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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.
Ecological site concept
This site occurs on smooth to usually concave mountain sideslopes with northerly exposures. Slopes range from 30 to 50 percent. Elevations range from 7000 to 9500 feet.
Please refer to group concept R030XC028NV to view the provisional STM.Associated sites
F030XC280NV Pinus ponderosa ssp. scopulorum/Ribes cereum/Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata
F030XC282NV Abies concolor var. concolor/Ribes cereum
Similar sites
R030XC026NV AVALANCHE CHUTE
Not a stable plant community. Lower aspen cover and production.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Populus tremuloides
Shrub (1) Ribes cereum
(2) Symphoricarpos oreophilusHerbaceous (1) Bromus ciliatus
Physiographic features
This site occurs on smooth to usually concave mountain sideslopes with northerly exposures. Slopes range from 30 to 50 percent. Elevations range from 7000 to 9500 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain slope
Elevation 7000 – 9500 ft Slope 30 – 50 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The primary air masses affecting the Spring Mountains are cold maritime polar air from the Gulf of Alaska and warmer, moist maritime subtropical air from lower latitudes. Occasionally there are invasions of cold continental polar air from northern Canada or the Rocky Mountains. Precipitation in the area results primarily from the passage of cyclones with associated fronts during fall, winter and spring; from closed cyclones in late winter and spring; and from the flow of moist tropical air from the southeast to the southwest quadrant in the summer.
The mean annual precipitation ranges from 16 to over 20 inches in some areas. Mean annual air temperature is 40 to 43 degrees F. The average growing season is about 50 to 80 days.
Snow Course, Spring Mountains, Nevada. Average snow depth and snow water equivalent from 1971 to 2000 at March 1 and April 1 of each year.
Kyle Canyon. (Elevation 8200 feet.) March 1: 36 inch snow depth, 10.9 inches of water equivalent. April 1: 31 inch snow depth, 11.7 inches of water equivalent.
Rainbow Canyon #2 (Elevation 8100 feet) March 1: 44 inch snow depth, 13.8 inches of water equivalent. April 1: 46 inch snow depth, 16.7 inches of water equivalent.
Lee Canyon #2. (Elevation 9000 feet) March 1: 35 inch snow depth, 10.6 inches of water equivalent. April 1: 31 inch snow depth, 11.1 inches of water equivalent.
Lee Canyon #3. (Elevation 8500 feet) March 1: 28 inch snow depth, 8.5 inches of water equivalent. April 1: 24 inch snow depth, 9.1 inches of water equivalent.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 80 days Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) 20 in ">Influencing water features
This is an area where snow accumulates and provides moisture late into spring and early summer from snowmelt.
Soil features
The soils associated with this site are very deep and well drained. The site provides a cool, moist environment for plant growth. Heavy snow accumulation on this site persists late into spring and early summer when the soil is not frozen. Snow, slowly melting during this period, is added to the soil moisture supply and is available to plants during the growing season.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Extremely gravelly loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate Soil depth 72 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 20 – 40 % Surface fragment cover >3" 5 – 10 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)5.7 – 5.8 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)Not specified Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)Not specified Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.6 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)13 – 26 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 3 % Ecological dynamics
Please refer to group concept R030XC028NV to view the provisional STM.
As ecological condition declines, the aspen overstory is thinned out and permanent openings in the canopy are created. If aspen sucker reproduction is inadequate to replace the overstory mortality, snowberry, and current and other shrubs, grasses, and forbs increase in the understory. With lack of disturbance such as snowbank formation, or an occasional avalanche, conifers such as white fir, limber pine and bristlecone pine will invade the site.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 Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityThe reference plant community is dominated by low-growing quaking aspen. Locally known as “snowbank” aspen, these trees have a stunted growth form and are usually not more than 15 feet tall at maturity. Each site normally represents a single clone of aspen with a common genetic makeup having uniform phenological and physiological characteristics. Fringed brome, slender wheatgrass, snowberry and currant are important understory species associated with this site, and are most prevalent about the periphery of the aspen overstory. Total overstory canopy cover exceeds 60 percent.
Understory vegetation comprises about 20 percent of the total site production. Potential vegetative composition for the understory is about 45 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs and 30 percent shrubs. Overstory tree composition is about 80 percent of the total site production.
Approximate ground cover is (basal and crown) is 65 to 75 percent.
Total annual air-dry production for all trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants irrespective of height is 1800 pounds per acre for favorable years, 1300 pounds per acre for normal years and 900 pounds per acre for unfavorable years.
Total annual air-dry production for all trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants in the understoy to a height of 4.5 feet is 400 pounds per acre for favorable years, 300 pounds per acre for normal years and 100 pounds per acre for unfavorable years.
Figure 1. 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)Tree 720 1040 1440 Grass/Grasslike 81 117 162 Shrub/Vine 54 78 108 Forb 45 65 90 Total 900 1300 1800 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 50-70% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 10-30% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 0-0% Forb foliar cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0-0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 30-60% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 20-40% Surface fragments >3" 10-10% Bedrock 0-10% Water 0-0% Bare ground 0-10% Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Perennial Grasses 78–104 fringed brome BRCI2 Bromus ciliatus 52–65 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 26–39 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses 13–26 golden sedge CAAU3 Carex aurea 2–9 – manyrib sedge CAMU6 Carex multicostata 2–9 – Ross' sedge CARO5 Carex rossii 2–9 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 2–9 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 2–9 – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSPS Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata 2–9 – Forb3 Primary Perennial Forbs 26–39 whitespine thistle CICL2 Cirsium clokeyi 26–39 – 4 Secondary Perennial Forbs 26–39 Charleston Mountain angelica ANSC9 Angelica scabrida 2–9 – western columbine AQFO Aquilegia formosa 2–9 – brittle bladderfern CYFR2 Cystopteris fragilis 2–9 – scented shootingstar DORE Dodecatheon redolens 2–9 – feathery false lily of the valley MARA7 Maianthemum racemosum 2–9 – firecracker penstemon PEEA Penstemon eatonii 2–9 – Charleston lousewort PESEC Pedicularis semibarbata var. charlestonensis 2–9 – Shrub/Vine5 Primary Shrubs 40–91 wax currant RICE Ribes cereum 26–52 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 13–26 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 1–13 – 6 Secondary Shrubs 1–13 oceanspray HODI Holodiscus discolor 3–6 – gooseberry currant RIMO2 Ribes montigenum 3–6 – Tree7 Primary Trees 650–1040 quaking aspen POTR5 Populus tremuloides 650–1040 – 8 Secondary Trees 1–195 Rocky Mountain maple ACGLD3 Acer glabrum var. diffusum 7–39 – limber pine PIFL2 Pinus flexilis 7–39 – Great Basin bristlecone pine PILO Pinus longaeva 7–39 – ponderosa pine PIPO Pinus ponderosa 7–39 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Interpretations:
This site is not suited to livestock grazing due to steepness of the terrain.
Wildlife Interpretations:
Open and sparse tree canopies on this site provide forage and browse, and medium to dense tree canopies provide shelter and protection for mule deer and elk. This site may be used by a variety of upland game species including rabbits and grouse. Various songbirds, rodents, reptiles and associated predators natural to the area also use this woodland for forage and cover.Hydrological functions
Runoff is high and permeability is moderate.
Wood products
Quaking aspen wood is little used in the West, except in Colorado, where it is used for pulp and particleboard. Specialty products from quaking aspen wood include excelsior, matchsticks, and tongue depressors. Quaking aspen pellets are used for fuel.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Clark County, NV Township/Range/Section T19 S R56 E S12 SW UTM zone N UTM northing 4017775 UTM easting 622304 General legal description Upper portion of the Deer Creek drainage, Spring Mountains, Clark County, Nevada. Other references
Clokey, I. 1951. Flora of the Charleston Mountains Clark County, Nevada. University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles.
Fire Effects Information System [Online]http://www.fs.fed.us/feis
Glenne, G. and D.Johnson. 2002. Guide to Species of Concern in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Clark and Nye Counties, Nevada. USFS, Las Vegas, NV.
Lanner, R.M. 1984. Trees of the Great Basin. University of Nevada Press, Reno NV.
Nachlinger, J. and G. Reese. 1996. Plant Community Classification of the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Clark and Nye Counties, Nevada. The Nature Conservancy. Reno, Nevada.
Contributors
TJ WOLFE
Approval
Sarah Quistberg, 2/25/2025
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 08/13/2026 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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