Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XA109AZ
Clay Loam 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.
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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): 041X–Madrean Archipelago
Land Resource Unit: 41-1AZ 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. This unit occurs within the Basin and Range Physiographic Province. It 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 their sediments fill the basins with representive combinations of fluvial, lacustrine, colluvial and alluvial deposits.
Associated sites
R041XA104AZ Limy Slopes 16-20" p.z.
R041XA107AZ Loamy Slopes 16-20" p.z.
R041XA108AZ Loamy Upland 16-20" p.z.
R041XA114AZ Loamy Bottom 16-20" p.z.
R041XA115AZ Loamy Swale 16-20" p.z.
Similar sites
R041XC305AZ Clay Loam Upland 12-16" p.z.
R038XB203AZ Clay Loam Upland 16-20" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) bouteloua gracilis
(2) hilaria belangeriPhysiographic features
This site occurs in the upper elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range Province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs on fan terraces and valley plains.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Fan piedmont
(2) Alluvial fan
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 1433 – 1676 m 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.-March, 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.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 220 days Freeze-free period (average) 260 days Precipitation total (average) 510 mm 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
Clay loam upland soils are non-calcareous, moderately deep to deep, with an argillic horizon. Soil surfaces are sandy clay loam to clay loam. The argillic horizon generally occurs near the surface. The sub-surface clay horizon will exhibit some soil cracking when dry; however, these soils do not exhibit the vertic churning seen on the Clayey Upland Ecological Site (R041XA126AZ). Soil surfaces are dark colored and generally have formed from mixed fan alluvium of extrusive igneous origin. Plant-soil moisture relationships are good.
Characteristic soil series that have been correlated to this ecological site include Blacktail, Borderland, Fanno, and Luzena.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – basalt
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Slow Soil depth 76 – 152 cm Surface fragment cover <=3" 5 – 35 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 5 % Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-101.6cm)0 – 5 % Electrical conductivity
(0-101.6cm)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-101.6cm)0 – 2 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-101.6cm)6.1 – 7.8 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)3 – 10 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 % Ecological dynamics
The Reference Plant Community (RPC, see State and Transition Model below) of the Clay Loam Upland ecological site is dominated by patches of warm season perennial grasses with shrubs, half-shrubs and forbs well-distributed throughout. The aspect is grassland. Trees are only occasionally present. Seasonal rainfall amounts affect amounts and composition of plant productivity. After a wet winter, cool season plants (a mixture of perennial grasses, forbs, sub-shrubs and annuals) begin active growth in March. The months of May and June present a period of little to no active plant growth. Warm season species, mostly perennial grasses, begin active growth after the onset of the summer rainy season usually in July; peak annual production occurs in October. Fire, short-term drought and herbivory (insects and mammals) are recurring disturbances to this ecological site. These disturbances interact to shape the three plant community phases within the Reference State. Fires maintain the grassland aspect by reducing shrub cover and killing many seedling shrubs and trees. Natural fire-free periods are 15-30 years in length. Recurring or lengthy drought causes perennial grasses to become decadent, resulting in smaller patches of perennial vegetation and increased bare ground. When average rainfall resumes following a fire or drought, annual forbs and grasses tend to flourish for 2-3 years until perennial grasses regain dominance. Perennial bunchgrasses are more susceptible to damage from herbivory than short-grasses due to their exposed growing points; during a period of repeated herbivory, the bunchgrasses will be removed from the RPC leaving patches of short-grass sod. The extent of the sod patches and length of disturbance regime determines the resiliency of the perennial bunchgrasses to return the Short-Grass Community to the RPC.
The Reference State is resilient after disturbance. However, as disturbances increase in intensity, repetition and duration, the effects they have on the site are compounded. The site’s hydrology, biotic integrity and soil stability are impacted. The changes, especially to the plant community, can become long-lasting. If non-native perennial bunchgrass seed is present or brought onto this ecological site, any intense disturbance (fire or grazing) may result in a monoculture of non-native lovegrass (Exotic Grass State). The aspect is grassland; however, the Exotic Grassland Community does not offer wildlife adequate food and cover.
If a deleterious disturbance is not managed, the productivity of the site ultimately declines as hydrology, soil stability and the biotic community all function differently from that in the Reference State. Continuous, unmanaged grazing of either grassland state (Reference or Exotic Grass) removes fire fuel, compacts the clay loam soil and reduces perennial grass plant vigor. The resulting plant community is dominated by shrubs with less perennial grass cover (Shrub Dominated State). Run-off and erosion is much higher in this state than either grassland state.
Drought or fire, coupled with continuous, unmanaged grazing can severely impact soil and plant community functioning from the Reference or Shrub Dominated State. The resulting Eroded State has a severely limited perennial grass component, increased erosion, an abundance of annuals when rainfall permits, and a much lower plant productivity potential than the other States.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. State and Transition 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
Reference Plant Community
Figure 5. Clayloam Upland 16-20" pz. Reference Plant Community
The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. The major perennial species like tobosa, vine mesquite, and curly mesquite grow in patches on the site. These patches are well dispersed throughout the area of the site. Perennial and annual forbs, as well as several species of low shrubs and succulents, are well represented in the plant community. Species like plains lovegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, false mesquite, and shrubby buckwheat begin growth in March. Warm season grasses begin growth in July or August, with the receipt of summer rains.
Figure 6. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(kg/hectare)Representative value
(kg/hectare)High
(kg/hectare)Grass/Grasslike 483 1121 1390 Forb 12 45 213 Shrub/Vine 12 34 90 Tree 0 6 22 Total 507 1206 1715 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 0-20% Litter 20-60% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 10-40% Surface fragments >3" 0-10% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 20-60% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (m) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.15 – 0-5% 5-15% 1-5% >0.15 <= 0.3 – 1-5% 15-30% 1-5% >0.3 <= 0.6 – 1-2% 5-15% 0-15% >0.6 <= 1.4 – 0-1% 0-5% 0-5% >1.4 <= 4 0-1% – – – >4 <= 12 0-5% – – – >12 <= 24 – – – – >24 <= 37 – – – – >37 – – – – 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 forbsAnnual forbs like goldeneye and gumweed dominate the plant community with marked reduction in blue grama and mid-grass canopies.
Community 1.3
Short grassesWith continuous, heavy grazing, midgrasses are removed from the plant community leaving patches of short grasses such as curly mesquite and blue grama. The absence of mid-grasses reduces fire fuel load resulting in an increase of half-shrubs such as yerba de pasmo.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2After summer drought and especially in "El Nino" years, annual forbs like goldeneye and gumweed can make tremendous production.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Fence Firebreak Livestock Pipeline Pumping Plant Watering Facility Water Well Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Early Successional Habitat Development/Management Prescribed Grazing Fuel Break Fish and Wildlife Structure Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Written Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - 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 Early Successional Habitat Development/Management Prescribed Grazing Fuel Break Fish and Wildlife Structure Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Written Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1This site recovers moderately well in 2 to 3 years with average rainfall.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Fence Firebreak Livestock Pipeline Pumping Plant Watering Facility Water Well Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Early Successional Habitat Development/Management Prescribed Grazing Fuel Break Fish and Wildlife Structure Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Written Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.1Native mid-grasses will re-establish within the plant community if proper grazing use is applied; transition period may be lengthy depending upon density of short-grass sod and presence of bunchgrass seed source.
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 Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Written Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied State 2
Exotic Grass StateCommunity 2.1
Exotic Grassland CommunityThis state occurs where yellow bluestem cultivars, Boer and / or weeping lovegrass have either moved in from established stands or been seeded into the area. These grasses become dominant and native perennial grasses and forbs exist only in remnant amounts. Cover and production of these species is very high and site stability and hydrologic function are very good; wildlife food and cover are impaired.
State 3
Shrub Dominated StateCommunity 3.1
Mesquite-Juniper CommunityMesquite (velvet or western honey) or juniper (alligator or one seed) dominate the plant community. This shrub encroachment happens in the absence of fire for long periods of time and in the presence of a seed source for either of the two species. Occasionally, fine fuel loads may increase to carry a fire; the shrub canopy will be removed but little shrub mortality will result. At higher shrub canopy levels (>25%) erosion can accelerate and the soil becomes unstable.
State 4
Eroded StateCommunity 4.1
Remnant Plant CommunityThis state occurs where accelerated sheet and rill erosion has removed the surface (A) horizon and left clayey sub-soils exposed at the surface. The exposed clayey areas will be largely barren. The herbaceous plant community is limited to tobosa, vine mesquite and annuals; site potential is permanently reduced. Seedling recruitment of other perennial grasses is not likely. Mesquite and/or juniper presence depends largely upon the transitional path. Gullies may form in severe situations.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Non-native bunchgrass seed is purposely seeded 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 drought can 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 non-native perennial grasses will occur.
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 Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Written Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - 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 either using mechanical or chemical treatment methods, native species seeding (as needed). Any restoration treatment needs to be supported by managed grazing. Shrub control can be maintained with either chemical treatment methods and/or prescribed burning. When selecting a shrub control method, consideration needs to be made regarding size/maturity the shrubs. Fire is not effective in killing larger shrubs.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Fence Firebreak Livestock Pipeline Pumping Plant Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment Range Planting Watering Facility Water Well Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems Prescribed Grazing TA Planning TA Design TA Application TA Check-Out Fuel Break Invasive Plant Species Control Fish and Wildlife Structure Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Written Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 2Restoration activities conducted when a non-native seed bank is present on site (African lovegrasses or yellow bluestem 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 Grade Stabilization Structure Livestock Pipeline Pumping Plant Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment Range Planting Watering Facility Water Well Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Early Successional Habitat Development/Management Prescribed Grazing Existing Practice Payment Fuel Break Fish and Wildlife Structure Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Written Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Applied Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied Transition T3A
State 3 to 4Long-term, continuous, unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization permanently reduces soil site stability and hydrologic functioning. Several factors interact resulting in increased surface water run-off rather than infiltration and reduced site productivity. These factors include decreased soil cover, increased compaction, A Horizon loss, impaired biotic integrity (increased shrub/decreased perennial grass community), and altered site hydrology. As erosion become more severe, more rainfall is lost from the site and the ability of perennial grasses to grow from seed becomes limited. Drought conditions accelerate this transition.
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 392–897 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 336–785 – sprucetop grama BOCH Bouteloua chondrosioides 28–224 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 28–112 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 0–112 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 0–112 – curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 6–56 – 2 Subdominant perennial grasses 78–224 tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 0–168 – sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 56–112 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 11–112 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 6–56 – spiked crinkleawn TRSP12 Trachypogon spicatus 0–56 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 6–56 – 3 Perennial threeawns 6–45 poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 1–28 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 1–28 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 2–22 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 0–11 – Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 0–11 – Orcutt's threeawn ARSCO Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana 0–6 – Havard's threeawn ARHA3 Aristida havardii 0–6 – Wooton's threeawn ARPA9 Aristida pansa 0–6 – 4 Miscellaneous perennial grasses 6–112 green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 0–56 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 0–28 – silver bluestem BOSA Bothriochloa saccharoides 0–28 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 0–17 – Arizona muhly MUAR3 Muhlenbergia arizonica 1–17 – bullgrass MUEM Muhlenbergia emersleyi 0–11 – purple muhly MURI3 Muhlenbergia rigida 0–11 – woolyspike balsamscale ELBA Elionurus barbiculmis 0–11 – Texas bluestem SCCI2 Schizachyrium cirratum 0–11 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–11 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–6 – big sacaton SPWR2 Sporobolus wrightii 0–6 – tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 0–6 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 0–6 – bulb panicgrass PABU Panicum bulbosum 0–6 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 0–6 – pinyon ricegrass PIFI Piptochaetium fimbriatum 0–6 – slender grama BORE2 Bouteloua repens 0–6 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–6 – densetuft hairsedge BUCA2 Bulbostylis capillaris 0–2 – sedge CAREX Carex 0–2 – flatsedge CYPER Cyperus 0–2 – low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 0–2 – burrograss SCBR2 Scleropogon brevifolius 0–2 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 0–1 – 5 Annual grasses 1–112 Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 0–28 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 1–28 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 0–28 – little barley HOPU Hordeum pusillum 0–22 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 0–22 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 0–22 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 0–22 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 0–11 – pitscale grass HAGR3 Hackelochloa granularis 0–11 – sticky sprangletop LEVI5 Leptochloa viscida 0–11 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 0–11 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–11 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–11 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–6 – Mexican lovegrass ERME Eragrostis mexicana 0–6 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–6 – 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 0–2 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–2 – fragilegrass AETE Aegopogon tenellus 0–2 – poverty dropseed SPVA Sporobolus vaginiflorus 0–2 – prairie false oat TRIN5 Trisetum interruptum 0–2 – Eastwood fescue VUMIC Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata 0–2 – Pacific fescue VUMIP Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora 0–2 – Forb6 Perennial forbs 11–45 spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–11 – trailing fleabane ERFL Erigeron flagellaris 0–11 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 1–11 – spreading snakeherb DYSCD Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens 1–6 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–6 – largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–6 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–6 – sheep milkvetch ASNO3 Astragalus nothoxys 0–6 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 0–6 – Louisiana vetch VILUL2 Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana 0–6 – gooseberryleaf globemallow SPGR2 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia 0–3 – chaparral asphead ASHI3 Aspicarpa hirtella 0–3 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 1–3 – fingerleaf gourd CUDI Cucurbita digitata 0–3 – Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 1–3 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–3 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 1–3 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 0–2 – small matweed GUDED Guilleminea densa var. densa 1–2 – Indian rushpea HOGL2 Hoffmannseggia glauca 0–2 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 1–2 – variableleaf bushbean MAGI2 Macroptilium gibbosifolium 0–2 – dwarf prairie clover DANA Dalea nana 0–2 – whiteflower prairie clover DAAL Dalea albiflora 0–2 – Texas bindweed COEQ Convolvulus equitans 0–2 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–2 – leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 0–2 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 0–2 – winged buckwheat ERAL4 Eriogonum alatum 0–2 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 0–2 – Texas snoutbean RHSET Rhynchosia senna var. texana 0–2 – slimleaf plainsmustard SCLI12 Schoenocrambe linearifolia 0–1 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–1 – Lemmon's ragwort SELE8 Senecio lemmonii 0–1 – New Mexico fanpetals SINE Sida neomexicana 0–1 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – Missouri goldenrod SOMI2 Solidago missouriensis 0–1 – copper globemallow SPAN3 Sphaeralcea angustifolia 0–1 – white prairie aster SYFAC Symphyotrichum falcatum var. commutatum 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 – copper zephyrlily ZELO Zephyranthes longifolia 0–1 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 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 – Mexican yellowshow AMPA3 Amoreuxia palmatifida 0–1 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 0–1 – melon loco APUN Apodanthera undulata 0–1 – horsetail milkweed ASSU2 Asclepias subverticillata 0–1 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 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 – 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 – birdbill dayflower CODI4 Commelina dianthifolia 0–1 – dwarf milkweed ASIN14 Asclepias involucrata 0–1 – broadleaf milkweed ASLA4 Asclepias latifolia 0–1 – Lemmon's milkweed ASLE13 Asclepias lemmonii 0–1 – woolly locoweed ASMOB Astragalus mollissimus var. bigelovii 0–1 – James' prairie clover DAJA Dalea jamesii 0–1 – coyote gourd CUPA Cucurbita palmata 0–1 – downy prairie clover DANE Dalea neomexicana 0–1 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 0–1 – Torrey's craglily ECFL Echeandia flavescens 0–1 – ivyleaf groundcherry PHHE4 Physalis hederifolia 0–1 – white milkwort POAL4 Polygala alba 0–1 – velvetseed milkwort POOB Polygala obscura 0–1 – shrubby purslane POSU3 Portulaca suffrutescens 0–1 – slimflower scurfpea PSTE5 Psoralidium tenuiflorum 0–1 – buffpetal RHPH2 Rhynchosida physocalyx 0–1 – lemon beebalm MOCIA Monarda citriodora ssp. austromontana 0–1 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 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 – 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 – shaggy dwarf morning-glory EVNU Evolvulus nuttallianus 0–1 – silver dwarf morning-glory EVSE Evolvulus sericeus 0–1 – Arizona snakecotton FRAR2 Froelichia arizonica 0–1 – scarlet beeblossom GACO5 Gaura coccinea 0–1 – Mexican fireplant EUHE4 Euphorbia heterophylla 0–1 – sun spurge EURA2 Euphorbia radians 0–1 – 7 Annual Forbs 1–168 longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 1–168 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 0–28 – curlytop gumweed GRNUA Grindelia nuda var. aphanactis 0–22 – Wright's cudweed PSCAC2 Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens 0–22 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 0–22 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 0–22 – bitter rubberweed HYOD Hymenoxys odorata 0–17 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–11 – pitseed goosefoot CHBE4 Chenopodium berlandieri 0–11 – New Mexico goosefoot CHNE3 Chenopodium neomexicanum 0–11 – sensitive partridge pea CHNI2 Chamaecrista nictitans 0–11 – smallflowered milkvetch ASNU4 Astragalus nuttallianus 0–11 – Thurber's milkvetch ASTH Astragalus thurberi 0–11 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–11 – Abert's buckwheat ERAB2 Eriogonum abertianum 0–6 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–6 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–6 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 0–6 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 0–6 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–2 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–2 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–2 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 0–2 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–2 – 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 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–1 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–1 – Abert's creeping zinnia SAAB Sanvitalia abertii 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 – 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 – crested anoda ANCR2 Anoda cristata 0–1 – southwestern pricklypoppy ARPL3 Argemone pleiacantha 0–1 – halfmoon milkvetch ASAL6 Astragalus allochrous 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 – 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 – 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 – royal sandmat CHDI5 Chamaesyce dioica 0–1 – pillpod sandmat CHHI3 Chamaesyce hirta 0–1 – hyssopleaf sandmat CHHY3 Chamaesyce hyssopifolia 0–1 – poorjoe DITE2 Diodia teres 0–1 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–1 – flaxflowered ipomopsis IPLOL Ipomopsis longiflora ssp. longiflora 0–1 – El Paso skyrocket IPTH2 Ipomopsis thurberi 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 – Shrub/Vine8 Dominant half shrubs 11–56 fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 1–17 – bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 1–17 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 0–6 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 0–6 – prairie acacia ACAN Acacia angustissima 0–6 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 1–6 – 9 Miscellaneous shrubs 0–17 broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–6 – burroweed ISTE2 Isocoma tenuisecta 0–2 – threadleaf snakeweed GUMI Gutierrezia microcephala 0–2 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 0–2 – velvetpod mimosa MIDY Mimosa dysocarpa 0–2 – Sonoran scrub oak QUTU2 Quercus turbinella 0–1 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–1 – threadleaf ragwort SEFLF Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus 0–1 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 0–1 – Pringle manzanita ARPR Arctostaphylos pringlei 0–1 – pale desert-thorn LYPA Lycium pallidum 0–1 – 10 Succulents 1–17 sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 0–6 – Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 1–6 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–2 – rainbow hedgehog cactus ECRI3 Echinocereus rigidissimus 1–2 – spinystar ESVI2 Escobaria vivipara 0–1 – Graham's nipple cactus MAGR9 Mammillaria grahamii 0–1 – Macdougal's nipple cactus MAHEM Mammillaria heyderi var. macdougalii 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 – cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 0–1 – twistspine pricklypear OPMA2 Opuntia macrorhiza 0–1 – tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–1 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 0–1 – soaptree yucca YUEL Yucca elata 0–1 – Parry's agave AGPA4 Agave parryi 0–1 – Tree11 Trees 0–22 Arizona white oak QUAR Quercus arizonica 0–17 – Emory oak QUEM Quercus emoryi 0–17 – alligator juniper JUDE2 Juniperus deppeana 0–6 – oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 0–6 – 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 an effective herbaceous cover. This site can erode easily if perennial grass cover is depleted, because the soil surface is heavy textured and rainfall is high. Annual goldeneye can cause poisoning problems after flowering in El Nino years following summer drought. Filaree and a few other winter annuals can cause nitrate poisoning problems in the spring during wet winters at these elevations. Perennial locoweeds can be a serious problem in years with dry springs following a wet fall season.
This site is a primary habitat for pronghorn antelope in southeastern Arizona. Water developments are very important to both large and small wildlife species on this site. Being open grassland and rich in grass and forb species, this site is home to a great variety of insect, bird, small mammal and reptile species. In areas adjacent to wooded bottoms or hill-sites, this site is used as a forage area by mule and Coues whitetail deer and javalina. The lesser long-nosed bat uses the nectar of the flowers of Agave Palmeri during its Jun-Aug flowering season.Hydrological functions
This site has heavy (sandy clayloam to clayloam) soil textures at the surface. Natural rates of runoff are higher than most other upland sites in this PZ.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, photography, bird watching, camping.
Wood products
None, unless in areas where mesquite or juniper has invaded and increased.
Other products
Grass seed, medicinal herbs like yerba de pasmo, agave for making mescal.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 2 in good condition.
Type locality
Location 1: Santa Cruz County, AZ Township/Range/Section T23S R17E S35 General legal description San Rafael Ranch Location 2: Pima County, AZ Township/Range/Section T22S R17E S25 General legal description Little Outfit Ranch - Tucson Location 3: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T11S R21E S35 General legal description Broken Dipper Ranch - Willcox Location 4: Graham County, AZ Township/Range/Section T9S R21E S19 General legal description Eureka Ranch - Safford Other references
Conservation Technical Assistance Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Range and Pasture Conservation Technical Resources. Site includes links to the National Range and Pasture Handbook. Available online at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/landuse/rangepasture. Accessed [07/24/2013].
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. Agricultural Handbook 296 digital maps and attributes. Available online at http://soils.usda.gov/survey/geography/mlra/index.html. Accessed [07/24/2013].
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions. Available online at http://soils.usda.gov/technical/classification/osd/index.html. Accessed [07/24/2013].
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Web Soil Survey. Available online at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/. Accessed [07/24/2013].
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database for [Survey Area, State]. Available online at http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov. Accessed [07/24/2013].
Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
Steve Barker
Wilma RenkenApproval
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) Contact for lead author Date 04/20/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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