Shallow Loamy

Description

The Reference State (1.0) represents what is believed to show the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics of this ecological site prior to European settlement. This site in the Reference State (1.0) is dominated by cool-season grasses with sub-dominant warm-season grasses. In pre-European times, the primary disturbance mechanisms included periodic fire and grazing by large herding ungulates. Timing of fires and grazing coupled with weather events dictated the dynamics that occurred within the natural range of variability. Cool-season wheatgrasses and needlegrasses and taller warm-season grasses would have declined and a corresponding increase in short statured grass and grass-like species would have occurred. Today, a similar state can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest.

Dominant plant species

1. western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis), shrub

2. skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata), shrub

3. prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), shrub

4. rose (Rosa), shrub

5. western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass

6. green needlegrass (Nassella viridula), grass

7. needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata), grass

8. blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass

9. big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass

10. prairie Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha), grass

11. buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), grass

12. sedge (Carex), grass

13. prairie coneflower (Ratibida), grass

14. scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea), grass

15. purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea), grass

16. beardtongue (Penstemon), grass

17. American vetch (Vicia americana), grass

18. white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), grass

Submodel

Description

The Shortgrass Sod State (2.0) is dominated by shortgrass species, and upland sedges. Clubmoss may also become common on this site. This State is the result of grazing management that does not provide adequate recovery time for tall and mid-statured warm- or cool-season grasses. The hydrologic function of this state is dramatically altered. Runoff is high and infiltration is low. This State is very resistant to change through grazing management alone.

Dominant plant species

1. blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass

2. threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia), grass

3. western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass

4. prairie Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha), grass

5. threeawn (Aristida), grass

6. cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass

7. bluegrass (Poa), grass

8. scurfpea (Psoralidium), grass

9. white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), grass

10. goldenrod (Solidago), grass

11. clubmoss (Lycopodiella), grass

12. prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), grass

13. soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca), grass

Submodel