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Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
Classification relationships
NDDB/Holland, R.F. 1986. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California - Desert Saltbush Scrub. ; J.O. Sawyer and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. Manual of California Vegetation - Spinescale Series.
Ecological site concept
This site occurs on nearly level areas of alluvial plains. Elevations are 2270 to 2375 feet. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent.
The soils that characterize this site are very deep and moderately drained to well drained. They are formed in lacustrine sediments.Associated sites
R030XA013CA Clay Flat
Clay Flat
R030XA025CA Saline Bottom
Saline Bottom
R030XA031CA Sodic Dunes 5-7" P.Z.
Sodic Dunes
Similar sites
R030XA024CA Outwash Plain
Outwash Plain - Allscale Saltbush dominant species.
R030XA013CA Clay Flat
Clay Flat - Less productive site; occurs on eroded areas.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Atriplex spinifera
Herbaceous (1) Distichlis spicata
Physiographic features
This site occurs on nearly level areas of alluvial plains. Elevations are 2270 to 2375 feet. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Alluvial flat
Flooding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) Flooding frequency Occasional Ponding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) Ponding frequency Occasional Elevation 2270 – 2375 ft Slope 0 – 2 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate on this site is characterized by cool, relatively dry winters (30 to 60 degrees F) and hot, dry summers (70 to 100 degrees F). The average annual precipitation ranges from 3 to 7 inches with most falling as rain from November to March. Mean annual air temperature is 60 to 64 degrees F.
The average frost free period is 200 to 250 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 250 days Freeze-free period (average) 220 days Precipitation total (average) 10 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
This site is subject to occasional flooding and ponding during very brief periods after snow/rain showers from December through March and summer convection storms from July through September.
Soil features
The soils that characterize this site are very deep and moderately drained to well drained. They are formed in lacustrine sediments. Surface textures are clay loams and fine sandy loams. Subsoils are clay loams, sandy clay loams and silty clay loams. These soils are saline and sodic. Available water capacity is moderate and the hazard of water erosion is slight. Wind erosion hazard is moderate. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more, but root growth may be impeded where a dense natric horizon exists. Water tables are greater than 60 inches. Up to 6 inches of ponding may occur for several days after heavy winter rains.
Soil Map Units
126 Leuhman complex, 0-2% slopes
127 Inclusion, Leuhman-Cajon-Leuhman, eroded,
complex, 0-9% slopes
144 Voyager-Leuhman complex, 0-2% slopes
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Loamy sand
(2) Fine sandy loam
(3) Sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Moderately well drained Permeability class Very slow Soil depth 60 – 120 in Available water capacity
(0-40in)5 – 7 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)1 – 5 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 32 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)5 – 50 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)8.2 – 9.3 Ecological dynamics
Please refer to R030XA009CA Alkali Flat 5-7" P.Z. to view group concept STM.
This site is a very stable plant community so long as the site is undisturbed. Destructive impacts such as land clearing may reduce the cover of the chenopods, perennial grasses and the cryptogamic crust. With a loss of perennial cover and disturbance of the crust, non-native annual forbs and grasses such as red-stem filaree, red brome, cheatgrass and Schismus will invade this site. Wind erosion will most likely increase. Fire Effects - The foliage of the saltbushes appears to have fire-retarding qualities associated with the salt content of the leaves, although a severe fire can kill top growth. Most fires consume the aboveground foliage of saltgrass. Saltgrass survives fires by sending up top growth from rhizomes.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 textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State - Plant Community 1.1Community 1.1
Reference State - Plant Community 1.1This site is the historic climax plant community. This community is characterized by low, grayish microphyllous shrubs, 0.3 to 1 meter tall, with some succulent species. Stand are typically dominated by saltbush species. Potential vegetative composition is 15% grasses, 10% forbs and 75% shrubs. Perennial grasses include inland saltgrass, alkali bluegrass and bottlebrush squirreltail. Annual grasses and forbs are seasonally present. A moderately well-developed cryptogamic crust is common. This site is stable in this condition.
Forest overstory.**Allow no more than 5% of each shrub species and no more than 15% in aggregate. <br /> <br /> Other shrubs comprise 5 to 15 % composition (air-dry weight)
Forest understory. **Allow no more than 2% of each grass species and no more than 5% in aggregate. <br /> <br /> Other perennial grasses comprise 2 to 5% composition(air-dry weight)<br /> <br /> Other annual grasses comprise trace to 5% composition (air-dry weight)<br /> <br /> **Allow no more than 2% of each forb species and no more than 8% in aggregate. <br /> <br /> Other perennial forbs comprise 2 to 8% composition(air-dry weight)<br /> <br /> Other annual forbs comprise 2 to 5% composition (air-dry weight)
Figure 3. 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 150 337 450 Grass/Grasslike 30 67 90 Forb 20 45 60 Total 200 449 600 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 10-30% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 0-10% Forb foliar cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 0% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). CA3001 , Spinescale. Growth starts in late winter. Flowering and seed set occur by June. Seeds remain on the shrubs for several months. Dormancy occurs during the hot summer months..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 10 25 35 15 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations:
This site provides habitat for small mammals such as kangaroo rats and ground squirrels. Fur and game mammals include black-tailed jack rabbits, desert cottontails and coyotes. Ravens, raptors and various songbirds are common. Limitations for burrowing reptiles such as the desert tortoise include occasional ponding and flooding and a dense natric horizon of the soil. Grazing Interpretations:
This site has limited value for livestock grazing due to low production, lack of stock water and the hazard of wind erosion if the crust is disturbed. In favorable years, abundant annual forbs and grasses may provide limited spring grazing for sheep.
Wildlife Habitat - Management for this site is to protect the crytogamic crust and vegetation from excessive disturbance. Water developments would enhance the species diversity of the site.
LIVESTOCK GRAZING:
Season of Use- Other Mgt. Considerations - This site is poorly suited for livestock grazing. It is limited by low production, lack of stock water and the hazard of wind erosion. In favorable years, abundant annual forbs and grasses may provide limited spring grazing.
General guide to initial stocking rate. Before making specific recommendations, an on-site evaluation must be made.
Pounds/acre
air-dry
Normal Years 450Hydrological functions
Runoff is negligible or low. Permeability is very slow to slow. Hydrologic soil group B - soils having moderate infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted and consisting chiefly of moderately deep to deep, moderately well drained to well-drained soils with moderately fine to moderately coarse textures. Hydrologic soil group D - soils having very slow infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted and consisting chiefly of clay soils with a high swelling potential, soils with a permanent high watertable, soils with a claypan or clay layer at or near the surface, and shallow soils over nearly impervious material. Hydrologic conditions: good - >70% ground cover (includes litter, grass and brush overstory); fair - 30 to 70% ground cover; poor - <30% ground cover.
Soil Series: Leuhman
Hydrologic Group: D
Hydrologic Conditions and Runoff Curves:
Good 84; Fair 86; Poor 88
Soil Series: Voyager
Hydrologic Group: B
Hydrologic Conditions and Runoff Curves:
Good 86; Fair 72; Poor 77Recreational uses
This site is valued for open space and is used by joggers, mountain bikers and other off-road enthusiasts. Off-road vehicles can easily damage the cryptogamic crust and vegetative cover, and should be restricted to existing roads and trails.
Other information
Military Operations - Vehicles should be limited to existing roads and trails. Park vehicles on roadways only and avoid areas that have ponded water. To reduce wind erosion, limit disturbance to the cryptogamic crust and clearing of vegetation. Native species indigenous to this site are recommended for any revegetation efforts.
Revegetation/Restoration: The saltbush species are suitable for revegetation. Transplants are more effective than direct seeding. Supplemental irrigation is recommended during the first growing season. Protection from rodents and removal of annual grasses and forbs is also recommended. Saltgrass is an excellent plant for wind or water erosion control. Rhizomes collected in the field and planted onto disturbed areas will resprout and spread.Supporting information
Inventory data references
Sampling technique _12 NV-ECS-1 _2_ SCS-Range 417 ___ Other
Type locality
Location 1: Kern County, CA Township/Range/Section T9N R10W S12 General legal description SW 1/4 Section 12, R10W, T9N North of Hospital Road, near South Base Kern Co., CA Other references
Hickman, J.C. (ed) 1995. The Jepson Manual - Higher Plants of California.
Contributors
P. Novak-Echenique
Approval
Kendra Moseley, 10/21/2024
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 08/10/2026 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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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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