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Conservation Service
Ecological site F070AY021NM
Pinus edulis-Juniperus monosperma/Quercus gambelii/Bouteloua curtipendula
Last updated: 9/12/2023
Accessed: 08/17/2026
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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.
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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.
Ecological site concept
This site is found on sideslopes on mesas, hills, and on valley sides. Slopes range from 10 to 35 percent. Soils are shallow to sandstone bedrock. Surface textures often have gravelly or very gravelly modifiers.
This site correlates to the Shallow Ecological Site Group (GX070A01XESG02).Similar sites
GX070A01X013 Lithic Sandstone
The Lithic Sandstone site is specific to LRU 70A.1.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Pinus edulis
(2) Juniperus monospermaShrub (1) Quercus gambelii
Herbaceous (1) Bouteloua curtipendula
(2) Poa fendlerianaPhysiographic features
This site is found on sideslopes on mesas, hills, and on valley sides. Slopes tend to be steep. Elevation ranges from 6,500 to 7,500 feet. This site is not aspect driven, but at lower elevations, it is more predominant on north/northeast facing slopes, and at higher elevations, it tends toward south/southwest aspects.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Valley side
(2) Hill
(3) Mesa
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 6500 – 7500 ft Slope 10 – 35 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate of this area can be classified as “semi-arid continental”.
Precipitation averages 14 to 16 inches. Seventy seven percent of the year’s moisture normally falls during the period of May through October. Practically all of it is brought by brief afternoon and evening thunderstorms. In July and August, normally the wettest months of the year, one can expect about one day in five when rainfall exceeds one-tenth inch. Early spring precipitation in May benefits the cool-season plants. Winter precipitation, supplying 24 percent of the year’s moisture, normally has no more than two days a month with as much as one-tenth inch of moisture. Much of the winter precipitation falls as snow.
Air temperatures vary from a monthly mean of 20 degrees F in January to 69 degrees F in July. Daily high temperatures average in the 80’s and low 90’s during the summer. Winter low temperatures fall below the freezing mark much of the time from November through March with minimum temperatures approaching 25 degrees F below zero. Dates of the last killing frost may vary from May 9th through May 17th, and the first killing frost from September 27th to October 8th. The frost-free season ranges from 141 days to 153 days from early May to early October.
Wind velocities for the area average 10 to 12 miles per hour and prevail from the south and southwest. Generally, March is the windiest month. Strong winds during the spring cause rapid drying of the soil surface.
Nearby mountains to the west intercept much of the precipitation from the Pacific storms coming through this area during the winter. About 70 percent of the 14 to 16 inches of annual precipitation falls in the form of rainfall during the frost-free season. About 40 percent of the annual precipitation benefits cool-season plants, 50 percent benefits warm-season plants and 10 percent falls during the season of plant dormancy. Relative humidity is moderately low. The sun shines approximately 75 percent of the time.
Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site using 50 percent probability for freeze-free and frost-free seasons using 28.5 degrees F and 32.5 degrees F respectively.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 150 days Freeze-free period (average) 170 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
This is an upland site, and is not associated with water features or wetlands. During heavy rain events, this site may receive run-on moisture from landforms above and contribute runoff to landforms below.
Soil features
These soils are well drained and shallow over sandstone. Surface textures are gravelly or very gravelly. Available water-holding capacity is low.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very gravelly fine sandy loam
(2) Gravelly very fine sandy loam
(3) Stony clay
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained to excessively drained Permeability class Moderate to moderately rapid Soil depth 10 – 40 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 5 – 15 % Surface fragment cover >3" 5 – 15 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)3 – 6 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)10 – 30 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 4 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.4 – 8.4 Ecological dynamics
The typical Refrerence Plant Community is dominated by an overstory of oneseed juniper and twoneedle piñon. The understory would consist of sideoats grama, muttongrass, blue grama, needlegrasses, and sedges. Oak spp. and mountain mahogany would also be present along with banana yucca, pricklypear, and other cacti.
Fire is a major component in this system with grass dominating the community shortly after fire, and shrubs becoming more dominant in the understory over time. Fire naturally occurred in this system every 15 to 40 years (Allen 1989). With fire suppression, the tree canopy becomes denser causing decreased understory growth. Eventually there may be little understory decreasing the sites resistance to erosion.State and transition model
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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThis state represents the most ecologically stable conditions in terms of resistance to erosion. Moreover, this state has the highest potential for productivity and plant diversity.
Community 1.1
Grass Dominated UnderstoryThis phase is characterized by an overstory of oneseed juniper and twoneedle piñon. The understory consists of sideoats grama, muttongrass, blue grama, needlegrasses, and sedges. Oak spp. and mountian mahogany would also be present along with banana yucca, prickly pear, and other cacti.
Forest overstory.Forest overstory consists primarily of twoneedle pinon and oneseed juniper. On hotter, dryer sites, oneseed juniper may increase.
Forest understory. Forest understory consists primarily of sideoats grama, muttongras, needlegrasses, sedges, oak and mountain mahogany. As time since the most recent fire increases, shrubs increase.
Dominant plant species
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twoneedle pinyon (Pinus edulis), tree
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oneseed juniper (Juniperus monosperma), tree
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oak (Quercus), shrub
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mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus), shrub
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sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
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muttongrass (Poa fendleriana), grass
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sedge (Carex), grass
Figure 4. 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)Tree 500 600 700 Grass/Grasslike 100 250 350 Shrub/Vine 50 100 150 Forb 2 5 10 Total 652 955 1210 Table 6. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0-0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 10-10% Grass/grasslike basal cover 30-40% Forb basal cover 0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 20-30% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 30-40% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 20-30% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 0% 1-2% 0-5% 0-2% >0.5 <= 1 0% 1-2% 2-10% 0-5% >1 <= 2 1-5% 1-5% 2-5% 0-1% >2 <= 4.5 1-5% 5-10% 0% 0% >4.5 <= 13 5-10% 0-5% 0% 0% >13 <= 40 15-25% 0% 0% 0% >40 <= 80 0% 0% 0% 0% >80 <= 120 0% 0% 0% 0% >120 0% 0% 0% 0% Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM0317 , R035XG127NM-Savanna-HCPC. Large tree-type pinyon and/or juniper w/open grass stands in between..
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 5 7 10 15 25 25 8 5 0 0 Community 1.2
Shrub Dominated UnderstoryThis phase resembles 1.1, but with an understory dominated by shrubs.
Dominant plant species
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oneseed juniper (Juniperus monosperma), tree
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twoneedle pinyon (Pinus edulis), tree
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oak (Quercus), shrub
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mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus), shrub
Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2This community pathway was not described within the legacy ESD. However, it clearly involves an increase in shrub dominance at the expense of herbaceous cover. Continuous grazing and, perhaps, fire suppression, would be the likely mechanisms for this pathway. Continuous grazing can be described here as: Season-long grazing providing little rest and recovery for preferred grazed plants during critical growing periods, coupled with high utilization.
Key drivers
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Wildlife grazing or browsing
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Fire
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Livestock grazing or browsing
Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1This community pathway was not described within the legacy ESD. However, it clearly involves an increase in the dominance of herbaceous species and an attendant decrease in shrub cover. Likely mechanisms include shrub control (mechanical and/or chemical) fire events, and prescribed grazing.
Key drivers
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Wildlife grazing or browsing
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Fire
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Livestock grazing or browsing
State 2
State 2The overstory of this state is dominated by twoneedle piñon.
Characteristics and indicators. Overstory dominated by twoneedle piñon.
Dominant plant species
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twoneedle pinyon (Pinus edulis), tree
Community 2.1
Little understory, thick overstory, PIED dominatedThis phase contains a thick overstory of piñon pine, and a sparse understory.
Dominant plant species
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twoneedle pinyon (Pinus edulis), tree
State 3
State 3This state resembles State 2, except that PIPO is a significant component of the overstory.
Dominant plant species
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ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), tree
Community 3.1
Little understory, thick canopy, mixed PIPOThis phase contains a thick overstory which includes ponderosa pine. The understory is sparse.
Dominant plant species
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twoneedle pinyon (Pinus edulis), tree
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ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), tree
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Increase in overstory, loss of understory production due to change in fire regime caused by fire suppression and overgrazing. Loss of understory increases fire suppression and erosion.
Key drivers
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Wildlife grazing or browsing
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Fire
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Livestock grazing or browsing
Key ecosystem services affected
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Nutrient cycling
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Primary production
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Food and fiber: livestock forage
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Food and fiber: wood products
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Increase in overstory, loss of understory production due to change in fire regime caused by fire suppression and overgrazing. Loss of understory increases fire suppression and erosion. A few wet years in which PIPO are established.
Key drivers
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Precipitation (decadal scale)
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Fire
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Livestock grazing or browsing
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Restoration of herbaceous understory component through thinning of pinon, cutting of ponderosa, possibly seeding, and proper grazing management.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Wet year and fire suppression.
Key drivers
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Precipitation (decadal scale)
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Fire
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1Restoration of understory component through thinning, possibly seeding, and proper grazing management.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Habitat for Wildlife: This site provides habitats which support a resident animal community that is characterized by pronghorn antelope, badger, black-tailed jackrabbit, black-tailed prairie dog, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, prairie pocket gopher, marsh hawk, burrowing owl, horned lark, meadowlark, scaled quail, prairie rattlesnake, great plains toad, and ornate box turtle. The prairie falcon hunts yearlong over these habitats. These short grass sites are breeding areas for the long-billed curlew, upland plover and lark bunting.
Hydrological functions
The runoff curve numbers are determined by field investigations using hydrologic cover conditions and hydrologic soil groups.
Hydrologic Interpretations
Soil Series--------- Hydrologic Group
Fangio-------------- BWood products
Forest products include firewood and fence posts. Merchantable timber does not come from this site.
Other information
Soils associated with this site include Fangio, Ortiz, Sabroso, and Verano.
Supporting information
Other references
Allen, C.D. 1998. Where have all the grasslands gone? Quivera Coalition Newsletter, Spring/Summer.
Contributors
Christine Bishop
Approval
Kendra Moseley, 9/12/2023
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) Contact for lead author Date 08/17/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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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:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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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:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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