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Ecological site R030XA036CA
Shallow Granitic Hill
Last updated: 10/21/2024
Accessed: 08/18/2026
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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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 030X–Mojave Basin and Range
The Mojave Desert Major Land Resource Area (MLRA 30) is found in southern California, southern Nevada, the extreme southwest corner of Utah and northwestern Arizona within the Basin and Range Province of the Intermontane Plateaus. The Mojave Desert is a transitional area between hot deserts and cold deserts where close proximity of these desert types exert enough influence on each other to distinguish these desert types from the hot and cold deserts beyond the Mojave. Kottek et. al 2006 defines hot deserts as areas where mean annual air temperatures are above 64 F (18 C) and cold deserts as areas where mean annual air temperatures are below 64 F (18 C). Steep elevation gradients within the Mojave create islands of low elevation hot desert areas surrounded by islands of high elevation cold desert areas.
The Mojave Desert receives less than 10 inches of mean annual precipitation. Mojave Desert low elevation areas are often hyper-arid while high elevation cold deserts are often semi-arid with the majority of the Mojave being an arid climate. Hyper-arid areas receive less than 4 inches of mean annual precipitation and semi-arid areas receive more than 8 inches of precipitation (Salem 1989). The western Mojave receives very little precipitation during the summer months while the eastern Mojave experiences some summer monsoonal activity.
In summary, the Mojave is a land of extremes. Elevation gradients contribute to extremely hot and dry summers and cold moist winters where temperature highs and lows can fluctuate greatly between day and night, from day to day and from winter to summer. Precipitation falls more consistently at higher elevations while lower elevations can experience long intervals without any precipitation. Lower elevations also experience a low frequency of precipitation events so that the majority of annual precipitation may come in only a couple precipitation events during the whole year. Hot desert areas influence cold desert areas by increasing the extreme highs and shortening the length of below freezing events. Cold desert areas influence hot desert areas by increasing the extreme lows and increasing the length of below freezing events. Average precipitation and temperature values contribute little understanding to the extremes which govern wildland plant communities across the Mojave.
Arid Western Mojave Land Resource Unit (XA)LRU notes
The Mojave Desert is currently divided into 4 Land Resource Units (LRUs). This ecological site is within the arid portions of the Mojave where precipitation primarily occurs during the winter months (Hereford et. al 2004). The lack of summer precipitation as well as cooler temperatures allows cool season species to occupy sites at lower elevations than they do in the Eastern Mojave. For example, sandberg bluegrass, winterfat and spiny hopsage are common at lower elevations in the Western Mojave than they are in the Eastern Mojave. Warm season species like big galleta rarely occur in the Western Mojave. The Arid Western Mojave LRU is designated by the 'XA' symbol within the ecological site ID and is roughly equivalent to Western Mojave Basins and Western Mojave Low Ranges and Arid Footslopes of EPA Level IV Ecoregions.
Elevations range from 1650 to 4300 feet and precipitation is between 4 to 8 inches per year. The Arid Western Mojave LRU is distinguished from the Arid Eastern Mojave (XB) by the lack of summer precipitation which excludes many warm season plant species from occurring in this LRU. Vegetation includes creosote bush, rabbitbrush, shadscale saltbush, spiny hopsage, winterfat, Nevada jointfir, and Joshua tree. At the upper elevations of the LRU, plant production and diversity are greater and blackbrush is a common dominant shrub. The Arid Western Mojave LRU generally lacks the diversity of yucca, cacti and warm season species found in the Arid Eastern Mojave.Ecological site concept
The Shallow Granitic Hill ecological site is found on soils within the hills and mountains landscape above 3000 feet (915 m). Soils are shallow or have a shallow subsurface diagnostic horizon and is developed from colluvium and residuum derived from igneous and plutonic metamorphosed material.
The central concept of this ecological site is within the Soil Survey of Mojave Desert Area, Northwest Part, California (CA682) in the 6001 - Goldpeak-Pinyonpeak-Wingap complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes map unit.
This is a group concept and provisional STM that also covers R030XA051CAAssociated sites
R029XY184CA Shallow Granitic Footslope 7-9" p.z.
R029XY185CA Shallow Granitic Hills 7-9" p.z.
R029XY186CA Sandy Slope 10-12" p.z.
R029XY189CA South Sandy Slope 9-11" p.z.
Similar sites
R029XY185CA Shallow Granitic Hills 7-9" p.z.
Essentially the same ecological site concept as R030XA036CA.
R029XY182CA Shallow Granitic Loam 7-9" p.z.
Essentially the same ecological site concept as R030XA036CA.
R029XF010CA GRAVELLY SANDY
Essentially the same ecological site concept as R030XA036CA.
R029XY183CA Shallow Granitic Slope 7-9" p.z.
Essentially the same ecological site concept as R030XA036CA.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Coleogyne ramosissima
Herbaceous (1) Poa secunda
Physiographic features
This ecological site occurs on summits and backslopes of fan remnants; north-facing, upper elevation hills; and lower backslopes and footslopes of mountains. It typically occurs on slopes between 2 and 30 percent.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Fan remnant
(2) Hill
(3) Mountain
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 2500 – 5575 ft Slope 2 – 30 % Water table depth 60 – 0 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The Mojave Desert experiences clear, dry conditions for a majority of the year. Winter temperatures are mild, summer temperatures are hot, and seasonal and diurnal temperature fluctuations are large. Monthly minimum temperature averages range from 30 to 80 degrees F (-1 to 27 degrees C). Monthly maximum temperature averages range from 60 to 110 degrees F (16 to 43 degrees C) (CSU 2002).
Average annual rainfall is between 2 and 8 inches (50 to 205 millimeters) (USDA 2006). Snowfall is more common at elevations above 4000 feet (1220 meters), but it may not occur every year (WRCC 2002). The Mojave Desert receives precipitation from two sources. Precipitation falls primarily in the winter as a result of storms originating in the northern Pacific Ocean. The Sierra Nevada and Transverse Ranges create a rain shadow effect, causing little precipitation to reach the Mojave Desert. Sporadic rainfall occurs during the summer as a result of convection storms formed when moisture from the Gulf of Mexico or Gulf of California moves into the region. Summer rainfall is more common and has a greater influence on soil moisture in the eastern Mojave Desert.
Windy conditions are also common in the Mojave Desert, particularly in the west and central Mojave Desert. Spring is typically the windiest season, with winds averaging 10-15 miles per hour (WRCC 2002). Winds in excess of 25 miles per hour and gusts in excess of 50 miles per hour are not uncommon (CSU 2002).
Although half of the Jawbone-Butterbredt ACEC Soil Survey is in the Mojave Desert (MLRA 30), the western and northwestern areas of the survey transition into the Southern Nevada Basin and Range (MLRA 29). As the Mojave Desert transitions into the Southern Nevada Basin and Range, the temperature range generally becomes cooler (WRCC 2002). Precipitation as rain and as snow also increases (USDA 2006). This survey area has a wide range of precipitation due to its location. Where the Mojave Desert influences are stronger, average annual precipitation ranges from 5 to 7 inches (127 to 178 millimeters). Where the Southern Nevada Basin and Range influences are stronger, average annual precipitation commonly ranges from 7 to 9 inches (178 to 229 millimeters), and may range up to 12 inches (305 millimeters) annually (WRCC 2002). At elevations above 4000 feet (1370 meters), average annual snowfall may reach 20 inches (WRCC 2002).
The data from the following climate stations were used to describe the climate in the Jawbone-Butterbredt ACEC Soil Survey (station number in parentheses):
Cantil, CA (041488)
Inyokern, CA (044278)
Mojave, CA (045756)
Tehachapi, CA (048826)
"Maximum monthly precipitation" represents average monthly precipitation.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 300 days Freeze-free period (average) 320 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 on this ecological site.
Soil features
Soils are found within the hills and mountain landscape between 3000 to 4300 feet. They formed in colluvium and residuum from igneous and plutonic metamorphosed material. Soil depths are shallow to a lithic contact or act shallow due to an argillic horizon obstructing rapid and very deep infiltration.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Loamy sand
(2) Gravelly loamy sand
(3) Gravelly sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Ecological dynamics
This ecological site is located on hills and fan remnants on very shallow to very deep soils. It is dominated by blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima). Blackbrush is thought to be a paleoendemic species, once having a wider range but now limited to its present extent by environmental conditions (Stebbins and Major 1965) and past management activities such as prescribed burning to improve forage production for livestock (Brooks et al. 2003). That it is present on a variety of soils may be a reflection of its prior, more expansive distribution.
Blackbrush has infrequent germination events, low seedling survival, and does not readily establish on a site (Anderson 2001a). Because they may take thousands of years to establish (Webb et al. 1987), blackbrush communities are found on stable and older landforms where disturbance is uncommon or mild such as on fan remnants. Blackbrush can also establish well on shallow soils. The shallow root system of blackbrush lets it succeed on soils with a root-limiting layer (Anderson 2001a). An argillic horizon at shallow depth may also aid blackbrush survival due to its higher available water capacity. Other species found in late seral communities, such as mormon tea (Ephedra viridis) and water jacket (Lycium andersonii), often have deep, expansive root systems (Anderson 2001b, Tesky 1992), and are only present in small amounts. Nearly single-species stands of blackbrush probably developed as other species were outlived or outcompeted by blackbrush.
Wildfire may affect this ecosite. Wildfire has historically been a rare event in the desert because widely spaced shrubs and discontinuous fuels prevented fires from spreading easily. This ecosite has relatively high shrub cover and has more potential to carry a fire. Spread of invasive annual species in the Mojave Desert creates a more continuous and easily ignitable fuel bed, particularly after heavy rains, and can increase the size and frequency of wildfires (Clarke 2006, Howard 2006). Invasive annual plants such as red brome (Bromus rubens) and redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium) often re-colonize these disturbed sites (Brooks et al. 2003). Red brome and redstem filaree are present on this ecosite, and their spread would increase the risk and frequency of fire on this ecosite.
Blackbrush communities are often significantly altered by fire or other widespread disturbance. Fires in blackbrush communities were often stand-replacing (Brooks et al. 2003), but historical fire return intervals of more than 100 years allowed for slow re-establishment (Anderson 2001a). Early and mid-seral species would become more common following a disturbance. Ample seed production, easy seed dispersal, and rapid growth help these species establish on disturbed sites. Reduced competition from late seral species for light, water, and nutrients facilitates plant growth.
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 2 submodel, plant communities
State 1
BlackbrushMonospecific blackbrush stands often exist with few other species scattered throughout the stand and under blackbrush canopies. Blackbrush as a climax species is supported by West (1969), Provenza and Urness (1981) and Jeffries and Klopatek (1987) but solid stands may have developed as livestock grazing removed more palatable grasses and shrubs (Bowns and West 1976b, Plummer et. al 1968).
Community 1.1
BlackbrushThe interpretive plant community is the reference plant community prior to European colonization.
Several species are present on this ecological site, but blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima) is the dominant species in terms of canopy cover and annual production. The major herbaceous species is Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda). Many species are present in small amounts. Species often found in late seral communities include water jacket (Lycium andersonii), peach thorn (Lycium cooperi), spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa), California juniper (Juniperus californica), antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), Mojave cottonthorn (Tetradymia stenolepis), and Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia). Early- and mid-seral species in this community include California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), narrowleaf goldenbush (Ericameria linearifolia), and green rabbitbrush (Ericameria teretifolia). The potential plant community is 85% shrubs, 10% perennial grasses, and 5% annual forbs.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 336 504 672 Grass/Grasslike 44 66 88 Forb 20 30 40 Total 400 600 800 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 30-40% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 0-0% 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% Table 7. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 10-20% Grass/grasslike basal cover 0-0% Forb basal cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 20-20% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Table 8. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – – 2-3% >0.5 <= 1 – – – – >1 <= 2 – 2-3% 2-3% – >2 <= 4.5 – 25-30% – – >4.5 <= 13 – 1-2% – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Community 1.2
Blackbrush Mixed ShrubResponse to fire is unpredictable and can vary greatly depending on the climatic conditions at the time of fire, dynamic soil properties as well as varying land uses pre and post-fire (Bowns and West 1976a). The overall response is decreased blackbrush cover and an increase in mixed shrub and herbaceous cover. Grazing this community phase will tend to maintain a mixed shrub cover by removing the more palatable grasses. Shrub dominance may also indicate an older burn, greater than 15 years (Bates 1983, Callison et. al 1985).
At the higher elevations of this ecological site, low intensity burns may also increase the number of individual Joshua trees which have been reported to sprout vigorously post fire (Gorder et al. 2005). Fire at the lower elevations of this ecological site are likely to reduce or remove Joshua tree (Minnich 2003). Eastern Mojave buckwheat is commonly very abundant in this community phase. Burrobrush (Hymenoclea salsola) and water jacket (Lycium andersonii) are common shrubs in this community phase.
This is an at risk community phase. The loss of blackbrush cover can allow interspaces to become occupied by a more continuous plant cover which can help spread fire (D'Antonio and Vitousek 1992, Brooks and Matchett 2003, Brooks et al. 2004, Brooks and Matchett 2006). If the fire return interval is less than 100 years, this community is very likely to transition to State 3.Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2Occurs with low intensity, patchy fire during early summer or drought years when perennial grasses are dry. This pathway can also occur with other forms of patchy blackbrush removal such as heavy grazing and an increase in flooding intensity.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1Over time (>20 years), absent the disturbance which removed blackbrush, with the occurrence of mast seed crops followed by favorable climatic conditions, monospecific stands of blackbrush may dominate the landscape. Moderate to heavy winter precipitation is likely to favor mast seed production (Beatley 1974). Livestock grazing may accelerate this transition by removing herbaceous competition (Jeffries and Klopatek 1987).
State 2
BurnedThis state exists when blackbrush is lost from the community as a result of large-scale and high intensity fires, where blackbrush seed source is not available to recolonize, and/or recurrent fire does not provide intervals long enough for blackbrush recovery.
Community 2.1
Annual Herbaceous Plant CommunityThis community phase is dominated by annual grasses and forbs. This community phase could last for 2 to 3 years following fire depending on the intensity of the fire, the extent of the fire, weather conditions following the fire and the elevation of the fire (Bates 1983). This community phase could be short lived at this ecological site's highest elevations and may persist for longer periods at the lower elevations.
Community 2.2
California buckwheat - Sandberg bluegrass - Desert needlegrassThe reference and representative plant communities can be significantly altered by wildfires or other widespread disturbances. Blackbrush may have limited abilities to regenerate under current environmental conditions. Following a disturbance, several minor plants present in the reference community will become more common. These include narrowleaf goldenbush (Ericameria linearifolia), California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), and desert needlegrass (Achnatherum speciosum). If the root crown is not killed, these plants can resprout, or they may establish on site by seed. Herbaceous species produce relatively more biomass than shrubs in this community than in the reference plant community. The potential plant community for this state is 55% shrubs, 40% perennial grasses, and 5% annual forbs.
Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 9. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Shrub/Vine 252 378 514 Grass/Grasslike 124 170 212 Forb 24 52 74 Total 400 600 800 Table 10. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 20-20% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 10-10% Forb foliar cover 0-10% 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% Table 11. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 10-20% Grass/grasslike basal cover 0-10% Forb basal cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 30-50% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Table 12. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – – 3-5% >0.5 <= 1 – 2-3% – – >1 <= 2 – 10-15% 5-7% – >2 <= 4.5 – 2-3% – – >4.5 <= 13 – – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2With 10-15 years following fire, perennial grasses and shrubs will become established (Bates 1983). Perennial grasses are likely to dominate sites with light livestock utilization (Hughes 1982).
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1A high intensity fire will return this community phase to an annual herbaceous plant community.
Transition T1
State 1 to 2Introduction of non-native species due to a combination of factors including; surface disturbance, changes in the kinds of animals and their grazing patterns, drought, changes in fire history or any other type of vegetation removal. Non-natives can alter disturbance regimes significantly from their natural or historic range and change ecological processes therefore creating an unlikely scenario to restore the site back to reference.
Additional community tables
Table 13. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Shrub/Vine1 Perennial Shrubs 336–672 blackbrush CORA Coleogyne ramosissima 319–500 – narrowleaf goldenbush ERLI6 Ericameria linearifolia 4–25 – Eastern Mojave buckwheat ERFA2 Eriogonum fasciculatum 4–20 – California juniper JUCA7 Juniperus californica 0–20 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 0–20 – Joshua tree YUBR Yucca brevifolia 2–18 – spiny hopsage GRSP Grayia spinosa 0–15 – Cooper's goldenbush ERCO23 Ericameria cooperi 0–15 – green rabbitbrush ERTE18 Ericameria teretifolia 2–10 – water jacket LYAN Lycium andersonii 0–5 – peach thorn LYCO2 Lycium cooperi 2–5 – Mojave cottonthorn TEST2 Tetradymia stenolepis 1–5 – beardtongue PENST Penstemon 0–4 – burrobrush HYSA Hymenoclea salsola 1–3 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 0–2 – mormon tea EPVI Ephedra viridis 0–2 – beavertail pricklypear OPBA2 Opuntia basilaris 1–2 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 0–1 – Grass/Grasslike2 Perennial Grasses 44–88 Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 40–80 – desert needlegrass ACSP12 Achnatherum speciosum 4–8 – Forb3 Perennial Forbs 4–8 brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 4–8 – 4 Annual Forbs 16–32 giant woollystar ERDE2 Eriastrum densifolium 4–8 – flatcrown buckwheat ERDE6 Eriogonum deflexum 4–8 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 4–8 – Table 14. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 16. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Shrub/Vine1 Perennial Shrubs 252–514 Eastern Mojave buckwheat ERFA2 Eriogonum fasciculatum 130–212 – narrowleaf goldenbush ERLI6 Ericameria linearifolia 90–150 – spiny hopsage GRSP Grayia spinosa 13–24 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 5–24 – Mojave cottonthorn TEST2 Tetradymia stenolepis 13–24 – purple sage SADO4 Salvia dorrii 0–20 – burrobrush HYSA Hymenoclea salsola 0–10 – California juniper JUCA7 Juniperus californica 0–10 – big sagebrush ARTR2 Artemisia tridentata 0–10 – mormon tea EPVI Ephedra viridis 1–8 – green rabbitbrush ERTE18 Ericameria teretifolia 0–8 – Joshua tree YUBR Yucca brevifolia 0–8 – Mojave woodyaster XYTO2 Xylorhiza tortifolia 0–6 – Grass/Grasslike2 Perennial Grasses 124–212 desert needlegrass ACSP12 Achnatherum speciosum 62–106 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 62–106 – Forb3 Annual Forbs 24–74 miner's lettuce CLPE Claytonia perfoliata 0–8 – flatcrown buckwheat ERDE6 Eriogonum deflexum 4–8 – Pringle's woolly sunflower ERPR4 Eriophyllum pringlei 4–8 – coastal tidytips LAPL Layia platyglossa 4–8 – smooth desertdandelion MAGL3 Malacothrix glabrata 4–8 – blazingstar MENTZ Mentzelia 4–8 – lacy phacelia PHTA Phacelia tanacetifolia 4–8 – mustard BRASS2 Brassica 0–6 – red triangles CETH3 Centrostegia thurberi 0–6 – whitemargin sandmat CHAL11 Chamaesyce albomarginata 0–6 – Interpretations
Animal community
Blackbrush is not a preferred browse species for wildlife or domestic livestock (Anderson 2001). Small mammals and birds may eat blackbrush seeds, and blackbrush provides cover for them.
The major land use on this ecological site is livestock grazing. Blackbrush has low forage value for domestic livestock (Sampson and Jesperson 1963). The plant community that results from disturbance has more valuable species for grazing. Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) and desert needlegrass are valuable forage species (Howard 1997, Pavek 1993). Controlled grazing can promote production of grasses, but uncontrolled grazing and trampling will reduce their presence on this ecosite.
Hydrological functions
Flooding and ponding are not significant occurrences in this ecological site. Permeability is moderate to moderately rapid. The different soils create highly variable runoff characteristics. Very deep soils have minimal runoff while shallow ones have very high runoff.
Recreational uses
In years of high precipitation, this ecological site has abundant wildflowers, making for many photographic opportunities.
This area is part of an off-highway vehicle recreation area. Travel is restricted to existing trails except in Open Areas.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Kern County, CA UTM zone N UTM northing 3922166 UTM easting 400557 Latitude 35° 26′ 16″ Longitude 118° 5′ 44″ General legal description This site is located in the Jawbone-Butterbredt ACEC off of SC103, 1 mile west of the junction with SC99. This is the reference plant community. Location 2: Kern County, CA UTM zone N UTM northing 3928817 UTM easting 397216 Latitude 35° 29′ 51″ Longitude 118° 7′ 59″ General legal description The site is located in the Jawbone-Butterbredt ACEC at the junction of SC47 and the Pacific Crest Trail. This is the California buckwheat-Sandberg bluegrass-Desert needlegrass community. This site was sampled using the Double Weight Sampling technique. Location 3: San Bernardino County, CA UTM zone N UTM northing 3933994 UTM easting 405493 Latitude 35° 32′ 42″ Longitude 118° 2′ 33″ General legal description This site is located on a north-facing slope in Horse Canyon, accessable off SC65 in Jawbone-Butterbredt ACEC. This is the California buckwheat-Sandberg bluegrass-Desert needlegrass community. This site was sampled using the point-intecept technique. Other references
Anderson, M.D. 2001a. Coleogyne ramosissima. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis [2006, September 6].
Anderson, M.D. 2001b. Ephedra viridis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis [2006, November 29].
Bates, P.A. 1983. Prescribed burning blackbrush for deer habitat improvement. Cal-Neva Wildlife Transactions. [Volume unknown]: 174-182.
Beatley, J.C. 1974. Phenological events and their environmental triggers in Mojave Desert ecosystems. Ecology.55: 856-863.
Bowns, J.E. and N.E. West. 1976a. Blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima Torr.) on southwestern Utah rangelands. Res. Rep. Utah Agric. Exp. Stat, (27).
Bowns, J.E. and N.E. West. 1976b. "Blackbrush and the Poorly Understood Rangelands It Occupies." Rangeman's Journal 3.6 (1976): 179-180.
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Hereford, R., R.H. Webb and C. I. Longpre. 2004. Precipitation history of the Mojave Desert region, 1893-2001 (No. 117-03).
Houdeshell, Carrie-Ann. MLRA Project Leader, Mojave Desert. Personal communication. April 18, 2007. Victorville, CA.
Howard, Janet L. 1997. Poa secunda. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2007, January 18].
Howard, J.L. 2006. Nonnative annual grass fuels and fire in the Mojave Desert. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis. [2006, June 06].
Hughes, L.E. 1982. A grazing system in the Mohave Desert. Rangelands 4:256-257.
Jeffries, D.L. and J.M. Klopatek. 1987. Effects of grazing on the vegetation of the blackbrush association. J. Range Manage. 40: 390–392.
Kottek, M., Grieser, J., Beck, C., Rudolf, B., & Rubel, F. (2006). World map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated. Meteorologische Zeitschrift, 15(3), 259-263.
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Dustin Detweiler
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 08/18/2026 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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