Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R069XY012CO
Saline Closed Depression
Last updated: 12/09/2024
Accessed: 08/10/2026
-
Search
Major Land Resource Area or ecological site by name and/or ID.
PreviousSectionsNextGeneral information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
Click to explore map
Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 069X–Upper Arkansas Valley Rolling Plains
MLRA 69 is in the Arkansas Watershed of southeastern (SE) Colorado. It consists of rolling plains, river valleys, and canyonlands. The Arkansas River flows from the Rocky Mountains to Kansas. Tributaries include the Huerfano and Purgatoire Rivers. The MLRA is traversed by Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 50, and includes the cities of Pueblo, La Junta, and Lamar. Other cities include Cañon City, and Walsenburg. Bent's Fort was once a major trading post along the Santa Fe Trail. The majority of land use is rangeland (greater than 75 percent), and 6 percent cropland. The remainder is urban, recreation, etc. Land ownership is mostly private. Federal lands include U.S. Forest Service Comanche National Grassland, Department of Defense Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site and Fort Carson. There is a minor amount of Bureau of Land Management and other federal land. State areas include Pueblo and John Martin reservoirs. Elevations MLRA-wide are 3,700 to 6,400 feet.
The "Dust Bowl" region (1930s) included SE Colorado, which is periodically affected by severe drought. Dust storms may form during drought years, in windy periods. Annual precipitation is 10 to 16 inches. Precipitation occurs mostly during the growing season, often during rapidly developing thunderstorms. Mean annual air temperature (MAAT) is 48 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures may exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Evapotranspiration rates are high. Winter temperatures may be subzero. Snowfall varies from 20 to 40 inches per year. Blizzards can form quickly.Classification relationships
MLRA 69 is in the Piedmont and Raton Sections of the Great Plains Province. The MLRA is further defined by Land Resource Units (LRUs) A, B, and C. The modal concepts of each LRU can be defined by soil properties and annual precipitation zones (PZ). Other features, such as climate, geology, landforms, and key vegetation, further refine these concepts and are described in the Ecological Site Description (ESD).
LRU A (10 to 12 inches PZ) is 2.4 million acres in the central portion of MLRA 69. There is irrigated cropland in the Arkansas Valley. Precipitation is too limited for dryland crops. Most of LRU A is rangeland, and includes the Comanche National Grassland (FS). This LRU is in portions of Bent, Crowley, Otero, and Pueblo counties. Soil Moisture Regime is Ustic Aridic. The Mean Annual Air Temperature (MAAT) is 51 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit.
LRU B (12 to 14 inches PZ) is 4.7 million acres and includes portions of Baca, Bent, Crowley, El Paso, Fremont, Kiowa, Las Animas, Lincoln, Prowers, and Pueblo counties. Most of the LRU is in rangeland. Land uses include irrigated and dry cropland, small acreage and urban ownership. Land east of Interstate 25 remains largely agricultural. Canyonlands are in the southern half and include Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site and the Picket Wire Canyon of the Comanche National Grasslands. Soil moisture regime is Ustic Aridic. The mean annual air temperature is 50 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Saline Closed Depression ecological site, LRUs A and B, was developed from an earlier version of the Saline Plains Swale Ecological Site (2004, revised in 2007). This earlier version of the Saline Plains Swale Site (2004) was based on input from Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) and historical information obtained from the Saline Plains Swale Range Site descriptions (1975, revised 1983). This ESD meets the Provisional requirements of the National Ecological Site Handbook (NESH). This ESD will continue refinement towards an Approved status according to the NESH.Ecological site concept
The Saline Closed Depression Ecological Site is a run-on site in closed depressions. It has both calcium carbonates and other salts.
Associated sites
R069XY026CO Sandy Plains
The Sandy Plains Ecological Site is commonly adjacent to the Saline Closed Depression Ecological Site in an upland position.
R069XY047CO Alkaline Plains
The Alkaline Plains Ecological Site is commonly adjacent to the Saline Closed Depression Ecological Site in an upland position.
R069XY006CO Loamy Plains
The Loamy Plains Ecological Site is commonly adjacent to the Saline Closed Depression Ecological Site in an upland position.
Similar sites
R069XY011CO Closed Depression
The only salt in the Closed Depression Ecological Site is calcium carbonate, reflected in the plant community by a lack of alkali sacaton.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Atriplex canescens
(2) Krascheninnikovia lanataHerbaceous (1) Pascopyrum smithii
(2) Sporobolus airoidesPhysiographic features
This site occurs on plains.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Closed depression
Runoff class Negligible Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency Occasional Elevation 4400 – 5800 ft Slope 0 – 1 % Ponding depth 0 – 24 in Water table depth 60 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Approximately 75 percent of the annual precipitation occurs during the growing season from mid-April to late September. Snowfall can vary greatly from year to year and can range from 20 to 40 inches per year. Winds are estimated to average 6 to 7 miles per hour annually. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime winds. Occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 60 miles per hour. The average length of the freeze-free period (28 °F) is 168 days. The average last freeze in the spring is April 22nd, and the average date of first freeze in fall is October 7th. The average length of the frost-free period (32 °F) is 149 days. The last frost in the spring is May 5th, and the average date for first frost in the fall (32 °F), is October 1. July is the hottest month, and January is the coldest. It is not uncommon for temperature to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. Summer humidity is low and evaporation is high. The winters are characterized with frequent northerly winds, producing severe cold and temperatures dropping to -30 degrees Fahrenheit.
LRU A, in the Arkansas River Valley, is the hottest and driest portion of the MLRA. Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) is 10 to 12 inches, and Mean Annual Air Temperature (MAAT) is 51 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit. LRU B is the largest extent. MAP is 12 to 14 inches, and MAAT is 50 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 130-130 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 150-160 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 10-10 in Frost-free period (actual range) 120-140 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 140-160 days Precipitation total (actual range) 10-20 in Frost-free period (average) 130 days Freeze-free period (average) 150 days Precipitation total (average) 10 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) PUEBLO RSVR [USC00056765], Pueblo, CO
-
(2) EADS [USC00052446], Eads, CO
-
(3) LA JUNTA 20 S [USC00054726], La Junta, CO
-
(4) TACONY 13 SE [USC00058157], Boone, CO
-
(5) CHERAW 1 N [USC00051539], La Junta, CO
-
(6) ORDWAY 21 N [USC00056136], Ordway, CO
-
(7) ROCKY FORD 2 SE [USC00057167], Rocky Ford, CO
-
(8) PUEBLO MEM AP [USW00093058], Pueblo, CO
-
(9) ORDWAY 2 ENE [USC00056131], Ordway, CO
">Influencing water features
There is no influential water table or wetland associated with this site.
Wetland description
N/A
Soil features
The soils of this site are very deep. They are moderately well drained with very slow or slow permeability. The surface layer thickness ranges from 2 to 6 inches. The soil moisture regime is ustic aridic. The soil temperature regime is mesic. Parent material kind includes clayey alluvium. Parent material originated from mixed sources.
Major soil series correlated to this ecological site include Chromic Haplotorrert.
Revisions to soil surveys are on-going. For the most recent updates, visit the Web Soil Survey, the official site for latest soils information: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium
Surface texture (1) Silty clay
Drainage class Moderately well drained Permeability class Very slow to slow Soil depth 60 – 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)5.6 – 8.4 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)3 – 10 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 8 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)1 – 20 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.4 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0in)Not specified Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0in)Not specified Ecological dynamics
The information in this ESD, including the state-and-transition model (STM), was developed using archeological and historical data, professional experience, and scientific studies. The information is representative of a complex set of plant communities. The plant composition has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance, seasonal-use pastures, short-duration or time-controlled grazing strategies, and historical accounts.
Not all scenarios or plants are included. Key indicator plants, animals, and ecological processes are described to inform land management decisions.
This region was historically occupied by large grazing animals, such as bison, along with pronghorn and mule deer. Deer and pronghorn are widely distributed throughout the MLRA. This is an important site for livestock grazing, especially cattle.
Drought has historically impacted the vegetation of this region. Changes in species composition vary depending upon the duration and severity of the drought cycle and prior grazing management. Recent drought events have increased mortality of blue grama significantly in some locales, along with other bunchgrasses, such as sand bluestem, little bluestem, needle and thread, Fendler threeawn, and squirreltail. Historic fire frequency (pre-industrial) is estimated at 15 to 20 years (Guyette, 2012), randomly distributed, and started by lightning at various times throughout the growing season. Early human inhabitants were also likely to start fires (deliberate or accidental).
The primary grasses are cool-season mid- rhizomatous grass (western wheatgrass), warm-season mid-bunchgrass (alkali sacaton), and warm-season mid- stoloniferous grass (vine mesquite). Secondary grasses are warm-season short bunchgrass (blue grama) and warm-season short stoloniferous grass (buffalograss). Other grasses include warm-season short and mid-grasses (James galleta, inland saltgrass, and alkali cordgrass); cool-season mid- grasses (Canada wildrye and bottlebrush squirreltail), and Grasslikes (sun sedge). Key forbs include American vetch, purple prairieclover, scarlet globemallow, Cuman ragweed, and wedgeleaf [fogfruit]. Key shrubs include fourwing saltbush and winterfat.
Deterioration of this site due to recurring seasonal herbivory without adequate recovery opportunity following each grazing occurrence will cause vine mesquite, alkali sacaton, and eventually western wheatgrass to decrease in frequency and production. Grasses such as blue grama and buffalograss will increase. Continuous grazing without adequate recovery opportunity will eventually cause a shift across an ecological threshold to a blue grama/buffalograss sod-bound state with a remnant amount of alkali sacaton. Heavy, continuous grazing or excessive defoliation will result in a plant community dominated with inland saltgrass, mat muhly, red threeawn, annual invaders, and increased areas of bare ground. Stock water dugouts are occasionally constructed on the site to supply livestock water. This has a minor impact on the overall integrity and ecological functioning of the site and is applicable to any of the plant community phases in the reference state. This is due to the infrequent amount of ponding that occurs on the site. The immediate area of the dugout is affected due to soil disturbance and increased animal impact.
Southeastern Colorado was strongly affected by extended drought conditions in the “Dust Bowl” period of the 1930s, with recurrent drought cycles in the 1950s and 1970s. Extreme to exceptional drought conditions have re-visited the area from 2002 to 2012, with brief interludes of near normal to normal precipitation years. “During periods of drought, high winds give rise to the dust storms which are especially characteristic of the southeastern plains (WRCC, 2022).” Recent drought events have increased mortality of blue grama upwards of 80 percent in some locales. The long-term effects of these latest drought years have yet to be determined.
Growth of native cool-season plants begins about April 15 and continues to mid-June. Native warm-season plants begin growth about May 1 and continue to about August 15. Regrowth of cool-season plants occurs in September and October in most years, depending on moisture. For detailed information, visit the Western Regional Climate Center website at https://wrcc.dri.edu/.
Drier and warmer climatic conditions exist in the central portion of MLRA 69. This area includes the eastern half of Pueblo county, northern Otero, extreme northwestern Bent, western edge of Kiowa, southern edge of Lincoln and all of Crowley County. These conditions are primarily caused by a rain shadow effect from the southern Rocky Mountains. Evapotranspiration rates (atmospheric demand) are higher in this area of MLRA 69. Total annual production is typically lower.State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A - Heavy season-long grazing. Drought. 1.1B - Non-use. Lack of fire. 1.2A - Prescribed grazing. Adequate precipitation. 1.2B - Continuous, heavy grazing. 1.3A - Prescribed grazing. Prescribed fire. 1.4A - Prescribed grazing. State 1
ReferenceThis is the reference state for the Saline Closed Depression ecological site within MLRA 69. It is a reflection of all of the natural variability affecting the ecological functioning of the site.
Dominant plant species
-
fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), shrub
-
winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), shrub
-
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
-
alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), grass
Community 1.1
Western Wheatgrass and Alkali SacatonThis community is the interpretive plant community for this site and is considered to be the reference plant community. This community evolved with recurring seasonal herbivory by large herbivores and is well suited for grazing. Historically, fires occurred infrequently. The site developed with run-in water occasionally ponding intermittently during April through August. Ponded conditions most likely occurred one year in five for at least 14 consecutive days during the growing season. This plant community can be found on areas that are grazed and where the grazed plants receive adequate periods of recovery during the growing season. The potential vegetation is about 77 to 88 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 7 to 13 percent forbs and 5 to 10 percent shrubs.
This plant community is diverse, stable, and productive. Litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is low. It is well suited to carbon sequestration, water yield, wildlife use by many species, livestock use, and is aesthetically pleasing. Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle, and energy flow are functioning properly. This community is resistant to many disturbances except heavy, continuous grazing, long-term non-use, and tillage.
Total annual production, during an average year, ranges from 650 to 2100 pounds per acre air-dry weight and averages 1350 pounds.Dominant plant species
-
fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), shrub
-
winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), shrub
-
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
-
alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), grass
Figure 8. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 495 1114 1780 Forb 90 135 180 Shrub/Vine 65 101 140 Total 650 1350 2100 Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). CO6912 , Cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant, ponded..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 2 13 25 30 20 7 3 0 0 0 Community 1.2
Western Wheatgrass, Alkali Sacaton, and Blue GramaThis plant community results from recurring heavy, seasonal herbivory and the effects of periodic drought inherent to the site. Total production is reduced along with a decrease in the amount of litter on the soil surface. The relative amounts of western wheatgrass, alkali sacaton, and vine mesquite grass have decreased with corresponding increases in the amounts of blue grama and buffalograss.
Dominant plant species
-
rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), shrub
-
fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), shrub
-
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
-
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
Community 1.3
Western Wheatgrass, Alkali Sacaton, Excessive Litter, and Low Plant Density CommunityThis community phase is characterized by a decreased plant vigor condition resulting from increased grass plant decadence and low plant density. Species composition can be highly variable, but will most likely resemble the vegetation that was present when non-use or rest began. Species production and density will decrease as non-use and reduced fire frequency persists. Much of the nutrients are tied up in excessive litter. The semiarid environment and the absence of animal impact to break down litter slow nutrient cycling. Aboveground litter also limits sunlight from reaching plant crowns. Many plants, especially bunchgrasses die off. Thick litter and absence of grazing or fire reduce seed germination and establishment. In advanced stages, plant mortality can increase and erosion may eventually occur if bare ground increases.
Dominant plant species
-
fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), shrub
-
winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), shrub
-
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
-
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
Community 1.4
Blue Grama and BuffalograssThis plant community represents the unhealthy sod-bound condition that results from blue grama and buffalo grass dominating the site. Alkali sacaton exists in remnant amounts. This community developed with repeated continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events. Vine Mesquite, American vetch, purple prairie clover, fourwing saltbush and winterfat have been removed. Western wheatgrass, alkali cordgrass and sun sedge may persist in trace amounts. Buffalograss and blue grama dominate the community and form a “sod bound” appearance. Saltgrass, purple threeawn, sand dropseed, tumblegrass, mat muhly, scratchgrass, hairy goldaster, and plains pricklypear will all increase in varying degrees. In some instances, broom snakeweed will significantly increase.
This plant community is resistant to change due to grazing tolerance of buffalo grass and blue grama. A significant amount of production and diversity has been lost when compared to the Reference Plant Community. Loss of cool season grasses, fourwing saltbush and winterfat, and nitrogen fixing forbs have negatively impacted energy flow and nutrient cycling. Water infiltration is reduced significantly due to the massive shallow root system “root pan”, characteristic of sod bound blue grama and buffalo grass. This results in an increase of ponding duration which increases the amount of bare ground due to the loss of desirable grass and grass-like species.
Total annual production, during an average year, ranges from 300 to 1300 pounds per acre air-dry weight and will average 700 pounds.Dominant plant species
-
broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), shrub
-
rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), shrub
-
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
-
buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), grass
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Recurring heavy, seasonal herbivory and periodic drought are inherent to this site and will cause a shift to the 1.2 Plant Community. This community is characterized by reduced production from western wheatgrass and vine mesquite with a corresponding decreased amount of litter.
Key drivers
-
Precipitation (monthly scale)
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.3Non-use and/or lack of fire will cause a shift from the intrepretive plant community to the Excessive Litter, Low Plant Density Plant Community. These temporary lack of disturbances cause an interruption of the mineral cycle resulting in a build up of excessive litter. Energy flow is also impeded.
Key drivers
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
-
Fire frequency
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Return of herbivory with adequate recovery opportunity and normal frequency and amount of precipitation will drive this community phase back toward the interpretive plant community.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Key drivers
-
Precipitation (monthly scale)
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.4Continuous, heavy grazing without adequate recovery opportunity between grazing events will shift this community to the 1.4 community. Biotic integrity has been significantly altered due to the dominance of blue grama and buffalograss. The resulting plant community is in an advance stage of desertification.
Key drivers
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1The return of herbivory with adequate recovery opportunity and fire shift this community back toward the interpretive plant community.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing Prescribed Grazing Key drivers
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
-
Fire frequency
Pathway 1.4A
Community 1.4 to 1.2Long-term prescribed grazing with adequate recovery opportunity will eventually lead to recovery. This pathway will require greater than 40 years.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Key drivers
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 cool season, rhizomatous 405–540 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 405–540 – 2 warm season, mid-height 540–820 alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 340–475 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 200–340 – 3 warm season, short height 120–230 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 95–180 – buffalograss BODA2 Bouteloua dactyloides 25–70 – 4 warm season, short to mid-height 90–310 James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 70–135 – saltgrass DISP Distichlis spicata 15–45 – alkali cordgrass SPGR Spartina gracilis 15–45 – silver beardgrass BOLAT Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana 0–30 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–30 – tumblegrass SCPA Schedonnardus paniculatus 0–15 – scratchgrass MUAS Muhlenbergia asperifolia 0–15 – mat muhly MURI Muhlenbergia richardsonis 0–15 – ring muhly MUTO2 Muhlenbergia torreyi 0–15 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 0–15 – 5 cool season, mid-height 15–50 Canada wildrye ELCA4 Elymus canadensis 0–30 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 15–30 – 6 sedges 25–70 sun sedge CAINH2 Carex inops ssp. heliophila 25–70 – 7 other native grasses 15–45 Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 15–45 – Forb8 cool season forbs 45–95 American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 15–45 – purple prairie clover DAPUP Dalea purpurea var. purpurea 15–30 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 15–30 – 9 warm season forbs 0–160 Cuman ragweed AMPS Ambrosia psilostachya 0–30 – tarragon ARDR4 Artemisia dracunculus 0–15 – scarlet beeblossom GACO5 Gaura coccinea 0–15 – hairy false goldenaster HEVI4 Heterotheca villosa 0–15 – rush skeletonplant LYJU Lygodesmia juncea 0–15 – wedgeleaf PHCU3 Phyla cuneifolia 0–15 – oppositeleaf bahia PIOP Picradeniopsis oppositifolia 0–15 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 0–15 – upright prairie coneflower RACO3 Ratibida columnifera 0–15 – 10 Poisonous forbs 0–40 woolly locoweed ASMO7 Astragalus mollissimus 0–15 – silky sophora SONU Sophora nuttalliana 0–15 – poison suckleya SUSU2 Suckleya suckleyana 0–15 – 11 other native forbs 15–45 Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 15–45 – Shrub/Vine12 warm season shrubs 55–140 fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 45–95 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 15–45 – 13 other shrubs 0–50 rubber rabbitbrush ERNAG Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa var. glabrata 0–15 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–15 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 0–15 – 14 other native shrubs not listed 15–45 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 15–45 – Table 7. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 1.4 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Other products
Site Development & Testing Plan:
General Data (MLRA and Revision Notes, Hierarchical Classification, Ecological Site Concept, Physiographic, Climate, and Water Features, and Soils Data):
- Updated, All “Required” items are complete to Provisional level
Community Phase Data (Ecological Dynamics, STM, Transition & Recovery Pathways, Reference Plant Community, Species Composition List, Annual Production Table):
- Updated. All “Required” items are complete to Provisional level.
NOTE: Annual Production Table and Species Composition List were developed from preliminary soil and vegetative site investigations. This site concept was developed by local range professionals and soil scientists. The site concept will need to be tested and further data collection and analysis is needed to develop this site to the Approved level.
Each Alternative State/Community:
- Complete to Provisional level.
- The CP 1.4 to 1.2 is questionable in the length of time required. This topic needs further discussion.
Site Interpretations (Wildlife, Livestock, Hydrology, Recreational, Wood Products, Other)
- (RESERVED). These sections will be developed for this site to allow advancement to “Approved” level.
- There are no existing NRI or 417 Inventories for this site. More field data collection is needed to support this site concept.
- Extent maps (created in Arcmap) need to be re-visited when the 2017 soils layer updates are loaded, to verify that all Associated Sites have been identified.
Rangeland Health Reference Sheet:
- (DRAFT, April 3, 2012).
- To be developed. (Reserved)
“Future work is needed to to elevate this site description to the "Approved" level.. This will include field activities to collect low and medium intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of that data. Annual field reviews should be done by soil scientists and vegetation specialists. A final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews of the ESD will be needed to produce the final document.” (NI 430_306 ESI and ESD, April, 2015)Other information
Relationship to Other Classifications:
NRCS Classification Hierarchy:
Physiographic Divisions of the United States (Fenneman, 1946): Physiographic DivisionPhysiographic ProvincePhysiographic SectionLand Resource RegionMajor Land Resource Area (MLRA)Land Resource Unit (LRU).
USFS Classification Hierarchy:
National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units (Cleland et al, 181-200):
DomainDivisionProvinceSectionSubsectionLandtype Association LandtypeLandtype Phase.Supporting information
Inventory data references
NRI: references to Natural Resource Inventory data Information presented here has been derived from data collection on private and federal lands using: • Double Sampling (clipped 2 of 5 plots)* • Rangeland Health (Pellant et al., 2005) • Soil Stability (Pellant et al., 2005) • Line Point Intercept : Foliar canopy, basal cover (Forb, Graminoid, Shrub, subshrub, Lichen, Moss, Rock fragments, bare ground, % Litter) (Herrick et al., 2005) • Soil pedon descriptions collected on site (Schoeneberger et al., 2012) *NRCS double-sampling method, CO NRCS Similarity Index Worksheet 528(1). Additional reconnaissance data collection using numerous ocular estimates and other inventory data; NRCS clipping data for USDA program support; Field observations from experienced range trained personnel. Specific data information is contained in individual landowner/user case files and other files located in county NRCS field offices.
References
-
Guyette, R.P., M.C. Stambaugh, D.C. Dey, and R. Muzika. 2012. Predicting Fire Frequency with Chemistry and Climate. Ecosystems 15:322–335.
Other references
Data collection for this ecological site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Upper Arkansas Valley (MLRA 69) of Colorado. The site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys: Baca County, Bent County, Crowley County, El Paso County Area, Fremont County Area, Huerfano County Area, Kiowa County, Las Animas County: Parts of Huerfano and Las Animas, Lincoln County, Otero County, Prowers County, and Pueblo Area: Parts of Pueblo and Custer Counties.
30 Year Climatic and Hydrologic Normals (1981-2010) Reports. National Water and climate Center: Portland, OR. August 2015
ACIS-USDA Field Office Climate Data (WETS), period of record 1971-2000 http://agacis.rcc-acis.org (powered by WRCC) Accessed March 2016
Andrews, R. and R. Righter. 1992. Colorado Birds. Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver, CO. 442
Armstrong, D.M. 1972. Distribution of mammals in Colorado. Univ. Kansas Museum Natural History Monograph #3. 415.
Butler, LD., J.B. Cropper, R.H. Johnson, A.J. Norman, G.L. Peacock, P.L. Shaver, and K.E. Spaeth. 1997, revised 2003. National Range and Pasture Handbook. National Cartography and Geospatial Center’s Technical Publishing Team: Fort Worth, TX. http://www.glti.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/publications/nrph.html Accessed August 2015
Clark, J., E. Grimm, J. Donovan, S. Fritz, D. Engrstom, and J. Almendinger. 2002. Drought cycles and landscape responses to past Aridity on prairies of the Northern Great Plains, USA. Ecology, 83(3), 595-601.
Cleland, D., P. Avers, W.H. McNab, M. Jensen, R. Bailey, T. King, and W. Russell. 1997. National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units, published in Ecosystem Management: Applications for Sustainable Forest and Wildlife Resources, Yale University Press
Cooperative climatological data summaries. NOAA. Western Regional Climate Center: Reno, NV. Web. http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/climatedata/climsum Accessed August 2015
Egan, Timothy. 2006. The Worst Hard Time. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company: New York, NY.
Fitzgerald, J.P., C.A. Meaney, and D.M. Armstrong. 1994. Mammals of Colorado. Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver, CO. 467. Hammerson, G.A. 1986. Amphibians and reptiles in Colorado. CO Div. Wild. Publication Code DOW-M-I-3-86. 131.
Herrick, Jeffrey E., J.W. Van Zee, K.M. Haystad, L.M. Burkett, and W.G. Witford. 2005. Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems, Volume II. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. Jornada Experimental Range, Las Cruces, N.M.
Kingery, H., Ed. (1998) Colorado Breeding Birds Atlas. Dist. CO Wildlife Heritage Foundation: Denver, CO. 636.
National Water & Climate Center. USDA-NRCS. USDA Pacific Northwest Climate Hub: Portland, OR. http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ Accessed March 2016
National Weather Service Co-op Program. 2010. Colorado Climate Center. Colorado State Univ. Web. http://climate.atmos.colostate.edu/dataaccess.php March 2016
Pellant, M., P. Shaver, D.A. Pyke, J.E. Herrick. (2005) Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health, Version 4. BLM National Business Center Printed Materials Distribution Service: Denver, CO.
PLANTS Database. 2015. USDA-NRCS. Web. http://plants.usda.gov/java/ Accessed August 2015. February 2016
PRISM Climate Data. 2015. Prism Climate Group. Oregon State Univ. Corvallis, OR. http://www.prism.oregonstate.edu/ Accessed August 2015.
Rennicke, J. 1990. Colorado Wildlife. Falcon Press, Helena and Billings, MT and CO Div. Wildlife, Denver CO. 138.
Schoeneberger, P.J., D.A. Wysockie, E.C. Benham, and Soil Survey Staff. 2012. Field book for describing and sampling soils, Version 3.0. Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center: Lincoln, NE.
The Denver Posse of Westerners. 1999. The Cherokee Trail: Bent’s Old Fort to Fort Bridger. The Denver Posse of Westerners, Inc. Johnson Printing: Boulder, CO
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. September, 1991. Changes in Vegetation and Land Use I eastern Colorado, A Photographic study, 1904-1986.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. US Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. National Geospatial Center of Excellence. Colorado annual Precipitation Map from 1981-2010, Annual Average Precipitation by State
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2009. Part 630, Hydrology, National Engineering Handbook
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1972-2012. National Engineering Handbook Hydrology Chapters. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/water/?&cid=stelprdb1043063 Accessed August 2015.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. National Soil Survey Handbook title 430-VI. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcs142p2_054242 Accessed July 2015
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Survey Division Staff. 1993. Soil Survey Manual.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.1973. Soil Survey of Baca County, Colorado.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1970. Soil Survey of Bent County, Colorado.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1968. Soil Survey of Crowley County, Colorado.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1981 Soil Survey of El Paso County Area, Colorado.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1995. Soil Survey of Fremont County Area, Colorado.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1983. Soil Survey of Huerfano County Area, Colorado.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.1981. Soil Survey of Kiowa County, Colorado.
Western Regional Climate Center. 2022. Climate of Colorado, climate of the eastern plains. https://wrcc.dri.edu/Climate/narrative_co.php (accessed 9 August 2022).Contributors
Doug Whisenhunt Ecological Site Specialist NRCS
Ben P. Berlinger Rangeland Management Specialist NRCS Ret.
Kimberly A. Diller Ecological Site Specialist NRCS
Laura L. Craven MLRA Project Leader NRCSApproval
Kirt Walstad, 12/09/2024
Acknowledgments
Project Staff: Kimberly Diller, Ecological Site Specialist, NRCS MLRA, Pueblo Soil Survey Office (SSO) Laura Craven, MLRA 69 Soil Survey Leader, NRCS MLRA Pueblo SSO Amber Wyndham, Soil Scientist, NRCS MLRA Pueblo SSO Ben Berlinger, Rangeland Management Specialist, Ret. NRCS La Junta, CO Program Support: Rachel Murph, NRCS State Rangeland Management Specialist David Kraft, NRCS MLRA Ecological Site Specialist-QA (acting), Emporia, KS Chad Remley, Regional Director, N. Great Plains Soil Survey, Salina, KS B.J. Shoup, State Soil Scientist, Denver Eugene Backhaus, State Resource Conservationist, Denver Chanda Garcia, NRCS State Biologist, NRCS, Denver CO Patty Knupp, Area 3 Biologist, NRCS, Pueblo CO Partners/Contributors: James Kulbeth, Natural Resources Specialist, Department of the Army, Fort Carson, CO John Lamman, Rangeland Management. Specialist, BLM, Cañon City, CO Steve Olson, Botanist, USFS, Pueblo, CO Renee Rondeau, Ecologist, CO Natural Heritage Program, Hesperus, CO Terri Schultz, The Nature Conservancy, Ft. Collins, CO John Valentine, District Manager, CO State Land Board, Pueblo, CO Those involved in developing earlier versions of this site description include: Ben Berlinger, rangeland management specialist (RMS); Lee Neve, Soil Scientist; Herman Garcia, CO State RMS
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Ben Berlinger & Lee Neve Contact for lead author USDA-NRCS Rachel Murph State Rangeland Management Specialist Denver State Office Rachel.murph@co.usda.gov Date 04/03/2012 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
None. Minor water flow patterns may be present on bare areas resulting from ponded water, however they will be short and disconnected. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
The amount of bare ground is minimal due to excellent plant and litter cover on the soil surface. Expect bare ground to be two to five percent. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. Minor wind scour may be present on bare areas resulting from ponded water, the extent will be correlated to the size of the bare area. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
None. Expect minimal to very short movement of small sized herbaceous litter during intense ranfall events. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil stability class rating is anticipated to be 5-6 in interspace at soil surface. These values need verification at the reference site. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
The A horizon is 0-3 inches thick, grayish brown, silty clay, brown moist; moderate fine granular structure with common very fine and fine roots. Bkss1 horizon 3-19 inches, brown silty clay, dark grayish brown moist; strong medium subangular blocky sturcture; common very fine root. SOM content is 1.0 to 4.0 percent in the A horizon and 0.0 to 2.0 percent in the Bkss horizons. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Diverse grass, forb and shrub functional/structural groups and diverse root structure and patterns reduces raindrop impact and slows runoff providing increased time for infiltration to occur. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Usually none. The Bkss soil horizons at 3-36 inches are extremely hard and may be mistaken as a compaction layer. Expect these horizons to commonly exhibit very fine roots. -
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Warm-season mid-height grasses > Cool-season rhizomatous grass >Sub-dominant:
Warm-season short to mid-height grasses = Warm-season forbs > Warm-season shortgrasses > shrubsOther:
sedges = Cool-season forbs > Cool-season mid-height grasses > poisonous forbsAdditional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Typcially minimal. Expect short and mid-height bunchgrass mortality and decadence during and following drought. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expect litter cover to decrease to 20-30 percent during and following extended drought. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
650 pounds per acre in low precipitation years, 1300 pounds per acre in average precipitation years, and 2100 pounds per acre in above average precipitation years. After extended drought or the first growing season following wildfire, production may be significantly reduced by 300-400 pounds per acre. -
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Invasive plants should not occur in the reference plant community. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
The only limitations are weather related and wildfire incidents.
Print Options
Sections
Font
AAAAOther
PrintThe 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
