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Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XA108AZ
Loamy Upland
16-20" p.z.
Last updated: 4/09/2021
Accessed: 04/20/2026
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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.
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): 041X–Madrean Archipelago
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 41 represents the most northern extent of the Sierra Madre Occidental, or in English, the “mother mountains of the west.” The Sierra Madre Occidental is a massive, rugged mountain system that runs northwest from the Rio Grande de Santiago, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, through the states of Sonora and Chihuahua, and ending in Arizona and New Mexico. Through Mexico, this mountain system runs parallel to the Pacific coast and, as it crosses into the United States and confronts the tectonic folding and rifting of the Basin and Range Physiographic Province, the land mass geographically breaks into smaller, isolated mountain ranges, called “sky islands.” The centralizing theme for this MLRA can be summed up as a series of inland islands extending from their mainland, the Sierra Madre Occidental, surrounded by a sea of desert grassland. To the west, the Madrean Archipelago bounds the Sonoran Basin and Range where several sky islands in southern Arizona grade into Sonoran Desert basins; to the north it bounds the contiguous mountains and geology of the Mogollon Transition area; and to the east, in New Mexico, it bounds the geology of the Rio Grande Rift. MLRA 41 is primarily a rangeland subdivision with small amounts of irrigated cropland. It encompasses approximately 13M acres.
LRU notes
Land Resource Unit 41-1, Mexican Oak-Pine Forest and Oak Savannah. Elevations range from 4500 to 5500 feet and precipitation ranges from 16 to 20 inches. Vegetation includes Emory oak, Mexican blue oak, Arizona white oak, one-seed juniper, alligator juniper, sacahuista, California bricklebush, skunkbush sumac, Arizona rosewood, wait-a-bit mimosa, sideoats grama, blue grama, purple grama, wooly bunchgrass, plains lovegrass, squirreltail, and pinyon ricegrass. The soil temperature regime is thermic; the soil moisture regime is aridic ustic.
Classification relationships
USDA-NRCS Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin: Western Range and Irrigated Region D; Major Land Resource Area 41, Southeastern Arizona Basin and Range; Land Resource Unit 41-1, Madrean Oak Savanna; Ecological Site Loamy Upland, 16-20" p.z.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ecological Regions of North America: Level I, Region 12, Southern Semi-Arid Highlands; Level II, 12.1 Western Sierra Madre Piedmont, Level III, Ecoregion 79 Madrean Archipelago, 79a, Apachian Valleys and Low Hills.
USDA-USFS Ecological Subregions: Sections of the Conterminous United States: Section 321 Basin and Range; Section 321A, Basin and Range Section.Ecological site concept
Loamy Upland, 16"-20" p.z., is found on upland landscapes with deep soils with an argillic horizon underlying loam textured soil or, when the soil above the argillic is sandy loam textured, it is less than 4" thick.
Associated sites
R041XA104AZ Limy Slopes 16-20" p.z.
R041XA107AZ Loamy Slopes 16-20" p.z.
R041XA109AZ Clay Loam Upland 16-20" p.z.
R041XA114AZ Loamy Bottom 16-20" p.z.
R041XA115AZ Loamy Swale 16-20" p.z.
Similar sites
R041XC313AZ Loamy Upland 12"-16" p.z.
R041XA110AZ Sandy Loam Upland 16-20" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) baccharis pteronioides
(2) agave palmeriHerbaceous (1) bouteloua gracilis
(2) eragrostis intermediaPhysiographic features
This site occurs in the upper elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs on fan terraces and gentle hillslopes.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Fan piedmont
(2) Plain
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 4700 – 5500 ft Slope 1 – 15 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Precipitation in this zone of the common resource area ranges from 16-20 inches per year with elevations from 4700-5500 feet. Approximately 40% of this moisture comes as gentle rain or snow during the winter-spring (Oct-Apr) season; originates in the north Pacific and Gulf of California and comes as frontal storms with long duration and low intensity. The remaining 60% falls in the summer season(May-Sep); originates in the Gulf of Mexico and are convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Snow is common Dec-Mar, averaging 5-15 inches per year, but rarely lasts more than a week. May and June are the driest months. Humidity is low.
Temperatures are mild. Freezing temperatures are common at night from Oct-May, but daytime temperatures are almost always over 40 F. Below 0 F temperatures can occur Dec-Feb. Daytime summer highs rarely exceed 95 F.
Species like plains lovegrass, wooly bunchgrass, false mesquite, shrubby buckwheat and ratany begin growth in late March to April. Warm season grasses begin growth in July or August with receipt of the first summer rains.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 200 days Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) 20 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 soils which have formed in old alluvium of mixed origin. Surface textures range from very gravelly sandy loam to gravelly loam. Sandy loam surfaces can be no thicker than 4 inches (eight inches for CBV-SL). These soils all have clayey (argillic) horizons near the surface. They are non calcareous in the upper 20 inches. Soil surfaces are dark colored. Plant-soil moisture relationships are good. Although several soil series are correlated in map unit components to this ecological site, Cherrycow soil series is most representative of Loamy Upland, 16-20” p.z..
Table 4. Representative soil features
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Slow Soil depth 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 10 – 25 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 5 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)8.4 – 9.6 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 5 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 2 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.1 – 7.8 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)3 – 10 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 % Ecological dynamics
State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. Loamy Upland 41-1 STM 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 textState 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateCommunity 1.1
Grassland-Oak Savannah (HCPC)
Figure 5. Empire Ranch, West Pasture exclosure, KA 17&18
The historic native state includes the native plant communities that occur on the site, including the historic climax plant community. The state includes other plant communities that naturally occupy the site following fire, drought, flooding, herbivores and other natural disturbances. The historic plant community represents the natural climax community that eventually reoccupies the site with proper management.
The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial midgrasses. The major perennial species are well dispersed throughout the plant community. Perennial forbs, several species of low shrubs and succulents are well represented in the plant community. The aspect is open grassland to oak-grass savannah.
Mesquite and Lehmann lovegrass are both pushing the upper limits of their elevations in this MLRA subdivision and can invade areas of this site. They may be able to dominate the native plant community, especially with climatic warming. Species like one seed and alligator juniper can invade and increase to dominate the site. Naturally occuring fires in June-August are an important factor shaping this plant community. Fire-free intervals range from 10-20 years. With thin coarse textured soil surfaces, any soil loss due to erosion can reduce the site’s ability to effectively use intense summer rainfall. This site recovers moderately well from drought due to the favorable climate prevailing in this sub-resource area.Figure 6. 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 1200 1600 Forb 11 45 245 Shrub/Vine 11 35 85 Tree 0 5 25 Total 542 1285 1955 Table 6. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0-0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike basal cover 10-20% Forb basal cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0-0% Biological crusts 0-10% Litter 20-70% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 10-30% Surface fragments >3" 0-10% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 10-50% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – 1-5% 5-15% 1-5% >0.5 <= 1 – 1-5% 10-20% 1-5% >1 <= 2 – 1-2% 15-30% 0-15% >2 <= 4.5 – 0-1% 0-10% 0-2% >4.5 <= 13 0-1% – – – >13 <= 40 0-5% – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4111 , 41.1 16-30. Growth begins in the spring, semi-dormancy occurs during the June drought, most growth occurs during the summer rainy season..
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 10 0 15 45 20 5 0 0 Community 1.2
Annual ForbsIn "El Nino" years and without disturbance like grazing or fire, forbs like camphorweed, gumweed and annual goldeneye will increase to dominate the plant community as perennial grass cover diminishes from drought in the preceding years.
Periodic drought can occur in this CRA and cause significant grass mortality. Droughts in the early 30s, mid-50s, 1975-76, 1988-89, 1995-96 and 2002 resulted in the loss of much of the grass cover on this site. Mortality is highest in areas where the soil surface is very thin. There is a strong relationship between grass mortality and surface thickness/micro relief on this site. This site recovers moderately well from drought due to the favorable climate prevailing in this sub-resource area.Community 1.3
Short GrassesWith continuous, heavy grazing, midgrasses like sideoats grama, cane beardgrass and plains lovegrass are removed from the plant community and often times replaced by a continuous sod of blue grama. The absence of mid-grasses reduces fire fuel load resulting in increased half-shrub and succulent shrubs. With severe deterioration, shrubby species like yerba-de-pasmo and wooly groundsel can increase to dominate the plant community.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2Extended periods with no disturbance (fire or grazing) allow the build-up of perennial grass biomass that result in plant decadence. Periodic drought also causes significant grass mortality. Droughts in the early 30s, mid 50s, 1975-1976, 88-89, 95-96 and 2002 resulted in the loss of much of the grass cover on this site.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Fence Firebreak Livestock Pipeline Pumping Plant Watering Facility Water Well Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Prescribed Grazing Fuel Break Fish and Wildlife Structure Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3Continuous, unmanaged, grazing with heavy to severe utilization impacts perennial mid-grasses and affects natural fire cycles.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Fence Firebreak Livestock Pipeline Pumping Plant Watering Facility Water Well Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Prescribed Grazing Fuel Break Fish and Wildlife Structure Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1With managed grazing, this site recovers moderately well from drought due to the favorable climate prevailing in this sub-resource area.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Fence Firebreak Livestock Pipeline Pumping Plant Watering Facility Water Well Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Prescribed Grazing Fuel Break Fish and Wildlife Structure Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.1With managed grazing, native mid-grasses will be able to regain their dominance in the plant community.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Fence Firebreak Livestock Pipeline Pumping Plant Range Planting Watering Facility Water Well Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Prescribed Grazing Fuel Break Fish and Wildlife Structure Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied State 2
Exotic Grasses StateCommunity 2.1
Exotic Grassland
Figure 8. Loamy Upland 16-20" pz, Boer lovegrass
This state occurs where African lovegrass species have either invaded from established stands or from direct seedings of these areas. Lehmann, Boer, weeping lovegrass and in some places yellow or King Ranch bluestems are dominant and native perennial grasses and forbs exist only in minor amounts. Cover and production of these species is very high and site stability and hydrologic function are good.
State 3
Shrub Invaded StateCommunity 3.1
Mesquite and Juniper
Figure 9. Loamy Upland 16-20" pz. juniper invasion
With continuous grazing, a nearby seed source and in the absence of fire for long periods of time; velvet mesquite and / or western honey mesquite and one seed or alligator juniper can invade and increase to dominate the site. Canopy cover can be from 2 to 25%. Sheet and rill erosion can begin to accelerate at the higher canopy levels.
State 4
Eroded StateCommunity 4.1
Eroded Short-Grassland
Figure 10. Loamy Upland 16-20" pz, alligator juniper, erosion
This state occurs where accelerated sheet and / or rill erosion has removed most of the surface (A) horizon. With one inch of surface soil left the site has lost its ability to grow mid-grasses. The new potential is for short gramas with lower basal cover and less production. To see the new potential see ecological site # R041XA109AZ, Clayloam Upland 16-20"pz, without tobosa.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Non-native bunchgrass seed is purposely or inadvertently introduced into the plant community (wind-blown or mechanical transport). Disturbances such as fire or drought can disrupt the native perennials allowing the non-native grasses an opportunity to expand their range from disturbed or planted areas. Long term events such as continuous unmanaged grazing or community phase pathway 1.1a (shift to the Annual Forbs community phase 1.2) allow non-native bunchgrasses a competitive advantage over natives.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Continuous unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization results in persistently low perennial grass cover and extended fire free periods. Mesquite and juniper increase in size and number. Remnant native perennial grasses cannot re-colonize areas with shrub competition.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4Long-term, continuous, unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization affects soil site stability and hydrologic functioning. Reduced soil cover, compaction, and A Horizon loss compound the effect of plant community changes (increased shrub/decreased perennial grass community) to increase surface water run-off rather than infiltration. Drought conditions accelerate this transition. Persistent reduced infiltration severely limits perennial grass recruitment.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1No restoration pathway known at this time. Perhaps future development of herbicide or biological treatment to remove perennial exotics will occur.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Fence Firebreak Livestock Pipeline Watering Facility Water Well Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Prescribed Grazing Fuel Break Fish and Wildlife Structure Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Continuous, unmanaged, grazing with heavy to severe utilization results in persistently low perennial grass cover and extended fire free periods. Mesquite and juniper increase in size and number. Remnant native perennial grasses cannot re-colonize areas with shrub competition.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1Woody species control, native species seeding (as needed) supported by managed grazing. Shrub control maintained with herbicide and/or prescribed burning.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Fence Firebreak Livestock Pipeline Pumping Plant Range Planting Watering Facility Water Well Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Prescribed Grazing Fuel Break Fish and Wildlife Structure Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 2Restoration activities conducted when a non-native seed bank is present on site (African lovegrasses or other non-natives present along trails, roads or in disturbed areas) can result in an exotic grassland community. Native species seeding may enhance the native grass component. Restoration practices are woody species control and native species seeding (as needed) supported by managed grazing. Shrub control maintained with herbicide may favor the native grasses while prescribed burning may favor non-natives. Burning the mixed shrub community with a non-native grass seed source present can result in an exotic grassland co-dominant with shrubs.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Fence Firebreak Livestock Pipeline Pumping Plant Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment Range Planting Watering Facility Water Well Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Prescribed Grazing Fuel Break Fish and Wildlife Structure Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Transition T3A
State 3 to 4Long-term, continuous, unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization affects soil site stability and hydrologic functioning. Reduced soil cover, compaction, and A Horizon loss compound the effect of plant community changes (increased shrub/decreased perennial grass community) to increase surface water run-off rather than infiltration. Drought conditions accelerate this transition. Persistent reduced infiltration severely limits perennial grass recruitment.
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 grasses 400–900 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 150–500 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 150–500 – spiked crinkleawn TRSP12 Trachypogon spicatus 0–150 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 50–150 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 0–100 – 2 Dominant short grasses 200–450 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 100–300 – sprucetop grama BOCH Bouteloua chondrosioides 25–200 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 25–100 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 0–100 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 0–50 – 3 Cool season grasses 10–40 pinyon ricegrass PIFI Piptochaetium fimbriatum 0–15 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 0–10 – densetuft hairsedge BUCA2 Bulbostylis capillaris 0–5 – sedge CAREX Carex 0–5 – flatsedge CYPER Cyperus 0–5 – 4 Miscellaneous perennial grasses 5–100 curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 1–15 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 0–15 – woolyspike balsamscale ELBA Elionurus barbiculmis 0–10 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 0–10 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 0–10 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–10 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 1–10 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 1–10 – Orcutt's threeawn ARSCO Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana 0–10 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 1–10 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 0–10 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–10 – bullgrass MUEM Muhlenbergia emersleyi 0–10 – purple muhly MURI3 Muhlenbergia rigida 0–5 – silver bluestem BOSA Bothriochloa saccharoides 0–5 – slender grama BORE2 Bouteloua repens 0–5 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 0–5 – tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 0–5 – Texas bluestem SCCI2 Schizachyrium cirratum 0–5 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 0–5 – Arizona muhly MUAR3 Muhlenbergia arizonica 0–5 – tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 0–5 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 0–1 – blue threeawn ARPUN Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi 0–1 – Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 0–1 – Havard's threeawn ARHA3 Aristida havardii 0–1 – Wooton's threeawn ARPA9 Aristida pansa 0–1 – 5 Annual grasses 1–100 Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 0–25 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 0–15 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 0–10 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 0–10 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 0–5 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–5 – pitscale grass HAGR3 Hackelochloa granularis 0–5 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 0–5 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–5 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 0–5 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 0–5 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–5 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–5 – Mexican lovegrass ERME Eragrostis mexicana 0–2 – desert lovegrass ERPEM Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima 0–2 – poverty dropseed SPVA Sporobolus vaginiflorus 0–2 – prairie false oat TRIN5 Trisetum interruptum 0–2 – sticky sprangletop LEVI5 Leptochloa viscida 0–2 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–2 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–2 – witchgrass PACA6 Panicum capillare 0–2 – matted grama BOSI2 Bouteloua simplex 0–1 – Forb6 Perennial forbs 10–45 Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 1–10 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 1–10 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–10 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 0–5 – spreading snakeherb DYSCD Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens 0–5 – leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 0–5 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 0–5 – Texas snoutbean RHSET Rhynchosia senna var. texana 0–5 – shrubby purslane POSU3 Portulaca suffrutescens 0–2 – Missouri goldenrod SOMI2 Solidago missouriensis 0–2 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 0–2 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 0–2 – largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–2 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–2 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 0–2 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 0–2 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–2 – trailing fleabane ERFL Erigeron flagellaris 0–2 – small matweed GUDE Guilleminea densa 0–2 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 0–2 – silver dwarf morning-glory EVSE Evolvulus sericeus 0–2 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 0–2 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–2 – Mexican star MIBI2 Milla biflora 0–1 – lemon beebalm MOCIA Monarda citriodora ssp. austromontana 0–1 – variableleaf bushbean MAGI2 Macroptilium gibbosifolium 0–1 – Arizona snakecotton FRAR2 Froelichia arizonica 0–1 – scarlet beeblossom GACO5 Gaura coccinea 0–1 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 0–1 – locoweed OXYTR Oxytropis 0–1 – beardlip penstemon PEBA2 Penstemon barbatus 0–1 – Cochise beardtongue PEDA Penstemon dasyphyllus 0–1 – longstalk chinchweed PELO Pectis longipes 0–1 – Parry's beardtongue PEPA24 Penstemon parryi 0–1 – slimleaf bean PHAN3 Phaseolus angustissimus 0–1 – ivyleaf groundcherry PHHE4 Physalis hederifolia 0–1 – white milkwort POAL4 Polygala alba 0–1 – velvetseed milkwort POOB Polygala obscura 0–1 – Indian rushpea HOGL2 Hoffmannseggia glauca 0–1 – red bluet HORU Houstonia rubra 0–1 – babyslippers HYVE Hybanthus verticillatus 0–1 – ragged nettlespurge JAMA Jatropha macrorhiza 0–1 – San Pedro daisy LAPO4 Lasianthaea podocephala 0–1 – Fendler's bladderpod LEFE Lesquerella fendleri 0–1 – narrowleaf stoneseed LIIN2 Lithospermum incisum 0–1 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 0–1 – Greene's bird's-foot trefoil LOGR4 Lotus greenei 0–1 – Mexican fireplant EUHE4 Euphorbia heterophylla 0–1 – sun spurge EURA2 Euphorbia radians 0–1 – melon loco APUN Apodanthera undulata 0–1 – shaggy dwarf morning-glory EVNU Evolvulus nuttallianus 0–1 – perennial rockcress ARPE2 Arabis perennans 0–1 – Watson's dutchman's pipe ARWA Aristolochia watsonii 0–1 – Arizona milkvetch ASAR6 Astragalus arizonicus 0–1 – spider milkweed ASAS Asclepias asperula 0–1 – chaparral asphead ASHI3 Aspicarpa hirtella 0–1 – broadleaf milkweed ASLA4 Asclepias latifolia 0–1 – woolly locoweed ASMOB Astragalus mollissimus var. bigelovii 0–1 – sheep milkvetch ASNO3 Astragalus nothoxys 0–1 – horsetail milkweed ASSU2 Asclepias subverticillata 0–1 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 0–1 – hairyseed bahia BAAB Bahia absinthifolia 0–1 – lyreleaf greeneyes BELY Berlandiera lyrata 0–1 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 0–1 – dwarf stickpea CAHUR Calliandra humilis var. reticulata 0–1 – wholeleaf Indian paintbrush CAIN14 Castilleja integra 0–1 – desert mariposa lily CAKE Calochortus kennedyi 0–1 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 0–1 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 0–1 – whitemargin sandmat CHAL11 Chamaesyce albomarginata 0–1 – Mexican yellowshow AMPA3 Amoreuxia palmatifida 0–1 – Cuman ragweed AMPS Ambrosia psilostachya 0–1 – birdbill dayflower CODI4 Commelina dianthifolia 0–1 – Texas bindweed COEQ Convolvulus equitans 0–1 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–1 – fingerleaf gourd CUDI Cucurbita digitata 0–1 – coyote gourd CUPA Cucurbita palmata 0–1 – whiteflower prairie clover DAAL Dalea albiflora 0–1 – James' prairie clover DAJA Dalea jamesii 0–1 – dwarf prairie clover DANA Dalea nana 0–1 – downy prairie clover DANE Dalea neomexicana 0–1 – Torrey's craglily ECFL Echeandia flavescens 0–1 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 0–1 – jewels of Opar TAPA2 Talinum paniculatum 0–1 – Coulter's wrinklefruit TECO Tetraclea coulteri 0–1 – hairy fournwort TENE Tetramerium nervosum 0–1 – longstalk greenthread THLO Thelesperma longipes 0–1 – Hopi tea greenthread THME Thelesperma megapotamicum 0–1 – pinewoods spiderwort TRPI Tradescantia pinetorum 0–1 – branched noseburn TRRA5 Tragia ramosa 0–1 – Fort Huachuca vervain VEGR2 Verbena gracilis 0–1 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 0–1 – Louisiana vetch VILUL2 Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana 0–1 – copper zephyrlily ZELO Zephyranthes longifolia 0–1 – copper globemallow SPAN3 Sphaeralcea angustifolia 0–1 – gooseberryleaf globemallow SPGR2 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia 0–1 – slimflower scurfpea PSTE5 Psoralidium tenuiflorum 0–1 – buffpetal RHPH2 Rhynchosida physocalyx 0–1 – slimleaf plainsmustard SCLI12 Schoenocrambe linearifolia 0–1 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–1 – Lemmon's ragwort SELE8 Senecio lemmonii 0–1 – salt spring checkerbloom SINE3 Sidalcea neomexicana 0–1 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – 7 Annual Forbs 1–200 longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 1–200 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 0–25 – curlytop gumweed GRNUA Grindelia nuda var. aphanactis 0–20 – Wright's cudweed PSCAC2 Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens 0–20 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 0–20 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 0–20 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–10 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–10 – New Mexico goosefoot CHNE3 Chenopodium neomexicanum 0–10 – sensitive partridge pea CHNI2 Chamaecrista nictitans 0–10 – smallflowered milkvetch ASNU4 Astragalus nuttallianus 0–10 – Thurber's milkvetch ASTH Astragalus thurberi 0–10 – pitseed goosefoot CHBE4 Chenopodium berlandieri 0–10 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–5 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 0–5 – Abert's buckwheat ERAB2 Eriogonum abertianum 0–5 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 0–5 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–5 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 0–2 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–2 – redstar IPCO3 Ipomoea coccinea 0–2 – Thurber's morning-glory IPTH Ipomoea thurberi 0–2 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–2 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–2 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–2 – miner's lettuce CLPEP Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata 0–1 – threadstem sandmat CHRE4 Chamaesyce revoluta 0–1 – thymeleaf sandmat CHSE6 Chamaesyce serpyllifolia 0–1 – slimseed sandmat CHST8 Chamaesyce stictospora 0–1 – cryptantha CRYPT Cryptantha 0–1 – Chihuahuan prairie clover DAEX2 Dalea exigua 0–1 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 0–1 – sacred thorn-apple DAWR2 Datura wrightii 0–1 – poorjoe DITE2 Diodia teres 0–1 – El Paso skyrocket IPTH2 Ipomopsis thurberi 0–1 – flaxflowered ipomopsis IPLOL Ipomopsis longiflora ssp. longiflora 0–1 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–1 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–1 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–1 – California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–1 – Arizona blanketflower GAAR2 Gaillardia arizonica 0–1 – red dome blanketflower GAPI Gaillardia pinnatifida 0–1 – lesser yellowthroat gilia GIFL Gilia flavocincta 0–1 – El Paso gilia GIME Gilia mexicana 0–1 – Dakota mock vervain GLBIB Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida 0–1 – crested anoda ANCR2 Anoda cristata 0–1 – southwestern pricklypoppy ARPL3 Argemone pleiacantha 0–1 – halfmoon milkvetch ASAL6 Astragalus allochrous 0–1 – royal sandmat CHDI5 Chamaesyce dioica 0–1 – pillpod sandmat CHHI3 Chamaesyce hirta 0–1 – hyssopleaf sandmat CHHY3 Chamaesyce hyssopifolia 0–1 – wheelscale saltbush ATEL Atriplex elegans 0–1 – fewflower beggarticks BILE Bidens leptocephala 0–1 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 0–1 – erect spiderling BOER Boerhavia erecta 0–1 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 0–1 – purple spiderling BOPU Boerhavia purpurascens 0–1 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–1 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 0–1 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–1 – streptanthella STREP Streptanthella 0–1 – golden crownbeard VEEN Verbesina encelioides 0–1 – purslane PORTU Portulaca 0–1 – yerba porosa PORU6 Porophyllum ruderale 0–1 – desert unicorn-plant PRAL4 Proboscidea althaeifolia 0–1 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 0–1 – Abert's creeping zinnia SAAB Sanvitalia abertii 0–1 – plains flax LIPU4 Linum puberulum 0–1 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–1 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 0–1 – shortstem lupine LUBR2 Lupinus brevicaulis 0–1 – bajada lupine LUCOC Lupinus concinnus ssp. concinnus 0–1 – Fendler's desertdandelion MAFE Malacothrix fendleri 0–1 – warty caltrop KAPA Kallstroemia parviflora 0–1 – Coulter's horseweed LACO13 Laennecia coulteri 0–1 – Gordon's bladderpod LEGO Lesquerella gordonii 0–1 – broadleaved pepperweed LELA2 Lepidium latifolium 0–1 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 0–1 – green carpetweed MOVE Mollugo verticillata 0–1 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 0–1 – Arizona phacelia PHAR13 Phacelia arizonica 0–1 – Mangas Spring phacelia PHBO4 Phacelia bombycina 0–1 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–1 – Shrub/Vine8 Dominant half shrubs 10–60 fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 1–30 – bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 0–20 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 1–20 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 0–10 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 1–10 – prairie acacia ACAN Acacia angustissima 0–10 – 9 Miscellaneous shrubs 0–15 catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 0–5 – velvetpod mimosa MIDY Mimosa dysocarpa 0–5 – sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 0–2 – Pringle manzanita ARPR Arctostaphylos pringlei 0–2 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–1 – burroweed ISTE2 Isocoma tenuisecta 0–1 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 0–1 – Sonoran scrub oak QUTU2 Quercus turbinella 0–1 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–1 – threadleaf ragwort SEFLF Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus 0–1 – 10 Succulents 1–10 Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 1–5 – Parry's agave AGPA4 Agave parryi 0–1 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–1 – scarlet hedgehog cactus ECCOC Echinocereus coccineus var. coccineus 0–1 – pinkflower hedgehog cactus ECFEF3 Echinocereus fendleri ssp. fendleri 0–1 – white fishhook cactus ECIN2 Echinomastus intertextus 0–1 – rainbow cactus ECPEP Echinocereus pectinatus var. pectinatus 0–1 – spinystar ESVI2 Escobaria vivipara 0–1 – Macdougal's nipple cactus MAHEM Mammillaria heyderi var. macdougalii 0–1 – cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 0–1 – twistspine pricklypear OPMA2 Opuntia macrorhiza 0–1 – tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–1 – Tree11 Trees 0–25 Emory oak QUEM Quercus emoryi 0–25 – Arizona white oak QUAR Quercus arizonica 0–20 – alligator juniper JUDE2 Juniperus deppeana 0–2 – oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 0–2 – Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
The plant community on this site is suitable for grazing by all classes of livestock at any season. The plant community will be low in digestible protein in the winter. Phosphorous may be deficient throughout the year. Grazing should be managed to maintain good grass cover. This site can easily erode and is less effective in using intense summer rainfall when cover falls below the minimum needed to protect the soil surface. (5% cover - 2% slope, 10% cover - 6% slope). Poisonous shrubs like yerba-de-pasmo and wooly groundsel can cause problems in the spring unless cool season species like plains lovegrass, squirreltail and shrubs like false mesquite and shrubby buckwheat are in the plant community. Annual goldeneye can cause problems in the fall after unusually wet winter-spring seasons.
This site is a primary habitat for pronghorn antelope in southeastern Arizona. It provides a variety of their favored browses and perennial forbs, as well as tall grass for fawning cover. Being open grassland and rich in forb species, this site is home to a great variety of insect, bird, small mammal and reptile species. In areas adjacent to woodlands, this site is heavily used as a foraging are by both mule deer and whitetail deer. The lesser longnosed bat uses the abundant nectar in the flowers of the agave palmeri during its June-August flowering season. Natural water is lacking on this site and water developments are very important to large and small mammals and several species of birds that use the habitat.Hydrological functions
Thin, coarse textured soil surfaces help catch and hold intense summer rainfall and let it slowly infiltrate the clayey subsurface soil. The site is very sensitive to loss of the coarse textured surface (A) horizon. As the surface is reduced in thickness the ratio of runoff to infiltration increases. Natural rates of runoff on this site are as high as 30%. With loss of the A horizon runoff can increase to over 70% of annual rainfall.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, photography, birdwatching, camping
Wood products
None unless the site is invaded by mesquite and / or juniper.
Other products
Grass seed, medicinal herbs like yerba-de-pasmo
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 5 in excellent condition, 6 in good condition and 4 in fair condition.
Type locality
Location 1: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T21S R19E S34 General legal description Douglas FO - Ft. Huachuca - West Range N1/2 of section Location 2: Pinal County, AZ Township/Range/Section T21S R18E S31 General legal description Tucson FO - Vaughn Enclosure SW 1/4 of section Location 3: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T18S R28E S12 General legal description Willcox FO - Oak Ranch NE 1/2 of section (old contest site) Location 4: Santa Cruz County, AZ Township/Range/Section T21S R18E S21 General legal description On Audubon Research Ranch, on flat area north of Post Canyon. Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
UnknownApproval
Curtis Talbot, 4/09/2021
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) Wilma Renken, Dan Robinett, Larry Humphrey, Scott Stratton, Linda Kennedy Contact for lead author USDA-NRCS Tucson MLRA Soil Survey Office Date 04/30/2013 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:
Common, short (<6 ft. in length), discontinuous -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals common on perennial grasses (1/2-1" height). Terrecettes common, 1-3 ft. between with 1" elevation difference. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground ranges from 20-40%, with higher values after fire. Non-vegetated areas are very small (<1 ft. diam). Gravel cover 10-20%. -
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):
Fine litter moving up approximately 1 ft. to upper margin of terrecettes. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Slake test values taken from under perennial grass and shrub cover were "5" and "6"; values from outside canopy ranged from "4" to "6". -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Soil surface horizon was gravelly loam, 0-2" depth, with granular structure. Color 5YR 3/3 moist. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Perennial grass basal cover well-dispersed across site. Perennial mid-grass distribution clumped among short-grasses. In mid-grass clumps foliar cover is high (50-70% foliar cover), short-grass foliar cover was 30-50%. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
No compaction. Clay horizon at 5" can act like compaction layer. Soil penetrometer depth averaged 6 cm, with values ranging from 4 cm - 9 cm. -
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 mid-grasses > perennial short-grassesSub-dominant:
low shrubs > perennial forbsOther:
succulentsAdditional:
annual grasses and forbs fluctuate with rainfall -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Mortality about 2-5%. Perennial mid-grasses express decadence as time since last fire increases. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter cover ranges from 20-60%, increasing with time after burning. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
542 lbs/ac. in a below average year; 1285 lbs/ac. in an average year; 1955 lbs/ac. in an above average year. -
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:
Lehmann lovegrass, Boer lovegrass, yellow bluestem, mesquite, alligator juniper -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not impaired.
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