Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XC305AZ
Clay Loam Upland
12-16" p.z.
Last updated: 4/12/2021
Accessed: 09/09/2026
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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
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 41 represents the most northern extent of the Sierra Madre Occidental, or in English, the “mother mountains of the west.” The Sierra Madre Occidental is a massive, rugged mountain system that runs northwest from the Rio Grande de Santiago, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, through the states of Sonora and Chihuahua, and ending in Arizona and New Mexico. Through Mexico, this mountain system runs parallel to the Pacific coast and, as it crosses into the United States and confronts the tectonic folding and rifting of the Basin and Range Physiographic Province, the land mass geographically breaks into smaller, isolated mountain ranges, called “sky islands.” The centralizing theme for this MLRA can be summed up as a series of inland islands extending from their mainland, the Sierra Madre Occidental, surrounded by a sea of desert grassland. To the west, the Madrean Archipelago bounds the Sonoran Basin and Range where several sky islands in southern Arizona grade into Sonoran Desert basins; to the north it bounds the contiguous mountains and geology of the Mogollon Transition area; and to the east, in New Mexico, it bounds the geology of the Rio Grande Rift. MLRA 41 is primarily a rangeland subdivision with small amounts of irrigated cropland. It encompasses approximately 13M acres.
LRU notes
Land Resource Unit 41-3, Southern Arizona Semidesert Grassland. 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.
Classification relationships
USDA-NRCS Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin: Western Range and Irrigated Region D; Major Land Resource Area 41, Southeastern Arizona Basin and Range; Land Resource Unit 41-3, Semi-Desert Grassland; Ecological Site Clay Loam Upland, 12"-16" p.z.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ecological Regions of North America: Level I, Region 12, Southern Semi-Arid Highlands; Level II, 12.1 Western Sierra Madre Piedmont, Level III, Ecoregion 79 Madrean Archipelago, 79a, Apachian Valleys and Low Hills.
USDA-USFS Ecological Subregions: Sections of the Conterminous United States: Section 321 Basin and Range; Section 321A, Basin and Range Section.Ecological site concept
Clay Loam Upland, 16”-20” p.z., ecological site is found on gently sloping uplands with deep soils. An argillic or clay cambic horizon is below a clay loam textured surface soil. Soil does not exhibit shrink-swell characteristics typical of vertic soils.
Associated sites
R041XC304AZ Clayey Upland 12-16" p.z.
R041XC313AZ Loamy Upland 12"-16" p.z.
Similar sites
R041XB204AZ Clay Loam Upland 8-12" p.z.
R040XA120AZ Clay Loam Upland 10"-13" p.z.
R041XA109AZ Clay Loam Upland 16-20" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) calliandra eriophylla
Herbaceous (1) pleuraphis mutica
(2) bouteloua curtipendulaPhysiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs on old fan terraces and old stream terraces. It is always in an upland position.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Fan piedmont
(2) Stream terrace
(3) Plain
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 3200 – 5000 ft Slope 1 – 15 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Precipitation in this land resource unit 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 deep soils that have formed in clayey alluvium of mixed origin. Surface textures range from gravelly sandy-loam (less than one inch thick over an argillic horizon) to clay loam. Sub-soils are clayey, with mixed minerology, and lack vertic properties (soil cracking and churning). They are not calcareous in the upper 15 inches. They can have calcic horizons at moderate depths (20 to 40 inches). Plant-soil moisture relationships are fair to good. Soil surfaces are dark colored.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 Eastern Pinal & Southern Gila counties MU 91 Saddlebrook; SSA-663 Gila-Duncan area MU 37 Selevin; SSA-664 San Simon area MU's 19 Forrest & Whitehouse, 37 Signal, 45 Whitehouse; SSA-665 Willcox area MU's FrA & FrB Forrest, TwA Tubac; SSA-666 Cochise county Northwest part MU's 39 Eloma & 79 Elgin; SSA-667 Santa Cruz area MU's BhD Bernadino, EbC Eba GrVSL, SnD Signal; SSA-669 Pima county Eastern part MU 4 Arivaca; SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU's 6 Banshee, 13 Forrest, 57 Elgin, 59 Eloma SL, 60 Eloma and 97 Libby; SSA-703 Tohono O'odham Nation MU 7 Selevin.Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very gravelly clay loam
(2) Clay loam
(3) Gravelly sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate to slow Soil depth 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 5 – 45 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 5 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)4.8 – 9.6 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)1 – 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)5 – 45 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 % Ecological dynamics
Clay Loam Upland, 12"-16" p.z., is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. Most of the major perennial grass species on the site are well dispersed throughout their plant community. However, tobosa, vine mesquite, and curly mesquite tend to occur in patches on this site. These patches appear to be well dispersed and are variable in size. Perennial forbs are well represented on the site, as well as a few species of low shrubs. Natural fire was important in the development of the potential plant community. The aspect is open grassland.
Four alternate states are identified for this ecological site. State 2, Mesqute, Natives, comes about from years of yearlong livestock grazing at light-moderate intensity; livestock preferences for certain perennial grasses over others impact preferred species and removal of fine fuel extends natural fire intervals. State 3, Mesquite, Annuals, arises from years of high intensity livestock grazing; perennial native grasses are removed from plant community. State 4, Dense Mesquite, comes about from intense livestock grazing coupled with drought. State 5, Cultivated Non-Natives, is a restoration state following a combination of conservation practices; this state must be maintained with prescribed grazing and periodic brush management. Heavy livestock grazing will remove the seeded species and return the project area to State 3 or State 4.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
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 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Native Mid-GrasslandCommunity 1.1
Historical 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 the site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. Most of the major perennial grass species on the site are well dispersed throughout their plant community. However, tobosa, vine mesquite, and curly mesquite tend to occur in patches on this site. These patches appear to be well dispersed and are variable in size. Perennial forbs are well represented on the site, as well as a few species of low shrubs. The aspect is open grassland.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 460 750 1050 Forb 32 50 220 Shrub/Vine 10 60 140 Tree 0 5 15 Total 502 865 1425 Table 6. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike basal cover 10-30% Forb basal cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0-0% Biological crusts 0-10% Litter 10-60% 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 – 1-5% 10-30% 0-5% >0.5 <= 1 – 1-5% 10-20% 0-2% >1 <= 2 – 0-3% 10-20% 0-2% >2 <= 4.5 – 0-1% 1-5% – >4.5 <= 13 0-1% – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4134 , 41.3 12-16" p.z. other sites. Growth begins in the spring, semi-dormancy occurs during the May through June drought, most growth occurs during the summer rains..
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 0 0 30 35 15 5 0 0 Community 1.2
Shrub-GrassCommunity 1.3
Annuals-GrassPathway P1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2drought
Pathway P1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3fire
Pathway P2.1a
Community 1.2 to 1.1above average rain period
Pathway P1.2b
Community 1.2 to 1.3fire
Pathway P1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.1average rainfall, wet summers
Pathway P1.3b
Community 1.3 to 1.2average rainfall, wet winters
State 2
Mesquite, native grassWith continuous grazing, palatable perennial grasses like plains lovegrass, blue, black and sideoats grama decrease and species like tobosa and curly mesquite increase. Severe drought can reduce short grasses to very low levels. Drought - fire combinations can reduce perennial grass cover and allow annual herbs to become dominant for a short time (2-4 years) until grasses can recover. Due to heavy surface soil textures, this site can be a inefficient user of intense summer rainfall when the perennial grass cover has been removed or greatly reduced. Mesquite, when present on the site, tends to be shrubby due to the presence of clay horizons at shallow depths.
Community 2.1
Mesquite, native grass
Figure 6. Clayloam Upland 12-16" pz. mesquite, tobosa
Mesquite increases in the absence of fire for long periods of time. Native perennial grasses maintain dominance with good grazing management, and with mesquite canopy levels from 2 to 10%. Tobosa, curly mesquite and blue grama are dominant and the site remains stable as long as basal cover does not drop below 7 or 8%. Snakeweed and burroweed cycle with climate but never gain dominance. Lehmann lovegrass can invade the site in this state, but is not well adapted to the heavy soil textures and will not dominate the under-story. It will seldom exceed 5 to 15% canopy levels and will die during severe drought on this site. Some soil compaction has occurred due to livestock traffic, but hydrologic processes are not impaired.
State 3
Mesquite, annual grasses and forbsCommunity 3.1
Mesquite, annual grasses and forbs
Figure 7. Clayloam Upland 12-16" pz. mesquite, shrubs, annua
Mesquite and other large shrubs have increased and are dominant with canopies from 10 to 15%. Native and non-native annual grasses and forbs, cool and warm season, dominate the under-story. Snakeweed and burroweed cycle with climate but remain co-dominant with annual species. Native perennial grasses are largely gone due to the interactions of drought, fire and continuous heavy grazing pressure. Tobosa may remain in remnant amounts but cover is very low and not well enough dispersed to recover. Usually soil compaction, from livestock traffic, and the loss of herbaceous cover has resulted in sheet and rill erosion on this site. Hydrologic relationships have changed to increase the ratio of runoff to infiltration.
State 4
Dense mesquite, cacti and other shrubsCommunity 4.1
Dense mesquite, cacti and other shrubsMesquite continues to increase up to canopy levels of 25%. Other shrubs and succulents, especially prickly pear, dominate the under-story. Soil compaction, due to heavy livestock traffic, and loss of herbaceous cover has resulted in sheet, rill and gully erosion. Hydrologic relationships have changed to greatly increase the ratio of runoff to infiltration. In severe situations, cool season moisture is able to infiltrate the soil and the plant community is made up of mostly cool season plant species and cacti.
State 5
Cultivated, non-native perennial grassesCommunity 5.1
Cultivated, non-native perennial grassesThis is a man made pasture of various introduced grasses including old world bluestems like, yellow, turkistan and King Ranch; and African lovegrasses like, Boer, Lehmann, Wilman and Cochise. It can be created from any of the mesquite states. Mesquite and other shrubs are bulldozed; brush is placed in rills and gullies, and non-native grasses are seeded. Root plowed areas are rough enough to eliminate most runoff for long periods of time (15 to 20 years) depending on grazing management. The African lovegrasses will not persist for long periods of time on this site and will die out in drought. The yellow bluestems appear to be more persistent on the site. Mesquite will reinvade areas of this state and will need maintenance treatments (every 10 to 15 years)of herbicides or mechanical methods to maintain a grassland aspect.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2seed introduction/proximity
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3yearlong, heavy grazing
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1brush management, prescribed grazing
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3yearlong heavy grazing coupled with drought or burning
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4yearlong heavy grazing with drought or fire
Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 1none known; see R3A
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4yearlong heavy grazing
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 5non-native seed introduction, brush management, prescribed grazing
Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 5brush management, mechanical land treatment, seeding, prescribed grazing
Transition T5A
State 5 to 3yearlong heavy grazing, mortality of seeded species, absence of brush management maintenance
Transition T5B
State 5 to 4yearlong, heavy grazing with drought
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 mid grasses 350–500 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 180–280 – tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 140–210 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 20–150 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 10–100 – 2 short grasses 70–200 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 20–150 – curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 20–100 – sprucetop grama BOCH Bouteloua chondrosioides 10–100 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 20–75 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 0–50 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 0–50 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 0–25 – 3 miscellaneous perennial grasses 10–100 whiplash pappusgrass PAVA2 Pappophorum vaginatum 0–50 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 1–35 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 0–30 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–30 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–30 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 0–30 – big sacaton SPWR2 Sporobolus wrightii 0–25 – burrograss SCBR2 Scleropogon brevifolius 0–25 – bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 0–25 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 1–25 – tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 0–20 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 0–20 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 0–20 – slender grama BORE2 Bouteloua repens 0–15 – Arizona muhly MUAR3 Muhlenbergia arizonica 0–10 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 0–10 – creeping muhly MURE Muhlenbergia repens 0–10 – slim tridens TRMU Tridens muticus 0–10 – low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 0–5 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 0–5 – alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 0–5 – 4 perennial threeawns 16–100 Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 5–35 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 5–35 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 5–35 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 1–25 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 0–25 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 0–15 – Havard's threeawn ARHA3 Aristida havardii 0–15 – Wooton's threeawn ARPA9 Aristida pansa 0–15 – blue threeawn ARPUN Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi 0–10 – 5 annual grasses 17–150 little barley HOPU Hordeum pusillum 0–35 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 1–35 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 1–35 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 5–35 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 5–35 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 1–35 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 1–35 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 1–35 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–25 – Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 1–25 – Mexican lovegrass ERME Eragrostis mexicana 0–15 – tufted lovegrass ERPE Eragrostis pectinacea 0–15 – desert lovegrass ERPEM Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima 0–15 – sticky sprangletop LEVI5 Leptochloa viscida 0–15 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–15 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–15 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 1–15 – witchgrass PACA6 Panicum capillare 0–10 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 0–10 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–5 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–5 – Forb6 perennial Forbs 15–70 desert globemallow SPAM2 Sphaeralcea ambigua 5–20 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 0–15 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 0–15 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–15 – largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–15 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–15 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 0–15 – leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 0–15 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 1–15 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 1–15 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 1–10 – Indian rushpea HOGL2 Hoffmannseggia glauca 1–10 – spreading snakeherb DYSCD Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens 1–10 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 1–10 – slimleaf bean PHAN3 Phaseolus angustissimus 0–10 – Wright's cudweed PSCAC2 Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens 0–10 – New Mexico fanpetals SINE Sida neomexicana 1–10 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 0–5 – Louisiana vetch VILU Vicia ludoviciana 0–5 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 1–5 – slender poreleaf POGR5 Porophyllum gracile 0–5 – Greene's bird's-foot trefoil LOGR4 Lotus greenei 0–5 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 0–5 – variableleaf bushbean MAGI2 Macroptilium gibbosifolium 0–5 – lyreleaf greeneyes BELY Berlandiera lyrata 0–5 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–5 – fingerleaf gourd CUDI Cucurbita digitata 0–5 – coyote gourd CUPA Cucurbita palmata 0–5 – Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 0–5 – southwestern mock vervain GLGO Glandularia gooddingii 0–5 – small matweed GUDE Guilleminea densa 1–5 – Arizona snakecotton FRAR2 Froelichia arizonica 0–5 – Arizona wrightwort CAAR7 Carlowrightia arizonica 0–5 – desert mariposa lily CAKE Calochortus kennedyi 0–5 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 0–5 – perennial rockcress ARPE2 Arabis perennans 0–5 – dwarf desertpeony ACNA2 Acourtia nana 0–5 – ragged nettlespurge JAMA Jatropha macrorhiza 0–3 – wishbone-bush MILAV Mirabilis laevis var. villosa 0–2 – desert tobacco NIOB Nicotiana obtusifolia 0–2 – velvetseed milkwort POOB Polygala obscura 0–2 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–2 – ivyleaf groundcherry PHHE4 Physalis hederifolia 0–2 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–2 – hairy fournwort TENE Tetramerium nervosum 0–2 – slimflower scurfpea PSTE5 Psoralidium tenuiflorum 0–2 – canaigre dock RUHY Rumex hymenosepalus 0–2 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–2 – Lemmon's ragwort SELE8 Senecio lemmonii 0–2 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 0–2 – San Felipe dogweed ADPO Adenophyllum porophylloides 0–2 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 0–2 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 0–2 – New Mexico silverbush ARNE2 Argythamnia neomexicana 0–2 – southwestern pricklypoppy ARPL3 Argemone pleiacantha 0–2 – Watson's dutchman's pipe ARWA Aristolochia watsonii 0–2 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 0–2 – hairyseed bahia BAAB Bahia absinthifolia 0–2 – desert marigold BAMU Baileya multiradiata 0–2 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 0–2 – beeblossom GAURA Gaura 0–2 – Trans-Pecos thimblehead HYWI Hymenothrix wislizeni 0–2 – Wright's thimblehead HYWR Hymenothrix wrightii 0–2 – branched noseburn TRRA5 Tragia ramosa 0–2 – desert larkspur DEPA Delphinium parishii 0–1 – jewels of Opar TAPA2 Talinum paniculatum 0–1 – Coulter's wrinklefruit TECO Tetraclea coulteri 0–1 – pricklyleaf dogweed THAC Thymophylla acerosa 0–1 – copper zephyrlily ZELO Zephyranthes longifolia 0–1 – shrubby purslane POSU3 Portulaca suffrutescens 0–1 – false springparsley PSEUD4 Pseudocymopterus 0–1 – San Pedro daisy LAPO4 Lasianthaea podocephala 0–1 – narrowleaf stoneseed LIIN2 Lithospermum incisum 0–1 – 7 annual forbs 17–150 tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 1–50 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 1–35 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 1–35 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 1–35 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 1–35 – goosefoot CHENO Chenopodium 1–35 – sensitive partridge pea CHNI2 Chamaecrista nictitans 1–35 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 1–35 – longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 1–35 – sprucetop grama BOCH Bouteloua chondrosioides 7–35 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 7–35 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 7–35 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 7–35 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 7–35 – squirreltail ELELE Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides 7–35 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 7–35 – bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 7–35 – creeping muhly MURE Muhlenbergia repens 7–35 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 7–35 – whiplash pappusgrass PAVA2 Pappophorum vaginatum 7–35 – burrograss SCBR2 Scleropogon brevifolius 7–35 – spike dropseed SPCO4 Sporobolus contractus 7–35 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 7–35 – big sacaton SPWR2 Sporobolus wrightii 7–35 – Texas fluffgrass TRTE2 Tridens texanus 7–35 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 1–25 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 1–25 – desert Indianwheat PLOV Plantago ovata 1–25 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–25 – purslane PORTU Portulaca 1–25 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 1–15 – woolly tidestromia TILA2 Tidestromia lanuginosa 0–15 – Gordon's bladderpod LEGO Lesquerella gordonii 0–15 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–15 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 0–15 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 0–15 – Nuttall's povertyweed MONU Monolepis nuttalliana 0–15 – green carpetweed MOVE Mollugo verticillata 0–15 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 0–15 – manybristle chinchweed PEPA2 Pectis papposa 0–15 – curlytop gumweed GRNUA Grindelia nuda var. aphanactis 0–15 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 0–15 – manystem woolly sunflower ERMU6 Eriophyllum multicaule 0–15 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 1–15 – California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–15 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 1–15 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–15 – wheelscale saltbush ATEL Atriplex elegans 0–15 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–15 – miner's lettuce CLPEP Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata 0–10 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–5 – cryptantha CRYPT Cryptantha 0–5 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 0–5 – fivewing spiderling BOIN Boerhavia intermedia 0–5 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 0–5 – bristly fiddleneck AMTE3 Amsinckia tessellata 0–5 – aster ASTER Aster 0–5 – spurge EUPHO Euphorbia 1–5 – star gilia GIST Gilia stellata 0–5 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 1–5 – Texas stork's bill ERTE13 Erodium texanum 0–5 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–5 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–5 – flatcrown buckwheat ERDE6 Eriogonum deflexum 0–5 – phacelia PHACE Phacelia 0–5 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 0–5 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–5 – Arizona lupine LUAR4 Lupinus arizonicus 0–5 – Coulter's lupine LUSP2 Lupinus sparsiflorus 0–5 – hollowleaf annual lupine LUSU3 Lupinus succulentus 0–5 – Thurber's morning-glory IPTH Ipomoea thurberi 0–5 – plains flax LIPU4 Linum puberulum 0–5 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–5 – oneseed bur cucumber SIAN Sicyos angulatus 0–5 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–5 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–5 – desert unicorn-plant PRAL4 Proboscidea althaeifolia 0–2 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 0–2 – New Mexico plumeseed RANE Rafinesquia neomexicana 0–2 – golden crownbeard VEEN Verbesina encelioides 0–2 – warty caltrop KAPA Kallstroemia parviflora 0–2 – redstar IPCO3 Ipomoea coccinea 0–2 – Arizona blanketflower GAAR2 Gaillardia arizonica 0–2 – sacred thorn-apple DAWR2 Datura wrightii 0–2 – sanddune wallflower ERCA14 Erysimum capitatum 0–1 – Fendler's desertdandelion MAFE Malacothrix fendleri 0–1 – Shrub/Vine8 dominant half shrubs 5–55 fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 5–35 – bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 0–15 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 0–15 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 0–5 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 0–5 – 9 succulent shrubs 2–35 cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 1–10 – purple pricklypear OPMAM Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra 0–10 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 0–10 – soaptree yucca YUEL Yucca elata 1–10 – Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 0–10 – Parry's agave AGPA4 Agave parryi 0–10 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 0–10 – staghorn cholla CYVE3 Cylindropuntia versicolor 0–10 – Arizona pencil cholla CYAR14 Cylindropuntia arbuscula 0–5 – jumping cholla CYFU10 Cylindropuntia fulgida 0–5 – Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 0–5 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–5 – tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–5 – Santa Rita pricklypear OPSA Opuntia santa-rita 0–5 – sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 0–2 – beehive cactus CORYP Coryphantha 0–2 – hedgehog cactus ECHIN3 Echinocereus 0–2 – rainbow cactus ECPEP Echinocereus pectinatus var. pectinatus 0–1 – spinystar ESVI2 Escobaria vivipara 0–1 – little nipple cactus MAHE2 Mammillaria heyderi 0–1 – 10 increaser half shrubs 2–25 broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 1–20 – burroweed ISTE2 Isocoma tenuisecta 1–20 – turpentine bush ERLA12 Ericameria laricifolia 0–10 – threadleaf snakeweed GUMI Gutierrezia microcephala 0–10 – 11 miscellaneous shrubs 0–25 catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 0–10 – pale desert-thorn LYPA Lycium pallidum 0–10 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 0–10 – velvetpod mimosa MIDY Mimosa dysocarpa 0–10 – longleaf jointfir EPTR Ephedra trifurca 0–5 – ocotillo FOSP2 Fouquieria splendens 0–5 – littleleaf sumac RHMI3 Rhus microphylla 0–5 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–5 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 0–5 – spiny hackberry CEEH Celtis ehrenbergiana 0–5 – knifeleaf condalia COSP3 Condalia spathulata 0–5 – whitethorn acacia ACCO2 Acacia constricta 0–5 – Warnock's snakewood COWA Condalia warnockii 0–2 – ragwort SENEC Senecio 0–2 – desert zinnia ZIAC Zinnia acerosa 0–2 – whitestem paperflower PSCO2 Psilostrophe cooperi 0–2 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 0–1 – desert-thorn LYCIU Lycium 0–1 – American tarwort FLCE Flourensia cernua 0–1 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 0–1 – Tree12 trees 0–15 western honey mesquite PRGLT Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana 0–10 – velvet mesquite PRVE Prosopis velutina 0–5 – oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 0–5 – Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 5.1 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. Clayey soils release moisture to plants slowly making for a long summer green season. Care must be taken to avoid overuse of palatable perennial grasses in attempts to utilize tobosa grass on the site. Areas of this site are often associated with large areas of Clayey Upland ecological site, dominated by tobosa grass. In these situations, livestock concentrate on areas of this site before using tobosa areas. Fencing and grazing systems are needed to adequately manage the plant community which consists of nearly equal amounts of palatable perennial grasses and the very unpalatable, tobosa grass. Dark colored soils with good organic matter and quantities of exchangeable bases produce good quality herbaceous forage. Protein will be deficient in the winter on this site.
Water developments are very important to wildlife species on this site. Being open grassland, this site is home to a variety of small herbivores, birds, and their associated predators. With the exception of antelope, larger wildlife species use this site mainly as a foraging area.Hydrological functions
Heavy soil textures at the surface reduce the infiltration of high intensity, summer rainfall. The site is very sensitive to loss of perennial grass cover and runoff greatly increases under these circumstances. These soils can compact easily when moist and further reduce the effectiveness of warm season moisture in penetrating the soil.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, photography and bird-watching.
Wood products
Mesquite remains shrubby on this site due to clayey soil textures at the surface. Mesquite offers little more than fuel wood for campfires or branding fires and nothing big enough for posts or stays.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 3 in excellent condition, 8 in good condition and 8 in fair condition.
Type locality
Location 1: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T23S R27E S4 General legal description Douglas International Airport Location 2: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T13S R22E S33 General legal description Warbonnet Ranch Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
Steve Barker
UnknownApproval
Curtis Talbot, 4/12/2021
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) Wilma Renken, Dave Womack, Dan Robinett, Emilio Carrillo Contact for lead author USDA-NRCS Tucson MLRA Soil Survey Office Date 07/22/2013 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None present on this site. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Uncommon; probably cover no more than 2-5% of area; discontinuous, 2-20 feet in length. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Accumulated pedestals are 1 inch tall and are common on perennial grass plants. The presence of terracettes depends on slope; terrecettes are very uncommon on low slopes (1-2%) and become common, with heights between 1-2 inches, as slopes increase (3-6%). -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Estimated from 200 points at 55%. This site is characterized by perennial grass patches alternating with bare areas 10-20 feet in diameter. -
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):
No slake test done; expect values of 1-2 in bare ground areas and 4-6 in canopy areas. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Thin (1/8 inch) rain drop compacted laminar layer, weak granular; Color is 10YR5/4 Dry, 10YR3/4 Moist; A horizon to 2 inches. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Cover estimated from 200 points was: Canopy 9%, Basal 9%, Litter 8%, and Gravel 18%; 85% of canopy cover is perennial grasses and 13% is subshrubs and 2% shrubs & succulents. Cover is relatively well dispersed throughout site,with bare patches 10-20 feet wide dispersed throughout site. Bare areas tend to shed water into the grassy areas. -
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. Penetrometer tests with weight dropped 5 times at a distance from top of weight to top of impact ring = 2.24 feet were: average = 2.91 inches, s.d = 0.40 inches. Subsurface argillic horizon may be mistaken for compaction. -
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 grass >>Sub-dominant:
subshrubs > annual forbs > shrubs > perennial forbs > succulentsOther:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
20% basal mortality (prior years mortality not well evidenced). -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
600 lbs/acre unfavorable precipitation, 1,000 lbs/acre normal precipitation, 1,500 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:
Snakeweed, burroweed -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not affected even following several years of prolonged drought period for region.
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