Natural Resources
Conservation Service
-
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): 077B–Southern High Plains, Northwestern Part
MLRA 77B is characterized by nearly level to gently sloping plains with a minimal number of playa depressions and moderately sloping breaks along drainageways. Loamy and sandy soils are generally deep and occur in a mesic soil temperature regime and ustic soil moisture regime bordering on aridic. Current land use is dominantly rangeland with minor cropland.
Classification relationships
This ecological site is correlated to soil components at the Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) level which is further described in USDA Ag Handbook 296.
Ecological site concept
The Very Shallow ecosite occurs over shallow soils on nearly level to moderately sloping narrow ridge tops or on the convex portion on small hills. These soils may be loamy to sandy. The reference vegetation consists of midgrasses and shortgrasses with scattered forbs and shrubs. Abusive grazing practices can lead to a decline in the more palatable species and a shift in the plant community. Without fire or alternative brush management activities, woody species canopy may increase across the site. This site may have up to 35 percent surface gravel present.
Associated sites
R077BY722TX High Lime 12-17" PZ
Adjacent, downslope or upslope from the Very Shallow site. The soils are sandy to loamy in surface texture and very highly calcareous. Midgrasses dominate but some shortgrasses occur on this site. Production is higher than the Very Shallow site.
R077BY021TX Sandy Loam 12-17" PZ
Adjacent and downslope from the Very Shallow site. The soils are fine sandy loam or sandy loam in surface texture. Midgrasses dominate but some tallgrasses occur on this site. Production is higher than the Very Shallow site.
R077BY016TX Limy Upland 12-17" PZ
Adjacent and downslope from the Very Shallow site. The soils are loam to clay loam in surface texture and highly calcareous. Shortgrasses dominate but a good mixture of midgrass occur on this site. Production is higher than the Very Shallow site
Similar sites
R077AY013TX Very Shallow 16-22" PZ
Similar to the Very Shallow site is the Very Shallow site in MLRA 77A. Mean annual precipitation is greater (16 to 22 inches). Production is higher than the Very Shallow site in MLRA 77B.
R077EY068TX Very Shallow 16-24" PZ
Similar to the Very Shallow site is the Very Shallow site in MLRA 77E. Mean annual temperature is greater (59 to 63 degrees F). Mean annual precipitation is greater (16 to 24 inches). Production is higher than the Very Shallow site in MLRA 77B.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Krascheninnikovia arborescens
Herbaceous (1) Bouteloua curtipendula
(2) Bouteloua gracilisPhysiographic features
This site occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping narrow ridge tops or on the convex portion of the landscape at elevations from about 3,800 to 5,900 feet above sea level. Slopes are generally 0 to 9 percent but may range to 15 percent.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Plateau > Hill
(2) Plateau > Ridge
Runoff class Medium to very high Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 3800 – 5900 ft Slope 0 – 15 % Water table depth 80 in Aspect W, NW, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW Climatic features
The climate of this area can be classified as “semi-arid continental”.
Precipitation averages from about 15 to 16 inches annually with approximately 75 percent of this yearly moisture falling during the period of May through October. Most summer rainfall is associated with usually brief afternoon and evening thundershowers, which occasionally produce heavy rain over a small area, and sometimes bring a little hail. Winters are generally dry, with only one or two days a month when as much as one-tenth inch of moisture falls. However, winter average 20 inches of snow, although most snowfalls are light with an occasional storm producing up to six inches. Following these storms, snow may lie on the ground for several days and occasionally moderate to strong winds accompanying these storms result in blizzard conditions and heavy drifting. Although the precipitation patterns favor the production of warm-season plants, sufficient moisture is received in the late winter and the spring to support cool-season plants. Approximately 25 percent of the annual precipitation is received during April and May. May is generally the wettest month followed by July and then August.
Temperatures show the seasonal changes and large annual and diurnal ranges characteristic of such a climate. Summers are generally mild. The high daily temperature reading exceed 90 degrees F about one-third of the time, and readings of 100 degrees F occur about once a year. Rapid cooling after sundown results in minimum temperatures below 60 degrees F on most nights, even in midsummer. Winter shade temperatures usually rise to the mid-40’s and an average of only 15 days fail to see temperatures rise above the freezing mark most of the time from early November through March; below zero readings occur on an average of only three times a year.
The freeze-free season ranges from 168 days to 171 days between April 28th to October 16th. Both temperatures and annual precipitation favor warm-season plants. About 40 percent of the annual precipitation is received during the season where temperatures will benefit cool-season plants and only 10 percent falls during the dormant season.
While open to winter invasions of arctic air over the Great Plains, this area is far enough south and west to miss many of these outbreaks. Mountains to the north and west intercept mush of the precipitation from the Pacific northwest storms coming through this area during the winter. An average hourly wind velocity for the year is 15 miles per hour. Somewhat higher winds prevail during the spring months, but velocities exceeding 24 mile per hour are experienced only 10 percent of the usual year. Stronger winds blow chiefly from a westerly or southwesterly direction during the spring. Relative humidity is moderately low.
Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site using 50% 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 (characteristic range) 140-150 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 170-170 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (actual range) 140-150 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 170-170 days Precipitation total (actual range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (average) 140 days Freeze-free period (average) 170 days Precipitation total (average) 20 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) CLAYTON 1 N [USC00291883], Clayton, NM
-
(2) DALHART 6 SW [USC00412235], Hartley, TX
-
(3) AMISTAD 5 SSW [USC00290377], Amistad, NM
-
(4) ROSEBUD 7NW [USC00297585], Mosquero, NM
-
(5) MCCARTY RCH [USC00295516], Nara Visa, NM
">Influencing water features
This site is not influenced by water from a wetland or stream.
Wetland description
None.
Soil features
The significant soils that characterized this site are loams, fine sandy loams and clay loams that average less than 20 inches in depth and more than five inches in depth. The underlying materials are indurated caliche. Permeability of these soils is slow to moderate. The available water-holding capacity is low. Effective rooting depth is from 6 to 20 inches. The plant-soil-moisture-air relationship enables plants to respond to light rainfalls.
Soils correlated to this site: Plack loamTable 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Eolian deposits – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock
Surface texture (1) Loam
(2) Gravelly loam
(3) Stony fine sandy loam
(4) Clay loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate Depth to restrictive layer 6 – 20 in Soil depth 6 – 20 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 5 – 35 % Surface fragment cover >3" 5 – 35 % Available water capacity
(0-20in)1 – 3 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-20in)0 – 14 % Electrical conductivity
(0-20in)0 – 4 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-20in)0 – 2 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-20in)7.9 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-20in)2 – 81 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-20in)3 – 16 % Ecological dynamics
Historic Climax Plant Community
This site is a grassland dominated by warm-season short and mid-grasses with forbs and cool-season grasses occupying an important component of the plant community. Shrub and half-shrubs occupy a minor component.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
State 1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityDominant plant species
-
winterfat (Krascheninnikovia arborescens), shrub
-
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
Community 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityHistoric Climax Plant Community
This site is a grassland dominated by warm-season short and mid-grasses with forbs and cool-season grasses occupying an important component of the plant community. Shrub and half-shrubs occupy a minor component.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 312 702 1092 Forb 52 117 182 Shrub/Vine 32 72 112 Total 396 891 1386 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 0-10% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 20-20% Forb foliar cover 0-10% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 20-20% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 10-20% Surface fragments >3" 0-10% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM4716 , R077BY016NM Very Shallow Reference State. R077BY016NM Very Shallow Reference State.
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 4 2 4 25 30 15 10 3 5 Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Sideoats Grama 153–180 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 153–180 – 2 Little Bluestem 153–180 little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 153–180 – 3 Blue Grama 153–180 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 153–180 – 4 New Mexico Feathergrass, Needleandthread 90–135 needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 90–135 – New Mexico feathergrass HENE5 Hesperostipa neomexicana 90–135 – 5 Hairy Grama 27–45 hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 27–45 – 6 Sand Dropseed 27–45 sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 27–45 – 7 Threeawn spp., Wolftail, Silver Bluestem 27–45 threeawn ARIST Aristida 27–45 – silver bluestem BOSA Bothriochloa saccharoides 27–45 – common wolfstail LYPH Lycurus phleoides 27–45 – 8 Other Grasses 27–45 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 27–45 – Forb9 Buckwht sp., An Sunflwr, Dotted Gayflwr, Pr. Confl 27–45 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 31–51 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 27–45 – common sunflower HEAN3 Helianthus annuus 27–45 – dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 27–45 – upright prairie coneflower RACO3 Ratibida columnifera 27–45 – 10 Other Forbs 27–45 Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 2FORB Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 27–45 – Shrub/Vine11 Wintrfat, Fringd Sagewrt, Biglw Sagebrsh, Sknk Sum 27–45 aster ASTER Aster 21–51 – Bigelow sage ARBI3 Artemisia bigelovii 27–45 – prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 27–45 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 27–45 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 27–45 – 12 Other Shrubs 27–45 Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 21–51 – Shrub, deciduous 2SD Shrub, deciduous 27–45 – Interpretations
Animal community
No Data.
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
Dean-----------------C
Pastura--------------D
Plack----------------DRecreational uses
This site has limited recreation potential, limited mainly by the lack of live water and shade. Hunting for small game and antelope is good. Photography of small animals, birds, antelope and flowering plants is fair to good. The natural beauty of the site is enhanced by the large variety of flowering plants that bloom from spring to fall.
Wood products
This site has no significant potential for wood products.
Other products
Grazing:
This site can be grazed any season of the year by all kinds of livestock, generally without regard to age. A portion of the total stocking rate favors sheep and antelope due to the site’s potential to produce forbs. The large variety of plants provides good nutrition during most seasons of the year. Supplemental protein is needed only during late winter. Emergency feed is required during heavy snow cover; however, this site is among the first that snow will melt off. This site is among the first to green up in the spring and will usually respond to light amounts of rainfall. Continuous yearlong grazing or grazing continually by cattle during the period from April through October will cause the site to deteriorate and become less productive. Species such as sideoats grama, little bluestem, New Mexico feathergrass, needleandthread and winterfat will decrease and blue grama, threeawn spp., wolftail, tridens, broom snakeweed and forbs will increase. A system of deferred grazing, which varies the season of grazing and rest in each pasture during successive years, is needed to maintain or improve the plant community. Different seasons of rest and grazing benefit different plants. Spring rest (April-June) will allow cool-season forbs and grasses such as New Mexico feathergrass and needleandthread to grow and reproduce. Summer rest will benefit warm-season grasses such as sideoats grama, little bluestem, and blue grama. Fall rest allows plants to complete their growth cycle. Winter rest will benefit the woody species such as winterfat and sagebrush. Grazing is beneficial after the seed sets and aids in trampling in the seed.
11Other information
Guide to Suggested Initial Stocking Rate Acres per Animal Unit Month
Similarity Index----------Ac/AUM
100 - 76------------------2.6 – 4.4
75 – 51-------------------3.2 – 6.8
50 – 26-------------------4.4 – 12.0
25 – 0--------------------12.0+Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Colfax County, NM Location 2: Harding County, NM Location 3: Union County, NM Other references
Data collection for this site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Southern High Plains 77 Major Land Resource Area of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys: Union, Harding Colfax.
Characteristic Soils Are:
Plack
Other Soils included are:
Dean----------PasturaContributors
Don Sylvester
Elizabeth Wright
Wendy McCoy
Todd CarrApproval
Bryan Christensen, 9/11/2023
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 04/20/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
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:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
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:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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
