Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XA111AZ
Volcanic Hills
16-20" p.z.
Last updated: 4/09/2021
Accessed: 04/16/2026
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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
AZ 41.1 – Mexican Oak-Pine Forest and Oak Savannah
Elevations range from 4500 to 10,700 feet and precipitation ranges from 16 to 30 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 ranges from thermic to mesic and the soil moisture regime ranges from aridic ustic to typic ustic. This unit occurs within the Basin and Range Physiographic Province and is characterized by numerous mountain ranges that rise abruptly from broad, plain-like valleys and basins. Igneous and metamorphic rock classes dominate the mountain ranges and sediments filling the basins represent combinations of fluvial, lacustrine, colluvial and alluvial deposits.Associated sites
F041XA112AZ Sandy Wash 16-20" p.z. woodland
F041XA113AZ Sandy Bottom 16-20" p.z. woodland
F041XA123AZ Volcanic Hills 20-23" p.z. (QUEM, JUDE2, QUAR)
R041XA102AZ Shallow Hills 16-20" p.z.
R041XA109AZ Clay Loam Upland 16-20" p.z.
Similar sites
F041XA123AZ Volcanic Hills 20-23" p.z. (QUEM, JUDE2, QUAR)
R041XC330AZ Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Clayey
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) quercus emoryi
(2) juniperus deppeanaShrub (1) eriogonum wrightii
(2) nolina microcarpaHerbaceous (1) bouteloua curtipendula
(2) eragrostis intermediaPhysiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona. It is on hill-slopes and ridge-tops. Slope aspect is site differentiating at elevations near common resource area boundaries.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Ridge
(3) Saddle
Flooding frequency None Elevation 1372 – 1768 m Slope 15 – 65 % Aspect N, E, S 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, prairie junegrass, whiteball acacia, shrubby buckwheat and Emory oak 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) 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
These are shallow soils formed on basic and intermediate igneous rocks like basalt and andesite and on shale and clay-stones. Bedrock is hard and unweathered. Soil surface textures range from very cobbly clayloam to gravelly loam. Soils are fine loamy to clayey textured. They have well developed covers of rocks, cobbles and/or gravels. They are dark colored throughout. Plant-soil moisture relationships are fair to good. Numerous areas of rock outcrop occur intermingled with soil areas.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 Eastern Pinal and Southern Gila counties MU 22 Collarbutton; SSA-666 Cochise county Northwestern part MU's 23 Cherrycow, 53 Kuykendall and Cherrycow, 58 Magoffin and Budlamp; SSA-667 Santa Cruz and parts of Cochise and Pima counties MU Fad Luzena; SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU's 43 Castledome & 95 Kuykendal; SSA-673 Graham County, Arizona, Southwestern part MU 2 Beaumain and Cherrycow.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – tuff
(2) Colluvium – basalt
Surface texture (1) Gravelly clay loam
(2) Very cobbly loam
(3) Cobbly clay loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Slow to very slow Soil depth 25 – 51 cm Surface fragment cover <=3" 15 – 60 % Surface fragment cover >3" 3 – 15 % Available water capacity
(0-101.6cm)2.54 – 8.13 cm 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)5 – 45 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)1 – 8 % 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
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. 41-1 Volcanic Hills 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 textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
ReferenceCommunity 1.1
Savannah (HCPC)
Figure 5. Volcanic Hills 16-20" pz., Savannah (HCPC)
The historic native state includes the native plant communities that occur on the site, including the historic climax plant community. This state includes other plant communities that naturally occupy the site following fire, drought, flooding, herbivores, and other natural disturbances. The historic climax plant community represents the natural climax community that eventually reoccupies the site with proper management.
The potential plant community on this site is a diverse mixture of warm and cool season perennial grasses, ferns, forbs, succulents, shrubs and trees. A tree canopy of Mexican live-oak species and juniper ranges from 5-15% and lends the site a savannah appearance. Most perennial herbaceous species are well dispersed throughout the plant community. A few species occur only under tree canopies. Other species like herbaceous sage and amole occur in patches of various sizes on this site.
With continuous grazing, mid-grasses decline and are replaced by a continuous turf of species like blue grama, purple grama and curly mesquite. Naturally occurring wildfires in June-August were an important factor shaping this plant community. Fire-free intervals ranged from 10-20 years. In the absence of fire and/or with continuous grazing, species like amole, mimosa, mesquite, prickly pear and one-seed juniper can increase. Oak species on the site are very tolerant of fire. Stones, cobbles and gravels protect the soil from erosion after fire or heavy grazing use. Trees range from 5-50 stems per acre.
Periodic drought can occur in this MLRA and can cause significant grass mortality. Significant drought has occurred in the past in the 30s, mid 50s, 1975-76, 1988-89, 1995-96 and 2002. Grasshopper infestations can cause considerable grass mortality, especially in drought years. Bare areas can be taken over by annuals like goldeneye, red brome, little barley and bitterweed, in years with wet winters following drought, or in grasshopper out-break years.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 504 1121 1311 Shrub/Vine 15 112 291 Tree 56 168 280 Forb 12 56 179 Total 587 1457 2061 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 0-0% Litter 30-70% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 20-50% Surface fragments >3" 0-20% Bedrock 0-10% Water 0% Bare ground 10-20% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (m) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.15 – 0-5% 1-10% 0-5% >0.15 <= 0.3 – 0-5% 5-15% 1-15% >0.3 <= 0.6 – 1-5% 10-30% 1-5% >0.6 <= 1.4 – 1-5% 1-10% 0-5% >1.4 <= 4 0-3% 0-5% – – >4 <= 12 5-15% – – – >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
Shrubs, Succulents & GrassShrubs and succulents dominate the plant community with lesser amounts of perennial grass canopies. With the return of favorable climate and fire the site returns to a savannah aspect.
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 while shrubs and succulents flourish. Periodic drought also causes significant grass mortality.
Conservation practices
Bedding Alley Cropping Waste Storage Facility Brush Management Animal Mortality Facility Composting Facility Irrigation Canal or Lateral Deep Tillage Clearing and Snagging Conservation Cover Conservation Crop Rotation Contour Farming Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops Contour Buffer Strips Prescribed Burning Cover Crop Critical Area Planting Residue Management, Seasonal Dam, Diversion Sediment Basin Water Well Decommissioning Dike Waste Treatment Lagoon Waste Facility Closure Diversion Pond Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment Fence Field Border Irrigation Field Ditch Riparian Herbaceous Cover Riparian Forest Buffer Filter Strip Firebreak Stream Habitat Improvement and Management Aquatic Organism Passage Aquaculture Ponds Fish Raceway or Tank Fishpond Management Dam Grade Stabilization Structure Grassed Waterway Hedgerow Planting Hillside Ditch Dry Hydrant Irrigation Reservoir Irrigation System, Microirrigation Sprinkler System Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface Irrigation System, Tailwater Recovery Irrigation Water Management Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application Land Reclamation, Landslide Treatment Land Reclamation, Toxic Discharge Control Mine Shaft and Adit Closing Land Clearing Precision Land Forming Irrigation Land Leveling Land Smoothing Lined Waterway or Outlet Access Control Mole Drain Mulching Tree/Shrub Site Preparation Obstruction Removal Forage Harvest Management Forage and Biomass Planting Livestock Pipeline Pond Sealing or Lining, Flexible Membrane Pond Sealing or Lining, Soil Dispersant Pond Sealing or Lining, Bentonite Sealant Pumping Plant Land Reclamation, Abandoned Mined Land Land Reclamation, Currently Mined Land Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment Range Planting Drainage Water Management Rock Barrier Row Arrangement Roof Runoff Structure Access Road Heavy Use Area Protection Recreation Area Improvement Recreation Land Grading and Shaping Trails and Walkways Stormwater Runoff Control Spoil Spreading Spring Development Animal Trails and Walkways Streambank and Shoreline Protection Open Channel Channel Bed Stabilization Stripcropping Structure for Water Control Cross Wind Trap Strips Nutrient Management Feed Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Terrace Vegetative Barrier Herbaceous Wind Barriers Subsurface Drain Surface Drain, Field Ditch Surface Drain, Main or Lateral Surface Roughening Tree/Shrub Establishment Watering Facility Underground Outlet Vertical Drain Waste Recycling Waste Transfer Vegetated Treatment Area Water Harvesting Catchment Water and Sediment Control Basin Waterspreading Water Well Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Shallow Water Development and Management Early Successional Habitat Development/Management Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation Forest Trails and Landings Constructed Wetland Wetland Restoration Wetland Creation Wetland Enhancement Tree/Shrub Pruning Forest Stand Improvement Monitoring Well Anaerobic Digestor Roofs and Covers Barnyard Runoff Management Cistern Controlled Livestock Lounging Area Floodproofing Livestock Shade Structure Snow Harvesting Controlled Stream access for Livestock Watering Grass Buffer Strip Record Keeping Waste Field Storage Area Infiltration Ditches Well Plugging Livestock Use Area Protection Rinsate Management Silage Leachate Collection and Transfer Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems Native Plant Community Restoration and Management Vegetated Sinkhole Buffer Livestock Cooling Pond Pathogen Management Waste Water & Feedlot Runoff Control Irrigation Water Conveyance-modular Polyethylene Ditch & Canal Lining Grade Stabilization Structure-Tire Bales Irrigation Water Conveyance, Corrugated, Ribbed or Profile wall thermal pipeline Prescribed Grazing Stream Crossing TA Planning TA Design TA Application TA Check-Out Existing Practice Payment Stewardship Payment Fuel Break Amendments for the Treatment of Agricultural Waste Reduced Water and Energy Coffee Conveyance System Irrigation Water Conveyance, On-Ground Aluminum Pipleline Pond Sealing or Lining, Compacted Clay Treatment Silvopasture Establishment Well Water Testing Shellfish Aquaculture Management Crop By-Product Transfer Woody Residue Treatment Waste Separation Facility Waste Treatment Salinity and Sodic Soil Management Irrigation Water Conveyance, Corrugated Metal Pipeline Invasive Plant Species Control Pond Sealing and Lining, Soil Cement Irrigation Water Conveyance, Anionic Polyacrylamide Ditch and Canal Treatment Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till Multi-Story Cropping Renewable Energy System Individual Terrace Engine Replacement Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces Karst Sinkhole Treatment Bioretention Basin Agrichemical Handling Facility Cross Wind Ridges Road/Trail/Landing Closure and Treatment Fish and Wildlife Structure Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - Applied Forest Management Plan - Written Forest Management Plan - Applied Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Integrated Pest Management Plan - Written Integrated Pest Management Plan - Applied Irrigation Water Management Plan - Written Irrigation Water Management Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Headquarters - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Headquarters - Applied Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Drainage Water Management Plan - Written Drainage Water Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Transition from Irrigation to Dry-land Plan - Written Transition from Irrigation to Dry-land 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 Pollinator Habitat Plan - Written Pollinator Habitat Plan - Applied Denitrifying Bioreactor Orchard and Vinyard Air Quality Management Irrigation Ditch Lining Irrigation Pipeline Seasonal High Tunnel System for Crops Agricultural Secondary Containment Facility Fueling Facility, Above Ground Storage Controlled Traffic Farming Waste Gassification Facility VEGETATED SUBSURFACE DRAIN OUTLET Field Operations Emissions Reduction Structure Sediment Removal Livestock Confinement Facility Milking Center Wastewater Treatment Monitoring and Evaluation ORGANIC SORBENTS FOR THE REMEDIATION OF OIL-CONTAMINATED SOILS Air Filtration and Scrubbing Combustion System Improvement Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces Herbaceous Weed Control DUST CONTROL FROM ANIMAL ACTIVITY ON OPEN LOT SURFACES FARMSTEAD ENERGY IMPROVEMENT Nutrient Management Plan - Written Nutrient Management Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan - Written Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan - Applied IPM Herbicide Resistance Weed Conservation Plan - Written IPM Herbicide Resistance Weed Conservation Plan - Applied Bivalve Aquaculture Gear and Biofouling Control Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1With managed grazing, favorable climate and fire this site recovers moderately well in 2 to 3 years.
Conservation practices
Bedding Alley Cropping Waste Storage Facility Brush Management Animal Mortality Facility Composting Facility Irrigation Canal or Lateral Deep Tillage Clearing and Snagging Conservation Cover Conservation Crop Rotation Contour Farming Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops Contour Buffer Strips Prescribed Burning Cover Crop Critical Area Planting Residue Management, Seasonal Dam, Diversion Sediment Basin Water Well Decommissioning Dike Waste Treatment Lagoon Waste Facility Closure Diversion Pond Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment Fence Field Border Irrigation Field Ditch Riparian Herbaceous Cover Riparian Forest Buffer Filter Strip Firebreak Stream Habitat Improvement and Management Aquatic Organism Passage Aquaculture Ponds Fish Raceway or Tank Fishpond Management Dam Grade Stabilization Structure Grassed Waterway Hedgerow Planting Hillside Ditch Dry Hydrant Irrigation Reservoir Irrigation System, Microirrigation Sprinkler System Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface Irrigation System, Tailwater Recovery Irrigation Water Management Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application Land Reclamation, Landslide Treatment Land Reclamation, Toxic Discharge Control Mine Shaft and Adit Closing Land Clearing Precision Land Forming Irrigation Land Leveling Land Smoothing Lined Waterway or Outlet Access Control Mole Drain Mulching Tree/Shrub Site Preparation Obstruction Removal Forage Harvest Management Forage and Biomass Planting Livestock Pipeline Pond Sealing or Lining, Flexible Membrane Pond Sealing or Lining, Soil Dispersant Pond Sealing or Lining, Bentonite Sealant Pumping Plant Land Reclamation, Abandoned Mined Land Land Reclamation, Currently Mined Land Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment Range Planting Drainage Water Management Rock Barrier Row Arrangement Roof Runoff Structure Access Road Heavy Use Area Protection Recreation Area Improvement Recreation Land Grading and Shaping Trails and Walkways Stormwater Runoff Control Spoil Spreading Spring Development Animal Trails and Walkways Streambank and Shoreline Protection Open Channel Channel Bed Stabilization Stripcropping Structure for Water Control Cross Wind Trap Strips Nutrient Management Feed Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Terrace Vegetative Barrier Herbaceous Wind Barriers Subsurface Drain Surface Drain, Field Ditch Surface Drain, Main or Lateral Surface Roughening Tree/Shrub Establishment Watering Facility Underground Outlet Vertical Drain Waste Recycling Waste Transfer Vegetated Treatment Area Water Harvesting Catchment Water and Sediment Control Basin Waterspreading Water Well Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Shallow Water Development and Management Early Successional Habitat Development/Management Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation Forest Trails and Landings Constructed Wetland Wetland Restoration Wetland Creation Wetland Enhancement Tree/Shrub Pruning Forest Stand Improvement Monitoring Well Anaerobic Digestor Roofs and Covers Barnyard Runoff Management Cistern Controlled Livestock Lounging Area Floodproofing Livestock Shade Structure Snow Harvesting Controlled Stream access for Livestock Watering Grass Buffer Strip Record Keeping Waste Field Storage Area Infiltration Ditches Well Plugging Livestock Use Area Protection Rinsate Management Silage Leachate Collection and Transfer Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems Native Plant Community Restoration and Management Vegetated Sinkhole Buffer Livestock Cooling Pond Pathogen Management Waste Water & Feedlot Runoff Control Irrigation Water Conveyance-modular Polyethylene Ditch & Canal Lining Grade Stabilization Structure-Tire Bales Irrigation Water Conveyance, Corrugated, Ribbed or Profile wall thermal pipeline Prescribed Grazing Stream Crossing TA Planning TA Design TA Application TA Check-Out Existing Practice Payment Stewardship Payment Fuel Break Amendments for the Treatment of Agricultural Waste Reduced Water and Energy Coffee Conveyance System Irrigation Water Conveyance, On-Ground Aluminum Pipleline Pond Sealing or Lining, Compacted Clay Treatment Silvopasture Establishment Well Water Testing Shellfish Aquaculture Management Crop By-Product Transfer Woody Residue Treatment Waste Separation Facility Waste Treatment Salinity and Sodic Soil Management Irrigation Water Conveyance, Corrugated Metal Pipeline Invasive Plant Species Control Pond Sealing and Lining, Soil Cement Irrigation Water Conveyance, Anionic Polyacrylamide Ditch and Canal Treatment Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till Multi-Story Cropping Renewable Energy System Individual Terrace Engine Replacement Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces Karst Sinkhole Treatment Bioretention Basin Agrichemical Handling Facility Cross Wind Ridges Road/Trail/Landing Closure and Treatment Fish and Wildlife Structure Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - Applied Forest Management Plan - Written Forest Management Plan - Applied Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Integrated Pest Management Plan - Written Integrated Pest Management Plan - Applied Irrigation Water Management Plan - Written Irrigation Water Management Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Headquarters - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Headquarters - Applied Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Drainage Water Management Plan - Written Drainage Water Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Transition from Irrigation to Dry-land Plan - Written Transition from Irrigation to Dry-land 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 Pollinator Habitat Plan - Written Pollinator Habitat Plan - Applied Denitrifying Bioreactor Orchard and Vinyard Air Quality Management Irrigation Ditch Lining Irrigation Pipeline Seasonal High Tunnel System for Crops Agricultural Secondary Containment Facility Fueling Facility, Above Ground Storage Controlled Traffic Farming Waste Gassification Facility VEGETATED SUBSURFACE DRAIN OUTLET Field Operations Emissions Reduction Structure Sediment Removal Livestock Confinement Facility Milking Center Wastewater Treatment Monitoring and Evaluation ORGANIC SORBENTS FOR THE REMEDIATION OF OIL-CONTAMINATED SOILS Air Filtration and Scrubbing Combustion System Improvement Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces Herbaceous Weed Control DUST CONTROL FROM ANIMAL ACTIVITY ON OPEN LOT SURFACES FARMSTEAD ENERGY IMPROVEMENT Nutrient Management Plan - Written Nutrient Management Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan - Written Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan - Applied IPM Herbicide Resistance Weed Conservation Plan - Written IPM Herbicide Resistance Weed Conservation Plan - Applied Bivalve Aquaculture Gear and Biofouling Control State 2
Exotic grassesCommunity 2.1
Exotic grasslandThis state occurs where non-native grass species like Lehmann, Boer and weeping lovegrass, and yellow bluestem have invaded the plant community from adjacent areas with a seed source or from roads and trails running through the site. As these species increase to dominate the site native perennial grasses and forbs are reduced to minor amounts.
State 3
Shrub InvadedCommunity 3.1
Mixed Shrubland
Figure 8. Volcanic Hills 16-20" pz., Mixed Shrubland w/ mimosa and juniper
This state occurs where shrubby species like mesquite, juniper, mimosa, whitethorn, ocotillo and prickly pear have invaded or increased to dominate the plant community in the absence of fire for long periods. Sufficient fine fuels still exist to carry fires, but shrubs are well established and re-sprout and quickly re-assume dominance.
State 4
ErodedCommunity 4.1
Eroded Dense Shrubland
Figure 9. Volcanic Hills 16-20" pz., Eroded w/ annual goldeneye
This state occurs where sheet and rill erosion is accelerated due to severe trailing, soil compaction and lack of perennial grass cover. In some places it is due to poorly designed road and trail construction. As the soil surface is lost to erosion, clayey (argillic) horizons, and next, hard volcanic bedrock is exposed at the surface. This greatly alters surface hydrology (more, faster runoff) and reduces potential productivity of the site.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Non-native bunchgrass seed is purposely planted 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 allow non-native bunchgrasses a competitive advantage over natives.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Continuous unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization reduces perennial bunchgrasses. Fire continuity, intensity and frequency are reduced.
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
Bedding Alley Cropping Waste Storage Facility Brush Management Animal Mortality Facility Composting Facility Irrigation Canal or Lateral Deep Tillage Clearing and Snagging Conservation Cover Conservation Crop Rotation Contour Farming Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops Contour Buffer Strips Prescribed Burning Cover Crop Critical Area Planting Residue Management, Seasonal Dam, Diversion Sediment Basin Water Well Decommissioning Dike Waste Treatment Lagoon Waste Facility Closure Diversion Pond Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment Fence Field Border Irrigation Field Ditch Riparian Herbaceous Cover Riparian Forest Buffer Filter Strip Firebreak Stream Habitat Improvement and Management Aquatic Organism Passage Aquaculture Ponds Fish Raceway or Tank Fishpond Management Dam Grade Stabilization Structure Grassed Waterway Hedgerow Planting Hillside Ditch Dry Hydrant Irrigation Reservoir Irrigation System, Microirrigation Sprinkler System Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface Irrigation System, Tailwater Recovery Irrigation Water Management Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application Land Reclamation, Landslide Treatment Land Reclamation, Toxic Discharge Control Mine Shaft and Adit Closing Land Clearing Precision Land Forming Irrigation Land Leveling Land Smoothing Lined Waterway or Outlet Access Control Mole Drain Mulching Tree/Shrub Site Preparation Obstruction Removal Forage Harvest Management Forage and Biomass Planting Livestock Pipeline Pond Sealing or Lining, Flexible Membrane Pond Sealing or Lining, Soil Dispersant Pond Sealing or Lining, Bentonite Sealant Pumping Plant Land Reclamation, Abandoned Mined Land Land Reclamation, Currently Mined Land Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment Range Planting Drainage Water Management Rock Barrier Row Arrangement Roof Runoff Structure Access Road Heavy Use Area Protection Recreation Area Improvement Recreation Land Grading and Shaping Trails and Walkways Stormwater Runoff Control Spoil Spreading Spring Development Animal Trails and Walkways Streambank and Shoreline Protection Open Channel Channel Bed Stabilization Stripcropping Structure for Water Control Cross Wind Trap Strips Nutrient Management Feed Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Terrace Vegetative Barrier Herbaceous Wind Barriers Subsurface Drain Surface Drain, Field Ditch Surface Drain, Main or Lateral Surface Roughening Tree/Shrub Establishment Watering Facility Underground Outlet Vertical Drain Waste Recycling Waste Transfer Vegetated Treatment Area Water Harvesting Catchment Water and Sediment Control Basin Waterspreading Water Well Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Shallow Water Development and Management Early Successional Habitat Development/Management Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation Forest Trails and Landings Constructed Wetland Wetland Restoration Wetland Creation Wetland Enhancement Tree/Shrub Pruning Forest Stand Improvement Monitoring Well Anaerobic Digestor Roofs and Covers Barnyard Runoff Management Cistern Controlled Livestock Lounging Area Floodproofing Livestock Shade Structure Snow Harvesting Controlled Stream access for Livestock Watering Grass Buffer Strip Record Keeping Waste Field Storage Area Infiltration Ditches Well Plugging Livestock Use Area Protection Rinsate Management Silage Leachate Collection and Transfer Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems Native Plant Community Restoration and Management Vegetated Sinkhole Buffer Livestock Cooling Pond Pathogen Management Waste Water & Feedlot Runoff Control Irrigation Water Conveyance-modular Polyethylene Ditch & Canal Lining Grade Stabilization Structure-Tire Bales Irrigation Water Conveyance, Corrugated, Ribbed or Profile wall thermal pipeline Prescribed Grazing Stream Crossing TA Planning TA Design TA Application TA Check-Out Existing Practice Payment Stewardship Payment Fuel Break Amendments for the Treatment of Agricultural Waste Reduced Water and Energy Coffee Conveyance System Irrigation Water Conveyance, On-Ground Aluminum Pipleline Pond Sealing or Lining, Compacted Clay Treatment Silvopasture Establishment Well Water Testing Shellfish Aquaculture Management Crop By-Product Transfer Woody Residue Treatment Waste Separation Facility Waste Treatment Salinity and Sodic Soil Management Irrigation Water Conveyance, Corrugated Metal Pipeline Invasive Plant Species Control Pond Sealing and Lining, Soil Cement Irrigation Water Conveyance, Anionic Polyacrylamide Ditch and Canal Treatment Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till Multi-Story Cropping Renewable Energy System Individual Terrace Engine Replacement Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces Karst Sinkhole Treatment Bioretention Basin Agrichemical Handling Facility Cross Wind Ridges Road/Trail/Landing Closure and Treatment Fish and Wildlife Structure Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - Applied Forest Management Plan - Written Forest Management Plan - Applied Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Integrated Pest Management Plan - Written Integrated Pest Management Plan - Applied Irrigation Water Management Plan - Written Irrigation Water Management Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Headquarters - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Headquarters - Applied Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Drainage Water Management Plan - Written Drainage Water Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Transition from Irrigation to Dry-land Plan - Written Transition from Irrigation to Dry-land 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 Pollinator Habitat Plan - Written Pollinator Habitat Plan - Applied Denitrifying Bioreactor Orchard and Vinyard Air Quality Management Irrigation Ditch Lining Irrigation Pipeline Seasonal High Tunnel System for Crops Agricultural Secondary Containment Facility Fueling Facility, Above Ground Storage Controlled Traffic Farming Waste Gassification Facility VEGETATED SUBSURFACE DRAIN OUTLET Field Operations Emissions Reduction Structure Sediment Removal Livestock Confinement Facility Milking Center Wastewater Treatment Monitoring and Evaluation ORGANIC SORBENTS FOR THE REMEDIATION OF OIL-CONTAMINATED SOILS Air Filtration and Scrubbing Combustion System Improvement Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces Herbaceous Weed Control DUST CONTROL FROM ANIMAL ACTIVITY ON OPEN LOT SURFACES FARMSTEAD ENERGY IMPROVEMENT Nutrient Management Plan - Written Nutrient Management Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan - Written Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan - Applied IPM Herbicide Resistance Weed Conservation Plan - Written IPM Herbicide Resistance Weed Conservation Plan - Applied Bivalve Aquaculture Gear and Biofouling Control 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. 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
Bedding Alley Cropping Waste Storage Facility Brush Management Animal Mortality Facility Composting Facility Irrigation Canal or Lateral Deep Tillage Clearing and Snagging Conservation Cover Conservation Crop Rotation Contour Farming Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops Contour Buffer Strips Prescribed Burning Cover Crop Critical Area Planting Residue Management, Seasonal Dam, Diversion Sediment Basin Water Well Decommissioning Dike Waste Treatment Lagoon Waste Facility Closure Diversion Pond Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment Fence Field Border Irrigation Field Ditch Riparian Herbaceous Cover Riparian Forest Buffer Filter Strip Firebreak Stream Habitat Improvement and Management Aquatic Organism Passage Aquaculture Ponds Fish Raceway or Tank Fishpond Management Dam Grade Stabilization Structure Grassed Waterway Hedgerow Planting Hillside Ditch Dry Hydrant Irrigation Reservoir Irrigation System, Microirrigation Sprinkler System Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface Irrigation System, Tailwater Recovery Irrigation Water Management Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application Land Reclamation, Landslide Treatment Land Reclamation, Toxic Discharge Control Mine Shaft and Adit Closing Land Clearing Precision Land Forming Irrigation Land Leveling Land Smoothing Lined Waterway or Outlet Access Control Mole Drain Mulching Tree/Shrub Site Preparation Obstruction Removal Forage Harvest Management Forage and Biomass Planting Livestock Pipeline Pond Sealing or Lining, Flexible Membrane Pond Sealing or Lining, Soil Dispersant Pond Sealing or Lining, Bentonite Sealant Pumping Plant Land Reclamation, Abandoned Mined Land Land Reclamation, Currently Mined Land Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment Range Planting Drainage Water Management Rock Barrier Row Arrangement Roof Runoff Structure Access Road Heavy Use Area Protection Recreation Area Improvement Recreation Land Grading and Shaping Trails and Walkways Stormwater Runoff Control Spoil Spreading Spring Development Animal Trails and Walkways Streambank and Shoreline Protection Open Channel Channel Bed Stabilization Stripcropping Structure for Water Control Cross Wind Trap Strips Nutrient Management Feed Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Terrace Vegetative Barrier Herbaceous Wind Barriers Subsurface Drain Surface Drain, Field Ditch Surface Drain, Main or Lateral Surface Roughening Tree/Shrub Establishment Watering Facility Underground Outlet Vertical Drain Waste Recycling Waste Transfer Vegetated Treatment Area Water Harvesting Catchment Water and Sediment Control Basin Waterspreading Water Well Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Shallow Water Development and Management Early Successional Habitat Development/Management Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation Forest Trails and Landings Constructed Wetland Wetland Restoration Wetland Creation Wetland Enhancement Tree/Shrub Pruning Forest Stand Improvement Monitoring Well Anaerobic Digestor Roofs and Covers Barnyard Runoff Management Cistern Controlled Livestock Lounging Area Floodproofing Livestock Shade Structure Snow Harvesting Controlled Stream access for Livestock Watering Grass Buffer Strip Record Keeping Waste Field Storage Area Infiltration Ditches Well Plugging Livestock Use Area Protection Rinsate Management Silage Leachate Collection and Transfer Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems Native Plant Community Restoration and Management Vegetated Sinkhole Buffer Livestock Cooling Pond Pathogen Management Waste Water & Feedlot Runoff Control Irrigation Water Conveyance-modular Polyethylene Ditch & Canal Lining Grade Stabilization Structure-Tire Bales Irrigation Water Conveyance, Corrugated, Ribbed or Profile wall thermal pipeline Prescribed Grazing Stream Crossing TA Planning TA Design TA Application TA Check-Out Existing Practice Payment Stewardship Payment Fuel Break Amendments for the Treatment of Agricultural Waste Reduced Water and Energy Coffee Conveyance System Irrigation Water Conveyance, On-Ground Aluminum Pipleline Pond Sealing or Lining, Compacted Clay Treatment Silvopasture Establishment Well Water Testing Shellfish Aquaculture Management Crop By-Product Transfer Woody Residue Treatment Waste Separation Facility Waste Treatment Salinity and Sodic Soil Management Irrigation Water Conveyance, Corrugated Metal Pipeline Invasive Plant Species Control Pond Sealing and Lining, Soil Cement Irrigation Water Conveyance, Anionic Polyacrylamide Ditch and Canal Treatment Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till Multi-Story Cropping Renewable Energy System Individual Terrace Engine Replacement Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces Karst Sinkhole Treatment Bioretention Basin Agrichemical Handling Facility Cross Wind Ridges Road/Trail/Landing Closure and Treatment Fish and Wildlife Structure Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - Applied Forest Management Plan - Written Forest Management Plan - Applied Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Integrated Pest Management Plan - Written Integrated Pest Management Plan - Applied Irrigation Water Management Plan - Written Irrigation Water Management Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Headquarters - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Headquarters - Applied Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Drainage Water Management Plan - Written Drainage Water Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Transition from Irrigation to Dry-land Plan - Written Transition from Irrigation to Dry-land 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 Pollinator Habitat Plan - Written Pollinator Habitat Plan - Applied Denitrifying Bioreactor Orchard and Vinyard Air Quality Management Irrigation Ditch Lining Irrigation Pipeline Seasonal High Tunnel System for Crops Agricultural Secondary Containment Facility Fueling Facility, Above Ground Storage Controlled Traffic Farming Waste Gassification Facility VEGETATED SUBSURFACE DRAIN OUTLET Field Operations Emissions Reduction Structure Sediment Removal Livestock Confinement Facility Milking Center Wastewater Treatment Monitoring and Evaluation ORGANIC SORBENTS FOR THE REMEDIATION OF OIL-CONTAMINATED SOILS Air Filtration and Scrubbing Combustion System Improvement Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces Herbaceous Weed Control DUST CONTROL FROM ANIMAL ACTIVITY ON OPEN LOT SURFACES FARMSTEAD ENERGY IMPROVEMENT Nutrient Management Plan - Written Nutrient Management Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan - Written Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan - Applied IPM Herbicide Resistance Weed Conservation Plan - Written IPM Herbicide Resistance Weed Conservation Plan - Applied Bivalve Aquaculture Gear and Biofouling Control Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 4Restoration 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
Bedding Alley Cropping Waste Storage Facility Brush Management Animal Mortality Facility Composting Facility Irrigation Canal or Lateral Deep Tillage Clearing and Snagging Conservation Cover Conservation Crop Rotation Contour Farming Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops Contour Buffer Strips Prescribed Burning Cover Crop Critical Area Planting Residue Management, Seasonal Dam, Diversion Sediment Basin Water Well Decommissioning Dike Waste Treatment Lagoon Waste Facility Closure Diversion Pond Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment Fence Field Border Irrigation Field Ditch Riparian Herbaceous Cover Riparian Forest Buffer Filter Strip Firebreak Stream Habitat Improvement and Management Aquatic Organism Passage Aquaculture Ponds Fish Raceway or Tank Fishpond Management Dam Grade Stabilization Structure Grassed Waterway Hedgerow Planting Hillside Ditch Dry Hydrant Irrigation Reservoir Irrigation System, Microirrigation Sprinkler System Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface Irrigation System, Tailwater Recovery Irrigation Water Management Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application Land Reclamation, Landslide Treatment Land Reclamation, Toxic Discharge Control Mine Shaft and Adit Closing Land Clearing Precision Land Forming Irrigation Land Leveling Land Smoothing Lined Waterway or Outlet Access Control Mole Drain Mulching Tree/Shrub Site Preparation Obstruction Removal Forage Harvest Management Forage and Biomass Planting Livestock Pipeline Pond Sealing or Lining, Flexible Membrane Pond Sealing or Lining, Soil Dispersant Pond Sealing or Lining, Bentonite Sealant Pumping Plant Land Reclamation, Abandoned Mined Land Land Reclamation, Currently Mined Land Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment Range Planting Drainage Water Management Rock Barrier Row Arrangement Roof Runoff Structure Access Road Heavy Use Area Protection Recreation Area Improvement Recreation Land Grading and Shaping Trails and Walkways Stormwater Runoff Control Spoil Spreading Spring Development Animal Trails and Walkways Streambank and Shoreline Protection Open Channel Channel Bed Stabilization Stripcropping Structure for Water Control Cross Wind Trap Strips Nutrient Management Feed Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Terrace Vegetative Barrier Herbaceous Wind Barriers Subsurface Drain Surface Drain, Field Ditch Surface Drain, Main or Lateral Surface Roughening Tree/Shrub Establishment Watering Facility Underground Outlet Vertical Drain Waste Recycling Waste Transfer Vegetated Treatment Area Water Harvesting Catchment Water and Sediment Control Basin Waterspreading Water Well Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Shallow Water Development and Management Early Successional Habitat Development/Management Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation Forest Trails and Landings Constructed Wetland Wetland Restoration Wetland Creation Wetland Enhancement Tree/Shrub Pruning Forest Stand Improvement Monitoring Well Anaerobic Digestor Roofs and Covers Barnyard Runoff Management Cistern Controlled Livestock Lounging Area Floodproofing Livestock Shade Structure Snow Harvesting Controlled Stream access for Livestock Watering Grass Buffer Strip Record Keeping Waste Field Storage Area Infiltration Ditches Well Plugging Livestock Use Area Protection Rinsate Management Silage Leachate Collection and Transfer Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems Native Plant Community Restoration and Management Vegetated Sinkhole Buffer Livestock Cooling Pond Pathogen Management Waste Water & Feedlot Runoff Control Irrigation Water Conveyance-modular Polyethylene Ditch & Canal Lining Grade Stabilization Structure-Tire Bales Irrigation Water Conveyance, Corrugated, Ribbed or Profile wall thermal pipeline Prescribed Grazing Stream Crossing TA Planning TA Design TA Application TA Check-Out Existing Practice Payment Stewardship Payment Fuel Break Amendments for the Treatment of Agricultural Waste Reduced Water and Energy Coffee Conveyance System Irrigation Water Conveyance, On-Ground Aluminum Pipleline Pond Sealing or Lining, Compacted Clay Treatment Silvopasture Establishment Well Water Testing Shellfish Aquaculture Management Crop By-Product Transfer Woody Residue Treatment Waste Separation Facility Waste Treatment Salinity and Sodic Soil Management Irrigation Water Conveyance, Corrugated Metal Pipeline Invasive Plant Species Control Pond Sealing and Lining, Soil Cement Irrigation Water Conveyance, Anionic Polyacrylamide Ditch and Canal Treatment Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge Till Multi-Story Cropping Renewable Energy System Individual Terrace Engine Replacement Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces Karst Sinkhole Treatment Bioretention Basin Agrichemical Handling Facility Cross Wind Ridges Road/Trail/Landing Closure and Treatment Fish and Wildlife Structure Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - Applied Forest Management Plan - Written Forest Management Plan - Applied Grazing Management Plan - Written Grazing Management Plan - Applied Integrated Pest Management Plan - Written Integrated Pest Management Plan - Applied Irrigation Water Management Plan - Written Irrigation Water Management Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Headquarters - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Headquarters - Applied Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied Drainage Water Management Plan - Written Drainage Water Management Plan - Applied Conservation Plan Supporting Transition from Irrigation to Dry-land Plan - Written Transition from Irrigation to Dry-land 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 Pollinator Habitat Plan - Written Pollinator Habitat Plan - Applied Denitrifying Bioreactor Orchard and Vinyard Air Quality Management Irrigation Ditch Lining Irrigation Pipeline Seasonal High Tunnel System for Crops Agricultural Secondary Containment Facility Fueling Facility, Above Ground Storage Controlled Traffic Farming Waste Gassification Facility VEGETATED SUBSURFACE DRAIN OUTLET Field Operations Emissions Reduction Structure Sediment Removal Livestock Confinement Facility Milking Center Wastewater Treatment Monitoring and Evaluation ORGANIC SORBENTS FOR THE REMEDIATION OF OIL-CONTAMINATED SOILS Air Filtration and Scrubbing Combustion System Improvement Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces Herbaceous Weed Control DUST CONTROL FROM ANIMAL ACTIVITY ON OPEN LOT SURFACES FARMSTEAD ENERGY IMPROVEMENT Nutrient Management Plan - Written Nutrient Management Plan - Applied Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan - Written Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan - Applied IPM Herbicide Resistance Weed Conservation Plan - Written IPM Herbicide Resistance Weed Conservation Plan - Applied Bivalve Aquaculture Gear and Biofouling Control 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 392–785 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 112–448 – bullgrass MUEM Muhlenbergia emersleyi 56–168 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 56–168 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 11–112 – Texas bluestem SCCI2 Schizachyrium cirratum 0–112 – Orcutt's threeawn ARSCO Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana 0–112 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 6–112 – woolyspike balsamscale ELBA Elionurus barbiculmis 0–56 – spiked crinkleawn TRSP12 Trachypogon spicatus 0–56 – 2 Dominant short grasses 90–280 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 28–168 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 17–112 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 28–112 – curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 6–56 – slender grama BORE2 Bouteloua repens 0–28 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 6–22 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 1–22 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 1–22 – 3 Cool season perennial grasses 6–112 prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 1–56 – pinyon ricegrass PIFI Piptochaetium fimbriatum 0–34 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 0–22 – squirreltail ELELE Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides 1–22 – sedge CAREX Carex 1–11 – flatsedge CYPER Cyperus 0–1 – densetuft hairsedge BUCA2 Bulbostylis capillaris 0–1 – 4 Miscellaneous perennial grasses 6–56 tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 0–28 – purple muhly MURI3 Muhlenbergia rigida 0–17 – silver bluestem BOSA Bothriochloa saccharoides 0–17 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 0–11 – maidencane PAHE2 Panicum hemitomon 0–6 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–6 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–6 – Mexican gamagrass TRLA11 Tripsacum lanceolatum 0–6 – slim tridens TRMU Tridens muticus 0–6 – slim tridens TRMUE Tridens muticus var. elongatus 0–6 – bulb panicgrass PABU Panicum bulbosum 0–6 – bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 0–6 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 0–6 – Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 0–6 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 1–6 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 1–6 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 0–2 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 0–1 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 0–1 – cotta grass COPA13 Cottea pappophoroides 0–1 – low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 0–1 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–1 – 5 Annual grasses 6–78 Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 1–22 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 1–17 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 0–11 – witchgrass PACA6 Panicum capillare 0–6 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 0–6 – Eastwood fescue VUMIC Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata 1–6 – Pacific fescue VUMIP Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora 1–6 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 1–6 – little barley HOPU Hordeum pusillum 0–6 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 0–6 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 1–6 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–6 – Mexican lovegrass ERME Eragrostis mexicana 0–1 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–1 – pitscale grass HAGR3 Hackelochloa granularis 0–1 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–1 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–1 – matted grama BOSI2 Bouteloua simplex 0–1 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–1 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 0–1 – fragilegrass AETE Aegopogon tenellus 0–1 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–1 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–1 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 0–1 – poverty dropseed SPVA Sporobolus vaginiflorus 0–1 – prairie false oat TRIN5 Trisetum interruptum 0–1 – Forb6 Perennial forbs 11–67 Louisiana vetch VILUL2 Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana 0–11 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 1–11 – largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–6 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–6 – firecrackerbush BOTE2 Bouvardia ternifolia 0–6 – pepper CAPSI Capsicum 0–6 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 1–6 – tarragon ARDR4 Artemisia dracunculus 0–6 – trailing fleabane ERFL Erigeron flagellaris 1–6 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 0–6 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 0–6 – slimleaf bean PHAN3 Phaseolus angustissimus 0–6 – Arizona spikemoss SEAR2 Selaginella arizonica 0–6 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 0–6 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 0–3 – white prairie aster SYFAC Symphyotrichum falcatum var. commutatum 0–2 – Texas snoutbean RHSET Rhynchosia senna var. texana 0–2 – Arizona bluecurls TRAR Trichostema arizonicum 0–2 – New Mexico fanpetals SINE Sida neomexicana 0–2 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–2 – Cory's mistletoe PHCO14 Phoradendron coryae 0–2 – fineleaf hymenopappus HYFI Hymenopappus filifolius 0–2 – Arizona snakecotton FRAR2 Froelichia arizonica 0–2 – New Mexico fleabane ERNE3 Erigeron neomexicanus 0–2 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–2 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 0–2 – Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 0–2 – dwarf stickpea CAHUR Calliandra humilis var. reticulata 0–2 – bastard toadflax COUM Comandra umbellata 0–2 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–2 – woolly locoweed ASMOB Astragalus mollissimus var. bigelovii 0–2 – sheep milkvetch ASNO3 Astragalus nothoxys 0–2 – branched noseburn TRRA5 Tragia ramosa 0–2 – Fort Huachuca vervain VEGR2 Verbena gracilis 0–1 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 0–1 – horsetail milkweed ASSU2 Asclepias subverticillata 0–1 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 0–1 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 0–1 – climbing wartclub BOSC Boerhavia scandens 0–1 – Mexican yellowshow AMPA3 Amoreuxia palmatifida 0–1 – Cuman ragweed AMPS Ambrosia psilostachya 0–1 – crested anoda ANCR2 Anoda cristata 0–1 – perennial rockcress ARPE2 Arabis perennans 0–1 – southwestern pricklypoppy ARPL3 Argemone pleiacantha 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 – leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 0–1 – fingerleaf gourd CUDI Cucurbita digitata 0–1 – coyote gourd CUPA Cucurbita palmata 0–1 – purplenerve springparsley CYMU2 Cymopterus multinervatus 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 – wholeleaf Indian paintbrush CAIN14 Castilleja integra 0–1 – desert mariposa lily CAKE Calochortus kennedyi 0–1 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 0–1 – whitemargin sandmat CHAL11 Chamaesyce albomarginata 0–1 – mala mujer CNAN Cnidoscolus angustidens 0–1 – birdbill dayflower CODI4 Commelina dianthifolia 0–1 – Texas bindweed COEQ Convolvulus equitans 0–1 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–1 – desert larkspur DEPA Delphinium parishii 0–1 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 0–1 – Torrey's craglily ECFL Echeandia flavescens 0–1 – Mexican fireplant EUHE4 Euphorbia heterophylla 0–1 – sun spurge EURA2 Euphorbia radians 0–1 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 0–1 – shaggy dwarf morning-glory EVNU Evolvulus nuttallianus 0–1 – silver dwarf morning-glory EVSE Evolvulus sericeus 0–1 – scarlet beeblossom GACO5 Gaura coccinea 0–1 – small matweed GUDE Guilleminea densa 0–1 – red bluet HORU Houstonia rubra 0–1 – babyslippers HYVE Hybanthus verticillatus 0–1 – pinkthroat morning-glory IPLO Ipomoea longifolia 0–1 – ragged nettlespurge JAMA Jatropha macrorhiza 0–1 – San Pedro daisy LAPO4 Lasianthaea podocephala 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 – variableleaf bushbean MAGI2 Macroptilium gibbosifolium 0–1 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–1 – Mexican star MIBI2 Milla biflora 0–1 – lemon beebalm MOCIA Monarda citriodora ssp. austromontana 0–1 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 0–1 – locoweed OXYTR Oxytropis 0–1 – beardlip penstemon PEBA2 Penstemon barbatus 0–1 – Cataiina beardtongue PEDI6 Penstemon discolor 0–1 – firecracker penstemon PEEA Penstemon eatonii 0–1 – longstalk chinchweed PELO Pectis longipes 0–1 – Parry's beardtongue PEPA24 Penstemon parryi 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 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – Missouri goldenrod SOMI2 Solidago missouriensis 0–1 – copper globemallow SPAN3 Sphaeralcea angustifolia 0–1 – gooseberryleaf globemallow SPGR2 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia 0–1 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–1 – Lemmon's ragwort SELE8 Senecio lemmonii 0–1 – Huachuca Mountain ragwort SEMU9 Senecio multidentatus 0–1 – cardinal catchfly SILA2 Silene laciniata 0–1 – Sonoita noseburn TRLA Tragia laciniata 0–1 – slimleaf plainsmustard SCLI12 Schoenocrambe linearifolia 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 – 7 Annual Forbs 1–112 longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 1–56 – bitter rubberweed HYOD Hymenoxys odorata 0–28 – 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 – fewflower beggarticks BILE Bidens leptocephala 0–11 – pitseed goosefoot CHBE4 Chenopodium berlandieri 0–11 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 0–6 – southwestern cosmos COPA12 Cosmos parviflorus 0–3 – Wright's bird's beak COWR2 Cordylanthus wrightii 0–2 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–2 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–2 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–2 – redstar IPCO3 Ipomoea coccinea 0–2 – Thurber's morning-glory IPTH Ipomoea thurberi 0–2 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–2 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 0–2 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–2 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 0–2 – Wright's cudweed PSCAC2 Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens 0–2 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 0–2 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–2 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–1 – crested anoda ANCR2 Anoda cristata 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 – 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 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–1 – Abert's creeping zinnia SAAB Sanvitalia abertii 0–1 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–1 – mesa tansyaster MATA Machaeranthera tagetina 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 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 0–1 – sweet four o'clock MILO2 Mirabilis longiflora 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 – warty caltrop KAPA Kallstroemia parviflora 0–1 – Gordon's bladderpod LEGO Lesquerella gordonii 0–1 – broadleaved pepperweed LELA2 Lepidium latifolium 0–1 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 0–1 – dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 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 – El Paso skyrocket IPTH2 Ipomopsis thurberi 0–1 – ivyleaf morning-glory IPHE Ipomoea hederacea 0–1 – flaxflowered ipomopsis IPLOL Ipomopsis longiflora ssp. longiflora 0–1 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–1 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 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 – Abert's buckwheat ERAB2 Eriogonum abertianum 0–1 – sanddune wallflower ERCA14 Erysimum capitatum 0–1 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–1 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–1 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 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 – curlytop gumweed GRNUA Grindelia nuda var. aphanactis 0–1 – western trailing ticktrefoil DEPR2 Desmodium procumbens 0–1 – poorjoe DITE2 Diodia teres 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 – New Mexico ticktrefoil DENE Desmodium neomexicanum 0–1 – Shrub/Vine8 Dominant half shrubs 2–56 bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 1–17 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–6 – Bigelow's bristlehead CABI6 Carphochaete bigelovii 0–6 – fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 0–6 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 0–6 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 0–6 – prairie acacia ACAN Acacia angustissima 1–6 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 0–6 – California brickellbush BRCA3 Brickellia californica 0–2 – Bigelow's false willow BABI Baccharis bigelovii 0–2 – heartleaf goldeneye VICO Viguiera cordifolia 0–2 – Arizonia orange CHDUA Choisya dumosa var. arizonica 0–2 – cliff goldenbush ERCUS Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata 0–2 – turpentine bush ERLA12 Ericameria laricifolia 0–2 – gumhead GYGL Gymnosperma glutinosum 0–2 – showy goldeneye HEMUM Heliomeris multiflora var. multiflora 0–2 – Arizona water-willow JUCA9 Justicia candicans 0–2 – 9 Evergreen shrubs 3–78 hairy mountain mahogany CEMOP Cercocarpus montanus var. paucidentatus 1–22 – Sonoran scrub oak QUTU2 Quercus turbinella 0–22 – desert ceanothus CEGR Ceanothus greggii 1–17 – Toumey oak QUTO2 Quercus toumeyi 0–17 – Palmer oak QUPA10 Quercus palmeri 0–11 – smallflowered milkvetch ASNU4 Astragalus nuttallianus 0–11 – Thurber's milkvetch ASTH Astragalus thurberi 0–11 – fewflower beggarticks BILE Bidens leptocephala 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 – field bindweed COAR4 Convolvulus arvensis 1–6 – leatherweed CRPOP Croton pottsii var. pottsii 1–6 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 1–6 – rockcress ARABI Arabidopsis 1–6 – onion ALLIU Allium 1–6 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–6 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 1–6 – trailing fleabane ERFL Erigeron flagellaris 1–6 – New Mexico fleabane ERNE3 Erigeron neomexicanus 1–6 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 1–6 – Arizona snakecotton FRAR2 Froelichia arizonica 1–6 – small matweed GUDED Guilleminea densa var. densa 1–6 – hairy false goldenaster HEVIM3 Heterotheca villosa var. minor 1–6 – rincon rubberweed HYQU2 Hymenoxys quinquesquamata 1–6 – ragged nettlespurge JAMA Jatropha macrorhiza 1–6 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 1–6 – variableleaf bushbean MAGI2 Macroptilium gibbosifolium 1–6 – white four o'clock MIAL4 Mirabilis albida 1–6 – Drummond's woodsorrel OXDR Oxalis drummondii 1–6 – butterweed PAGL17 Packera glabella 1–6 – longstalk chinchweed PELO Pectis longipes 1–6 – Texas snoutbean RHSET Rhynchosia senna var. texana 1–6 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 1–6 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 1–6 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 1–6 – scarlet globemallow SPCOE Sphaeralcea coccinea ssp. elata 1–6 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 1–6 – Palmer's crinklemat TIPA Tiquilia palmeri 1–6 – pinewoods spiderwort TRPI Tradescantia pinetorum 1–6 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 1–6 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 1–6 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 0–6 – chaparral asphead ASHI3 Aspicarpa hirtella 1–6 – redberry buckthorn RHCR Rhamnus crocea 0–6 – California buckthorn FRCAC5 Frangula californica ssp. californica 0–6 – Wright's silktassel GAWR3 Garrya wrightii 0–6 – red barberry MAHA4 Mahonia haematocarpa 0–6 – common hoptree PTTR Ptelea trifoliata 0–6 – southwestern cosmos COPA12 Cosmos parviflorus 0–3 – Wright's bird's beak COWR2 Cordylanthus wrightii 0–2 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–2 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–2 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–2 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–2 – pointleaf manzanita ARPU5 Arctostaphylos pungens 0–2 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–2 – evergreen sumac RHVIC Rhus virens var. choriophylla 0–2 – Florida hopbush DOVI Dodonaea viscosa 0–2 – miner's lettuce CLPEP Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata 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 – New Mexico ticktrefoil DENE Desmodium neomexicanum 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 – halfmoon milkvetch ASAL6 Astragalus allochrous 0–1 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–1 – crested anoda ANCR2 Anoda cristata 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 – western trailing ticktrefoil DEPR2 Desmodium procumbens 0–1 – poorjoe DITE2 Diodia teres 0–1 – Abert's buckwheat ERAB2 Eriogonum abertianum 0–1 – sanddune wallflower ERCA14 Erysimum capitatum 0–1 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–1 – 10 Deciduous shrubs 3–45 cliff fendlerbush FERU Fendlera rupicola 0–11 – ocotillo FOSP2 Fouquieria splendens 1–6 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 1–6 – velvetpod mimosa MIDY Mimosa dysocarpa 0–6 – Thurber's desert honeysuckle ANTH2 Anisacanthus thurberi 0–6 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 0–6 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 1–6 – yellow trumpetbush TEST Tecoma stans 0–6 – milfoil wattle ACMI Acacia millefolia 0–2 – whitethorn acacia ACCO2 Acacia constricta 0–2 – Wright's beebrush ALWR Aloysia wrightii 0–1 – Graham's mimosa MIGR2 Mimosa grahamii 0–1 – pale desert-thorn LYPA Lycium pallidum 0–1 – lotebush ZIOBC Ziziphus obtusifolia var. canescens 0–1 – 11 Succulents 6–112 sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 1–56 – cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 0–11 – Schott's century plant AGSC3 Agave schottii 0–11 – Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 1–11 – smallflower century plant AGPA5 Agave parviflora 0–6 – goldenhead ACAMP Acamptopappus 1–6 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 1–6 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 1–6 – giant hyssop AGAST Agastache 1–6 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 1–6 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 1–6 – Mexican yellowshow AMPA3 Amoreuxia palmatifida 1–6 – woolly angelica ANTO Angelica tomentosa 1–6 – tarragon ARDR4 Artemisia dracunculus 1–6 – Watson's dutchman's pipe ARWA Aristolochia watsonii 1–6 – dwarf milkweed ASIN14 Asclepias involucrata 1–6 – horsetail milkweed ASSU2 Asclepias subverticillata 1–6 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 1–6 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 1–6 – lyreleaf greeneyes BELY Berlandiera lyrata 1–6 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 1–6 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 1–6 – exserted Indian paintbrush CAEXE Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta 1–6 – castilla CASTI Castilla 1–6 – lambsquarters CHAL7 Chenopodium album 1–6 – hyssopleaf sandmat CHHY3 Chamaesyce hyssopifolia 1–6 – heal and draw CHNU2 Chaptalia nutans 1–6 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 1–6 – mala mujer CNAN Cnidoscolus angustidens 1–6 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 1–6 – anil falso COCAC6 Coursetia caribaea var. caribaea 1–6 – fingerleaf gourd CUDI Cucurbita digitata 1–6 – coyote gourd CUPA Cucurbita palmata 1–6 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 1–6 – New Mexico ticktrefoil DENE Desmodium neomexicanum 1–6 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 1–6 – Abert's buckwheat ERAB2 Eriogonum abertianum 1–6 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 1–6 – blanketflower GAILL Gaillardia 1–6 – Bisbee Peak rushrose HESC2 Helianthemum scoparium 1–6 – Indian rushpea HOGL2 Hoffmannseggia glauca 1–6 – hymenaea HYMEN Hymenaea 1–6 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 1–6 – Coulter's horseweed LACO13 Laennecia coulteri 1–6 – Fendler's bladderpod LEFE Lesquerella fendleri 1–6 – Gordon's bladderpod LEGO Lesquerella gordonii 1–6 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 1–6 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 1–6 – stiffstem flax LIRI Linum rigidum 1–6 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 1–6 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 1–6 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 1–6 – hoary tansyaster MACA2 Machaeranthera canescens 1–6 – blazingstar MENTZ Mentzelia 1–6 – lemon beebalm MOCIA Monarda citriodora ssp. austromontana 1–6 – green carpetweed MOVE Mollugo verticillata 1–6 – Arizona mousetail MYCU Myosurus cupulatus 1–6 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 1–6 – lakeshore panicgrass PALA Panicum lacustre 1–6 – Virginia creeper PAQU2 Parthenocissus quinquefolia 1–6 – phacelia PHACE Phacelia 1–6 – ivyleaf groundcherry PHHE4 Physalis hederifolia 1–6 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 1–6 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 1–6 – sweetscent PLODO Pluchea odorata var. odorata 1–6 – little hogweed POOL Portulaca oleracea 1–6 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 1–6 – slimflower scurfpea PSTE5 Psoralidium tenuiflorum 1–6 – thinleaf goldenhead PYLI2 Pyrrocoma linearis 1–6 – chia SACO6 Salvia columbariae 1–6 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 1–6 – velvet leaf senna SELI4 Senna lindheimeriana 1–6 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 1–6 – Missouri goldenrod SOMI2 Solidago missouriensis 1–6 – western silver aster SYSE2 Symphyotrichum sericeum 1–6 – jewels of Opar TAPA2 Talinum paniculatum 1–6 – Hopi tea greenthread THME Thelesperma megapotamicum 1–6 – stalked bur grass TRRA Tragus racemosus 1–6 – Fort Huachuca vervain VEGR2 Verbena gracilis 1–6 – Louisiana vetch VILUL2 Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana 1–6 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 1–6 – purple pricklypear OPMAM Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra 0–2 – tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–2 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 0–2 – Schott's yucca YUSC Yucca ×schottii 0–2 – dollarjoint pricklypear OPCH Opuntia chlorotica 0–2 – white fishhook cactus ECIN2 Echinomastus intertextus 0–1 – Leding's hedgehog cactus ECLE2 Echinocereus ledingii 0–1 – rainbow hedgehog cactus ECRI3 Echinocereus rigidissimus 0–1 – spinystar ESVIV Escobaria vivipara var. vivipara 0–1 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 0–1 – Graham's nipple cactus MAGR9 Mammillaria grahamii 0–1 – Macdougal's nipple cactus MAHEM Mammillaria heyderi var. macdougalii 0–1 – Wright's nipple cactus MAWR2 Mammillaria wrightii 0–1 – Parry's agave AGPA4 Agave parryi 0–1 – Santa Cruz beehive cactus CORE3 Coryphantha recurvata 0–1 – Scheer's beehive cactus COROS Coryphantha robustispina ssp. scheeri 0–1 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–1 – common sotol DAWH2 Dasylirion wheeleri 0–1 – scarlet hedgehog cactus ECCOC Echinocereus coccineus var. coccineus 0–1 – pinkflower hedgehog cactus ECFEF3 Echinocereus fendleri ssp. fendleri 0–1 – goldenflower century plant AGCH2 Agave chrysantha 0–1 – Tree12 Trees 56–280 Emory oak QUEM Quercus emoryi 28–168 – Arizona white oak QUAR Quercus arizonica 0–112 – Mexican blue oak QUOB Quercus oblongifolia 0–28 – alligator juniper JUDE2 Juniperus deppeana 0–28 – oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 0–11 – Mexican pinyon PICE Pinus cembroides 0–11 – border pinyon PIDI3 Pinus discolor 0–11 – Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. 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. Due to the presence of cool season grasses, perennial forbs and evergreen browse species, this site is especially well suited to winter-spring grazing when nearby upland areas are deficient in protein. Steep slopes, cobbly surfaces and areas of rock outcrop limit grazing distribution on this site. Fencing large areas of this site from adjacent uplands and grazing during the cool season will allow effective management of the forage resources. The site tends to have water in canyons during the winter and spring. Mountain lion predation on calves can be severe. Grazing dry cows and/or yearlings in the cool season and moving cows off as they calve will help avoid lion predation. Annual goldeneye and bitterweed can cause poisoning in the fall following years with wet winter-spring seasons. Locoweed can cause problems in dry springs following wet fall-winter seasons.
Mule deer and Coues whitetail deer both find excellent habitat on this site and can occur intermingled. The abundance of succulents like amole, prickly pear and cholla, together with good production of annual forbs, gives this site a very high carrying capacity for javalina. Natural water occurs infrequently as seeps or springs. Water developments are very important to the larger mammals using the site, as well as to numerous bird and small mammal species. Natural fires are important to maintain a balance between trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs; and benefit the many wildlife species on this site.Hydrological functions
With shallow, clayey soils and steep slopes this site is a good producer of runoff.
Recreational uses
Hunting, horseback riding, hiking, camping, photography, prospecting, bird watching
Wood products
Oak species furnish fuel-wood and juniper species furnish posts and stays.
Other products
Acorns and chilitepins (wild chile peppers) for food. Agave for mescal making. Starleaf and hoptree for bug repellent. Rocks.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 2 in good condition.
Type locality
Location 1: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T11S R22E S17 General legal description Willcox Field Office - Sierra Bonita Ranch Location 2: Pima County, AZ Latitude 30° 33′ 30″ Longitude 110° 52′ 30″ General legal description Tucson Field Office - Salero Ranch - un-surveyed - Grosvenor Hills Location 3: Santa Cruz County, AZ Township/Range/Section T23S R11E S24 General legal description Bear Valley Ranch, Penasco Canyon Location 4: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T12S R22E S33 General legal description SE 1/4, NW 1/4 of section; Willcox Field Office, Warbonnet Ranch, Winchester Mountains Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. EllicottApproval
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 04/16/2026 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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