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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.
R041XC323AZ Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Loamy
Similar sites
R041XA111AZ Volcanic Hills 16-20" p.z.
R038XA117AZ Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Clayey
R041XB223AZ Basalt Hills 8-12" p.z.
R038XB215AZ Clayey Hills 16-20" p.z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) eriogonum wrightii
Herbaceous (1) bouteloua curtipendula
(2) pleuraphis muticaPhysiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs on hill-slopes, ridge-tops and mesas. Slope aspect is site differentiating at elevations near land resource area boundaries.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Ridge
(3) Mesa
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) 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 basic to intermediate igneous rocks like basalt and andesite. They are non-calcareous, clayey in texture and very dark colored. Some carbonates may be present at the bedrock contact. Bedrock is hard and un-weathered. Soil surfaces have well developed covers of dark colored gravels, stones and cobbles. Numerous areas of rock outcrop occur intermingled with soil areas. Plant - soil moisture relationships are good.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 E Pinal and S Gila counties MU's 19 Chiricahua & Delero, 37 38 & 39 Eskimizen; SSA-666 Cochise NW part MU 45 Graham.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Slope alluvium – quartzite
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately slow to slow Soil depth 10 – 20 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 25 – 50 % Surface fragment cover >3" 5 – 12 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)1 – 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)6.6 – 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 community found on relict or relatively undisturbed areas of this site. Other plant communities described here represent plant communities that are known to occur when the site is disturbed by factors such as fire, grazing and 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 described in the 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 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 the field data is not collected at the end of the summer growing season, then the field data must be corrected to the end of 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 reoccupies the site with proper management and a return to near normal conditions and/or equilibrium.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 textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Figure 5. Volcanic Hills 12-16" pz, clayey, HCPC
The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses and a variety of perennial forbs and half shrubs. Several species of shrubs and succulents are well represented on the site. Larger species of shrubs and low trees are concentrated along drainage ways and rock outcrops. In the absence of wildfire and/or with over grazing, shrubs increase to dominate the plant community. Well developed covers of gravels, stones and cobbles protect the soil from erosion and help protect forage species from overuse.
Natural fires, with a frequency of about once in ten years, were important in shaping the potential plant community. Fire helps maintain a balance between grasses, forbs and shrubs. With continuous heavy grazing palatable forage species can diminish in the plant community and will be replaced by increases in shrubs, succulents and annuals. Areas of rock outcrop hold remnant perennial forage species that can reseed down slope as needed.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 400 800 1050 Shrub/Vine 60 150 255 Forb 20 60 250 Tree 0 10 30 Total 480 1020 1585 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 30-60% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 30-60% Surface fragments >3" 0-20% Bedrock 0-10% Water 0% Bare ground 10-30% 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% 5-15% 1-5% >1 <= 2 – 5-10% 15-30% 1-15% >2 <= 4.5 – 0-5% 5-10% 0-5% >4.5 <= 13 0-2% 0-5% – – >13 <= 40 0-1% – – – >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
Exotic annual forbs and grassesCommunity 2.1
Exotic annual forbs and grassesNon-native annual forbs and grasses like red brome, wild oats and filaree can dominate the herbaceous layer of the plant community. The interactions of fire, drought and continuous grazing cause the loss of perennial grasses and forbs. These exotic species may, over time, reduce the seed-bank of native species of grasses and forbs. Their presence may increase the frequency of man-made fires, especially where roads and urban areas are adjacent to the site.
State 3
Shrub increasedCommunity 3.1
Shrub increased
Figure 8. Volcanic Hills 12-16" pz, clayey, Shrub increase
Perennial grass cover is reduced due to the interactions of drought, fire and continuous grazing. Native shrubs like mesquite, whitethorn, mimosa, ocotillo and succulents like prickly pear and cholla have increased in the absence of fire for long periods of tome to dominate the plant community. Many of these species are vigorous sprouters after fire once they are well established. Climatic warming seems to be, at least part of the reason for increases in species like the mimosas and prickly pear.
State 4
Shrubby and erodedCommunity 4.1
Shrubby and eroded
Figure 9. Volcanic Hills 12-16" pz., clayey, eroded
Native shrubs like mesquite, whitethorn, juniper and mimosa with succulents like prickly pear and cholla dominate the plant community. Continuous heavy livestock grazing and trailing have caused severe soil compaction in accessible areas. The resulting increase and concentration in runoff has caused rills to form on the hill-slopes.
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 300–550 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 150–300 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 50–150 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 20–150 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 15–100 – tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 10–100 – tanglehead HECO10 Heteropogon contortus 10–50 – 2 Dominant Perennial Short Grasses 80–250 black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 15–100 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 15–75 – purple grama BORA Bouteloua radicosa 10–50 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 10–50 – curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 15–50 – slender grama BORE2 Bouteloua repens 5–25 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 5–25 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 0–20 – sprucetop grama BOCH Bouteloua chondrosioides 0–15 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 1–10 – 3 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 – Parish's threeawn ARPUP5 Aristida purpurea var. parishii 0–10 – Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 0–10 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 0–10 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 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 – 4 Miscellaneous Perennial grasses 5–50 squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 1–20 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 0–15 – bullgrass MUEM Muhlenbergia emersleyi 1–15 – bush muhly MUPO2 Muhlenbergia porteri 0–15 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 1–15 – southwestern bristlegrass SESC2 Setaria scheelei 1–15 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–10 – slim tridens TRMU Tridens muticus 0–10 – spiked crinkleawn TRSP12 Trachypogon spicatus 0–10 – Rothrock's grama BORO2 Bouteloua rothrockii 0–10 – silver bluestem BOSA Bothriochloa saccharoides 0–5 – Mexican gamagrass TRLA11 Tripsacum lanceolatum 0–5 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–5 – Texas bluestem SCCI2 Schizachyrium cirratum 0–5 – deergrass MURI2 Muhlenbergia rigens 0–2 – bulb panicgrass PABU Panicum bulbosum 0–2 – nineawn pappusgrass ENDE Enneapogon desvauxii 0–2 – sedge CAREX Carex 0–2 – low woollygrass DAPU7 Dasyochloa pulchella 0–2 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 0–2 – sourgrass DIIN2 Digitaria insularis 0–2 – woolyspike balsamscale ELBA Elionurus barbiculmis 0–2 – 5 Annual Grasses 10–150 Mexican panicgrass PAHI5 Panicum hirticaule 1–50 – Mexican sprangletop LEFUU Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia 1–30 – mucronate sprangeltop LEPAB Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata 1–30 – little barley HOPU Hordeum pusillum 1–25 – 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 – Arizona signalgrass URAR Urochloa arizonica 1–15 – sixweeks threeawn ARAD Aristida adscensionis 1–10 – prairie threeawn AROL Aristida oligantha 1–10 – needle grama BOAR Bouteloua aristidoides 0–5 – Bigelow's bluegrass POBI Poa bigelovii 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 0–2 – 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 – Forb6 Perennial Forbs 10–100 largeflower onion ALMA4 Allium macropetalum 0–25 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 1–15 – slender janusia JAGR Janusia gracilis 1–15 – desert globemallow SPAM2 Sphaeralcea ambigua 1–15 – brownplume wirelettuce STPA4 Stephanomeria pauciflora 1–10 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 1–10 – Louisiana vetch VILUL2 Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana 0–10 – longflower tube tongue JULO3 Justicia longii 0–10 – Trans-Pecos thimblehead HYWI Hymenothrix wislizeni 0–10 – Wright's deervetch LOWR Lotus wrightii 1–10 – weakleaf bur ragweed AMCO3 Ambrosia confertiflora 1–10 – climbing wartclub BOSC Boerhavia scandens 0–10 – bluedicks DICA14 Dichelostemma capitatum 1–10 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 0–5 – Arizona wrightwort CAAR7 Carlowrightia arizonica 0–5 – 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 – perennial rockcress ARPE2 Arabis perennans 1–5 – plains blackfoot MELE2 Melampodium leucanthum 1–5 – wishbone-bush MILAV Mirabilis laevis var. villosa 0–5 – cliffbrake PELLA Pellaea 1–5 – Parry's beardtongue PEPA24 Penstemon parryi 1–5 – desert penstemon PEPS Penstemon pseudospectabilis 0–5 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 0–5 – desert rosemallow HICO Hibiscus coulteri 0–5 – fineleaf hymenopappus HYFIL Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens 0–5 – beeblossom GAURA Gaura 0–5 – southwestern mock vervain GLGO Glandularia gooddingii 0–5 – scarlet spiderling BOCO Boerhavia coccinea 0–5 – hairy false goldenaster HEVIM3 Heterotheca villosa var. minor 0–5 – shrubby deervetch LORI3 Lotus rigidus 0–5 – slender poreleaf POGR5 Porophyllum gracile 0–2 – Wright's cudweed PSCAC2 Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens 0–2 – Arizona rosemallow HIBI Hibiscus biseptus 0–2 – Arizona snakecotton FRAR2 Froelichia arizonica 0–2 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 0–2 – Palmer's penstemon PEPA8 Penstemon palmeri 0–2 – desert tobacco NIOB Nicotiana obtusifolia 0–2 – cloak fern NOTHO Notholaena 0–2 – Greene's bird's-foot trefoil LOGR4 Lotus greenei 0–2 – desert marigold BAMU Baileya multiradiata 0–2 – San Felipe dogweed ADPO Adenophyllum porophylloides 0–2 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 0–2 – lipfern CHEIL Cheilanthes 0–2 – Cooley's bundleflower DECO2 Desmanthus cooleyi 0–2 – spreading fleabane ERDI4 Erigeron divergens 0–2 – trailing fleabane ERFL Erigeron flagellaris 0–2 – wild dwarf morning-glory EVAR Evolvulus arizonicus 0–1 – spreading snakeherb DYSCD Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens 0–1 – desert larkspur DEPA Delphinium parishii 0–1 – leatherweed CRPO5 Croton pottsii 0–1 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 0–1 – mala mujer CNAN Cnidoscolus angustidens 0–1 – desert mariposa lily CAKE Calochortus kennedyi 0–1 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 0–1 – dwarf desertpeony ACNA2 Acourtia nana 0–1 – Mexican yellowshow AMPA3 Amoreuxia palmatifida 0–1 – New Mexico silverbush ARNE2 Argythamnia neomexicana 0–1 – Watson's dutchman's pipe ARWA Aristolochia watsonii 0–1 – chaparral asphead ASHI3 Aspicarpa hirtella 0–1 – dense ayenia AYMI Ayenia microphylla 0–1 – hairyseed bahia BAAB Bahia absinthifolia 0–1 – roving sailor MAAN9 Maurandella antirrhiniflora 0–1 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 0–1 – firecracker penstemon PEEA Penstemon eatonii 0–1 – variableleaf bushbean MAGI2 Macroptilium gibbosifolium 0–1 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–1 – slimleaf bean PHAN3 Phaseolus angustissimus 0–1 – orange fameflower PHAU13 Phemeranthus aurantiacus 0–1 – ivyleaf groundcherry PHHE4 Physalis hederifolia 0–1 – Thurber's cotton GOTH Gossypium thurberi 0–1 – ragged nettlespurge JAMA Jatropha macrorhiza 0–1 – fernleaf biscuitroot LODI Lomatium dissectum 0–1 – San Pedro daisy LAPO4 Lasianthaea podocephala 0–1 – narrowleaf stoneseed LIIN2 Lithospermum incisum 0–1 – slimflower scurfpea PSTE5 Psoralidium tenuiflorum 0–1 – twinleaf senna SEBA3 Senna bauhinioides 0–1 – Coues' cassia SECO10 Senna covesii 0–1 – Lemmon's ragwort SELE8 Senecio lemmonii 0–1 – New Mexico fanpetals SINE Sida neomexicana 0–1 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 0–1 – velvetseed milkwort POOB Polygala obscura 0–1 – shrubby purslane POSU3 Portulaca suffrutescens 0–1 – gooseberryleaf globemallow SPGR2 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia 0–1 – jewels of Opar TAPA2 Talinum paniculatum 0–1 – hairy fournwort TENE Tetramerium nervosum 0–1 – branched noseburn TRRA5 Tragia ramosa 0–1 – 7 Annual Forbs 10–150 longleaf false goldeneye HELOA2 Heliomeris longifolia var. annua 1–50 – California poppy ESCAM Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana 0–45 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–20 – goosefoot CHENO Chenopodium 0–20 – sensitive partridge pea CHNI2 Chamaecrista nictitans 1–15 – Arizona poppy KAGR Kallstroemia grandiflora 0–15 – Coulter's lupine LUSP2 Lupinus sparsiflorus 0–15 – minerslettuce MONTI Montia 0–15 – slender goldenweed MAGR10 Machaeranthera gracilis 1–10 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 1–10 – phacelia PHACE Phacelia 0–10 – foothill deervetch LOHU2 Lotus humistratus 0–10 – coastal bird's-foot trefoil LOSAB Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus 0–10 – fewflower beggarticks BILE Bidens leptocephala 0–10 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 1–10 – carelessweed AMPA Amaranthus palmeri 0–10 – bristly fiddleneck AMTE3 Amsinckia tessellata 0–5 – New Mexico copperleaf ACNE Acalypha neomexicana 0–5 – sorrel buckwheat ERPO4 Eriogonum polycladon 0–5 – Coulter's spiderling BOCO2 Boerhavia coulteri 0–5 – New Mexico thistle CINE Cirsium neomexicanum 0–5 – Arizona lupine LUAR4 Lupinus arizonicus 0–5 – Thurber's morning-glory IPTH Ipomoea thurberi 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 – intermediate pepperweed LEVIM Lepidium virginicum var. medium 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 – woolly tidestromia TILA2 Tidestromia lanuginosa 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 – sand fringepod THCU Thysanocarpus curvipes 0–2 – Florida pellitory PAFL3 Parietaria floridana 0–2 – combseed PECTO Pectocarya 0–2 – chia SACO6 Salvia columbariae 0–2 – Arizona popcornflower PLAR Plagiobothrys arizonicus 0–2 – redstar IPCO3 Ipomoea coccinea 0–2 – star gilia GIST Gilia stellata 0–2 – pearly globe amaranth GONI Gomphrena nitida 0–2 – American wild carrot DAPU3 Daucus pusillus 0–2 – warty caltrop KAPA Kallstroemia parviflora 0–2 – shaggyfruit pepperweed LELA Lepidium lasiocarpum 0–2 – Fendler's desertdandelion MAFE Malacothrix fendleri 0–2 – fringed redmaids CACI2 Calandrinia ciliata 0–2 – wedgeleaf draba DRCU Draba cuneifolia 0–2 – sanddune wallflower ERCA14 Erysimum capitatum 0–1 – miniature woollystar ERDI2 Eriastrum diffusum 0–1 – Texas stork's bill ERTE13 Erodium texanum 0–1 – scrambled eggs COAU2 Corydalis aurea 0–1 – hoary bowlesia BOIN3 Bowlesia incana 0–1 – wheelscale saltbush ATEL Atriplex elegans 0–1 – spurge EUPHO Euphorbia 0–1 – 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 – Shrub/Vine8 Dominant Half Shrubs 40–150 bastardsage ERWR Eriogonum wrightii 30–100 – rough menodora MESC Menodora scabra 1–25 – Schott's stickpea ZAFOS Zapoteca formosa var. schottii 1–25 – fairyduster CAER Calliandra eriophylla 5–25 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 0–10 – Coulter's brickellbush BRCO Brickellia coulteri 0–10 – pelotazo ABIN Abutilon incanum 0–10 – prairie acacia ACAN Acacia angustissima 0–5 – American threefold TRCA8 Trixis californica 0–5 – littleleaf ratany KRER Krameria erecta 0–5 – 9 Succulents 10–55 Tahitian kidneywood EYOR Eysenhardtia orthocarpa 1–25 – ocotillo FOSP2 Fouquieria splendens 1–25 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 1–20 – turpentine bush ERLA12 Ericameria laricifolia 0–20 – desert lavender HYEM Hyptis emoryi 1–15 – sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 0–15 – jojoba SICH Simmondsia chinensis 0–15 – whitethorn acacia ACCOC Acacia constricta var. constricta 0–15 – whitethorn acacia ACCOP9 Acacia constricta var. paucispina 0–15 – catclaw acacia ACGRG3 Acacia greggii var. greggii 1–10 – Florida hopbush DOVI Dodonaea viscosa 0–10 – 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 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 0–5 – desert-thorn LYCIU Lycium 0–5 – algerita MATR3 Mahonia trifoliolata 0–5 – physicnut JACU Jatropha cuneata 0–5 – desert olive FOSH Forestiera shrevei 0–5 – Apache plume FAPA Fallugia paradoxa 0–5 – gumhead GYGL Gymnosperma glutinosum 0–5 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–5 – heartleaf goldeneye VICO Viguiera cordifolia 0–5 – Parish's goldeneye VIPA14 Viguiera parishii 0–5 – button brittlebush ENFR Encelia frutescens 0–5 – knifeleaf condalia COSP3 Condalia spathulata 0–5 – Warnock's snakewood COWA Condalia warnockii 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 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 0–5 – California brickellbush BRCA3 Brickellia californica 0–5 – spiny hackberry CEEH Celtis ehrenbergiana 0–5 – javelina bush COER5 Condalia ericoides 0–2 – desertbroom BASA2 Baccharis sarothroides 0–2 – pointleaf manzanita ARPU5 Arctostaphylos pungens 0–2 – Kearney's snakewood COWAK Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana 0–2 – ragged rockflower CRBI2 Crossosoma bigelovii 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 – cliff fendlerbush FERU Fendlera rupicola 0–2 – Arizona water-willow JUCA9 Justicia candicans 0–2 – burroweed ISTE2 Isocoma tenuisecta 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 – longleaf jointfir EPTR Ephedra trifurca 0–1 – brittlebush ENFA Encelia farinosa 0–1 – Gregg's prairie clover DAGR2 Dalea greggii 0–1 – ambrosia leaf bur ragweed AMAM2 Ambrosia ambrosioides 0–1 – 10 Succulents 10–55 cactus apple OPEN3 Opuntia engelmannii 1–30 – Schott's century plant AGSC3 Agave schottii 5–25 – Palmer's century plant AGPA3 Agave palmeri 1–10 – sacahuista NOMI Nolina microcarpa 0–10 – candy barrelcactus FEWI Ferocactus wislizeni 1–5 – buck-horn cholla CYAC8 Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa 1–5 – walkingstick cactus CYSP8 Cylindropuntia spinosior 1–5 – tulip pricklypear OPPH Opuntia phaeacantha 0–5 – smallflower century plant AGPA5 Agave parviflora 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 – staghorn cholla CYVE3 Cylindropuntia versicolor 0–2 – common sotol DAWH2 Dasylirion wheeleri 0–2 – jumping cholla CYFU10 Cylindropuntia fulgida 0–2 – rainbow cactus ECPE Echinocereus pectinatus 1–2 – dollarjoint pricklypear OPCH Opuntia chlorotica 0–2 – Parry's agave AGPA4 Agave parryi 0–2 – saguaro CAGI10 Carnegiea gigantea 0–2 – desert agave AGDE Agave deserti 0–2 – Santa Cruz beehive cactus CORE3 Coryphantha recurvata 0–1 – Graham's nipple cactus MAGR9 Mammillaria grahamii 0–1 – little nipple cactus MAHE2 Mammillaria heyderi 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 – white fishhook cactus ECIN2 Echinomastus intertextus 0–1 – Tree11 Trees 0–30 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 – western honey mesquite PRGLT Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana 0–5 – netleaf hackberry CELAR Celtis laevigata var. reticulata 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 (%) Table 11. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site produces good quality herbaceous forage due to fertile soils with high quantities of exchangeable bases. The site is not well suited to summertime grazing by cows with calves. Mother cow pairs will only use 300 or 400 feet in elevation, up or down slope from a water development in the summer. Dry cows will use double that distance in the winter. Yearling cattle make good use of the site in any season. Slopes above 50% and extremely cobbly areas may restrict livestock movement on the site. Slope and aspect affect both the intensity of use and seasonal use patterns. North aspects are little used throughout the year. South slopes are often overused in winter and spring due to warm temperatures and early green-up of forage species. Seep and canyon water are usually available in the winter and spring after snowfall.
Water developments are very important to wildlife on the site. The site is diverse in habitats and forage species for a great variety of wildlife species. This is an especially good site for Javalina.Hydrological functions
Steep slopes and heavy textured soils make this site a good producer of runoff.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, camping, horseback riding, photography, bird-watching, rock-hounding.
Wood products
Limited wood for campfires and branding fires from shrubby mesquite, juniper or catclaw acacia.
Other products
Malapais rock for building, cinders in a few locations.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 9 in excellent condition, 8 in good condition and 4 in fair condition.
Type locality
Location 1: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T20S R24E S7 General legal description Cowan Ranch, Stockton Hill Location 2: Cochise County, AZ Township/Range/Section T23S R29E S29 General legal description Rocker M Ranch Location 3: Pima County, AZ Township/Range/Section T18S R10E S28 General legal description Batamote Ranch, Penitas Hills Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. EllicottRangeland 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) Contact for lead author Date Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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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:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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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:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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