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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): 042C–Central New Mexico Highlands
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 070C–Central New Mexico Highlands
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 70C - will become 42C - is a high elevation portion of central New Mexico that is the convergence of four major physiographic provinces: Basin and Range, Southern Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and Colorado Plateau. As such, it contains parts or characteristics of each, though tectonically, as a region, it is the easternmost extent of the Basin and Range Province and, more specifically, a structural expression of the Rio Grande Rift. It consists mostly of rangeland with some forested areas associated with numerous disconnected mountain ranges such as the Guadalupe, Sacramento, and Manzano Mountains. Other major physiographic features include the Galisteo Basin or the enclosed Estancia Basin, the structural Chupadera and Glorieta Mesas, and the piedmonts of the Buchanan and Guadalupe Mesas.LRU notes
Site does not yet have an LRU designation
Ecological site concept
This site occurs on soils that are very shallow to moderately deep over basalt bedrock. Textures vary from stony fine sandy loams to stony clay loams. The soils may be calcareous on the surface or throughout the profile. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent.
Vegetation includes galleta, blue grama, burro-grass, mat muhly, ring muhly, cholla, snakeweed, and Russian thistle.Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Juniperus
(2) Pinus edulisShrub (1) Cercocarpus montanus
(2) Purshia mexicanaHerbaceous (1) Pascopyrum smithii
(2) Bouteloua gracilisPhysiographic features
This site occurs as lava flows, usually across broad areas and over uniform slopes. Slopes are nearly level to moderately sloping but may range as high as 15 percent. The terrain may frequently be interrupted by basalt outcrops, rock, or boulders and may have low hills, breaks or knobs that break the uniformity of the slope. Aspect varies but is not significant. Elevations range from 5,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level.
The Clovis soils are on plains. Slopes range from 0 to 20 percent. The soils formed in medium and moderately fine textured mixed sediments from quartzite, gneiss, schist, sandstone, and limestone. Elevations range from 4,500 to 7,200 feet.
Darvey soils are on hills. Slope is 0 to 5 percent. The soils formed in alluvium derived from calcareous sandstone and shale and limestone. The elevation is 4,500 to 6,500 feet.
Socorro soils are on basalt surfaces. Slope ranges from 0 to 8 percent. They formed in alluvium derived from basalt and eolian material. Elevation ranges from 5,200 to 6,200 feet.
The Tapia soils are on summits of interfluves and mesa tops. Slope ranges from 0 to 15 percent. The soils formed in calcareous medium to moderately fine textured material derived from mixed igneous and sedimentary rocks over gravelly very limy deposits. Elevations range from 5,400 to 7,200 feet.
Witt soils are on mesas. Slope ranges from 0 to 12 percent. They formed in silty calcareous sediments derived from mixed parent materials including quartzite, gneiss, sandstone, shale, limestone, eolian material, and Triassic and Jurassic redbed sediments. Elevation ranges from 5,200 to 7,000 feet.Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Lava flow
Elevation 5000 – 7000 ft Slope 0 – 15 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate of the area is "semi-arid continental".
The average annual precipitation ranges from 13 to 16 inches. Variations of 5 inches, more or less, are not uncommon. Seventy-five percent of the precipitation falls from April to October. Most of the summer precipitation comes in the form of high intensity-short duration thunderstorms.
Temperatures are characterized by distinct seasonal changes and large annual and diurnal temperature changes. The average annual temperature is about 50 degrees F with extremes of -29 degrees F in the winter and 103 degrees F in the summer.
The average frost-free season is 130 to 160 days. The last killing frost falling in early May and the first killing frost in early October.
Both temperature and precipitation favor warm-season perennial species. However, about 40 percent of the annual precipitation falls at a time favorable to cool-season plant growth. This allows the cool-season species to occupy an important component of the site. Strong winds blow across this area from the west and southwest from February to June and can dry the soil profile rapidly during a critial period for cool-season plant growth.
Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site using 50% probability for freeze-free and frost-free seasons using 28.5 degrees F and 32.5 degrees F respectively.
Clovis - The climate is semiarid continental. Typically, the mean annual temperature is about 49 to 57 degrees F. The mean annual precipitation is typically 10 to 14 inches, but has ranged to 16 inches in some areas. Frost-free period is 140 to 185 days. In Arizona, the mean annual temperature drops to 48 degrees and the frost-free period is 120 to 165 days.
Darvey - The mean annual precipitation is 10 to 13 inches, but has ranged to 17 inches in the past. The mean annual soil temperature ranges from 48 to 59 degrees F. The frost-free period is about 150 to 190 days.
Socorro - The mean annual temperature ranges from 48 to 57 degrees F., mean annual precipitation ranges from 10 to 12 inches, but has ranged to 15 inches in the past. The frost-free period ranges from about 140 to 190 days.
Tapia - The average annual precipitation ranges from about 10 to 16 inches and the mean annual soil temperature ranges from 48 to 52 degrees F. The precipitation pattern is characterized by a marked summer maximum resulting from thunderstorms. The frost-free season ranges from 120 to 170 days.
Witt - The mean annual precipitation ranges from 10 to 14 inches. Mean annual temperature ranges from 45 to 54 degrees F. The frost-free period ranges from 120 to 160 days.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 170 days Freeze-free period (average) 190 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
This is an upland site, and is not associated with water features or wetlands. During heavy rain events, this site may receive run-on moisture from landforms above and contribute runoff to landforms below.
Soil features
The soils on this site are very shallow to moderately deep over basalt bedrock. Textures vary from stony fine sandy loams to stony clay loams. These soils may be calcareous on the surface or throughout the profile. Permeability is moderate to slow and water-holding capacity is low to moderately high, depending on the depth to basalt. the classic concept is probably closest related to components of the Socorro series.
This site is correlated to mapunit components using soil series such as:
Clovis FINE-LOAMY, MIXED, SUPERACTIVE, MESIC USTIC CALCIARGIDS
Darvey FINE-LOAMY, MIXED, SUPERACTIVE, MESIC USTIC HAPLOCALCIDS
Socorro - LOAMY-SKELETAL, CARBONATIC, MESIC USTIC HAPLOCALCIDS
Tapia FINE-LOAMY, MIXED, SUPERACTIVE, MESIC PETRONODIC USTIC CALCIARGIDS
Witt FINE-SILTY, MIXED, SUPERACTIVE, MESIC USTIC CALCIARGIDS
The Clovis series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in medium and moderately fine textured sediments from quartzite gneiss, schist, sandstone, and limestone. The Clovis soils are on fan terraces, piedmont slopes, and plains. Slopes are 0 to 20 percent. TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Ustic Calciargids. Well drained. Permeability is moderate or moderately slow. Runoff is negligible on slopes less than 1 percent, very low on 1 to 3 percent slopes, low on 3 to 5 percent slopes and medium on 5 to 20 percent slopes.
The Darvey series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in alluvium from calcareous sandstone, shale and limestone. These soils are on hills, fan terraces, and valley fill. Slope ranges from 0 to 5 percent. Well drained; slow runoff; moderate permeability.
The Socorro series consists of moderately deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in alluvium derived from basalt and eolian materials. Slope ranges from 0 to 8 percent. Well drained. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is negligible on slopes less than 1 percent, very low on 1 to 5 percent slopes and low on 5 to 8 percent slopes.
The Tapia series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in alluvium and eolian material derived from mixed sources. These soils are on piedmont fans and mesas and on interfluves of undulating plains. Well drained. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is negligible on slopes less than 1 percent slopes, low on 1 to 5 percent slopes and medium on 5 to 15 percent slopes.
he Witt series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately or moderately slowly permeable soils that formed in eolian material and alluvium derived from sedimentary materials on fan terraces, piedmonts, bajadas and mesas. Slope ranges 0 to 12 percent. Well drained. Permeability is moderately slow. Runoff is low on slopes less than 1 percent, medium on 1 to 5 percent slopes and high on 5 to 15 percent slopes.Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Gravelly fine sandy loam
(2) Stony clay loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Slow to moderate Soil depth 20 – 40 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 35 – 60 % Surface fragment cover >3" 15 – 35 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)0 – 2 in Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.9 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 35 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 35 % Ecological dynamics
This site is not suited to continuous year-long grazing or continuous grazing during the growing season. Under the above condition, the site will deteriorate. Deterioration is characterized by a decrease in total production and the composition of western wheatgrass, black grama, sideoats grama, New Mexico feathergrass, Arizona fescue, and pine dropseed. There will be a corresponding increase in bare ground and low-vigor sod-type blue grama. Species such as threeawns, broom snakeweed, Gambel oak, pinyon, and juniper will also increase. In a deteriorated condition, this site is severely erodible. The site responds best to a system of grazing that rotates the season of use. The use of goats can be a good management tool in maintaining a healthy balance of vegetation.
State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. Generalized STM for shallow sites in 70C
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 1
Reference StateThis state includes western wheatgrass, black grama, and sideoats grama.
Characteristics and indicators. the composition of western wheatgrass, black grama, sideoats grama, New Mexico feathergrass, Arizona fescue, and pine dropseed.
Resilience management. Grazing: This site is suitable for grazing by all kinds and classes of livestock during all seasons of the year. However, this site is not suited to continuous year-long grazing or continuous grazing during the growing season. Under the above condition, the site will deteriorate. The site responds best to a system of grazing that rotates the season of use.
Community 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityThis phase is dominated by perennial grasses. Shrubs and half-shrubs dot the landscape. During years of abundant spring and fall moisture, a large variety of forbs are scattered throughout the landscape.
Other grasses that could appear on this phase include: big bluestem, cane bluestem, prairie junegrass, pinyon ricegrass, Indian ricegrass, and vine-mesquite. Other shrubs include: algerita, sacahuista, winterfat, fourwing saltbush, apacheplume, rubber rabbitbrush, yucca and ephedra.
Other forbs include: happlopappus spp., bloodweed, annual wildbuckwheats, and locoweed spp.Figure 5. 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 370 640 900 Forb 40 70 100 Total 410 710 1000 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0-0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 0-10% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 0% Forb foliar cover 0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 10-10% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 10-20% Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM4310 , R070CY110NM Malpais HCPC. R070CY110NM Malpais HCPC Mixed warm/cool-season grassland with scattered shrubs and half-shrubs with a minor forb component. .
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 7 10 15 25 25 8 5 0 0 State 2
DegradedThis state is characterized by bare ground and low-vigor sod-type blue grama.
Characteristics and indicators. Deterioration is characterized by a decrease in total production and the composition of western wheatgrass, black grama, sideoats grama, New Mexico feathergrass, Arizona fescue, and pine dropseed. There will be a corresponding increase in bare ground and low-vigor sod-type blue grama. Species such as threeawns, broom snakeweed, Gambel oak, pinyon, and juniper will also increase.
Resilience management. The site responds best to a system of grazing that rotates the season of use. The use of goats can be a good management tool in maintaining a healthy balance of vegetation.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Season-long grazing providing little rest and recovery for preferred grazed plants during critical growing periods, coupled with high utilization.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Legacy Statement: "Restoration pathway resulting from the implementation of prescribed grazing." It should be noted that the legacy statement does not indicate a timeframe, or other conditions, such as a favorable climatic period. Future work on this ESD should seek to clarify this.
Conservation practices
Grazing Management Plan - Applied Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 80–130 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 85–128 – 2 80–170 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 85–170 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 85–170 – James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 85–170 – 3 80–170 black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 85–170 – 4 80–130 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 85–128 – 5 30–40 squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 26–43 – 6 30–40 common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 26–43 – 7 40–60 needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 43–60 – New Mexico feathergrass HENE5 Hesperostipa neomexicana 43–60 – 8 40–60 little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 43–60 – 9 30–40 spike muhly MUWR Muhlenbergia wrightii 26–43 – 10 40–60 mountain muhly MUMO Muhlenbergia montana 43–60 – 11 40–60 pine dropseed BLTR Blepharoneuron tricholepis 43–60 – Arizona fescue FEAR2 Festuca arizonica 43–60 – 12 20–40 threeawn ARIST Aristida 17–43 – 13 10–20 curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 9–17 – 14 20–40 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 17–43 – Forb15 10–40 buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 9–43 – 16 10–30 scarlet Indian paintbrush CACO17 Castilleja coccinea 9–26 – 17 10–30 woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 9–26 – 18 10–20 Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 2FORB Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 9–17 – Shrub/Vine19 20–40 hairy mountain mahogany CEMOP Cercocarpus montanus var. paucidentatus 17–43 – 20 20–40 Mexican cliffrose PUME Purshia mexicana 17–43 – Gambel oak QUGA Quercus gambelii 17–43 – 22 10–30 broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 9–26 – 23 10–30 Shrub, deciduous 2SD Shrub, deciduous 9–26 – Tree21 40–80 juniper JUNIP Juniperus 43–85 – twoneedle pinyon PIED Pinus edulis 43–85 – Interpretations
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Chaves County, NM Location 2: De Baca County, NM Location 3: Guadalupe County, NM Location 4: Lincoln County, NM Location 5: San Miguel County, NM Location 6: Santa Fe County, NM Location 7: Torrance County, NM Other references
Data collection for this site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Pecos-Canadian Plains and Valleys 70 Major Land Resource Area of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys: Chaves, De Baca, Guadalupe, Lincoln, Sna Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance.
Characteristic Soils Are:
Apache, Cabezon, Socorro
Contributors
Christine Bishop
Don Sylvester
Elizabeth Wright
John TunbergApproval
Kendra Moseley, 10/21/2024
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Contact for lead author Date 08/16/2026 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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