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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.
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Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous Not specified
Legacy ID
R035XH002NM
Physiographic features
This site occurs on variable terrain that ranges from almost flat to gently sloping. Exposures are variable. The site is located on open benchlands, outwash fans or exposed ridges. The site also occurs on benches or depressed areas within the steeper surrounding slopes of ponderosa pine. Basalt or other igneous rock outcroppings are common. Elevations are typically 7,000 to 8,500 feet above sea level, but may go over 9,000 feet above sea level.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Alluvial fan
(2) Ridge
Flooding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) Flooding frequency Rare to occasional Elevation 7000 – 9000 ft Slope 1 – 10 % Water table depth 60 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The average annual precipitation ranges from 18 to 25 inches. Forty percent occurs during the months of June to September. Most of the summer precipitation comes in the form of high intensity-short duration thunderstorms. Many of these storms are accompanied by hail. Snow accumulation typically occurs from November to March. Typically, depths range from 1 to 4 feet.
The average annual air temperature is about 43 degrees F. However, there are wide ranges in both yearly and daily temperatures. Temperatures may fluctuate as much as 75 degrees F in any 24-hour period. The frost-free period ranges from 80 to 100 days. The last killing frost is in June and the first killing frost is in September.
Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site using 50% probability for freeze-free and frost-free seasons using 28.5 degrees F and 32.5 degrees F respectively.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 170 days Freeze-free period (average) 200 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
This site is not influenced by water from a wetland or stream.
Soil features
These soils are well-drained and moderately deep with inclusions of deep soils. Surface is typically clay loams, but the surface may be cobbly or stony loams or loams. The subsoils are clays with few cobbles or stones. Soil-moisture relationships are good. The permeability and runoff is moderate. Available water-holding capacity is moderate to high. Effective rooting depth is 20 to 40 inches.
Soil Series
Charo
Robolata
Seco
Torreon
TragTable 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very cobbly loam
(2) Clay loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Moderately well drained to well drained Permeability class Very slow to moderately slow Soil depth 20 – 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 15 – 30 % Surface fragment cover >3" 15 – 30 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)6 – 12 in Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 5 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.1 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 30 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 30 % Ecological dynamics
This is a grassland site dominated by cool-season grasses. Scattered pinyon pine, juniper, oaks and ponderosa pines occur on this site. Grasses make up the majority of the vegetation. A variety of forbs are conspicuous when in bloom. Small amounts of shrubs are widely scattered throughout the site. Tree canopy does not exceed 10 percent and averages 5 percent or less.
Other grasses that could appear on this site include: pine dropseed, threeawn spp., muhlenbergia spp., western wheatgrass and brome spp.
Other shrubs and forbs that could appear on this site include: pingue, sageworts and gray horsebrush.
Approximately 85 percent of the annual yield are from species that furnish forage for grazing animals. This site is suitable for grazing during the late spring, summer and early fall. The length of the grazing season varies with elevation. At lower elevation, the grazing season can be extended from May 1st to October 15th. At higher elevations the grazing season is normally June 1st to September 15th. The site can be used by all classes of livestock; however, it is better suited for steers or sheep due to the short grazing season. To reduce spot grazing and overgrazing of the flatter slopes, herding of livestock is needed, especially when grazing sheep. Continuous grazing during the entire season will cause the more desirable species, such as Arizona fescue, mountain muhly, prairie junegrass and oatgrass to decrease. Species most likely to invade this site or increase form trace amounts are Kentucky bluegrass, sleepygrass and low-vigor blue grama. Other plants of generally low grazing value, such as ring muhly, threeawn spp., fringed sagebrush, cudweed sagewort, pingue and rabbitbrush will increase. To maintain or improve the healthy well-balanced plant community, grazing needs to be delayed until the soils are firm after winter snows and when plants have had an opportunity to make good growth. Rapid growth of plants in the spring may temporarily deplete food reserves. Delaying grazing until the plants have had an opportunity to restore these food supplies is advisable. A system of deferred grazing, which varies the time of grazing and rest in a pasture during successive years, is needed to maximize forage production and to maintain a healthy well-balanced plant community. Grazing pressure from domestic livestock needs to be reduced during the spring and fall to reduce the competition that the livestock will have with the elk in competing for forage during this period of time.
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
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityThis is a grassland site dominated by cool-season grasses. Scattered pinyon pine, juniper, oaks and ponderosa pines occur on this site. Grasses make up the majority of the vegetation. A variety of forbs are conspicuous when in bloom. Small amounts of shrubs are widely scattered throughout the site. Tree canopy does not exceed 10 percent and averages 5 percent or less.
Other grasses that could appear on this site include: pine dropseed, threeawn spp., muhlenbergia spp., western wheatgrass and brome spp.
Other shrubs and forbs that could appear on this site include: pingue, sageworts and gray horsebrush.
Figure 4. 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 446 696 946 Shrub/Vine 9 69 128 Forb 52 68 84 Tree 26 47 68 Total 533 880 1226 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 10-10% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 10-10% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 20-40% Forb foliar cover 10-10% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 30-30% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0-10% Surface fragments >3" 0-20% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 20-30% Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM1002 , R035XH002NM-Mountain Grassland-HCPC. R035XH002NM-Mountain Grassland-HCPC.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 NM muhly mountain muhly 128–213 mountain muhly MUMO Muhlenbergia montana 128–213 – New Mexico muhly MUPA2 Muhlenbergia pauciflora 128–213 – 2 arizona fescue 128–213 Arizona fescue FEAR2 Festuca arizonica 128–213 – 3 muttongrass 43–128 muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 43–128 – 4 spike muhly 26–68 spike muhly MUWR Muhlenbergia wrightii 26–68 – 5 prarie junegrass 43–85 prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 43–85 – 6 Bottlebrush Squirreltail 9–43 squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 9–43 – 8 Little Bluestem sideoats grama big bluestem 43–128 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii 43–128 – sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 43–128 – little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 43–128 – 9 wolftail blue grama needleand thread 26–68 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 26–68 – needle and thread HECOC8 Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata 26–68 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 26–68 – Shrub/Vine10 oak skunkbush wax current winterfat 9–128 oak QUERC Quercus 9–128 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 9–128 – wax currant RICE Ribes cereum 9–128 – Tree11 pinion pine ponderosa pine juniper 26–68 juniper JUNIP Juniperus 26–68 – twoneedle pinyon PIED Pinus edulis 26–68 – ponderosa pine PIPO Pinus ponderosa 26–68 – Interpretations
Animal community
Habitat for Wildlife:
This site provides habitats which support a resident animal community that is characterized by mule deer, elk, Merriam’s turkey, bobcat, mourning dove, band-tailed pigeon and prairie rattlesnake.
Hydrological functions
Soil Series Hydrologic Group
Charo C
Robolata C
Seco C
Torreon C
Trag B
Recreational uses
This site offers recreation potential for picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, nature observation, and photography of large game animals, small animals and wildflowers. Hunting for elk, deer and turkey is also available. At higher elevations this site can be used for winter sports. The natural beauty of the site is enhanced by the variety of forbs that become conspicuous when in bloom from July through August.
The buff-breasted flycatcher may hunt over or nest on the site. The bald eagle and peregrine falcon may hunt over the site. Large prairie dog colonies may support populations of the black-footed ferret.
Wood products
This site has very little potential for wood products. However, some can be cut from the widely scattered trees located throughout the site. Because of the dominance by grasses, regeneration of trees is delayed or prevented.
Other products
Grazing:
Approximately 85 percent of the annual yield are from species that furnish forage for grazing animals. This site is suitable for grazing during the late spring, summer and early fall. The length of the grazing season varies with elevation. At lower elevation, the grazing season can be extended from May 1st to October 15th. At higher elevations the grazing season is normally June 1st to September 15th. The site can be used by all classes of livestock; however, it is better suited for steers or sheep due to the short grazing season. To reduce spot grazing and overgrazing of the flatter slopes, herding of livestock is needed, especially when grazing sheep. Continuous grazing during the entire season will cause the more desirable species, such as Arizona fescue, mountain muhly, prairie junegrass and oatgrass to decrease. Species most likely to invade this site or increase form trace amounts are Kentucky bluegrass, sleepygrass and low-vigor blue grama. Other plants of generally low grazing value, such as ring muhly, threeawn spp., fringed sagebrush, cudweed sagewort, pingue and rabbitbrush will increase. To maintain or improve the healthy well-balanced plant community, grazing needs to be delayed until the soils are firm after winter snows and when plants have had an opportunity to make good growth. Rapid growth of plants in the spring may temporarily deplete food reserves. Delaying grazing until the plants have had an opportunity to restore these food supplies is advisable. A system of deferred grazing, which varies the time of grazing and rest in a pasture during successive years, is needed to maximize forage production and to maintain a healthy well-balanced plant community. Grazing pressure from domestic livestock needs to be reduced during the spring and fall to reduce the competition that the livestock will have with the elk in competing for forage during this period of time.
Other information
Guide to Suggested Initial Stocking Rate Acres per Animal Unit Month
Similarity Index Ac/AUM
100 - 76 2.5 – 3.2
75 – 51 3.0 – 4.0
50 – 26 3.7 – 5.5
25 – 0 5.5+
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Data collection for this site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Arizona and New Mexico Mountains 39 Major Land Resource Area of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys. McKinley, Cibola and Sandoval Counties.
Type locality
Location 1: Cibola County, NM Location 2: McKinley County, NM Contributors
Don Sylvester
Elizabeth Wright
Joe May
John Tunberg
Michael CarpinelliRangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Contact for lead author Date Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
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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