MLRA 043B

Site of interest is in the southern extent of the MLRA, in the State of Wyoming

Site of interest is in the Northern extent of the MLRA, or in the State of Idaho and Montana.

Searching for Ecological Site Groups - Forested Lands.

Searching for ecological site descriptions (ESDs) - Rangelands generally.

I. Biotic Groupings - Forestland Groups

Searching for New Provisional and Most Current ESDs Developed.

Searching for established ESDs, pre-2010.

Site is in the foothills east of the Continental Divide.

Site is in the mountains East of the Continental Divide.

Site is in the lower foothills, 10-14 inch precipitation Zone.

Site is in the upper foothills, 15-19 inch precipitation Zone.

Site receives additional effective moisture¹ – If no, refer to Group II

Site does not receive additional effective moisture¹

Foothills are on the eastern foothills of the Bighorn Mountains.

Upper foothills of all other mountain ranges.

Site in a lowland position that receives significant additional moisture from runoff of adjacent slopes or from intermittent/perennial streams or a water table (HIGH Productivity Potential)

Upland site that does not receive additional moisture as above

Site receives additional effective moisture¹ – If no, refer to Group II

Site does not receive additional effective moisture¹

Site is in Alpine Zone of the Mountains

Site is in the 20 inch and greater precipitation zone of the Cryic or colder zone of the mountain, above the foothills, but below the alpine zone.

Site receives additional effective moisture¹ – If no, refer to Group II

Site does not receive additional effective moisture¹

Site receives additional effective moisture¹ – If no, refer to Group II

Site does not receive additional effective moisture¹

Searching for Foothills and Basins 10-14 inch Precipitation Zone, East of the Continental Divide.

Searching for Foothills and Mountains.

Site in a lowland position that receives significant additional moisture from runoff of adjacent slopes or from intermittent/perennial streams or a water table (HIGH Productivity Potential)

Upland site that does not receive additional moisture as above

Site is in the High Mountains with 20 inches of precipitation or Greater.

15 to 19 inches of precipitation.

Site in a lowland position that receives significant additional moisture from runoff of adjacent slopes or from intermittent/perennial streams or a water table (HIGH Productivity Potential)

Upland site that does not receive additional moisture as above

West of the Continental Divide

East of the Continental Divide.

Site in a lowland position that receives significant additional moisture from runoff of adjacent slopes or from intermittent/perennial streams or a water table (HIGH Productivity Potential)

Upland site that does not receive additional moisture as above

Eastern flank of the Bighorn Mountains, Northern Plains Region of 43B.

All other East Divide Foothills.

Site in a lowland position that receives significant additional moisture from runoff of adjacent slopes or from intermittent/perennial streams or a water table (HIGH Productivity Potential)

Upland site that does not receive additional moisture as above

Site in a lowland position that receives significant additional moisture from runoff of adjacent slopes or from intermittent/perennial streams or a water table (HIGH Productivity Potential)

Upland site that does not receive additional moisture as above

Site of Interest is in Montana

Site of interest is in Idaho

Searching for sites in the Beaverhead Mountains LRU 18

Searching for other sites in Montana

Site receives additional effective moisture

Site does not receive additional effective moisture

Searching for Ecological Site Groups

Ecological sites in Glacier National Park and extents of the Northern Rocky Mountain Front LRU - 15

I. Biotic Grouping

Site receives subirrigated water influence.

EX043B15Z955 – Montane Subirrigated Meadow Cryic Northern Rocky Mountain Front

Site is in the uplands.

Searching for Ecological Site Groups

Provisional Rangeland Ecological Site Key for Idaho extent of 43B

I. Biotic Groupings

Site occurs on uplands

Site occurs on bottomlands or riparian areas (slopes less than 5%)

Shallow Depth Driven

Position Driven

Higher Elevations

F043BP702WY – Shallow Cool Woodland Group

Lower Elevations

F043BP704WY – Shallow Warm Woodland Group

Run-in Sites

Run-off Site

Lowlands/bottomlands

F043BP707WY – Subirrigated Cool Woodland Group

Uplands

F043BP708WY – Upland Aspen Woodland Group

High elevation, North Slopes

F043BP709WY – Upland Cold Woodland Group

Mid-elevations

F043BP710WY – Upland Cool Woodland Group

Low Elevations, South Slopes

F043BP711WY – Upland Warm Woodland Group

Sites with a water table present for at least part of the growing season, site dominated by hydrophilic plants (ie. Wetland sedges, bulrushes, willows, tufted hairgrass, etc)²

Site receives periodic overflow from adjacent slopes, but without a water table within 78” (200 cm)

Site has water above soil surface part of the growing season, and a water table present within 0-12” (0-30 cm) annually

EX043B23A178 – Wetland (WL) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Site has a seasonal water table

Soil is saline, saline-sodic, or sodic⁵ (SAR ≥ 13, or an EC ≥ 4 dS/m) in the upper 4” (10 cm)) of mineral soil; salt tolerant plants dominate site (i.e. greasewood, alkali sacaton, Nuttall’s alkaligrass, alkli bluegrass, alkali cordgrass, inland saltgrass, etc)²

Soil is non-saline, non-saline-sodic, non-sodic

Seasonal water table is between 12-40” (30-100 cm) below the soil surface

EX043B23A142 – Saline Subirrigated (SS) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Seasonal water table > 40” (100 cm) below mineral soil surface; site regularly receives higher than normal soil moisture because of run-in or stream overflow

EX043B23A138 – Saline Lowland (SL) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Seasonal water table is between 12-40” (30-100 cm) below the soil surface

EX043B23A174 – Subirrigated (Sb) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Seasonal water table > 40” (100 cm) below the mineral soil surface; site regularly receives higher than normal soil moisture because of run-in or stream overflow

EX043B23A128 – Lowland (LL) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil is saline, saline-sodic, or sodic⁵; site typically occurs on stream terraces along incised channels, and is dominated by greasewood² and other salt tolerant plants (i.e. Gardner’s saltbush, alkali sacaton)²

EX043B23A140 – Saline Lowland Drained (SLDr) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil is non-saline, non-saline-sodic, non-sodic; occur on floodplain steps, terraces, concave landscape positions, and positions lower in the landscape

Soil has ≥ 35% clay in the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface

EX043B23A106 – Clayey Overflow (CyO) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil has < 35% clay in the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface

EX043B23A130 – Overflow (Ov) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil is saline, saline-sodic, or sodic⁵ (SAR ≥ 13, or an EC ≥ 4 dS/m) in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface; site is dominated by salt tolerant plants (i.e. Gardner’s saltbush, greasewood, alkali sacaton, alkali seepweed, etc)²

Soil is non-saline, non-saline-sodic, non-sodic in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is very shallow (< 10” (25 cm) to shale (lithic or paralithic contact)); productivity very low

EX043B23A154 – Shale (Sh) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil is shallow to very deep (≥10” (25 cm) to bedrock (lithic or paralithic contact))

EX043B23A144 – Saline Upland (SU) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil is very shallow (< 10” (25 cm) or shallow (< 20” (50 cm) to bedrock (lithic or paralithic contact)

Soils moderately deep to very deep (> 20” (50 cm) to bedrock (lithic or paralithic contact)

Soils very shallow, includes areas of exposed bedrock and may include pockets of deep soil, often on steep (up to 60%) slopes with very low productivity potential

Soils shallow, productivity potential is LOW

Soil with igneous or volcanic bedrock⁸ or are found on limestone parent material with a dominance of black sagebrush

EX043B23A116 – Igneous (Ig) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil with sedimentary bedrock, common on windswept ridges, (if productivity is high and > 35% rock fragments are present use Gravelly(Gr))

EX043B23A176 – Very Shallow (VS) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil derived from limestone or an igneous parent material (igneous or volcanic bedrock)⁸, with a dominance of black sagebrush

EX043B23A160 – Shallow Igneous (SwIg) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil derived from sedimentary parent material (i.e. sandstone or shale bedrock)

Soil has ≥ 35% clay

EX043B23A158 – Shallow Clayey (SwCy) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil has < 18% clay

EX043B23A166 – Shallow Sandy (SwSy) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 35% clay

EX043B23A162 – Shallow Loamy (SwLy) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil is skeletal (> 35% rock fragments⁷) in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is not skeletal in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is skeletal throughout the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is skeletal starting within the upper 8-20” (20-50 cm) from the mineral soil surface

Soil has < 18% clay; surface fragments and fragments in the soil profile are dominantly < 3” (76mm) in diameter, but may range in size

EX043B23A112 – Gravelly (Gr) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 60% clay; surface fragments and fragments in the soil profile are dominantly ≥ 3” (76mm) in diameter but < 10” (250 mm), but may range in size

Violent effervescence³ starting within 4” (10 cm) from the mineral soil surface, calcium carbonate increases with depth

EX043B23A121 – Limy Skeletal (LiSk) Absaroka Lower Foothills

None to slight effervescence³ in the upper 4” (10 cm) of the mineral soil surface

EX043B23A175 – Skeletal (Sk) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil has < 18% clay through the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface and fragments are comprised of sedimentary channers and/or flagstones

EX043B23A100 – Channery Upland (CnU) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 60% clay through the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Fragments typically consisting of stones and boulders (fragments > 10” (250 mm) in diameter), surface fragments (5-15%) increase in stones and boulders, common on Glacial outwash

EX043B23A172 – Stony Upland (StU) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Fragments typically consisting of cobbles (fragments are dominantly > 3” (76 mm) but < 10” (250 mm) in diameter); a few stones and boulders (0-5%) are present, common on landslides

EX043B23A109 – Cobbly Upland (CoU) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil has ≥ 35% clay clay throughout the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil – may have a lighter textured cap or may decrease lower in the profile

Site not as above

Abrupt clay increase⁶ to > 40% clay present within 4-8” (10-20 cm) of the mineral soil surface, significant surface cracking (plant community dominated by birdfoot sagebrush)

EX043B23A110 – Dense Clay (DC) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil has ≥ 35% clay starting within the upper 4” (10 cm) and continues throughout the upper 20” (50 cm) of mineral soil surface; plant community dominated by Wyoming or Mountain big sagebrush²

EX043B23A104 – Clayey (Cy) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil has < 18% clay starting within the upper 4” (10 cm) and continues throughout the upper 20” (50 cm) of mineral soil

EX043B23A150 – Sandy (Sy) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 35% clay in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is calcareous (violent effervescence³) within 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is non-calcareous (none to slight effervescence³) within 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

EX043B23A122 – Loamy (Ly) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil is calcareous within the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface, calcium carbonate increases with depth

EX043B23A120 – Limy Upland (LiU) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Soil is calcareous starting within the upper 8-20” (20-50 cm) from the mineral soil surface

EX043B23A123 – Loamy Calcareous (LyCa) Absaroka Lower Foothills

Site poorly drained with water table above surface part of growing season, Nebraska sedge, water sedge, and willows common species

R043BY478WY – Wetland (WL) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Site not as above

Site has a fluctuating water table, with water within the rooting depths of herbaceous or woody species for at least part of the growing season.

Site receives periodic overflow from adjacent slopes, but without a water table within rooting depth of woody plants, and soil textures are loamy. Silver sagebrush, and basin wildrye common

R043BY430WY – Overflow (Ov) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species (typically above 20”) during part of the growing season, tufted hairgrass, shrubby cinquefoil, sedges, rushes, and willows common

R043BY474WY – Subirrigated (Sb) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Fluctuating Water table, within rooting depth of woody species (typically greater than 3 ft during part of the growing season) well drained soils; rhizomatous wheatgrasses, green needlegrass and cottonwoods are common

R043BY428WY – Lowland (LL) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Soil depth very shallow (<10”), shallow (10-20”) OR moderately deep to deep (>20”) reacting like shallow soils due to root restrictive layer or on south and west facing slopes (LOW productivity potential)

Soil depth moderately deep to deep (>20”) without root restricting layer that inhibits the productivity potential

Soils very shallow (<10”), but may include areas of exposed bedrock and pockets of deep soil, often on steep (up to 55%) south and west facing slopes with VERY LOW productivity potential; fracture bedrock of various types, commonly on windswept ridges, bluebunch wheatgrass and a variety of shrub species dominate

R043BY476WY – Very Shallow (VS) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Soils shallow (10-20”), soils with a root restrictive layer, and/or south and west facing slopes that react like shallow soils

Soils are shallow, well drained, sandy, and loamy underlain by soft calcareous materials, with many outcrops of sedimentary bedrock. Deep pockets of soil may occur between the outcrops of bedrock

R043BY434WY – Rocky Hills (RH) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Site not as above

The soils of this site include the finer portions of sandy clay loam and heavier, are moderately to slowly permeable, and overlay clay shale bedrock; rhizomatous wheatgrasses, Idaho fescue, green needlegrass and Wyoming big sagebrush are common

R043BY458WY – Shallow Clayey (SwCy) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Soils are fine sandy loams or coarser over all bedrock types except igneous or volcanic; prairie sandreed, needleandthread, and fringed sagewort or prominent on this site

R043BY466WY – Shallow Sandy (SwSy) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Very fine sandy loam to clay loam textured soils over various bedrock types (commonly limestone, siltstone, or shale), bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, and needle and thread common along with big sagebrush

R043BY462WY – Shallow Loamy (SwLy) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Sites with a high volume of coarse fragments in top 20” (>35% by volume); site occurs in a variety of upland positions, boulders found in abundance on surface, bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, spike fescue, bitterbrush, and big sage common, productivity high

R043BY408WY – Coarse Upland (CU) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Sites without high volume of coarse fragments

Soil textures are heavy, slight to severe soil cracking in dry conditions; soil textures range from silty clay through finer silty and sandy clay loams, soil cracking common during dry summer months, though not severe, serviceberry common shrub with a lot of western needlegrass and rhizomatous wheatgrass

R043BY404WY – Clayey (Cy) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Site not as above

Soils ranging from sands to fine sandy loams, a good variety and even mix of grass species, big sagebrush dominant shrub

R043BY450WY – Sandy (Sy) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Soils very fine sandy loams to clay loams, a good variety and even mix of grass species, big sagebrush dominant shrub

R043BY422WY – Loamy (Ly) 15-19” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone

Sites with a water table present for at least part of the growing season, site dominated by hydrophilic plants (ie. Wetland sedges, bulrushes, willows, tufted hairgrass, etc)²

Site receives periodic overflow from adjacent slopes, but without a water table within 78” (200 cm)

Site has water above soil surface part of the growing season, and a water table present within 0-12” (0-30 cm) annually

EX043B23B178 – Wetland (WL) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Site has a seasonal water table

Soil is saline, saline-sodic, or sodic⁵ (SAR ≥ 13, or an EC ≥ 4 dS/m) in the upper 4” (10 cm)) of mineral soil; salt tolerant plants dominate site (i.e. greasewood, alkali sacaton, Nuttall’s alkaligrass, alkli bluegrass, alkali cordgrass, inland saltgrass, etc)²

Soil is non-saline, non-saline-sodic, non-sodic

Seasonal water table is between 12-40” (30-100 cm) below the soil surface

EX043B23B142 – Saline Subirrigated (SS) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Seasonal water table > 40” (100 cm) below mineral soil surface; site regularly receives higher than normal soil moisture because of run-in or stream overflow

EX043B23B138 – Saline Lowland (SL) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Seasonal water table is between 12-40” (30-100 cm) below the soil surface

EX043B23B174 – Subirrigated (Sb) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Seasonal water table > 40” (100 cm) below the mineral soil surface; site regularly receives higher than normal soil moisture because of run-in or stream overflow

EX043B23B128 – Lowland (LL) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil is saline, saline-sodic, or sodic⁵; site typically occurs on stream terraces along incised channels, and is dominated by greasewood² and other salt tolerant plants (i.e. Gardner’s saltbush, alkali sacaton)²

EX043B23B140 – Saline Lowland Drained (SLDr) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil is non-saline, non-saline-sodic, non-sodic; occur on floodplain steps, terraces, concave landscape positions, and positions lower in the landscape

Soil has ≥ 35% clay in the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface

EX043B23B106 – Clayey Overflow (CyO) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil has < 35% clay in the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface

EX043B23B130 – Overflow (Ov) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil is saline, saline-sodic, or sodic⁵ (SAR ≥ 13, or an EC ≥ 4 dS/m) in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface; site is dominated by salt tolerant plants (i.e. Gardner’s saltbush, greasewood, alkali sacaton, alkali seepweed, etc)²

Soil is non-saline, non-saline-sodic, non-sodic in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is very shallow (< 10” (25 cm) to shale (lithic or paralithic contact)); productivity very low

EX043B23B154 – Shale (Sh) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil is shallow to very deep (≥10” (25 cm) to bedrock (lithic or paralithic contact))

EX043B23B144 – Saline Upland (SU) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil is very shallow (< 10” (25 cm) or shallow (< 20” (50 cm) to bedrock (lithic or paralithic contact)

Soils moderately deep to very deep (> 20” (50 cm) to bedrock (lithic or paralithic contact)

Soils very shallow, includes areas of exposed bedrock and may include pockets of deep soil, often on steep (up to 60%) slopes with very low productivity potential

Soils shallow, productivity potential is LOW

Soil with igneous or volcanic bedrock⁸ or are found on limestone parent material with a dominance of Black sagebrush

EX043B23B116 – Igneous (Ig) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil with sedimentary bedrock, common on windswept ridges, (if productivity is high and > 35% rock fragments are present use Gravelly(Gr))

EX043B23B176 – Very Shallow (VS) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil derived from limestone or an igneous parent material (igneous or volcanic bedrock)⁸, with a dominance of black sagebrush

EX043B23B160 – Shallow Igneous (SwIg) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil derived from sedimentary parent material (i.e. sandstone or shale bedrock)

Soil has ≥ 35% clay

EX043B23B158 – Shallow Clayey (SwCy) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil has < 18% clay

EX043B23B166 – Shallow Sandy (SwSy) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 35% clay

EX043B23B162 – Shallow Loamy (SwLy) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil is skeletal (> 35% rock fragments⁷) in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is not skeletal in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is skeletal throughout the upper 20" (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is skeletal starting within the upper 8-20” (20-50 cm) from the mineral soil surface

Soil has < 18% clay; surface fragments and fragments in the soil profile are dominantly < 3” (76mm) in diameter, but range in size

EX043B23B112 – Gravelly (Gr) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 60% clay; surface fragments and fragments in the soil profile are dominantly ≥ 3” (76mm) in diameter but < 10” (250 mm), but may range in size

Violent effervescence³ starting within 4” (10 cm) from the mineral soil surface, calcium carbonate increases with depth

EX043B23B121 – Limy Skeletal (LiSk) Absaroka Upper Foothills

None to strong³ effervescence in the upper 4” (10 cm) of the mineral soil surface

EX043B23B175 – Skeletal (Sk) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil has < 18% clay through the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface and fragments are comprised of sedimentary channers and/or flagstones

EX043B23B100 – Channery Upland (CnU) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 60% clay through the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Fragments typically consisting of stones and boulders (fragments > 10” (250 mm) in diameter), surface fragments (5-15%) increase in stones and boulders, common on but not limited to Glacial outwash

Fragments typically consisting of cobbles (fragments are dominantly > 3” (76 mm) but < 10” (250 mm) in diameter); a few stones and boulders (0-5%) are present, common on but not limited to landslides

EX043B23B109 – Cobbly Upland (CoU) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Slope ≥ 20%

EX043B23B170 – Steep Stony Upland (SStU) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Slope < 20%

EX043B23B172 – Stony Upland (StU) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil has ≥ 35% clay throughout the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil – may have a lighter textured cap or may decrease lower in the profile

Soil has <35% clay throughout the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil – may see individual horizons that are above 35% clay, but on average, the soil profile is less than 35% clays

Abrupt clay increase⁶ to > 40% clay present within 4-8” (10-20 cm) of the mineral soil surface, significant surface cracking; plant community dominated by birdfoot sagebrush²

EX043B23B110 – Dense Clay (DC) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil has ≥ 35% clay starting within the upper 4” (10 cm) and continues throughout the upper 20” (50 cm) of mineral soil surface; plant community dominated by Wyoming or Mountain big sagebrush²

EX043B23B104 – Clayey (Cy) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil has < 18% clay starting within the upper 4” (10 cm) and continues throughout the upper 20” (50 cm) of mineral soil

EX043B23B150 – Sandy (Sy) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 35% clay in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is calcareous (violent effervescence³) within 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is non-calcareous within 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is calcareous within the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface, calcium carbonate increases with depth

EX043B23B120 – Limy Upland (LiU) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soil is calcareous starting within the upper 8-20” (20-50 cm) from the mineral soil surface

EX043B23B123 – Loamy Calcareous (LyCa) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soils derived from granitic/intrusive igneous parent material

EX043B23B113 – Granitic Loamy (GLy) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Soils derived from sedimentary or a mix of parent materials

Slope ≥ 20%, may have indications of terrecettes

EX043B23B168 – Steep Loamy (SLy) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Slope < 20%

EX043B23B122 – Loamy (Ly) Absaroka Upper Foothills

Sites with a water table present for at least part of the growing season, site dominated by hydrophilic plants

Site receives periodic overflow from adjacent slopes, but without a water table within 78” (200 cm)

Site has water above soil surface part of the growing season, and a water table present within 0-12” (0-30 cm) annually

EX043B23D178 – Wetland (WL) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Site has a seasonal water table

Seasonal water and receives higher than normal soil moisture because of stream overflow or subsurface seep occurring within the channel system of an intermittent or perennial stream channels

EX043B23D182 – Riparian Lowlands (RLL) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Seasonal water table from snowmelt or seeps, site regularly receives higher than normal soil moisture because of run-in, occurs upslope from riparian systems

EX043B23D180 – Wet Meadows (WM) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil has ≥ 35% clay in the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface

EX043B23D106 – Clayey Overflow (CyO) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil has < 35% clay in the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface

EX043B23D130 – Overflow (Ov) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil is very shallow (< 10” (25 cm) or shallow (< 20” (50 cm) to bedrock (lithic or paralithic contact)

Soils moderately deep to very deep (> 20” (50 cm) to bedrock (lithic or paralithic contact)

Soils very shallow, includes areas of exposed bedrock and may include pockets of deep soil, often on steep (up to 55%) slopes with very low productivity potential

Soils shallow, productivity potential is LOW

Soil with igneous or volcanic bedrock

EX043B23D116 – Igneous (Ig) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil with sedimentary bedrock, common on windswept ridges, (if productivity is high and > 35% rock fragments are present use Gravelly (Gr))

EX043B23D176 – Very Shallow (VS) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil derived from igneous parent material (igneous or volcanic bedrock)

EX043B23D160 – Shallow Igneous (SwIg) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil derived from sedimentary parent material (i.e. sandstone or shale bedrock)

EX043B23D157 – Shallow Sedimentary (SwS) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil is skeletal (> 35% rock fragments⁷) in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is not skeletal in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is skeletal within the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is skeletal starting within the upper 8-20” (20-50 cm) from the mineral soil surface; Soil has ≥ 18% but < 60% clay through the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil has < 18% clay; surface fragments and fragments in the soil profile are dominantly < 3” (76mm) in diameter, but may range in size

EX043B23D112 – Gravelly (Gr) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 60% clay; surface fragments and fragments in the soil profile are dominantly ≥ 3” (76mm) in diameter but < 10” (250 mm), but may range in size

EX043B23D175 – Skeletal (Sk) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Fragments typically consisting of stones and boulders (fragments > 10” (250 mm) in diameter), surface fragments (3-15%) increase in stones and boulders, common on Glacial outwash

Fragments typically consisting of cobbles (fragments are dominantly > 3” (76 mm) but < 10” (250 mm) in diameter); a few stones and boulders (0-3%) are present, common on landslides

EX043B23D109 – Cobbly Upland (CoU) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Slope > 20%

EX043B23D170 – Steep Stony Upland (SStU) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Slope ≤ 20%

EX043B23D172 – Stony Upland (StU) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil has ≥ 35% clay starting within the upper 4” (10 cm) from the mineral soil surface

Site not as above

Abrupt clay increase⁶ to > 40% clay present within 4-8” (10-20 cm) of the mineral soil surface, significant surface cracking

EX043B23D110 – Dense Clay (DC) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil has ≥ 35% clay throughout the upper 20” (10 cm) of mineral soil

EX043B23D104 – Clayey (Cy) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil has < 18% clay starting within the upper 4” (10 cm) and continues throughout the upper 20” (50 cm) of mineral soil

EX043B23D150 – Sandy (Sy) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 35% clay in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soils derived from granitic parent material (currently specific to Bighorn Mtns)

EX043B23D113 – Granitic Loamy (GLy) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Soil derived from sedimentary parent material (i.e. sandstone or shale bedrock)

Slope > 20%, may have indications of terrecettes

EX043B23D168 – Steep Loamy (SLy) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Slope ≤ 20%

EX043B23D122 – Loamy (Ly) Absaroka Alpine Zone

Sites with a water table present for at least part of the growing season, site dominated by hydrophilic plants

Site receives periodic overflow from adjacent slopes, but without a water table within 78” (200 cm)

Site has water above soil surface part of the growing season, and a water table present within 0-12” (0-30 cm) annually

EX043B23C178 – Wetland (WL) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Site has a seasonal water table

Seasonal water and receives higher than normal soil moisture because of stream overflow or subsurface seep occurring within the channel system of an intermittent or perennial stream channels

EX043B23C182 – Riparian Lowlands (RLL) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Seasonal water table from snowmelt or seeps, site regularly receives higher than normal soil moisture because of run-in, occurs upslope from riparian systems

EX043B23C180 – Wet Meadows (WM) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil has ≥ 35% clay in the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface

EX043B23C106 – Clayey Overflow (CyO) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil has < 35% clay in the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface

EX043B23C130 – Overflow (Ov) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil is very shallow (< 10” (25 cm) or shallow (< 20” (50 cm) to bedrock (lithic or paralithic contact)

Soils moderately deep to very deep (> 20” (50 cm) to bedrock (lithic or paralithic contact)

Soils very shallow, includes areas of exposed bedrock and may include pockets of deep soil, often on steep (up to 55%) slopes with very low productivity potential

Soils shallow, productivity potential is LOW

Soil with igneous or volcanic bedrock

EX043B23C116 – Igneous (Ig) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil with sedimentary bedrock, common on windswept ridges, (if productivity is high and > 35% rock fragments are present use Gravelly (Gr))

EX043B23C176 – Very Shallow (VS) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil derived from igneous parent material (igneous or volcanic bedrock)

EX043B23C160 – Shallow Igneous (SwIg) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil derived from sedimentary parent material (i.e. sandstone or shale bedrock)

EX043B23C157 – Shallow Sedimentary (SwS) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil is skeletal (> 35% rock fragments⁷) in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is not skeletal in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is skeletal within the upper 8” (20 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil is skeletal starting within the upper 8-20” (20-50 cm) from the mineral soil surface; Soil has ≥ 18% but < 60% clay through the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface

Soil has < 18% clay; surface fragments and fragments in the soil profile are dominantly < 3” (76mm) in diameter, but may range in size

EX043B23C112 – Gravelly (Gr) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 60% clay; surface fragments and fragments in the soil profile are dominantly ≥ 3” (76mm) in diameter but < 10” (250 mm), but may range in size

EX043B23C175 – Skeletal (Sk) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Fragments typically consisting of stones and boulders (fragments > 10” (250 mm) in diameter), surface fragments (3-15%) increase in stones and boulders, common on Glacial outwash

Fragments typically consisting of cobbles (fragments are dominantly > 3” (76 mm) but < 10” (250 mm) in diameter); a few stones and boulders (0-3%) are present, common on landslides

EX043B23C109 – Cobbly Upland (CoU) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Slope > 20%

EX043B23C170 – Steep Stony Upland (SStU) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Slope ≤ 20%

EX043B23C172 – Stony Upland (StU) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil has ≥ 35% clay starting within the upper 4” (10 cm) from the mineral soil surface

Site not as above

Abrupt clay increase⁶ to > 40% clay present within 4-8” (10-20 cm) of the mineral soil surface, significant surface cracking

EX043B23C110 – Dense Clay (DC) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil has ≥ 35% clay throughout the upper 20” (10 cm) of mineral soil

EX043B23C104 – Clayey (Cy) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil has < 18% clay starting within the upper 4” (10 cm) and continues throughout the upper 20” (50 cm) of mineral soil

EX043B23C150 – Sandy (Sy) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 35% clay in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface in Absaroka Mountains

Soil has ≥ 18% but < 35% clay in the upper 20” (50 cm) of the mineral soil surface in Bighorn Mountains

Soils derived from granitic parent material (currently specific to Bighorn Mtns)

EX043B23C113 – Granitic Loamy (GLy) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soil derived from sedimentary parent material (i.e. sandstone or shale bedrock)

Slope > 20%, may have indications of terrecettes

EX043B23C168 – Steep Loamy (SLy) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Slope ≤ 20%

EX043B23C122 – Loamy (Ly) Absaroka Subalpine Zone

Soils derived from granitic parent material (currently specific to Bighorn Mtns)

EX043B05C113 – Granitic Loamy Bighorn Mountains Sub-alpine Zone

Soil derived from sedimentary parent material (i.e. sandstone or shale bedrock)

EX043B05C122 – Loamy Bighorn Mountains Sub-alpine Zone

Sites that are saline and/or alkaline, dominated by salt tolerant species (Greasewood, inland saltgrass, alkali sacaton, alkali muhly)

Sites that are not saline and/or alkaline

Water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species (typically 20-40”) during some or most of the growing season, dominated by grasses such as alkali sacaton, Nuttall’s alkaligrass, alkali bluegrass, alkali cordgrass, basin wildrye (typically no shrubs present)

Site not as above

Site in a lowland position and water table usually >3 feet (within rooting depth of woody plants, but not within rooting depth of herbaceous plants), dominated by alkali sacaton, greasewood, inland saltgrass, basin wildrye (no big sage on this site)

Site receives periodic overflow from adjacent slopes, but it is typically channeled into gullies so that plants are not receiving benefit from additional moisture, greasewood and Gardners saltbush common species, big sage sometimes present

Site poorly drained with water table above surface part of growing season, Nebraska sedge and willows common species

Site not as above

Water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species (typically above 20”) during part of the growing season, basin wildrye, shrubby cinquefoil, and willows may be present

Site not as above

Site in a lowland position, adjacent to intermittent/perennial stream and water table usually >3 feet (within rooting depth of woody plants, but not within rooting depth of herbaceous plants), cottonwoods or remnants thereof may be present, gravel bars and pockets of bare gravel often present, woods rose and other woody species common

Site not as above

Site receives periodic overflow from adjacent slopes, but without a water table within rooting depth of woody plants, basin big sagebrush, silver sage, slender wheatgrass and/or Canby bluegrass common

Site similar to above with heavy textured soils (finer portions of silty clay loams to sandy clay loams and clay loams), heavy presence of rhizomatous wheatgrasses

Soil depth very shallow (<10”), shallow (10-20”) OR deep (>20”) on south and west facing slopes which react like shallow soils (LOW productivity potential)

Soil depth moderately deep to deep (>20”)

Soils very shallow (<10”), but include areas of exposed bedrock and pockets of deep soil, often on steep (up to 55%) south and west facing slopes with LOW productivity potential

Soils shallow (10-20”) OR deep, gravelly and/or cobbly soils on south and west facing slopes that react like shallow soils

Bedrock is soft or hard clay shale bedrock that may be saline and/or alkaline in various degrees, Gardner’s saltbush common species, productivity very low

Site not as above, commonly on windswept ridges, fractured bedrock of various types, and Juniper occasionally found on at higher elevations, productivity very low, bluebunch wheatgrass (if productivity is high and coarse fragments are present, go to Gravelly or Shallow*)

Coarse fragments common on surface and throughout profile (>35% by volume).Site occurs along terrace breaks or steep slopes with coarse fragments up to 10” diameter covering 50-75% of surface and making up

Site not as above

Silty clays or heavier textured soils over clay shale bedrock, birdfoot sage, winterfat & Gardner’s saltbush

Site not as above

Fine sandy loams or coarser textured soils over sandstone or sandy shale, needleandthread, Indian ricegrass & bluebunch dominant grass species on site

Very fine sandy loams to clay loam textured soils over various bedrock types (commonly limestone, siltstone, or shale)

Sites that are saline and/or alkaline

Sites that are not saline and/or alkaline

Gardners saltbush, winterfat common (if root restrictive layer present and production very low consider go to Shale)

Site receives periodic overflow from adjacent slopes, but water typically channeled into gullies so that plants are not receiving a lot of benefit from additional moisture, greasewood and Gardners saltbush common species, big sage sometimes present

Sites with a high volume of coarse fragments in top 20” (>35% by volume)

Sites without high volume of coarse fragments

Site occurs along terrace breaks or steep slopes with coarse fragments up to 10” diameter covering 50-75% of surface and making up 40-50% volume in top 20”, may have lime horizon below 12 inches, bluebunch wheatgrass and variety of woody plants may be present, productivity low

Site occurs in a variety of upland positions, coarse fragments found in abundance on surface, at least 35% volume of coarse fragments in top 20”, generally increasing with depth, bluebunch wheatgrass, bitterbrush, and a variety of other shrubs, production higher

Soil textures are heavy, slight to severe soil cracking in dry conditions. Soil textures range from silty clay through finer silty and sandy clay loams, soil cracking common during dry summer months, though not severe, Big Sagebrush more common, but sparse, with a lot of western wheatgrass

Soil textures not as above

Soils fine sandy loams to loamy sands, light or dark colored, Needleandthread and Indian Ricegrass are abundant species

Soils very fine sandy loams to clay loams, good variety and even mix of grass species

Site poorly drained with water table above surface part of growing season, Nebraska sedge, northern reedgrass, tufted hairgrass, and willows common species

R043BY178WY – Wetland High Mountains

Site not as above

Water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species (typically above 20”) during part of the growing season, tufted hairgrass, Nebraska sedge, shrubby cinquefoil, sedges, rushes, and willow common

R043BY174WY – Subirrigated High Mountains

Site receives periodic overflow from adjacent slopes, but without a water table within rooting depth of woody plants, and soil textures are loamy, serviceberry, silver sagebrush, slender wheatgrass, and basin wildrye common

R043BY130WY – Overflow High Mountains

Soil depth very shallow (<10”), shallow (10-20”) OR moderately deep to deep (>20”) reacting like shallow soils due to root restrictive layer or on south and west facing slopes (LOW productivity potential)

Soil depth moderately deep to deep (>20”) without root restricting layer that inhibits the productivity potential

Soils very shallow (<10”), but may include areas of exposed bedrock and pockets of deep soil, often on steep (up to 55%) south and west facing slopes with VERY LOW productivity potential

Soils shallow (10-20”), but may include moderately deep to deep gravelly or cobbly soils, soils with a root restrictive layer, and/or south and west facing slopes that react like shallow soils, productivity potential is LOW

Bedrock igneous or volcanic, three-tip sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush, and black sage common shrubs

R043BY116WY – Igneous High Mountains

Fractured bedrock of various types except igneous or volcanic, commonly on windswept ridges, bluebunch wheatgrass, Columbia needlegrass and a variety of shrub species dominate

R043BY176WY – Very Shallow High Mountains

Coarse fragments common on surface and throughout profile (>35% by volume in top 20”), low sagebrush and bitterbrush common shrubs

R043BY172WY – Stony High Mountains

Soils without high amount of coarse fragments

Medium to moderately coarse textured soils over igneous or volcanic bedrock, bitterbrush and three-tip sagebrush common

R043BY160WY – Shallow Igneous High Mountains

Very fine sandy loam to clay loam textured soils over various bedrock types (commonly limestone, siltstone, or shale), low sagebrush intermixed with big sagebrush

R043BY162WY – Shallow Loamy High Mountains

Sites with a high volume of coarse fragments in top 20” (>35% by volume)

Sites without high volume of coarse fragments

Site occurs in a variety of upland positions, boulders found in abundance on surface, bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, spike fescue, bitterbrush, and big sage common, productivity high

R043BY108WY – Coarse Upland High Mountains

Site occurs on steep south and west facing mountain slopes, bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, and spike fescue dominant grasses, mountain mahogany common shrub

R043BY170WY – Steep Stony High Mountains

Soil textures are heavy, slight to severe soil cracking in dry conditions low sagebrush and green rabbitbrush common shrubs

R043BY110WY – Dense Clay High Mountains

Soils very fine sandy loams to clay loams, a good variety and even mix of grass species, mountain big sagebrush dominant shrub

Site occurs on steep north and east facing mountain slopes, mixed mountain shrub community often with aspen

R043BY168WY – Steep Loamy High Mountains

Soils very fine sandy loams to clay loams, a good variety and even mix of grass species, mountain big sagebrush dominant shrub

R043BY122WY – Loamy High Mountains

Sites that are saline and/or alkaline, dominated by salt tolerant species (inland saltgrass, alkali sacaton, alkali bluegrass, Nutall’s alkaligrass, alkali muhly)

R043BY242WY – Saline Subirrigated Foothills and Mountains West

Sites that are not saline and/or alkaline

Site poorly drained with water table above surface part of growing season, Nebraska sedge, water sedge, and willows common species

R043BY278WY – Wetland Foothills and Mountains West

Site not as above

Water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species (typically above 20”) during part of the growing season, tufted hairgrass, shrubby cinquefoil, sedges, rushes, and willows common

R043BY274WY – Subirrigated Foothills and Mountains West

Site not as above

Site receives periodic overflow from adjacent slopes, but without a water table within rooting depth of woody plants, and soil textures are loamy, silver sagebrush, slender wheatgrass, and basin wildrye common

R043BY230WY – Overflow Foothills and Mountains West

Site similar to above with heavy textured soils (finer portions of silty clay loams to sandy clay loams and clay loams), heavy presence of rhizomatous wheatgrass

R043BY206WY – Clayey Overflow Foothills and Mountains West

Soil depth very shallow (<10”), shallow (10-20”) OR moderately deep to deep (>20”) reacting like shallow soils due to root restrictive layer or on south and west facing slopes (LOW productivity potential)

Soil depth moderately deep to deep (>20”) without root restricting layer that inhibits the productivity potential

Soils very shallow (<10”), but may include areas of exposed bedrock and pockets of deep soil, often on steep (up to 55%) south and west facing slopes with VERY LOW productivity potential

Soils shallow (10-20”), but may include moderately deep to deep gravelly or cobbly soils, soils with a root restrictive layer, and/or south and west facing slopes that react like shallow soils, productivity potential is LOW

Bedrock igneous or volcanic, three-tip sagebrush, mountain mahogany, and black sage common shrubs

R043BY216WY – Igneous Foothills and Mountains West

Fracture bedrock of various types except igneous or volcanic, commonly on windswept ridges, bluebunch wheatgrass and a variety of shrub species dominate

R043BY276WY – Very Shallow Foothills and Mountains West

Coarse fragments common on surface and throughout profile (>35% by volume in top 20”)

Soils without high amount of coarse fragments

Site occurs along terrace breaks, steep slopes or along streams terraces with coarse fragments up to 3” diameter covering 50-75% of surface and making up >35% volume in top 20”, may have lime horizon below 12 inches, bluebunch wheatgrass, bitterbrush, and black sagebrush are common, productivity potential VERY LOW

R043BY212WY – Gravelly Foothills and Mountains West

Coarse fragments are larger than 3” and often dominated by a variety of shrubs such as bitterbrush, low sage, mountain big sage, serviceberry, and green rabbitbrush

R043BY272WY – Stony Foothills and Mountains West

Medium to moderately coarse textured soils over igneous or volcanic bedrock, bitterbrush and three-tip sagebrush common

R043BY260WY – Shallow Igneous Foothills and Mountains West

Very fine sandy loam to clay loam textured soils over various bedrock types (commonly limestone, siltstone, or shale), low sagebrush intermixed with big sagebrush

R043BY262WY – Shallow Loamy Foothills and Mountains West

Sites with a high volume of coarse fragments in top 20” (>35% by volume)

Sites without high volume of coarse fragments

Site occurs in a variety of upland positions, boulders found in abundance on surface, bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, spike fescue, bitterbrush, and big sage common, productivity high

R043BY208WY – Coarse Upland Foothills and Mountains West

Site occurs on steep south and west facing mountain slopes, bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, and spike fescue dominant grasses, mountain mahogany common shrub

R043BY270WY – Steep Stony Foothills and Mountains West

Soil textures are heavy, slight to severe soil cracking in dry conditions

Soils very fine sandy loams to clay loams, a good variety and even mix of grass species, mountain big sagebrush dominant shrub

R043BY222WY – Loamy Foothills and Mountains West

Soil textures range from silty clay through finer silty and sandy clay loams, soil cracking common during dry summer months, though not severe, serviceberry common shrub with a lot of western needlegrass and rhizomatous wheatgrass

R043BY204WY – Clayey Foothills and Mountains West

Heavy clay soils with severe soil cracking in dry conditions, very sticky when wet, low sagebrush common shrub

R043BY210WY – Dense Clay Foothills and Mountains West