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Conservation Service
Ecological site R034BY205UT
Semidesert Gravelly Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush)
Last updated: 3/05/2022
Accessed: 06/10/2026
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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): 034B–Warm Central Desertic Basins and Plateaus
MLRA 34B occurs in is in Utah (70 percent) and Colorado (30 percent). It makes up about 12,850 square miles (33,290 square kilometers). A small part of the area is in the High Plateaus of Utah Section of the Colorado Plateaus Province of the Intermontane Plateaus. The northern part of the MLRA occurs in the Uinta Basin Section, which is bounded by the Uinta Mountains to the north, the Wasatch Range to the west, the Roan Plateau to the south, and the Rabbit Hills to the east. The southern part of the MLRA occurs in the northern third of the Canyon Lands Section. This section is bounded by the Roan Plateau to the north, the Wasatch Plateau to the west, the southern end of the San Rafael Swell to the south, and the western slope of the Rocky Mountains to the east. Elevation ranges from 4,100 feet (1,250 meters) near Green River, Utah, to 7,500 feet (2,285 meters) at the base of the Wasatch Range and the Roan Plateau.
Most of this area is covered by residual basin-floor materials and materials washed in from the surrounding mountains and plateaus. Shale and sandstone are the dominant rock types. The Tertiary-age Green River, Uinta, and Duchesne Formations dominate the northern part of the MLRA. The southern part is dominated by Cretaceous-age materials with lesser amounts of Jurassic and Triassic materials. The dominant Cretaceous formations are Mancos Shale, Dakota Sandstone, and the members of the Mesa Verde Group. The dominant Jurassic formations are the Morrison, Entrada, and Navajo. The dominant Triassic formations are the Chinle and Moenkopi. Quaternary alluvial, eolian, and glacial deposits occur in both parts of the MLRA.
The average annual precipitation in most of this area ranges from 6 to 10 inches (150 to 255 millimeters). A small part of this area receives as much as 24 inches of annual precipitation.
Much of the precipitation occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms during the period July through September. May and June are usually the drier months. Precipitation is more evenly distributed throughout the year in the northern part of the MLRA than in the southern part, where there is a significant peak in late summer. The northern part of the MLRA receives more precipitation as snow during winter than the southern part. The average annual temperature ranges from 41 to 54 degrees F (5 to 12 degrees C). The freeze-free period averages 170 days and ranges from 110 to 235 days.
The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Aridisols and Entisols. Mollisols occur at the higher elevations, particularly in the northern part of the MLRA. The dominant soil temperature regime is mesic, and the dominant soil moisture regime is aridic. The soils receiving less than 8 inches (205 millimeters) of precipitation annually have an aridic soil moisture regime. The soils receiving 8 to 12 inches (205 to 305 millimeters) have an aridic soil moisture regime that borders on ustic. The soils receiving 12 to 16 inches (305 to 405 millimeters) generally have an ustic soil moisture regime that borders on aridic. The dominant soil mineralogy is mixed and soils are formed in slope alluvium or residuum derived from shale or sandstone. Many of the soils are shallow or moderately deep to shale or sandstone bedrock. The soils at the lower elevations generally have significant amounts of calcium carbonate, salts, and gypsum.Ecological site concept
Characteristic soils in this site are deep tp very deep and well drained. They formed in mixed alluvium and colluvium derived mainly from sedimentary and metamorphic parent materials. Soils are typically loamy-skeletal with less than 50 percent rock fragments in the profile above 20 inches. Surface textures are generally gravelly to very gravelly loams and sandy loams. Permeability is moderate to moderately rapid. The available water capacity is 1.3 to 4 inches.
Associated sites
R034BY227UT Semidesert Shallow Loam (Black Sagebrush)
This site is often found adjacent on shallower soils
R034BY247UT Semidesert Stony Loam (Utah Juniper-Pinyon)
This site is often adjacent or nearby on the shoulders of remnant fans, and serves as the seed source for any juniper invasion that may occur.
Similar sites
R034BY212UT Semidesert Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush)
This site has a similar plant community but is slightly more productive and has fewer rocks in the soil profile.
R034BY206UT Semidesert Gravelly Sandy Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush)
This site has a very similar plant community but occurs on sandier textured soils.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis
Herbaceous (1) Pleuraphis jamesii
(2) Achnatherum hymenoidesPhysiographic features
This site occurs on fan remnants, stream terraces, outwash fans, and hills. Slopes are mostly 1 to 25 percent, but may range up to 50 percent. Elevations range from 5,000 to 6,400 feet on all aspects, but a few locations have been found as high as 6,800 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Stream terrace
(3) Fan remnant
(4) Outwash fan
Runoff class Very low to low Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 5000 – 6800 ft Slope 1 – 50 % Ponding depth 0 in Water table depth 0 in Climatic features
Average annual precipitation is 8 to 12 inches. Approximately 65% occurs as rain from March through September. On the average, November through February are the driest months and July through October are the wettest months. The mean annual air temperature is 46 degrees Fahrenheit and the soil temperatures are in the mesic regime. The average freeze-free period is 138 to 162 days. In average years, plants begin growth around March 30 and end growth around September 30. Additional climate stations were used to analyze the climate including Price Warehouses, Price Game Farm, and Neola.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 140-160 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 10-10 in Frost-free period (average) 130 days Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 3. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 4 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) WELLINGTON 3 E [USC00429368], Price, UT
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(2) ALTAMONT [USC00420074], Altamont, UT
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(3) DUCHESNE [USC00422253], Duchesne, UT
">Influencing water features
Due to its landscape position, this site is not influenced by streams or wetlands.
Soil features
Characteristic soils in this site are deep to very deep and well drained. They formed in mixed alluvium and colluvium derived mainly from sedimentary and metamorphic parent materials. Soils are typically loamy-skeletal with less than 50 percent rock fragments in the profile above 20 inches. Surface textures are generally gravelly to very gravelly loam and sandy loam. Permeability is moderate to moderately rapid. The available water capacity is 1.3 to 4 inches.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – metamorphic and sedimentary rock
(2) Colluvium – metamorphic and sedimentary rock
Surface texture (1) Gravelly, very gravelly loam
(2) Gravelly sandy clay loam
(3) Sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy-skeletal
Drainage class Well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Moderate to moderately rapid Depth to restrictive layer 40 – 80 in Soil depth 40 – 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 5 – 25 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 40 % Available water capacity
(Depth not specified)1.3 – 4 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(Depth not specified)0 – 15 % Electrical conductivity
(Depth not specified)0 – 4 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(Depth not specified)7.4 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)25 – 30 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)20 – 40 % Ecological dynamics
It is impossible to determine in any quantitative detail the historic plant community for this ecological site because of the lack of historical documentation. In some areas, the earliest reports of dominant plants include the cadastral survey conducted by the General Land Office, which began in the late 19th century for this area (Galatowitsch 1990). Although there is evidence of Native Americans passing through southern extent of this ecological site, there has been no evidence of permanent inhabitance. The northern extent of this ecological site did have signs of permanent inhabitants for a short time (Spangler 1995), then became similar to the southern extent of this site. The first Europeans came to eastern Utah in 1765 as a Spanish expedition, however it wasn’t until approximately 1870 that Europeans brought livestock to the area (Watt 1997). Itinerant and local sheep flocks followed, largely replacing cattle as the browse component increased.
Below is a State and Transition Model diagram to illustrate the “phases” (common plant communities), and “states” (aggregations of those plant communities) that can occur on the site. Differences between phases and states depend primarily upon observations of a range of disturbance histories in areas where this ESD is represented. These situations include grazing gradients to water sources, fence-line contrasts, patches with differing dates of fire, herbicide treatment, tillage, etc. Reference State 1 illustrates the common plant communities that probably existed just prior to European settlement. The major successional pathways within states, (“community pathways”) are indicated by arrows between phases. “Transitions” are indicated by arrows between states. The drivers of these changes are indicated in codes decipherable by referring to the legend at the bottom of the page and by reading the detailed narratives that follow the diagram. The transition between Reference State 1 and State 2 is considered irreversible because of the naturalization of exotic species of both flora and fauna, possible extinction of native species, and climate change. There may have also been accelerated soil erosion. When available, monitoring data (of various types) were employed to validate more subjective inferences made in this diagram. See the complete files in the office of the State Range Conservationist for more details.
The plant communities shown in this State and Transition Model may not represent every possibility, but are probably the most prevalent and recurring plant communities. As more monitoring data are collected, some phases or states may be revised, removed, and/or new ones may be added. According to the USDA NRCS National Range & Pasture Handbook (USDA-NRCS 2003), Desired Plant Communities (DPC’s) will be determined by the decision-makers and will meet minimum quality criteria established by the NRCS. The main purpose for including descriptions of a plant community is to capture the current knowledge at the time of this revision, not to imply what the desired plant community should be.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
States 2, 5 and 6 (additional transitions)
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 6 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThe Reference State is a description of this ecological site just prior to Euro-American settlement but long after the arrival of Native Americans. The description of the Reference State was determined by NRCS Soil Survey Type Site Location information and familiarity with rangeland relict areas where they exist. The Reference State for this site would have been a shrub semi-desert characterized by Wyoming big sagebrush and associated native perennial forbs and grasses. A more complete list of species by lifeform for the Reference State is available in the accompanying tables in the “Plant Community Composition by Weight and Percentage” section of this document.
Community 1.1
Wyoming big sagebrush with native perennial grasses and forbsThis community is dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush, Indian ricegrass and galleta. Shadscale and winterfat are also commonly present in the shrub layer. Indian ricegrass and galleta are the principle perennial grasses. Bottlebrush squirreltail is also commonly present. Abundant forbs including longleaf phlox and scarlet globemallow. Natural fire frequency is estimated to be 10 to 70 years (USDA-FS, 2006).
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)Grass/Grasslike 75 200 375 Forb 20 125 225 Shrub/Vine 100 170 200 Total 195 495 800 Community 1.2
Wyoming big sagebrush and juniperWyoming big sagebrush increases significantly in percent composition. Winterfat, shadscale and yellow rabbitbrush may increase also. Shrubs become decadent due to age. Perennial grasses and forbs lose vigor, due to competition for available resources, and juniper may have begun to encroach on the site. With the plant interspaces becoming larger from the reduction of the understory, soil erosion may accelerate. Water flow patterns and pedestals become more abundant. Although the overall functionality of the site is still intact, it is at risk of further degradation.
Community 1.3
Perennial grasses with sprouting shrubs and scattered annual species.Native perennial bunchgrasses dominate this community phase. Wyoming big sagebrush and shadscale decrease in the community. Winterfat has the ability to re-sprout and re-establish following a fire. Yellow rabbitbrush and horsebrush species may increase significantly following fire and much of the excess fine fuel accumulation is removed. Fire tolerant shrubs typically persist as dominant shrubs in the community for 30 years or longer. Indian ricegrass and other perennial grasses flourish.
Pathway 1.1-1.2
Community 1.1 to 1.2Extended period of time without a major disturbance such as fire or insect. This allows Wyoming big sagebrush to dominate the plant community and suppress the understory species. Fire frequency extends well beyond the 10 to 70 year average for the site.
Pathway 1.1-1.3
Community 1.1 to 1.3Recent fire occurrence, lightning or human caused, eliminating sagebrush and other non-sprouting species from the community. Site is properly grazed.
Pathway 1.3-1.1
Community 1.3 to 1.1This represents the time following a fire with a normal fire return interval of 10-70 years. Site is properly grazed.
Pathway 1.2-1.3
Community 1.3 to 1.3This pathway occurs with natural or human induced fire. Site is properly grazed.
State 2
Current PotentialThis state includes plant communities dominated by a diverse mixture of perennial grasses, a mixture of Wyoming big sagebrush and perennial grasses, and a community dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush. These community phases occur depending on the time since a disturbance that kills Wyoming big sagebrush has occurred, such as fire, insects, or drought, and grazing that provides adequate duration, timing, and intensity that maintain plant vigor and health of the plant community.
Plant communities in this state can include native, acclimatized, naturalized and invasive non-native species. This state is irreversibly changed from the reference state because these non-native species will now remain a permanent part of the community.
This plant community has the composition, structure and cover present that facilitates the capture, storage, and safe release of precipitation. Nutrients are being cycled through deep rooted perennial grasses, forbs, and evergreen shrubs, and energy capture throughout the entire growing season (March to October) such that this plant community and site resiliency is maintained. With a lengthened fire return interval (greater than 70 years), an increase in sagebrush canopy occurs until sagebrush dominates available resources. This results in a decrease in vigor, cover and reproduction of perennial grasses, and an increase in invasive annuals such as cheatgrass. Once junipers become a dominant feature, they are a permanent part of the plant community until a fire or management action removes them. The understory is depleted (lack of both living plants and seed bank) so that a return to state 2 is not possible.Community 2.1
Wyoming big sagebrush/perennial native herbs with minor component of exotic species
Figure 6. CP2.1
This community is dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush, Indian ricegrass and galleta. Shadscale and winterfat are also commonly present in the shrub layer. Indian ricegrass and galleta are the principle perennial grasses. Bottlebrush squirreltail is also commonly present. Abundant forbs include longleaf phlox and scarlet globemallow. Naturalized and invasive non-native species are also present. Natural fire frequency is estimated to be 10 to 70 years.
Community 2.2
Perennial grasses and sprouting shrubs and scattered annual species.Wyoming big sagebrush and shadscale decrease in the community. Winterfat resprouts following the fire. Yellow rabbitbrush and horsebrush may increase significantly in the community following fire. Several native grasses dominate the understory. Fire tolerant shrubs typically persist as dominants shrubs in the community for 30 years or longer. The abundance of invasive annuals prior to the disturbance will dictate their abundance post disturbance.
Community 2.3
Wyoming big sagebrush with scattered juniper and depleted herbaceous understory and annuals.
Figure 7. CP2.3
Wyoming big sagebrush and/or shadscale increase significantly in percent composition. Winterfat and yellow rabbitbrush may increase also. Shrubs become decadent due to age. Indian ricegrass, needleandthread and other grasses begin to lose vigor because of improper grazing (including, season long overstocking, wrong season, etc.) and/or increased shrub competition. This community is dominated by native species, but may include acclimatized, naturalized and invasive non-native species. Utah Juniper may begin to encroach in this community phase but is small and low in cover.
Pathway 2.1-2.2
Community 2.1 to 2.2Fire or brush management or excessive browsing removes non-sprouting shrubs from the community.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Pathway 2.1-2.3
Community 2.1 to 2.3
Wyoming big sagebrush/perennial native herbs with minor component of exotic species
Wyoming big sagebrush with scattered juniper and depleted herbaceous understory and annuals.Improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.) and/or drought remove annual and perennial fine fuels from the site decreasing the potential for fire to occur. Fire frequency extends beyond the 10 – 70 year average for the site. Utah juniper may begin to invade the site if a seed source is available.
Pathway 2.2-2.1
Community 2.2 to 2.1Site is properly grazed for an extended period of time without disturbance. Plant community succession results in an increase of non-sprouting shrubs such as sagebrush.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Pathway 2.3-2.2
Community 2.3 to 2.2Fire, brush management or excessive browsing removes non-sprouting shrubs from the community. Yellow rabbitbrush and/or horsebrush species may become dominant.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning State 3
Juniper InvasionNative shrubs such as Wyoming big sagebrush or rabbitbrush dominate the site. The occurrence of fire extends well beyond the normal period for the site. Wyoming big sagebrush is non-sprouting and will be killed by fire. Rabbitbrush can sprout after a fire and can become the dominant shrub. This state typically has invasive grasses and/or forbs as the dominant understory species. There may be a few native species remaining, but they do not dominate. Utah junipers may increase to occupy a significant portion of the over story, if a seed source is present. Wyoming big sagebrush dominates the shrub layer and may be decadent due to age. Indian ricegrass and other native bunchgrasses are significantly reduced due to increased shrub and tree competition and/or heavy grazing pressure. Galleta may increase.
Community 3.1
Wyoming big sagebrush and/or Utah juniper, invasive annuals
Figure 8. CP3.1
Figure 9. CP_3.1
Wyoming sagebrush is typically the dominant shrub in this community phase. Where Utah juniper has invaded, Wyoming big sagebrush and other shrubs decline, otherwise they dominate the community. Winterfat is dead or dying. Remaining perennial herbaceous vegetation is mostly found only in protected locations under shrubs. Invasive, non-native grasses and weeds including cheatgrass, annual mustards, redstem storksbill, etc. typically dominate the understory.
Community 3.2
Juniper near monocultureThe number and size of trees has increased with the absence of fire. The understory shrub and herbaceous vegetation has become very decadent or absent. A few scattered shrubs may still exist with the herbaceous component nearly nonexistent. Exposed soil results in increased runoff and erosion.
Pathway 3.1-3.2
Community 3.1 to 3.2Lengthening of the fire return interval.
State 4
Invasive AnnualsInvasive grasses and forbs dominate this state. This may occur under a shortened fire return cycle which excludes native non sprouting shrubs by frequent burning or this may occur with repeated improper grazing, or a combination of the two. Indian ricegrass and other native bunchgrasses are significantly reduced due to competition from invasive annuals and/or improper grazing and shortened fire return interval. Only remnant perennial species remain. Highly combustible fine fuels from invasive annuals dominate the community. Reoccurring fire is common. Fire frequency is 5 – 30 years. Cheatgrass dominance prevents reestablishment of sagebrush due to competition.
Community 4.1
Invasive annuals dominated community with sprouting shrubs.
Figure 10. CP4.1
Invasive annuals dominate this community phase. If shrubs are present, yellow rabbitbrush dominates the shrub layer. Remaining Winterfat is mostly dead. Horsebrush species can also be plentiful if conditions are right. Fire tolerant shrubs may persist as dominants with fire periods reoccurring at intervals of 5 - 30 years. Broom snakeweed may be a dominant episodic species when conditions are favorable. Only remnant perennial bunchgrasses remain, if any; invasive annuals including cheatgrass, annual mustards, redstem storksbill, etc. dominate the understory
State 5
Seeded StateThis state is seeded to rangeland species that are composed of mostly introduced species. Trees and/or shrubs are initially reduced but they will eventually re-occupy the site through natural succession. Invasive annual grasses and weedy forb species primarily, cheatgrass and various annual mustards, may be present in the seeding, but do not dominate. The introduced perennial grasses prevent the reestablishment of native herbaceous species due to competition, and can persist indefinitely.
Community 5.1
Introduced Perennial Grasses
Figure 11. CP 5.1
This plant community is the result of a seeding of introduced grasses. Although there may be some native species present, however the introduced species will dominate the site. Shrubs are sparse to absent. Range seedings, when healthy, are usually resistant to fire.
Community 5.2
Wyoming big sagebrush, introduced perennial grassesThis community shows where sagebrush and other shrubs have slowly reestablished in the area and have become dominate or co-dominant with the herbaceous component.
Pathway 5.1-5.2
Community 5.1 to 5.2Over time Wyoming big sagebrush and other shrubs gradually move back into the site. The rate of this re-colonization may depend on factors such as climate, management and grazing (both domestic and wildlife). Re-colonization of non-sprouting shrubs requires 10-70 years without fire.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Pathway 5.2-5.1
Community 5.2 to 5.1Site receives good grazing management. Mechanical, chemical, biological or fire disturbances reduce the woody vegetation components of the community. Perennial herbaceous vegetation becomes dominant.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing State 6
Sagebrush with cheatgrass understoryThis state is characterized by a decadent sagebrush overstory with scattered other shrubs and the understory that is dominated by cheatgrass with scattered native grasses and forbs, caused by long-term improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.). Sagebrush and native herbaceous species cannot reestablish due to competition from cheatgrass.
Community 6.1
Sagebrush with invasive annual understory
Figure 12. CP_6.1
Cheatgrass and other invasive annuals dominate the understory of a decadent stand of Wyoming big sagebrush. A component of other shrubs is typically present and remnant populations of native grasses and forbs may still be present. This community phase is very susceptible to wildfire due to the high amounts of fine fuels produced from the invasive annuals.
Transition 1-2
State 1 to 2A threshold is crossed when there is an introduction of non-native species, primarily cheatgrass and various annual forbs, that become established in the community.
Transition 2-3
State 2 to 3Sustained, long-term improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.); and/or prolonged drought. Lengthening of the fire return interval.
Transition 2-4
State 2 to 4Long-term improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.) and/or prolonged drought; shortened fire frequency.
Transition 2-5.1
State 2 to 5Disturbance such as a fire or brush management followed by a rangeland seeding.
Transition 2-6
State 2 to 6Sustained, long-term improper grazing and/or the lack of fire.
Transition 3-4
State 3 to 4Fire, with long-term improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.) and/or prolonged drought.
Restoration pathway 3-5
State 3 to 5Fire or brush management with the seeding of introduced species with prescribed grazing.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Range Planting Prescribed Grazing Restoration pathway 4-5
State 4 to 5Seeding of introduced species with prescribed grazing.
Conservation practices
Range Planting Prescribed Grazing Transition 5.2-3
State 5 to 3Invasion of the site by junipers, long-term improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.) and/or prolonged drought; lengthened fire frequency allows the site to be invaded by juniper.
Transition 5-4
State 5 to 4Long-term improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.) and/or prolonged drought; shortened fire frequency allows the understory vegetation on the site to be dominated by invasive annuals.
Transition 6-4
State 6 to 4Fire, with long-term improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.) and/or prolonged drought.
Restoration pathway 6-5.1
State 6 to 5Disturbance such as a fire or brush management followed by a rangeland seeding.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Range Planting Prescribed Grazing Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Shrub/Vine0 Dominant Shrubs 60–180 Wyoming big sagebrush ARTRW8 Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis 40–120 – shadscale saltbush ATCO Atriplex confertifolia 5–20 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 5–20 – bud sagebrush PIDE4 Picrothamnus desertorum 5–20 – 3 Sub-Dominant Shrubs 25–75 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 8–20 – black sagebrush ARNO4 Artemisia nova 0–20 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 2–10 – crispleaf buckwheat ERCO14 Eriogonum corymbosum 2–10 – sulphur-flower buckwheat ERUM Eriogonum umbellatum 2–10 – spiny greasebush GLSPM Glossopetalon spinescens var. meionandrum 2–10 – spiny hopsage GRSP Grayia spinosa 2–10 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 2–10 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 2–10 – shortspine horsebrush TESP2 Tetradymia spinosa 2–10 – Grass/Grasslike0 Dominant Grasses 100–160 Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 40–60 – James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 40–60 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 20–40 – 1 Sub-Dominant Grasses 40–88 Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 12–25 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 4–15 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 4–15 – saline wildrye LESAS Leymus salinus ssp. salinus 4–15 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 4–15 – Grass, annual 2GA Grass, annual 6–10 – Forb0 Dominant Forbs 4–20 scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 4–20 – 2 Sub-Dominant Forbs 90–150 Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 4–20 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 4–20 – Eastwood's sandwort AREAE Arenaria eastwoodiae var. eastwoodiae 4–8 – Hamilton's milkvetch ASHA3 Astragalus hamiltonii 4–8 – Dinosaur milkvetch ASSA5 Astragalus saurinus 4–8 – tumbling saltweed ATRO Atriplex rosea 4–8 – narrowleaf goosefoot CHLE4 Chenopodium leptophyllum 4–8 – roughseed cryptantha CRFL6 Cryptantha flavoculata 4–8 – flatspine stickseed LAOC3 Lappula occidentalis 4–8 – mountain pepperweed LEMO2 Lepidium montanum 4–8 – hoary tansyaster MACA2 Machaeranthera canescens 4–8 – rayless tansyaster MAGR2 Machaeranthera grindelioides 4–8 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 4–8 – pale evening primrose OEPA Oenothera pallida 4–8 – Lapoint beardtongue PEGO2 Penstemon goodrichii 4–8 – Uinta Basin beardtongue PEGR6 Penstemon grahamii 4–8 – spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 4–8 – longleaf phlox PHLO2 Phlox longifolia 4–8 – hedgemustard SIOF Sisymbrium officinale 4–8 – Table 7. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 3.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 5.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 16. Community 5.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 17. Community 6.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site receives seasonal use by horses, cattle, and sometimes sheep. The determining factor is availability of livestock water. This site provides food and cover for wildlife.
Hydrological functions
The soil is in hydrologic group B. The runoff curve numbers are 61 through 79 depending on the condition of the watershed.
Recreational uses
Recreation values are hiking, hunting, and camping. The landscape is somewhat limited on vistas.
Wood products
Pinyon and juniper may invade this site which may provide firewood or posts.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Galatowitsch, S.M. 1990. Using the original land survey notes to reconstruct pre-settlement landscapes in the American West. Great Basin Naturalist: 50(2): 181-191. Keywords: [Western U.S., conservation, history, human impact] Spangler, J.D. 1995. Paradigms and Perspectives: A Class I Overview of Cultural Resources in the Uintah Basin and Tavaputs Plateau. Contract No. 1422J910C4014. USDA-FS. 2006. Fire Effects Information System (FEIS). USDA-NRCS. 2003. National Range and Pasture Handbook, in USDA, editor, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service-Grazing Lands Technology Institute. Keywords: [Western US, Federal guidelines, Range pasture management] Watt, R.G. 1997. A History of Carbon County. Utah State Historical Society.
Type locality
Location 1: Uintah County, UT Township/Range/Section T4S R20E S25 General legal description NW1/4, NW1/4, NE1/4; S25 T4S R20E SLBM on Clapper GR-L 2-25%, 25-50% GRV-L Clayey Substrate 30-50% - loamy skeletal, mixed, mesic ustollic calciorthids Contributors
J. Lee Broadbent
Garth Leishman
M. Dean StacyApproval
Kirt Walstad, 3/05/2022
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) V. Keith Wadman (NRCS retired). Contact for lead author shane.green@ut.usda.gov Date 04/30/2012 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
None. Some very minor rill development may be evident following significant thunderstorm or snow melt events but should mostly heal during the following growing season. The presence of rills may also be apparent where run-on from adjacent upland sites or exposed bedrock concentrate flows. Any rill development present should be less than 1 inch deep, moderately short (< 6’) and spaced a minimum of 10 to 12 feet apart. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
A very few stable overland flow patterns may be present and wind around plant bases. They should show no evidence of current erosion or deposition. Flow patterns present are normally 15 to 20 feet long, follow natural contours, and are typically spaced at least 10 to 15 feet apart. A slight increase in flow activity may be observed immediately following significant weather events such as thunderstorms or spring run-off events. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None. There should be no evidence of pedestals or terracettes caused by accelerated water erosion. One to 2 inches of elevational mounding under Wyoming big sagebrush and other shrub canopies, and within biological soil crusts, is normal for this site and is not caused by water erosion. There are no exposed roots around perennial grasses and shrubs. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground ranges from 30% - 45%. Soil surface may be covered by 15 to 50% gravels and/or channers. Bare ground openings should not be greater than 2 to 3 feet in diameter and should normally not be connected. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None at site level. Scattered landscape level gully channels, however, are a normal component of desert environments. Where landscape gullies are present, they should be stable, partially vegetated on their sides and bottoms, with no evidence of head-cutting. Some slight increase in disturbance may be evident following significant weather events or when gullies convey considerable runoff from higher elevation rocky or naturally eroding areas. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Very minor evidence of wind generated soil movement may be present. Slight depositional mounding within perennial grass crowns, under Wyoming big sagebrush and other shrub canopies, and within biological soil crusts is normal for this site. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
The majority of litter accumulates in place at the base of plants canopies. Slight movement of the finest material (< 1/8 inch) may move 1 to 2 feet in the direction of prevailing winds or down slope if being transported by water. Little accumulation is observed behind obstructions. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
This site should have a soil stability rating of 5 or 6 under plant canopies, and a 4 to 5 in the interspaces. Average should be a 5. Surface textures are typically gravelly loams, gravelly sandy loams, and sandy clay loams containing up to 50% coarse fragments. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
(Clapper) Soil surface is typically 0 to 3 inches deep. Surface texture is a gravelly loam and structure is weak thin platy parting to weak fine subangular blocky. The A-horizon color is brown (7.5YR 5/6). Soils have an Ochric epipedon that extends 3 inches into the soil profile. The A horizon is normally deeper and better developed under plant canopies. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Healthy stands of perennial grasses and shrubs, as well as the presence of biological crusts, provide for good infiltration, help break raindrop impact, and reduce runoff from storm events. Bare spaces are expected to be fairly small (< 3 feet) should be irregular in shape and usually not connected. Vegetative structure is adequate to capture snow and and allow snowmelt to occur in a controlled manner. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. Soils are deep. -
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:
Non-sprouting shrubs (Wyoming big sagebrush, bud sagebrush) >> Perennial bunchgrasses (Indian ricegrass, needle-and-thread) > Perennial forbs (scarlet globemallow).Sub-dominant:
Sprouting shrubs (green rabbitbrush, winterfat) > = Warm season grasses (James galleta, blue grama).Other:
A wide variety of other grasses and both perennial and annual forbs can be expected to occur in the plant community.Additional:
Moss and lichen communities will normally be found under plant canopies while the cyanobacteria may be found throughout the site. Functional/structural groups may appropriately contain non-native species if their ecological function is the same as the native species. Perennial and annual forbs can be expected to vary widely in their expression in the plant community based upon departures from average growing conditions. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
All age classes of perennial grasses should be present during years with average to above-average precipitation, there should be very little recent mortality or decadence apparent in either the shrubs or grasses. During severe (multi-year) drought or insect infestations up to 20% of the winterfat may die. There may be partial mortality of individual bunchgrasses and other shrubs during severe drought. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter cover ranges from 15 to 20% with a small spike when bud sagebrush drops its leaves. Depth should be 1 leaf thickness in the interspaces and from 1/2 to 3/4 inches under perennial plant canopies. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Annual production in air-dry herbage should be approximately 495 pounds per acre on an average year. Production could vary from 195 to 800 pounds per acre during drought or above-average years. -
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:
Russian thistle, annual bromes and annual mustards are most likely to invade this site. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All perennial plant species have the ability to reproduce in most years except drought years. There are no restrictions on either seed or vegetative reproduction. Some seedling recruitment of major species may be present during average or above average years.
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