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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 41.2 – 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
R041XB207AZ Limy Slopes 8-12" p.z.
R041XB208AZ Limy Upland 8-12" p.z.
R041XB210AZ Loamy Upland 8-12" p.z.
R041XB215AZ Sandy Loam Upland 8-12" p.z.
Similar sites
R040XA115AZ Sandy Wash 10"-13" p.z.
R041XC316AZ Sandy Wash 12-16" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Prosopis
(2) Acacia greggiiShrub Not specified
Herbaceous Not specified
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the lowest elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs on floodplains, low stream terraces, in canyons and on alluvial fans. It benefits on a regular basis from extra moisture received as over-bank flooding of channels and as runoff from adjacent upland areas. It does not benefit from shallow water tables.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Flood plain
(2) Stream terrace
(3) Canyon
Flooding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) Flooding frequency Occasional to frequent Ponding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) Ponding frequency None to rare Elevation 2600 – 4000 ft Slope 0 – 3 % 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) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 0 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 very young soils on gravelly and sandy alluvium of mixed origin. They are deep and well drained. Surface textures range from gravelly sand to loamy fine sand. Sub-soils are sandy loam and loamy sands with various amounts of gravel and/or cobbles. Although course textures make for low available water holding capacities, plant-soil moisture relationships are very good due to extra moisture the site receives. Soil surfaces, outside of channel areas, are light colored.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-662 Safford area MU's AlB AmA AnA ApB & AtA Anthony, AtA Gila, AuA AvA AvB AwA & AzA Arizo, Br & Bt Brazito, Cm & Co Comoro, Cn Comoro Mottled Variant, Gv Gravelly alluvial land, and Ma & Mr Maricopa; SSA-664 San Simon area MU's 1 Anthony and 2 Arizo; SSA-666 Cochise county Northwest part MU's 3 Maricopa and 65 Queencreek; SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU's 2 Maricopa and 3 Arizo family; SSA-675 San Carlos IR area MU's 4 & 5 Anthony, 60 Queencreek & Brazito.Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Gravelly sandy loam
(2) Gravelly loamy fine sand
(3) Very gravelly loamy sand
Family particle size (1) Sandy
Drainage class Somewhat excessively drained to well drained Permeability class Rapid to moderately rapid Soil depth 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 5 – 35 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 10 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)2.4 – 6 in 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)7.4 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 45 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 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 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.
The potential plant community on this site is a diverse mixture of native perennial grasses, shrubs, vines, trees and annual forbs and grasses. Smaller drainage-ways are dominated by desert trees like mesquite, desert willow and catclaw acacia. Larger washes and canyons will have a higher percentage of broadleaf trees like ash, walnut and netleaf hackberry.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. State and Transition, Sandy Wash 8-12" pz.
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 1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityThe potential plant community of this site is a diverse mixture of perennial grasses, forbs, vines, trees and shrubs. Annual forbs and grasses of both the warm and cool seasons are well represented in the plant community. The major grass, forb and shrub species on the site are well dispersed throughout the plant community. Tree canopy cover ranges from 10 to 20% in the potential plant community.
With continuous heavy grazing, palatable mid-grasses decline and species such as Rothrock grama and annuals increase. With severe deterioration, woody species increase to dominate the plant community. Mesquite, with lesser amounts of catclaw acacia and desert willow, form the over-story and burroweed, jimmyweed and snakeweed dominates the under-story. Active channel areas are dominated by shrubs like burrobrush and desert broom. The site is very susceptible to gully, channel and bank erosion, especially where it has deteriorated to shrubby conditions and where depleted watershed areas are contributing larger than normal amounts of runoff. The lowering of the base level of the axial stream of a watershed will eventually cause channeling of the site. Deeply channeled areas will no longer flood the stream terraces of this site. Due to deep, course textured soils and extra moisture received as flooding, trees grow to maximum size on the site. This site can produce effective herbaceous covers with tree canopies up to 20%.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 410 1000 1500 Tree 300 500 800 Forb 40 100 550 Shrub/Vine 75 200 300 Total 825 1800 3150 Figure 6. 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
Understory exoticsCommunity 2.1
Understory exoticsThis state exists where exotic perennial and annual grasses and forbs have invaded from adjacent areas to become dominant in the under-story. These species include bermuda grass, red brome, foxtail barley, barnyard grass, London rocket, filaree, tumbleweed, Sahara mustard and malva.
These species usually have little effect on the over-story tree and large shrub component of the plant community. They do, however, greatly limit the diversity of native grasses and forbs.State 3
ErodedCommunity 3.1
ErodedThis state occurs where poor condition watersheds yield excessive amounts of runoff causing erosion of the channel areas. As channels deepen, the low stream terraces no longer receive extra water from flooding and stream-bank erosion enlarges the area of river-wash. Down-cutting of major stream systems can contribute to this situation in areas where sandy bottoms are tributary to the main stream. The woody component of the plant community usually remains intact but the herbaceous component becomes dominated by half-shrubs and annuals.
Poor condition watersheds can also destabilize the sandy bottom site by adding more sediment than the system can handle, causing channels to move and cut through new areas on the floodplain.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 300–600 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 100–300 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 25–200 – big sacaton SPWR2 Sporobolus wrightii 0–200 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 15–100 – spike dropseed SPCO4 Sporobolus contractus 25–100 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 5–100 – 2 Suffrutescent grasses 50–300 bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 50–200 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 15–150 – Santa Rita threeawn ARCAG Aristida californica var. glabrata 0–50 – 3 Miscellaneous grasses 50–100 spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 20–50 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 10–50 – tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 0–50 – deergrass MURI2 Muhlenbergia rigens 0–50 – whiplash pappusgrass PAVA2 Pappophorum vaginatum 0–50 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–25 – squirreltail ELELE Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides 5–25 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 0–25 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 0–25 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 0–25 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–25 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 0–25 – Orcutt's threeawn ARSCO Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana 0–25 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 0–25 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 0–15 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 0–15 – alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 0–15 – mesa dropseed SPFL2 Sporobolus flexuosus 0–10 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 0–10 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 0–5 – blue threeawn ARPUN Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi 0–5 – sedge CAREX Carex 0–5 – low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 0–5 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 0–5 – bulb panicgrass PABU Panicum bulbosum 0–5 – knotgrass PADI6 Paspalum distichum 0–5 – 4 Annual grasses 10–400 prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 1–100 – Parry's grama BOPA2 Bouteloua parryi 0–100 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 1–100 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–50 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 0–50 – Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 0–50 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 1–50 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–50 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 1–50 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 0–25 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 0–25 – Arizona barley HOAR Hordeum arizonicum 0–25 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 0–25 – desert lovegrass ERPEM Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima 0–25 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 0–20 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–10 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–10 – sweet tanglehead HEME Heteropogon melanocarpus 0–10 – Mexican lovegrass ERME Eragrostis mexicana 0–10 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–10 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–10 – witchgrass PACA6 Panicum capillare 0–10 – Forb5 Perennial forbs 20–100 weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–35 – redstar IPCO3 Ipomoea coccinea 0–30 – canaigre dock RUHY Rumex hymenosepalus 5–30 – Lemmon's ragwort SELE8 Senecio lemmonii 1–25 – desert globemallow SPAM2 Sphaeralcea ambigua 1–25 – gooseberryleaf globemallow SPGR2 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia 0–25 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 1–25 – Trans-Pecos thimblehead HYWI Hymenothrix wislizeni 1–25 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 1–25 – climbing wartclub BOSC Boerhavia scandens 1–25 – Thurber's cotton GOTH Gossypium thurberi 0–25 – fingerleaf gourd CUDI Cucurbita digitata 1–15 – coyote gourd CUPA Cucurbita palmata 0–15 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 0–15 – Gila manroot MAGI Marah gilensis 0–15 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 1–15 – desert tobacco NIOB Nicotiana obtusifolia 0–10 – variableleaf bushbean MAGI2 Macroptilium gibbosifolium 0–10 – Parry's beardtongue PEPA24 Penstemon parryi 0–10 – mesquite mistletoe PHCA8 Phoradendron californicum 1–10 – hairy fournwort TENE Tetramerium nervosum 0–10 – perennial rockcress ARPE2 Arabis perennans 0–10 – Arizona foldwing DIRE4 Dicliptera resupinata 0–10 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–10 – fringed twinevine FUCYC Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. cynanchoides 0–10 – southwestern mock vervain GLGO Glandularia gooddingii 0–10 – small matweed GUDE Guilleminea densa 0–5 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 0–5 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 0–5 – Coulter's lyrepod LYCO4 Lyrocarpa coulteri 0–5 – roving sailor MAAN9 Maurandella antirrhiniflora 0–5 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 0–5 – Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 0–5 – Missouri gourd CUFO Cucurbita foetidissima 0–5 – desert marigold BAMU Baileya multiradiata 0–5 – Arizona wrightwort CAAR7 Carlowrightia arizonica 0–5 – skeletonweed CHAET Chaetadelpha 0–5 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 0–5 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–5 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 0–5 – tarragon ARDR4 Artemisia dracunculus 0–5 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 0–5 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 0–5 – Louisiana vetch VILU Vicia ludoviciana 0–5 – slimleaf bean PHAN3 Phaseolus angustissimus 0–5 – Wright's cudweed PSCAC2 Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens 0–5 – Colorado Desert mistletoe PHMA18 Phoradendron macrophyllum 0–5 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 0–5 – sweet four o'clock MILO2 Mirabilis longiflora 0–5 – Coulter's wrinklefruit TECO Tetraclea coulteri 0–5 – ragged nettlespurge JAMA Jatropha macrorhiza 0–2 – velvetseed milkwort POOB Polygala obscura 0–2 – shrubby purslane POSU3 Portulaca suffrutescens 0–2 – ivyleaf groundcherry PHHE4 Physalis hederifolia 0–2 – jewels of Opar TAPA2 Talinum paniculatum 0–2 – New Mexico fanpetals SINE Sida neomexicana 0–2 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–2 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–2 – New Mexico silverbush ARNE2 Argythamnia neomexicana 0–2 – Palmer's Indian mallow ABPA Abutilon palmeri 0–2 – dwarf desertpeony ACNA2 Acourtia nana 0–2 – lyreleaf greeneyes BELY Berlandiera lyrata 0–2 – Watson's dutchman's pipe ARWA Aristolochia watsonii 0–2 – desert larkspur DEPA Delphinium parishii 0–2 – 6 Annual forbs 20–450 carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 1–100 – bristly fiddleneck AMTE3 Amsinckia tessellata 1–100 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 1–50 – goosefoot CHENO Chenopodium 1–50 – longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 1–50 – longleaf false goldeneye HELOL Heliomeris longifolia var. longifolia 0–50 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 0–50 – Thurber's morning-glory IPTH Ipomoea thurberi 0–50 – sensitive partridge pea CHNI2 Chamaecrista nictitans 1–35 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 1–35 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 1–30 – wheelscale saltbush ATEL Atriplex elegans 0–25 – fewflower beggarticks BILE Bidens leptocephala 1–25 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 1–25 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 1–25 – phacelia PHACE Phacelia 1–25 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 1–20 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 1–20 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 0–20 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 1–20 – cryptantha CRYPT Cryptantha 1–20 – common sunflower HEAN3 Helianthus annuus 0–20 – woolly tidestromia TILA2 Tidestromia lanuginosa 0–20 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–15 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 1–15 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 1–10 – California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–10 – horseweed CONYZ Conyza 0–10 – Florida pellitory PAFL3 Parietaria floridana 0–10 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 0–10 – sweet four o'clock MILO2 Mirabilis longiflora 0–10 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 0–10 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–10 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 1–10 – purslane PORTU Portulaca 0–10 – chia SACO6 Salvia columbariae 0–10 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–10 – ragwort SENEC Senecio 0–10 – streamside bur cucumber SIAM Sicyos ampelophyllus 0–10 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 1–10 – climbing arrowheads SIGR Sicyosperma gracile 0–10 – cutleaf bur cucumber SILA Sicyos laciniatus 0–10 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 0–10 – manybristle chinchweed PEPA2 Pectis papposa 0–5 – golden crownbeard VEEN Verbesina encelioides 0–5 – sand fringepod THCU Thysanocarpus curvipes 0–5 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 0–5 – desert unicorn-plant PRAL4 Proboscidea althaeifolia 0–5 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 0–5 – New Mexico plumeseed RANE Rafinesquia neomexicana 0–5 – desert Indianwheat PLOV Plantago ovata 0–5 – minerslettuce MONTI Montia 0–5 – Nuttall's povertyweed MONU Monolepis nuttalliana 0–5 – green carpetweed MOVE Mollugo verticillata 0–5 – Mexican passionflower PAME2 Passiflora mexicana 0–5 – Arizona lupine LUAR4 Lupinus arizonicus 0–5 – Coulter's lupine LUSP2 Lupinus sparsiflorus 0–5 – cutleaf cyclanthera CYDI Cyclanthera dissecta 0–5 – Palmer's spectaclepod DICA31 Dimorphocarpa candicans 0–5 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–5 – sanddune wallflower ERCA14 Erysimum capitatum 0–5 – lobed tickseed COAU Coreopsis auriculata 0–5 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–5 – spurge EUPHO Euphorbia 1–5 – beeblossom GAURA Gaura 0–5 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–5 – warty caltrop KAPA Kallstroemia parviflora 0–5 – Gordon's bladderpod LEGO Lesquerella gordonii 0–5 – southwestern pricklypoppy ARPL3 Argemone pleiacantha 0–5 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–5 – star gilia GIST Gilia stellata 0–2 – blanketflower GAILL Gaillardia 0–2 – Texas stork's bill ERTE13 Erodium texanum 0–2 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–2 – Fendler's desertdandelion MAFE Malacothrix fendleri 0–2 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–2 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 0–2 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 0–2 – rough cocklebur XAST Xanthium strumarium 0–2 – Shrub/Vine7 Riverwash shrubs 25–150 rubber rabbitbrush ERNAL Ericameria nauseosa ssp. consimilis var. leiosperma 0–100 – singlewhorl burrobrush HYMO Hymenoclea monogyra 1–100 – clasping milkweed ASAM Asclepias amplexicaulis 3–38 – fingerleaf gourd CUDI Cucurbita digitata 3–38 – Missouri gourd CUFO Cucurbita foetidissima 3–38 – coyote gourd CUPA Cucurbita palmata 3–38 – pricklyburr DAIN2 Datura inoxia 3–38 – Gila manroot MAGI Marah gilensis 3–38 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 3–38 – ambrosia leaf bur ragweed AMAM2 Ambrosia ambrosioides 0–25 – desertbroom BASA2 Baccharis sarothroides 1–20 – mule-fat BASA4 Baccharis salicifolia 0–20 – burroweed ISTE2 Isocoma tenuisecta 1–20 – sweetbush BEJU Bebbia juncea 0–15 – 8 Miscellaneous shrubs 50–150 fringed twinevine FUCYC Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. cynanchoides 1–25 – desert-thorn LYCIU Lycium 1–25 – whitethorn acacia ACCO2 Acacia constricta 0–25 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 1–25 – littleleaf sumac RHMI3 Rhus microphylla 0–25 – Thurber's desert honeysuckle ANTH2 Anisacanthus thurberi 0–20 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–20 – Drummond's clematis CLDR Clematis drummondii 1–20 – Apache plume FAPA Fallugia paradoxa 0–20 – desert olive FOSH Forestiera shrevei 0–15 – knifeleaf condalia COSP3 Condalia spathulata 0–15 – Warnock's snakewood COWA Condalia warnockii 0–15 – Coulter's brickellbush BRCO Brickellia coulteri 0–15 – fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 0–10 – Kearney's snakewood COWAK Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana 0–10 – shortleaf baccharis BABR Baccharis brachyphylla 0–10 – California brickellbush BRCA3 Brickellia californica 0–10 – longleaf jointfir EPTR Ephedra trifurca 0–10 – bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 0–10 – Texas mulberry MOMI Morus microphylla 0–10 – sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 0–10 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–10 – threadleaf ragwort SEFLF Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus 0–10 – canyon grape VIAR2 Vitis arizonica 0–10 – soaptree yucca YUEL Yucca elata 1–10 – Thurber's sandpaper plant PETH4 Petalonyx thurberi 0–5 – Parish's goldeneye VIPA14 Viguiera parishii 0–5 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 0–5 – American threefold TRCA8 Trixis californica 0–5 – cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 0–5 – Schott's yellowhood NISC Nissolia schottii 0–5 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 0–5 – velvetpod mimosa MIDY Mimosa dysocarpa 0–5 – sorrelvine CITR2 Cissus trifoliata 0–5 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 0–5 – Wright's beebrush ALWR Aloysia wrightii 0–5 – common sotol DAWH2 Dasylirion wheeleri 0–2 – Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 0–2 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 0–2 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–2 – Tree9 Dominant trees 300–800 mesquite PROSO Prosopis 200–500 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 50–200 – blue paloverde PAFL6 Parkinsonia florida 0–100 – Jerusalem thorn PAAC3 Parkinsonia aculeata 0–50 – netleaf hackberry CELAR Celtis laevigata var. reticulata 0–50 – desert willow CHLI2 Chilopsis linearis 0–50 – velvet ash FRVE2 Fraxinus velutina 0–25 – Arizona walnut JUMA Juglans major 0–25 – western soapberry SASAD Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii 0–25 – American black elderberry SANIC4 Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis 0–20 – Arizona sycamore PLWR2 Platanus wrightii 0–15 – narrowleaf willow SAEX Salix exigua 0–15 – Fremont cottonwood POFR2 Populus fremontii 0–10 – oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 0–10 – 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 (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site produces a wide variety of good quality forage and is usable at any season by all classes of cattle. It usually occurs as small inclusions within large areas of upland range sites. Having a good variety of forage species, shade, and occasional water, this site will be overused in the summer growing season before proper use is made of adjacent upland areas. For this reason, grazing systems must be used to allow recovery of herbaceous forage species on this site. The site produces a good variety of valuable browse for spring and fall use.
Occurring as occasional wooded strips through large areas of open uplands, this site is a haven for wildlife, especially in the heat of the summer season. Water is available occasionally in the spring and again in the summer. Water developments are very important for wildlife species using this site.Hydrological functions
These sandy floodplains are extremely important for ground-water recharge in upland basins. Deep, very coarse textured soils allow water to percolate to great depths after runoff from large storms.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, bird-watching, camping, photography and picknicing.
Wood products
Mesquite and catclaw acacia furnish limited fuel-wood and posts. The importance of large trees on this site for wildlife should limit the fuel-wood uses to deadwood and driftwood.
Other products
Sand, magnetite.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 2 in fair condition.
Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. EllicottRangeland 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) Wilma Renken, Dan Robinett, Larry Humphrey Contact for lead author USDA-NRCS Tucson MLRA Soil Survey Date 12/12/2012 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
None -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Sandy stream channels braid through the site and occupy 35% of the area. Channel depth ranges from 6-12 inches and floodplain areas receive extra water as overbank flow in moderate and large run-off events. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals are common on all longer lived grasses and sub-shrubs and are from 1-3 inches in height. Pedestals are common on large shrubs and range from 6-12 inches high (from rodent activity, erosion and sedimentation). Terracettes are uncommon on the site. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground from a point cover transect (300 pts) run on site was 41%. Gravel cover was 6% and basal cover of live perennial plants was 1%. Bare areas (outside braided channels), often masked by annuals, are 3-4’ in diameter, generally connected. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Both fine and coarse litter size classes are staying in place. In channels, all litter size classes are moving except large woody debris which catches in low growing tree branches. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Values from a soil slake test average 1.7. Soils are very sandy. There is no difference between areas without canopy and shrub canopy areas. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
A horizon is 8 inches thick, single-grained. Colors are 7.5 YR 6/4 dry and 7.5 YR 4/4 moist. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Trees and large shrubs are well distributed on site (20-30% canopy cover), sub-shrubs scattered across site (0-3% canopy cover), perennial grasses show a general association with trees and shrubs with scattered plants across site (10-12% canopy cover), annual grasses and forbs fluctuate with weather patterns. General hydrologic functioning: the perennial grasses slow/reduce the energy of surface run-off and promote infiltration; trees and shrubs deter surface water flow without slowing its energy. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None present. -
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:
Dom.Mid-Grasses = Trees >>Sub-dominant:
Suffrutescent Grasses >Misc.Per.Grasses > Riverwash Shrubs = Misc. Shrubs > AnnualsOther:
Additional:
Annual grasses and forbs fluctuate within ranking based on seasonal precipitation. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Mortality due to drought (2009 and very dry winter spring of 2011) is high on perennial grasses and sub-shrubs. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
From the pace frequency transect (300 pts.) litter cover was 50% on this date. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
825 lbs/ac. in a below average year; 1800 lbs/ac. in an average year; 3150 lbs/ac. in an above average year. -
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:
Mesquite is native to site and has not increased in size or density. From transects mesquite canopy is 11% and density is 80 plants/ac. Catclaw acacia has 11% canopy on this site. Other invasive/non-native species: Enneapogon cenchroides (softfeather pappusgrass), Bermuda, mustard, foxtail. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Slightly impaired by drought on perennial grass and sub-shrub species.
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