Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Major Land Resource Area 044B
Major Land Resource Area
Accessed: 04/13/2026
Previous
Sections
Next
Next steps
-
1
Select an ecological site
Select an ecological site using the list, keys, photos, briefcase, or quick search option located on this page. -
2
Explore the ecological site description
Next, learn more about the selected ecological site and its characteristic dynamics by browsing the ecological site description and exploring alternative state and transition model formats.
Ecological site list
Tools
Search
Filter by
interactive key
precipitation
frost free days
more..
clear all
Sort by
id
name
stage
Viewing 20 of 56
View all
Ecological site map
Basemap
Topo
Road
Aerial
Hybrid
Find me
Find point
Full screen
Zoom in to display soil survey map units for an area of interest, and zoom out to display MLRAs. Select a map unit polygon to view ecological sites correlated to that map unit. View a brief description of an ecological site by clicking on its name in the map popup. Soil survey correlations may not be accurate, and ecological site classification of a location should always be verified in the field. Each selection may require the transfer of several hundred KB of data.
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase (
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
Ecological site photos
Tools
Filter by
interactive key
precipitation
frost free days
more..
clear all
Type
Image size
Done
Filters
Interactive key
Precipitation
Frost free days
Elevation
Slope
Landform
Parent material origin
Parent material kind
Soil texture
Is the site a portion of MLRA 44B 10-14 or 15-19 inch precipitation zone?
Site is located in a Provisional Grouping - Utilize Key 6
Site is located in the 10-14 inch precipitation zone of MLRA 44B - Use Key 2
Site is located in the 15-19 inch precipitation zone
Site receives additional effective moisture.
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
Site is in the Northern Portion of the MLRA - Utilize Key 3
Site is in Southern Portion of MLRA 44B
Site receives additional effective moisture.
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
Site is in the Cool Valleys of the Southern Portion of MLRA 44B - Utilize Key 4
Site is in the Cold Valleys of Southern Montana (Big Hole and Centennial Valleys) - Use Key 5
Site receives additional effective moisture.
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
Site receives additional effective moisture.
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
Rangeland Groups
Forestland Groups
Soil Saline (EC>4 within surface 4") and water table 24-40" from ground surface; salt tolerant plants dominate site -- Saline Subirrigated (SSb)
Soil Not Saline
Seasonal high water table ≥ 40" from ground surface; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture from run-in and stream overflow -- Overflow (Ov)
EX044B01A060 – Overflow (Ov) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A060 – Overflow (Ov) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Seasonal high water table < 40" from ground surface
Soil Organic (Organic surface > 8 inches thick) -- Wet Meadow, Organic (WMO)
Soil Not Organic
Site located in Floodplain
Site not located in Floodplain
Seasonal high water table < 24"
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Riparian Subirrigated (RSb)
EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Riparian Wet Meadow (RWM)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Riparian Meadow (RM)
EX044B01Y080 – Riparian Meadow (RM) LRU 01 Subset Y
EX044B01Y080 – Riparian Meadow (RM) LRU 01 Subset Y
Seasonal high water table < 24"
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Subirrigated
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Wet Meadow (WM)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Meadow (M)
Soil Saline or Saline-Sodic within surface 20" or soils with natric or relic natric horizons
Soil NOT Saline or Saline-Sodi
No columnar structure; site dominated by salt tolerant plants -- Saline Upland (SU)
EX044B01A093 – Saline Upland (SU) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A093 – Saline Upland (SU) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Columnar structure present, abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer present within 8" of soil surface
Less than 4" of soil surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Thin Claypan (TCp)
EX044B01A165 – Thin Claypan (TCp) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A165 – Thin Claypan (TCp) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil has 4" to 8" of surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Claypan (Cp)
EX044B01A006 – Claypan (Cp) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A006 – Claypan (Cp) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil Shallow (10"-20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
Soils moderately deep, deep, or very deep (≥ 20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (calcareous) in surface mineral 4"; lime concentrations often increase with depth
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy Droughty (SwLyDr)
EX044B01A135 – Shallow Limy Droughty (SwLyDr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A135 – Shallow Limy Droughty (SwLyDr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy (SwLy)
EX044B01A132 – Shallow Limy (SwLy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A132 – Shallow Limy (SwLy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil Skeletal (≥35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Droughty (SwDr)
EX044B01A138 – Shallow Droughty (SwDr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A138 – Shallow Droughty (SwDr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer)
Soil clay content ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (soil ribbon ≤ 2") -- Shallow Loamy (SwLo)
EX044B01A136 – Shallow Loamy (SwLo) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A136 – Shallow Loamy (SwLo) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon >2")
EX044B01A131 – Shallow Clay (SwC) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A131 – Shallow Clay (SwC) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer)
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer)
Soil Sandy-Skeletal
Soil loamy-skeletal or clayey-skeletal
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10" of soil surface -- Gravelly (Gr)
EX044B01A020 – Gravelly (Gr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A020 – Gravelly (Gr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10-20" of soil surface
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel, Limy (SwGrLy)
EX044B01A137 – Shallow to Gravel Limy (SwGrLy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A137 – Shallow to Gravel Limy (SwGrLy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel (SwGr)
EX044B01A134 – Shallow to Gravel (SwGr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A134 – Shallow to Gravel (SwGr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within top 4" -- Limy Droughty (LyDr)
EX044B01A031 – Limy Droughty (LyDr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A031 – Limy Droughty (LyDr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4"
Slope < 15% -- Droughty (Dr)
EX044B01A036 – Droughty (Dr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A036 – Droughty (Dr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Slope ≥ 15% -- Droughty Steep (DrStp)
EX044B01A038 – Droughty Steep (DrStp) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A038 – Droughty Steep (DrStp) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4" -- Limy (Ly)
EX044B01A030 – Limy (Ly) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A030 – Limy (Ly) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
Soil Sand or Loamy Sand texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sands (Sa)
Soil NOT sand or loamy sand texture
Slope < 15%
Slope ≥ 15%
Soil Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loam texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sandy (Sy)
EX044B01A110 – Sandy (Sy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A110 – Sandy (Sy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Soil texture NOT sandy loam to fine sandy loam
Soil Clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2")
Soil Clay content ≤32% in surface mineral 4"
Clay content >32%-45% within surface mineral 4" -- Clayey (Cy)
EX044B01A001 – Clayey (Cy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A001 – Clayey (Cy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Clay >45% within surface mineral 2" -- Dense Clay Nonsodic (DCX)
Any Argillic horizon in surface 20" with >32% clay (ribbon ≥2") -- Loamy Argillic (LoA)
Argillic horizon, if present in surface 20", has ≤ 32% clay (ribbon <2") -- Loamy (Lo)
EX044B01A032 – Loamy (Lo) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A032 – Loamy (Lo) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Mollic epipedon present
Mollic epipedon NOT present
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Clayey Steep (CyStp)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Loamy Steep (LoStp)
EX044B01A040 – Loamy Steep (LoStp) 10-14" PZ Frigid
EX044B01A040 – Loamy Steep (LoStp) 10-14" PZ Frigid
Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loame texture -- Thin Sandy (TSy)
Soils NOT sandy loam or fine sandy loam
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Thin Loamy (TLo)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Thin Clayey (TCy)
Soil Saline (EC>4 within surface 4") and water table 24-40" from ground surface; salt tolerant plants dominate site -- Saline Subirrigated (SSb)
Soil Not Saline
Seasonal high water table ≥ 40" from ground surface; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture from run-in and stream overflow
EX044B01C060 – Overflow (Ov) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
EX044B01C060 – Overflow (Ov) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
Seasonal high water table < 40" from ground surface
Soil Organic (Organic surface > 8 inches thick) -- Wet Meadow, Organic (WMO)
Soil Not Organic
Site located in Floodplain
Site not located in Floodplain
Seasonal high water table < 24"
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40"
EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Riparian Wet Meadow (RWM)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24"
EX044B01Y080 – Riparian Meadow (RM) LRU 01 Subset Y
EX044B01Y080 – Riparian Meadow (RM) LRU 01 Subset Y
Seasonal high water table < 24"
Seasonal high water table ≥24"
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Wet Meadow (WM)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Meadow (M)
Seasonal high water table >40"
EX044B01Y200 – Stream Terrace LRU 44B-Y
EX044B01Y200 – Stream Terrace LRU 44B-Y
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Subirrigated (Sb)
Soil Saline or Saline-Sodic within surface 20" or soils with natric or relic natric horizons
Soil NOT Saline or Saline-Sodic
No columnar structure; site dominated by salt tolerant plants -- Saline Upland
Columnar structure present, abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer present within 8" of soil surface
Less than 4" of soil surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Thin Claypan
Soil has 4" to 8" of surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Claypan
Soil Shallow (10"-20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
Soils moderately deep, deep, or very deep (≥ 20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (calcareous) in surface mineral 4"; lime concentrations often increase with depth
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
Soil skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy Droughty (SwLyDr)
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy (SwLy)
Soil Skeletal (≥35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer)
EX044B01C138 – Shallow Droughty (SwDr) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
EX044B01C138 – Shallow Droughty (SwDr) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer)
Soil clay content ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (soil ribbon ≤ 2")
EX044B01C136 – Shallow Loamy (SwLo) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
EX044B01C136 – Shallow Loamy (SwLo) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
Soil clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon >2")
EX044B01C131 – Shallow Clay (SwC) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
EX044B01C131 – Shallow Clay (SwC) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer)
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer)
Soil Sandy-Skeletal
Soil loamy-skeletal or clayey-skeletal
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10" of soil surface -- Gravelly (Gr)
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10-20" of soil surface
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel, Limy (SwGrLy)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel (SwGr)
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within top 4"
EX044B01C031 – Limy Droughty (LyDr) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
EX044B01C031 – Limy Droughty (LyDr) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4"
Slope < 15%
EX044B01C036 – Droughty (Dr) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
EX044B01C036 – Droughty (Dr) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
Slope ≥ 15%
EX044B01C038 – Droughty Steep (DrStp) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
EX044B01C038 – Droughty Steep (DrStp) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
Soil strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
EX044B01C030 – Limy (Ly) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
EX044B01C030 – Limy (Ly) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4" -- Sands (Sa)
Soil Sand or Loamy Sand texture within surface mineral 4"
Soil NOT sand or loamy sand texture
Slope < 15%
Slope ≥ 15%
Soil Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loam texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sandy (Sy)
Soil texture NOT sandy loam to fine sandy loam
Soil Clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2")
Soil Clay content ≤32% in surface mineral 4" - Loamy Argillic (LoA)
Clay content >32%-45% within surface mineral 4" -- Clayey (Cy)
Clay >45% within surface mineral 2" -- Dense Clay Nonsodic (DCX)
Any Argillic horizon in surface 20" with >32% clay (ribbon ≥2")
Argillic horizon, if present in surface 20", has ≤ 32% clay (ribbon <2")
EX044B01C032 – Loamy (Lo) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
EX044B01C032 – Loamy (Lo) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
Mollic epipedon present
Mollic epipedon NOT present
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Clayey Steep (CyStp)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2")
EX044B01C040 – Loamy Steep (LoStp) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
EX044B01C040 – Loamy Steep (LoStp) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loame texture -- Thin Sandy (TSy)
Soils NOT sandy loam or fine sandy loam
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2")-- Thin Loamy (TLo)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Thin Clayey (TCy)
Soil Saline (EC>4 within surface 4") and water table 24-40" from ground surface; salt tolerant plants dominate site -- Saline Subirrigated (SSb)
Soil Not Saline
Seasonal high water table ≥ 40" from ground surface; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture from run-in and stream overflow -- Overflow (Ov)
Seasonal high water table < 40" from ground surface
Soil Organic (Organic surface > 8 inches thick) -- Wet Meadow, Organic (WMO)
Soil Not Organic
Site located in Floodplain
Site not located in Floodplain
Seasonal high water table < 24"
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Riparian Subirrigated (RSb)
EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Riparian Wet Meadow (RWM)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Riparian Meadow (RM)
EX044B01Y080 – Riparian Meadow (RM) LRU 01 Subset Y
EX044B01Y080 – Riparian Meadow (RM) LRU 01 Subset Y
Seasonal high water table < 24"
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Subirrigated
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Wet Meadow (WM)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Meadow (M)
Soil Saline or Saline-Sodic within surface 20" or soils with natric or relic natric horizons
Soil NOT Saline or Saline-Sodi
No columnar structure; site dominated by salt tolerant plants -- Saline Upland (SU)
Columnar structure present, abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer present within 8" of soil surface
Less than 4" of soil surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Thin Claypan (TCp)
Soil has 4" to 8" of surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Claypan (Cp)
Soil Shallow (10"-20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
Soils moderately deep, deep, or very deep (≥ 20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (calcareous) in surface mineral 4"; lime concentrations often increase with depth
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy Droughty (SwLyDr)
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy (SwLy)
Soil Skeletal (≥35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Droughty (SwDr)
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer)
Soil clay content ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (soil ribbon ≤ 2") -- Shallow Loamy (SwLo)
Soil clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon >2")
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer)
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer)
Soil Sandy-Skeletal
Soil loamy-skeletal or clayey-skeletal
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10" of soil surface -- Gravelly (Gr)
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10-20" of soil surface
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel, Limy (SwGrLy)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel (SwGr)
EX044B01B134 – Shallow to Gravel 15-19" PZ Frigid
EX044B01B134 – Shallow to Gravel 15-19" PZ Frigid
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within top 4" -- Limy Droughty (LyDr)
EX044B01B031 – Limy Droughty 15-19" PZ Frigid
EX044B01B031 – Limy Droughty 15-19" PZ Frigid
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4"
Slope < 15% -- Droughty (Dr)
EX044B01B036 – Droughty 15-19" PZ Frigid
EX044B01B036 – Droughty 15-19" PZ Frigid
Slope ≥ 15% -- Droughty Steep (DrStp)
EX044B01B038 – Droughty Steep 15-19" PZ Frigid
EX044B01B038 – Droughty Steep 15-19" PZ Frigid
Soil strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4" -- Limy (Ly)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
Soil Sand or Loamy Sand texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sands (Sa)
Soil NOT sand or loamy sand texture
Slope < 15%
Slope ≥ 15%
Soil Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loam texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sandy (Sy)
Soil texture NOT sandy loam to fine sandy loam
Soil Clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2")
Soil Clay content ≤32% in surface mineral 4"
Clay content >32%-45% within surface mineral 4" -- Clayey (Cy)
Clay >45% within surface mineral 2" -- Dense Clay Nonsodic (DCX)
Any Argillic horizon in surface 20" with >32% clay (ribbon ≥2") -- Loamy Argillic (LoA)
Argillic horizon, if present in surface 20", has ≤ 32% clay (ribbon <2") -- Loamy (Lo)
EX044B01B032 – Loamy 15-19" PZ Frigid
EX044B01B032 – Loamy 15-19" PZ Frigid
Mollic epipedon present
Mollic epipedon NOT present
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Clayey Steep (CyStp)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Loamy Steep (LoStp)
EX044B01B040 – Loamy Steep 15-19" PZ Frigid
EX044B01B040 – Loamy Steep 15-19" PZ Frigid
Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loame texture -- Thin Sandy (TSy)
Soils NOT sandy loam or fine sandy loam
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Thin Loamy (TLo)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Thin Clayey (TCy)
Soil Saline (EC>4 within surface 4") and water table 24-40" from ground surface; salt tolerant plants dominate site -- Saline Subirrigated (SSb)
Soil Not Saline
Seasonal high water table ≥ 40" from ground surface; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture from run-in and stream overflow -- Overflow (Ov)
EX044B01D060 – Overflow 15-19" PZ Cryic
EX044B01D060 – Overflow 15-19" PZ Cryic
Seasonal high water table < 40" from ground surface
Soil Organic (Organic surface > 8 inches thick) -- Wet Meadow, Organic (WMO)
Soil Not Organic
Site located in Floodplain
Site not located in Floodplain
Seasonal high water table < 24"
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Riparian Subirrigated (RSb)
EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Riparian Wet Meadow (RWM)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Riparian Meadow (RM)
EX044B01Y080 – Riparian Meadow (RM) LRU 01 Subset Y
EX044B01Y080 – Riparian Meadow (RM) LRU 01 Subset Y
Seasonal high water table < 24"
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Subirrigated
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Wet Meadow (WM)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Meadow (M)
Soil Saline or Saline-Sodic within surface 20" or soils with natric or relic natric horizons
Soil NOT Saline or Saline-Sodi
No columnar structure; site dominated by salt tolerant plants -- Saline Upland (SU)
Columnar structure present, abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer present within 8" of soil surface
Less than 4" of soil surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Dense Clay (DC)
EX044B01D011 – Dense Clay 15-19" PZ Cryic
EX044B01D011 – Dense Clay 15-19" PZ Cryic
Soil has 4" to 8" of surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Claypan (Cp)
Soil Shallow (10"-20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
Soils moderately deep, deep, or very deep (≥ 20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (calcareous) in surface mineral 4"; lime concentrations often increase with depth
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy Droughty (SwLyDr)
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy (SwLy)
Soil Skeletal (≥35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Droughty (SwDr)
EX044B01D138 – Shallow Droughty 15-19" PZ Cryic
EX044B01D138 – Shallow Droughty 15-19" PZ Cryic
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer)
Soil clay content ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (soil ribbon ≤ 2") -- Shallow Loamy (SwLo)
Soil clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon >2")
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer)
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer)
Soil Sandy-Skeletal
Soil loamy-skeletal or clayey-skeletal
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10" of soil surface -- Gravelly (Gr)
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10-20" of soil surface
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel, Limy (SwGrLy)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel (SwGr)
EX044B01D134 – Shallow to Gravel 15-19" PZ Cryic
EX044B01D134 – Shallow to Gravel 15-19" PZ Cryic
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within top 4" -- Limy Droughty (LyDr)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4"
Slope < 15% -- Droughty (Dr)
EX044B01D036 – Droughty 15-19" PZ Cryic
EX044B01D036 – Droughty 15-19" PZ Cryic
Slope ≥ 15% -- Droughty Steep (DrStp)
EX044B01D038 – Droughty Steep 15-19" PZ Cryic
EX044B01D038 – Droughty Steep 15-19" PZ Cryic
Soil strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4" -- Limy (Ly)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
Soil Sand or Loamy Sand texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sands (Sa)
Soil NOT sand or loamy sand texture
Slope < 15%
Slope ≥ 15%
Soil fine sandy loam to sand texture within surface mineral 4"
Soil texture NOT sandy loam to fine sandy loam
Sand or loamy sand texture within surface mineral 4"
EX044B01D100 – Sands 15-19" PZ Cryic
EX044B01D100 – Sands 15-19" PZ Cryic
Coarse sand loam to fine sandy loam texture in the surface mineral 4"
EX044B01D110 – Sandy 15-19" PZ Cryic
EX044B01D110 – Sandy 15-19" PZ Cryic
Soil Clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2")
Soil Clay content ≤32% in surface mineral 4"
Clay content >32%-45% within surface mineral 4" -- Clayey (Cy)
Clay >45% within surface mineral 2" -- Dense Clay Nonsodic (DCX)
Any Argillic horizon in surface 20" with >32% clay (ribbon ≥2") -- Loamy Argillic (LoA)
EX044B01D033 – Loamy Argillic 15-19" Cryic
EX044B01D033 – Loamy Argillic 15-19" Cryic
Argillic horizon, if present in surface 20", has ≤ 32% clay (ribbon <2") -- Loamy (Lo)
EX044B01D032 – Loamy 15-19" PZ Cryic
EX044B01D032 – Loamy 15-19" PZ Cryic
Mollic epipedon present
Mollic epipedon NOT present
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Clayey Steep (CyStp)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Loamy Steep (LoStp)
EX044B01D040 – Loamy Steep 15-19" PZ Cryic
EX044B01D040 – Loamy Steep 15-19" PZ Cryic
Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loame texture -- Thin Sandy (TSy)
Soils NOT sandy loam or fine sandy loam
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Thin Loamy (TLo)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Thin Clayey (TCy)
Significant additional water influences community.
Not water controlled - upland
Soils are associated with a stream or live water and are in a riparian or lowland situation.
R044BP801MT – Bottomland
R044BP801MT – Bottomland
Not in a riparian situation, but has a water table present.
Soil saline or sodic (EC > 7 or SAR > 12 within surface 18cm)
Soils are not saline or sodic
Community is Grass and grasslike dominated, water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species, limiting woody vegetation (less than 100 cm from the ground surface for part of the growing season).
R044BP813MT – Subirrigated Saline-Sodic Grassland
R044BP813MT – Subirrigated Saline-Sodic Grassland
Community is shrub dominated, water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species, limiting woody vegetation (greater than 100 cm from the ground surface for part of the growing season).
R044BP814MT – Subirrigated Saline-Sodic Shrubland
R044BP814MT – Subirrigated Saline-Sodic Shrubland
Community is Grass and grasslike dominated, water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species, limiting woody vegetation (less than 100 cm from the ground surface for part of the growing season).
R044BP815MT – Subirrigated Grassland
R044BP815MT – Subirrigated Grassland
Community is shrub dominated, water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species, limiting woody vegetation (greater than 100 cm from the ground surface for part of the growing season).
R044BP817MT – Subirrigated Shrubland
R044BP817MT – Subirrigated Shrubland
Soils influenced by chemistry within the upper soil profile.
Soils not influence by chemistry
Soil saline or sodic (EC > 7 or SAR > 12 within surface 18cm)
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (CaCO3 > 14%) in surface mineral 18cm – Limy
Dominated by grasses and grasslike species - Grassland
R044BP807MT – Saline-Sodic Grassland
R044BP807MT – Saline-Sodic Grassland
Dominated by shrubs
R044BP808MT – Saline-Sodic Sagebrush Shrubland
R044BP808MT – Saline-Sodic Sagebrush Shrubland
Dominated by grasses and grasslike species - Grassland
R044BP804MT – Limy Grassland
R044BP804MT – Limy Grassland
Dominated by shrubs
Sagebrush is the dominant shrub - Sagebrush Shrubland
R044BP805MT – Limy Sagebrush Shrubland
R044BP805MT – Limy Sagebrush Shrubland
All other shrubs - Shrubland
R044BP806MT – Limy Shrubland
R044BP806MT – Limy Shrubland
Soils are shallow (less than 20 inches to a restrictive layer, root limiting layer, or bedrock)
Soils are not shallow
Dominated by grasses and grasslike species - Grassland
R044BP810MT – Shallow Grassland
R044BP810MT – Shallow Grassland
Dominated by shrubs
Sagebrush is the dominant shrub - Sagebrush Shrubland
R044BP811MT – Shallow Sagebrush Shrubland
R044BP811MT – Shallow Sagebrush Shrubland
All other shrubs - Shrubland
R044BP812MT – Shallow Shrubland
R044BP812MT – Shallow Shrubland
Soils contain a high amount (greater than 35%) rock fragments on the soil surface.
Soils do not contain a high amount of rock fragments on the soil surface.
Dominated by grasses and grasslike species - Grassland
R044BP802MT – Rubbly Grassland
R044BP802MT – Rubbly Grassland
Sagebrush is the dominant shrub - Sagebrush Shrubland
R044BP803MT – Rubbly Sagebrush Shrubland
R044BP803MT – Rubbly Sagebrush Shrubland
Dominated by grasses and grasslike species - Grassland
R044BP818MT – Upland Grassland
R044BP818MT – Upland Grassland
Dominated by shrubs
Sagebrush is the dominant shrub - Sagebrush Shrubland
R044BP819MT – Upland Sagebrush Shrubland
R044BP819MT – Upland Sagebrush Shrubland
All other shrubs - Shrubland
R044BP820MT – Upland Shrubland
R044BP820MT – Upland Shrubland
Deciduous dominated community, dominantly Aspen - Aspen Woodland
F044BP908MT – Upland Aspen Woodland
F044BP908MT – Upland Aspen Woodland
All other Forest Types
Warmer temperatures, generally related to lower elevations, south and west aspects - Warm Woodland
Cooler temperatures with higher elevations
Soils are shallow (less than 20 inches to a restrictive layer, root limiting layer, or bedrock)
F044BP904MT – Shallow Warm Woodland
F044BP904MT – Shallow Warm Woodland
Soils are not shallow
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (CaCO3 > 14%) in surface mineral 18cm – Limy
F044BP913MT – Limy Warm Woodland
F044BP913MT – Limy Warm Woodland
Soils are not strong to violently effervescent
F044BP911MT – Upland Warm Woodland
F044BP911MT – Upland Warm Woodland
Coldest and highest elevation, just below timberline or on north and east aspects -Cold Woodland
Cool temperatures, mid-elevation range, and variable aspect.
Additional moisture available, meadows or snow-catch areas - Cold-Moist Woodland
F044BP906MT – Subirrigated Cold Woodland
F044BP906MT – Subirrigated Cold Woodland
No additional moisture - Cold Woodland
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (CaCO3 > 14%) in surface mineral 18cm – Limy
F044BP902MT – Shallow Cold Woodland
F044BP902MT – Shallow Cold Woodland
Soil is not strongly or violently effervescent
F044BP909MT – Upland Cold Woodland
F044BP909MT – Upland Cold Woodland
Additional moisture available, meadows or snow-catch areas - Cool-Moist Woodland
F044BP907MT – Subirrigated Cool Woodland
F044BP907MT – Subirrigated Cool Woodland
No additional moisture - Cool Woodland
Soils are shallow (less than 20 inches to a restrictive layer, root limiting layer, or bedrock)
F044BP903MT – Shallow Cool Woodland
F044BP903MT – Shallow Cool Woodland
Soils are not shallow
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (CaCO3 > 14%) in surface mineral 18cm – Limy
F044BP912MT – Limy Cool Woodland
F044BP912MT – Limy Cool Woodland
Soil is not strongly or violently effervescent
Soils contain a high amount (greater than 35%) rock fragments on the soil surface.
F044BP901MT – Rubbly Cool Woodland
F044BP901MT – Rubbly Cool Woodland
Soils do not have a high amount of rock fragments on the surface.
F044BP910MT – Upland Cool Woodland
F044BP910MT – Upland Cool Woodland
Long term average mean annual precipitation
- No filter
- 30 – 35cm (12 – 14in)
- 35 – 40cm (14 – 16in)
- 40 – 50cm (16 – 20in)
- 50 – 60cm (20 – 24in)
—
cm
Long term average frost free days
- No filter
- 0 – 30days
- 30 – 50days
- 50 – 70days
- 70 – 90days
—
days
- No filter
- 1000 – 1200m (3300 – 3900ft)
- 1200 – 1400m (3900 – 4600ft)
- 1400 – 1600m (4600 – 5200ft)
- 1600 – 1800m (5200 – 5900ft)
- 1800 – 2000m (5900 – 6600ft)
- 2000 – 2200m (6600 – 7200ft)
- 2200 – 2400m (7200 – 7900ft)
- 2400 – 2600m (7900 – 8500ft)
- 2600 – 2800m (8500 – 9800ft)
—
m
- No filter
- 0 – 3%
- 3 – 5%
- 5 – 10%
- 10 – 15%
- 15 – 20%
- 20 – 25%
- 25 – 30%
- 30 – 35%
- 35 – 40%
- 40 – 45%
- 45 – 50%
- 50 – 60%
- 60 – 70%
—
%
- No filter
- Alluvial fan
- Alluvial flat
- Butte
- Cuesta
- Drainageway
- Eroded fan remnant
- Escarpment
- Fan piedmont
- Fan remnant
- Flood plain
- Flood-plain step
- Hill
- Hillside or mountainside
- Hillslope
- Hogback
- Knoll
- Low hill
- Outwash plain
- Outwash terrace
- Ridge
- Rotational slide
- Scarp
- Scarp slope
- Stream terrace
- Swale
- Terrace
- Valley floor
- No filter
- Conglomerate, calcareous
- Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary
- Limestone and dolomite
- Limestone, sandstone and shale
- Sedimentary, unspecified
- No filter
- Alluvium
- Colluvium
- Residuum
- Slope alluvium
- Valley side alluvium
Soil surface texture
- No filter
- Clay loam
- Fine sandy loam
- Loam
- Loamy sand
- Sandy clay loam
- Silty clay loam
- Silt loam
- Sandy loam
- Very fine sandy loam
Print Options
Sections
Font
A
A
A
A
Other
Print
Ecological site keys
Key to the Keys for MLRA 44B
I.
Is the site a portion of MLRA 44B 10-14 or 15-19 inch precipitation zone?
A.
Site is located in the 10-14 inch precipitation zone of MLRA 44B - Use Key 2
B.
Site is located in the 15-19 inch precipitation zone
1
Site is in the Northern Portion of the MLRA - Utilize Key 3
2
Site is in Southern Portion of MLRA 44B
ii.
Site is in the Cool Valleys of the Southern Portion of MLRA 44B - Utilize Key 4
i.
Site is in the Cold Valleys of Southern Montana (Big Hole and Centennial Valleys) - Use Key 5
II.
Site is located in a Provisional Grouping - Utilize Key 6
MRLA 44B Key LRU 01 Subset A
I.
Site receives additional effective moisture.
A.
Soil Saline (EC>4 within surface 4") and water table 24-40" from ground surface; salt tolerant plants dominate site -- Saline Subirrigated (SSb)
B.
Soil Not Saline
1
Seasonal high water table ≥ 40" from ground surface; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture from run-in and stream overflow -- Overflow (Ov)
... EX044B01A060 – Overflow (Ov) 10-14" PZ Frigid
2
Seasonal high water table < 40" from ground surface
i.
Soil Organic (Organic surface > 8 inches thick) -- Wet Meadow, Organic (WMO)
ii.
Soil Not Organic
a.
Site located in Floodplain
1)
Seasonal high water table < 24"
a)
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Riparian Wet Meadow (RWM)
b)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Riparian Meadow (RM)
... EX044B01Y080 – Riparian Meadow (RM) LRU 01 Subset Y
2)
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Riparian Subirrigated (RSb)
... EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
b.
Site not located in Floodplain
1)
Seasonal high water table < 24"
a)
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Wet Meadow (WM)
b)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Meadow (M)
2)
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Subirrigated
II.
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
A.
Soil Saline or Saline-Sodic within surface 20" or soils with natric or relic natric horizons
1
No columnar structure; site dominated by salt tolerant plants -- Saline Upland (SU)
... EX044B01A093 – Saline Upland (SU) 10-14" PZ Frigid
2
Columnar structure present, abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer present within 8" of soil surface
i.
Less than 4" of soil surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Thin Claypan (TCp)
... EX044B01A165 – Thin Claypan (TCp) 10-14" PZ Frigid
ii.
Soil has 4" to 8" of surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Claypan (Cp)
... EX044B01A006 – Claypan (Cp) 10-14" PZ Frigid
B.
Soil NOT Saline or Saline-Sodi
1
Soil Shallow (10"-20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
i.
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (calcareous) in surface mineral 4"; lime concentrations often increase with depth
a.
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy Droughty (SwLyDr)
... EX044B01A135 – Shallow Limy Droughty (SwLyDr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
b.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy (SwLy)
... EX044B01A132 – Shallow Limy (SwLy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
ii.
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
a.
Soil Skeletal (≥35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Droughty (SwDr)
... EX044B01A138 – Shallow Droughty (SwDr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
b.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer)
1)
Soil clay content ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (soil ribbon ≤ 2") -- Shallow Loamy (SwLo)
... EX044B01A136 – Shallow Loamy (SwLo) 10-14" PZ Frigid
2)
Soil clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon >2")
... EX044B01A131 – Shallow Clay (SwC) 10-14" PZ Frigid
2
Soils moderately deep, deep, or very deep (≥ 20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer
i.
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer)
a.
Soil Sandy-Skeletal
1)
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10" of soil surface -- Gravelly (Gr)
... EX044B01A020 – Gravelly (Gr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
2)
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10-20" of soil surface
a)
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel, Limy (SwGrLy)
... EX044B01A137 – Shallow to Gravel Limy (SwGrLy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
b)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel (SwGr)
... EX044B01A134 – Shallow to Gravel (SwGr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
b.
Soil loamy-skeletal or clayey-skeletal
1)
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within top 4" -- Limy Droughty (LyDr)
... EX044B01A031 – Limy Droughty (LyDr) 10-14" PZ Frigid
2)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4"
ii.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer)
a.
Soil strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4" -- Limy (Ly)
... EX044B01A030 – Limy (Ly) 10-14" PZ Frigid
b.
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
1)
Soil Sand or Loamy Sand texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sands (Sa)
2)
Soil NOT sand or loamy sand texture
a)
Slope < 15%
(1)
Soil Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loam texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sandy (Sy)
... EX044B01A110 – Sandy (Sy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
(2)
Soil texture NOT sandy loam to fine sandy loam
(a)
Soil Clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2")
(1)
Clay content >32%-45% within surface mineral 4" -- Clayey (Cy)
... EX044B01A001 – Clayey (Cy) 10-14" PZ Frigid
(2)
Clay >45% within surface mineral 2" -- Dense Clay Nonsodic (DCX)
(b)
Soil Clay content ≤32% in surface mineral 4"
(1)
Any Argillic horizon in surface 20" with >32% clay (ribbon ≥2") -- Loamy Argillic (LoA)
(2)
Argillic horizon, if present in surface 20", has ≤ 32% clay (ribbon <2") -- Loamy (Lo)
... EX044B01A032 – Loamy (Lo) 10-14" PZ Frigid
b)
Slope ≥ 15%
(1)
Mollic epipedon present
(a)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Clayey Steep (CyStp)
(b)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Loamy Steep (LoStp)
... EX044B01A040 – Loamy Steep (LoStp) 10-14" PZ Frigid
(2)
Mollic epipedon NOT present
(a)
Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loame texture -- Thin Sandy (TSy)
(b)
Soils NOT sandy loam or fine sandy loam
(1)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Thin Loamy (TLo)
(2)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Thin Clayey (TCy)
MLRA 44B Key LRU 01 Subset C
I.
Site receives additional effective moisture.
A.
Soil Saline (EC>4 within surface 4") and water table 24-40" from ground surface; salt tolerant plants dominate site -- Saline Subirrigated (SSb)
B.
Soil Not Saline
1
Seasonal high water table ≥ 40" from ground surface; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture from run-in and stream overflow
... EX044B01C060 – Overflow (Ov) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
2
Seasonal high water table < 40" from ground surface
i.
Soil Organic (Organic surface > 8 inches thick) -- Wet Meadow, Organic (WMO)
ii.
Soil Not Organic
a.
Site located in Floodplain
1)
Seasonal high water table < 24"
a)
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Riparian Wet Meadow (RWM)
2)
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40"
... EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
b.
Site not located in Floodplain
1)
Seasonal high water table < 24"
a)
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Wet Meadow (WM)
b)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Meadow (M)
2)
Seasonal high water table ≥24"
b)
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Subirrigated (Sb)
II.
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
A.
Soil Saline or Saline-Sodic within surface 20" or soils with natric or relic natric horizons
1
No columnar structure; site dominated by salt tolerant plants -- Saline Upland
2
Columnar structure present, abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer present within 8" of soil surface
i.
Less than 4" of soil surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Thin Claypan
ii.
Soil has 4" to 8" of surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Claypan
B.
Soil NOT Saline or Saline-Sodic
1
Soil Shallow (10"-20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
i.
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (calcareous) in surface mineral 4"; lime concentrations often increase with depth
c.
Soil skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy Droughty (SwLyDr)
b.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy (SwLy)
ii.
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
a.
Soil Skeletal (≥35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer)
... EX044B01C138 – Shallow Droughty (SwDr) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
b.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer)
1)
Soil clay content ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (soil ribbon ≤ 2")
... EX044B01C136 – Shallow Loamy (SwLo) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
2)
Soil clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon >2")
... EX044B01C131 – Shallow Clay (SwC) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
2
Soils moderately deep, deep, or very deep (≥ 20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer
i.
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer)
a.
Soil Sandy-Skeletal
1)
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10" of soil surface -- Gravelly (Gr)
2)
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10-20" of soil surface
a)
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel, Limy (SwGrLy)
b)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel (SwGr)
b.
Soil loamy-skeletal or clayey-skeletal
1)
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within top 4"
... EX044B01C031 – Limy Droughty (LyDr) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
2)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4"
ii.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer)
a.
Soil strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
... EX044B01C030 – Limy (Ly) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
b.
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4" -- Sands (Sa)
1)
Soil Sand or Loamy Sand texture within surface mineral 4"
2)
Soil NOT sand or loamy sand texture
a)
Slope < 15%
(1)
Soil Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loam texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sandy (Sy)
(2)
Soil texture NOT sandy loam to fine sandy loam
(a)
Soil Clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2")
(1)
Clay content >32%-45% within surface mineral 4" -- Clayey (Cy)
(2)
Clay >45% within surface mineral 2" -- Dense Clay Nonsodic (DCX)
(b)
Soil Clay content ≤32% in surface mineral 4" - Loamy Argillic (LoA)
(1)
Any Argillic horizon in surface 20" with >32% clay (ribbon ≥2")
(2)
Argillic horizon, if present in surface 20", has ≤ 32% clay (ribbon <2")
... EX044B01C032 – Loamy (Lo) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
b)
Slope ≥ 15%
(1)
Mollic epipedon present
(a)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Clayey Steep (CyStp)
(b)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2")
... EX044B01C040 – Loamy Steep (LoStp) 15-19" PZ Frigid North
(2)
Mollic epipedon NOT present
(a)
Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loame texture -- Thin Sandy (TSy)
(b)
Soils NOT sandy loam or fine sandy loam
(1)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2")-- Thin Loamy (TLo)
(2)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Thin Clayey (TCy)
MLRA 44B Key LRU 01 Subset B
I.
Site receives additional effective moisture.
A.
Soil Saline (EC>4 within surface 4") and water table 24-40" from ground surface; salt tolerant plants dominate site -- Saline Subirrigated (SSb)
B.
Soil Not Saline
1
Seasonal high water table ≥ 40" from ground surface; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture from run-in and stream overflow -- Overflow (Ov)
2
Seasonal high water table < 40" from ground surface
i.
Soil Organic (Organic surface > 8 inches thick) -- Wet Meadow, Organic (WMO)
ii.
Soil Not Organic
a.
Site located in Floodplain
1)
Seasonal high water table < 24"
a)
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Riparian Wet Meadow (RWM)
b)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Riparian Meadow (RM)
... EX044B01Y080 – Riparian Meadow (RM) LRU 01 Subset Y
2)
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Riparian Subirrigated (RSb)
... EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
b.
Site not located in Floodplain
1)
Seasonal high water table < 24"
a)
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Wet Meadow (WM)
b)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Meadow (M)
2)
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Subirrigated
II.
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
A.
Soil Saline or Saline-Sodic within surface 20" or soils with natric or relic natric horizons
1
No columnar structure; site dominated by salt tolerant plants -- Saline Upland (SU)
2
Columnar structure present, abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer present within 8" of soil surface
i.
Less than 4" of soil surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Thin Claypan (TCp)
ii.
Soil has 4" to 8" of surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Claypan (Cp)
B.
Soil NOT Saline or Saline-Sodi
1
Soil Shallow (10"-20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
i.
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (calcareous) in surface mineral 4"; lime concentrations often increase with depth
a.
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy Droughty (SwLyDr)
b.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy (SwLy)
ii.
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
a.
Soil Skeletal (≥35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Droughty (SwDr)
b.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer)
1)
Soil clay content ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (soil ribbon ≤ 2") -- Shallow Loamy (SwLo)
2)
Soil clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon >2")
2
Soils moderately deep, deep, or very deep (≥ 20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer
i.
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer)
a.
Soil Sandy-Skeletal
1)
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10" of soil surface -- Gravelly (Gr)
2)
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10-20" of soil surface
a)
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel, Limy (SwGrLy)
b)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel (SwGr)
... EX044B01B134 – Shallow to Gravel 15-19" PZ Frigid
b.
Soil loamy-skeletal or clayey-skeletal
1)
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within top 4" -- Limy Droughty (LyDr)
... EX044B01B031 – Limy Droughty 15-19" PZ Frigid
2)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4"
ii.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer)
a.
Soil strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4" -- Limy (Ly)
b.
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
1)
Soil Sand or Loamy Sand texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sands (Sa)
2)
Soil NOT sand or loamy sand texture
a)
Slope < 15%
(1)
Soil Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loam texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sandy (Sy)
(2)
Soil texture NOT sandy loam to fine sandy loam
(a)
Soil Clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2")
(1)
Clay content >32%-45% within surface mineral 4" -- Clayey (Cy)
(2)
Clay >45% within surface mineral 2" -- Dense Clay Nonsodic (DCX)
(b)
Soil Clay content ≤32% in surface mineral 4"
(1)
Any Argillic horizon in surface 20" with >32% clay (ribbon ≥2") -- Loamy Argillic (LoA)
(2)
Argillic horizon, if present in surface 20", has ≤ 32% clay (ribbon <2") -- Loamy (Lo)
... EX044B01B032 – Loamy 15-19" PZ Frigid
b)
Slope ≥ 15%
(1)
Mollic epipedon present
(a)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Clayey Steep (CyStp)
(b)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Loamy Steep (LoStp)
... EX044B01B040 – Loamy Steep 15-19" PZ Frigid
(2)
Mollic epipedon NOT present
(a)
Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loame texture -- Thin Sandy (TSy)
(b)
Soils NOT sandy loam or fine sandy loam
(1)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Thin Loamy (TLo)
(2)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Thin Clayey (TCy)
MRLA 44B Key LRU 01 Subset D
I.
Site receives additional effective moisture.
A.
Soil Saline (EC>4 within surface 4") and water table 24-40" from ground surface; salt tolerant plants dominate site -- Saline Subirrigated (SSb)
B.
Soil Not Saline
1
Seasonal high water table ≥ 40" from ground surface; site regularly receives more than normal soil moisture from run-in and stream overflow -- Overflow (Ov)
... EX044B01D060 – Overflow 15-19" PZ Cryic
2
Seasonal high water table < 40" from ground surface
i.
Soil Organic (Organic surface > 8 inches thick) -- Wet Meadow, Organic (WMO)
ii.
Soil Not Organic
a.
Site located in Floodplain
1)
Seasonal high water table < 24"
a)
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Riparian Wet Meadow (RWM)
b)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Riparian Meadow (RM)
... EX044B01Y080 – Riparian Meadow (RM) LRU 01 Subset Y
2)
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Riparian Subirrigated (RSb)
... EX044B01Y081 – Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) LRU 01 Subset Y
b.
Site not located in Floodplain
1)
Seasonal high water table < 24"
a)
Seasonal high water table <12" -- Wet Meadow (WM)
b)
Seasonal high water table 12" to 24" -- Meadow (M)
2)
Seasonal high water table 24" to 40" -- Subirrigated
II.
Site does not receive additional effective moisture
A.
Soil Saline or Saline-Sodic within surface 20" or soils with natric or relic natric horizons
1
No columnar structure; site dominated by salt tolerant plants -- Saline Upland (SU)
2
Columnar structure present, abrupt root or water restrictive clay layer present within 8" of soil surface
i.
Less than 4" of soil surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Dense Clay (DC)
... EX044B01D011 – Dense Clay 15-19" PZ Cryic
ii.
Soil has 4" to 8" of surface over clay layer (evidence of columnar structure) -- Claypan (Cp)
B.
Soil NOT Saline or Saline-Sodi
1
Soil Shallow (10"-20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
i.
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (calcareous) in surface mineral 4"; lime concentrations often increase with depth
a.
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy Droughty (SwLyDr)
b.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Limy (SwLy)
ii.
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
a.
Soil Skeletal (≥35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer) -- Shallow Droughty (SwDr)
... EX044B01D138 – Shallow Droughty 15-19" PZ Cryic
b.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragments in 10-20" layer)
1)
Soil clay content ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (soil ribbon ≤ 2") -- Shallow Loamy (SwLo)
2)
Soil clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon >2")
2
Soils moderately deep, deep, or very deep (≥ 20" deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer
i.
Soil skeletal (≥35% rock fragment in the 10-20" layer)
a.
Soil Sandy-Skeletal
1)
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10" of soil surface -- Gravelly (Gr)
2)
Soil sandy-skeletal within 10-20" of soil surface
a)
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel, Limy (SwGrLy)
b)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4" -- Shallow to Gravel (SwGr)
... EX044B01D134 – Shallow to Gravel 15-19" PZ Cryic
b.
Soil loamy-skeletal or clayey-skeletal
1)
Soil strongly or violently effervescent within top 4" -- Limy Droughty (LyDr)
2)
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4"
ii.
Soil NOT skeletal (<35% rock fragment in 10-20" layer)
a.
Soil strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4" -- Limy (Ly)
b.
Soil NOT strongly or violently effervescent in surface mineral 4"
1)
Soil Sand or Loamy Sand texture within surface mineral 4" -- Sands (Sa)
2)
Soil NOT sand or loamy sand texture
a)
Slope < 15%
(1)
Soil fine sandy loam to sand texture within surface mineral 4"
(b)
Coarse sand loam to fine sandy loam texture in the surface mineral 4"
... EX044B01D110 – Sandy 15-19" PZ Cryic
(2)
Soil texture NOT sandy loam to fine sandy loam
(a)
Soil Clay content >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2")
(1)
Clay content >32%-45% within surface mineral 4" -- Clayey (Cy)
(2)
Clay >45% within surface mineral 2" -- Dense Clay Nonsodic (DCX)
(b)
Soil Clay content ≤32% in surface mineral 4"
(1)
Any Argillic horizon in surface 20" with >32% clay (ribbon ≥2") -- Loamy Argillic (LoA)
... EX044B01D033 – Loamy Argillic 15-19" Cryic
(2)
Argillic horizon, if present in surface 20", has ≤ 32% clay (ribbon <2") -- Loamy (Lo)
... EX044B01D032 – Loamy 15-19" PZ Cryic
b)
Slope ≥ 15%
(1)
Mollic epipedon present
(a)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Clayey Steep (CyStp)
(b)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Loamy Steep (LoStp)
... EX044B01D040 – Loamy Steep 15-19" PZ Cryic
(2)
Mollic epipedon NOT present
(a)
Coarse sandy loam to fine sandy loame texture -- Thin Sandy (TSy)
(b)
Soils NOT sandy loam or fine sandy loam
(1)
Clay content is ≤ 32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon < 2") -- Thin Loamy (TLo)
(2)
Clay content is >32% in surface mineral 4" (ribbon ≥ 2") -- Thin Clayey (TCy)
44B PES Groupings Key
A
Rangeland Groups
1
Significant additional water influences community.
i.
Soils are associated with a stream or live water and are in a riparian or lowland situation.
... R044BP801MT – Bottomland
ii.
Not in a riparian situation, but has a water table present.
a.
Soil saline or sodic (EC > 7 or SAR > 12 within surface 18cm)
1)
Community is Grass and grasslike dominated, water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species, limiting woody vegetation (less than 100 cm from the ground surface for part of the growing season).
... R044BP813MT – Subirrigated Saline-Sodic Grassland
2)
Community is shrub dominated, water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species, limiting woody vegetation (greater than 100 cm from the ground surface for part of the growing season).
... R044BP814MT – Subirrigated Saline-Sodic Shrubland
b.
Soils are not saline or sodic
1)
Community is Grass and grasslike dominated, water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species, limiting woody vegetation (less than 100 cm from the ground surface for part of the growing season).
... R044BP815MT – Subirrigated Grassland
2)
Community is shrub dominated, water table within rooting depth of herbaceous species, limiting woody vegetation (greater than 100 cm from the ground surface for part of the growing season).
... R044BP817MT – Subirrigated Shrubland
2
Not water controlled - upland
i
Soils influenced by chemistry within the upper soil profile.
a.
Soil saline or sodic (EC > 7 or SAR > 12 within surface 18cm)
b.
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (CaCO3 > 14%) in surface mineral 18cm – Limy
2)
Dominated by shrubs
ii
Soils not influence by chemistry
A)
Soils are shallow (less than 20 inches to a restrictive layer, root limiting layer, or bedrock)
2)
Dominated by shrubs
a)
Sagebrush is the dominant shrub - Sagebrush Shrubland
... R044BP811MT – Shallow Sagebrush Shrubland
B)
Soils are not shallow
A)
Soils contain a high amount (greater than 35%) rock fragments on the soil surface.
b)
Sagebrush is the dominant shrub - Sagebrush Shrubland
... R044BP803MT – Rubbly Sagebrush Shrubland
B)
Soils do not contain a high amount of rock fragments on the soil surface.
b)
Dominated by shrubs
(1)
Sagebrush is the dominant shrub - Sagebrush Shrubland
... R044BP819MT – Upland Sagebrush Shrubland
B
Forestland Groups
1
Deciduous dominated community, dominantly Aspen - Aspen Woodland
... F044BP908MT – Upland Aspen Woodland
2
All other Forest Types
a
Warmer temperatures, generally related to lower elevations, south and west aspects - Warm Woodland
i
Soils are shallow (less than 20 inches to a restrictive layer, root limiting layer, or bedrock)
... F044BP904MT – Shallow Warm Woodland
ii
Soils are not shallow
1)
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (CaCO3 > 14%) in surface mineral 18cm – Limy
... F044BP913MT – Limy Warm Woodland
b
Cooler temperatures with higher elevations
i
Coldest and highest elevation, just below timberline or on north and east aspects -Cold Woodland
1)
Additional moisture available, meadows or snow-catch areas - Cold-Moist Woodland
... F044BP906MT – Subirrigated Cold Woodland
2)
No additional moisture - Cold Woodland
a)
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (CaCO3 > 14%) in surface mineral 18cm – Limy
... F044BP902MT – Shallow Cold Woodland
ii
Cool temperatures, mid-elevation range, and variable aspect.
A)
Additional moisture available, meadows or snow-catch areas - Cool-Moist Woodland
... F044BP907MT – Subirrigated Cool Woodland
B)
No additional moisture - Cool Woodland
a)
Soils are shallow (less than 20 inches to a restrictive layer, root limiting layer, or bedrock)
... F044BP903MT – Shallow Cool Woodland
b)
Soils are not shallow
(1)
Soil is strongly or violently effervescent (CaCO3 > 14%) in surface mineral 18cm – Limy
... F044BP912MT – Limy Cool Woodland
(2)
Soil is not strongly or violently effervescent
(a)
Soils contain a high amount (greater than 35%) rock fragments on the soil surface.
... F044BP901MT – Rubbly Cool Woodland
(b)
Soils do not have a high amount of rock fragments on the surface.
... F044BP910MT – Upland Cool Woodland
The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
Accessibility statement