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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.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Distichlis spicata
(2) Sporobolus airoidesLegacy ID
R035XA100NM
Physiographic features
This site is on nearly level to gently sloping floodplains. It commonly forms a narrow band adjacent to a flowing or intermittent stream. Generally slopes are less than 3 percent. Elevations range from 6,400 to 7,200 feet above sea level. This site is dependent on sub-irrigation and overflow for its moist condition.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Flood plain
Flooding duration Brief (2 to 7 days) Flooding frequency Rare to occasional Ponding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) Ponding frequency Rare to occasional Elevation 6400 – 7200 ft Slope 1 – 5 % Water table depth 36 – 72 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Mean annual precipitation varies from 10 to 13 inches. Departures from the average of 3 inches or more are common. June is the driest month. July, August and September are the wettest months, and it is the period when flash floods are to be expected. The vegetation is dependent on sub-irrigation and overflow from the flash floods. In an extended drought period, the water table is affected and results in lowered production of the vegetation.
Temperature varies from a mean annual of 69 degrees F in July to 26 degrees F in January. The maximum is near 100 degrees F and the minimum is near 40 degrees F below zero. The average last killing frost in the fall is the middle of September. Temperatures are usually warm enough to sustain plant growth from April through September.
Wind velocities are relatively light most of the year, and occasionally winds will exceed 25 miles per hour. These stronger winds, which usually occur in the spring and summer, increase transpiration rates of plants and increase evaporation from these moist soils. Soil particles are often displaced from adjacent areas by these strong winds and may cause structural damage to young plants.
Climate data was obtained from the WCCR web site. Using 50% probabilities for freeze-free and frost-free seasons at 28.5 degrees F and 32.5 degrees F respectively.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 120 days Freeze-free period (average) 150 days Precipitation total (average) 10 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
This site is influenced by water from a wetland or stream.<br />
Soil features
The soils in this site are generally deep and well drained. They are affected by sodium. The pH is about 8.0. Surface textures may be loam, fine sandy loam, clay loam and silty clay loam. The subsoil is usually a clay or clay loam. Water intake rate is slow to very slow. Permeability is moderately slow to very slow. Plant roots may be restricted by the sodium content of the soil. Available water-holding capacity is approximately 7 inches in a five-foot profile.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Loam
(2) Sandy loam
(3) Clay loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Poorly drained to well drained Permeability class Moderately slow Soil depth 60 – 72 in Available water capacity
(0-40in)3 – 12 in Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 16 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 30 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.4 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 35 % Ecological dynamics
This bottomland site is a grassland plant community characterized by inland saltgrass and alkali sacaton. Fourwing saltbush, the dominant shrub, comprises
State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
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 StateCommunity 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityFigure 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)Grass/Grasslike 1080 1440 1800 Tree 60 80 100 Forb 60 80 100 Total 1200 1600 2000 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 10% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 0% Forb foliar cover 0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 40% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 30% Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM0009 , R036XB009NM Salt Meadow HCPC. R036XB009NM Salt Meadow HCPC Grassland with minor forb and shrub components..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 3 5 10 10 25 30 12 5 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 480–560 saltgrass DISP Distichlis spicata 480–560 – 2 240–320 alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 240–320 – 3 80–160 salt sedge CAHA5 Carex hassei 80–160 – 4 48–80 foxtail barley HOJU Hordeum jubatum 48–80 – 5 48–80 mat muhly MURI Muhlenbergia richardsonis 48–80 – 6 80–160 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 80–160 – 7 80–160 Nuttall's alkaligrass PUNU2 Puccinellia nuttalliana 80–160 – 8 240–320 alkali cordgrass SPGR Spartina gracilis 240–320 – Forb9 48–80 Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 2FORB Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 48–80 – iodinebush ALOC2 Allenrolfea occidentalis 48–80 – desert seepweed SUSU Suaeda suffrutescens 48–80 – Shrub/Vine10 48–80 Shrub, deciduous 2SD Shrub, deciduous 48–80 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 48–80 – pale desert-thorn LYPA Lycium pallidum 48–80 – Interpretations
Animal community
Habitat for Wildlife:
This site provides habitats which support a resident animal community that is characterized by pronghorn antelope, coyote, striped skunk, black-tailed jackrabbit, Botta’s pocket gopher, deer mouse, banner-tailed kangaroo rat, killdeer, house finch, western spadefoot toad, short-horned lizard and leopard frog.
When seasonal shallow ponds occur, these sites are utilized by breeding amphibians, waterfowl and blackbirds.
Hydrological functions
The runoff curve numbers are determined by field investigations using hydrologic cover conditions and hydrologic soil groups.
Hydrologic Interpretations
Soil Series------------Hydrologic Group
Catman-----------------------D
Catman Variant---------------D
Gojiya-----------------------D
Sparham----------------------D
Sparham Wet------------------D
Warm Springs-----------------C
Kardewest--------------------CRecreational uses
These sites have low potential for outdoor recreation.
In years of higher precipitation, the seasonal shallow ponds improve the opportunity for bird watching.Wood products
This site has no significant potential for wood production.
Other products
Grazing:
This site is well suited for grazing use during all seasons of the year by both small and large animals; however, it is not suited for continuous yearlong grazing by domestic livestock if a balanced, healthy plant community is to be maintained. Periodic summer deferment is needed to maintain the productivity and lessen the probability of wind and water erosion.Other information
Guide to Suggested Initial Stocking Rate Acres per Animal Unit Month
Similarity Index-------------Ac/AUM
100 - 76------------------2.6 – 3.0
75 – 51-------------------3.3 – 4.3
50 – 26-------------------5.3 – 6.0
25 – 0--------------------6.0+
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Rio Arriba County, NM Location 2: Sandoval County, NM Location 3: San Juan County, NM Other references
Data collection for this site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the New Mexico and Arizona Plateaus and Mesas 36 Major Land Resource Area of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys: McKinley & Sandoval
Characteristic Soils Are:
Catman-------------------Catman Variant Gojiya-------------------Sparham
Sparham,wet--------------Warm Springs
Contributors
Christine Bishop
Don Sylvester
Elizabeth Wright
John Tunberg
Michael Carpinelli
Pete Lefebvre
Peter LefebvreRangeland 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):
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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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