Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R035XC327AZ
Clayey Upland
10-14" p.z.
Sodic
Last updated: 5/19/2025
Accessed: 04/28/2026
-
Search
Major Land Resource Area or ecological site by name and/or ID.
PreviousSectionsNextGeneral information
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.
Click to explore map
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
AZ CRA 35.3 – Colorado Plateau Sagebrush – Grasslands
Elevations range from 4500 to 6000 feet and precipitation averages 10 to 14 inches. Vegetation includes Wyoming big sagebrush, Utah juniper, Colorado pinyon - cliffrose, Mormon tea, fourwing saltbush, blackbrush Indian ricegrass, needle and thread, western wheatgrass Galleta, black grama, blue grama, and sand dropseed. 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
This site is located on small concave depressed areas of cuestas.
Soils are deep and moderately well-drained to well-drained. Clay contents are generally high throughout the profile.Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Atriplex confertifolia
(2) Atriplex obovataHerbaceous (1) Pleuraphis jamesii
(2) Sporobolus airoidesPhysiographic features
Site is located on small concave depressed areas of cuestas.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Cuesta
(2) Dip slope
Flooding duration Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) Flooding frequency Very rare to rare Ponding frequency None to rare Elevation 5300 – 6300 ft Slope 5 – 15 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Winter summer moisture ratios range from 70:30 to 60:40. Late spring is usually the driest period, and early fall moisture can be sporadic. Summer rains fall from June through September; moisture originates in the Gulf of Mexico and creates convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Cool season moisture from October through May tends to be frontal; it originates in the Pacific and the Gulf of California and falls in widespread storms with longer duration and lower intensity. Precipitation generally comes as snow from December through February. Accumulations above 12 inches are not common but can occur. Snow usually lasts for 3-4 days, but can persist much longer. Summer daytime temperatures are commonly 95 - 100 F and on occasion exceed 105 F. Winter air temperatures can regularly go below 10 F and have been recorded below - 20 F.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 170 days Freeze-free period (average) 190 days Precipitation total (average) 10 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
Soil features
Soils are deep and moderately well-drained to well-drained. Clay contents are generally high throughout the profile. Geologic formation is Morrison. Available water capacity is moderate. Wind/water erosion potential is moderate. Soils are moderately saline/sodic. pH is 7.8-9.0. Soil moisture regime is ustic aridic. Soil temperature regime is mesic.
Typical taxanomic units on this site include:
SSA 717 Shiprock Area AZ/NM MU's 308 McElmo and 318 Camino.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – clayey shale
(2) Residuum – sandstone
Surface texture (1) Very gravelly sandy clay loam
(2) Gravelly clay
(3) Gravelly clay loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Moderately well drained to well drained Permeability class Moderately slow to slow Soil depth 40 – 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 35 – 50 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 10 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)5 – 7 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)5 – 15 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 5 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.8 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 10 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 15 % 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 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 fire, grazing, 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 amount shown for each group. Divide the resulting total by the total normal year production shown in the plant community description. If the rainfall has ben 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.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 2 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThis state represents the most ecologically stable conditions in terms of resistance to erosion. Moreover, this state has the highest potential for productivity and plant diversity.
Community 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityThe dominant aspect of this site is a grassland with low growing shrubs. Grasses include galleta, alkali sacaton and sand dropseed. Major shrubs are desert seepweed, shadscale and mound saltbush.
With severe disturbance, galleta and broom snakeweed will increase, cheatgrass and annual forbs will invade.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 70 120 180 Shrub/Vine 30 50 70 Forb 0 10 10 Total 100 180 260 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 0-10% Forb foliar cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 0% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – – 0-1% >0.5 <= 1 – 0-2% 2-8% – >1 <= 2 – – – – >2 <= 4.5 – – – – >4.5 <= 13 – – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ3503 , 35.3 10-14" p.z. galleta. Growth begins in spring, most growth occurs during summer and early fall rainy season. Plants will green up again in the fall..
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 0 5 20 15 20 30 10 0 0 Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ3507 , 35.3 10-14" p.z. alkali sacaton. Growth begins in late spring, most growth occurs in summer and early fall..
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 20 15 20 30 10 0 0 0 Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ3509 , 35.3 10-14" p.z. shadscale saltbush. Growth begins in spring and extends through the summer. Seed set occurs in summer to early fall..
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 25 25 15 15 10 5 0 0 0 Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ3531 , 35.3 10-14" p.z. all sites. Growth begins in the spring and continues through the 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 1 3 17 18 10 19 20 10 1 1 0 Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ5210 , 35.2 6-10" p.z. mound saltbush. Growth begins in spring and continues through the summer. Seed stalk extension occurs in late summer with seed set in the fall..
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 20 25 15 15 10 5 5 0 0 Community 1.2
Shrub DominatedThis phase is dominated by shrubs.
Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2This state represents the most ecologically stable conditions in terms of resistance to erosion. Moreover, this state has the highest potential for productivity and plant diversity. Additionally, a lack of fire is often a factor here.
Key drivers
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
-
Climate
Key ecosystem services affected
-
Nutrient cycling
-
Food and fiber: livestock forage
-
Climate regulation: carbon cycling and storage
Pathway P1.2
Community 1.2 to 1.1Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Key drivers
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
-
Climate
Key ecosystem services affected
-
Nutrient cycling
-
Food and fiber: livestock forage
-
Climate regulation: carbon cycling and storage
State 2
Non-NativesCommunity 2.1
Grass DominatedCommunity 2.2
Shrub DominatedPathway P2.1
Community 2.1 to 2.2Key drivers
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
-
Climate
Key ecosystem services affected
-
Nutrient cycling
-
Food and fiber: livestock forage
-
Climate regulation: carbon cycling and storage
Pathway P2.2
Community 2.2 to 2.1Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Key drivers
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
-
Climate
Key ecosystem services affected
-
Nutrient cycling
-
Food and fiber: livestock forage
-
Climate regulation: carbon cycling and storage
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Season-long grazing providing little rest and recovery for preferred grazed plants during critical growing periods, coupled with high utilization.
Key drivers
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
-
Climate
-
Nonnative plant species presence and/or establishment
Key ecosystem services affected
-
Nutrient cycling
-
Food and fiber: livestock forage
-
Climate regulation: carbon cycling and storage
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Shrub/Vine0 40–60 James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 36–48 – shadscale saltbush ATCO Atriplex confertifolia 10–20 – mound saltbush ATOB Atriplex obovata 10–20 – desert seepweed SUSU Suaeda suffrutescens 2–10 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–6 – Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 0–6 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 0–2 – Grass/Grasslike0 110–130 James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 60–80 – alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 20–30 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 2–10 – Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 0–10 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 0–6 – squirreltail ELELE Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides 0–6 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 1–6 – Forb0 0–10 alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 12–18 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 2–6 – widewing springparsley CYPU Cymopterus purpurascens 0–2 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 0–2 – Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Site is favorable for grazing throughout most of the year except when snow cover restricts availability of forage. With continuous grazing use during winter and spring, the relatively scarce cool season mid grasses are replaced by desert seepweed, snakeweed and lower value forbs and grasses. Planned grazing systems adapt well to use on this site.
The potential plant community produced by this site provides food for those species of wildlife that utilize grass as a major portion of their diet. When vegetative retrogression occurs, unpalatable shrubby species increase and some wildlife species may be benefit.
Animals include mule deer, cottontail rabbit, lizards, coyote, pronghorn antelope, blacktail jackrabbit and snakes.Recreational uses
This site is found in grassy swales, characterized by open grasslands interspersed with a few flowering forbs and shrubs.
Activities include hunting, camping, hiking, and horseback riding.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Apache County, AZ Township/Range/Section T41N R30E S36 General legal description Teec Nos Pos quad; NW portion of section 36, T41N, R30E; one half mile SE of Teec Nos Pos, Navajo Indian Reservation, Arizona Contributors
HSH
Larry D. Ellicott
Steve BarkerApproval
Kendra Moseley, 5/19/2025
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Contact for lead author Date 04/28/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
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:
-
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):
-
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:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Print Options
Sections
Font
AAAAOther
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.
Accessibility statement
