Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XC306AZ
Shallow Hills
12-16" p.z.
Last updated: 4/12/2021
Accessed: 08/29/2026
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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.
Click to explore map
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
R041XC307AZ Limestone Hills 12-16" p.z.
R041XC322AZ Shallow Upland 12-16" p.z.
R041XC323AZ Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Loamy
Similar sites
R041XB205AZ Shallow Hills 8-12" p.z.
R041XA102AZ Shallow Hills 16-20" p.z.
R040XA105AZ Shallow Hills 10"-13" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) eriogonum wrightii
(2) calliandra eriophyllaHerbaceous (1) bouteloua curtipendula
(2) artemisia ludovicianaPhysiographic features
This site is in the middle elevations of the Southeastern Arizona Basin and Range province. 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) Mountain slope
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 3500 – 5500 ft Slope 15 – 70 % 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, originates 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 shallow soils formed on acid igneous rocks (granite and rhyolite) and related metamorphic rocks like gneiss, schist and quartzite. They are non-calcareous, sandy loam to loamy textured with well developed covers of gravels and cobbles. They are dark colored in the surface. Numerous areas of rock outcrop occur intermingled with soil areas. Plant-soil moisture relationships are fair.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 Eastern Pinal & Southern Gila counties MU's 19 Lampshire, 87 Romero & Oracle, 89 Schiefflin, 90 Schrap; SSA-663 Gila-Duncan area MU's 32 Chiricahua variant & 33 Lampshire; SSA-664 San Simon area MU 4 Atascosa & Chiricahua; SSA-666 Cochise county Northwest part MU's 69 Romero & Nodman, 71 Romero & 74 Schrap; SSA-667 Santa Cruz area MU's CoE Chiricahua CbSL, CrD & LdF Lampshire, LcF Chiricahua & Lampshire, McF Chiricahua; SSA-669 Pima county Eastern part MU's 12 Cellar & Lampshire, 39 Lampshire & Pantak, 40 Lampshire & Romero, 52 Romero, 69 Lampshire & Romero, 70 Oracle & Romero, 74 Schrap; SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU 19 Brunkcow, Chiricahua & Lampshire; SSA-703 Tohono O'odham Nation MU's 10 Cellar & Lampshire, 11 Chiricahua & Lampshire, 52 Lampshire & Romero, 53 Romero.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Slope alluvium – granite
(2) Residuum – diorite
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately rapid to moderate Soil depth 10 – 20 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 25 – 50 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 10 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)0.6 – 2.4 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)6.1 – 7.9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 65 % 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 teh 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 that 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 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 re-occupies the site with proper management.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. State and Transition, Granitic Hills 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 1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Figure 5. Granitic hills 12-16" pz. HCPC
The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. Several species of low shrubs are well represented on the site, but the aspect is grassland dotted with shrubs and cacti. Larger species of shrubs are concentrated at the edges of rock outcrop areas and in canyon bottoms. Most of the grass and low shrub species are well dispersed throughout the plant community.
In the absence of wildfire and/or with overgrazing, shrubs increase to dominate the plant community. Well developed gravel and cobble covers protect the soil from erosion and protect forage species from heavy use. Natural fire was an important factor in development of the potential plant community.
Natural fire frequencies were about once every ten years. Fires helped maintain a balance between grasses, forbs and shrubs.
With continuous heavy grazing palatable forage species diminish in the plant community and can be replaced by shrubs and succulents. Areas of rock outcrop are little grazed and hold remnant perennial forage species to help reseed the slopes below once grazing is managed.
The plant community described for the HCPC is at a midpoint in its fire free interval (5 to 7 years after fire).Figure 6. 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 360 700 985 Shrub/Vine 130 150 300 Forb 25 50 220 Tree 10 15 40 Total 525 915 1545 Table 6. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike basal cover 0-10% Forb basal cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0-0% Biological crusts 0-0% Litter 30-50% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 30-50% Surface fragments >3" 0-10% Bedrock 0-10% Water 0% Bare ground 10-40% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – 0-5% 1-10% 0-1% >0.5 <= 1 – 5-10% 10-20% 1-5% >1 <= 2 – 5-10% 10-20% 1-10% >2 <= 4.5 – 1-5% 5-10% 0-2% >4.5 <= 13 0-2% 0-5% – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 7. 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
Lehmann invaded stateCommunity 2.1
Lehmann invaded state
Figure 8. Granitic Hills 12-16" pz. Lehmann lovegrass invasi
This state occurs where Lehmann lovegrass has invaded, usually from a seed source associated with roads and jeep trails running though the site. The invasion is slow until the area burns; then Lehmann lovegrass can rapidly assume dominance of the plant community. There will always be some diversity of native species left on the site due to diverse habitats in areas of rock outcrop and canyon bottoms.
State 3
Shrub and mimosa increase stateCommunity 3.1
Shrub and mimosa increase stateThis state occurs where wait-a-bit mimosa, velvet pod mimosa and other shrubs like mesquite, ocotillo and succulents like prickly pear have increased to dominate the site. All three species are vigorous sprouters after fire and quickly re-assume dominance after burning. Climatic warming seems to be driving the increases of the mimosa species. Periodic fire will not return this state to a grassy condition once shrubs are well established.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Dominant Perennial Mid Grasses 250–350 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 150–200 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 10–150 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 20–150 – tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 10–100 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 20–100 – 2 Suffrutescent Grasses 30–250 black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 25–200 – bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 5–50 – 3 Dominant Perennial Short Grasses 55–150 hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 25–80 – slender grama BORE2 Bouteloua repens 15–80 – Santa Rita Mountain grama BOEL Bouteloua eludens 0–35 – curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 5–35 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 5–30 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 0–20 – sprucetop grama BOCH Bouteloua chondrosioides 0–20 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 1–20 – Arizona muhly MUAR3 Muhlenbergia arizonica 0–10 – 4 Annual Grasses 10–100 Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 1–30 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 1–30 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 1–30 – Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 1–30 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 1–20 – Eastwood fescue VUMIC Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata 1–20 – desert fescue VUMIM Vulpia microstachys var. microstachys 1–20 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 1–20 – sweet tanglehead HEME Heteropogon melanocarpus 0–20 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 1–15 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–5 – witchgrass PACA6 Panicum capillare 0–5 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 0–5 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 0–5 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–5 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–2 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 0–2 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–2 – Mexican lovegrass ERME Eragrostis mexicana 0–2 – desert lovegrass ERPEM Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima 0–2 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–2 – fragilegrass AETE Aegopogon tenellus 0–2 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–1 – 5 Perennial threeawns 10–45 spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 5–30 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 0–15 – Orcutt's threeawn ARSCO Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana 0–15 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 0–10 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 0–10 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 0–10 – Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 0–10 – blue threeawn ARPUN Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi 0–5 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 0–2 – Havard's threeawn ARHA3 Aristida havardii 0–2 – Wooton's threeawn ARPA9 Aristida pansa 0–2 – 6 Miscellaneous Perennial grasses 10–60 cliff muhly MUPO Muhlenbergia polycaulis 0–27 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 1–20 – bullgrass MUEM Muhlenbergia emersleyi 1–15 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 0–10 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–10 – slim tridens TRMU Tridens muticus 0–10 – spiked crinkleawn TRSP12 Trachypogon spicatus 0–10 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 1–10 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–5 – silver bluestem BOSA Bothriochloa saccharoides 0–5 – Mexican gamagrass TRLA11 Tripsacum lanceolatum 0–5 – Texas bluestem SCCI2 Schizachyrium cirratum 0–5 – southwestern bristlegrass SESC2 Setaria scheelei 1–5 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–5 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 0–5 – Kunth's smallgrass MIKU Microchloa kunthii 0–5 – bamboo muhly MUDU3 Muhlenbergia dumosa 0–5 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 0–5 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 0–2 – tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 0–2 – deergrass MURI2 Muhlenbergia rigens 0–2 – slender muhly MUTE4 Muhlenbergia tenuifolia 0–2 – bulb panicgrass PABU Panicum bulbosum 0–2 – sedge CAREX Carex 0–2 – low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 0–2 – sourgrass DIIN2 Digitaria insularis 0–2 – woolyspike balsamscale ELBA Elionurus barbiculmis 0–2 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 0–2 – Forb7 Perennial Forbs 10–100 white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 1–15 – slender janusia JAGR Janusia gracilis 1–15 – shrubby deervetch LORI3 Lotus rigidus 0–15 – desert globemallow SPAM2 Sphaeralcea ambigua 0–15 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 0–15 – Trans-Pecos thimblehead HYWI Hymenothrix wislizeni 0–10 – Schott's yellowhood NISC Nissolia schottii 0–10 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–10 – climbing wartclub BOSC Boerhavia scandens 1–10 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–10 – trailing fleabane ERFL Erigeron flagellaris 0–10 – Thurber's cotton GOTH Gossypium thurberi 1–10 – hairy false goldenaster HEVIM3 Heterotheca villosa var. minor 0–5 – desert rosemallow HICO Hibiscus coulteri 0–5 – fineleaf hymenopappus HYFIL Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens 0–5 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 1–5 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 0–5 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–5 – Arizona wrightwort CAAR7 Carlowrightia arizonica 0–5 – perennial rockcress ARPE2 Arabis perennans 1–5 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 1–5 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 1–5 – tarragon ARDR4 Artemisia dracunculus 0–5 – Palmer's Indian mallow ABPA Abutilon palmeri 0–5 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 0–5 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 1–5 – wishbone-bush MILAV Mirabilis laevis var. villosa 0–5 – desert tobacco NIOB Nicotiana obtusifolia 0–5 – Parry's beardtongue PEPA24 Penstemon parryi 1–5 – desert penstemon PEPS Penstemon pseudospectabilis 0–5 – slender poreleaf POGR5 Porophyllum gracile 0–5 – Wright's cudweed PSCAC2 Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens 0–5 – Lemmon's ragwort SELE8 Senecio lemmonii 0–5 – beeblossom GAURA Gaura 0–5 – southwestern mock vervain GLGO Glandularia gooddingii 0–5 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 0–5 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 0–5 – Parry's false prairie-clover MAPA7 Marina parryi 0–5 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 1–5 – hairy fournwort TENE Tetramerium nervosum 0–5 – branched noseburn TRRA5 Tragia ramosa 1–5 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 0–5 – Louisiana vetch VILU Vicia ludoviciana 0–5 – gooseberryleaf globemallow SPGR2 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia 0–2 – New Mexico fanpetals SINE Sida neomexicana 0–2 – plains blackfoot MELE2 Melampodium leucanthum 0–2 – variableleaf bushbean MAGI2 Macroptilium gibbosifolium 0–2 – roving sailor MAAN9 Maurandella antirrhiniflora 0–2 – Arizona snakecotton FRAR2 Froelichia arizonica 0–2 – longflower tube tongue JULO3 Justicia longii 0–2 – Greene's bird's-foot trefoil LOGR4 Lotus greenei 0–2 – Coues' cassia SECO10 Senna covesii 0–2 – velvetseed milkwort POOB Polygala obscura 0–2 – shrubby purslane POSU3 Portulaca suffrutescens 0–2 – largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–2 – San Felipe dogweed ADPO Adenophyllum porophylloides 0–2 – Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 0–2 – desert marigold BAMU Baileya multiradiata 0–2 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 0–2 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 0–1 – desert larkspur DEPA Delphinium parishii 0–1 – leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 0–1 – spreading snakeherb DYSCD Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens 0–1 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 0–1 – New Mexico silverbush ARNE2 Argythamnia neomexicana 0–1 – hairyseed bahia BAAB Bahia absinthifolia 0–1 – Watson's dutchman's pipe ARWA Aristolochia watsonii 0–1 – desert mariposa lily CAKE Calochortus kennedyi 0–1 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 0–1 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–1 – velvet leaf senna SELI4 Senna lindheimeriana 0–1 – slimleaf bean PHAN3 Phaseolus angustissimus 0–1 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–1 – ivyleaf groundcherry PHHE4 Physalis hederifolia 0–1 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 0–1 – fetid passionflower PAFO2 Passiflora foetida 0–1 – San Pedro daisy LAPO4 Lasianthaea podocephala 0–1 – narrowleaf stoneseed LIIN2 Lithospermum incisum 0–1 – ragged nettlespurge JAMA Jatropha macrorhiza 0–1 – fernleaf biscuitroot LODI Lomatium dissectum 0–1 – Thurber's checkerbloom SINET Sidalcea neomexicana ssp. thurberi 0–1 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – jewels of Opar TAPA2 Talinum paniculatum 0–1 – Coulter's wrinklefruit TECO Tetraclea coulteri 0–1 – 8 Annual Forbs 10–100 longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 1–50 – California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–45 – goosefoot CHENO Chenopodium 0–20 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–20 – sensitive partridge pea CHNI2 Chamaecrista nictitans 1–15 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 1–10 – fewflower beggarticks BILE Bidens leptocephala 0–10 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–10 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–10 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 0–10 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 1–10 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 1–10 – phacelia PHACE Phacelia 0–10 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 0–5 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–5 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 1–5 – streamside bur cucumber SIAM Sicyos ampelophyllus 0–5 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–5 – cutleaf bur cucumber SILA Sicyos laciniatus 0–5 – minerslettuce MONTI Montia 0–5 – desert Indianwheat PLOV Plantago ovata 0–5 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–5 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 0–5 – sweet four o'clock MILO2 Mirabilis longiflora 0–5 – Arizona lupine LUAR4 Lupinus arizonicus 0–5 – Coulter's lupine LUSP2 Lupinus sparsiflorus 0–5 – longleaf false goldeneye HELOL Heliomeris longifolia var. longifolia 0–5 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 0–5 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–5 – Thurber's morning-glory IPTH Ipomoea thurberi 0–5 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–5 – bristly fiddleneck AMTE3 Amsinckia tessellata 0–5 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 0–5 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–5 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–5 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 0–5 – woolly tidestromia TILA2 Tidestromia lanuginosa 0–5 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–2 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 0–2 – star gilia GIST Gilia stellata 0–2 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 0–2 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–2 – warty caltrop KAPA Kallstroemia parviflora 0–2 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 0–2 – redstar IPCO3 Ipomoea coccinea 0–2 – Fendler's desertdandelion MAFE Malacothrix fendleri 0–2 – Florida pellitory PAFL3 Parietaria floridana 0–2 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 0–2 – sand fringepod THCU Thysanocarpus curvipes 0–2 – chia SACO6 Salvia columbariae 0–2 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–2 – green carpetweed MOVE Mollugo verticillata 0–1 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 0–1 – desert unicorn-plant PRAL4 Proboscidea althaeifolia 0–1 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 0–1 – New Mexico plumeseed RANE Rafinesquia neomexicana 0–1 – Arizona monardella MOAR Monardella arizonica 0–1 – sanddune wallflower ERCA14 Erysimum capitatum 0–1 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–1 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–1 – spurge EUPHO Euphorbia 0–1 – Texas stork's bill ERTE13 Erodium texanum 0–1 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 0–1 – wheelscale saltbush ATEL Atriplex elegans 0–1 – 9 Perennial ferns 5–20 spikemoss SELAG Selaginella 1–20 – cliffbrake PELLA Pellaea 1–10 – lipfern CHEIL Cheilanthes 1–5 – cloak fern NOTHO Notholaena 0–5 – Shrub/Vine10 Dominant Half Shrubs 100–150 fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 10–80 – bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 20–70 – Gregg's prairie clover DAGR2 Dalea greggii 10–40 – pelotazo ABIN Abutilon incanum 0–30 – rough menodora MESC Menodora scabra 0–25 – prairie acacia ACAN Acacia angustissima 0–15 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 0–10 – Coulter's brickellbush BRCO Brickellia coulteri 0–10 – American threefold TRCA8 Trixis californica 1–10 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 1–10 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 0–10 – 11 Miscellaneous Shrubs 10–50 Tahitian kidneywood EYOR Eysenhardtia orthocarpa 1–25 – ocotillo FOSP2 Fouquieria splendens 1–25 – desert lavender HYEM Hyptis emoryi 1–15 – sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 0–15 – jojoba SICH Simmondsia chinensis 0–15 – common sotol DAWH2 Dasylirion wheeleri 1–15 – rosary babybonnets COGL8 Coursetia glandulosa 0–15 – Florida hopbush DOVI Dodonaea viscosa 0–10 – coralbean ERFL7 Erythrina flabelliformis 1–10 – catclaw acacia ACGRG3 Acacia greggii var. greggii 1–10 – blue paloverde PAFL6 Parkinsonia florida 0–10 – Sonoran scrub oak QUTU2 Quercus turbinella 0–10 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 1–10 – velvetpod mimosa MIDY Mimosa dysocarpa 1–10 – physicnut JACU Jatropha cuneata 0–5 – beloperone JUCA8 Justicia californica 0–5 – Arizona water-willow JUCA9 Justicia candicans 0–5 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 0–5 – desert-thorn LYCIU Lycium 0–5 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–5 – heartleaf goldeneye VICO Viguiera cordifolia 0–5 – Parish's goldeneye VIPA14 Viguiera parishii 0–5 – Schott's stickpea ZAFOS Zapoteca formosa var. schottii 0–5 – algerita MATR3 Mahonia trifoliolata 0–5 – Wright's beebrush ALWR Aloysia wrightii 0–5 – Thurber's desert honeysuckle ANTH2 Anisacanthus thurberi 0–5 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–5 – whitethorn acacia ACCOC Acacia constricta var. constricta 0–5 – desert olive FOSH Forestiera shrevei 0–5 – Apache plume FAPA Fallugia paradoxa 0–5 – button brittlebush ENFR Encelia frutescens 0–5 – knifeleaf condalia COSP3 Condalia spathulata 0–5 – Warnock's snakewood COWA Condalia warnockii 0–5 – California brickellbush BRCA3 Brickellia californica 0–5 – spiny hackberry CEEH Celtis ehrenbergiana 0–5 – javelina bush COER5 Condalia ericoides 0–2 – sweetbush BEJUA Bebbia juncea var. aspera 0–2 – Kearney's snakewood COWAK Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana 0–2 – ragged rockflower CRBI2 Crossosoma bigelovii 0–2 – cliff fendlerbush FERU Fendlera rupicola 0–2 – whitethorn acacia ACCOP9 Acacia constricta var. paucispina 0–2 – pointleaf manzanita ARPU5 Arctostaphylos pungens 0–2 – milfoil wattle ACMI Acacia millefolia 0–2 – evergreen sumac RHVIC Rhus virens var. choriophylla 0–2 – western soapberry SASAD Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii 0–2 – yellow trumpetbush TEST Tecoma stans 0–2 – littleleaf false tamarind LYWA Lysiloma watsonii 0–2 – Graham's mimosa MIGR2 Mimosa grahamii 0–2 – starry bedstraw GAST Galium stellatum 0–1 – whitestem paperflower PSCO2 Psilostrophe cooperi 0–1 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 0–1 – ambrosia leaf bur ragweed AMAM2 Ambrosia ambrosioides 0–1 – shortleaf baccharis BABR Baccharis brachyphylla 0–1 – 12 Increaser Shrubs 10–45 turpentine bush ERLA12 Ericameria laricifolia 0–20 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 1–20 – gumhead GYGL Gymnosperma glutinosum 0–5 – burroweed ISTE2 Isocoma tenuisecta 0–2 – desertbroom BASA2 Baccharis sarothroides 0–2 – 13 Succulents 15–55 cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 1–20 – Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 1–10 – Schott's century plant AGSC3 Agave schottii 0–10 – saguaro CAGI10 Carnegiea gigantea 0–5 – smallflower century plant AGPA5 Agave parviflora 0–5 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–5 – tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–5 – Santa Rita pricklypear OPSA Opuntia santa-rita 0–2 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 0–2 – soaptree yucca YUEL Yucca elata 0–2 – purple pricklypear OPMAM Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra 0–2 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 0–2 – dollarjoint pricklypear OPCH Opuntia chlorotica 0–2 – staghorn cholla CYVE3 Cylindropuntia versicolor 0–2 – jumping cholla CYFU10 Cylindropuntia fulgida 0–2 – rainbow cactus ECPE Echinocereus pectinatus 1–2 – desert agave AGDE Agave deserti 0–2 – buck-horn cholla CYAC8 Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa 0–1 – spinystar ESVI2 Escobaria vivipara 0–1 – Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 0–1 – pinkflower hedgehog cactus ECBO2 Echinocereus bonkerae 0–1 – scarlet hedgehog cactus ECCO5 Echinocereus coccineus 0–1 – Engelmann's hedgehog cactus ECEN Echinocereus engelmannii 0–1 – pinkflower hedgehog cactus ECFEF3 Echinocereus fendleri ssp. fendleri 0–1 – Graham's nipple cactus MAGR9 Mammillaria grahamii 0–1 – little nipple cactus MAHE2 Mammillaria heyderi 0–1 – Tree14 Trees 10–40 oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 0–10 – Arizona rosewood VACA5 Vauquelinia californica 0–10 – velvet mesquite PRVE Prosopis velutina 0–10 – Arizona white oak QUAR Quercus arizonica 0–5 – Emory oak QUEM Quercus emoryi 0–5 – Mexican blue oak QUOB Quercus oblongifolia 0–5 – western honey mesquite PRGLT Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana 0–5 – 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 (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site is not well suited to summertime grazing by cows with calves. Mother cow-pairs will only use 300-400 feet up or down in elevation from a water in summer. Dry cows in the winter-spring season will use double the distance up or down the slope. Yearling cattle use areas of the site well in any season. Slope aspect affects both the intensity of use and seasonal use patterns. North-south trending ridges will be used fairly well even in summer as the west slope is shady in the morning and the east slope is shady in the afternoon. South facing slopes are extensively used in winter and spring due to warmth from cold weather and early green-up of warm season grasses. North slopes, being shady and cooler, are more used in summer, but never used nearly as much as warmer exposures. Canyon and seep water is available some years in winter (December-February).
Water developments are very important to wildlife on the site, especially whitetail deer. Due to extreme diversity in food, cover and edge, this site is home to a tremendous variety of wildlife species.Hydrological functions
Shallow soils, hard bedrock and steep slopes make for lots of runoff. In wet winter - spring seasons, seeps and canyon stream-flow can last until May.
Recreational uses
Hunting, horseback riding, bird-watching, prospecting, camping, photography and hiking.
Wood products
Limited hobby woods like Arizona rosewood.
Other products
Limited harvest of beargrass for fibers and agaves for tequila and mescal. Gold, silver, turquoise and decomposed granite for decorative rock.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s, 18 in Excellent Condition, 22 in Good Condition, 11 in Fair Condition,
Type locality
Location 1: Pima County, AZ Township/Range/Section T17S R8E S29 General legal description Anvil Ranch - Saucito Mountain Location 2: Pinal County, AZ Township/Range/Section T7S R14E S1 General legal description Flying W. Ranch - Antelope Peak Location 3: Santa Cruz County, AZ Township/Range/Section T23S R14E S28 General legal description Santa Fe Ranch - Mount Benedict Location 4: Pima County, AZ Township/Range/Section T18S R15E S20 General legal description Huerfano Butte on the Santa Rite Experimental Range. 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) Dave Womack, Emilio Carrillo, Tom Reis, Dan Robinett Contact for lead author NRCS Tucson Area Office Date 02/17/2005 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:
Occupy < 5% of area, broken by rock and gravel cover, <1 foot in length, highly discontinuous. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Erosional pedestals are very uncommon (1 per 20 plants observed); Terracettes are fairly uncommon, 10-20 feet apart with a 3-4 inch elevation difference from above to below the terracette -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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 are staying in place. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Expect ratings of 1-3 in plant, rock and gravel interspaces. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Weak granular; Color is 10YR6/2 Dry, 10YR4/2 Moist; thickness to 3 inches. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Cover estimated in 9.6ft2 frames as: Canopy 30%, Basal 6%, Litter 10%; 60-70% of canopy cover is perennial mid grasses, 20-30% sub shrubs, 5% is perennial forbs , 5-10% is annual forbs & grasses, and <1% trees & shrubs. 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 grass = sub shrubsSub-dominant:
annual forbs & grasses > perennial forbs > trees & shrubs > succulentsOther:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Very low; most basal area loss is masked by litter decomposition. -
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; 900 lbs/acre normal precipitation; 1,600 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:
Lehmann lovegrass -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not affected even following several years of prolonged drought period for region.
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