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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 40.3 – Colorado Sonoran Desert
Elevations range from 300 to 1200 feet and precipitation averages 3 to 7 inches per year. Vegetation includes creosotebush, white bursage, brittlebush, Mormon tea, teddybear cholla, elephant tree, smoke tree, ocotillo, and big galleta. The soil temperature regime is hyperthermic 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.Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Parkinsonia microphylla
(2) Parkinsonia floridaShrub (1) Acacia greggii
(2) Olneya tesotaHerbaceous (1) Pleuraphis rigida
(2) Muhlenbergia porteriPhysiographic features
This site occurs in a bottom position. It benefits significantly from run-in moisture from adjacent areas. The soils may suffer from excessive loss from runoff. It occurs as floodplains, low terraces, alluvial fans and drainageways.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Flood plain
(2) Terrace
(3) Alluvial fan
Elevation 75 – 1000 ft Slope 0 – 5 % Climatic features
Precipitation in this common resource area ranges from 3-7 inches yearly. Despite historical averages in rainfall amounts, as one moves from east to west in this resource area rains become more unpredictable and variable with Coefficients of Variation of annual rainfall equal to 44% at Gila Bend and 65% at Mohawk. Winter-Summer rainfall ratios are 40-60%. Summer rains fall July-September, originate in the Gulf of Mexico and are convective, usually brief intense thunderstorms. Summer thunderstorms usually form over the mountains in the afternoon and spread to the valleys and plains in the evening. The intensity of this precipitation is moderate to heavy, but rarely lasts more than half an hour. Many times these storms produce little more than gusty winds and light showers. Cool season moisture tends to be frontal, originate in the Pacific and Gulf of California and falls in widespread storms with long duration and low intensity. Snow is very rare and falls normally only in the higher mountains.
Mean temperatures for the hottest month (Jul) is 93 F; the coldest month (Jan) is 53 F. Extreme temperatures of 125 F and 10 F have been recorded. Long periods with little or no effective moisture occur frequently.
The winter-spring precipitation is the most dependable on the site. Perennial grasses, though classed as warm season growers, grow actively year-round when moisture is available. Shrubs and trees generally respond to seasonal moisture. The two rainy periods bring about their respective production of either winter or summer annual grasses and forbs.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 360 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
Soil features
Soils that are grouped together in this range site are deep to bedrock or other plant root restricting layers. The surface soil depth ranges from 6-8 inches with textures ranging from very gravelly loamy sand, loamy sand to silt loam. The underlying layers have a rapid permeability and hold all moisture the climate supplies. Soluble salt accumulations are low and pH ranges from 7.9-8.4. With good vegetative cover, infiltration rates are high. Stability against erosion processes is poor. Plant-soil moisture relationships are poor. Coarse fragments may be found throughout the soil In the Carrizo, it ranges from 35-85% coarse fragment. In the Lagunita, it ranges from 0-15% coarse fragments.
Soils mapped on this site include: in SSA-627 Southern Mohave county MU's Carrizo family-19 & 20, Carrizo-21; SSA-645 Aguila-Carefree area MU's Brios-11, Carrizo-4 & 11; SSA-649 Yuma-Wellton area MU's Carrizo-3, Lagunita-16 & 18, Torrifluvents-30; SSA-653 Gila Bend-Ajo area MU's Carrizo-67, Vint vfsl-63, Why Grfsl-66 & Why-67; SSA-656 Colorado River Indian Reservation area MU's Carrizo-5 & 17.Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Loamy sand
(2) Sand
(3) Sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Sandy
Drainage class Well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Moderately rapid to very rapid Soil depth 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 5 – 45 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 10 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)1.8 – 7.2 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 10 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 1 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.4 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)5 – 45 % 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 each 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
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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 CommunityThe plant community is a mixture of perennial grasses and forbs, desert trees and shrubs, and annual grasses and forbs. The active washy areas in the site have little vegetation except burrobush and annual grasses and forbs.
Continuous grazing use and the absence of natural fires have led to woody plant invasion. These areas are extremely sensitive and when plant cover has been reduced, the extra water concentrated on the site causes accelerated erosion and channel cutting. As a result, less and less of the original overflow areas still get flooded.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 520 688 855 Shrub/Vine 280 370 460 Forb 140 210 280 Tree 10 45 80 Total 950 1313 1675 Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4041 , 40.3 3-7" p.z. all sites. Most growth occurs in the winter to early spring, plants are dormant May through October..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 5 20 40 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike0 Dominant Perennial Grasses 350–500 big galleta PLRI3 Pleuraphis rigida 210–280 – bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 140–210 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 14–70 – 1 Threeawn Group 140–210 blue threeawn ARPUN Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi 15–21 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 15–21 – Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 15–21 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 15–21 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 15–21 – Santa Rita threeawn ARCAG Aristida californica var. glabrata 15–21 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 15–21 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 15–21 – Fendler's threeawn ARPUF Aristida purpurea var. fendleriana 15–21 – 2 Misc. Perennial Grasses 15–75 spike dropseed SPCO4 Sporobolus contractus 4–20 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 4–20 – mesa dropseed SPFL2 Sporobolus flexuosus 4–20 – slim tridens TRMU Tridens muticus 4–20 – 3 Annual Grasses 15–70 sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 0–14 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–14 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–14 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–14 – low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 5–14 – Devils Canyon muhly MUAP Muhlenbergia appressa 0–14 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–14 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 5–14 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 5–14 – Forb4 Misc. Forbs 70–140 Santa Rita threeawn ARCAG Aristida californica var. glabrata 14–21 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 14–21 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 14–21 – Fendler's threeawn ARPUF Aristida purpurea var. fendleriana 14–21 – blue threeawn ARPUN Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi 14–21 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 14–21 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 14–21 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 14–21 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 0–15 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–10 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–10 – Devils Canyon muhly MUAP Muhlenbergia appressa 0–10 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–10 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 0–10 – spike dropseed SPCO4 Sporobolus contractus 0–10 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–10 – mesa dropseed SPFL2 Sporobolus flexuosus 0–10 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 0–10 – pelotazo ABIN Abutilon incanum 1–7 – Indian mallow ABUTI Abutilon 2–7 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 1–7 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 1–7 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–7 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 1–7 – smallflowered milkvetch ASNU4 Astragalus nuttallianus 1–7 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 2–7 – desert marigold BAMU Baileya multiradiata 1–7 – fleabane ERIGE2 Erigeron 2–7 – pink velvetmallow HOAL Horsfordia alata 1–7 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 1–7 – Coulter's lupine LUSP2 Lupinus sparsiflorus 1–7 – wishbone-bush MILAV Mirabilis laevis var. villosa 1–7 – monkeyflower MIMUL Mimulus 2–7 – Bostock's minerslettuce MOBO Montia bostockii 1–7 – bristly nama NAHI Nama hispidum 1–7 – desert tobacco NIOBO Nicotiana obtusifolia var. obtusifolia 1–7 – evening primrose OENOT Oenothera 2–7 – lineleaf whitepuff OLLI Oligomeris linifolia 1–7 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 2–7 – Emory's rockdaisy PEEM Perityle emoryi 1–7 – manybristle chinchweed PEPA2 Pectis papposa 1–7 – desert Indianwheat PLOV Plantago ovata 1–7 – New Mexico plumeseed RANE Rafinesquia neomexicana 1–7 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 1–7 – desert globemallow SPAM2 Sphaeralcea ambigua 1–7 – Coulter's globemallow SPCO2 Sphaeralcea coulteri 1–7 – globemallow SPHAE Sphaeralcea 2–7 – woolly tidestromia TILA2 Tidestromia lanuginosa 1–7 – 5 More Forbs 70–140 Texas fluffgrass TRTE2 Tridens texanus 7–14 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 2–10 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 1–7 – touristplant DIWI2 Dimorphocarpa wislizeni 1–7 – fetid marigold DYPA Dyssodia papposa 1–7 – whisperingbells EMPE Emmenanthe penduliflora 1–7 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 1–7 – desert trumpet ERIN4 Eriogonum inflatum 1–7 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 2–7 – desert poppy ESGL Eschscholzia glyptosperma 1–7 – pygmy poppy ESMI Eschscholzia minutiflora 1–7 – hideseed EUCRY Eucrypta 2–7 – spurge EUPHO Euphorbia 2–7 – hairy desertsunflower GECA2 Geraea canescens 1–7 – gilia GILIA Gilia 2–7 – Gordon's bladderpod LEGO Lesquerella gordonii 1–7 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 1–7 – trefoil LOTUS Lotus 2–7 – Gila manroot MAGI Marah gilensis 1–7 – Parry's false prairie-clover MAPA7 Marina parryi 1–7 – blazingstar MENTZ Mentzelia 2–7 – Florida pellitory PAFL3 Parietaria floridana 1–7 – phacelia PHACE Phacelia 2–7 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 1–7 – canaigre dock RUHY Rumex hymenosepalus 1–7 – woollyhead neststraw STMI2 Stylocline micropoides 1–7 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 1–7 – desert sand verbena ABVI Abronia villosa 1–7 – common fiddleneck AMMEI2 Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia 1–7 – narrowleaf silverbush ARLA12 Argythamnia lanceolata 1–7 – New Mexico silverbush ARNE2 Argythamnia neomexicana 1–7 – whitestem milkweed ASAL Asclepias albicans 1–7 – milkweed ASCLE Asclepias 2–7 – rush milkweed ASSU Asclepias subulata 1–7 – spiderling BOERH2 Boerhavia 2–7 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 1–7 – exserted Indian paintbrush CAEXE Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta 1–7 – goosefoot CHENO Chenopodium 2–7 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 1–7 – sand pygmyweed CRCOC Crassula connata var. connata 1–7 – cryptantha CRYPT Cryptantha 2–7 – fingerleaf gourd CUDI Cucurbita digitata 1–7 – Missouri gourd CUFO Cucurbita foetidissima 1–7 – desert thorn-apple DADI2 Datura discolor 1–7 – hairy prairie clover DAMO Dalea mollis 1–7 – sacred thorn-apple DAWR2 Datura wrightii 1–7 – Shrub/Vine6 Dominant Shrubs 200–250 whitethorn acacia ACCO2 Acacia constricta 50–85 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 50–85 – desert-thorn LYCIU Lycium 50–85 – desert ironwood OLTE Olneya tesota 50–85 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 1–7 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 1–7 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 1–7 – Devils Canyon muhly MUAP Muhlenbergia appressa 1–7 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 1–7 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 1–7 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 1–7 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 1–7 – mesa dropseed SPFL2 Sporobolus flexuosus 1–7 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 1–7 – 7 Misc. Shrubs 70–140 burrobush AMDU2 Ambrosia dumosa 4–10 – Drummond's clematis CLDR Clematis drummondii 4–10 – creosote bush LATRT Larrea tridentata var. tridentata 4–10 – jojoba SICH Simmondsia chinensis 2–5 – Hall's shrubby-spurge TEHA Tetracoccus hallii 2–5 – honey mesquite PRGL2 Prosopis glandulosa 2–5 – screwbean mesquite PRPU Prosopis pubescens 2–5 – whitestem paperflower PSCO2 Psilostrophe cooperi 2–5 – smoketree PSSP3 Psorothamnus spinosus 2–5 – Mexican bladdersage SAME Salazaria mexicana 2–5 – bitter snakewood COGL Condalia globosa 2–5 – brittlebush ENFA Encelia farinosa 2–5 – San Felipe dogweed ADPO Adenophyllum porophylloides 2–5 – ambrosia leaf bur ragweed AMAM2 Ambrosia ambrosioides 2–5 – triangle bur ragweed AMDE4 Ambrosia deltoidea 2–5 – fringed twinevine FUCYC Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. cynanchoides 2–5 – desert lavender HYEM Hyptis emoryi 2–5 – singlewhorl burrobrush HYMO Hymenoclea monogyra 2–5 – burrobrush HYSA Hymenoclea salsola 2–5 – slender janusia JAGR Janusia gracilis 2–5 – beloperone JUCA8 Justicia californica 2–5 – crown of thorns KOSP Koeberlinia spinosa 2–5 – narrowleaf silverbush ARLA12 Argythamnia lanceolata 2–5 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–5 – big saltbush ATLE Atriplex lentiformis 2–5 – cattle saltbush ATPO Atriplex polycarpa 1–5 – shortleaf baccharis BABR Baccharis brachyphylla 2–5 – desertbroom BASA2 Baccharis sarothroides 2–5 – sweetbush BEJU Bebbia juncea 2–5 – Coulter's brickellbush BRCO Brickellia coulteri 2–5 – crucifixion thorn CAEM4 Castela emoryi 2–5 – American threefold TRCA8 Trixis californica 2–5 – toothleaf goldeneye VIDE3 Viguiera dentata 2–5 – lotebush ZIOBO Ziziphus obtusifolia var. obtusifolia 2–5 – white ratany KRGR Krameria grayi 0–4 – button brittlebush ENFR Encelia frutescens 0–4 – longleaf jointfir EPTR Ephedra trifurca 0–4 – Coulter's lyrepod LYCO4 Lyrocarpa coulteri 0–4 – Douglas' ragwort SEFLD Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii 0–3 – Hartweg's twinevine FUCYH Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum 0–3 – 8 Succulents 14–70 saguaro CAGI10 Carnegiea gigantea 2–10 – Arizona pencil cholla CYAR14 Cylindropuntia arbuscula 2–10 – teddybear cholla CYBI9 Cylindropuntia bigelovii 2–10 – Wiggins' cholla CYEC3 Cylindropuntia echinocarpa 2–10 – Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 2–10 – branched pencil cholla CYRA9 Cylindropuntia ramosissima 2–10 – ocotillo FOSP2 Fouquieria splendens 2–10 – Tree9 Trees 10–80 blue paloverde PAFL6 Parkinsonia florida 5–40 – yellow paloverde PAMI5 Parkinsonia microphylla 5–40 – Interpretations
Animal community
This site produces forage for year-round use and is easily traversed by stocker cattle, cows and calves. Because of water availability and ease of access, these sites are often overused. Where this site occurs as inclusions in larger areas of less productive sites (ile., limy uplands), these areas produce nearly all the forage and the entire area should be managed. Fencing, in managable units, of this site can be important in providing grazing control.
The variation in vegetation, coupled with forage production year-round and intermittent availability of water, this site is suitable habitat for a wide diversity of wildlife. Ogetn this site is the only one with suitable cover requirements for large desert mammals occuring in vast areas of upland sites with little or no cover. This site is also host to a variety of smaller animals, as well as birds and reptiles.Recreational uses
This site is found throughout the alluvial fans and plains as sandy, tree-lined and gently sloping drainageways. The active washy areas of this site support little vegetation except for annual grasses and forbs and borrobush. Less active areas have an understory of desert trees with a diverse understory of forbs, grasses and shrubs. Very few days in the fall, winter or spring are too uncomfortable to enjoy outdoor activities. The afternoon heat of Jun-Aug restricts activities. This site is suitable for horseback riding, wildlife observation, hunting, hiking, picnicking and photography.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: La Paz County, AZ Township/Range/Section T1N R12W S2 General legal description Eagle Tail Ranch Contributors
Larry D. Ellicott
Stephen Cassady
Steve BarkerRangeland 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) Dave Womack, Byron Lambeth, Dan Robinett, Emilio Carrillo Contact for lead author NRCS Tucson Area Office Date 03/02/2005 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Highly variable, function of upland overland flow input. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
No accumulated or erosional pedestals on most perennial plants. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
15-40% -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Highly variable, function of upland overland flow input. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
No slake test done. Expect ratings of 1-3 across site. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Weak Platy; color is 7.5-10YR6/4 dry, 7.5-10YR5/4 moist; thickness to 3 inches. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Canopy 60-70%; 10-30% perennial grass, 40% shrubs, 10% subshrubs, 10% perennial forbs, 5-10% trees. Cover is well dispersed throughout site. -
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:
perennial grass = trees > shrubs > sub shrubs > perennial forbs (note: this after several years of regional drought. Annual forbs and grasses may be greater than trees in El Nino years.)Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
20-30% canopy mortality of trees and shrubs; 90-100% mortality of perennial grasses. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
950 lbs/ac unfavorable precipitation; 1313 lbs/ac normal precipitation; 1675 lbs/ac favorable precipitation. -
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:
Sahara mustard. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not impaired for shrubs and trees; drought impaired for perennial grasses and forbs.
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