Natural Resources
Conservation Service
-
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.
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
R040XA110AZ Limy Slopes 10"-13" p.z.
R040XA111AZ Limy Upland 10"-13" p.z.
R040XA126AZ Gypsum Upland 10"-13" p.z.
Similar sites
R041XB219AZ Gypsum Upland 8-12" p.z.
F041XB218AZ Sandy Bottom 8-12" pz. woodland
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Parkinsonia microphylla
Shrub (1) Larrea tridentata
(2) acacia constrictaHerbaceous (1) Muhlenbergia porteri
(2) aristida purpurea var. nealleyiPhysiographic features
This site occurs in the upper elevations of the Sonoran Desert province in southern Arizona. It occurs on fan terraces, hill-slopes and ridge-tops formed on relict lacustrine (lake bed) sediments. It occurs in the Gila and San Pedro river valleys.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Fan remnant
(3) Ridge
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 2600 – 3600 ft Slope 15 – 55 % 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 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
There are no water features associated with this site.
Soil features
These soils are well drained, variable in texture, stratified and high in soluble gypsum (5-30% by volume). They are moderately deep to deep and underlain in places by gypsum. Coarse fragments in the soil profile are usually large gypsum crystals. These soils have formed in relict lacustrine deposits. Soil series mapped on this site include Contention, Ugyp, Whitecliff and haplogypsids.
NOT CURRENTLY CORRELATED to any Soil in an AZ SSA.Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
(2) Fine sandy loam
(3) Clay
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Moderately well drained to well drained Permeability class Moderately rapid to slow Soil depth 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 50 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 10 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)4.7 – 7.6 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 20 % 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)0 – 30 % 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 represents the natural potential plant community found on relict or relatively undisturbed areas of this site. Other plant communities described here represent plant communities that are known to occur when the site is disturbed by factors such as fire, grazing and 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 described in the 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 amount shown for that 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 the field data is not collected at the end of the summer growing season, then the field data must be corrected to the end of 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.
The historic native state includes the native plant communities that occur on the site, including the historic climax plant community. This state includes other plant communities that naturally occupy the site following fire, drought, flooding, herbivores and other natural disturbances. The historic climax plant community represents the natural climax community that eventually reoccupies the site with proper management and a return to near normal conditions and/or equilibrium.
State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 3. Gypsum slopes 10-13" pz
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 1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityThis plant community is dominated by littleleaf paloverde, creosote bush and whitethorn acacia. Annual grasses and forbs are an important part of the plant community. Perennial grasses usually only occur on north hill slopes. Cryptogams are very common on this site, often completely colonizing outcrops of gypsum. The site is extremely susceptible to sheet, rill and gully erosion due to high concentrations of soluble gypsum in the surface soil; once the surface soil has been disturbed.
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)Shrub/Vine 136 250 420 Grass/Grasslike 12 80 200 Forb 4 40 125 Tree 10 30 100 Total 162 400 845 Table 6. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0-0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 0% Grass/grasslike basal cover 0-0% Forb basal cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 10-60% Litter 10-40% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 20-50% Surface fragments >3" 0-20% Bedrock 0-10% Water 0% Bare ground 20-80% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – 0-1% 0-5% 1-15% >0.5 <= 1 – 0-1% 0-10% 0-5% >1 <= 2 – 0-2% 0-5% 0-1% >2 <= 4.5 – 2-5% – – >4.5 <= 13 0-5% 0-2% – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 5. 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 shrubs, cacti and fireCommunity 2.1
Native shrubs, cacti and fireThis state occurs where the native tree, cacti and shrub cover has been impacted by a single hot season fire. This will occur only in El Nino years when annual forbs and grasses make enough fuel for a fire. Areas of this site will not burn completely due to patches of soil dominated by gypsum outcrop and high cryptogam covers which will not have fine fuel.
The fire impacts paloverde, saguaro and other cacti species. Shrubs like creosote and whitethorn may sprout and recover from the fire.State 3
Exotic annualsCommunity 3.1
Exotic annualsThis state occurs where non-native annuals have invaded the native plant community. Species like red brome, schismus and native annuals dominate the understory of the plant community. Areas of the site adjacent urban areas and near heavily travelled roads may burn more often due to increased chance of ignition.
State 4
ErodedCommunity 4.1
ErodedThis state occurs where the site has been graded, bladed or mined and the soil surface (gravelly sandyloam) has been disturbed. The subsurface is extremely erodible due to high concentrations of souble gypsum in the soil profile. Steep slopes also contribute to rilling and gully formation.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Dominant perennial grasses 10–80 purple threeawn ARPUP6 Aristida purpurea var. purpurea 5–50 – bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 5–15 – slim tridens TRMU Tridens muticus 1–15 – tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 0–10 – spike dropseed SPCO4 Sporobolus contractus 0–10 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 0–10 – big sacaton SPWR2 Sporobolus wrightii 0–5 – alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 0–5 – 2 Misc. perennial grasses 1–20 low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 1–10 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 0–10 – blue threeawn ARPUN Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi 0–5 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 0–5 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 0–5 – whiplash pappusgrass PAVA2 Pappophorum vaginatum 0–2 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–2 – mesa dropseed SPFL2 Sporobolus flexuosus 0–2 – false Rhodes grass TRCR9 Trichloris crinita 0–2 – burrograss SCBR2 Scleropogon brevifolius 0–1 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–1 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 0–1 – 3 Annual grasses 1–100 sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 1–50 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–50 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 0–25 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–20 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 0–15 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–10 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 0–10 – Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 0–5 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 0–2 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 0–2 – canyon cupgrass ERLE7 Eriochloa lemmonii 0–2 – desert lovegrass ERPEM Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima 0–2 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–2 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 0–1 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–1 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–1 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–1 – Forb4 Perennial forbs 3–25 lacy tansyaster MAPIP4 Machaeranthera pinnatifida ssp. pinnatifida var. pinnatifida 1–10 – desert trumpet ERIN4 Eriogonum inflatum 1–10 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 1–10 – desert globemallow SPAM2 Sphaeralcea ambigua 0–5 – Parry's false prairie-clover MAPA7 Marina parryi 0–2 – wishbone-bush MILAV Mirabilis laevis var. villosa 0–2 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 0–2 – dwarf desertpeony ACNA2 Acourtia nana 0–2 – stinging serpent CESI Cevallia sinuata 0–2 – whitemargin sandmat CHAL11 Chamaesyce albomarginata 0–1 – leatherweed CRPOP Croton pottsii var. pottsii 0–1 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 0–1 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 0–1 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 0–1 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 0–1 – hairyseed bahia BAAB Bahia absinthifolia 0–1 – desert marigold BAMU Baileya multiradiata 0–1 – desert tobacco NIOB Nicotiana obtusifolia 0–1 – Coues' cassia SECO10 Senna covesii 0–1 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – San Pedro daisy LAPO4 Lasianthaea podocephala 0–1 – rue of the mountains THTE2 Thamnosma texana 0–1 – 5 Annual forbs 1–100 phacelia PHACE Phacelia 0–25 – Coulter's lupine LUSP2 Lupinus sparsiflorus 0–20 – California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–20 – bristly fiddleneck AMTE3 Amsinckia tessellata 0–15 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 0–15 – flatcrown buckwheat ERDE6 Eriogonum deflexum 1–10 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–10 – exserted Indian paintbrush CAEXE Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta 0–10 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 0–10 – manybristle chinchweed PEPA2 Pectis papposa 0–10 – desert Indianwheat PLOV Plantago ovata 0–10 – lyreleaf jewelflower STCAA Streptanthus carinatus ssp. arizonicus 0–5 – thelypody THELY Thelypodium 0–5 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 0–5 – cryptantha CRYPT Cryptantha 0–5 – Gordon's bladderpod LEGO Lesquerella gordonii 0–5 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 0–5 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 0–5 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 0–5 – Nuttall's povertyweed MONU Monolepis nuttalliana 0–5 – wheelscale saltbush ATEL Atriplex elegans 0–5 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 0–5 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–5 – brittle spineflower CHBR Chorizanthe brevicornu 0–5 – hyssopleaf sandmat CHHY3 Chamaesyce hyssopifolia 0–2 – Esteve's pincushion CHST Chaenactis stevioides 0–2 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–2 – white tackstem CAWR Calycoseris wrightii 0–2 – green carpetweed MOVE Mollugo verticillata 0–2 – hairy prairie clover DAMO Dalea mollis 0–2 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 0–2 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 0–2 – Texas stork's bill ERTE13 Erodium texanum 0–2 – hairy desertsunflower GECA2 Geraea canescens 0–2 – star gilia GIST Gilia stellata 0–2 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–2 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 0–2 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 0–2 – Florida pellitory PAFL3 Parietaria floridana 0–2 – woolly tidestromia TILA2 Tidestromia lanuginosa 0–2 – woollyhead neststraw STMI2 Stylocline micropoides 0–2 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 0–1 – New Mexico plumeseed RANE Rafinesquia neomexicana 0–1 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–1 – Coulter's globemallow SPCO2 Sphaeralcea coulteri 0–1 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–1 – Mexican fireplant EUHE4 Euphorbia heterophylla 0–1 – bristly nama NAHI Nama hispidum 0–1 – glandular threadplant NEGL Nemacladus glanduliferus 0–1 – common woolly sunflower ERLA6 Eriophyllum lanatum 0–1 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–1 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 0–1 – yellow tackstem CAPA7 Calycoseris parryi 0–1 – Shrub/Vine6 Dominant shrubs 125–300 creosote bush LATR2 Larrea tridentata 100–200 – whitethorn acacia ACCO2 Acacia constricta 20–100 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 1–25 – ocotillo FOSP2 Fouquieria splendens 0–20 – 7 Miscellaneous shrubs 0–30 fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–20 – Wright's beebrush ALWR Aloysia wrightii 0–10 – cattle saltbush ATPO Atriplex polycarpa 0–5 – longleaf jointfir EPTR Ephedra trifurca 0–5 – Berlandier's wolfberry LYBE Lycium berlandieri 0–5 – western honey mesquite PRGLT Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana 0–2 – Warnock's snakewood COWA Condalia warnockii 0–2 – American tarwort FLCE Flourensia cernua 0–1 – crown of thorns KOSP Koeberlinia spinosa 0–1 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 0–1 – pale desert-thorn LYPA Lycium pallidum 0–1 – 8 Half shrubs 10–80 brittlebush ENFA Encelia farinosa 1–25 – Parish's goldeneye VIPA14 Viguiera parishii 0–20 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 1–15 – triangle bur ragweed AMDE4 Ambrosia deltoidea 0–15 – rayless goldenhead ACSP Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus 0–10 – desert zinnia ZIAC Zinnia acerosa 1–10 – mariola PAIN2 Parthenium incanum 0–10 – whitestem paperflower PSCO2 Psilostrophe cooperi 1–10 – pricklyleaf dogweed THAC Thymophylla acerosa 1–5 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 1–5 – rough menodora MESC Menodora scabra 1–5 – white ratany KRGR Krameria grayi 0–1 – burrobush AMDU2 Ambrosia dumosa 0–1 – threadleaf snakeweed GUMI Gutierrezia microcephala 0–1 – 9 Succulents 1–10 jumping cholla CYFU10 Cylindropuntia fulgida 0–15 – cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 0–15 – staghorn cholla CYVE3 Cylindropuntia versicolor 0–10 – saguaro CAGI10 Carnegiea gigantea 0–5 – buck-horn cholla CYAC8 Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa 0–5 – teddybear cholla CYBI9 Cylindropuntia bigelovii 0–5 – tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–5 – purple pricklypear OPMA8 Opuntia macrocentra 0–2 – Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 0–2 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–1 – Engelmann's hedgehog cactus ECEN Echinocereus engelmannii 0–1 – redspine fishhook cactus ECER2 Echinomastus erectocentrus 0–1 – pinkflower hedgehog cactus ECFA Echinocereus fasciculatus 0–1 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 0–1 – devil's cholla GRKU Grusonia kunzei 0–1 – Graham's nipple cactus MAGR9 Mammillaria grahamii 0–1 – nightblooming cereus PEGR3 Peniocereus greggii 0–1 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 0–1 – soaptree yucca YUEL Yucca elata 0–1 – Tree10 Trees 10–100 yellow paloverde PAMI5 Parkinsonia microphylla 10–100 – velvet mesquite PRVE Prosopis velutina 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 (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site offers little in the way of forage for livestock. Areas of threeawn, muhly and tridens are grazed on slopes less than 45%. Annual grasses and forbs offer limited grazing in wet winters. High concentrations of soluble gypsum in runoff water that is collected by stock ponds can cause laxative effects in livestock.
Wildlife on this site is limited to small mammals and birds and their associated predators. In areas where the site is adjacent to large stream bottoms, like the San Pedro river, it can be a forage area for mammals like mule deer and javalina.Hydrological functions
Loamy and silty textured soils and steep slopes make this site a good producer of runoff. High concentrations of soluble gypsum in the soils can cause piping, rilling and gullies to form with heavy rainfall.
Recreational uses
Hunting, horseback riding, hiking, photography, bird watching.
Wood products
Some mesquite, catclaw and paloverde for camp and branding fires.
Other products
Gypsum is mined in some areas for use in making sheet rock.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Pinal County, AZ Township/Range/Section T5S R17E S15 General legal description Old Mary Cluff Ranch on the Mineral Strip of the San Carlos Apache Nation. Location 2: Pinal County, AZ Township/Range/Section T6S R16E S23 General legal description Old PZ Ranch, Now Becky Stambaugh ranch 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
-
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
