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Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XA126AZ
Clayey Upland
16-20" p.z.
Last updated: 4/09/2021
Accessed: 09/21/2026
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Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
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Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 041X–Madrean Archipelago
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
R041XA108AZ Loamy Upland 16-20" p.z.
R041XA109AZ Clay Loam Upland 16-20" p.z.
R041XA111AZ Volcanic Hills 16-20" p.z.
R041XA114AZ Loamy Bottom 16-20" p.z.
R041XA115AZ Loamy Swale 16-20" p.z.
Similar sites
R041XC304AZ Clayey Upland 12-16" p.z.
R038XB202AZ Clayey Upland 16-20" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) pleuraphis mutica
(2) panicum obtusumPhysiographic features
This site occurs in the upper elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range Province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs on fan terraces, basalt flows and valley plains.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Fan piedmont
(2) Terrace
(3) Plain
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 4700 – 5500 ft Slope 1 – 15 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Precipitation in this zone of the common resource area ranges from 16-20 inches per year with elevations from 4700-5500 feet. Approximately 40% of this moisture comes as gentle rain or snow during the winter-spring (Oct-Apr) season; originates in the north Pacific and Gulf of California and comes as frontal storms with long duration and low intensity. The remaining 60% falls in the summer season (May-Sep); originates in the Gulf of Mexico and are convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Snow is common Dec.-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, bottlebrush squirreltail and shrubby buckwheat begin growth in late March to April. Warm season grasses begin growth in July or August with receipt of the first summer rains.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 200 days Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
There are no water features associated with this site.
Soil features
These are deep soils that have formed in clayey alluvium. Surfaces are silty clayloam to clay and sticky when wet. Dense clay horizons occur at or near the surface. These horizons consist of smectitic clay materials and exhibit severe soil cracking and churning. Soil surfaces are dark colored. Plant-soil moisture relationships are good.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-666 Cochise county Northwest part MU 21 Phantom (Cazador).Table 4. Representative soil features
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Slow to very slow Soil depth 30 – 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 15 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 5 % Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 5 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 2 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.1 – 7.8 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 10 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 % 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
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More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textState 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Native GrasslandCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityThe 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 drought, fire, 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. The major perennial species are tobosa and vine mesquite with lesser amounts of species like curly mesquite, blue grama and sideoats grama. Perennial and annual forbs, as well as a few species of low shrubs and succulents, are represented in the plant community. The aspect is grassland. Species like bottlebrush squirreltail and shrubby buckwheat begin growth in April. Warm season grasses begin growth in July or August, with the receipt of the first summer rains.
Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 560 1150 1500 Forb 6 40 130 Shrub/Vine 1 10 45 Tree 0 0 5 Total 567 1200 1680 Figure 5. 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
Annual forb and grassCommunity 2.1
Annual forb and grass
Figure 6. Clayey Upland 16-20" pz., annuals
This state occurs where the cover of native perennial grasses like tobosa and vine mesquite has been removed due the interactions of drought, fire and continuous grazing. Native and non-native annual forbs and grasses dominate the plant community. Production is high due to soil cracking which breaks up soil compaction and results in high, initial, infiltration rates. Non-native annual species include filaree, wild oats, tumbleweed, kochia, yellow starthistle and tumble mustard.
When tobosa has been reduced to less than 5% canopy cover on the site it may not be able to come back due to lack of seed in the soil seed-bank.State 3
Juniper invadedCommunity 3.1
Juniper invadedThis state occurs where Alligator juniper has invaded and increased to dominate the site in the absence of fire for long periods and in the presence of a seed source. The site will become unstable at higher levels of juniper canopy (over 25%).
State 4
Eroded stateCommunity 4.1
Eroded stateThis state occurs where severe impacts by equipment or livestock trailing have caused soil compaction which has sealed the soil surface and resulted in accelerated sheet and rill erosion. Gullies may form in severe situations. Runoff is high and the soil profile is not getting wet and vertic soil properties are not in evidence. Usually a low production plant community of annuals is present.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Interactions of drought, fire and continuous grazing; introduction of non-native annual species
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3continuous heavy grazing, persistent low perennial grass cover, introduction of Alligator juniper, lack of fire
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4continuous heavy grazing, loss of grass cover due to drought, fire, grazing; persistent reduced infiltration and limited recruitment of perennial grasses
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1None known
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1brush management, prescribed grazing/no grazing, range seeding, maintenance of juniper control
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4continuous heavy grazing, loss of grass cover due to drought, fire, grazing; persistent reduced infiltration and limited recruitment of perennial grasses
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Dominant mid-grasses 500–1100 tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 450–900 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 25–200 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 0–50 – sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 10–50 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 0–50 – 2 Short perennial grasses 50–300 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 25–200 – curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 5–100 – sprucetop grama BOCH Bouteloua chondrosioides 0–20 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 0–20 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 0–10 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 0–10 – 3 Miscellaneous perennial grasses 0–50 squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 0–15 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 0–10 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 0–5 – slender grama BORE2 Bouteloua repens 0–5 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–5 – silver bluestem BOSA Bothriochloa saccharoides 0–5 – tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 0–5 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 0–5 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 0–5 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 0–5 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 0–5 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 0–5 – bullgrass MUEM Muhlenbergia emersleyi 0–5 – purple muhly MURI3 Muhlenbergia rigida 0–5 – bulb panicgrass PABU Panicum bulbosum 0–5 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 0–5 – pinyon ricegrass PIFI Piptochaetium fimbriatum 0–5 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–5 – big sacaton SPWR2 Sporobolus wrightii 0–5 – spiked crinkleawn TRSP12 Trachypogon spicatus 0–5 – burrograss SCBR2 Scleropogon brevifolius 0–2 – densetuft hairsedge BUCA2 Bulbostylis capillaris 0–2 – sedge CAREX Carex 0–2 – flatsedge CYPER Cyperus 0–2 – low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 0–2 – woolyspike balsamscale ELBA Elionurus barbiculmis 0–1 – Arizona muhly MUAR3 Muhlenbergia arizonica 0–1 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 0–1 – Texas bluestem SCCI2 Schizachyrium cirratum 0–1 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–1 – 4 Annual grasses 10–100 little barley HOPU Hordeum pusillum 1–80 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 1–50 – Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 0–25 – sticky sprangletop LEVI5 Leptochloa viscida 0–20 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 0–20 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 0–20 – pitscale grass HAGR3 Hackelochloa granularis 0–10 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 0–10 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–10 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 0–10 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–10 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–5 – Mexican lovegrass ERME Eragrostis mexicana 0–5 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–5 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 0–5 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 0–5 – Eastwood fescue VUMIC Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata 0–2 – Pacific fescue VUMIP Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora 0–2 – poverty dropseed SPVA Sporobolus vaginiflorus 0–2 – prairie false oat TRIN5 Trisetum interruptum 0–2 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–2 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–2 – witchgrass PACA6 Panicum capillare 0–2 – matted grama BOSI2 Bouteloua simplex 0–2 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–2 – fragilegrass AETE Aegopogon tenellus 0–2 – Forb5 Perennial Forbs 5–30 spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–10 – trailing fleabane ERFL Erigeron flagellaris 0–10 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 1–10 – Indian rushpea HOGL2 Hoffmannseggia glauca 1–5 – largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–5 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 0–5 – sheep milkvetch ASNO3 Astragalus nothoxys 0–5 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 0–5 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–5 – Louisiana vetch VILUL2 Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana 0–5 – gooseberryleaf globemallow SPGR2 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia 0–3 – fingerleaf gourd CUDI Cucurbita digitata 0–3 – chaparral asphead ASHI3 Aspicarpa hirtella 0–3 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–3 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 1–3 – Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 1–3 – dwarf prairie clover DANA Dalea nana 0–2 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 0–2 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 0–2 – whiteflower prairie clover DAAL Dalea albiflora 0–2 – Texas bindweed COEQ Convolvulus equitans 0–2 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–2 – leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 0–2 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 0–2 – winged buckwheat ERAL4 Eriogonum alatum 0–2 – variableleaf bushbean MAGI2 Macroptilium gibbosifolium 0–2 – Texas snoutbean RHSET Rhynchosia senna var. texana 0–2 – slimleaf plainsmustard SCLI12 Schoenocrambe linearifolia 0–1 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–1 – Lemmon's ragwort SELE8 Senecio lemmonii 0–1 – New Mexico fanpetals SINE Sida neomexicana 0–1 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – Missouri goldenrod SOMI2 Solidago missouriensis 0–1 – copper globemallow SPAN3 Sphaeralcea angustifolia 0–1 – white prairie aster SYFAC Symphyotrichum falcatum var. commutatum 0–1 – jewels of Opar TAPA2 Talinum paniculatum 0–1 – Coulter's wrinklefruit TECO Tetraclea coulteri 0–1 – hairy fournwort TENE Tetramerium nervosum 0–1 – longstalk greenthread THLO Thelesperma longipes 0–1 – Hopi tea greenthread THME Thelesperma megapotamicum 0–1 – pinewoods spiderwort TRPI Tradescantia pinetorum 0–1 – branched noseburn TRRA5 Tragia ramosa 0–1 – Fort Huachuca vervain VEGR2 Verbena gracilis 0–1 – 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 – copper zephyrlily ZELO Zephyranthes longifolia 0–1 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 0–1 – James' prairie clover DAJA Dalea jamesii 0–1 – coyote gourd CUPA Cucurbita palmata 0–1 – horsetail milkweed ASSU2 Asclepias subverticillata 0–1 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 0–1 – lyreleaf greeneyes BELY Berlandiera lyrata 0–1 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 0–1 – dwarf stickpea CAHUR Calliandra humilis var. reticulata 0–1 – desert mariposa lily CAKE Calochortus kennedyi 0–1 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 0–1 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 0–1 – whitemargin sandmat CHAL11 Chamaesyce albomarginata 0–1 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 0–1 – birdbill dayflower CODI4 Commelina dianthifolia 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 – dwarf milkweed ASIN14 Asclepias involucrata 0–1 – broadleaf milkweed ASLA4 Asclepias latifolia 0–1 – Lemmon's milkweed ASLE13 Asclepias lemmonii 0–1 – woolly locoweed ASMOB Astragalus mollissimus var. bigelovii 0–1 – Mexican yellowshow AMPA3 Amoreuxia palmatifida 0–1 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 0–1 – melon loco APUN Apodanthera undulata 0–1 – small matweed GUDED Guilleminea densa var. densa 0–1 – spreading snakeherb DYSCD Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens 0–1 – Torrey's craglily ECFL Echeandia flavescens 0–1 – shaggy dwarf morning-glory EVNU Evolvulus nuttallianus 0–1 – silver dwarf morning-glory EVSE Evolvulus sericeus 0–1 – Arizona snakecotton FRAR2 Froelichia arizonica 0–1 – scarlet beeblossom GACO5 Gaura coccinea 0–1 – downy prairie clover DANE Dalea neomexicana 0–1 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 0–1 – Mexican fireplant EUHE4 Euphorbia heterophylla 0–1 – sun spurge EURA2 Euphorbia radians 0–1 – lemon beebalm MOCIA Monarda citriodora ssp. austromontana 0–1 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 0–1 – beardlip penstemon PEBA2 Penstemon barbatus 0–1 – Cochise beardtongue PEDA Penstemon dasyphyllus 0–1 – longstalk chinchweed PELO Pectis longipes 0–1 – Parry's beardtongue PEPA24 Penstemon parryi 0–1 – slimleaf bean PHAN3 Phaseolus angustissimus 0–1 – red bluet HORU Houstonia rubra 0–1 – babyslippers HYVE Hybanthus verticillatus 0–1 – ragged nettlespurge JAMA Jatropha macrorhiza 0–1 – San Pedro daisy LAPO4 Lasianthaea podocephala 0–1 – Fendler's bladderpod LEFE Lesquerella fendleri 0–1 – narrowleaf stoneseed LIIN2 Lithospermum incisum 0–1 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 0–1 – Greene's bird's-foot trefoil LOGR4 Lotus greenei 0–1 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 0–1 – 6 Annual Forbs 1–100 longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 1–100 – bitter rubberweed HYOD Hymenoxys odorata 0–50 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 0–25 – curlytop gumweed GRNUA Grindelia nuda var. aphanactis 0–20 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–10 – smallflowered milkvetch ASNU4 Astragalus nuttallianus 0–10 – Thurber's milkvetch ASTH Astragalus thurberi 0–10 – pitseed goosefoot CHBE4 Chenopodium berlandieri 0–10 – New Mexico goosefoot CHNE3 Chenopodium neomexicanum 0–10 – sensitive partridge pea CHNI2 Chamaecrista nictitans 0–10 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–10 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 0–5 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 0–5 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–5 – Abert's buckwheat ERAB2 Eriogonum abertianum 0–5 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–5 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 0–2 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–2 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–2 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 0–2 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 0–2 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–2 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–2 – cryptantha CRYPT Cryptantha 0–1 – Chihuahuan prairie clover DAEX2 Dalea exigua 0–1 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 0–1 – sacred thorn-apple DAWR2 Datura wrightii 0–1 – poorjoe DITE2 Diodia teres 0–1 – miner's lettuce CLPEP Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata 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 – 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 – wheelscale saltbush ATEL Atriplex elegans 0–1 – fewflower beggarticks BILE Bidens leptocephala 0–1 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 0–1 – erect spiderling BOER Boerhavia erecta 0–1 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 0–1 – purple spiderling BOPU Boerhavia purpurascens 0–1 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–1 – crested anoda ANCR2 Anoda cristata 0–1 – southwestern pricklypoppy ARPL3 Argemone pleiacantha 0–1 – halfmoon milkvetch ASAL6 Astragalus allochrous 0–1 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 0–1 – green carpetweed MOVE Mollugo verticillata 0–1 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 0–1 – Arizona phacelia PHAR13 Phacelia arizonica 0–1 – Mangas Spring phacelia PHBO4 Phacelia bombycina 0–1 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–1 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 0–1 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–1 – streptanthella STREP Streptanthella 0–1 – golden crownbeard VEEN Verbesina encelioides 0–1 – purslane PORTU Portulaca 0–1 – yerba porosa PORU6 Porophyllum ruderale 0–1 – desert unicorn-plant PRAL4 Proboscidea althaeifolia 0–1 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 0–1 – Wright's cudweed PSCAC2 Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens 0–1 – Abert's creeping zinnia SAAB Sanvitalia abertii 0–1 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–1 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–1 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–1 – flaxflowered ipomopsis IPLOL Ipomopsis longiflora ssp. longiflora 0–1 – El Paso skyrocket IPTH2 Ipomopsis thurberi 0–1 – plains flax LIPU4 Linum puberulum 0–1 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–1 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 0–1 – shortstem lupine LUBR2 Lupinus brevicaulis 0–1 – bajada lupine LUCOC Lupinus concinnus ssp. concinnus 0–1 – Fendler's desertdandelion MAFE Malacothrix fendleri 0–1 – warty caltrop KAPA Kallstroemia parviflora 0–1 – Coulter's horseweed LACO13 Laennecia coulteri 0–1 – Gordon's bladderpod LEGO Lesquerella gordonii 0–1 – broadleaved pepperweed LELA2 Lepidium latifolium 0–1 – Shrub/Vine7 Dominant half shrubs 1–20 bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 1–10 – fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 0–5 – prairie acacia ACAN Acacia angustissima 0–2 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 0–2 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 0–1 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 0–1 – 9 Miscellaneous shrubs 0–15 catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 0–2 – velvetpod mimosa MIDY Mimosa dysocarpa 0–2 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–2 – burroweed ISTE2 Isocoma tenuisecta 0–1 – pale desert-thorn LYPA Lycium pallidum 0–1 – Sonoran scrub oak QUTU2 Quercus turbinella 0–1 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–1 – threadleaf ragwort SEFLF Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus 0–1 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 0–1 – Pringle manzanita ARPR Arctostaphylos pringlei 0–1 – threadleaf snakeweed GUMI Gutierrezia microcephala 0–1 – 10 Succulents 0–10 walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–2 – pinkflower hedgehog cactus ECFEF3 Echinocereus fendleri ssp. fendleri 0–1 – white fishhook cactus ECIN2 Echinomastus intertextus 0–1 – rainbow hedgehog cactus ECRI3 Echinocereus rigidissimus 0–1 – spinystar ESVI2 Escobaria vivipara 0–1 – Macdougal's nipple cactus MAHEM Mammillaria heyderi var. macdougalii 0–1 – sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 0–1 – cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 0–1 – twistspine pricklypear OPMA2 Opuntia macrorhiza 0–1 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 0–1 – soaptree yucca YUEL Yucca elata 0–1 – Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 0–1 – Parry's agave AGPA4 Agave parryi 0–1 – Tree11 Trees 0–5 alligator juniper JUDE2 Juniperus deppeana 0–5 – oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 0–1 – Table 7. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
The plant community on this site is suitable for grazing by all classes of livestock at any season. The plant community will be low in digestible protein in the winter. Phosphorous may be deficient throughout the year. Grazing should be managed to maintain an effective herbaceous cover. This site can erode easily if perennial grass cover is depleted, because the soil surface is heavy textured and rainfall is high. Annual goldeneye and poison bitterweed can cause poisoning problems after flowering in El Nino years following summer drought. Filaree and a few other winter annuals can cause nitrate poisoning problems in the spring during wet winters at these elevations. Perennial locoweeds can be a serious problem in years with dry springs following a wet fall season.
This site is a primary habitat for pronghorn antelope in southeastern Arizona. Water developments are very important to both large and small wildlife species on this site. Being open grassland and rich in grass and forb species, this site is home to a great variety of insect, bird, small mammal and reptile species. In areas adjacent to wooded bottoms or hill-sites, this site is used as a forage area by mule and Coues whitetail deer and javalina.Hydrological functions
Due to severe soil cracking and churning (producing rough and porous surfaces), this site has high, initial, infiltration rates. It produces runoff only when rain falls (or snow melts) and the soil surface is wet.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, photography, bird watching, camping.
Wood products
None, unless in areas where juniper has invaded and increased.
Other products
Grass seed, wild onions, clay.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 2 in good condition.
Type locality
Location 1: Santa Cruz County, AZ Township/Range/Section T23S R17E S35 General legal description San Rafael State Park, just east of Cameron house. Location 2: Graham County, AZ Township/Range/Section T9S R21E S21 General legal description Eureka Springs Ranch, at T-29 - Safford 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 04/09/2021 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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