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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.
Ecological site concept
This site occurs in a thin line bordering the large drainageways that dissect limestone hills. This site receives and transports water from both remote higher elevations and adjacent sites. Slopes range from 1 to 4 percent.
The soils on this site are deep and well drained. Surface textures are loams, silty clay loams, and clay loams. The soil profile is often interrupted with cobble or stones.Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Chilopsis
Shrub (1) Fallugia paradoxa
Herbaceous (1) Sporobolus wrightii
Physiographic features
This site occurs in a thin line bordering the large drainageways that dissect limestone hills. This site receives and transports water from both remote higher elevations and adjacent sites. Slopes range from 1 to 4 percent. Direction of slope is generally east to southeast, but is not significant. Elevations range from 4,000 to 7,000 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) V-shaped valley
(2) Flood plain
Flooding duration Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) Flooding frequency None to occasional Elevation 4000 – 7000 ft Slope 1 – 4 % Climatic features
The climate of this area is “semi-arid continental.”
Annual average precipitation ranges from 11 to 19 inches. Variations of 5 inches, more or less, are not uncommon. Approximately 70 percent of the precipitation occurs from May through October. Most of the summer rain comes in the form of high-intensity, short- uration thunderstorms. Winter moisture is usually negligible.
Temperatures are characterized by distinct seasonal changes and large annual diurnal temperature changes. The average annual temperature ranges from 55 degrees F to 60 degrees F, with extremes of 20 degrees F below zero in the winter to 110 degrees F in the summer not uncommon.
The average frost-free season is 170 to 189 days. The last killing frost is in early April and the first killing frost is in mid October.
Both temperature and precipitation favor a warm-season perennial plant community. However, because of the position of this site, there is enough moisture in the late winter and early spring to allow for cool season species to make up an important component of this site. Runoff plus cold air drainage from higher elevations make this site favorable for cool season plant growth.
Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site.
Data interpreted utilizing NM NRCS Climate Summarizer spreadsheet.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 190 days Freeze-free period (average) 210 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
"This site is not influenced by water from a wetland or stream."*<br />
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*The legacy statement above could use some clarification. This site is associated with ephemeral streams, but not with perennial streams or wetlands.Soil features
The soils on this site are deep and well drained. Surface textures are loams, silty clay loams, and clay loams. Permeability is moderate and water holding capacity is high. The soil profile is often interrupted with cobble or stones.
Characteristic soils are:
Pecos silty clay loamTable 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Loam
(2) Silty clay loam
(3) Clay loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Somewhat poorly drained to well drained Ecological dynamics
MLRA-70, CP-4: Draw
Overview
The Draw site is associated with Limestone Hills. Draw sites typically occur as elongated narrow areas along valley drainages dissecting Limestone Hills. The aspect of this site is dominated by riparian type vegetation, with an understory of mid and tall perennial grasses. Because of the constant flooding of this site, there is a potential for many annual species to occur. The cold air drainage this site receives helps to maintain a cool season grass component. Pinyon, juniper and ponderosa pine can also occur at higher elevations. The production and composition may vary greatly with elevation. Loss of grass cover makes this site susceptible to erosion, and may facilitate the transition to the Gullied State.
State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
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 1
Grass/Tree/Shrub-MixThis 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
Grass/Tree/Shrub-MixGrass/Tree/Shrub-Mix: The reference plant community of the Draw site is a mix of grasses, trees, and shrubs with forbs as the minor component. Giant sacaton is the dominant grass species in the historic plant community, with blue grama, and sideoats grama occurring as sub-dominants. Other grasses that occur in significant numbers include western wheatgrass, vine mesquite, Indiangrass, bluestem species, plains bristlegrass and bottlebrush squirreltail. Giant sacaton has the capability to produce large amounts of aboveground biomass, which provides important forage for livestock and helps to slow runoff, increase infiltration, and protect the site from erosion. Grazing in the spring, deferring grazing in the fall, or during dry summers, can help maximize giant sacaton forage production.1 This site produces a wide variety of trees and shrubs. New Mexico walnut, desert willow and Apacheplume are typically the dominant trees/shrubs. Vegetation communities are largely determined by patterns of periodic overflows. A community dominated by sideoats grama, with blue grama and vine mesquite as sub-dominants, and reduced amounts of giant sacaton, may result from natural fluctuations in the amount of run-in water. Continuous heavy grazing initially causes a decline in the cool season grasses, more desirable warm season grasses, and the palatable shrubs. Continued loss of grass cover makes this site susceptible to erosion and can facilitate the transition to the Gullied State.
Diagnosis: Grass and litter cover is high, with minimal amount of bare ground. Giant sacaton is present. Trees and shrubs, especially New Mexico walnut, desert willow , and Apacheplume are aspect dominants.Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0-0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 20-20% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 40-40% Forb foliar cover 10-20% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 30-40% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0-20% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 10-20% Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM4605 , R070DY155NM Draw Reference State. R070DY155NM Draw Reference State.
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 3 5 7 10 25 25 15 8 2 0 State 2
Gullied StateThis state includes gullies.
Community 2.1
Gullied StateAdditional States:
Gullied State: Loss of grass cover, accelerated erosion, and gully formation characterize this state. Blue grama and sideoats grama are typically the dominant grass species. Giant sacaton may or may not be present. If present it usually exists as small-scattered patches.
Diagnosis: Grass cover is typically patchy with large bare areas present. Erosion is evident by the presence of water flow patterns, litter dams, rills, and gullies.
Transition to Gullied State (1a) Transitions to the gullied state may occur in response to loss of grass cover, flood events, and subsequent erosion. As grass cover decreases, organic matter and surface soil stability decrease. 2,3 Erosion occurs due to increased water flow volume, decreased soil surface stability, and reduced infiltration.
Key indicators of approach to transition:
Reduction in grass cover and increase in size and frequency of bare patches.
Decreased vigor and cover of giant sacaton
Presence of litter dams, water flow patterns, rills and gullies.
Transition back to Grass/Shrub -Mix (1b) Erosion control structures or shaping and filling gullies may help regain natural flow patterns and allow natural revegetation to take place. Prescribed grazing will help ensure proper forage utilization and reduce grass loss due to overgrazing.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 190–560 big sacaton SPWR2 Sporobolus wrightii 188–563 – 2 190–370 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 188–375 – 3 90–190 vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 94–188 – 4 90–190 Indiangrass SONU2 Sorghastrum nutans 94–188 – 5 90–190 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 94–188 – 6 40–90 squirreltail ELELE Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides 38–94 – 7 90–280 cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 94–281 – silver bluestem BOSA Bothriochloa saccharoides 94–281 – little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 94–281 – 8 90–190 plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 94–188 – 9 190–470 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 188–469 – 10 Other Grasses 90–190 littleawn needlegrass ACLO7 Achnatherum lobatum 94–188 – big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii 94–188 – threeawn ARIST Aristida 94–188 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 94–188 – sedge CAREX Carex 94–188 – Canada wildrye ELCA4 Elymus canadensis 94–188 – plains lovegrass ERIN Eragrostis intermedia 94–188 – New Mexico feathergrass HENE5 Hesperostipa neomexicana 94–188 – green sprangletop LEDU Leptochloa dubia 94–188 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 94–188 – bullgrass MUEM Muhlenbergia emersleyi 94–188 – deergrass MURI2 Muhlenbergia rigens 94–188 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 94–188 – switchgrass PAVI2 Panicum virgatum 94–188 – dropseed SPORO Sporobolus 94–188 – tridens TRIDE Tridens 94–188 – Tree11 90–280 little walnut JUMI Juglans microcarpa 94–282 – little walnut JUMI Juglans microcarpa 94–281 – 12 20–60 hackberry CELTI Celtis 19–56 – 24 Other Trees 20–90 juniper JUNIP Juniperus 19–94 – twoneedle pinyon PIED Pinus edulis 19–94 – ponderosa pine PIPO Pinus ponderosa 19–94 – Shrub/Vine12 90–190 desert willow CHLI2 Chilopsis linearis 94–188 – 13 40–70 fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 34–75 – 14 90–190 Apache plume FAPA Fallugia paradoxa 94–188 – 15 40–90 catclaw acacia ACGR Acacia greggii 38–94 – 16 20–60 littleleaf sumac RHMI3 Rhus microphylla 19–56 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 19–56 – 17 20–40 broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 19–38 – 18 20–70 desertbroom BASA2 Baccharis sarothroides 19–75 – 19 Other Shrubs 90–190 manzanita ARCTO3 Arctostaphylos 94–188 – yerba de pasmo BAPT Baccharis pteronioides 94–188 – brickellbush BRICK Brickellia 94–188 – mountain mahogany CERCO Cercocarpus 94–188 – western white clematis CLLI2 Clematis ligusticifolia 94–188 – jointfir EPHED Ephedra 94–188 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 94–188 – algerita MATR3 Mahonia trifoliolata 94–188 – mariola PAIN2 Parthenium incanum 94–188 – mock orange PHILA Philadelphus 94–188 – oak QUERC Quercus 94–188 – willow SALIX Salix 94–188 – western poison ivy TORY Toxicodendron rydbergii 94–188 – canyon grape VIAR2 Vitis arizonica 94–188 – yucca YUCCA Yucca 94–188 – Forb20 20–70 globemallow SPHAE Sphaeralcea 19–75 – 21 20–60 white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 19–56 – 22 20–60 common sunflower HEAN3 Helianthus annuus 19–56 – 23 Other forbs 40–90 dwarf desertpeony ACNA2 Acourtia nana 38–94 – pricklypoppy ARGEM Argemone 38–94 – woolly locoweed ASMO7 Astragalus mollissimus 38–94 – whorled milkweed ASVE Asclepias verticillata 38–94 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 38–94 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 38–94 – blanketflower GAILL Gaillardia 38–94 – cudweed GNAPH Gnaphalium 38–94 – lacy tansyaster MAPIP4 Machaeranthera pinnatifida ssp. pinnatifida var. pinnatifida 38–94 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 38–94 – threadleaf ragwort SEFLF Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus 38–94 – pricklyleaf dogweed THAC Thymophylla acerosa 38–94 – vervain VERBE Verbena 38–94 – common mullein VETH Verbascum thapsus 38–94 – Table 7. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Data collection for this site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Pecos-Canadian Plains and Valleys Major Land Resource Area of New Mexico (MLRA 70). This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys: Otero, Eddy, Chaves, Lincoln
Other references
Other References:
1. Cox, J.R., R.L.Gillen, and G.B. Ruyle. 1989. Big sacaton riparian grassland management: Seasonal grazing effects on plant and animal production. Applied Agricultural
Research. 4(2): 127-134
2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2001. Soil Quality Information Sheet. Rangeland Soil Quality—Aggregate Stability. Rangeland Sheet 3, [Online]. Available: http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/survey/SQI/range.html
3. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2001. Soil Quality Information Sheet. Rangeland Soil Quality—Organic Matter. Rangeland Sheet 6, [Online]. Available: http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/survey/SQI/range.html
Contributors
David Trujillo
Don Sylvester
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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