Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XC303AZ
Clayey Slopes
12-16" p.z.
Last updated: 8/06/2020
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.
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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 41.3 – Chihuahuan – Sonoran Semidesert Grasslands
Elevations range from 3200 to 5000 feet and precipitation ranges from 12 to 16 inches per year. Vegetation includes mesquite, catclaw acacia, netleaf hackberry, palo verde, false mesquite, range ratany, fourwing saltbush, tarbush, littleleaf sumac, sideoats grama, black grama, plains lovegrass, cane beardgrass, tobosa, vine mesquite, threeawns, Arizona cottontop and bush muhly. The soil temperature regime is thermic and the soil moisture regime is ustic 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
R041XC304AZ Clayey Upland 12-16" p.z.
R041XC305AZ Clay Loam Upland 12-16" p.z.
R041XC312AZ Loamy Bottom 12-16" p.z.
R041XC313AZ Loamy Upland 12"-16" p.z.
Similar sites
R041XB216AZ Clayey Slopes 8-12" p.z.
R041XA118AZ Clayey Slopes 16"-20" p.z.
R040XA103AZ Clayey Slopes 10"-13" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) bouteloua curtipendula
(2) pleuraphis muticaPhysiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in Southeastern Arizona. It occurs on hill-slopes and ridge-tops. Slope aspect is site differentiating at elevations near land resource area boundaries.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Ridge
(3) Scarp slope
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 3300 – 5000 ft Slope 15 – 45 % Aspect N, E, S Climatic features
Precipitation in this common resource area ranges from 12-16 inches yearly in the eastern part with elevations from 3600-5000 feet, and 13-17 inches in the western part where elevations are 3300-4500 feet. Winter-Summer rainfall ratios are 40-60% in the west and 30-70% in the east. Summer rains fall July-September, originate in the Gulf of Mexico and are convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Cool season moisture tends to be frontal, originate in the Pacific and Gulf of California, and falls in widespread storms with long duration and low intensity. Snow rarely lasts more than one day. May and June are the driest months of the year. Humidity is generally very low.
Temperatures are mild. Freezing temperatures are common at night from December-April; however temperatures during the day are frequently above 50 F. Occasionally in December-February, brief 0 F temperatures may be experienced some nights. During June, July and August, some days may exceed 100 F.
Cool season plants start growth in early spring and mature in early summer. Warm season plants take advantage of summer rains and are growing and nutritious July-September. Warm season grasses may remain green throughout the year.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 220 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 moderately deep to deep soils formed on old lakebed sediments or dissected alluvium of mixed origin. They are non-calcareous in the surface 10 inches. They may have calcic horizons at moderate depths. They have thin (1-2 inch) loamy textured surfaces over clayey subsoil. Surfaces can have well-developed covers of gravels and/or cobbles. Soil surfaces are dark colored. Plant-soil moisture relationships are fair to good.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 Eastern Pinal & southern Gila counties MU 38 Sontag; SSA-663 Gila-Duncan area MU's 23 Limpia & 38 Signal.Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very gravelly loam
(2) Very gravelly clay loam
(3) Gravelly clay
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Slow Soil depth 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 10 – 45 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 8 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)4.2 – 6 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)10 – 25 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 2 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.6 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)10 – 50 % 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.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. State and Transition, Clayey Slopes 12-16" 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 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 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 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. Shrubs and perennial forbs are well represented on the site. The major perennial grasses, except tobosa and vine mesquite, are well dispersed throughout the plant community. These two species occur in patches of various sizes that may not be well dispersed over larger areas of the site. The aspect is shrub-dotted grassland.
With continuous heavy grazing, the more palatable species are taken out of the plant community. Tobosa is left. Species like broom snakeweed, mesquite, and prickly pear and annual forbs and grasses will increase to dominate the plant community. Curly mesquite can increase under moderate yearlong use and form sod areas of considerable extent. Due to heavy surface textures and steep slopes, this site can become an inefficient user of intense summer rainfall when the perennial grass cover has been greatly reduced. Natural fire may have been important in the development of the potential 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 335 700 950 Forb 20 50 200 Shrub/Vine 40 100 175 Total 395 850 1325 Table 6. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike basal cover 10-20% Forb basal cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0-0% Biological crusts 0-10% Litter 20-40% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 10-50% Surface fragments >3" 0-10% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 20-30% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – 1-10% 1-5% >0.5 <= 1 – 1-5% 5-10% 1-20% >1 <= 2 – 1-5% 20-40% 0-5% >2 <= 4.5 – 0-2% 0-10% 0-1% >4.5 <= 13 – 0-1% – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4131 , 41.3 12-16" p.z. hill sites. 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 5 10 10 0 30 30 10 5 0 0 State 2
Mesquite, native grassCommunity 2.1
Mesquite, native grass
Figure 7. Clayey Slopes 12-16" pz. mesquite, native grass
Mesquite invades or increases in the absence of fire for long periods of time. Other shrubs like prickly pear, snakeweed and burroweed can increase. Native perennial grasses still dominate the herbaceous layer; especially tobosa and curly mesquite.
State 3
Annual forbs and grassesCommunity 3.1
Annual forbs and grassesThe interactions of fire, drought and continuous grazing act to remove perennial grasses from the community. Annuals, both native and non-native dominate the plant community. Some soil compaction has occurred and sheet erosion has accelerated.
State 4
Eroded, w/wo mesquiteCommunity 4.1
Eroded, w/wo mesquiteSevere soil compaction and trailing due to continuous livestock use has resulted in rill and gully erosion on steep slopes; especially where this site has formed on old lakebed sediments. Lakebed alluvium is usually high in gypsum and or salts and very erodible once the surface cover has been removed and compaction and trailing have altered the soil surface hydrology.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Proximity to seed source, introduction of seeds, lack of fire for long periods of time.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Continuous Heavy Grazing (managing for annuals), persistently low perennial grass cover with reduction of A Horizon, Organic Matter and litter, compaction, persistently reduced infiltration.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Herbicide or mechanical means to remove mesquite, other shrubs, succulents. Prescribed Grazing/No Grazing.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 4Continuous Heavy Grazing coupled with drought (or fire), low grass cover, reduction of A Horizon, Organic Matter and litter. Compaction and severe trailing leaving terracettes on hillslopes. Severe sheet, rill and gully erosion on steep hillslopes. Persistently reduced infiltration and very limited recruitment of grass.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 3 to 1Prescribed Grazing/No Grazing, seeding or planting of tobosa and sideoats grama. Possible herbicide control of annuals (unknown).
Transition T2B
State 3 to 2Proximity to seed source, introduction of seeds, lack of fire for long periods of time.
Transition T3B
State 3 to 4Continuous Heavy Grazing coupled with drought (or fire), low grass cover, reduction of A Horizon, Organic Matter and litter. Compaction and severe trailing leaving terracettes on hillslopes. Severe sheet, rill and gully erosion on steep hillslopes. Persistently reduced infiltration and very limited recruitment of grass.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Dominant mid-grasses 250–450 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 100–250 – tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 100–200 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 25–100 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 25–100 – 2 Dominant short grasses 75–250 curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 25–100 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 50–100 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 0–50 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 0–50 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 0–50 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 0–25 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 0–25 – sprucetop grama BOCH Bouteloua chondrosioides 0–25 – 3 Perennial threeawns 7–50 spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 5–20 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 1–15 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 0–15 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 1–15 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 0–10 – blue threeawn ARPUN Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi 0–5 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 0–5 – Havard's threeawn ARHA3 Aristida havardii 0–5 – Wooton's threeawn ARPA9 Aristida pansa 0–5 – 4 Miscellaneous perennial grasses 0–50 plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 0–25 – bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 0–25 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–25 – tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 0–20 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 0–20 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–15 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 0–15 – big sacaton SPWR2 Sporobolus wrightii 0–10 – alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 0–10 – burrograss SCBR2 Scleropogon brevifolius 0–10 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–10 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 0–10 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 0–10 – low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 0–5 – Arizona muhly MUAR3 Muhlenbergia arizonica 0–5 – slim tridens TRMU Tridens muticus 0–5 – slender grama BORE2 Bouteloua repens 0–5 – 5 Annual grasses 5–150 Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 0–50 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 1–50 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 1–50 – little barley HOPU Hordeum pusillum 0–25 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 1–25 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 0–25 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 1–15 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 0–15 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 1–15 – desert lovegrass ERPEM Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima 0–10 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–10 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–10 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 0–10 – witchgrass PACA6 Panicum capillare 0–5 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–5 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–5 – tufted lovegrass ERPE Eragrostis pectinacea 0–5 – sticky sprangletop LEVI5 Leptochloa viscida 0–5 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–1 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–1 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 0–1 – Forb6 Perennial Forbs 10–50 desert globemallow SPAM2 Sphaeralcea ambigua 1–15 – Louisiana vetch VILUL2 Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana 0–15 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–10 – Indian rushpea HOGL2 Hoffmannseggia glauca 1–10 – dwarf desertpeony ACNA2 Acourtia nana 1–10 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–10 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 1–10 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 0–10 – small matweed GUDED Guilleminea densa var. densa 0–5 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 0–5 – largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–5 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 0–5 – plains blackfoot MELE2 Melampodium leucanthum 0–5 – Wright's cudweed PSCAC2 Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens 0–5 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 0–2 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 0–2 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 0–2 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 0–2 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 0–2 – perennial rockcress ARPE2 Arabis perennans 0–2 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 0–2 – southwestern mock vervain GLGO Glandularia gooddingii 0–2 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–2 – Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 0–2 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 0–2 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–2 – leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 0–2 – James' prairie clover DAJA Dalea jamesii 0–1 – desert larkspur DEPA Delphinium parishii 0–1 – spreading snakeherb DYSCD Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens 0–1 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 0–1 – Arizona snakecotton FRAR2 Froelichia arizonica 0–1 – beeblossom GAURA Gaura 0–1 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 0–1 – Arizona rosemallow HIBI Hibiscus biseptus 0–1 – desert rosemallow HICO Hibiscus coulteri 0–1 – hairyseed bahia BAAB Bahia absinthifolia 0–1 – desert marigold BAMU Baileya multiradiata 0–1 – lyreleaf greeneyes BELY Berlandiera lyrata 0–1 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 0–1 – Arizona wrightwort CAAR7 Carlowrightia arizonica 0–1 – desert mariposa lily CAKE Calochortus kennedyi 0–1 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 0–1 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 0–1 – Watson's dutchman's pipe ARWA Aristolochia watsonii 0–1 – San Felipe dogweed ADPO Adenophyllum porophylloides 0–1 – jewels of Opar TAPA2 Talinum paniculatum 0–1 – branched noseburn TRRA5 Tragia ramosa 0–1 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 0–1 – slimleaf bean PHAN3 Phaseolus angustissimus 0–1 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–1 – ivyleaf groundcherry PHHE4 Physalis hederifolia 0–1 – slender poreleaf POGR5 Porophyllum gracile 0–1 – velvetseed milkwort POOB Polygala obscura 0–1 – shrubby purslane POSU3 Portulaca suffrutescens 0–1 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 0–1 – variableleaf bushbean MAGI2 Macroptilium gibbosifolium 0–1 – ragged nettlespurge JAMA Jatropha macrorhiza 0–1 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–1 – New Mexico fanpetals SINE Sida neomexicana 0–1 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – wishbone-bush MILAV Mirabilis laevis var. villosa 0–1 – gooseberryleaf globemallow SPGR2 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia 0–1 – 7 Annual Forbs 10–150 longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 1–25 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 0–20 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 1–20 – goosefoot CHENO Chenopodium 1–20 – sensitive partridge pea CHNI2 Chamaecrista nictitans 0–15 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 0–15 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–15 – wheelscale saltbush ATEL Atriplex elegans 0–15 – phacelia PHACE Phacelia 0–15 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 0–15 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 0–15 – Coulter's lupine LUSP2 Lupinus sparsiflorus 0–15 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 0–15 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 0–15 – flatcrown buckwheat ERDE6 Eriogonum deflexum 0–15 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–15 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–10 – woolly tidestromia TILA2 Tidestromia lanuginosa 0–10 – California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–10 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–10 – curlytop gumweed GRNUA Grindelia nuda var. aphanactis 0–10 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 0–10 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–10 – cryptantha CRYPT Cryptantha 0–5 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 0–5 – manybristle chinchweed PEPA2 Pectis papposa 0–5 – Nuttall's povertyweed MONU Monolepis nuttalliana 0–5 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 0–5 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 0–5 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–5 – spurge EUPHO Euphorbia 0–5 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 0–5 – desert Indianwheat PLOV Plantago ovata 0–5 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–5 – purslane PORTU Portulaca 0–5 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–2 – New Mexico plumeseed RANE Rafinesquia neomexicana 0–2 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–2 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–2 – warty caltrop KAPA Kallstroemia parviflora 0–2 – green carpetweed MOVE Mollugo verticillata 0–2 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 0–2 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 0–2 – Arizona lupine LUAR4 Lupinus arizonicus 0–2 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–2 – fewflower beggarticks BILE Bidens leptocephala 0–1 – southwestern pricklypoppy ARPL3 Argemone pleiacantha 0–1 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 0–1 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–1 – miner's lettuce CLPEP Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata 0–1 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–1 – Lemmon's linanthus LELE29 Leptosiphon lemmonii 0–1 – plains flax LIPU4 Linum puberulum 0–1 – Texas stork's bill ERTE13 Erodium texanum 0–1 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–1 – sanddune wallflower ERCA14 Erysimum capitatum 0–1 – Arizona blanketflower GAAR2 Gaillardia arizonica 0–1 – star gilia GIST Gilia stellata 0–1 – golden crownbeard VEEN Verbesina encelioides 0–1 – chia SACO6 Salvia columbariae 0–1 – desert unicorn-plant PRAL4 Proboscidea althaeifolia 0–1 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 0–1 – Shrub/Vine8 Dominant half shrubs 25–85 fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 5–55 – bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 5–50 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 0–25 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 1–15 – burroweed ISTE2 Isocoma tenuisecta 0–5 – 9 Miscellaneous Shrubs 10–50 longleaf jointfir EPTR Ephedra trifurca 0–10 – oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 0–5 – whitethorn acacia ACCO2 Acacia constricta 0–5 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 0–5 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–5 – ocotillo FOSP2 Fouquieria splendens 0–5 – pale desert-thorn LYPA Lycium pallidum 0–5 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 0–5 – velvetpod mimosa MIDY Mimosa dysocarpa 0–5 – western honey mesquite PRGLT Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana 0–5 – velvet mesquite PRVE Prosopis velutina 0–5 – desert zinnia ZIAC Zinnia acerosa 0–5 – jojoba SICH Simmondsia chinensis 0–5 – algerita MATR3 Mahonia trifoliolata 0–2 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 0–2 – spiny hackberry CEEH Celtis ehrenbergiana 0–2 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 0–2 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 0–2 – desert-thorn LYCIU Lycium 0–2 – turpentine bush ERLA12 Ericameria laricifolia 0–1 – threadleaf snakeweed GUMI Gutierrezia microcephala 0–1 – whitestem paperflower PSCO2 Psilostrophe cooperi 0–1 – yellow trumpetbush TEST Tecoma stans 0–1 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 0–1 – 10 Succulents 5–40 cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 1–20 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 0–10 – soaptree yucca YUEL Yucca elata 1–10 – Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 0–5 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–5 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 1–5 – sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 0–5 – Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 0–5 – Arizona pencil cholla CYAR14 Cylindropuntia arbuscula 0–5 – Parry's agave AGPA4 Agave parryi 0–2 – dollarjoint pricklypear OPCH Opuntia chlorotica 0–2 – staghorn cholla CYVE3 Cylindropuntia versicolor 0–2 – hedgehog cactus ECHIN3 Echinocereus 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 – Graham's nipple cactus MAGR9 Mammillaria grahamii 0–1 – little nipple cactus MAHE2 Mammillaria heyderi 0–1 – purple pricklypear OPMAM Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra 0–1 – tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–1 – buck-horn cholla CYAC8 Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa 0–1 – jumping cholla CYFU10 Cylindropuntia fulgida 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
The plant community on this site is suitable for grazing at any season by all classes of cattle. Steep slopes can hinder utilization. Ridge-tops, canyon bottoms, and adjacent areas of level uplands will be overused before appreciable use is made of this site. Care must be taken to avoid overuse of the palatable perennial grasses in attempts to utilize tobosa grass on the site. Because of these reasons, fencing and grazing systems are needed to adequately manage areas of this site. Herbaceous forage will be deficient in protein in the winter.
Water developments are very important to wildlife on this site. Even though the site is open grassland, it is topographically diverse and home to a variety of large and small wildlife species.Hydrological functions
With moderate to steep slopes and clayey soils this site is a producer of runoff.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, photography, bird-watching.
Wood products
Mesquite, where it has increased on the site, is shrubby and there may be only enough fuel-wood for campfires and branding fires.
Other products
Grass nuts, wild onions and hog potatoes
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 2 in excellent condition, 6 in good condition and 2 in fair condition.
Type locality
Location 1: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T21S R20E S7 General legal description Fort Huachuca, west range Location 2: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T11S R26E S33 General legal description Safford Hwy ROW Location 3: Santa Cruz County, AZ Township/Range/Section T21S R12E S11 General legal description Sopori Ranch Location 4: Graham County, AZ Township/Range/Section T9S R22E S28 General legal description Just outside of west boundary of Eureka Springs Ranch on south side of Aravaipa road. Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
Steve Barker
UnknownApproval
Scott Woodall, 8/06/2020
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) Dave Womack, Dan Robinett Contact for lead author NRCS Tucson Area Office Date 03/07/2005 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
None present on this site. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Uncommon, probably cover no more than 10% of area; discontinuous; very short, usually less than 1-3 feet in length. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals are uncommon on perennial grass and shrubs; Terracettes uncommon. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
0-5% -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None present on this site. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None present on this site. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
All litter size classes staying in place. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Expect values of 1-3 in canopy interspaces and 4-6 under plant canopies. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Weak fine granular; Color is 5YR4/2 Dry, 5YR3/2 Moist; thickness 2 to 8 inches. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Canopy 30-40%, Basal 5%, Litter 45-55%; 60-70% of canopy cover is perennial grasses, 5% perennial forbs, 15-25% shrubs & subshrubs. Cover is well dispersed throughout site. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None present on this site. -
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:
perennial grassSub-dominant:
subshrubsOther:
annual grasses & forbsAdditional:
perennial grass > subshrubs > annual grasses & forbs > shrubs succulents = perennial forbs -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
50% of basal cover of perennial grasses has likely been lost in recent prolonged drought. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
500 lbs/acre unfavorable precipitation, 850 lbs/acre normal precipitation, 1,200 lbs/acre favorable precipitation -
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:
jojoba, whitethorn, mesquite, prickley pear, cane cholla & ocotillo may increase to undesirable levels in the absence of natural fires; Red brome and wild oats. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not affected even following several years of prolonged drought period for region
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