Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R042CY122NM
Shallow Sandy Savanna
Last updated: 10/21/2024
Accessed: 08/12/2026
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Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
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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.Ecological site concept
This site occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping side slopes of foothills and on tops of hills and mesas. Slopes range from 3 to 25 percent but are usually less than 10 percent.
The soils of this site are well drained and shallow to very shallow over petrocalcic material (caliche) or sandstone. The surface texture is fine sandy loam.Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Juniperus
(2) Pinus edulisShrub (1) Rhus trilobata
(2) Mahonia trifoliolataHerbaceous (1) Schizachyrium scoparium
(2) Bouteloua curtipendulaPhysiographic features
This site occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping side slopes of foothills and on tops of hills and mesas. Typically, this site grades down from the steep slopes of physiographic breaks. Slopes range from 3 to 25 percent but are usually less than 10 percent. Direction of slope varies and is usually not significant. Elevations range from 4,500 to 7,000 feet above sea level.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Mesa
Elevation 4500 – 7000 ft Slope 3 – 25 % 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 common. Seventy-five percent of the precipitation falls from April to October. Most of the summer precipitation falls in the form of high-intensity, short-duration thunderstorms.
Distinct seasonal changes and large annual and diurnal temperature changes characterize temperatures. 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 plant species. However, about 40 percent of the precipitation falls at a time favorable for cool-season plant growth. This allows the cool-season species to occupy a very important component in this plant community. Vegetation responds well to light rains due to the shallow soil depth and soil surface textures. Heavy rains produce excess runoff and can cause flash floods. Strong winds from the west and southwest blow across the area from February to June and dries the soil during a critical period for 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.
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 of this site are well drained and shallow to very shallow over petrocalcic material (caliche) or sandstone. The surface texture is fine sandy loam. This extends to a depth of 12 to 20 inches. The root-restrictive layer is encountered at 12 to 20 inches. Permeability is rapid and water-holding capacity is medium.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Fine sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Very slow to slow Soil depth 4 – 20 in Available water capacity
(0-40in)6 – 9 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.6 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)5 – 14 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)2 % Ecological dynamics
Continuous grazing of this site during the growing season will cause the high producing desirable forage plants such as little bluestem, sideoats grama, black grama, bottlebrush squirreltail, prairie junegrass, littleseed ricegrass and sumac to decrease. This will be followed by an increase in blue grama, threeawns, ring muhly, juniper, oak, algerita, and cholla. As the condition of this site deteriorates, a sharp increase in juniper will occur. As the tree canopy increases, the understory vegetation will sharply decrease. The increased numbers of trees may be attributed partly to the control of fire. Brush management is needed once the canopy exceeds 25 percent. Mechanical control is not feasible due to the shallow and sandy nature of the soils. A system of grazing that varies the season of use is most beneficial to maintain or improve the plant community.
State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. Generalized STM for shallow soils 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 represents the most ecologically stable conditions in terms of resistance to erosion. Moreover, this state has the highest potential for productivity and plant diversity.
Community 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityThis phase has an open stand of pinyon pine and/or juniper with grass understory. The understory grasses are characterized by both warm and cool-season, mid-grasses with scattered shrubs throughout. Half-shrubs and forbs are a minor part of the plant community. The open stand of pinyon and juniper at one time may have been maintained by natural fire. The tree canopy cover ranges from 10 to 25 percent.
Other grasses that could appear on this phase include:
hairy grama, needleandthread, New Mexico feathergrass, big bluestem, western wheatgrass, pinyon ricegrass, spike muhly, mountain muhly, Metcalfe muhly, curlyleaf muhly, silver bluestem, mat muhly, alkali sacaton, pine dropseed, sedges, and Indian ricegrass.
Other woody plants include:
rubber rabbitbrush, Bigelow sagebrush, winterfat, pricklypear, fourwing saltbush, sand sagebrush, threadleaf groundsel, broom snakeweed, yucca, sacahuista, ponderosa pine and mountainmahogany.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 220 560 900 Forb 20 60 100 Total 240 620 1000 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 10-30% 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 20-50% Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM4322 , R070CY122NM Shallow Sandy Savanna Reference State. R070CY122NM Shallow Sandy Savanna Reference State Open stand of pinyon/juniper w/ mixed warm/cool-season mid-grasses w/ scattered shrubs..
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 increased amounts of blue grama, threeawns, ring muhly, juniper, oak, algerita, and cholla. As the condition of this site deteriorates, a sharp increase in juniper will occur.
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 text: "Restoration pathway resulting from the implementation of prescribed grazing." It should be noted that prescribed grazing alone may not effectively diminish woody plants here. Brush control may also be required. 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 110–150 little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 113–150 – 2 110–150 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 113–150 – 3 40–110 black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 38–113 – 4 40–110 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 38–113 – James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 38–113 – 5 40–70 squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 38–75 – 6 40–70 plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 38–75 – 7 20–40 prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 23–38 – 8 20–40 common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 23–38 – 9 40–70 sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 38–75 – 10 40–60 pinyon ricegrass PIFI Piptochaetium fimbriatum 38–60 – 11 20–40 threeawn ARIST Aristida 23–38 – 12 20–40 ring muhly MUTO2 Muhlenbergia torreyi 23–38 – 13 40–70 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 38–75 – Forb14 20 buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 23–38 – 15 20–40 scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 23–38 – 16 20–40 golden Indian paintbrush CALE27 Castilleja levisecta 23–38 – 17 20–40 woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 23–38 – 18 20–40 Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 2FORB Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 23–38 – Tree19 70–190 juniper JUNIP Juniperus 75–188 – twoneedle pinyon PIED Pinus edulis 75–188 – Shrub/Vine20 20–40 skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 23–38 – 21 20–40 algerita MATR3 Mahonia trifoliolata 23–38 – 22 20–40 oak QUERC Quercus 23–38 – 23 20–40 pricklypear OPUNT Opuntia 23–38 – 24 20–40 prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 23–38 – prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 23–38 – 25 20–40 Shrub, deciduous 2SD Shrub, deciduous 23–38 – Shrub, deciduous 2SD Shrub, deciduous 23–38 – Interpretations
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Chaves County, NM Location 2: Lincoln County, NM Location 3: San Miguel County, NM Location 4: Santa Fe County, NM Location 5: 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:
Bond, Plack
Other Soils included are:
Dean(as mapped in San Miguel County) Sombordoro(as mapped in San Miguel County)
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 08/12/2026 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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