Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R078AY126TX
Shallow Clay
25-28" PZ
Last updated: 9/15/2023
Accessed: 09/08/2026
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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): 078A–Rolling Limestone Prairie
MLRA 78A is characterized by erosional plains with terraces adjacent to perennial and intermittent streams. Loamy and clayey soils range from shallow to deep over limestones and shales of Permian and Pennsylvanian age. Loamy soils are also associated with stream terraces.
LRU notes
NA
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 shallow clay soils on uplands. The reference vegetation consists of midgrasses and shortgrasses with forbs and very few woody species. Abusive grazing practices can lead to a shift in the plant community.
Associated sites
R078AY120TX Clay Slopes 25-28" PZ
Clay Slopes occupies the same general landscape and frequently occurs adjacent to and intermingled with the Shallow Clay site.
R078AY128TX Very Shallow 25-28" PZ
The site differs in species composition and productivity. Soils are shallow and plant-soil-air-moisture relationships are less favorable.
Similar sites
R078AY123TX Rocky Hill 25-28" PZ
Rocky Hill has significantly steeper slope, somewhat shallower soils, and more rock on the soil surface. The Rocky Hill site has slightly more annual production potential because of the presence of more tallgrass species.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Bouteloua curtipendula
(2) Bothriochloa barbinodisPhysiographic features
These gently to steep sloping soils in the Shallow Clay ecological site occur on escarpments and plains in the Rolling Limestone Prairie. These soils were formed in residuum from gray or olive claystone bedrock of Pennsylvanian or Permian age. Slopes range from 1 to 8 percent. Elevation ranges from 1000 to 2350 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Breaks > Hillslope
Elevation 1000 – 2350 ft Slope 1 – 8 % Water table depth 72 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate of MLRA 78A is subtropical subhumid, with hot, dry summers and mild, dry winters. The Precipitation is similar north to south throughout the area, but decreases slightly from east to west. Temperature is similar east to west, but warmer from north to south. The area is clear to partly cloudy 80 percent of the time during the summer and 60 percent during the winter. Prevailing winds usually occur from a southerly direction and from north to northwest during passage of fall and winter cool fronts. March and April are the windiest months of the year.
Most precipitation occurs during the warmer months from April to October, in the form of rainfall during thunderstorms, often of short duration and high intensity, with considerable variation in amounts of rain and the area covered. Lightening, strong winds and hail frequently accompany the thunderstorms. Occasional tornadoes are not uncommon. Precipitation distribution is bimodal, with peaks occurring in May-June and September-October. The annual precipitation is about 25 to 28 inches. Timeliness and amount of rainfall are critical to plant growth. Rainfall events of one-fourth inch or less have limited effectiveness. High temperatures and dry winds reduce precipitation effectiveness. Snowfall represents only a small part of the annual precipitation. Snowfall of one inch or more occurs about one in five years, while snowfall of greater than five inches occurs only about one in ten years. Snow cover generally is of short duration (i.e. one to three days). Probability of snowfall is greater in the northern part of MLRA 78A.
Rainfall in the region is highly erratic, usually with more years below than above average. Periodic droughts of both temporary and prolonged duration are common to the area, although not predictable. Some of the more severe droughts of the past century in this region occurred during 1918-1919, early 1930’s, early to mid 1950’s, and mid to late 1990’s. High temperatures and dry winds accentuate the effects of drought. The extremes in climate have greater influence on plant communities than averages. Historic wet and dry cycles of extended duration likely influenced the evolution of drought hardiness and other survival traits in the endemic flora and fauna of the area.
Temperatures range from 31 degrees F in January to 96 degrees F in July, based on the 30-year average from 1971-2000, although considerably lower and higher temperatures for these months, respectively, have been recorded for some years. Periods of excessive heat, exceeding 100 degrees F, are not uncommon during July and August. Temperatures in the winter are generally mild, but abrupt and large drops in temperature can occur when polar air masses plunge southward across the area. The duration of freezing temperatures usually does not last more than three to five days. Temperatures in the spring are mild, both daytime and nighttime. Summer temperatures are hot, with highs generally in the 80’s to mid 90’s during the daytime, cooling down to the upper 70’s during the night. Fall is usually pleasant with mild, sunny days and crisp, cool nights, as cool northers periodically begin moving south this time of year. The area has a frost-free period of approximately 225 to 233 days and a freeze-free period of about 248 to 259 days. The primary growing season for warm-season plants is approximately 233 to 246 days, increasing from north to south. The first frost generally occurs around November 15 and the last frost occurs around March 15. These dates will vary from north to south and from year to year.
The average relative humidity ranges from 35 to 50 percent in mid-afternoon as diurnal air temperature nears maximum. As nighttime air temperature drops, relative humidity rises, averaging 70 to 80 percent by dawn.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 200-210 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 220-240 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 30-30 in Frost-free period (actual range) 200-220 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 220-260 days Precipitation total (actual range) 30-30 in Frost-free period (average) 200 days Freeze-free period (average) 240 days Precipitation total (average) 30 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) CONCHO PK/IVIE RSVR [USC00411934], Millersview, TX
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(2) PUTNAM [USC00417327], Baird, TX
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(3) ALBANY [USC00410120], Albany, TX
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(4) THROCKMORTON 7NE [USC00419016], Throckmorton, TX
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(5) COLEMAN [USC00411875], Coleman, TX
">Influencing water features
N/A.
Wetland description
N/A
Soil features
The soil series in the Shallow Clay ecological site consist of shallow to moderately deep, well drained, impermeable to very slowly permeable soils.
Major Soil Taxonomic Units correlated to this site include: Owens and Vernon.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Residuum – claystone
Surface texture (1) Clay
(2) Stony clay
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Very slow Soil depth 14 – 30 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)2 – 5 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)2 – 15 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 1 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 10 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.4 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)4 – 12 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)2 – 8 % Ecological dynamics
The reference plant community for the Shallow Clay ecological site is a midgrass/shortgrass prairie. Evidence of the historic vegetation can be found in the journals and records of explorers, military expeditions, boundary survey teams, and early scientists who studied the vegetation.
Climate is a major factor influencing vegetation on the site. Long-term droughts lasting multiple years or growing seasons are infrequent, but when they do occur, they can have a negative impact on the vegetation. If abusive grazing occurs during or immediately following the drought period, the results can be devastating. The effects of erratic seasonal moisture and short-term dry spells lasting a few months are not as severe as those caused by long-term droughts. However, the lower the ecological status of the site, the greater the negative impact will be during drought periods regardless of duration.
Fire is also an important part of the ecosystem. Historic fires on this site were not as intense as they were on most associated sites because of the structure of the vegetation, and the relatively low amount of fine fuel to sustain the fires. The shorter height of the grasses and the scarcity of forbs and woody plants contributed to these less intense fires. However, fires of moderate to low intensity did play a key role in refreshing and reinvigorating the old growth vegetation and keeping weeds and brush suppressed.
Lack of fire allows herbaceous vegetation to become senescent and may eventually lead to the loss of the most desirable species. Seedlings of non-native brush species and invasive weeds may encroach on the site from adjacent sites
Prior to settlement, this site was subject to periodic grazing and browsing by vast herds of bison, wild cattle, wild horses, and deer. At times these grazing and browsing episodes were intense and severe, but periods of heavy use were followed by long periods of non-use as the herds migrated to fresh grazing areas before returning to previously grazed areas. The grazed areas had an opportunity to rest, regrow, regain vigor, and reproduce prior to the next grazing event. Intervals between grazing periods were frequently influenced by the amount of time that had elapsed since the last fire on the area.
As the region was settled, fire was reduced or eliminated and grasslands were fenced off to control movement and facilitate grazing by domestic livestock. As a result of abusive grazing or lack of grazing and/or the elimination of fire, in association with extreme climatic events, the historic plant community has been altered on most Shallow Clay sites.
This site usually occurs as small, isolated, and widely scattered areas within larger areas of other soils. Because of their dense clay subsoils, ponds and dams are often built on this site. This site is frequently overgrazed because it may be the only location of surface water in a pasture. The site is usually very slow to recover from overgrazing because of its dense, shallow soils. As the reference midgrasses decrease on the site, they are replaced by early successional midgrasses, a significant increase in the shortgrasses, as well as annual grasses and forbs. Further deterioration leads to the loss of the perennial midgrass plant community as shortgrasses, annual forbs, and annual grasses, begin to dominate the site. If disturbances are severe enough for an extended period of time, annual species dominate and bare ground is extensive. This provides the opportunity for less desirable woody species such as mesquite, lotebush, pricklypear, and tasajillo to encroach from adjacent sites.
Selective individual removal of unwanted trees and shrubs is relatively easy and more practical when brush plants initially appear on the site. The increase of brush can be fairly rapid and the plants per acre will soon become too numerous for individual control to be feasible. Once woody plants become mature or develop into dense stands, control is expensive, uneconomical, impractical, and difficult to achieve. Brush management is most successful using a systems approach. Initial treatment by mechanical methods can be followed by using approved herbicides, and using prescribed fire as a maintenance technique. Prescribed grazing with a reasonable stocking rate can sustain the grass species composition and production at a near reference level.
Changes in plant communities and vegetation states on the Shallow Clay site are result of the combined influences of natural events (rainfall, temperature, droughts, etc.) and the accompanying management systems implemented on the area (prescribed fire, grazing management, and brush management).
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.
State and Transition Model: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
T1A - Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure T1B - Extensive soil disturbance followed by seeding R2A - Adequate rest from defoliation, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes T2A - Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure T2B - Extensive soil disturbance followed by seeding R3A - Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy T3A - Extensive soil disturbance followed by seeding R4A - Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Midgrass/Shortgrass Prairie StateThe Midgrass/Shortgrass Prairie Community is the reference community for the Shallow Clay ecological site. In reference conditions, the site is dominated by sideoats grama with lesser amounts of other midgrasses. Little bluestem is found in areas where favorable moisture conditions exist or where inclusions of more advanced soil development have occurred. Buffalograss, curlymesquite, and hairy grama are sub-dominant shortgrasses. Blue grama is a minor, but significant, part of the reference shortgrass component on this site. Perennial forbs are scattered across the site. Shrubs are a minor component of the plant community.
In the Shortgrass/Midgrass Community, sideoats grama declines and shortgrasses such as buffalograss and curlymesquite, dominate the site along with other midgrasses. More annual grasses and forbs begin to appear on the site. Mesquite, lotebush, pricklypear, and tasajillo begin to invade from adjacent sites and the shrub canopy begins to gradually increase.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 Prairie Community
Figure 8. 1.1 Midgrass/Shortgrass Prairie Community
Figure 9. 1.1 Midgrass/Shortgrass Prairie Community (2)
The reference plant community for the Shallow Clay ecological site is a midgrass/shortgrass prairie. This is the reference community. In reference conditions, the site is dominated by sideoats grama with lesser amounts of other midgrasses including cane and silver bluestem, Arizona cottontop, Texas wintergrass, dropseeds, and vine mesquite. Little bluestem is found in areas where favorable moisture conditions exist or where inclusions of more advanced soil development have occurred. Buffalograss, curlymesquite, and hairy grama are sub-dominant shortgrasses. Blue grama is a minor, but significant, part of the historic shortgrass component on this site. Perennial forbs are scattered across the site. Shrubs are a minor component of the plant community.
Figure 10. 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 750 1500 2250 Forb 200 300 400 Shrub/Vine 50 100 150 Total 1000 1900 2800 Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2529 , Midgrass/Shortgrass - No Shrubs/Trees. Midgrass/Shortgrass- sideoats grama, vine mesquite, Texas wintergrass, buffalograss, curlymesquite/no shrubs or trees. .
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 2 2 4 10 25 25 4 3 10 10 3 2 Community 1.2
Shortgrass/Midgrass Community
Figure 12. 1.2 Shortgrass/Midgrass Community
Figure 13. 1.2 Shortgrass/Midgrass Community (2)
Figure 14. 1.2 Shortgrass/Midgrass Community (3)
Sideoats grama declines because of disturbance or neglect as a result of uncontrolled grazing, lack of fire, extended drought, or other factors. Shortgrasses such as buffalograss and curlymesquite, dominate the site along with midgrasses such as silver bluestem, dropseeds, and slim and rough tridens. Threeawns and Texas grama increase significantly. More annual grasses and forbs begin to appear on the site. Mesquite, lotebush, pricklypear, and tasajillo begin to invade from adjacent sites and the shrub canopy begins to gradually increase.
Figure 15. 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 550 1200 1850 Forb 300 400 500 Shrub/Vine 50 100 150 Total 900 1700 2500 Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2530 , Shortgrass/Midgrass - No Shrubs/Trees. Shortgrass/Midgrass - buffalograss, curlymesquite, Texas wintergrass, sideoats grama, vine mesquite/no shrubs or trees..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 3 4 7 15 18 15 5 5 10 10 5 3 Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Midgrass/Shortgrass Prairie Community
Shortgrass/Midgrass CommunityUncontrolled or mismanaged grazing for an extended period of time, elimination of fire from the ecosystem, and/or the effects of extended drought may result in a shift away from a midgrass dominated plant community to a shortgrass dominated plant community. Sideoats grama, Arizona cottontop, vine mesquite, and little bluestem decline and are replaced by shortgrasses and lower successional midgrasses.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Shortgrass/Midgrass Community
Midgrass/Shortgrass Prairie CommunityA viable population of midgrasses such as sideoats grama, Arizona cottontop, vine mesquite, and little bluestem still exists on this site to enable the midgrass dominant plant community to recover naturally with adequate rainfall, implementation of prescribed grazing and re-introduction of periodic fire into the ecosystem.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing State 2
Shortgrass/Forbs StateThe Shortgrass/Forb Community is composed of perennial shortgrasses, including buffalograss, curlymesquite, and threeawns which dominate the site along with annual forbs and grasses. Invading shrubs such as mesquite, lotebush, and pricklypear increase in density and canopy, but their growth habit is stunted because of shallow soils, limited rooting depth, and lack of available moisture. A few individual plants of sideoats grama and Arizona cottontop remain in isolated areas, but silver bluestem, dropseeds, and white tridens are the most common midgrasses.
Dominant plant species
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mesquite (Prosopis), shrub
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lotebush (Ziziphus obtusifolia), shrub
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buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), grass
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curly-mesquite (Hilaria belangeri), grass
Community 2.1
Shortgrass/Forb Community
Figure 17. 2.1 Shortgrass/Forb Community
Figure 18. 2.1 Shortgrass/Forb Community (2)
This plant community is the result of prolonged periods of damaging disturbances and neglect which may include continuous abusive grazing and total lack of prescribed fire or brush management. Perennial shortgrasses, including buffalograss, curlymesquite, and threeawns dominate the site along with annual forbs and grasses. Invading shrubs such as mesquite, lotebush, and pricklypear increase in density and canopy, but their growth habit is stunted because of shallow soils, limited rooting depth, and lack of available moisture. A few individual plants of sideoats grama and Arizona cottontop remain in isolated areas, but silver bluestem, dropseeds, and white tridens are the most common midgrasses.
Figure 19. 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 400 500 600 Forb 400 500 600 Shrub/Vine 100 150 200 Total 900 1150 1400 Figure 20. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2531 , Shortgrass/Annuals/Mesquite and Shrubs . Shortgrass/Annuals/Mesquite and Shrubs – buffalograss, curlymesquite, broomweed, annual forbs and grasses, mesquite, lotebush..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 3 4 8 16 18 12 4 4 10 12 6 3 State 3
Annuals/Bare Ground StateAnnual forbs such as broomweed are abundant in the Annual Grass/Forb Community. Stunted mesquite, lotebush, and pricklypear are scattered across the site. In the lowest stages of degradation, there is a significant amount of bare ground, and scalded areas are obvious. Some of the scalds are the result of geologic erosion while others are the result of long-term abuse and mismanagement. This plant community is a terminal state that will not return to historic plant communities because of total degradation of the soil, and complete loss of most of the higher successional native plant species.
Dominant plant species
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broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), shrub
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mesquite (Prosopis), shrub
Community 3.1
Annual Grasses/Forbs Community
Figure 21. 3.1 Annual Grasses/Forbs Community
Figure 22. 3.1 Annual Grasses/Forbs Community (2)
Continued lack of fire and brush management along with uncontrolled grazing results in a plant community dominated by annual forbs and grasses. Annual forbs such as broomweed are abundant. Stunted mesquite, lotebush, and pricklypear are scattered across the site. In the lowest stages of degradation, there is a significant amount of bare ground, and scalded areas are obvious. Some of the scalds are the result of geologic erosion while others are the result of long-term abuse and mismanagement. This plant community is a terminal state that will not return to historic plant communities because of total degradation of the soil, and complete loss of most of the higher successional native plant species.
Figure 23. 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 250 250 300 Forb 200 250 300 Shrub/Vine 100 150 200 Total 550 650 800 Figure 24. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2530 , Shortgrass/Midgrass - No Shrubs/Trees. Shortgrass/Midgrass - buffalograss, curlymesquite, Texas wintergrass, sideoats grama, vine mesquite/no shrubs or trees..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 3 4 7 15 18 15 5 5 10 10 5 3 State 4
Converted Land StateThe soils of this site are poorly suited to cultivation or conversion to pastureland because of poor soil-moisture-plant relationship, shallow root zones, and moderate slopes that are susceptible to erosion. A small amount of this site has been cultivated in the past, but very few acres are still planted to annual crops. Those limited areas of cropland remaining are planted to wheat or forage sorghum, but yields are usually low. King Ranch bluestem has been seeded on some areas that were formerly cropland.
Community 4.1
Converted/Abandoned Land Community
Figure 25. 4.1 Converted/Abandoned Land Community
The soils of this site are poorly suited to cultivation or conversion to pastureland because of poor soil-moisture-plant relationship, shallow root zones, and moderate slopes that are susceptible to erosion. A small amount of this site has been cultivated in the past, but very few acres are still planted to annual crops. Those limited areas of cropland remaining are planted to wheat or forage sorghum, but yields are usually low. King Ranch bluestem has been seeded on some areas that were formerly cropland.
Most of the acres of this site that were cultivated in the past have been abandoned because of very low yields and poor economics. Abandoned croplands and reseeded areas tend to revert back to a more natural state through the process of secondary succession. This is a very slow process that takes decades or centuries dependent on the status of the area at the time it is abandoned. The first plants to establish are annual forbs and grasses followed by early successional shortgrasses and midgrasses. If managed properly, some of these abandoned areas may eventually begin to approximate the diversity and complexity of the historic Shallow Clay ecosystem. Midgrasses and perennial forbs may begin to establish if the area is carefully managed. However, it is highly unlikely that abandoned lands can ever return to reference vegetation within a reasonable period of time.Figure 26. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 9. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 450 650 850 Forb 300 250 200 Shrub/Vine 50 100 150 Total 800 1000 1200 Figure 27. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2527 , Converted Land Community. Planted into monocultures of introduced grasses and cropland 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 1 3 5 14 23 20 5 4 12 8 3 2 Figure 28. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2528 , Abandoned Land Community. Abandoned croplands, pasturelands, and seeded areas. .
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 3 4 8 16 18 12 4 4 10 12 6 3 Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Abusive grazing is the result of overstocking and continuous grazing for an extended period of time. The consequences of abusive grazing, the lack of fire, and failure to carry out maintenance brush management practices may be intensified by drought conditions. As a result of this level of mismanagement, there is no longer a viable population of late successional grasses. Little bluestem is eliminated and only scattered plants of sideoats grama, Arizona cottontop, vine mesquite still exist. The site is characterized by shortgrasses, encroachment of annual grasses and forbs, an increase in shrubs, and an increase in bare ground.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 4This is generally not a recommended alternative on this site because the site is poorly suited to use as cropland or conversion to pastureland. Some areas have been seeded to King Ranch bluestem. Seedbed preparation and planting to the desired crop, introduced grass, or native grass is required if this conversion is attempted. Most areas that were cultivated or seeded to introduced species in the past have been abandoned and are now open land dominated by bare ground, annual grasses and forbs, early successional perennial grasses and forbs, and stunted shrubs. The site is highly susceptible to water erosion. This is a terminal state because the soil has been altered and the historic plant species no longer exist on the site.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1A prescribed grazing management strategy that emphasizes sustainable stocking rates, rotational grazing, and grazing deferment periods is required to enhance the recovery process in order to return to a midgrass plant community. Periodic prescribed burning is needed to keep woody species under control and encourage diversity in the grass and forb plant community. Brush management with mechanical and/or chemical treatments may be necessary in areas where unwanted woody species have become too dense. Individual plant treatment may be a viable option at this stage. Range planting is needed to re-introduce the desired midgrass and scattered tallgrass species back into the plant community.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing Range Planting Transition T2A
State 2 to 3When abusive grazing continues for an extended period of time, fire is eliminated from the ecosystem, and no brush management is carried out, the site is characterized by bare ground, annual grasses and forbs, early successional perennial grasses and forbs, and stunted shrubs. The site is highly susceptible to water erosion.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4This is generally not a recommended alternative on this site because the site is poorly suited to use as cropland or conversion to pastureland. Some areas have been seeded to King Ranch bluestem. Brush management, seedbed preparation and planting to the desired crop, introduced grass, or native grass is required if this conversion is attempted. Most areas that were cultivated or seeded to introduced species in the past have been abandoned and are now open land dominated by bare ground, annual grasses and forbs, low successional perennial grasses and forbs, and stunted shrubs. The site is highly susceptible to water erosion. This is a terminal state because the soil has been altered and the historic plant species no longer exist on the site.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2In order to have any possibility of recovery from this state, a carefully planned and implemented prescribed grazing management strategy must be implemented, extensive brush management is required, and range planting is necessary to re-introduce perennial grasses and forbs to the plant community. Since the site is droughty and subject to erosion, this is a difficult, risky, and expensive consideration. If the reseeded areas become established, a prescribed burning management program is needed to maintain balance, diversity, and vigor in the plant community. This is usually not a practical alternative because of the risks and expense involved.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing Range Planting Transition T3A
State 3 to 4This is generally not a recommended alternative on this site because the site is poorly suited to use as cropland or conversion to pastureland. Brush management, seedbed preparation and planting to the desired crop, introduced grass, or native grass is required if this conversion is attempted. Some areas have been seeded to King Ranch bluestem. Most areas that were cultivated or seeded to introduced species in the past have been abandoned and are now open land dominated by bare ground, annual grasses and forbs, low successional perennial grasses and forbs, and stunted shrubs. The site is highly susceptible to water erosion.
Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 3Abusive grazing, lack of fire, lack of brush management, and abandonment are factors that result in these previously treated areas reverting to areas that are dominated by bare ground, annual grasses and forbs, low successional perennial grasses and forbs, and stunted shrubs. The site is highly susceptible to water erosion. In this scenario, this is a terminal state because the soil has been altered and the reference plant species no longer exist on the site.
Additional community tables
Table 10. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Midgrasses 550–1800 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 300–900 – silver beardgrass BOLAT Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana 50–250 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 0–250 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 0–150 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 0–150 – Texas cupgrass ERSE5 Eriochloa sericea 0–100 – composite dropseed SPCOC2 Sporobolus compositus var. compositus 0–100 – Drummond's dropseed SPCOD3 Sporobolus compositus var. drummondii 0–100 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–100 – white tridens TRAL2 Tridens albescens 0–50 – Rio Grande bristlegrass SERER Setaria reverchonii ssp. ramiseta 0–50 – 2 Cool-season grass 50–150 Texas wintergrass NALE3 Nassella leucotricha 50–150 – 3 Tallgrass 0–300 little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 0–300 – 4 Short/Midgrasses 200–550 buffalograss BODA2 Bouteloua dactyloides 50–250 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 0–250 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 50–250 – curly-mesquite HIBE Hilaria belangeri 50–250 – hooded windmill grass CHCU2 Chloris cucullata 0–150 – Hall's panicgrass PAHAH Panicum hallii var. hallii 0–100 – slim tridens TRMUE Tridens muticus var. elongatus 0–100 – slim tridens TRMUM Tridens muticus var. muticus 0–100 – tumble windmill grass CHVE2 Chloris verticillata 0–50 – Texas grama BORI Bouteloua rigidiseta 0–50 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 0–50 – Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 0–50 – Forb5 Forbs 100–300 Cuman ragweed AMPS Ambrosia psilostachya 0–50 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–50 – American star-thistle CEAM2 Centaurea americana 0–50 – prairie clover DALEA Dalea 0–50 – purple prairie clover DAPU5 Dalea purpurea 0–50 – Engelmann's daisy ENPE4 Engelmannia peristenia 0–50 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 0–50 – Leavenworth's eryngo ERLE11 Eryngium leavenworthii 0–50 – curlycup gumweed GRSQ Grindelia squarrosa 0–50 – Indian rushpea HOGL2 Hoffmannseggia glauca 0–50 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 0–50 – plains blackfoot MELE2 Melampodium leucanthum 0–50 – blazingstar MENTZ Mentzelia 0–50 – Nuttall's sensitive-briar MINU6 Mimosa nuttallii 0–50 – pony beebalm MOPE Monarda pectinata 0–50 – plantain PLANT Plantago 0–50 – cochlear cartilage lichen RACO11 Ramalina cochlearis 0–50 – upright prairie coneflower RACO3 Ratibida columnifera 0–50 – Drummond's skullcap SCDR2 Scutellaria drummondii 0–50 – twoleaf senna SERO8 Senna roemeriana 0–50 – awnless bushsunflower SICA7 Simsia calva 0–50 – white heath aster SYERE Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides 0–50 – fineleaf fournerved daisy TELI3 Tetraneuris linearifolia 0–50 – slender greenthread THSI Thelesperma simplicifolium 0–50 – Texas vervain VEHA Verbena halei 0–50 – Shrub/Vine6 Shrubs/Vines/Trees 50–150 gum bully SILA20 Sideroxylon lanuginosum 0–100 – honey mesquite PRGL2 Prosopis glandulosa 0–50 – black prairie clover DAFR2 Dalea frutescens 0–50 – Berlandier's wolfberry LYBE Lycium berlandieri 0–50 – catclaw acacia ACGRG3 Acacia greggii var. greggii 0–50 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 0–50 – Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 0–25 – pricklypear OPUNT Opuntia 0–25 – clapweed EPAN Ephedra antisyphilitica 0–25 – yucca YUCCA Yucca 0–25 – Tree7 Trees 0–50 hackberry CELTI Celtis 0–50 – Table 11. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Historically, the Shallow Clay site was occasionally utilized by a variety of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Several historical references and journals written in the 18th and 19th century by explorers, survey parties, and military expeditions refer to herds of bison, wild cattle, wild horses, and antelope roaming freely across the North Central Prairie and adjacent regions.
Today the site is primarily used by bob-white quail because of the scattered vegetation, amount of open ground, and presence of scattered, low-growing shrubs. The site may be utilized intermittently by deer, dove, species of grassland birds, and small fur-bearing mammals, but it is not a preferred site for most wildlife because of the relatively low and uniform structure of the vegetation, as well as the lack of trees, shrubs, and forbs. With the exception of quail, most wildlife only use this site incidentally in association with the use of more suitable adjacent sites. Animal species and populations fluctuate as the vegetation cycles through temporary phases and different ecological stages.
Livestock grazing should be controlled by implementing grazing management systems that incorporate frequent and timely deferment periods to prevent abusive grazing.Hydrological functions
When herbaceous vegetation and ground cover are maintained in a healthy and vigorous status, water infiltration into the soil profile is increased, resulting in less runoff. However, infiltration rates are generally low and permeability is slow. Vegetation on this site is often sparse and interspersed with significant areas of bare ground. Overland water flow can cause significant erosion hazards particularly during intense rainfall periods. A thick, healthy grass cover will improve water quality because it serves as a filter or trap to reduce sediments and pollutants before the water flows offsite.
Recreational uses
Because of the scarcity of trees and shrubs, the level terrain, characteristics of the soil, and the uniformity of the plant community, recreational use of this site is incidental and is generally associated with recreational use of adjacent sites. This site provides limited opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and horseback riding. Quail and dove hunting offer the most potential for recreation on this site.
Wood products
Insignificant.
Other products
Insignificant.
Other information
Insignificant.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Vegetation data for this site was obtained from existing Range Site Descriptions, SCS-RANGE -417 Production and Composition Records for Native Grazing Lands, and on-site inventories by the author and local experts including ranchers, natural resource specialists from federal and state agencies, and personnel from cooperating agencies and organizations. A total of 8 SCS-RANGE-417’s containing data collected from 3 counties during the period 12/30/1981 to 12/12/1986 were reviewed for this site.
Other references
Ajilvsgi, Geyata. Wildflowers of Texas. Sharer Publishing, Bryan, TX. 1984.
Bachand, Richard. The American Prairie: Going, Going, Gone? National Wildlife Federation. Rocky Mountain Natural Resource Center. Boulder, CO. 2001.
Coffey, Chuck R., and Russell Stevens. Grasses of Southern Oklahoma and North Texas: A Pictorial Guide. The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, OK. 2004
Diggs, George M., Jr., Barney L. Lipscomb, and Robert J. O’Kennon. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute of Texas. Fort Worth, TX 1999.
Egan, Dave and Evelyn A. Howell. The Historical Ecology Handbook…A Restorationist’s Guide to Reference Ecosystems. Island Press, Washington, DC. 2001.
Flores, Dan. “Indian Use of Range Resources” presented at 20th Annual Ranch Management Conference. Lubbock, TX, September 30, 1983.
Frost, Cecil C. Presettlement Fire Frequency Regimes of the United States: A First Approximation. Tall Timber Fire Ecology Conference Proceedings, No. 20. Tall timbers Research Station. Tallahassee, FL. 1998.
Gleason, Jerry. Personal communication. 2008.
Gould, Frank W., The Grasses of Texas. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, TX. 1975.
Hatch, Stephan L., Kancheepuram N. Gandhi, and Larry E. Brown. Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Texas. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station MP-1655. College Station, TX. 1990
Hatch, Stephan L., Jennifer Pluhar. Texas Range Plants. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, TX. 1993.
Kelton, Elmer. “History of Rancher Use of Range Resources” presented at 20th Annual Ranch Management Conference. Lubbock, TX, September 30, 1983.
Kirkpatrick, Zoe Merriman. Wildflowers of the Western Plains. University of Texas Press. Austin, TX. 1992.
Larrabee, Aimee and John Altman. Last Stand of the Tallgrass Prairie. Sterling Publishing Co., New York, NY. 2001.
North Rolling Plains Resource Conservation and Development. Common Rangeland Plants of the Texas Panhandle. Pampa, TX. 2008.
Packard, Stephen and Cornelia F. Mutel. The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook for Prairies, Savannas, and Woodlands. Island Press, Washington, DC. 1997.
Parker, W.B. Through Unexplored Texas In The Summer and Fall of 1854. The Texas State Historical Commission. Austin, TX 1984
Shiflet, Thomas N. et. Al. Rangeland Cover Types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 1994.
Smith, Jared G. Grazing Problems in the Southwest and How to Meet Them. United States Department of Agriculture Division of Agrostology. Washington, DC. 1899.
Texas Almanac 2008-2009. Dallas Morning News. Dallas, TX. 2008.
Tyrl, Ronald J., Terrence G. Bidwell, and Ronald E. Masters. Field Guide to Oklahoma Plants. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. 2002.
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA. The PLANTS Database. http://plants.usda.gov 2007.
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ag Handbook 296. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. 2006.
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Temple, TX. Shallow Clay Ecological Site Description R080BY161TX. 2008.
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Temple, TX. Shallow Clay Ecological Site Description R078CY112TX. 2006.
United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, Temple, TX. Production and Composition Record for Native Grazing Lands. SCS-RANGE 417 data from Throckmorton, Count. 1980-1985.
United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, Washington, DC. Web Soil Survey http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/. 2007
United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, Temple, TX. Published Soil Surveys: Throckmorton, Shackelford, Callahan, Coleman and Concho Counties. Various publication dates.
United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, Temple, TX. Range Site Descriptions for the Rolling Plains, Rolling Limestone Prairie, and North Central Prairie MLRAs. Various publication dates.
Vines, Robert A. Trees of North Texas. University of Texas Press, Austin, TX. 1982
Weniger, Del. The Explorers’ Texas. Eakin Publications. Austin, TX. 1984.
Weniger, Del. Cacti of the Southwest. University of Texas Press, Austin, TX. 1978.
Williams, Gerald W. References On The American Indian Use Of Fire in Ecosystems. United States Department of Agriculture – Forest Service, Washington, DC. 2005.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the following for their cooperation, assistance, and support in the development of this Ecological Site Description:
Jerry Gleason, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Throckmorton, TX
Sammy Wilson, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Baird, TX
Reviewers:
Lem Creswell, RMS, NRCS, Weatherford, Texas
Nathan Haile, RSS, NRCS, Weatherford, Texas
Kent Ferguson, RMS, NRCS, Temple, Texas
Justin Clary, RMS, NRCS, Temple, Texas
Mark Moseley, RMS, NRCS, Boerne, TexasContributors
Dan Caudle, DMC Natural Resources Management, Weatherford, Texas
PES Edits by Tyson Morley, MLRA Soil Scientist, Altus, OklahomaApproval
Bryan Christensen, 9/15/2023
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.
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) Lem Creswell, Zone RMS, NRCS, Weatherford, Texas Contact for lead author 817-596-2865 Date 11/28/2008 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Deposition or erosion is uncommon during normal rainfall events, but may occur in limited areas during intense rainfall events. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Uncommon for this site. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Expect no more than 20% bare ground scattered randomly throughout the site. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Few rills should occur. Some gullies may exist on side drains into intermittent streams. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Little or no litter movement or deposition during normal rainfall events. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface in HCPC is resistant to erosion. Stability range is expected to be 5-6. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
0-6 inches of light olive brown clay loam with weak subangular block structure, very. SOM is 1-4%. See soil survey for more information. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
The midgrass/shortgrass prairie has scattered perennial forbs and very few shrubs. Little litter accumulation is expected. Moderate amounts of bare ground, shallow soils, and slow permeability provides for moderate infiltration and moderate runoff. -
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 midgrassesSub-dominant:
Warm-season tallgrasses > Warm-season shortgrasses >Other:
Cool-season grasses > Forbs > Shrubs/Vines > TreesAdditional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Perennial grasses will naturally exhibit a minor amount (less than 5%) of senescence and some mortality every year. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter is primarily herbaceous. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
1000 to 2800 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:
Mesquite, lotebush, pricklypear, yucca, tasajillo, King Ranch bluestem, annual broomweed. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All perennial species should be capable of reproducing every year unless disrupted by extended drought, overgrazing, wildfire, insect damage, or other events occuring immediately prior to, or during the reproductive phase.
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