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Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
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Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 041X–Madrean Archipelago
AZ 41.3 – Chihuahuan – Sonoran Semidesert Grasslands
Elevations range from 3200 to 5000 feet and precipitation ranges from 12 to 16 inches per year. Vegetation includes mesquite, catclaw acacia, netleaf hackberry, palo verde, false mesquite, range ratany, fourwing saltbush, tarbush, littleleaf sumac, sideoats grama, black grama, plains lovegrass, cane beardgrass, tobosa, vine mesquite, threeawns, Arizona cottontop and bush muhly. The soil temperature regime is thermic and the soil moisture regime is ustic aridic. This unit occurs within the Basin and Range Physiographic Province and is characterized by numerous mountain ranges that rise abruptly from broad, plain-like valleys and basins. Igneous and metamorphic rock classes dominate the mountain ranges and sediments filling the basins represent combinations of fluvial, lacustrine, colluvial and alluvial deposits.Associated sites
R041XC304AZ Clayey Upland 12-16" p.z.
R041XC305AZ Clay Loam Upland 12-16" p.z.
R041XC313AZ Loamy Upland 12"-16" p.z.
R041XC330AZ Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Clayey
Similar sites
R040XA123AZ Volcanic Hills 10"-13" P.Z.
R041XB223AZ Basalt Hills 8-12" p.z.
R041XA111AZ Volcanic Hills 16-20" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) eriogonum wrightii
Herbaceous (1) bouteloua curtipendula
(2) bouteloua hirsutaPhysiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province of southeastern Arizona. It occurs on hill-slopes and ridge-tops. Slope aspect is site differentiating at elevations near LRA boundaries.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Ridge
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 1067 – 1676 m 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) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 410 mm 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 intermediate igneous rock like andesite, dacite and related volcanic tuffs and welded ash. They are non-calcareous in the surface 10 inches and loam to clay loam textured. They have well developed covers of light colored cobbles, gravels and stones. Soils 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 E Pinal and S Gila counties MU 73 Pantak & Lampshire; SSA-663 Gila-Duncan area MU's 23 Graham, 31 Atascosa & Graham; SSA-664 San Simon area MU 5 Atascosa; SSA-665 Wilcox area LvE Luzena variant; SSA-666 Cochise NW part MU's 36 Deloro, 45 Lampshire and 80 Surge; SSA-667 Santa Cruz area MU's GhF & LgF Graham, ShF Schrap CbCL; SSA-669 Pima county E part MU's 23, 24 & 42 Deloro, 32 & 57 Pantak and 56 Deloro & Pantak; SSA-671 Cochise Douglas-Tombstone part MU 42 Deloro Lampshire and Leyte; SSA-675 San Carlos IR area MU's 55 Pantak & Lampshire, 72 Lampshire; SSA-703 Tohono O'odham Nation MU 41 Lampshire & Pantak.Table 4. Representative soil features
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate Soil depth 25 – 51 cm Surface fragment cover <=3" 25 – 50 % Surface fragment cover >3" 5 – 12 % Available water capacity
(0-101.6cm)3.05 – 8.13 cm Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-101.6cm)0 – 8 % Electrical conductivity
(0-101.6cm)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-101.6cm)0 – 2 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-101.6cm)6.6 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 45 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)1 – 10 % Ecological dynamics
The plant communities found on an ecological site are naturally variable. Composition and production will vary with yearly conditions, location, aspect, and the natural variability of the soils. The Historical Climax Plant Community represents the natural potential plant communities found on relict or relatively undisturbed sites. Other plant communities described here represent plant communities that are known to occur when the site is disturbed by factors such as fire, grazing, or drought.
Production data provided in this site description is standardized to air dry weight at the end of the summer growing season. The plant communities described in this site description are based on near normal rainfall years.
NRCS uses a Similarity Index to compare existing plant communities to the plant communities described here. Similarity index is determined by comparing the production and composition of a plant community to the production 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 the group. Divide the resulting total by the total normal year production shown in the plant community description. If rainfall has been significantly above or below normal, use the total production shown for above or below normal years. If field data is not collected at the end of the summer growing season, then the field data must be corrected to the end of the year production before comparing it to the site description. The growth curve can be used as a guide for estimating production at the end of the summer growing season.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. State and Transition, Volcanic 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 textState 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. Volcanic Hills 12-16" pz, loamy,
The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. Many species of shrubs and succulents are well represented on the site. Larger shrubs are concentrated at the edges of rock outcrops and in canyon bottoms. All the major grass species are well dispersed throughout the plant community. The aspect is shrub dotted grassland.
Cool season plants start growth in early spring and mature early summer. Warm season plants take advantage of summer rains and are growing and nutritious July-September. Warm season grasses may remain green through the winter.
In the absence of wildfire for long periods of time and with overgrazing, shrubs and succulents can increase to dominate the plant community. Climatic warming may be driving increase of shrubs like the mimosa species.
Lehmann lovegrass can invade and increase on areas of this site. As fire, drought and/or continuous grazing act to reduce the cover of native perennial grasses, Lehmann can take advantage by increasing in dominance. Fires, in the presence of Lehmann, will use act to increase the spread of this non-native grass.
Well developed gravel, stone and cobble covers protect the soil from erosion and protect forage species from heavy utilization. Large areas of rock outcrop and inaccessible areas hold reserves of perennial grasses and forbs to help reseed lower slopes as needed.
Natural fire was an important factor in the development of the potential plant community and helped maintain a balance between grasses, forbs and shrubs. The natural fire free interval was about 10 years.Figure 6. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(kg/hectare)Representative value
(kg/hectare)High
(kg/hectare)Grass/Grasslike 381 785 1098 Shrub/Vine 78 112 202 Forb 22 56 202 Tree 0 11 22 Total 481 964 1524 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 20-50% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 30-50% Surface fragments >3" 0-10% Bedrock 0-20% Water 0% Bare ground 10-40% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (m) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.15 – 0-5% 1-10% 0-1% >0.15 <= 0.3 – 5-10% 10-20% 1-5% >0.3 <= 0.6 – 5-10% 5-15% 1-10% >0.6 <= 1.4 – 1-5% 0-10% 0-2% >1.4 <= 4 0-2% 0-5% – – >4 <= 12 – – – – >12 <= 24 – – – – >24 <= 37 – – – – >37 – – – – 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 increasedCommunity 2.1
Shrub increased
Figure 8. Volcanic Hills 12-16" pz., loamy, shrubby conditio
This state occurs where shrubs like mesquite, mimosa species, ocotillo, whitethorn and succulents like prickly pear and cholla have increased, in the absence of fire for long periods, to dominate the site. Climatic warming may be responsible for increases in the mimosas and prickly pear. Many of these species are vigorous re-sprouters once they are well established and will quickly re-assume dominance after fire. Perennial grasses and forbs exist in declining amounts as shrub canopies increase.
State 3
Lehmann lovegrass invadedCommunity 3.1
Lehmann lovegrass invadedThis state occurs where Lehmann lovegrass has invaded the site, usually from a seed source associated with roads and jeep trails running though the site. The interactions of fire, drought and continuous grazing can reduce the perennial grass cover allowing Lehmann to increase. Fires will act to further the dominance of Lehmann lovegrass. There will always be some diversity of native species left on the site due to diverse habitats in areas of rock outcrops and in canyon bottoms.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Dominant Mid Grasses 224–504 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 168–336 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 11–168 – tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 11–56 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 6–56 – bullgrass MUEM Muhlenbergia emersleyi 0–56 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 11–56 – 2 Dominant short grasses 78–280 hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 28–112 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 28–112 – slender grama BORE2 Bouteloua repens 11–56 – curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 28–56 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 28–56 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 6–56 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 0–28 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 6–28 – sprucetop grama BOCH Bouteloua chondrosioides 0–28 – 3 Cool season grasses 1–45 squirreltail ELELE Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides 1–34 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 0–11 – woolyspike balsamscale ELBA Elionurus barbiculmis 0–11 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 0–6 – southwestern needlegrass ACEM4 Achnatherum eminens 0–6 – 4 miscellaneous perennial grasses 11–56 silver bluestem BOSA Bothriochloa saccharoides 0–11 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 0–11 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 1–11 – maidencane PAHE2 Panicum hemitomon 0–11 – bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 0–11 – slim tridens TRMU Tridens muticus 0–11 – slim tridens TRMUE Tridens muticus var. elongatus 0–6 – deergrass MURI2 Muhlenbergia rigens 0–6 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 0–6 – Texas bluestem SCCI2 Schizachyrium cirratum 0–6 – little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 0–6 – southwestern bristlegrass SESC2 Setaria scheelei 0–6 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–6 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–6 – Mexican gamagrass TRLA11 Tripsacum lanceolatum 0–6 – bamboo muhly MUDU3 Muhlenbergia dumosa 0–6 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–6 – low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 0–2 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 0–2 – Arizona muhly MUAR3 Muhlenbergia arizonica 0–2 – 5 Perennial threeawns 6–45 spidergrass ARTE3 Aristida ternipes 6–22 – spidergrass ARTEG Aristida ternipes var. gentilis 0–17 – purple threeawn ARPUP9 Aristida purpurea var. perplexa 0–11 – Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 0–11 – Orcutt's threeawn ARSCO Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana 0–11 – Havard's threeawn ARHA3 Aristida havardii 0–6 – Wooton's threeawn ARPA9 Aristida pansa 0–6 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 0–6 – blue threeawn ARPUN Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi 0–6 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 0–6 – poverty threeawn ARDI5 Aristida divaricata 0–2 – 6 Annual grasses 6–112 Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 1–28 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 1–28 – Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 1–28 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 1–17 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 0–17 – Eastwood fescue VUMIC Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata 0–17 – desert fescue VUMIM Vulpia microstachys var. microstachys 0–17 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 0–11 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 0–11 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–6 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 0–6 – delicate muhly MUFR Muhlenbergia fragilis 0–6 – littleseed muhly MUMI Muhlenbergia microsperma 0–6 – witchgrass PACA6 Panicum capillare 0–6 – Arizona brome BRAR4 Bromus arizonicus 0–6 – fragilegrass AETE Aegopogon tenellus 0–3 – feather fingergrass CHVI4 Chloris virgata 0–2 – tapertip cupgrass ERACA Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata 0–1 – Mexican lovegrass ERME Eragrostis mexicana 0–1 – desert lovegrass ERPEM Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima 0–1 – tufted lovegrass ERPEP2 Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea 0–1 – goldentop grass LAAU Lamarckia aurea 0–1 – sixweeks grama BOBA2 Bouteloua barbata 0–1 – Forb7 Perennial forbs 11–50 slender janusia JAGR Janusia gracilis 1–17 – shrubby deervetch LORI3 Lotus rigidus 1–17 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 0–17 – desert globemallow SPAM2 Sphaeralcea ambigua 1–11 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 1–11 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 1–11 – perennial rockcress ARPE2 Arabis perennans 1–6 – lipfern CHEIL Cheilanthes 1–6 – longflower tube tongue JULO3 Justicia longii 0–6 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 0–6 – hairy false goldenaster HEVI4 Heterotheca villosa 0–6 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 1–6 – Arizona foldwing DIRE4 Dicliptera resupinata 0–6 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–6 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–6 – wishbone-bush MILAV Mirabilis laevis var. villosa 0–6 – cloak fern NOTHO Notholaena 1–6 – Louisiana vetch VILUL2 Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana 0–6 – branched noseburn TRRA5 Tragia ramosa 0–6 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 0–6 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–6 – cliffbrake PELLA Pellaea 1–6 – Parry's beardtongue PEPA24 Penstemon parryi 1–2 – Parry's false prairie-clover MAPA7 Marina parryi 0–2 – Arizona gumweed GRARS Grindelia arizonica var. stenophylla 0–2 – Lemmon's ragwort SELE8 Senecio lemmonii 0–2 – Arizona snakecotton FRAR2 Froelichia arizonica 0–2 – trailing fleabane ERFL Erigeron flagellaris 0–2 – desert trumpet ERIN4 Eriogonum inflatum 0–2 – climbing wartclub BOSC Boerhavia scandens 0–2 – Arizona wrightwort CAAR7 Carlowrightia arizonica 0–1 – desert mariposa lily CAKE Calochortus kennedyi 0–1 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 0–1 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 0–1 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–1 – leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 0–1 – fingerleaf gourd CUDI Cucurbita digitata 0–1 – Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 0–1 – desert larkspur DEPA Delphinium parishii 0–1 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–1 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 0–1 – hairyseed bahia BAAB Bahia absinthifolia 0–1 – desert marigold BAMU Baileya multiradiata 0–1 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 0–1 – Palmer's Indian mallow ABPA Abutilon palmeri 0–1 – dwarf desertpeony ACNA2 Acourtia nana 0–1 – brownfoot ACWR5 Acourtia wrightii 0–1 – San Felipe dogweed ADPO Adenophyllum porophylloides 0–1 – trailing windmills ALIN Allionia incarnata 0–1 – largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–1 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 0–1 – beeblossom GAURA Gaura 0–1 – southwestern mock vervain GLGO Glandularia gooddingii 0–1 – tuber anemone ANTU Anemone tuberosa 0–1 – Arizona rosemallow HIBI Hibiscus biseptus 0–1 – desert rosemallow HICO Hibiscus coulteri 0–1 – paleface HIDE Hibiscus denudatus 0–1 – Trans-Pecos thimblehead HYWI Hymenothrix wislizeni 0–1 – Thurber's cotton GOTH Gossypium thurberi 0–1 – narrowleaf stoneseed LIIN2 Lithospermum incisum 0–1 – New Mexico fanpetals SINE Sida neomexicana 0–1 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 0–1 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 0–1 – desert tobacco NIOB Nicotiana obtusifolia 0–1 – jewels of Opar TAPA2 Talinum paniculatum 0–1 – Coulter's wrinklefruit TECO Tetraclea coulteri 0–1 – hairy fournwort TENE Tetramerium nervosum 0–1 – plains blackfoot MELE2 Melampodium leucanthum 0–1 – Greene's bird's-foot trefoil LOGR4 Lotus greenei 0–1 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 0–1 – desert penstemon PEPS Penstemon pseudospectabilis 0–1 – slimleaf bean PHAN3 Phaseolus angustissimus 0–1 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–1 – slender poreleaf POGR5 Porophyllum gracile 0–1 – velvetseed milkwort POOB Polygala obscura 0–1 – shrubby purslane POSU3 Portulaca suffrutescens 0–1 – Wright's cudweed PSCAC2 Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens 0–1 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–1 – Coues' cassia SECO10 Senna covesii 0–1 – 8 Annual Forbs 11–157 longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 1–56 – California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–50 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–22 – goosefoot CHENO Chenopodium 0–22 – sensitive partridge pea CHNI2 Chamaecrista nictitans 1–17 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–11 – fewflower beggarticks BILE Bidens leptocephala 0–11 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 1–11 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–11 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 0–11 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 1–11 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 1–11 – phacelia PHACE Phacelia 0–11 – desert Indianwheat PLOV Plantago ovata 0–6 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–6 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 0–6 – sweet four o'clock MILO2 Mirabilis longiflora 0–6 – minerslettuce MONTI Montia 0–6 – woolly tidestromia TILA2 Tidestromia lanuginosa 0–6 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 0–6 – sawtooth sage SASU7 Salvia subincisa 0–6 – spreading fanpetals SIAB Sida abutifolia 1–6 – streamside bur cucumber SIAM Sicyos ampelophyllus 0–6 – sleepy silene SIAN2 Silene antirrhina 0–6 – cutleaf bur cucumber SILA Sicyos laciniatus 0–6 – Arizona lupine LUAR4 Lupinus arizonicus 0–6 – Coulter's lupine LUSP2 Lupinus sparsiflorus 0–6 – Thurber's morning-glory IPTH Ipomoea thurberi 0–6 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–6 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 0–6 – longleaf false goldeneye HELOL Heliomeris longifolia var. longifolia 0–6 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 0–6 – crestrib morning-glory IPCO2 Ipomoea costellata 0–6 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 0–6 – bristly fiddleneck AMTE3 Amsinckia tessellata 0–6 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–6 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–6 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–2 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 0–2 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–2 – redstar IPCO3 Ipomoea coccinea 0–2 – warty caltrop KAPA Kallstroemia parviflora 0–2 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 0–2 – Fendler's desertdandelion MAFE Malacothrix fendleri 0–2 – sand fringepod THCU Thysanocarpus curvipes 0–2 – chia SACO6 Salvia columbariae 0–2 – star gilia GIST Gilia stellata 0–2 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 0–2 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–2 – Florida pellitory PAFL3 Parietaria floridana 0–2 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 0–2 – desert unicorn-plant PRAL4 Proboscidea althaeifolia 0–1 – doubleclaw PRPA2 Proboscidea parviflora 0–1 – New Mexico plumeseed RANE Rafinesquia neomexicana 0–1 – green carpetweed MOVE Mollugo verticillata 0–1 – desert evening primrose OEPR Oenothera primiveris 0–1 – Arizona monardella MOAR Monardella arizonica 0–1 – Texas stork's bill ERTE13 Erodium texanum 0–1 – spurge EUPHO Euphorbia 0–1 – sanddune wallflower ERCA14 Erysimum capitatum 0–1 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–1 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 0–1 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–1 – wheelscale saltbush ATEL Atriplex elegans 0–1 – Shrub/Vine9 Dominant Half Shrubs 28–78 bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 11–39 – fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 6–34 – Gregg's prairie clover DAGR2 Dalea greggii 0–28 – rough menodora MESC Menodora scabra 0–22 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 1–17 – Schott's stickpea ZAFOS Zapoteca formosa var. schottii 0–11 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 1–11 – prairie acacia ACAN Acacia angustissima 0–11 – 10 Miscellaneous Shrubs 28–84 pelotazo ABIN Abutilon incanum 1–17 – whitethorn acacia ACCOC Acacia constricta var. constricta 1–11 – ocotillo FOSP2 Fouquieria splendens 1–11 – velvetpod mimosa MIDY Mimosa dysocarpa 1–11 – Sonoran scrub oak QUTU2 Quercus turbinella 0–11 – desert-thorn LYCIU Lycium 0–6 – algerita MATR3 Mahonia trifoliolata 0–6 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 1–6 – spiny hackberry CEEH Celtis ehrenbergiana 0–6 – Wright's beebrush ALWR Aloysia wrightii 0–6 – Eastern Mojave buckwheat ERFA2 Eriogonum fasciculatum 0–6 – coralbean ERFL7 Erythrina flabelliformis 0–6 – turpentine bush ERLA12 Ericameria laricifolia 0–6 – Tahitian kidneywood EYOR Eysenhardtia orthocarpa 0–6 – desert olive FOSH Forestiera shrevei 0–6 – jojoba SICH Simmondsia chinensis 0–6 – yellow trumpetbush TEST Tecoma stans 1–6 – blue paloverde PAFL6 Parkinsonia florida 0–6 – catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 1–6 – Coulter's brickellbush BRCO Brickellia coulteri 1–2 – American threefold TRCA8 Trixis californica 0–2 – Parish's goldeneye VIPA14 Viguiera parishii 0–2 – button brittlebush ENFR Encelia frutescens 0–2 – Pringle manzanita ARPR Arctostaphylos pringlei 0–2 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–2 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 1–2 – Schott's yellowhood NISC Nissolia schottii 0–2 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–2 – fringed twinevine FUCYC Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. cynanchoides 0–2 – physicnut JACU Jatropha cuneata 0–2 – Arizona water-willow JUCA9 Justicia candicans 0–2 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 0–1 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 0–1 – gumhead GYGL Gymnosperma glutinosum 0–1 – burroweed ISTE2 Isocoma tenuisecta 0–1 – evergreen sumac RHVIC Rhus virens var. choriophylla 0–1 – western soapberry SASAD Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii 0–1 – desertbroom BASA2 Baccharis sarothroides 0–1 – California brickellbush BRCA3 Brickellia californica 0–1 – javelina bush COER5 Condalia ericoides 0–1 – Warnock's snakewood COWA Condalia warnockii 0–1 – Kearney's snakewood COWAK Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana 0–1 – ragged rockflower CRBI2 Crossosoma bigelovii 0–1 – Florida hopbush DOVI Dodonaea viscosa 0–1 – brittlebush ENFA Encelia farinosa 0–1 – longleaf jointfir EPTR Ephedra trifurca 0–1 – Thurber's desert honeysuckle ANTH2 Anisacanthus thurberi 0–1 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 0–1 – heartleaf goldeneye VICO Viguiera cordifolia 0–1 – yellow paloverde PAMI5 Parkinsonia microphylla 0–1 – milfoil wattle ACMI Acacia millefolia 0–1 – whitethorn acacia ACCOP9 Acacia constricta var. paucispina 0–1 – 11 Succulents 6–39 Schott's century plant AGSC3 Agave schottii 0–11 – common sotol DAWH2 Dasylirion wheeleri 0–11 – sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 0–11 – cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 1–11 – banana yucca YUBA Yucca baccata 1–6 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 1–6 – smallflower century plant AGPA5 Agave parviflora 0–6 – Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 0–6 – saguaro CAGI10 Carnegiea gigantea 0–2 – hedgehog cactus ECHIN3 Echinocereus 0–2 – white fishhook cactus ECIN2 Echinomastus intertextus 0–1 – rainbow cactus ECPE Echinocereus pectinatus 0–1 – Graham's nipple cactus MAGR9 Mammillaria grahamii 0–1 – little nipple cactus MAHE2 Mammillaria heyderi 0–1 – dollarjoint pricklypear OPCH Opuntia chlorotica 0–1 – soaptree yucca YUEL Yucca elata 0–1 – purple pricklypear OPMAM Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra 0–1 – tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–1 – Arizona pencil cholla CYAR14 Cylindropuntia arbuscula 0–1 – jumping cholla CYFU10 Cylindropuntia fulgida 0–1 – Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 0–1 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 0–1 – staghorn cholla CYVE3 Cylindropuntia versicolor 0–1 – Parry's agave AGPA4 Agave parryi 0–1 – Tree12 Trees 0–22 oneseed juniper JUMO Juniperus monosperma 0–11 – western honey mesquite PRGLT Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana 0–6 – velvet mesquite PRVE Prosopis velutina 0–6 – Arizona white oak QUAR Quercus arizonica 0–6 – Emory oak QUEM Quercus emoryi 0–6 – Mexican blue oak QUOB Quercus oblongifolia 0–6 – netleaf hackberry CELAR Celtis laevigata var. reticulata 0–6 – 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 produces fair quality herbaceous forage. Protein and phosphorous will be deficient in the winter. The 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 water in the summer. Dry cows will use double the distance up or down the slope in the winter-spring season. Yearlings use the areas of the site well in any season. Slopes above 50% and large areas of bluff and rim and rock outcrops can hinder livestock movement on the site. Slope and aspect affects both the intensity of utilization and seasonal use patterns. North-south trending ridges will be utilized fairly well even in the summer as the west facing slope is shady in the morning and the east facing slope is shady in the afternoon. South facing slopes are extensively used in the winter and spring due to warmth from cold weather and early green-up of warm season grasses. North facing slopes are little used at any time of year. Seep and canyon water is available in most winters from December-February.
Water is very important to wildlife on this site, especially whitetail deer. This site is home to a tremendous variety of wildlife species, due to the diversity of food, cover and aspect.Hydrological functions
With steep slopes and loamy soils this site is a good producer of runoff.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, photography, bird-watching, camping, rock-hounding,
Wood products
Shrubby mesquite, juniper and catclaw acacia supply limited amounts of wood for campfires.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 14 in excellent condition, 24 in good condition, and 4 in fair condition.
Type locality
Location 1: Pima County, AZ Township/Range/Section T18S R12E S32 General legal description Caterpillar proving grounds, Green Valley Location 2: Pima County, AZ Township/Range/Section T21S R9E S14 General legal description Buenos Aires NWR Location 3: Pima County, AZ Township/Range/Section T18S R17E S10 General legal description Empire ranch, KA 7 in the Rockhouse pasture. Other references
Field Office Locations:
Douglas
Higley
Safford
San Carlos
Sells
Tucson
WillcoxContributors
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, Dan Robinett, Emilio Carillo 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:
Uncomon; probably cover no more than 10% of area, discontinuous, very short, usually less than 1 foot in length; broken primarily by high rock and gravel cover. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals are uncommon on perennial grass and shrubs; limited soil material not conducive to forming continuous stands of plants that promote terracettes; high rock cover forms limited natural terracettes. -
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):
No slake test done. Expect values of 1-3 in canopy interspaces and 4-6 under plant canopies. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Weak coarse granular; color is 7.5YR4/4 dru'' 7.5YR3/4 moist; thickness to 2 inches. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
cover estimated as: canopy 20-40%; basal 5%; litter 45-55%; and gravel 30%. 45-55% of canopy cover is perennial grasses, 5% perennial forbs, 30% shrubs, 10% subshrubs. Cover is well dispersed throughout site. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None -
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 > annual grasses and forbs > subshrubs = shrubs > succulents = perennial forbs.Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
50% of basil cover of perennial grasses has likely been lost in recent prolonged drouth. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
700 lbs/ac unfavorable precipitation; 1000 lbs/ac normal precipitation; 1800 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:
turpentine bush, jojoba, whitethorn, mesquite, prickley pear, cane cholla, ocotillo may increase to undesirable levels in absence of natural fires; 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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