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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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 035X–Colorado Plateau
“PROVISIONAL ecological site concepts developed and described. See Project Plan [insert Project Plan Name] for more details and related milestones.”
This ecological site occurs in Land Resource Unit 35.1 - the Colorado Plateau Mixed Grass Plains
Elevations range from 5300 to 6500 feet and precipitation averages 10 to 14 inches per year. Vegetation includes Stipa species, Indian ricegrass, galleta, and blue grama, fourwing saltbush, winterfat, and cliffrose. The soil temperature regime is mesic and the soil moisture regime is ustic aridic. This unit occurs within the Colorado Plateau Physiographic Province and is characterized by a sequence of flat to gently dipping sedimentary rocks eroded into plateaus, valleys and deep canyons. Sedimentary rock classes dominate the plateau with volcanic fields occurring for the most part near its margin.Ecological site concept
“ATTENTION: This ecological site meets the requirements for PROVISIONAL (if not more). A provisional ecological site is established after ecological site concepts are developed and an initial state-and-transition model is drafted. A provisional ecological site typically will include literature reviews, land use history information, legacy data (prior approved range site descriptions, forage suitability groups, woodland suitability groups, etc.,) , and includes some soils data, and estimates for canopy and/or species composition by weight,. A provisional ecological site provides the conceptual framework of soil-site correlation for the development of the ESD. For more information about this ecological site, please contact your local NRCS office.”
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Juniperus monosperma
(2) Juniperus osteospermaShrub (1) Atriplex canescens
(2) Krascheninnikovia lanataHerbaceous (1) Bouteloua curtipendula
(2) Bouteloua gracilisPhysiographic features
This range site occurs as hills and steep escarpments. Due to the shallow soils and very steep slopes, this site is subject to significant runoff. Bedrock areas may be nearly vertical.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Escarpment
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 1615 – 1981 m Slope 30 – 70 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
50-60% of moisture falls as rain Jul-Sep and is the most effective moisture for plant growth. The remaining moisture comes as snow during the winter.
Mean temperature for the hottest month (Jul) is 72 F; for the coldest month (Jan) is 32 F. Extreme temperatures of 105 F and -28F have been recorded. Long periods with little or no effective moisture are relatively common.
Cool season plants begin growth in early spring and mature early summer. Warm season plants take advantage of summer rains and are growing and nutritious Jul-Sep.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 160 days Freeze-free period (average) 180 days Precipitation total (average) 330 mm BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
Available soil moisture on this site is from rainfall.
Soil features
Soils that are grouped together in this site have characteristics of being very shallow to moderately deep to bedrock or other plant root restricting layers. Surface soil texture has a minimum depth of 2-7 inches and range in texture from a fine sandy loam to a stony clay loam. Subsoils may have permeabilities ranging from slow to rapid. Subsurface or substratum layers have textures ranging from gravelly loam to clay and coarse fragments ranging from 20-85% by volume. Erosion hazard is moderate. Soils are neutral to moderately alkaline (pH 7.0-8.2). With good vegetative cover, infiltration rates are increased, stability against erosion is good and plant-soil moisture relationships are good.
Typical taxonomic units include:
SSA-631 Coconino County Central Part MU 065 Winona;
SSA-699 Hualapai/Havasupai MU 054 Winona;
SSA-635 Apache County Central part MU SU Stony Rock Land;
SSA-715 Fort Defiance Area AZ/NM MU’s 48, 48 & 50 Kinusta family, 48 Eslendo, 49 & 116 Strych family, 101 Torriorthents, 11 Mathis family and 127 Ustic Torriorthents.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – limestone
(2) Eolian deposits – calcareous sandstone
Surface texture (1) Fine sandy loam
(2) Stony clay loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Excessively drained to well drained Permeability class Slow to rapid Soil depth 13 – 76 cm Surface fragment cover <=3" 5 – 55 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 5 % Available water capacity
(0-101.6cm)2.54 – 6.35 cm Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-101.6cm)1 – 5 % Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-101.6cm)5 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-101.6cm)7.5 – 8 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)20 – 85 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 % Ecological dynamics
The plant communities found on an ecological site are naturally variable. Composition and production will vary with yearly conditions, location, aspect, and the natural variability of the soils. The historical climax plant community (HCPC) represents the natural potential plant communities found on relict or relatively undisturbed sites. Other plant communities described here represent plant communities that are known to occur when the site is disturbed by factors such as grazing, fire, or drought.
Production data provided in this site description is standardized to air-dry weight at the end of the summer growing season. The plant communities described in this site description are based on near normal rainfall years.
NRCS uses a Similarity Index to compare existing plant communities to the plant communities described here. Similarity Index is determined by comparing the production and composition of a plant community to the production and composition of a plant community described in this site description. To determine Similarity Index, compare the production (air-dry weight) of each species to that shown in the plant community description. For each species, count no more than the maximum amount shown for the species, and for each group, count no more than the maximum shown for the group. Divide the resulting total by the total normal year production shown in the plant community description. If rainfall has been significantly above or below normal, use the total production shown for above or below normal years. If field data is not collected at the end of the summer growing season, then the field data must be corrected to the end of the year production before comparing it to the site description. The growth curve can be used as a guide for estimating production at the end of the summer growing season.
T1. Continuous heavy grazing, summer droughts
R1. Pest/Brush managementState and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. 35.1 Breaks
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 2 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Figure 5. 35.1 Breaks
This ecological site has a plant community made up primarily of mid and short grasses with relatively large percentages of shrubs. The plant community is a mixture of both cool and warm season grasses.
Figure 6. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(kg/hectare)Representative value
(kg/hectare)High
(kg/hectare)Grass/Grasslike 269 437 538 Shrub/Vine 90 146 179 Tree 73 118 146 Forb 34 56 67 Total 466 757 930 Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ3511 , 35.1 10-14" p.z. all sites. Growth begins in the spring and continues through the summer, most growth occurs during the summer rainy season. .
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 1 5 11 18 25 24 13 3 0 0 Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ5102 , 35.1 10-14" p.z. blue grama. Growth occurs mostly in summer and early fall during the rainy season..
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 0 5 5 15 30 30 15 0 0 0 Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ5103 , 35.1 10-14" p.z. sideoats grama. Most growth occurs in summer and early fall during the rainy season..
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 0 5 10 20 30 20 10 5 0 0 Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ5213 , 35.1 10-14" p.z. winterfat. Growth begins in the spring and continues through the summer. Seed stalk extension and seed set occurs in summer..
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 5 15 25 20 10 15 10 0 0 0 State 2
Native / Introduced StateCommunity 2.1
Juniper / Composite Shrubs / Native & Introduced Grasses and ForbsIntroduced exotic annual grasses (cheatgrass, red brome) and forbs (Russian thistle, filaree) are present in minor amounts in the plant community, but the amount and proportions of native plants is similar to that found in plant community 1.1, Historic Climax Plant Community.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Introduction of non-native annuals species creates an irreversible change in the plant community
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Dominant grasses 202–387 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 73–183 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 37–146 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 37–110 – James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 8–37 – alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 8–37 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 22–37 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 8–37 – spike muhly MUWR Muhlenbergia wrightii 8–22 – 2 Needlegrasses 28–62 New Mexico feathergrass HENE5 Hesperostipa neomexicana 11–34 – needle and thread HECOC8 Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata 11–28 – desert needlegrass ACSP12 Achnatherum speciosum 6–11 – 3 Mid grasses 34–62 squirreltail ELELE Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides 11–28 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 11–22 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 6–11 – muttongrass POFEL Poa fendleriana ssp. longiligula 6–11 – 4 Other grasses 17–45 spike dropseed SPCO4 Sporobolus contractus 6–17 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 6–17 – mesa dropseed SPFL2 Sporobolus flexuosus 4–13 – threeawn ARIST Aristida 6–11 – ring muhly MUTO2 Muhlenbergia torreyi 2–9 – Forb5 All Forbs 34–73 Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 10–34 – globemallow SPHAE Sphaeralcea 9–28 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 8–22 – aster ASTER Aster 3–11 – Shrub/Vine6 Dominant shrubs 22–90 fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 9–39 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 8–28 – jointfir EPHED Ephedra 6–22 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 6–22 – Bigelow sage ARBI3 Artemisia bigelovii 6–13 – 7 Misc. shrubs 34–84 Apache plume FAPA Fallugia paradoxa 11–34 – Mexican cliffrose PUME Purshia mexicana 11–28 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 9–22 – Fremont's mahonia MAFR3 Mahonia fremontii 6–11 – desert sweet CHMI2 Chamaebatiaria millefolium 2–6 – 8 Other shrubs 22–50 brickellbush BRICK Brickellia 6–11 – rabbitbrush CHRYS9 Chrysothamnus 4–11 – woolly groundsel PACA15 Packera cana 4–11 – snakeweed GUTIE Gutierrezia 3–9 – spineless horsebrush TECA2 Tetradymia canescens 2–8 – desert-thorn LYCIU Lycium 2–6 – sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 2–6 – 9 Succulents 6–11 pricklypear OPUNT Opuntia 4–11 – yucca YUCCA Yucca 2–6 – Tree10 Trees 67–146 oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 22–73 – twoneedle pinyon PIED Pinus edulis 22–73 – Utah juniper JUOS Juniperus osteosperma 8–37 – Table 7. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
On the less severe slopes this site is suitable for light grazing during any season by all types of livestock. Because soils are shallow and slopes are steep, grazing should be light in order to protect the native plant community and soils. When this range site is grazed yearlong or primarily in the spring, cool season mid grasses that are most readily damaged by grazing decline and less productive species dominate the plant community. Most vegetation is palatable to livestock but may not be available for grazing due to steep slopes.
The diversity of topography and vegetative form provides habitat for numerous wildlife species. Because of the rough broken nature of the site, it becomes important to adjacent sites for cover and protection from adverse weather.
Wildlife adapted to this site will benefit from practices that will restore or maintain the native plant community.Recreational uses
Land form contains steep side slopes on hills and escarpments. Landscape quality includes an abundance of spring and summer flowering forbs. The aesthetic appeal is excellent due to the mixture of tree forms with shrub and grass understory. Winters are cold; however, relatively mild summers make this site attractive for wildlife observation, hunting, rockhounding and hiking.
Other products
Personal firewood, pinyon nuts and rock products
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Coconino County, AZ General legal description Site located each side of Aubrey Cliffs, 8 miles northwest of Seligman. Location 2: Navajo County, AZ UTM zone N UTM northing 3838951 UTM easting 581633 General legal description Site located on ten mile hill, just off of Hwy 77, 7 miles south of Snowflake, AZ. Contributors
Ken Gishi
Kenneth Gishi
Larry D. Ellicott
Peter Lefebvre
Steve Barker
UnknownRangeland 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) Dean Schlichting, Kenneth Gishi Contact for lead author State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS-Arizona State Office, Phoenix, AZ Date 10/21/2010 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
Numerous well defined rills on areas with less than 40% rock and gravel. Number and extent of rills increase with slope steepness and length. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Many well developed WFP around perennial plants and boulders. Increase flow patterns with a decreased in rock fragment cover. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Numerous well developed pedestals (1 – 3” high) around perennial plants and smaller boulders. Some terracettes form in less steep WFPs. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
20 to 50% bare ground depending on rock and gravel cover. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Gullies can occur in less rocky and deeper soil areas. Many small gullies and gully like formations on toe slopes. There are numerous large drainages on this site that are stable and lined with bedrock. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Most herbaceous and fine woody litter will be transported by wind and in water flow pathways, while a small percentage stays in place. Coarse woody litter and duff will accumulate under shrub canopies. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil resistance to erosion varies greatly depending on vegetative cover as well the distribution of rock, boulders and/or gravel. In areas of no vegetative cover or rock armoring, the surface erodes readily. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
No A horizon in plant inter spaces, surface is clay to sandy clay. Weak platy structure erodes readily. Color varies greatly depending on parent materials. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
This site is dominated by shrubs with 20 to 40% cover, and then by perennial grasses with 5 to 15% cover, with 5 to 10% cover in trees, and 0 to 1% cover in forbs. Both canopy and basal cover values of grasses and some shrubs decrease during prolonged drought. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. -
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:
Dominant: Warm season grasses (25-30%) > Cool season grasses (15-25%) = Large shrubs (15-25%)Sub-dominant:
>Sub-dominant: Half shrubs (5-10%) = Trees (5-10%) > Perennial forbs (3-5%)Other:
other: Succulents (1-3%) = Annual forbs & grasses (1-5%)Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
In a normal year up to 10 to 15% of grasses and shrubs die off. During and after drought years there can be from 10 to 30% die off of shrubs and grasses. Severe winter droughts affect shrubs, trees and cool season grasses the most. Severe summer droughts affect the warm season grasses the most. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Within plant interspaces litter ranges from 10 to 20 % cover with no real depth, while under shrub and tree canopies it ranges from 50 to 100% cover with depths from 1/8 to ½ inch thick. Litter amounts increase during the first few years of drought, then decrease in later years. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
300-500 lbs/ac in dry years; 500-700 lbs/ac in normal years; 700-900 lbs/ac in wet 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:
Herbaceous species that can invade this site are Russian thistle and annual grasses, such as cheatgrass. Other species that have the potential to invade and increase with time are juniper, broom snakeweed, rabbitbrush, and Mormon tea. are on the site. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All plants native to this site are adapted to the climate and are capable of producing seeds, stolons and rhizomes except during the most severe droughts.
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