-rooted, cool season, perennial and annual forbsOther:
evergreen trees, annual forbs, succulentsAdditional:
-
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 30% of total woody canopy; some of the mature bunchgrasses (<20%) have dead centers. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Between plant interspaces (25-30%) and litter depth is ± ¼ inch. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
For normal or average growing season (through mid-June) ± 500 lbs/ac; Favorable years are ± 700 lbs/ac and unfavorable years ± 250 lbs/ac. -
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 Cheatgrass, annual mustards, and Russian thistle, singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper can increase and eventually dominate this site. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All functional groups should reproduce in average (or normal) and above average growing season years. Reduced growth or reproduction occurs during extreme or extended drought periods.
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
