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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
Physiographic features
Topography is gently rolling to rolling with extremes in slopes ranging from 0 to 40 percent. Elevations vary between 7,000 and about 9,000 feet above sea level, but are more typically in the 7,500 foot to 8,500 foot range.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain slope
Elevation 7000 – 9000 ft Slope 0 – 40 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Average annual precipitation varies from approximately 16 to 20 inches, depending upon where the site is found. Year-to-year fluctuations in precipitation are common. Half or more of the precipitation occurs during the late-fall through early spring period, often in the form of snow. The balance of the precipitation falls typically from mid-June through September and is characterized by short-duration, high-intensity thunderstorms.
The average frost-free season is about 103 days but is highly variable from location to location. The last killing frost in the spring occurs about June 1st, and the first killing frost in the fall normally occurs by October 1st. Lighter frosts may occur anytime in June and again in late August or early September. Average annual air temperatures vary from 30 degrees F in January to just under 70 degrees F in August.
Both the air temperature and moisture regimes of this climate favor cool-season vegetation.
Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html 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) 110 days Freeze-free period (average) 130 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.<br />
Soil features
Surfaces are thin gravelly loams and clay loams. Subsurfaces are stony or cobbly. Soils are moderately deep to deep. They may be formed over basalt but seldom include outcroppings. Available water-holding capacity is moderate to high; permeability is moderate to slow.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Gravelly loam
(2) Cobbly sandy loam
(3) Stony
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Very slow to moderately slow Soil depth 20 – 40 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 15 – 60 % Surface fragment cover >3" 15 – 35 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)6 – 12 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.1 – 7.8 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 60 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 35 % Ecological dynamics
To be added.
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
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityThis is a grassland site with few if any trees. Cool-season grasses predominate. Shrubs are sparse and normally restricted to north-facing slopes and higher elevations. Forbs such as trailing fleabane, wildbuckwheat, globemallow, sageworts, and Indian paintbrush are noticeable but do not make up a substantial proportion of the potential plant community.
Other grasses may include: needlegrass spp., wolftail, threeawns, pine dropseed, and muhlenbergia spp.
Other woody plants may include: broom snakeweed, pinyon, juniper, Apacheplume, fringed sagewort, and oak spp.
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 620 770 920 Forb 62 77 92 Total 682 847 1012 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 0% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 0% Forb foliar cover 0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 10% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 30% Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM1304 , R039XA014NM Stony Loam HCPC. R039XA014NM Stony Loam HCPC Grassland with minor components of shrubs and forbs. .
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 193–289 Arizona fescue FEAR2 Festuca arizonica 193–289 – 2 48–145 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 48–145 – 3 145–193 prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 145–193 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 145–193 – 4 96–145 longtongue muhly MULO Muhlenbergia longiligula 96–145 – mountain muhly MUMO Muhlenbergia montana 96–145 – New Mexico muhly MUPA2 Muhlenbergia pauciflora 96–145 – 5 10–48 spike muhly MUWR Muhlenbergia wrightii 10–48 – 6 48–96 squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 48–96 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 48–96 – 7 29–77 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii 29–77 – little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 29–77 – 8 29–48 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 29–48 – Forb9 29–77 Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 29–77 – 10 10–29 Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 10–29 – Shrub/Vine11 29–48 skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 29–48 – 12 10–29 13 10–48 Shrub, deciduous 2SD Shrub, deciduous 10–48 – Interpretations
Animal community
Habitat for Wildlife:
This site provides habitats which support a resident animal community that is characterized by gray fox, eastern cottontail, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Botta’s pocket gopher, kestrel, mourning dove, horned lark, meadowlark, short-horned lizard, Chihuahua whiptail, Sonora gopher snake, and prairie rattlesnake.
Elk and deer range into the site and golden eagle and common raven hunt over the site.
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
Adobe---------------------D
Barella-------------------C
Midnight------------------D
Slash---------------------C
Smilo---------------------C
Recreational uses
The site offers recreation potential for picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, nature observation, and photography. Camping sites may be limited by stony or cobbly surfaces. Hunting is limited although elk may use the site. Natural beauty is tied closely to the mountainous setting within which the site occurs.
Wood products
This site has no significant potential for wood products naturally.
Other products
Grazing:
Approximately 80 percent of the annual vegetative production on this site comes from species that produce forage for grazing animals. In some areas the site may be suited to spring-, summer-, or fall-uses only; in others use may be year-round. However, continuous use in the same season, year after year, may result in a decline in range condition. Continued heavy use will also result in such a decline, with cool-season plants such as Arizona fescue being the first to go. Blue grama increases under such circumstances and may eventually dominate the site in a sod-like, low-vigor form that is very unproductive when compared to the potential plant community. Shrubs, half-shrubs, and annuals also increase as condition declines. A system of deferred grazing that varies the season of use from year to year is needed to maintain a healthy balance of plants in the plant community. Deferment during late spring is especially helpful to cool-season species. In addition to domestic livestock, this site is used by deer, elk, small mammals, and birds.
Other information
Guide to Suggested Initial Stocking Rate Acres per Animal Unit Month
Similarity Index------------Ac/AUM
100 - 76------------------2.8 – 3.7
75 – 51-------------------3.5 – 5.5
50 – 26-------------------5.0 – 8.5
25 – 0--------------------8.5+
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Catron County, NM Location 2: Grant County, NM Location 3: Sierra County, NM Location 4: Socorro County, NM Other references
Data collection for this site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Arizona and New Mexico Mountains, Major Land Resource Area 39, of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys: Socorro, Catron, Sierra, and Grant.
Characteristic Soils Are:
Barella, Midnight, Slash, SmiloContributors
Brandon Bestelmeyer
Don Sylvester
Elizabeth Wright
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):
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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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