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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.
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
These sites occur on deep loamy fine sand soils on uplands. They yield highly available water during periods of favorable precipitation yet can be quite drouthy during dry periods. The reference vegetation consists of tall and midgrasses with forbs and scattered shrubs. Abusive grazing practices can lead to a change in species composition and potential erosion. Without fire or other brush management, shrub canopy may increase.
Associated sites
R077BY725TX Draw 12-17" PZ
Generally adjacent and downslope from the Sandy site. These areas receive drainage from the Sandy site. The soils are sandy loam in texture. Midgrasses dominate, but there is a good mixture of tallgrasses found on this site. Generally more productive than the Sandy site.
R077BY026NM Gravelly Loam
Sometimes adjacent and upslope of the Sandy site. The site has deep gravelly loam soils. Slopes are steeper (0 to 9%). Midgrasses dominate but a good mixture of shortgrasses occur on this site. Production is higher.
R077BY021TX Sandy Loam 12-17" PZ
Generally adjacent and on similar locations of the Sandy site. The soils are sandy loam texture. Midgrasses dominate, but some tallgrasses can be found on this site. Generally more productive than the Sandy site.
R077BY020TX Sand Hills 12-17" PZ
Generally adjacent and upslope from the Sandy site. The soils are sandy in texture. Tallgrasses dominate, some midgrasses can be found on this site. Less production than the Sandy site.
R077BY700TX Sandy Bottomland 12-17" PZ
Generally adjacent and downslope from the Sandy site. These areas receive drainage from the Sandy site. The soils are sandy loam in texture. Tallgrasses dominate, but some midgrasses and shortgrasses can be found on this site. Generally more productive than the Sandy site.
Similar sites
R077AY666TX Sandy 16-22" PZ
This site has very deep sandy soils like the Sandy site in MLRA 77B. Mean annual precipitation is higher (16 to 22 inches). Tallgrasses dominate but there is a good mixture of midgrasses on this site. More productive than the sandy site in MLRA 77B.
R077BY020TX Sand Hills 12-17" PZ
Generally adjacent and upslope from the Sandy site. The soils are sandy in texture. Tallgrasses dominate, some midgrasses can be found on this site. Less production than the Sandy site.
R077BY021TX Sandy Loam 12-17" PZ
Generally adjacent and on similar locations of the Sandy site. The soils are sandy loam texture. Midgrasses dominate, but some tallgrasses can be found on this site. Generally more productive than the Sandy site.
R077EY064TX Sandy 16-24" PZ
This site has deep to very deep sandy soils like the Sandy site in MLRA 77B. Mean annual temperature is higher (59 to 63 degrees F). Mean annual precipitation is higher (16 to 24 inches). Tallgrasses dominate, but a good mixture of midgrasses can be found on this site. More productive than the Sandy site in MLRA 77B.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia filifolia
Herbaceous (1) Andropogon hallii
(2) Schizachyrium scopariumPhysiographic features
The Sandy 12-17” PZ site occurs on nearly level to undulating plains. Due to the general nature of this site, runoff can be both generated and received. This generally depends on the amount of vegetative cover and intensity of the precipitation event.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Plateau > Plain
(2) Plateau > Interdune
Runoff class Very low to low Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 2600 – 5900 ft Slope 0 – 5 % Water table depth 80 in Aspect W, NW, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW Climatic features
The climate is semiarid continental. Summers are hot with winters generally being mild. Temperature extremes are common. Humidity is generally low, and short-term droughts are common. Winds speeds average 12 mph and are highest in early spring. The prevailing wind direction is southwest. In the fall and winter, northers are common with severe temperature drops. Cold spells do not generally last more than a few days. Evaporation in summer is high. Open pan evaporation exceeds 6 ft. per year. Most of the precipitation occurs from May to September. Rainfall events often occur as intense showers of relatively short duration. Frequently during the first 15 minutes of a thunderstorm, the rate of rainfall may be 6 to 8 inches per hour. Snowfall average is about 15 inches, but it is not unusual for snowfall to exceed 30 inches every few years. Long term droughts are likely to occur every 15 to 20 years and may last 4 to 5 years. Mean precipitation is around 17 inches but varies significantly from year to year. Rainfall amounts over the last 100 years have varied from as little as 9 inches to as much as 37 inches. The probability is about 70% that precipitation will fall between 14 inches and 23 inches. Growing season averages 195 days. Average first frost is around October 22, and the last freeze of the season should occur around April 1.
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
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(1) CLAYTON 1 N [USC00291883], Clayton, NM
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(2) DALHART 6 SW [USC00412235], Hartley, TX
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(3) AMISTAD 5 SSW [USC00290377], Amistad, NM
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(4) ROSEBUD 7NW [USC00297585], Mosquero, NM
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(5) MCCARTY RCH [USC00295516], Nara Visa, NM
">Influencing water features
Sandy soils allow for rapid infiltration. In years with above average rainfall, some water may percolate beyond the root zone and recharge shallow aquifers. Maximum amounts of water are available to plants. Small rainfall events may have a visible effect on vegetation.
Wetland description
None.
Soil features
These are deep sandy soils that are part of the Blackwater Draw geologic formation. Slopes dominantly range from 1 to 3 percent. They are low in fertility, have a low water storage capacity, have a high infiltration rate, and exhibit very little runoff. They yield water to plants easily and are subject to wind erosion without good cover. If cover is poor and runoff is excessive, significant water erosion can also occur. Plant roots easily penetrate the soil.
Major Soil Taxonomic Units correlated to this site include: Dallam loamy fine sand, Nara loamy fine sand, Perico loamy fine sand, Rickmore loamy fine sand, and Vingo loamy fine sand.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Eolian deposits – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock
Surface texture (1) Loamy fine sand
(2) Loamy sand
Family particle size (1) Loamy
(2) Coarse-loamy
(3) Fine-loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate to rapid Soil depth 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)3 – 7 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 40 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 3 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 1 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.6 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-40in)0 – 5 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-40in)Not specified Ecological dynamics
The soils, topographic location, climate, periodic droughts and fire influenced the stabilization of the reference plant community on this site as was the case on most all High Plains ecological sites. Grazing and/or browsing by local and nomadic wildlife influenced the plant community as well. The resulting Tallgrass/Midgrass Community (1.1) consisted of tall and midgrasses, associated forbs and scattered woody shrubs. The dominant tallgrasses were sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii) and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). The midgrasses that were present include sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), sand lovegrass (Eragrostis trichodes), dropseeds (Sporobolus spp.), sand paspalum (Paspalum strumarium), fall witchgrass (Digitaria cognata), hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), silver bluestem (Bothriochloa laguroides), plains bristlegrass (Setaria leucopila), red lovegrass (Eragrostis secundiflora), gummy lovegrass (Eragrostis curtipendicellata), sandbur (Cenchrus incertus), hooded windmill-grass (Chloris cucullata) and perennial threeawns (Aristida spp.). Some cool-season grasses occur in small amounts such as Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis) and needle & thread (Stipa comata). Typically associated forbs included western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), dotted gayfeather (Liatris punctata), annual wild buckwheat (Eriogonum convolvulus), queens delight (Stillingia sylvatica), prairie clover (Dalea purpurea), catclaw sensitivebriar (Schrankia uncinata), golden dalea (Dalea aurea), camphorweed (Heterotheca pilosa), sand lily (Mentzelia decapetala), gaura (Gaura spp.), prairie spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis), erect dayflower (Commelina erecta) and numerous annual forbs. Woody species include sand sagebrush (Artemesia filifolia), skunkbush sumac (Rhus aromatica), sand plum (Prunus angustifolia), and southwestern rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus pulchellus). Nutrient cycling, the water cycle, watershed protection and biological functions are functioning at their peak.
Natural fire likely played an important role in the function of most plains sites, especially the tall grass communities. Tall grasses such as sand bluestem and little bluestem were dependent upon fire to stimulate them and remove old growth that would accumulate on the soil surface. Fire also kept shrubs from getting too thick. Fire helped to keep a balance between the grasses, forbs and shrubs. Wildlife habitat was improved by opening up canopies and stimulating forb growth. The deep rooted species that grow on the site are not easily damaged by fire. Shrubs usually resprout, but are suppressed for a time allowing grasses to dominate. If periodic fire does not occur, then the woody plants will slowly increase and with grazing pressure can begin to dominate the site. Since fire is not always available to be applied, then practices such as brush management may necessary from time to time to help keep the community in balance.
Periodic overgrazing and trampling by migrating herds of bison and resident herds of pronghorn antelope probably occurred during drought periods. However, long rest periods followed once the large herds of bison and antelope moved out of the area, allowing the resilient grassland to re-establish itself and maintain its climax community structure. The major forces influencing transition from the historic climax community is continued overgrazing by livestock and the decrease in the frequency and intensity of fire. As livestock and wildlife numbers increase and grazing use exceeds a plants ability to sustain defoliation, the more palatable and generally more productive species decline in stature, productivity and density.
The productive capacity of this site is moderately high if good management is applied. The tallgrasses are fairly sensitive to overgrazing and will begin to decrease if continuous heavy grazing is applied. They respond to rest very well and if grazed moderately and rested periodically toward the mid to late growing season, they will generally persist. If excessive grazing continues, ecological retrogression occurs. As retrogression proceeds, the tallgrasses give way to an increase in midgrasses such as sideoats grama, dropseed species and perennial threeawns. The better quality forbs are replaced with less palatable species such as gaura, western ragweed, annual wild buckwheat and camphorweed and there will be an increase in annual forbs. Sand sagebrush and skunkbush can increase to >20 percent of the total plant community. The decrease in density and stature of the tallgrass vegetation and increase in density of the woody vegetation brings about a new plant community, a Midgrass/Shrub Community phase (2.1).
In the Midgrass/Shrub Community phase (2.1), the transition back to the reference community is possible with proper grazing management, brush and pest management. Prescribed burning could be used if the conditions allow. The production of vegetation has shifted from mostly herbaceous vegetation to more woody, although the herbaceous vegetation biomass is still the largest amount. Nutrient cycling, the water cycle, watershed protection and biological functions have changed little.
If long-term heavy grazing continues, a threshold will be crossed to a Shrub Dominant Community (3.1). In this degraded state, typical vegetation will be annuals and western ragweed with an increase in perennial threeawns, red lovegrass, gummy lovegrass, sandbur and a significant canopy of sand sagebrush and possibly skunkbush. The loss of herbaceous cover and increased bare ground encourages accelerated erosion. Nutrient cycling, the water cycle, watershed protection and biological functions have been severely reduced. The plant community is so degraded that it cannot reverse retrogression without extensive energy and management inputs. Restoration of this plant community (3.1) will require prescribed grazing with rest periods during the growing season, re-seeding bare areas with adapted native grass species, and chemical and/or mechanical brush management and some form of pest management. With the reduced amounts of grass fuel, prescribed burning is usually not an option in this phase.
The sandy site is not particularly resistant to heavy grazing but exhibits amazing resilience. If even a small seed source of the tallgrasses remains and some old root crowns are still viable, then recovery is possible with minimal re-seeding. Recovery can occur fairly rapid if the competitive plants are controlled and proper grazing management is applied. Full recovery and maintenance of the reference plant community requires continued proper grazing management as well as occasional brush and pest management.
NOTE: Rangeland Health Reference Worksheets have been posted for this site on the Texas NRCS website (www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov) in Section II of the eFOTG under (F) Ecological Site Descriptions.
STATE AND TRANSITIONAL PATHWAYS: (DIAGRAM)
Narrative:
The following diagram suggests some pathways that the vegetation on this site might take. There may be other states not shown on the diagram. This information is intended to show what might happen in a given set of circumstances; it does not mean that this would happen the same way in every instance. Local professional guidance should always be sought before pursuing a treatment scenario.
As a site changes in the structure and makeup of the plant community, the changes may be due to management or due to natural occurrences or both. At some point in time thresholds are crossed. This means that once changes have progressed to some certain point, the balance of the community has been altered to the extent that a return to the former state is not possible, that is, not possible unless some form of energy is applied to make it happen. These changes take place on all ecological sites, but some sites support communities that are more resistant to change than other sites. Also, some sites are more resilient, that is, they tend to be able to heal or restore themselves more easily. Usually, changes in management practices alone, such as grazing techniques, will not be sufficient to restore former plant communities. An example of energy input might be the implementation of chemical or mechanical brush management to decrease the amount of woody shrubs and increase the amount of grasses and forbs. This shift in community balance could not be brought about with grazing alone. The amount of energy required to bring about a change in plant community balance may vary a great deal depending on the present state and upon the desired result.
As it relates to this site, the plant community balance is more fragile than some of the shortgrass sites are. This balance is necessary for the community to function properly. Tallgrasses are not as resistant to grazing as short and midgrass species. The soil is more fragile since it is sandy and can result in plant and soil disturbance from hoof action. If cover is very poor, wind erosion will occur.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 textT1A - Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure R2A - Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes T2A - Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure R3A - Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Tallgrass/Midgrass Grassland StateThe Tallgrass/Midgrass Grassland State is composed of tall and midgrass dominant with few perennial forbs and scattered woody shrubs. Dominant grasses include sand and little bluestem. Shrubs include sand sagebrush, skunkbush and occasional sand plum.
Community 1.1
Tallgrass/Midgrass Community
Figure 8. 1.1 Tallgrass/Midgrass C
The interpretive or "reference" plant community for this site is a mixture of tall/midgrasses, forbs, and a few woody shrubs. The major tallgrass species are sand bluestem and little bluestem. The midgrasses are sideoats grama, sand lovegrass, sand paspalum, fall witchgrass, hairy grama, blue grama, dropseed species, perennial threeawns, hooded windmillgrass and gummy and red lovegrass. Cool-season grasses are Canada wildrye and needle & thread. There were numerous perennial forbs present (see group production below) and a few scattered shrubs such as sand sagebrush and skunkbush and an occasional sand plum thicket. The plant community’s ecological processes were in balance with the environment. Most energy and nutrient cycling was contained in the narrow grass/soil interface and evapotranspiration was minimal. Maintenance of this community requires continued proper grazing management as well as occasional brush and pest management.
Figure 9. 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 1120 1240 1360 Shrub/Vine 210 230 250 Forb 70 80 90 Microbiotic Crusts 0 0 0 Tree 0 0 0 Total 1400 1550 1700 Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX0764 , Tall/Midgrass Community. Tall and midgrass species dominate with few forb and woody species..
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 2 6 9 21 24 14 6 11 4 2 1 State 2
Midgrass/Shrub StateThe decrease in density and stature of the tallgrass vegetation and increase in density of the woody vegetation brings about a new plant community, a Midgrass/Shrub Community phase (2.1). As retrogression proceeds, the tallgrasses give way to an increase in midgrasses such as sideoats grama, dropseed species and perennial threeawns. The better quality forbs are replaced with less palatable species such as gaura, western ragweed, annual wild buckwheat and camphorweed and there will be an increase in annual forbs. Sand sagebrush and skunkbush can increase to >20% of the total plant community.
Community 2.1
Midgrass/Shrub Community
Figure 11. 2.1 Midgrass/Shrub Community
This plant community represents the first phase in the transition of the Midgrass/Shrub Community (2.1) toward the Shrub Dominant Community (3.1). As retrogression proceeds, the tallgrasses give way to an increase in midgrasses such as sideoats grama, dropseed species, sand paspalum and perennial three-awns. The better quality forbs are replaced with less palatable species such as gaura, western ragweed, annual wild buckwheat and camphorweed and there will be an increase in annual forbs. Sand sagebrush and skunkbush can increase to >20 percent of the total plant community. The production of vegetation has shifted from mostly herbaceous vegetation to more woody, although the herbaceous vegetation biomass is still the largest amount. Nutrient cycling, the water cycle, watershed protection and biological functions have changed little. Proper grazing and brush management can easily maintain this phase and prevent the transition toward the Shrub Dominant Community phase (3.1).
Figure 12. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Shrub/Vine 300 350 400 Forb 100 150 200 Grass/Grasslike 800 900 100 Microbiotic Crusts 0 0 0 Tree 0 0 0 Total 1200 1400 700 Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX0765 , Midgrass/Shrub Community. Midgrass Dominant with increasing shrubs and annuals..
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 2 6 9 21 24 14 6 11 4 2 1 State 3
Shrubland StateIf long-term heavy grazing continues, a threshold will be crossed to a Shrub Dominant Community (3.1). In this degraded state, typical vegetation will be annuals and western ragweed with an increase in perennial threeawns, red lovegrass, gummy lovegrass, sandbur and a significant canopy of sand sagebrush and possibly skunkbush. The loss of herbaceous cover and increased bare ground encourages accelerated erosion. Nutrient cycling, the water cycle, watershed protection and biological functions have been severely reduced. The plant community is so degraded that it cannot reverse retrogression without extensive energy and management inputs.
Community 3.1
Shrub Dominant Community
Figure 14. 3.1 Shrub Dominant Community
The Shrub Dominant Community (3.1) is a shrub community with sand sagebrush and skunkbush being the primary woody plants. The understory consists of annual grasses and forbs, very few perennial grasses remaining. Few if any reference grasses and forbs are present. Herbaceous forage production is less than half of community 1.1. The moisture regime is less than normal because of evapo-transpiration losses and bare ground has increased. Nutrient cycling, the water cycle, watershed protection and biological functions have decreased substantially. Major energy and economic inputs are required to change the Shrub Dominant Community (3.1) back to near the reference plant community. Brush and pest management, prescribed grazing, and perhaps range seeding will be necessary at a major expense. This site is not particularly resistant to heavy grazing but exhibits amazing resilience. If even a small seed source of the tallgrasses remains and some old root crowns are still viable, then recovery is possible with minimal re-seeding. Recovery can occur fairly rapid if the competitive plants are controlled and proper grazing management is applied. Full recovery and maintenance of the reference plant community requires continued proper grazing management as well as occasional brush and pest management.
Figure 15. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 7. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 800 100 1500 Forb 250 300 350 Shrub/Vine 250 300 300 Tree 50 50 50 Microbiotic Crusts 0 0 0 Total 1350 750 2200 Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX0758 , Shrubs/Annuals Dominant Community. Shrubs dominate the site. The understory consist of annual forbs and few grasses. Bare ground has increased to (>40%). .
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 2 4 16 30 25 6 5 5 4 2 1 Transition T1A
State 1 to 2With heavy continuous grazing, no fires, and brush invasion. The Tallgrass/Midgrass/Grassland State will transition to the Midgrass/Shrub State.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1With the application of conservation practices such as Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, and Brush Management, the Midgrass/Shrub State can revert back to the Tallgrass/Midgrass Community.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing Transition T2A
State 2 to 3With heavy continuous grazing, no fire, and no brush management, the Midgrass/Shrub State will transition to the Shrubland State.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2With the implementation of various conservation practices such as Prescribed Grazing (one to three year deferment), Brush Management, and Prescribed Burning, the Shrub Dominant Community can be restored to the Midgrass/Shrub Community.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Tallgrasses 375–500 sand bluestem ANHA Andropogon hallii 250–400 – little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 200–350 – 2 Midgrasses 185–310 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 150–250 – sand lovegrass ERTR3 Eragrostis trichodes 150–250 – thin paspalum PASE5 Paspalum setaceum 100–200 – 3 Mid/Shortgrasses 125–185 large-spike bristlegrass SEMA5 Setaria macrostachya 25–125 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 25–80 – hooded windmill grass CHCU2 Chloris cucullata 25–80 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 25–80 – Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 25–80 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 25–80 – silver beardgrass BOLAT Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana 25–80 – gummy lovegrass ERCU Eragrostis curtipedicellata 25–70 – red lovegrass ERSE Eragrostis secundiflora 25–60 – coastal sandbur CESP4 Cenchrus spinifex 20–50 – 4 Midgrasses 25–60 spike dropseed SPCO4 Sporobolus contractus 20–60 – giant dropseed SPGI Sporobolus giganteus 25–60 – 5 Cool-season grasses 25–60 Canada wildrye ELCA4 Elymus canadensis 25–60 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 25–60 – 6 Shortgrass 10–60 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 10–60 – Forb7 Forbs 70–90 Cuman ragweed AMPS Ambrosia psilostachya 50–80 – golden prairie clover DAAU Dalea aurea 25–50 – eastern daisy fleabane ERAN Erigeron annuus 25–50 – beeblossom GAURA Gaura 25–50 – dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 30–50 – grassland blazingstar MEST3 Mentzelia strictissima 25–50 – littleleaf sensitive-briar MIMI22 Mimosa microphylla 25–50 – scurfpea PSORA2 Psoralidium 25–50 – queen's-delight STSY Stillingia sylvatica 25–50 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 25–50 – prairie spiderwort TROC Tradescantia occidentalis 20–40 – camphorweed HESU3 Heterotheca subaxillaris 25–40 – whitemouth dayflower COER Commelina erecta 20–40 – Shrub/Vine8 Shrubs 210–250 sand sagebrush ARFI2 Artemisia filifolia 140–170 – Oklahoma plum PRGR Prunus gracilis 70–80 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 70–80 – leadplant AMCA6 Amorpha canescens 70–80 – Table 9. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
The animal species that utilize this site as habitat are mainly small mammals, song birds, and traditional game species like bobwhite and scaled quail, mule deer, pronghorn antelope and lesser prairie chicken. The combination of grasses, forbs and woody shrubs that occur in the plant community provide suitable habitat for all the above species, at least at some time during the year. Predators such as coyotes and bobcats may utilize the site for hunting prey and to hide during the day. If the site is a shrub dominant community, then diversity is decreased and the wildlife habitat will usually be less desirable.
Hydrological functions
This site captures nearly 100 % of the water that falls on it. The sandy soil infiltrates water rapidly. There is negligible runoff. Some water will percolate past the root zone and find its way into shallow aquifers. This site and the Sandhills (Dune) site are primary recharge areas.
Recreational uses
Hunting, Camping, Hiking, Birdwatching, Photography, Horseback Riding
Wood products
None.
Other products
None.
Other information
None.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Inventory is based upon long-term observation of well-managed ranges, range inventory data, and numerous historical accounts of vegetation present at time of settlement. Inventory Data References: Several years of clipping data and numerous old range inventories have been reviewed.
Other references
J.R. Bell, NRCS-RMS (retired)
Natural Resources Conservation Service Range Site Descriptions
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Surveys
Rathjen, Frederick W., The Texas Panhandle Frontier, Rev. 1998, Univ. of Texas Press
Hatch, Brown and Ghandi, Vascular Plants of Texas (An Ecological Checklist)
Texas A&M Exp. Station, College Station, Texas
Reviewers:
Clint Rollins, RMS, NRCS, Amarillo, Texas
Mark Moseley, RMS, NRCS, San Antonio, Texas
Kelly Attebury, Soil Scientist, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas
Justin Clary, RMS, NRCS, Temple, TexasContributors
Clint Rollins, RMS, NRCS, Amarillo, Texas
J.R. Bell, RMS, NRCS, Amarillo, Texas
Todd Carr, SS, NRCS, Lubbock, TexasApproval
Bryan Christensen, 9/11/2023
Acknowledgments
Site Development and Testing Plan: Future work, as described in a Project Plan, to validate the information in this Provisional Ecological Site Description is needed. This will include field activities to collect low, medium and high 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. Annual reviews of the Project Plan are to be conducted by the Ecological Site Technical Team. Reviewers: Clint Rollins, RMS, NRCS, Amarillo, Texas Mark Moseley, RMS, NRCS, San Antonio, Texas Kelly Attebury, Soil Scientist, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas Justin Clary, RMS, NRCS, Temple, Texas
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) Stan Bradbury, Zone RMS, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas Contact for lead author 806-791-0581 Date 09/04/2007 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
None to slight. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
None to slight. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None to slight. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
20-25%. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None to slight. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Slight to Moderate. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Slight to moderate. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Not resistant to surface erosion. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Fine single grain surface and very low SOM. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Basal cover and density with moderate interspaces should make rainfall impact minimal. This site has rapid permeability, slow runoff and available water holding capacity is low. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. -
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 tallgrasses >Sub-dominant:
Warm-season midgrasses >Other:
Cool-season grasses > Forbs > Shrubs/VinesAdditional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Grasses due to their growth habit will exhibit some mortality and decadence, though minimal. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter is dominantly herbaceous. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
1,500 to 2,000 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:
Sand sagebrush and sand shin oak can be potentially invasive on this site. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All plant species should be capable of reproduction except during periods of prolonged drought conditions, heavy natural herbivory and intense wildfires.
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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.
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