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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
R041XC306AZ Shallow Hills 12-16" p.z.
R041XC322AZ Shallow Upland 12-16" p.z.
R041XC323AZ Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Loamy
R041XC330AZ Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Clayey
Similar sites
R040XA107AZ Limestone Hills 10"-13" p.z.
R041XA103AZ Limestone Hills 16-20 p.z.
R041XB220AZ Limestone Hills 8-12" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) dalea formosa
(2) fouquieria splendensHerbaceous (1) bouteloua curtipendula
(2) hesperostipa neomexicanaPhysiographic features
This site is 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) Mountain slope
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 3500 – 5500 ft Slope 8 – 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) 0 days 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 limestone and related sedimentary and metamorphic bedrock. Parent material is carbonatic. Soils are dark colored gravelly and stony loams, very calcareous, and have well-developed covers of limestone gravels and cobbles. Large areas of rock outcrop occur intermingled with soil areas. Plant-soil moisture relationships are poor to fair. Surface fragments are larger than stone size.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 Eastern Pinal & Southern Gila counties MU 62 Mabray; SSA-664 San Simon area MU 31 Mabray; SSA-666 Cochise county Northwest part MU's 46 Grizzle, 57 Mabray, 61 Paisano; SSA-667 Santa Cruz area MU McF Mabray; SSA-669 Pima county Eastern part MU 42 Mabray; SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU's 101 & 102 Mabray.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Slope alluvium – limestone
Surface texture (1) Very gravelly sandy loam
(2) Cobbly sandy loam
(3) Very gravelly loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Rapid to moderately rapid Soil depth 10 – 20 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 25 – 50 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 8 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)0.6 – 1.6 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)35 – 50 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 8 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 2 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.9 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)25 – 50 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 8 % 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 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 will re-occupy the site with proper management.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. State and Transition, Limestone Hills 12-16" p.z.
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. Limestone Hills 12-16" pz. HCPC
The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. Several species of shrubs are well represented on the site. Shrubs can be in concentrations at the edges of rock outcrops and in canyon bottoms. Most of the grass and shrub species are well dispersed throughout the plant community. A few species (black grama, New Mexico feathergrass, amole, sandpaper bush and mariola) grow in patches which vary in size and are not well dispersed over larger areas of the site.
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 help protect forage species from heavy utilization. The large amount of rock outcrop on the site tends to magnify water received by adjacent soil areas. Natural fire was a factor in the development of the potential plant community. The frequency of natural fire on this site was about once every ten years. Fires burned May through August.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 270 400 620 Shrub/Vine 125 350 500 Forb 20 50 120 Tree 0 10 35 Total 415 810 1275 Table 6. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 0-10% Grass/grasslike basal cover 0-10% Forb basal cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0-0% Biological crusts 0-0% Litter 10-30% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 30-50% Surface fragments >3" 0-10% Bedrock 0-20% Water 0% Bare ground 10-60% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – 0-5% 1-5% 0-1% >0.5 <= 1 – 5-15% 5-10% 1-5% >1 <= 2 – 5-15% 10-20% 1-5% >2 <= 4.5 – 1-10% 0-5% 0-2% >4.5 <= 13 0-5% 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
Shrub and succulent increase stateCommunity 2.1
Shrub and succulent increase state
Figure 8. Limestone Hills 12-16" pz. shrubby state
This state occurs where shrubs like whitethorn, mesquite, creosote bush, ocotillo, sandpaper bush, and mariola have increased to dominate the community in the absence of fire for long periods of time. Succulents like shin dagger, sotol, agave and prickly pear can also increase on the site. Although the site may burn after an exceptionally wet summer the shrubs are well established and some species re-sprout and re-assume dominance.
State 3
Lehmann lovegrass stateCommunity 3.1
Lehmann lovegrass stateThis state occurs where Lehmann lovegrass has invaded the site, usually from a seed source brought in along roads and jeep trails. As fires burn this state Lehmann usually increases in dominance.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Dominant warm season grasses 150–200 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 100–200 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 50–100 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 0–100 – bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 10–100 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 20–100 – 2 Dominant cool season grasses 20–120 New Mexico feathergrass HENE5 Hesperostipa neomexicana 10–100 – southwestern needlegrass ACEM4 Achnatherum eminens 10–50 – woolyspike balsamscale ELBA Elionurus barbiculmis 0–50 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 0–25 – squirreltail ELELE Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides 0–20 – 3 Perennial threeawns 50–100 blue threeawn ARPUN Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi 20–100 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 0–30 – spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 5–30 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 0–20 – Orcutt's threeawn ARSCO Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana 0–15 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 0–15 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 0–10 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 0–10 – Havard's threeawn ARHA3 Aristida havardii 0–5 – Wooton's threeawn ARPA9 Aristida pansa 0–5 – 4 Sub dominant short grasses 45–100 slim tridens TRMU Tridens muticus 15–70 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 10–50 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 5–50 – red grama BOTR2 Bouteloua trifida 0–50 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 5–30 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 5–30 – slender grama BORE2 Bouteloua repens 0–25 – low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 5–25 – slim tridens TRMUE Tridens muticus var. elongatus 0–20 – shortleaf woollygrass ERAV Erioneuron avenaceum 1–15 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 1–10 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 0–10 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 0–10 – curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 0–5 – Arizona muhly MUAR3 Muhlenbergia arizonica 0–5 – 5 Annual grasses 5–100 mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 0–25 – Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 1–25 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 1–25 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 0–15 – Eastwood fescue VUMIC Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata 0–15 – desert fescue VUMIM Vulpia microstachys var. microstachys 0–15 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 1–15 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 1–15 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–10 – fragilegrass AETE Aegopogon tenellus 0–5 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–5 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–5 – witchgrass PACA6 Panicum capillare 0–5 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–5 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 0–5 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–5 – Mexican lovegrass ERME Eragrostis mexicana 0–5 – Mexican lovegrass ERMEM Eragrostis mexicana ssp. mexicana 0–5 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–5 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 0–5 – prairie false oat TRIN5 Trisetum interruptum 0–5 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 0–5 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–2 – 6 Miscellaneous grasses 0–35 tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 5–25 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 0–25 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–15 – bullgrass MUEM Muhlenbergia emersleyi 0–15 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–15 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 1–15 – silver bluestem BOSA Bothriochloa saccharoides 0–10 – sprucetop grama BOCH Bouteloua chondrosioides 0–5 – plains muhly MUCU3 Muhlenbergia cuspidata 0–5 – bamboo muhly MUDU3 Muhlenbergia dumosa 0–5 – lovegrass tridens TRER Tridens eragrostoides 0–5 – spiked crinkleawn TRSP12 Trachypogon spicatus 0–5 – desert muhly MUGL2 Muhlenbergia glauca 0–5 – New Mexico muhly MUPA2 Muhlenbergia pauciflora 0–5 – purple muhly MURI3 Muhlenbergia rigida 0–5 – slender muhly MUTE4 Muhlenbergia tenuifolia 0–5 – Texas bluestem SCCI2 Schizachyrium cirratum 0–5 – Forb7 Perennial Forbs 50–60 leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 5–20 – desert globemallow SPAM2 Sphaeralcea ambigua 5–20 – slender janusia JAGR Janusia gracilis 0–15 – Fendler's bladderpod LEFE Lesquerella fendleri 1–15 – Trans-Pecos thimblehead HYWI Hymenothrix wislizeni 0–15 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 1–15 – hairyseed bahia BAAB Bahia absinthifolia 1–10 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 1–10 – southwestern mock vervain GLGO Glandularia gooddingii 1–10 – Thurber's cotton GOTH Gossypium thurberi 0–10 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–10 – plains blackfoot MELE2 Melampodium leucanthum 1–10 – caliche globemallow SPLA Sphaeralcea laxa 5–10 – pricklyleaf dogweed THAC Thymophylla acerosa 1–10 – rue of the mountains THTE2 Thamnosma texana 1–10 – branched noseburn TRRA5 Tragia ramosa 1–5 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 1–5 – slender poreleaf POGR5 Porophyllum gracile 0–5 – velvetseed milkwort POOB Polygala obscura 0–5 – wishbone-bush MILAV Mirabilis laevis var. villosa 1–5 – desert tobacco NIOB Nicotiana obtusifolia 0–5 – Parry's beardtongue PEPA24 Penstemon parryi 1–5 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 0–5 – Greene's bird's-foot trefoil LOGR4 Lotus greenei 0–5 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 0–5 – desert rosemallow HICO Hibiscus coulteri 0–5 – paleface HIDE Hibiscus denudatus 0–5 – fineleaf hymenopappus HYFIL Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens 0–5 – beeblossom GAURA Gaura 0–5 – Gregg's prairie clover DAGR2 Dalea greggii 1–5 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–5 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 0–5 – San Felipe dogweed ADPO Adenophyllum porophylloides 0–5 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–5 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 0–5 – tarragon ARDR4 Artemisia dracunculus 0–5 – sandwort ARENA Arenaria 0–5 – desert marigold BAMU Baileya multiradiata 0–5 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 0–5 – climbing wartclub BOSC Boerhavia scandens 0–5 – Arizona wrightwort CAAR7 Carlowrightia arizonica 0–5 – perennial rockcress ARPE2 Arabis perennans 1–5 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 1–5 – New Mexico silverbush ARNE2 Argythamnia neomexicana 0–2 – largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–2 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 0–2 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–2 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 0–2 – El Paso skyrocket IPTH2 Ipomopsis thurberi 0–2 – variableleaf bushbean MAGI2 Macroptilium gibbosifolium 0–2 – shrubby purslane POSU3 Portulaca suffrutescens 0–2 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 0–2 – Louisiana vetch VILU Vicia ludoviciana 0–2 – ivyleaf groundcherry PHHE4 Physalis hederifolia 0–2 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–1 – Lemmon's ragwort SELE8 Senecio lemmonii 0–1 – New Mexico fanpetals SINE Sida neomexicana 0–1 – jewels of Opar TAPA2 Talinum paniculatum 0–1 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–1 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 0–1 – James' prairie clover DAJA Dalea jamesii 0–1 – Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 0–1 – desert larkspur DEPA Delphinium parishii 0–1 – desert mariposa lily CAKE Calochortus kennedyi 0–1 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 0–1 – 8 Annual forbs 5–50 longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 1–50 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 1–20 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 1–20 – sweet four o'clock MILO2 Mirabilis longiflora 0–15 – phacelia PHACE Phacelia 1–15 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–15 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–15 – cryptantha CRYPT Cryptantha 0–15 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 1–15 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–10 – goosefoot CHENO Chenopodium 0–10 – fewflower beggarticks BILE Bidens leptocephala 1–10 – chia SACO6 Salvia columbariae 0–10 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–10 – lyreleaf jewelflower STCAA Streptanthus carinatus ssp. arizonicus 0–10 – desert Indianwheat PLOV Plantago ovata 1–10 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–10 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 0–10 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–5 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–5 – flaxflowered ipomopsis IPLO2 Ipomopsis longiflora 0–5 – Gordon's bladderpod LEGO Lesquerella gordonii 0–5 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 0–5 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 0–5 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 0–5 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–5 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–5 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSA Lotus salsuginosus 0–5 – Arizona lupine LUAR4 Lupinus arizonicus 0–5 – Coulter's lupine LUSP2 Lupinus sparsiflorus 0–5 – woolly tidestromia TILA2 Tidestromia lanuginosa 0–5 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 0–5 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 0–5 – exserted Indian paintbrush CAEXE Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta 0–5 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–5 – sensitive partridge pea CHNI2 Chamaecrista nictitans 0–5 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–5 – hairy prairie clover DAMO Dalea mollis 0–5 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 1–5 – sanddune wallflower ERCA14 Erysimum capitatum 0–2 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–2 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 0–2 – minerslettuce MONTI Montia 0–2 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 0–2 – star gilia GIST Gilia stellata 0–2 – California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–2 – spurge EUPHO Euphorbia 0–2 – Arizona blanketflower GAAR2 Gaillardia arizonica 0–1 – manystem woolly sunflower ERMU6 Eriophyllum multicaule 0–1 – Texas stork's bill ERTE13 Erodium texanum 0–1 – plains flax LIPU4 Linum puberulum 0–1 – Thurber's morning-glory IPTH Ipomoea thurberi 0–1 – manybristle chinchweed PEPA2 Pectis papposa 0–1 – New Mexico plumeseed RANE Rafinesquia neomexicana 0–1 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–1 – warty caltrop KAPA Kallstroemia parviflora 0–1 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 0–1 – 9 Perennial ferns 10–25 spikemoss SELAG Selaginella 0–15 – lipfern CHEIL Cheilanthes 1–15 – cloak fern NOTHO Notholaena 0–10 – cliffbrake PELLA Pellaea 1–10 – Shrub/Vine10 Dominant half shrubs 50–150 fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 15–50 – mariola PAIN2 Parthenium incanum 10–35 – rough menodora MESC Menodora scabra 10–30 – featherplume DAFO Dalea formosa 10–30 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 0–25 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 5–20 – desert zinnia ZIAC Zinnia acerosa 5–20 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 1–15 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 0–10 – woody crinklemat TICAC Tiquilia canescens var. canescens 0–10 – Utah fendlerbush FEUTC Fendlerella utahensis var. cymosa 0–10 – 11 Dominant large shrubs 35–150 desert ceanothus CEGR Ceanothus greggii 5–35 – ocotillo FOSP2 Fouquieria splendens 5–35 – Rio Grande saddlebush MOSC Mortonia scabrella 0–30 – Tahitian kidneywood EYOR Eysenhardtia orthocarpa 0–25 – Wright's beebrush ALWR Aloysia wrightii 5–20 – creosote bush LATRT Larrea tridentata var. tridentata 0–20 – littleleaf sumac RHMI3 Rhus microphylla 0–20 – whitethorn acacia ACCOC Acacia constricta var. constricta 0–20 – whitethorn acacia ACCOP9 Acacia constricta var. paucispina 0–15 – evergreen sumac RHVIC Rhus virens var. choriophylla 0–15 – Kearney's sumac RHKE Rhus kearneyi 0–15 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 0–10 – pelotazo ABIN Abutilon incanum 0–10 – knifeleaf condalia COSP3 Condalia spathulata 0–10 – Warnock's snakewood COWA Condalia warnockii 0–10 – Kearney's snakewood COWAK Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana 0–5 – 12 Succulents 30–130 Schott's century plant AGSC3 Agave schottii 10–40 – sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 5–30 – common sotol DAWH2 Dasylirion wheeleri 5–20 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 5–20 – cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 1–20 – Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 0–15 – Parry's agave AGPA4 Agave parryi 0–10 – saguaro CAGI10 Carnegiea gigantea 0–10 – staghorn cholla CYVE3 Cylindropuntia versicolor 0–10 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–5 – dollarjoint pricklypear OPCH Opuntia chlorotica 1–5 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 1–5 – hedgehog cactus ECHIN3 Echinocereus 0–5 – rainbow cactus ECPE Echinocereus pectinatus 1–5 – purple pricklypear OPMAM Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra 0–5 – tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–5 – desert agave AGDE Agave deserti 0–5 – Cochise foxtail cactus ESRO Escobaria robbinsiorum 0–1 – spinystar ESVI2 Escobaria vivipara 0–1 – white fishhook cactus ECIN2 Echinomastus intertextus 0–1 – Graham's nipple cactus MAGR9 Mammillaria grahamii 0–1 – little nipple cactus MAHE2 Mammillaria heyderi 0–1 – redspine fishhook cactus ECER2 Echinomastus erectocentrus 0–1 – Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 0–1 – 13 Miscellaneous shrubs 10–60 Coulter's brickellbush BRCO Brickellia coulteri 1–15 – pelotazo ABIN Abutilon incanum 0–15 – alderleaf mountain mahogany CEMO2 Cercocarpus montanus 0–15 – hairy mountain mahogany CEMOP Cercocarpus montanus var. paucidentatus 0–15 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–15 – QUPA4 Quercus ×pauciloba 0–15 – pungent oak QUPU Quercus pungens 0–15 – Sonoran scrub oak QUTU2 Quercus turbinella 0–10 – jojoba SICH Simmondsia chinensis 0–10 – spiny hackberry CEEH Celtis ehrenbergiana 0–10 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 0–5 – javelina bush COER5 Condalia ericoides 0–5 – button brittlebush ENFR Encelia frutescens 0–5 – longleaf jointfir EPTR Ephedra trifurca 0–5 – turpentine bush ERLA12 Ericameria laricifolia 0–5 – bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 0–5 – American tarwort FLCE Flourensia cernua 0–5 – burroweed ISTE2 Isocoma tenuisecta 0–5 – Arizona necklacepod SOAR3 Sophora arizonica 0–5 – yellow trumpetbush TEST Tecoma stans 0–5 – American threefold TRCA8 Trixis californica 0–5 – Parish's goldeneye VIPA14 Viguiera parishii 0–5 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 0–5 – desert-thorn LYCIU Lycium 0–5 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 0–5 – velvetpod mimosa MIDY Mimosa dysocarpa 0–5 – blue paloverde PAFL6 Parkinsonia florida 0–5 – yellow paloverde PAMI5 Parkinsonia microphylla 0–5 – whitestem paperflower PSCO2 Psilostrophe cooperi 0–5 – Mexican cliffrose PUME Purshia mexicana 0–5 – evergreen sumac RHVIC Rhus virens var. choriophylla 0–5 – rock sage SAPI2 Salvia pinguifolia 0–5 – Wislizenus' senna SEWI3 Senna wislizeni 0–5 – crown of thorns KOSP Koeberlinia spinosa 0–2 – desertbroom BASA2 Baccharis sarothroides 0–1 – Tree14 Trees 0–35 Arizona rosewood VACA5 Vauquelinia californica 0–20 – oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 0–20 – western honey mesquite PRGLT Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana 0–10 – velvet mesquite PRVE Prosopis velutina 0–10 – Arizona rosewood VACAP Vauquelinia californica ssp. pauciflora 0–10 – 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
Herbaceous forage produced on this site is less palatable than that on other hill sites for two reasons. The soils are droughty and calcareous and plants have a very short green season, and high pH may make essential plant nutrients less available. With a fair percentage of cool season grass and a variety of low evergreen browse species, this site is most useable in late spring and fall. Cow-calf pairs will use only 300-400 feet up or down in elevation from water in midsummer. Dry cows will use double that distance in the cool season. Yearling calves will make good use of the site in all seasons. Slope aspect affects both the intensity of use, as well as seasonal use patterns. North-south trending slopes 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 used more in the spring due to warmth from cold weather and early green-up of forage species. North slopes, being shaded and cooler, are used more in the summer, but are never used as much as warmer exposures. The site tends to be very dry even in the winter when other hill-sites have canyon water.
Livestock water developments are very important to wildlife on this site. Although not a high producer of forage, the variety of plants is unique to the site and the number of evergreen browse species make the site home to a diverse fauna.Hydrological functions
Coarse textured soils and porous bedrock make this site an important site for capture of water and recharge of southeastern Arizona stream systems.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, photography, camping, prospecting and bird-watching
Wood products
Limited hobby woods like Arizona rosewood.
Other products
Fossils, gold, silver, turquoise and limestone and crushed marble for decorative rock.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 5 in excellent condition, 20 in good condition and 3 in fair condition.
Type locality
Location 1: Santa Cruz County, AZ Township/Range/Section T20 R18 S10 General legal description Rose Tree Ranch Location 2: Pima County, AZ Township/Range/Section T17S R17E S32 General legal description Andrade Ranch Location 3: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T23S R24E S2 General legal description Dixie Canyon Ranch - Mexican Canyon Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
Steve Barker
UnknownRangeland 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, Emilion Carrillo, 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
-
Number and extent of rills:
None -
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 are 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 -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None -
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, adn 4-6 under plant canopies. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
weak granular; color is 7.5YR4/2 dry; 5YR3/2 Moist; 2-8 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 20-55%; 40-50% of canopy cover is perennial grasses, 5% perennial forbs, 40-45% shrubs and trees, 5% succulents. 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 -
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 > subshrubs > annual grasses & forbs > shrubs succulents = perennial forbsSub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
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/ac unfavorable precipitation; 700 lbs/ac normal precipitation; 1000 lbs/ac 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:
Whitethorn, mesquite, prickley pear, cane cholla, & ocotillo may increase. Red brome and wild oats. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not affected even following several years of prolonged drought period for the region.
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