Playa

Description

This state describes the playa during non-inundated periods.

Characteristics and indicators

The primary indicators of this state is the presence of vegetation and the lack of inundation.

Resilience management

This state is resilient in the absence of mechanical disturbance such as ditching and draining.

Dominant plant species

1. fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), shrub

2. western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass

3. lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), grass

4. pigweed (Amaranthus), grass

Submodel

Description

In this state, the playa floor is inundated by run-on water to the degree that it cannot sustain vegetation. The step is also affected, though to a lesser degree.

Characteristics and indicators

Standing water, limited vegetation.

Resilience management

The primary challenges to resilience are ditching and draining through mechanical disturbance.

Dominant plant species

1. fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), shrub

2. broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), shrub

3. rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus), shrub

4. western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass

5. pigweed (Amaranthus), grass

6. lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), grass

Submodel