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Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XA117AZ
Shallow Upland
16-20" p.z.
Last updated: 4/09/2021
Accessed: 09/16/2026
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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
R041XA102AZ Shallow Hills 16-20" p.z.
R041XA108AZ Loamy Upland 16-20" p.z.
Similar sites
R041XC322AZ Shallow Upland 12-16" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) quercus emoryi
Shrub (1) calliandra eriophylla
(2) fouquieria splendensHerbaceous (1) bouteloua chondrosioides
(2) bouteloua hirsutaPhysiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico. It occurs on gently sloping to moderately steep pediments which flank mountain areas. Numerous small areas of rock outcrop occur throughout areas of this site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain valley
(2) Pediment
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 4500 – 5500 ft Slope 1 – 15 % 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.-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.
Species like plains lovegrass, false mesquite, shrubby buckwheat and spreading ratany begin growth in late March to April. Warm season grasses begin growth in July or August with receipt of the first summer rains.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 200 days Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
There are no water features associated with this site.
Soil features
These soils have developed in place on various types of acid igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary parent materials like granite, rhyolite, gneiss, sandstone and schist. They are shallow and non-calcareous. In very old parent materials (pre-cambrian) the underlying bedrock is fractured and deeply (40-60 inches) weathered. Soil surfaces are well covered by gravels and small stones. Plant-soil moisture relationships are fair. Soils mapped in these areas include Turquoise and Nugget. In younger parent materials the bedrock is only slightly weathered (4-10 inches).
Soils mapped in these areas include: SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU 103 Magoffin.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Slope alluvium – dacite
Surface texture (1) Gravelly sandy loam
(2) Very gravelly sandy loam
(3) Very gravelly loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately rapid to moderately slow Soil depth 10 – 20 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 15 – 55 % Surface fragment cover >3" 3 – 10 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)0.7 – 2.4 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)Not specified Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 2 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.1 – 7.8 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)10 – 45 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)3 – 10 % Ecological dynamics
The plant communities found on an ecological site are naturally variable. Composition and production will vary with yearly conditions, location, aspect, and the natural variability of the soils. The Historical Climax Plant Community represents the natural potential plant communities found on relict or relatively undisturbed sites. Other plant communities described here represent plant communities that are known to occur when the site is disturbed by factors such as fire, grazing, or drought.
Production data provided in this site description is standardized to air dry weight at the end of the summer growing season. The plant communities described in this site description are based on near normal rainfall years.
NRCS uses a Similarity Index to compare existing plant communities to the plant communities described here. Similarity index is determined by comparing the production and composition of a plant community to the production 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 the group. Divide the resulting total by the total normal year production shown in the plant community description. If 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. State and Transition, Granitic Upland 16-20" p.z.
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 1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityThis site includes 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 dominated by warm season perennial grasses and several species of low shrubs. Perennial forbs and annuals are of minor importance on this site. Emory oak and Mexican blue oak trees can occur up to 5% canopy on the site. The aspect is savannah to grassland. All of the major perennial grasses and shrubs on the site are well dispersed throughout the plant community. Drought and or fire can open up the grass community for a few years, but the major species of perennial grasses will quickly recover. The dominant half shrubs on the site are vigorous sprouters after fire. Shrubby buckwheat and plains lovegrass can diminish in severe drought. Species like mimosa, ocotillo, mesquite and manzanita can increase to dominate the site. Lehmann lovegrass can invade and increase to dominate the plant community.Figure 5. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 376 650 925 Shrub/Vine 57 100 175 Tree 0 10 100 Forb 5 15 40 Total 438 775 1240 Table 6. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0-0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike basal cover 0-10% Forb basal cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0-0% Biological crusts 0-0% Litter 20-70% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 30-70% Surface fragments >3" 0-10% Bedrock 0-10% Water 0% Bare ground 10-40% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – 1-5% 5-10% 0-2% >0.5 <= 1 – 5-10% 10-20% 0-5% >1 <= 2 – 1-5% 10-15% 0-2% >2 <= 4.5 – 0-5% 1-10% 0-1% >4.5 <= 13 0-2% 0-2% – – >13 <= 40 0-5% – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 6. 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 State 2
Lehmann lovegrass invadedCommunity 2.1
Lehmann lovegrass invaded
Figure 7. Granitic Upland 16-20" pz. Lehmann lovegrass
This state occurs where Lehmann lovegrass has invaded from existing stands along roads, trails and rights of ways through areas of the site. As Lehmann lovegrass increases in dominance the amounts of native grasses and herbs diminish both in diversity and density. The dominant half shrubs seem to be able to persist in the plant community with Lehmann lovegrass. Above ground biomass production is higher on sites dominated by Lehmann lovegrass. As fires and droughts cause openings in the plant community, Lehmann lovegrass quickly assumes dominance.
State 3
Shrub increasedCommunity 3.1
Shrub increased
Figure 8. Granitic Upland 16-20" pz. Shrubby
In the absence of fires for long periods of time shrubs like mesquite, mimosa, ocotillo, manzanita and succulents like prickly pear and agave can increase to dominate the plant community. Climatic warming may be driving the increase in wait-a-bit and velvet-pod mimosas. Mature shrubs are fire tolerant and sprout back vigorously after being top killed. As canopy levels approach 25% the site can no longer support much in the herbaceous layer; further limiting the effect and incidence of fire on the plant community.
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 Short Grasses 300–600 black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 65–150 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 50–150 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 10–100 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 50–100 – sprucetop grama BOCH Bouteloua chondrosioides 50–100 – Santa Rita Mountain grama BOEL Bouteloua eludens 20–100 – slender grama BORE2 Bouteloua repens 5–50 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 5–50 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 0–50 – Arizona muhly MUAR3 Muhlenbergia arizonica 0–30 – 2 Dominant Perennial Mid Grasses 70–250 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 50–100 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 10–100 – tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 0–50 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 0–50 – spiked crinkleawn TRSP12 Trachypogon spicatus 10–50 – Texas bluestem SCCI2 Schizachyrium cirratum 0–25 – woolyspike balsamscale ELBA Elionurus barbiculmis 0–25 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 0–20 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 0–20 – 3 Miscellaneous Perennial Grasses 0–20 sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–10 – tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 0–10 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–5 – bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 0–5 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 0–5 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–5 – sedge CAREX Carex 0–5 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 0–5 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 0–2 – Kunth's smallgrass MIKU Microchloa kunthii 0–2 – slim tridens TRMU Tridens muticus 0–2 – slim tridens TRMUE Tridens muticus var. elongatus 0–2 – 4 Perennial Threeawns 5–35 Orcutt's threeawn ARSCO Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana 5–25 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 0–5 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 0–5 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 0–5 – Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 0–2 – Havard's threeawn ARHA3 Aristida havardii 0–2 – Wooton's threeawn ARPA9 Aristida pansa 0–2 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 0–1 – 5 Annual Grasses 1–20 sweet tanglehead HEME Heteropogon melanocarpus 0–10 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 1–5 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 0–5 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 0–2 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–2 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–2 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 0–1 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 0–1 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–1 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–1 – Parry's grama BOPA2 Bouteloua parryi 0–1 – matted grama BOSI2 Bouteloua simplex 0–1 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 0–1 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–1 – Mexican lovegrass ERME Eragrostis mexicana 0–1 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–1 – pitscale grass HAGR3 Hackelochloa granularis 0–1 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 0–1 – witchgrass PACA6 Panicum capillare 0–1 – Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 0–1 – poverty dropseed SPVA Sporobolus vaginiflorus 0–1 – prairie false oat TRIN5 Trisetum interruptum 0–1 – Eastwood fescue VUMIC Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata 0–1 – desert fescue VUMIM Vulpia microstachys var. microstachys 0–1 – Forb6 Perennial Forbs 5–20 lipfern CHEIL Cheilanthes 0–5 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 0–5 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 0–5 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 0–5 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 0–5 – cliffbrake PELLA Pellaea 0–5 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 0–2 – Arizona cudweed PSAR12 Pseudognaphalium arizonicum 0–2 – Arizona spikemoss SEAR2 Selaginella arizonica 0–2 – Thurber's cotton GOTH Gossypium thurberi 0–2 – Palmer's Indian mallow ABPA Abutilon palmeri 0–2 – Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 0–2 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 0–2 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 0–2 – hairy fournwort TENE Tetramerium nervosum 0–1 – longstalk greenthread THLO Thelesperma longipes 0–1 – branched noseburn TRRA5 Tragia ramosa 0–1 – Fort Huachuca vervain VEGR2 Verbena gracilis 0–1 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 0–1 – winged buckwheat ERAL4 Eriogonum alatum 0–1 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–1 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 0–1 – mala mujer CNAN Cnidoscolus angustidens 0–1 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–1 – palmleaf thoroughwort COGR10 Conoclinium greggii 0–1 – leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 0–1 – whiteflower prairie clover DAAL Dalea albiflora 0–1 – James' prairie clover DAJA Dalea jamesii 0–1 – dwarf desertpeony ACNA2 Acourtia nana 0–1 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 0–1 – San Felipe dogweed ADPO Adenophyllum porophylloides 0–1 – Santa Rita mountain yellowshow AMGO Amoreuxia gonzalezii 0–1 – tarragon ARDR4 Artemisia dracunculus 0–1 – New Mexico silverbush ARNE2 Argythamnia neomexicana 0–1 – perennial rockcress ARPE2 Arabis perennans 0–1 – Watson's dutchman's pipe ARWA Aristolochia watsonii 0–1 – chaparral asphead ASHI3 Aspicarpa hirtella 0–1 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 0–1 – hairyseed bahia BAAB Bahia absinthifolia 0–1 – desert marigold BAMU Baileya multiradiata 0–1 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 0–1 – climbing wartclub BOSC Boerhavia scandens 0–1 – Arizona wrightwort CAAR7 Carlowrightia arizonica 0–1 – dwarf stickpea CAHUR Calliandra humilis var. reticulata 0–1 – wholeleaf Indian paintbrush CAIN14 Castilleja integra 0–1 – pepper CAPSI Capsicum 0–1 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 0–1 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–1 – plains blackfoot MELE2 Melampodium leucanthum 0–1 – Mexican star MIBI2 Milla biflora 0–1 – wishbone-bush MILAV Mirabilis laevis var. villosa 0–1 – desert tobacco NIOB Nicotiana obtusifolia 0–1 – Schott's yellowhood NISC Nissolia schottii 0–1 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 0–1 – Oak Creek ragwort PAQU8 Packera quercetorum 0–1 – desert rosemallow HICO Hibiscus coulteri 0–1 – pinkthroat morning-glory IPLO Ipomoea longifolia 0–1 – slender janusia JAGR Janusia gracilis 0–1 – ragged nettlespurge JAMA Jatropha macrorhiza 0–1 – longflower tube tongue JULO3 Justicia longii 0–1 – narrowleaf stoneseed LIIN2 Lithospermum incisum 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 – fringed twinevine FUCYC Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. cynanchoides 0–1 – southwestern mock vervain GLGO Glandularia gooddingii 0–1 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 0–1 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–1 – velvet leaf senna SELI4 Senna lindheimeriana 0–1 – New Mexico fanpetals SINE Sida neomexicana 0–1 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – Missouri goldenrod SOMI2 Solidago missouriensis 0–1 – gooseberryleaf globemallow SPGR2 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia 0–1 – slimflower scurfpea PSTE5 Psoralidium tenuiflorum 0–1 – Texas snoutbean RHSET Rhynchosia senna var. texana 0–1 – slimleaf plainsmustard SCLI12 Schoenocrambe linearifolia 0–1 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 0–1 – longstalk chinchweed PELO Pectis longipes 0–1 – Parry's beardtongue PEPA24 Penstemon parryi 0–1 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–1 – velvetseed milkwort POOB Polygala obscura 0–1 – shrubby purslane POSU3 Portulaca suffrutescens 0–1 – 7 Annual Forbs 0–20 sensitive partridge pea CHNI2 Chamaecrista nictitans 0–5 – pitseed goosefoot CHBE4 Chenopodium berlandieri 0–5 – longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 0–5 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–2 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–2 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–2 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–2 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 0–2 – California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–2 – fewflower beggarticks BILE Bidens leptocephala 0–2 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 0–2 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–2 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–2 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–2 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 0–2 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 0–2 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–2 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–2 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–2 – yerba porosa PORU6 Porophyllum ruderale 0–1 – shrubby purslane POSU3 Portulaca suffrutescens 0–1 – desert unicorn-plant PRAL4 Proboscidea althaeifolia 0–1 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 0–1 – Wright's cudweed PSCAC2 Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens 0–1 – Abert's creeping zinnia SAAB Sanvitalia abertii 0–1 – plains flax LIPU4 Linum puberulum 0–1 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–1 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 0–1 – shortstem lupine LUBR2 Lupinus brevicaulis 0–1 – bajada lupine LUCOC Lupinus concinnus ssp. concinnus 0–1 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 0–1 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 0–1 – sweet four o'clock MILO2 Mirabilis longiflora 0–1 – green carpetweed MOVE Mollugo verticillata 0–1 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 0–1 – Arizona phacelia PHAR13 Phacelia arizonica 0–1 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–1 – sand fringepod THCU Thysanocarpus curvipes 0–1 – southwestern pricklypoppy ARPL3 Argemone pleiacantha 0–1 – smallflowered milkvetch ASNU4 Astragalus nuttallianus 0–1 – erect spiderling BOER Boerhavia erecta 0–1 – purple spiderling BOPU Boerhavia purpurascens 0–1 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–1 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 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 – El Paso gilia GIME Gilia mexicana 0–1 – Dakota mock vervain GLBIB Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida 0–1 – Abert's buckwheat ERAB2 Eriogonum abertianum 0–1 – sanddune wallflower ERCA14 Erysimum capitatum 0–1 – hyssopleaf sandmat CHHY3 Chamaesyce hyssopifolia 0–1 – redstar IPCO3 Ipomoea coccinea 0–1 – ivyleaf morning-glory IPHE Ipomoea hederacea 0–1 – flaxflowered ipomopsis IPLOL Ipomopsis longiflora ssp. longiflora 0–1 – Thurber's morning-glory IPTH Ipomoea thurberi 0–1 – El Paso skyrocket IPTH2 Ipomopsis thurberi 0–1 – warty caltrop KAPA Kallstroemia parviflora 0–1 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 0–1 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 0–1 – Shrub/Vine8 Dominant Half Shrubs 50–100 fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 25–75 – Gregg's prairie clover DAGR2 Dalea greggii 5–25 – bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 5–25 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 1–15 – Schott's stickpea ZAFOS Zapoteca formosa var. schottii 0–10 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 1–10 – prairie acacia ACAN Acacia angustissima 1–10 – Bigelow's false willow BABI Baccharis bigelovii 0–5 – shortleaf baccharis BABR Baccharis brachyphylla 0–5 – Sonoran indigo INSP Indigofera sphaerocarpa 0–5 – false boneset BREU Brickellia eupatorioides 0–5 – Bigelow's bristlehead CABI6 Carphochaete bigelovii 0–5 – cliff goldenbush ERCUS Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata 0–5 – turpentine bush ERLA12 Ericameria laricifolia 0–2 – California brickellbush BRCA3 Brickellia californica 0–2 – 9 Miscellaneous Shrubs 5–35 ocotillo FOSP2 Fouquieria splendens 0–10 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 0–10 – Sonoran scrub oak QUTU2 Quercus turbinella 0–10 – velvetpod mimosa MIDY Mimosa dysocarpa 0–5 – littleleaf sumac RHMI3 Rhus microphylla 0–5 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–5 – algerita MATR3 Mahonia trifoliolata 0–5 – coralbean ERFL7 Erythrina flabelliformis 0–5 – pointleaf manzanita ARPU5 Arctostaphylos pungens 0–5 – desert ceanothus CEGR Ceanothus greggii 0–5 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 0–2 – evergreen sumac RHVIC Rhus virens var. choriophylla 0–2 – toothleaf goldeneye VIDE3 Viguiera dentata 0–2 – red barberry MAHA4 Mahonia haematocarpa 0–2 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–2 – Arizona water-willow JUCA9 Justicia candicans 0–1 – redberry buckthorn RHCR Rhamnus crocea 0–1 – threadleaf ragwort SEFLF Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus 0–1 – yellow trumpetbush TEST Tecoma stans 0–1 – heartleaf goldeneye VICO Viguiera cordifolia 0–1 – milfoil wattle ACMI Acacia millefolia 0–1 – Wright's beebrush ALWR Aloysia wrightii 0–1 – Thurber's desert honeysuckle ANTH2 Anisacanthus thurberi 0–1 – Warnock's snakewood COWA Condalia warnockii 0–1 – Kearney's snakewood COWAK Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana 0–1 – Florida hopbush DOVI Dodonaea viscosa 0–1 – longleaf jointfir EPTR Ephedra trifurca 0–1 – Tahitian kidneywood EYOR Eysenhardtia orthocarpa 0–1 – cliff fendlerbush FERU Fendlera rupicola 0–1 – desert olive FOSH Forestiera shrevei 0–1 – Wright's silktassel GAWR3 Garrya wrightii 0–1 – pelotazo ABIN Abutilon incanum 0–1 – 10 Succulents 2–40 sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 1–15 – Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 1–10 – smallflower century plant AGPA5 Agave parviflora 0–5 – Schott's century plant AGSC3 Agave schottii 0–5 – common sotol DAWH2 Dasylirion wheeleri 0–5 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 0–2 – Schott's yucca YUSC Yucca ×schottii 0–2 – dollarjoint pricklypear OPCH Opuntia chlorotica 0–1 – cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 0–1 – pinkflower hedgehog cactus ECBO2 Echinocereus bonkerae 0–1 – pinkflower hedgehog cactus ECFE Echinocereus fendleri 0–1 – white fishhook cactus ECIN2 Echinomastus intertextus 0–1 – rainbow cactus ECPEP Echinocereus pectinatus var. pectinatus 0–1 – spinystar ESVI2 Escobaria vivipara 0–1 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 0–1 – Graham's nipple cactus MAGR9 Mammillaria grahamii 0–1 – little nipple cactus MAHE2 Mammillaria heyderi 0–1 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–1 – Parry's agave AGPA4 Agave parryi 0–1 – Tree11 Trees 0–100 Emory oak QUEM Quercus emoryi 0–50 – Mexican blue oak QUOB Quercus oblongifolia 0–50 – Arizona white oak QUAR Quercus arizonica 0–25 – alligator juniper JUDE2 Juniperus deppeana 0–5 – oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 0–5 – Mexican pinyon PICE Pinus cembroides 0–5 – border pinyon PIDI3 Pinus discolor 0–5 – velvet mesquite PRVE Prosopis velutina 0–2 – Table 9. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
The site is useable for livestock grazing at any season of the year. Forage species are low in digestable protein in the winter months and phosphorous is lacking year-round except in the summer growing season. Water developments are very important to wildlife on the site. The site produces a diverse mixture of low shrubs and perennial grasses, with scattered trees. It is a poor producer of annual grasses and annual and perennial forbs. It is home to a variety of grassland wildlife species. Larger mammals like deer use the site mainly as a foraging area.
Hydrological functions
Shallow soil and bedrock outcrops with moderate slopes make this site a producer of runoff in large storm events.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, bird-watching, camping, photography, rock-hounding, prospecting.
Wood products
Limited oak, juniper, mesquite fire wood for campfires. Manzanita and algerita for hobby woods.
Other products
Gold, silver, turquoise, decomposed granite.
Acorns for food. Medicinal herbs like yerba de pasmo and herbaceous sage.Supporting information
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 09/16/2026 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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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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