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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): 040X–Sonoran Basin and Range
AZ 40.1 – Upper Sonoran Desert
Elevations range from 2000 to 3200 feet and precipitation averages 10 to 13 inches per year. Vegetation includes saguaro, palo verde, mesquite, creosotebush, triangle bursage, prickly pear, cholla, limberbush, wolfberry, bush muhly, threeawns, ocotillo, and globe mallow. The soil temperature regime is thermic and the soil moisture regime is typic aridic. This unit occurs within the Basin and Range Physiographic Province and is characterized by numerous mountain ranges that rise abruptly from broad, plain-like valleys and basins. Igneous and metamorphic rock classes dominate the mountain ranges and sediments filling the basins represent combinations of fluvial, lacustrine, colluvial and alluvial deposits.Associated sites
R040XA101AZ Basalt Hills 10"-13" p.z.
R040XA110AZ Limy Slopes 10"-13" p.z.
R040XA113AZ Loamy Slopes 10"-13" p.z.
R040XA123AZ Volcanic Hills 10"-13" P.Z.
Similar sites
R038XA108AZ Clayey Slopes 12-16" p.z.
R041XC303AZ Clayey Slopes 12-16" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Parkinsonia microphylla
Shrub (1) Calliandra eriophylla
(2) Simmondsia chinensisHerbaceous (1) Pleuraphis mutica
(2) Hilaria belangeriPhysiographic features
This site occurs in the upper elevations of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. Slope aspect is site differentiating at elevations near common resource area boundaries.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Ridge
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 2200 – 3500 ft Slope 15 – 45 % Aspect N, E, S Climatic features
Precipitation in the sub resource area ranges from 10 to 13 inches in the southern part, along the Mexican border with elevations from about 1900 to 3200 feet. Precipitation in the northern part of the resource area ranges from 11 to 14 inches with elevations from about 1700 to 3500 feet. Winter-summer rainfall ratios range from 40%-60% in the southern portions of the land resource unit, to 50%-50% in the central portions, to 60%-40% in the northern part of the land resource unit. As one moves from east to west in this resource area rains become slightly more unpredictable and variable with Coefficients of Variation of annual rainfall equal to 29% at Tucson and 36% at Carefree. Summer rains fall July through Sept., originate in the Gulf of Mexico, and are convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Cool season moisture tends to be frontal, originating in the Pacific and Gulf of California. This winter precipitation falls in widespread storms with long duration and low intensity. Snow is rare and seldom lasts more than an hour or two. May and June are the driest months of the year. Humidity is generally very low.
Winter temperatures are mild, with very few days recording freezing temperatures in the morning. Summer temperatures are warm to hot, with several days in June and July exceeding 105 degrees F.
Both the spring and the summer growing seasons are equally important for perennial grass, forb and shrub growth. Cool and warm season annual forbs and grasses can be common in their respective seasons with above average rainfall. Perennial forage species can remain green throughout the year with available moisture.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 270 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 10 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
There are no water features associated with this site.
Soil features
These are deep to shallow soils which have formed in gravelly, clayey alluvium and colluvium, or in place on shale. Soil surfaces are well protected by gravels and rocks. They are non calcareous, but calcareous horizons or bedrock can occur at moderate to shallow depths. Plant-soil moisture relationships are between good. Soil mapped on this site include: SSA-661 Eastern Pinal/Southern Gila Counties MU Granolite-465.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very gravelly sandy loam
(2) Cobbly sandy loam
(3) Very gravelly loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately slow to slow Soil depth 20 – 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 20 – 60 % Surface fragment cover >3" 5 – 20 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)3 – 7 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 10 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 2 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.4 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)30 – 60 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 10 % 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 the group. Divide the resulting total by the total normal year production shown in the plant community description. If the 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.
State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. State and Transition model, Clayey Slopes 10-13" p
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 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 6 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityThe potential plant community on this site is an even mixture of desert shrubs, trees, cacti and perennial grasses. Annual forbs and grasses can be abundant in wet seasons. The aspect is a shrub dotted grassland.
The combination of drought, fire and continuous grazing can deplete the dominant species tobosa grass. As the cover of tobosa declines curly mesquite will increase to dominate but will diminish again greatly in drought. As the perennial grass cover is thinned and shrubs like snakeweed, prickley pear and turpentine bush can increase to dominate the overstory. Jojoba is stable on the site unless repeated fires remove it. Trees tend to be shrubby on the site due to clayey textures at nor near the surface.Figure 5. 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 52 250 630 Shrub/Vine 75 200 335 Forb 11 30 200 Tree 15 50 100 Total 153 530 1265 Table 6. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0-0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike basal cover 0-0% Forb basal cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0-10% Litter 20-80% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 30-80% Surface fragments >3" 0-30% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 10-50% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – 0-1% 0-20% 0-15% >0.5 <= 1 – 0-1% 15-15% 1-15% >1 <= 2 – 1-2% 10-35% 0-5% >2 <= 4.5 0-1% 5-15% 0-1% – >4.5 <= 13 2-10% 0-1% – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4013 , 40.1 10-13" p.z. other sites. Growth begins in the late winter, goes semi-dormant in the drought period of late May through early July, growth continues in the summer through 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 5 10 20 15 0 5 20 15 5 5 0 State 2
Native trees, shrubs, cacti and grass with fireCommunity 2.1
Native trees, shrubs, cacti and grass with fireThis plant community occurs as a result of a single hot season fire. Paloverde and saguaro can be severely impacted and may take long periods of time (30-50 years) to recover to pre-fire levels. Perennial and annual grasses and forbs dominate the community for some time until shrubs like jojoba and triangle bursage can recover.
This plant community can produce enough herbaceous fuel from native species of grasses and / or forbs to carry fire in El Nino years or after unusually wet summers. The natural incidence of fire in this MLRA is very low and fires are much more common from man-made ignitions. Areas of the site close to urban zones or along heavily travelled roads and highways will experience a higher rate of fires.State 3
Exotic perennial grasses with nativesCommunity 3.1
Exotic perennial grasses with nativesThis community occurs where bufflegrass, natal grass or fountain grass invade the native plant community. These species occupy the niches of low shrubs like triangle bursage, grasses like tobosa and curley mesquite and woody forbs like janusia and twinberry.
State 4
Exotic perennial grasses and fireCommunity 4.1
Exotic perennial grasses and fireThis community occurs where a native plant community that has been invaded by bufflegrass has burned one or more times. Increasing amounts of bufflegrass leads to more uniform fine fuels. In areas adjacent to roads and urban areas the risk of repeated fires will increase. As fire frequency increases the dominance of the exotic grasses increase.
State 5
Native plant community with exotic annualsCommunity 5.1
Native plant community with exotic annualsThis plant community occurs where the native community has been invaded by red brome, filaree and / or schismus. Red brome occupies the niche of the native winter annual forbs and grasses. This exotic annual grass will fluctuate from nearly nothing in a dry winter to dominance of the understory plant community in a El Nino winter.
State 6
Exotic annuals and fireCommunity 6.1
Exotic annuals and fireThis plant community occurs where a native plant community which has been invaded by red brome and / or schismus has burned repeatedly. As fires become more frequent the native trees, shrubs and succulents are removed from the plant community and red brome becomes dominant. In areas of the site near urban areas and along heavily travelled roads this will be a more common occurence due to an increased source of ignitions.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Dominant mid grass 50–300 tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 50–300 – 2 Dominant short grass 1–100 curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 1–100 – 3 Misc perennial grasses 0–30 purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 0–20 – sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 0–15 – tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 0–10 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 0–10 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 0–10 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 0–10 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 0–5 – squirreltail ELELE Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides 0–2 – 4 Annual grasses 1–200 sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 1–100 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 0–100 – Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 0–100 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 0–50 – little barley HOPU Hordeum pusillum 0–50 – Pacific fescue VUMIP Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora 0–15 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 0–10 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–10 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–10 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–5 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 0–5 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 0–5 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–2 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–2 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–1 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 0–1 – Forb5 Perennial forbs 10–50 slender janusia JAGR Janusia gracilis 1–15 – desert globemallow SPAM2 Sphaeralcea ambigua 1–15 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 0–10 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 0–10 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–5 – largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–5 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–5 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 1–5 – lacy tansyaster MAPIP4 Machaeranthera pinnatifida ssp. pinnatifida var. pinnatifida 0–5 – slender poreleaf POGR5 Porophyllum gracile 0–5 – glandleaf milkwort POMA7 Polygala macradenia 0–2 – wishbone-bush MILAV Mirabilis laevis var. villosa 0–2 – red-gland spurge CHME5 Chamaesyce melanadenia 0–2 – dwarf desertpeony ACNA2 Acourtia nana 0–2 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 0–1 – San Felipe dogweed ADPO Adenophyllum porophylloides 0–1 – spearleaf MAPA9 Matelea parvifolia 0–1 – desert rosemallow HICO Hibiscus coulteri 0–1 – Indian rushpea HOGL2 Hoffmannseggia glauca 0–1 – leatherweed CRPOP Croton pottsii var. pottsii 0–1 – desert larkspur DEPA Delphinium parishii 0–1 – tall mountain larkspur DESC Delphinium scaposum 0–1 – Braun's rockcress ARPE3 Arabis perstellata 0–1 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 0–1 – desert tobacco NIOBO Nicotiana obtusifolia var. obtusifolia 0–1 – Parry's beardtongue PEPA24 Penstemon parryi 0–1 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–1 – Coues' cassia SECO10 Senna covesii 0–1 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 0–1 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – Coulter's wrinklefruit TECO Tetraclea coulteri 0–1 – caliche globemallow SPLA Sphaeralcea laxa 0–1 – Palmer's Indian mallow ABPA Abutilon palmeri 0–1 – 6 Annual forbs 1–150 California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–100 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSA Lotus salsuginosus 0–50 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 0–50 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–50 – smallflowered milkvetch ASNU4 Astragalus nuttallianus 0–30 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 0–30 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–30 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–25 – pitseed goosefoot CHBE4 Chenopodium berlandieri 0–25 – bristly fiddleneck AMTE3 Amsinckia tessellata 0–25 – desert Indianwheat PLOV Plantago ovata 0–20 – New Mexico plumeseed RANE Rafinesquia neomexicana 0–20 – mesa tansyaster MATA Machaeranthera tagetina 0–15 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 0–15 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–15 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 0–15 – distant phacelia PHDI Phacelia distans 0–15 – thelypody THELY Thelypodium 0–15 – Louisiana vetch VILU Vicia ludoviciana 0–15 – fringed amaranth AMFI Amaranthus fimbriatus 0–15 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–15 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–15 – Abert's buckwheat ERAB2 Eriogonum abertianum 0–15 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–15 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–15 – California desertdandelion MACA6 Malacothrix californica 0–10 – Esteve's pincushion CHST Chaenactis stevioides 0–10 – pincushion flower CHFR Chaenactis fremontii 0–10 – yellow tackstem CAPA7 Calycoseris parryi 0–10 – white tackstem CAWR Calycoseris wrightii 0–10 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–10 – Lindley's silverpuffs MILI5 Microseris lindleyi 0–10 – Nuttall's povertyweed MONU Monolepis nuttalliana 0–5 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 0–5 – manybristle chinchweed PEPA2 Pectis papposa 0–5 – Arizona phacelia PHAR13 Phacelia arizonica 0–5 – cleftleaf wildheliotrope PHCR Phacelia crenulata 0–5 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 0–5 – Sonoran sandmat CHMI7 Chamaesyce micromera 0–5 – cryptantha CRYPT Cryptantha 0–5 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 0–5 – Thurber's buckwheat ERTH3 Eriogonum thurberi 0–5 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 0–5 – Coulter's lupine LUSP2 Lupinus sparsiflorus 0–5 – California suncup CACA32 Camissonia californica 0–5 – Goodding's bladderpod LEGO2 Lesquerella gooddingii 0–5 – star gilia GIST Gilia stellata 0–5 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–3 – goosefoot CHENO Chenopodium 1–3 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 0–2 – sand pygmyweed CRCOC Crassula connata var. connata 0–2 – dainty desert hideseed EUMI2 Eucrypta micrantha 0–2 – Arizona cottonrose LOAR12 Logfia arizonica 0–2 – limestone bedstraw GAPR Galium proliferum 0–1 – Mexican fireplant EUHE4 Euphorbia heterophylla 0–1 – California mustard GULA4 Guillenia lasiophylla 0–1 – Lemmon's ragwort SELE8 Senecio lemmonii 0–1 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 0–1 – Florida pellitory PAFL3 Parietaria floridana 0–1 – Shrub/Vine7 Dominant half shrubs 15–75 fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 15–25 – Eastern Mojave buckwheat ERFA2 Eriogonum fasciculatum 0–15 – triangle bur ragweed AMDE4 Ambrosia deltoidea 0–15 – bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 0–10 – brittlebush ENFA Encelia farinosa 0–10 – button brittlebush ENFR Encelia frutescens 0–10 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 0–10 – rough menodora MESC Menodora scabra 0–10 – Parish's goldeneye VIPA14 Viguiera parishii 0–10 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–5 – white ratany KRGR Krameria grayi 0–2 – 8 Dominant large shrubs 50–200 jojoba SICH Simmondsia chinensis 40–150 – whitethorn acacia ACCO2 Acacia constricta 0–20 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 5–20 – ocotillo FOSP2 Fouquieria splendens 0–15 – pelotazo ABIN Abutilon incanum 0–5 – 9 Misc shrubs 0–5 banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 0–5 – Berlandier's wolfberry LYBE Lycium berlandieri 0–2 – Warnock's snakewood COWA Condalia warnockii 0–2 – Nevada jointfir EPNE Ephedra nevadensis 0–1 – turpentine bush ERLA12 Ericameria laricifolia 0–1 – sangre de cristo JACA2 Jatropha cardiophylla 0–1 – rayless goldenhead ACSP Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus 0–1 – Wright's beebrush ALWR Aloysia wrightii 0–1 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 0–1 – 10 Succulents 10–55 cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 5–30 – saguaro CAGI10 Carnegiea gigantea 0–20 – buck-horn cholla CYAC8 Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa 1–15 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 1–10 – staghorn cholla CYVE3 Cylindropuntia versicolor 0–5 – jumping cholla CYFU10 Cylindropuntia fulgida 0–5 – purple pricklypear OPMA8 Opuntia macrocentra 0–5 – tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–5 – Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 0–2 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 0–2 – desert agave AGDE Agave deserti 0–2 – Arizona pencil cholla CYAR14 Cylindropuntia arbuscula 0–1 – Graham's nipple cactus MAGR9 Mammillaria grahamii 0–1 – Engelmann's hedgehog cactus ECEN Echinocereus engelmannii 0–1 – pinkflower hedgehog cactus ECFA Echinocereus fasciculatus 0–1 – spinystar ESVI2 Escobaria vivipara 0–1 – Tree11 Trees 15–100 yellow paloverde PAMI5 Parkinsonia microphylla 10–100 – velvet mesquite PRVE Prosopis velutina 0–20 – blue paloverde PAFL6 Parkinsonia florida 0–10 – Table 9. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 5.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 6.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Steep slopes and cobbly or gravelly surfaces limit grazing distribution especially in the hotter months of the year. Stocker cattle will use areas of this site fairly well at any season. Forage species grow year-round with available moisture. The plant community provides adequate nutrition for livestock throughout the year.
Water developments are very important to wildlife species on this site. Even though vegetative cover is lacking, rugged topography and forage diversity make the site home to a great variety of wildlife including the larger desert mammals.
Hydrological functions
This site is a good producer of runoff due to steep slopes and soils with argillic horizons near the surface. Very gravelly and cobbly soil surfaces tend to hold water on the site.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, birdwatching, photography, horseback riding, rock hounding.
Wood products
Some paloverde, catclaw and mesquite for camp-fires and branding fires.
Other products
Stones and cobbles, clay, saguaro ribs, cholla skeletons. Tradtional foods like saguaro fruits, prickly pear tunas, cactus flower buds, grass nuts and jojoba nuts. Traditional herbs like globe mallow, wild onion and anemone.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Pima County, AZ Township/Range/Section T9S R18E S15 General legal description TUCSON FIELD OFFICE - RAFTER T RANCH Location 2: Pima County, AZ General legal description SELLS FIELD OFFICE - BABOQUIVARI DIST. NEAR FRESNAL VILLAGE - UNSURVEYED 111 DEGREES 41' X 31 DEGREES 48' 30" Location 3: Pima County, AZ Township/Range/Section T14S R13E S15 General legal description Tumamoc Hill, UA Desert Laboratory, inclusions of Lehmans soil in the Basalt Hills complex. Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. EllicottRangeland 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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