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Draft. A draft ecological site description is either incomplete or has not undergone quality control and quality assurance review.
Associated sites
R029XY043NV MAHOGANY SAVANNA
R029XY051NV LOAMY SLOPE 16+ P.Z.
R029XY052NV CLAYPAN 16+ P.Z.
R029XY053NV MOUNTAIN RIDGE 16+ P.Z.
Similar sites
R029XY138NV MOUNTAIN SLOPE 12-14 P.Z.
CELE3 & AMUT major shrubs; less productive site
R029XY051NV LOAMY SLOPE 16+ P.Z.
More productive site
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana
Herbaceous (1) Achnatherum lettermanii
(2) Poa fendlerianaPhysiographic features
This site occurs on straight to convex mountain and plateau sideslopes on all exposures. Slopes range from 4 to 30 percent, but slope gradients of 4 to 15 percent are typical. Elevations are 7400 to about 10500 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain slope
(2) Plateau
Elevation 7400 – 10500 ft Slope 4 – 30 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Average annual precipitation is 16 to over 20 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 43 to 48 degrees F. The average growing season is about 30 to 70 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 50 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
Influencing water features are not associated with this site.
Soil features
Soils are derived from residuum & colluvium derived from mixed rock sources. These soils typically have a shallow rooting depth. There are high amounts of surface rock fragments (gravels and cobbles) Water intake rates are moderately slow to moderate and available water holding capacity is moderate. Drainage is well. Runoff is medium to Very high and the potential for sheet and rill erosion is moderate. Soil series associated with this site include Stopatoe.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very gravelly silt loam
(2) Gravelly loam
(3) Very gravelly loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately slow to moderate Soil depth 14 – 39 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 25 – 40 % Surface fragment cover >3" 2 – 3 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)1.9 – 4 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 45 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.6 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)25 – 36 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)2 – 7 % Ecological dynamics
Where management results in abusive grazing use by livestock and/or feral horses, muttongras, needlegrasses, and other palatable grasses and forbs decrease while rabbitbrush, snowberry and mountain big sagebrush increase. Species likely to invade this site are annuals. Singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper may invade this site where it occurs adjacent to these woodlands.
Fire Ecology:
Presettlement fire return intervals in mountain big sagebrush communities varied from 15 to 25 years. Plants are readily killed in all seasons, even light severity fires. Mountain big sagebrush is highly susceptible to injury from fire. It is often top-killed by fire and will not resprout. Common snowberry is classified as a sprouter and has high resistance to fire. It is a rhizomatous species with rhizomes buried 2 to 5 inches (5-12.5 cm) deep in mineral soil. After fire has killed the top of the plant, new growth sprouts from these rhizomes. This rhizomatous growth response is highly variable and depends on conditions at specific sites. Regeneration from buried seed is favored by fires of low severity and short duration that remove little of the soil organic level. Little specific information is available on adaptations of Letterman's needlegrass to fire. It is morphologically similar to Columbia needlegrass, which is only slightly to moderately damaged by fire. Season of burn affects the plant's ability to survive a fire. Post-fire regeneration is through seeding and tillering. Muttongrass is unharmed to slightly harmed by light-severity fall fires. Muttongrass appears to be harmed by and slow to recover from severe fire. Western needlegrass is moderately damaged by fire. The recovery time is between 3 and 5 years. Needlegrasses are damaged by burning due to the dense plant material that can burn slowly and long, charring to the growing points. Late summer and early fall fires are the least harmful.
State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 5. DRAFT STM
Figure 6. 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 StateRepresentative of the reference conditions prior to Euro-American settlement in the west.
Community 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityThe reference plant community is dominated by mountain big sagebrush, Letterman's needlegrass and muttongrass. Potential vegetative composition is about 60% grasses, 10% forbs and 30% shrubs. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 25 to 35 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)Grass/Grasslike 180 300 420 Shrub/Vine 90 150 210 Forb 30 50 70 Total 300 500 700 State 2
Current Potential StateRepresentative of the current potential with the presence of non-native annuals. Non-native annuals have the ability to significantly change disturbance regimes and nutrient cycling dynamics.
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 264–561 Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 110–220 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 110–165 – western needlegrass ACOCO Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale 11–44 – pine needlegrass ACPI2 Achnatherum pinetorum 11–44 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses 55–165 Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 3–15 – sedge CAREX Carex 3–15 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 3–15 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 3–15 – Forb3 Perennial 110–220 Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 3–15 – tapertip hawksbeard CRAC2 Crepis acuminata 3–15 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 3–15 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 3–15 – Shrub/Vine4 Primary Shrubs 132–363 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 110–275 – snowberry SYMPH Symphoricarpos 22–88 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 55–165 yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 3–25 – slender buckwheat ERMI4 Eriogonum microthecum 3–25 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 3–25 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Interpretations:
This site is suitable for livestock grazing. Grazing management should be keyed to needlegrass species, mutton grass, and other perennial grass species. 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. Muttongrass is excellent forage for domestic livestock especially in the early spring. Muttongrass begins growth in late winter and early spring, which makes it available before many other forage plants. Western needlegrass has a spreading and deeply penetrating root system, which makes it resistant to trampling. Pine needlegrass provides a palatable and nutritious feed for livestock during the spring and early summer. Domestic livestock commonly graze spike fescue on spring range. Spike fescue is a highly nutritious, productive, and palatable grass. It is fairly palatable for cattle and domestic sheep in the spring; however, as spike fescue matures in summer it becomes unpalatable and is grazed sparingly. Domestic livestock commonly graze spike fescue on spring range. Spike fescue is a highly nutritious, productive, and palatable grass. It is fairly palatable for cattle and domestic sheep in the spring; however, as spike fescue matures in summer it becomes unpalatable and is grazed sparingly. Common snowberry is considered important browse for many types of livestock. It is especially important to domestic sheep and cattle. Mountain big sagebrush is eaten by domestic livestock but has long been considered to be of low palatability, and a competitor to more desirable species. 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.
Wilflife Interpretations:
Mountain big sagebrush is highly preferred and nutritious winter forage for mule deer and elk.
Sagebrush-grassland communities provide critical sage-grouse breeding and nesting habitats. Meadows surrounded by sagebrush may be used as feeding and strutting grounds. 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. 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. 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. Deer and elk make heavy use of muttongrass, especially in early spring when other green forage is scarce. Depending upon availability of other nutritious forage, deer may use mutton grass in all seasons. Mutton grass cures well and is an important fall and winter deer food in some areas. Western needlegrass provides valuable forage for many species of wildlife. Pine needlegrass provides a palatable and nutritious feed for wildlife during the spring and early summer. Spike fescue is frequently browsed by mule deer and elk. Spike fescue provides some cover for smaller mammals and birds.
Hydrological functions
Runoff os medium to high. Permeability is moderately slow to moderate and is well drained.
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 big sagebrush leaves and branches for medicinal teas, and the leaves as a fumigant. Bark was woven into mats, bags and clothing. 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
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: Nye County, NV Township/Range/Section T2N R49E S36 General legal description About 3½ miles west of Eden Creek Ranch, north slopes of Kawich Peak, Kawich Range, Nye County, Nevada. Contributors
CAP/JG
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
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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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:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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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:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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