Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R077DY042TX
Limy Upland
12-17" PZ
Last updated: 9/11/2023
Accessed: 08/29/2026
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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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 077D–Southern High Plains, Southwestern Part
This area is characterized by nearly level to gently undulating plains with scattered playa depressions. Soil temperature regime is thermic and soil moisture regime is aridic bordering on ustic. Sandy and loamy soils are generally well drained and range from shallow to deep and medium- to coarse-textured. Native vegetation is short- to mid-grasses and sandy sites support tall-grasses with sand shin oak and mesquite. Current land use is mainly rangeland, although irrigated cropland is expanding.
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 calcareous, moderately deep and deep loamy soils on uplands. The reference vegetation consists of midgrasses and shortgrasses with few forbs and very few shrubs. Abusive grazing practices can alter the species composition and result in a shift in the plant community. Also, removal of fire may result in an increase in woody species.
Associated sites
R077DY047TX Sandy Loam 12-17" PZ
Limy Upland sites are generally associated with Sandy Loam sites MLRA 77D. The Limy Upland sites will occur as gently undulating soils that occur on broad upland plains. The associated Sandy Loam sites occur as nearly level upland sites. Production is often higher on the Limy Upland sites
R077DY040TX High Lime 12-17" PZ
Limy Upland sites can be associated with High Lime sites MLRA 77D. The Limy Upland sites will occur downslope from the High Lime sites on gently undulating plains. The associated High Lime sites occur as dunes on the leeward side of playas. Production is often higher on the Limy Upland sites.
R077DY038TX Clay Loam 12-17" PZ
Limy Upland sites can be associated with Clay Loam sites MLRA 77D. The Limy Upland sites will occur as gently undulating soils that occur on broad upland plains. The associated Clay Loam sites occur as nearly level upland sites. Production is often higher on the Clay Loam sites
Similar sites
R077EY057TX Limy Upland 16-24" PZ
Limy Upland sites (MLRA 77E) have similar forage plant communities with higher production potential due to lower calcium and lime content and higher mean annual precipitation (16 - 24inches). The higher calcium and lime content of the Limy Upland sites allows for higher amounts of sideoats grama and yucca plants.
R077DY038TX Clay Loam 12-17" PZ
Clay loam sites MLRA 77D have similar forage plant communities with slightly higher production potential. The higher calcium and lime content of the Limy Upland sites allows for higher amounts of sideoats grama and yucca plants.
R077CY028TX Limy Upland 16-21" PZ
Limy Upland sites (MLRA 77C) have similar forage plant communities with higher production potential due to lower calcium and lime content and higher mean annual precipitation (16 - 21inches). The higher calcium and lime content of the Limy Upland sites allows for higher amounts of sideoats grama and yucca plants.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Gutierrezia sarothrae
(2) Yucca glaucaHerbaceous (1) Bouteloua curtipendula
(2) Bothriochloa barbinodisPhysiographic features
They are on nearly level to gently undulating upland plain. The regolith consists of loamy, calcareous sediments. Slope ranges from 0 to 5 percent. Elevation ranges from 2,500 to 4,800 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Plateau > Plain
(2) Plateau > Interdune
(3) Plateau > Playa slope
(4) Plateau > Basin floor
Runoff class Negligible to medium Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 2500 – 4800 ft Slope 0 – 5 % Water table depth 80 in Aspect W, NW, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW Climatic features
Continental Steppe climate is prevalent in MLRA 77D. This climate type is typical of interiors of continents and is characterized by large variations in the magnitude of ranges in daily temperature extremes, low relative humidity, and irregularly spaced rainfall of moderate amounts. This climate regime is also known for being semi-arid with mild winters.
Droughts occur with monotonous frequency although there will be years having excessive precipitation resulting in large accumulations of water that little benefit is obtained from the rainfall events. If good rains occur in the spring and summer months, annual production will be favorable even if the remainder of the year is not favorable. Most of the annual precipitation occurs as a result from spring and early summer thunderstorms. Due to the fact that the area is mainly flat, local flooding may occur but only of short duration. There is very little precipitation and infrequent snowfall amounts in the winter.
During the late winter and early spring months, dust storms occur very frequently. The flat plains of the area contribute very little resistance to the strong winds. Dust in many of these storms remains in the air for several days after the storms have passed.
Daytime temperatures are warm in the summer but there is a large diurnal range and most nights are comfortable. In summers, the normal daily maximum temperatures are in the low to mid 90s and the normal minimum temperatures are in the upper 60s and low 70s. Even though the temperatures may be high, the low humidity and high evaporation rates create a cooling effect during the nighttime hours. Fall months exhibit extremely variable weather. Winters are mild and are characterized by frequent cold fronts accompanied by strong, gusty, northerly winds. Most of the cold fronts are dry as they pass through the area.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 150-190 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 180-190 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (actual range) 150-200 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 170-210 days Precipitation total (actual range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (average) 170 days Freeze-free period (average) 190 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) MELROSE [USC00295617], Melrose, NM
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(2) ELIDA [USC00292854], Elida, NM
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(3) CROSSROADS 2 [USC00292207], Crossroads, NM
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(4) CAPROCK [USC00291445], Caprock, NM
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(5) TATUM [USC00298713], Tatum, NM
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(6) HOBBS 13W [USC00294030], Lovington, NM
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(7) ANDREWS [USC00410248], Andrews, TX
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(8) ODESSA SCHLEMEYER FLD [USW00003031], Odessa, TX
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(9) K-BAR RCH [USC00414710], Odessa, TX
">Influencing water features
Water features are not an influencing factor in this site.
Wetland description
None.
Soil features
The soils of this site are moderately deep to deep well drained that are moderately permeable. They are upland soils formed in loamy calcareous materials. They are on nearly level to gently undulating uplands, plain, playa slope, interdune, and basin floor. Runoff is negligible on slopes less than one percent and low from 0 to 5 percent.
Major Soil Taxonomic Units correlated to this site include: Chavaro loam, Lea soils and Ratliff soils.
Parent Material Kind: Loamy, calcareous eolian sediments
Parent Material Origin: Blackwater Draw of Pleistocene ageTable 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Eolian deposits – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock
Surface texture (1) Fine sandy loam
(2) Sandy clay loam
(3) Loam
Family particle size (1) Fine-loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate to moderately rapid Depth to restrictive layer 20 – 80 in Soil depth 20 – 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 5 % Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)4 – 7 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)1 – 40 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 1 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.4 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-40in)0 – 8 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-40in)Not specified Ecological dynamics
The Midgrass/Shortgrass Community (1.1) is the Reference Plant Community. This plant community is almost exclusively (>95 percent) warm-season midgrass and shortgrass species. Few perennial forbs are present accounting for less than (
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, coupled with excessive grazing pressure and drought conditions T1B - Absence of disturbance, excessive grazing pressure, and introduction of non-native species R2A - Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes T2A - Absence of disturbance, excessive grazing pressure, and introduction of non-native species State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Grassland StateThe interpretive or "reference" plant community for this site is the Midgrass/Shortgrass Community (1.1). This site is dominated by a good mixture of midgrasses and shortgrasses (>95 percent). Sideoats grama is the dominant midgrass with blue grama and black grama the dominant shortgrass species. There are very few perennial forbs which make up (
Dominant plant species
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sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
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cane bluestem (Bothriochloa barbinodis), grass
Community 1.1
Midgrass/Shortgrass Community
Figure 8. 1.1 Midgrass/Shortgrass Community
The interpretive or "reference" plant community for this site is the Midgrass/Shortgrass Community (1.1). This site is dominated by a good mixture of midgrasses and shortgrasses (>95%). Sideoats grama is the dominant midgrass with blue grama and black grama the dominant shortgrass species. There is very few perennial forbs making up (
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 1140 1615 2090 Forb 60 85 110 Shrub/Vine 0 0 1 Tree 0 0 0 Microbiotic Crusts 0 0 0 Total 1200 1700 2201 Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX1256 , Midgrass/Shortgrass Community. Warm season mid/shortgrass species, few forbs and <5% shrubs..
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 1 3 5 20 25 17 8 15 4 1 1 Community 1.2
Midgrass/Shortgrass/Shrub Community
Figure 11. 1.2 Midgrass/Shortgrass/Shrub Community
With continuous heavy grazing, no fire, no brush management and/or pest management this site will shift to the Midgrass/Shortgrass/Shrub Community (1.2). The tendency of this site is to become a shortgrass dominant site if long term grazing abuse occurs. This will lead to a decline in the vigor of sideoats grama and other desirable midgrass species. Low vigor threeawns, blue grama, buffalograss, and hooded windmillgrass will dominate the site. Yucca will increase and broom snakeweed will often gain a major foothold on the site. The production of vegetation has shifted from mostly herbaceous vegetation to increasing amounts of woody shrubs. Herbaceous vegetation is still the largest production in this state. The percent bare ground is increasing with annuals filling the voids.
This plant community has not crossed a threshold at this point and can shift back to the reference community(1.1) with good management practices such as prescribed grazing, chemical brush and pest management. Prescribed burning could be used if the fuel load and conditions allow.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)Grass/Grasslike 900 1200 1500 Shrub/Vine 150 200 250 Forb 80 100 120 Microbiotic Crusts 0 0 0 Tree 0 0 0 Total 1130 1500 1870 Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX1263 , Midgrass/Shortgrass/Shrub Community. Low vigor warm season midgrass/shortgrass species 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 5 9 23 24 12 7 10 5 2 1 Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Midgrass/Shortgrass Community
Midgrass/Shortgrass/Shrub CommunityHeavy Continuous Grazing, No Fire, No Brush Management, No Pest Management would lead the shift from the Midgrass/Shortgrass Community to the Midgrass/Shortgrass/Shrub Community.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Midgrass/Shortgrass/Shrub Community
Midgrass/Shortgrass CommunityWith the implementation of conservation practices such as Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, Brush Management, and Pest Management, the Midgrass/Shortgrass/Shrub Community can be converted back to the Midgrass/Shortgrass Community.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) State 2
Shortgrass/Shrubland StateIn this Shortgrass/Shrubland State, the typical vegetation will be threeawn with small colonies of low vigor, sodbound blue grama and buffalograss. Low quality shortgrasses will become the dominant grass species as the more desirable grasses are removed. Bare areas will increase with annuals filling the voids. The loss of herbaceous cover and increased bare ground encourages accelerated erosion. Broom snakeweed and yucca will increase dramatically with mesquite invading and establishing on many of the limy upland sites.
Dominant plant species
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broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), shrub
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blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
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buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), grass
Community 2.1
Shortgrass/Shrub/Annuals Community
Figure 14. 2.1 Shortgrass/Shrub/Annuals Community
If long-term, heavy grazing continues with no fire or any form of brush and pest management, a major threshold will be crossed to the Shortgrass/Shrub/Annuals Community (2.1). In this state, the typical vegetation will be threeawn with small colonies of low vigor, sodbound blue grama and buffalograss. Invading low quality short grasses will become the dominant grass species as the more desirable grasses are removed. Bare areas will increase with annuals filling the voids. The loss of herbaceous cover and increased bare ground encourages accelerated erosion. Broom snakeweed and yucca will increase dramatically with mesquite invading and establishing on many of the limy upland sites. Nutrient cycling, the water cycle, watershed protection and biological functions have been severely reduced.
This plant community is so degraded that it cannot reverse retrogression without extensive energy and management inputs. Prescribed grazing with rest periods during the growing season, re-seeding with adapted native grass species, 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 state.
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 400 550 700 Shrub/Vine 300 400 500 Forb 40 55 70 Microbiotic Crusts 0 0 0 Tree 0 0 0 Total 740 1005 1270 Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX1254 , Shrub/Shortgrass/Annuals Community. Spring and fall growth of shortgrasses, annuals, and shrubs..
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 1 4 6 10 16 15 20 15 12 1 0 State 3
Introduced Grass/Shrubland StateThis Introduced Grass/Shrubland State has been invaded by Lehman lovegrass to the point that it is the dominant grass species with few if any native species remaining. Once this lovegrass has become well established, returning the site to the reference state would be expensive and generally not very successful or practical.
Dominant plant species
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Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana), grass
Community 3.1
Lehman Lovegrass/Shrub Community
Figure 17. 3.1 Lehman Lovegrass/Shrub Community
Several thousand acres of loam, clay loam and sandy loam sites in MLRA 77D that are in a degraded state have been invaded by Lehman lovegrass to the point that it is the dominant grass species with few if any native species remaining. The resulting plant community is a Lehman Lovegrass/Shrub Dominant Community (3.1). Once this lovegrass has become well established, returning the site to the reference state would be expensive and generally not very successful or practical. Prescribed burning for seedbed preparation purposes may be necessary to remove excessive amounts of plant biomass. Moderate to heavy mechanical brush management, heavy seedbed preparation and re-seeding to a native grass mixture would be required. The application of herbicides can be effective to reduce competition from this lovegrass species, but there is only a narrow time of treatment opportunity. It is unlikely that Lehman lovegrass will disappear through any natural processes such as competition from native species.
Figure 18. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1200 2100 3000 Shrub/Vine 300 550 800 Forb 5 10 15 Microbiotic Crusts 0 0 0 Tree 0 0 0 Total 1505 2660 3815 Figure 19. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX1255 , Lehman Lovegrass/Shrub Dominant Community. Lehman lovegrass with shrub dominance..
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 1 5 8 16 18 12 15 18 6 1 0 Transition T1A
State 1 to 2With Heavy Continuous Grazing, No Fires, Long-term Droughts, no Brush Management, and no Pest Management, the Grassland State can be converted into a Shortgrass/Shrubland State.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3With Heavy Continuous Grazing, Invasion of Introduced Grass Species, No Fires, No Brush Management, and No Pest Management, the Grassland State can be converted into the Introduced Grass/Shrubland State.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1This plant community is so degraded that it cannot reverse retrogression without extensive energy and management inputs. Prescribed grazing with rest periods during the growing season, re-seeding with and integrated used adapted native grass species, chemical and/or mechanical brush management, and some form of pest management may be needed. With the reduced amounts of grass fuel, prescribed burning is usually not an option in this state.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Grazing Range Planting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Additional community tables
Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Midgrasses 360–660 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 120–220 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 60–110 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 60–110 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 60–110 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 60–110 – 2 Shortgrasses 540–990 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 300–550 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 180–330 – buffalograss BODA2 Bouteloua dactyloides 60–110 – 3 Midgrasses 120–220 sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 60–110 – slim tridens TRMUE Tridens muticus var. elongatus 60–110 – 4 Shortgrasses 120–220 hooded windmill grass CHCU2 Chloris cucullata 60–110 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 20–35 – Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 20–35 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 20–35 – Forb5 Forbs 60–110 Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 5–10 – Cuman ragweed AMPS Ambrosia psilostachya 5–10 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 5–10 – croton CROTO Croton 5–10 – beeblossom GAURA Gaura 5–10 – dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 5–10 – lacy tansyaster MAPIP4 Machaeranthera pinnatifida ssp. pinnatifida var. pinnatifida 5–10 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 5–10 – woolly plantain PLPA2 Plantago patagonica 5–10 – silverleaf nightshade SOEL Solanum elaeagnifolium 5–10 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 5–10 – Shrub/Vine6 Shrubs/Vines 0–1 fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–1 – clapweed EPAN Ephedra antisyphilitica 0–1 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–1 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 0–1 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 0–1 – yucca YUCCA Yucca 0–1 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 0–1 – Table 10. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site is inhabited primarily by dove and quail. Limited populations of pronghorn antelope also occur on this site. The limited amount of woody plants and forbs does not provide good cover and food sources for deer.
Hydrological functions
The gentle slopes and moderate permeability of these deep soils minimize problems from water erosion when a good grass cover is maintained. The hydrology of the site is functioning at its peak. However, if the soils are left exposed as the result of heavy overgrazing, the problem of water erosion becomes moderate.
Recreational uses
This site has very little value from an aesthetic standpoint. The reference state is occupied almost exclusively by native range grasses. Recreational activities could include bird hunting, camping, hiking, bird watching, photography, and horseback riding.
Wood products
None.
Other products
None.
Other information
None.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
NRCS FOTG – Section II of the FOTG Range Site Descriptions and numerous historical accounts of vegetative conditions at the time of early settlement in the area were used in the development of this site description. Vegetative inventories were made at several site locations for support documentation. Inventory Data References (documents): NRCS FOTG – Section II - Range Site Descriptions NRCS Clipping Data summaries over a 20 year period
Other references
J.R. Bell, USDA-NRCS Rangeland Management Specialist (retired)
Natural Resources Conservation Service - Range Site Descriptions
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service - Soil Surveys & Website soil database
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
Texas Tech University – Natural Resources Management DepartmentContributors
Clint Rollins, 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. J.R. Bell, USDA-NRCS Rangeland Management Specialist (retired) 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 Texas Tech University – Natural Resources Management Department
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) Clint Rollins, RMS, NRCS, Amarillo, Texas Contact for lead author Stan Bradbury, Zone RMS, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas 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% bare ground. -
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):
None to slight. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Moderate resistance to surface erosion. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Loamy friable surface; and medium 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 moderately permeable soils, runoff is slow to medium and available water holding capacity is medium. -
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 shortgrasses >Sub-dominant:
Warm-season midgrasses > Cool-season midgrasses >Other:
Warm-season tallgrasses = Forbs = Shrubs/Vines = TreesAdditional:
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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):
1,400 to 1,900 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:
Yucca, catclaw acacia, cholla, and pricklypear can become invasive. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All plant species should be capable of reproduction, except during prolonged drought conditions, heavy natural herbivory and intense wildfires.
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