Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XB203AZ
Clayey Upland
8-12" p.z.
Last updated: 4/09/2021
Accessed: 09/14/2026
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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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 041X–Madrean Archipelago
AZ 41.2 – Chihuahuan – Sonoran Desert Shrubs
Elevations range from 2600 to 4000 feet and precipitation ranges from 8 to 12 inches per year. Vegetation includes mesquite, palo verde, catclaw acacia, soaptree yucca, creosotebush, whitethorn, staghorn cholla, desert saltbush, Mormon tea, burroweed, snakeweed, tobosa, black grama, threeawns, bush muhly, dropseed, and burrograss. The soil temperature regime is thermic and the soil moisture regime is typic aridic. 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
R041XB202AZ Clayey Swale 8-12" p.z.
R041XB204AZ Clay Loam Upland 8-12" p.z.
R041XB223AZ Basalt Hills 8-12" p.z.
Similar sites
R040XA104AZ Clayey Upland 10"-13" p.z.
R041XC304AZ Clayey Upland 12-16" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Pleuraphis mutica
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the lowest elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs on rolling low ridges, fan terraces, mesas and gently sloping lava flows; usually associated with basalt and andesite mountains.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Lava flow
(2) Fan piedmont
(3) Mesa
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 2600 – 4000 ft Slope 1 – 15 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Precipitation ranges from 8-12 inches annually. More than half falls during Jul-Sep in brief, but often heavy, thunderstorms. The rest of the moisture comes as light rain or snow that falls slowly for a day or more, but rarely lasts more than a day. May and June are normally the driest months. Humidity is generally very low.
Temperatures are mild throughout most of the year. Freezing temperatures are common at night Dec-Feb; brief 0 F may be observed some nights. During June, July & August, some days may exceed 100 F.
In years of average or greater winter precipitation, annual grasses and forbs occur abundantly in the interspaces.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 240 days Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
There are no water features associated with this site.
Soil features
These soils are moderately deep to deep and clayey textured. They have thin (1-2 inch) surface horizons that range from clayloam to silty clay in texture. They exhibit strong vertic soil properties. They can have well developed covers of surface gravels and cobbles. Surface soils (10 inches) are non-calcareous, but some soils have calcic horizons below the argillic horizon.
Soil series mapped on areas of this site include Vekol, Guest and Stellar (un-flooded). THIS SITE is NOT CURRENTLY CORRELATED to a SOIL in ANY SSA in AZTable 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – basalt
Surface texture (1) Gravelly clay loam
(2) Clay loam
(3) Loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately slow to slow Soil depth 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 15 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 1 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)7.5 – 9.6 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 10 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 2 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.4 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 1 % 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 grazing, fire, 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 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
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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
Native Tobosa GrasslandCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityThe native potential plant community on this site is grassland with a scattering of desert shrubs and cacti. Annual forbs and grasses, of both winter and summer seasons, are very important in the plant community in their respective (wet) seasons. Tobosa is the dominant perennial grass. The cover of shallow rooted grass species, like curly mesquite, fluctuate widely from wet to dry years.
Figure 3. 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 210 450 695 Forb 5 50 175 Shrub/Vine 2 5 30 Total 217 505 900 Table 6. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 0% Grass/grasslike basal cover 0-10% Forb basal cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0-10% Litter 20-60% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 10-40% Surface fragments >3" 0-20% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 10-70% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – 0-1% 10-20% 1-15% >0.5 <= 1 – 0-2% 10-25% 1-10% >1 <= 2 – 0-1% 10-20% 0-2% >2 <= 4.5 – 0-1% 0-5% 0-1% >4.5 <= 13 – – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4121 , 41.2 7-12" p.z. all sites. Growth begins in the late winter to early spring, semi-dormancy occurs during the May through 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 5 5 10 0 0 25 30 15 5 5 0 State 2
Annual Forbs & GrassesCommunity 2.1
AnnualsThis state occurs where the cover of tobosa has been depleted due to the interactions of fire, drought and continuous grazing. Native and non-native annual grasses and forbs. Tobosa will not recruit back into the plant community because it lacks seed persistence in the soil seed bank. Other causes for this state could include cultivation for irrigation and subsequent abandonment, and burning during severe drought resulting in high mortality of tobosa.
State 3
Mesquite, tobosaCommunity 3.1
Mesquite, tobosaThis state occurs where mesquite has invaded and increased in the plant community. Mesquite cover ranges from 2 to 10%, and trees are well established and will sprout readily after fire. Tobosa cover is still intact and production is high.
State 4
Eroded, with or w/o mesquiteCommunity 4.1
ErodedThis state occurs where the interaction of fire, drought and continuous grazing has depleted the cover of tobosa and caused compaction and trailing. Other causes, on a limited scale, include the diversion of overland flow and concentration of runoff by roads, culverts and borrow ditches. Rill and gully erosion has left a drainage
Transition T1B
State 1 to 2continuous heavy grazing (managing for annuals), burning (to freshen tobosa) plus CHG, hay mowing, cultivation and abandonment
Transition T1A
State 1 to 3proximity to seed source, introduction of seeds
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Prescribed grazing/no grazing, seeding or planting of tobosa and vine mesquite, mechanical land treatment (ripping, contouring)
Transition T2A
State 2 to 4continuous heavy grazing, interruption of overland flow, diversion of runoff; severe soil compaction from traffic (livestock or equipment)
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1Brush management, prescribed grazing/no grazing
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4continuous heavy grazing coupled with drought and/or burning
Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 2mechanical control of rills and gullies, prescribed grazing/no grazing
Restoration pathway R4B
State 4 to 3Brush management, seeding or planting of tobosa, mechanical control of rills and gullies, prescribed grazing/no grazing
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 Grass 200–400 tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 200–400 – 2 Miscellaneous Perennial Grasses 5–75 curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 0–30 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 5–20 – burrograss SCBR2 Scleropogon brevifolius 0–10 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–10 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 0–10 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 0–10 – sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 0–10 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 0–10 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 0–10 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 0–5 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 0–2 – 3 Perennial threeawns 0–20 Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 0–15 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 0–5 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 0–5 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 0–2 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 0–2 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 0–2 – 4 Annual grasses 5–200 little barley HOPU Hordeum pusillum 1–100 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 1–100 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 1–50 – Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 0–30 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 1–25 – sticky sprangletop LEVI5 Leptochloa viscida 0–25 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 1–25 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–20 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–20 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–15 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 1–10 – witchgrass PACA6 Panicum capillare 0–10 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 0–5 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–5 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 0–5 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–5 – desert lovegrass ERPEM Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima 0–5 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–5 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 0–5 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–2 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–2 – Forb5 Perennial Forbs 5–25 dwarf desertpeony ACNA2 Acourtia nana 1–10 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 0–5 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–5 – Indian rushpea HOGL2 Hoffmannseggia glauca 1–5 – desert globemallow SPAM2 Sphaeralcea ambigua 1–5 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 0–5 – slender poreleaf POGR5 Porophyllum gracile 1–5 – Coues' cassia SECO10 Senna covesii 0–1 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – pricklyleaf dogweed THAC Thymophylla acerosa 0–1 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 0–1 – ragged nettlespurge JAMA Jatropha macrorhiza 0–1 – San Pedro daisy LAPO4 Lasianthaea podocephala 0–1 – Parry's false prairie-clover MAPA7 Marina parryi 0–1 – lacy tansyaster MAPIP4 Machaeranthera pinnatifida ssp. pinnatifida var. pinnatifida 0–1 – plains blackfoot MELE2 Melampodium leucanthum 0–1 – wishbone-bush MILAV Mirabilis laevis var. villosa 0–1 – desert tobacco NIOB Nicotiana obtusifolia 0–1 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 0–1 – narrowleaf silverbush ARLA12 Argythamnia lanceolata 0–1 – New Mexico silverbush ARNE2 Argythamnia neomexicana 0–1 – perennial rockcress ARPE2 Arabis perennans 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 – desert mariposa lily CAKE Calochortus kennedyi 0–1 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 0–1 – whitemargin sandmat CHAL11 Chamaesyce albomarginata 0–1 – leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 0–1 – fingerleaf gourd CUDI Cucurbita digitata 0–1 – coyote gourd CUPA Cucurbita palmata 0–1 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–1 – desert trumpet ERIN4 Eriogonum inflatum 0–1 – southwestern mock vervain GLGO Glandularia gooddingii 0–1 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 0–1 – poreleaf dogweed ADPO2 Adenophyllum porophyllum 0–1 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 0–1 – largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–1 – 6 Annual forbs 0–150 California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–25 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 0–20 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–20 – desert Indianwheat PLOV Plantago ovata 0–20 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 0–20 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 0–15 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 0–15 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 0–15 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 0–15 – bristly fiddleneck AMTE3 Amsinckia tessellata 0–15 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–10 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–10 – Coulter's lupine LUSP2 Lupinus sparsiflorus 0–10 – manybristle chinchweed PEPA2 Pectis papposa 0–10 – New Mexico plumeseed RANE Rafinesquia neomexicana 0–5 – Nuttall's povertyweed MONU Monolepis nuttalliana 0–5 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 0–5 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 0–5 – Texas stork's bill ERTE13 Erodium texanum 0–5 – Gordon's bladderpod LEGO Lesquerella gordonii 0–5 – longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 0–5 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–5 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–5 – flatcrown buckwheat ERDE6 Eriogonum deflexum 0–5 – cryptantha CRYPT Cryptantha 0–5 – pitseed goosefoot CHBE4 Chenopodium berlandieri 0–5 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–5 – wheelscale saltbush ATEL Atriplex elegans 0–5 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 0–5 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–5 – white tackstem CAWR Calycoseris wrightii 0–2 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–2 – brittle spineflower CHBR Chorizanthe brevicornu 0–2 – hyssopleaf sandmat CHHY3 Chamaesyce hyssopifolia 0–2 – Esteve's pincushion CHST Chaenactis stevioides 0–2 – hairy prairie clover DAMO Dalea mollis 0–2 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 0–2 – Arizona lupine LUAR4 Lupinus arizonicus 0–2 – hairy desertsunflower GECA2 Geraea canescens 0–2 – star gilia GIST Gilia stellata 0–2 – woolly tidestromia TILA2 Tidestromia lanuginosa 0–2 – woollyhead neststraw STMI2 Stylocline micropoides 0–2 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–2 – green carpetweed MOVE Mollugo verticillata 0–2 – phacelia PHACE Phacelia 0–2 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 0–2 – Florida pellitory PAFL3 Parietaria floridana 0–2 – chia SACO6 Salvia columbariae 0–1 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–1 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 0–1 – bristly nama NAHI Nama hispidum 0–1 – glandular threadplant NEGL Nemacladus glanduliferus 0–1 – Fendler's desertdandelion MAFE Malacothrix fendleri 0–1 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 0–1 – Coulter's globemallow SPCO2 Sphaeralcea coulteri 0–1 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 0–1 – sand fringepod THCU Thysanocarpus curvipes 0–1 – tumblemustard THELY3 Thelypodiopsis 0–1 – Mexican fireplant EUHE4 Euphorbia heterophylla 0–1 – common woolly sunflower ERLA6 Eriophyllum lanatum 0–1 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 0–1 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–1 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–1 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–1 – exserted Indian paintbrush CAEXE Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta 0–1 – yellow tackstem CAPA7 Calycoseris parryi 0–1 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 0–1 – southwestern pricklypoppy ARPL3 Argemone pleiacantha 0–1 – annual agoseris AGHE2 Agoseris heterophylla 0–1 – Shrub/Vine7 Miscellaneous Shrubs 0–10 fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–5 – western honey mesquite PRGLT Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana 0–5 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 0–1 – whitethorn acacia ACCO2 Acacia constricta 0–1 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 0–1 – spiny hackberry CEEH Celtis ehrenbergiana 0–1 – longleaf jointfir EPTR Ephedra trifurca 0–1 – American tarwort FLCE Flourensia cernua 0–1 – creosote bush LATR2 Larrea tridentata 0–1 – water jacket LYAN Lycium andersonii 0–1 – pale desert-thorn LYPA Lycium pallidum 0–1 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 0–1 – 8 Half shrubs 1–10 bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 0–5 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–2 – fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 0–2 – turpentine bush ERLA12 Ericameria laricifolia 0–1 – burroweed ISTE2 Isocoma tenuisecta 0–1 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 0–1 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 0–1 – rough menodora MESC Menodora scabra 0–1 – threadleaf snakeweed GUMI Gutierrezia microcephala 0–1 – 9 Succulents 1–10 tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–5 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 0–2 – soaptree yucca YUEL Yucca elata 0–2 – cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 0–2 – Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 0–2 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–2 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 0–1 – devil's cholla GRKU Grusonia kunzei 0–1 – buck-horn cholla CYAC8 Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa 0–1 – 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 (%) Table 11. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site produces some perennial forage for livestock. Tobosa is very poor quality forage when cured and only fair forage when green. In wet (El Nino) winters the site produces a tremendous amount of annual forbs and grasses, all of which are excellent forage. The site is home to a variety of small mammals and grassland bird species and their associated predators. It is mainly a foraging area for larger mammals like mule deer and javalina.
Hydrological functions
These soils are heavy textured and good producers of runoff.
Recreational uses
Hunting, horseback riding, hiking, wildlife observation, photography, rock hounding and bird watching.
Other products
Red clay for pot making. Herbs like grass nuts, wild onions and hog potatos.
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 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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