Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R078BY090TX
Shallow Clay
19-26" PZ
Last updated: 9/15/2023
Accessed: 08/17/2026
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Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
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Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 078B–Central Rolling Red Plains, Western Part
MLRA 78B is characterized by strongly dissected, rolling plains with prominent ridges and valleys and rolling to steep irregular topography. Loamy soils are generally well drained, range from shallow to deep, and developed in sediments of Triassic and Permian age.
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 is short and midgrasses with forbs and scattered woody plants. Abusive grazing practices can lead to a shift in the plant community. Without periodic fires or alternative brush management, woody species may increase on the site.
Associated sites
R078BY072TX Clay Loam 19-26" PZ
Deep clay loam soils on uplands
R078BY076TX Gyp 19-26" PZ
Very shallow soils over gypsum
R078BY091TX Very Shallow 19-26" PZ
Very shallow loams on uplands
Similar sites
R078BY092TX Very Shallow Clay 19-26" PZ
Very Shallow site in MLRA 78B. Both sites have similar physiographic positions on the landscape.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Prosopis glandulosa
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Bouteloua gracilis
(2) Bouteloua curtipendulaPhysiographic features
This site occurs as small ridges or knolls on gently undulating terrain. Portions of the site may occur as small drainages. Slopes are gentle to steep sloping. It is an upland site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Plains > Ridge
(2) Plains > Hill
(3) Plains > Pediment
Runoff class Very high Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 1000 – 3000 ft Slope 1 – 30 % Water table depth 60 – 80 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate of the western rolling plains is dry, sub-humid with hot summers and mild winters. Temperatures often reach 100 degrees F for several consecutive days during summer. Cold spells with temperatures less than 20 degrees F only last short periods of time. The soil is not frozen below the 3-inch depth for more than 2 to 3 days. Humidity is low during the winter and early spring months. Sometimes relative humidity is high enough to make summer days uncomfortable. Most of the precipitation comes in the form of rain and occurs during the spring and early summer principally. May is the wettest month followed by June. July and August are dryer and much hotter. Rainfall often comes as intense showers of relatively short duration. Rainfall rate per hour is often high and runoff is significant. Infiltration is diminished due to lack of opportunity time. The growing season begins in April and ends with the first killing frost in Nov. There is little snowfall with the average being about 10 inches. Rainfall averages about 22 inches.
There is a 70% chance that yearly precipitation will fall between 16 and 24 inches. About 55% of the time, the yearly rainfall is below the mean. Dry spells during the growing season are common and long-term droughts occur in cycles of about 20 years. Native vegetation is principally warm season.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 190-190 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 200-220 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (actual range) 180-200 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 200-220 days Precipitation total (actual range) 20-30 in Frost-free period (average) 190 days Freeze-free period (average) 210 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) JAYTON [USC00414570], Jayton, TX
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(2) ROBERT LEE [USC00417669], Robert Lee, TX
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(3) SNYDER [USC00418433], Snyder, TX
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(4) PADUCAH [USC00416740], Paducah, TX
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(5) WELLINGTON [USC00419565], Wellington, TX
">Influencing water features
Moderate to moderately rapid runoff. Moderately slow infiltration. High evaporation rates.<br />
<br />
No wetlands occur within the ecological site.Wetland description
NA
Soil features
The soils for this site are shallow clays and clay loams that are moderately to slowly permeable. Soil depth is less than 14 inches over shaley to clayey redbed deposits. Slopes range from 1 % to as much as 30%. If the soil surface is not protected by vegetation, runoff can be very rapid and water erosion can be severe. Fertility is moderate and water holding capacity is moderately low. These soils tend to be droughty and have only a moderate productive capacity.
Major Soil Taxonomic Units correlated to this site include: Vernon Clay Loam, Vernon-Quinlan complex, Vernon-Weymouth complexTable 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Residuum – shale and siltstone
Surface texture (1) Clay loam
(2) Clay
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Very slow to slow Soil depth 20 – 40 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)1.4 – 5.1 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 20 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 8 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 15 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.4 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 9 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 2 % Ecological dynamics
This mid and short grass site is characterized by blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), with smaller amounts of buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), tobosa (Hilaria mutica), slim tridens (Tridens muticus) and sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus). Forbs are generally few with the major species being Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella), scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea), slimleaf scurfpea (Psoralea tenuiflora), primrose spp. (Oenothera spp.), ratany (Krameria lanceolata), and many annual forb species. Shrubs are few in historic climax but can increase to moderate amounts with invasion and poor management. Major shrub species include mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), lotebush (Zizyphus obtusifolia), wolfberry (Lycium berlandieri), and redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii). Broom snakeweed (Guterrizea sarothrae) can also invade this site. With poor cover, annual forbs can dominate the site.
Productivity is low due to shallow, clayey soils which have rather poor soil, plant, water relationships. Bare soil can be as much as 50 % even when the site is in good condition. Fire most likely had a role in shaping vegetation in historic climax and may have helped to suppress woody shrubs that may have had a tendency to invade the site. For fire to be effective in suppressing woody plants, a good grass fuel supply had to prevail. In many cases today, fuel is probably the limiting factor for an effective fire. Once water erosion has stripped away much of the already shallow topsoil, the productivity of the site is vastly lowered. In good rainfall years, the site will produce more forb growth and the few tall grass species growing on the site will be more visible. In drouthy years, shortgrass vegetation will prevail. With excessive runoff, this site will contribute to siltation downstream. Good grazing management is essential to maintaining a sufficient vegetative cover that will positively affect water quality and produce a reasonable amount of high quality forage for livestock grazing. A combination of poor management and dry growing seasons for a period of years can lead to a very degraded plant community that is dominated by annual forbs, woody shrubs, and a few short grasses. Due to its inherent high erosion potential and drouthy nature, this site may be difficult to manage. This site lacks cover needed for habitat for most wildlife species, although scaled quail are often seen feeding. Many small mammals, reptiles, and song birds use the site.
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.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 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 State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Grassland StateThe Grassland State is composed of mid and short warm-season grasses with a few forbs and few woody shrubs. Dominant grass species are blue grama and sideoats grama with small amount of mesquite and a few perennial forb species.
Dominant plant species
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honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), tree
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blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
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sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
Community 1.1
Mid/Shortgrass Community
Figure 8. 1.1 Mid/Shortgrass Community
The Mid/Shortgrass Community (1.1) is the interpretive or "reference" plant community for this site. This plant community is composed of mid and short warm-season grasses; traces of a few tallgrass species, good forb population, along with a few shrubs. Dominant grasses for this community include blue grama and sideoats grama. There is also a small amount of mesquite and perennial forbs found in this site.
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 550 1020 1200 Forb 60 120 130 Shrub/Vine 25 55 75 Microbiotic Crusts 0 15 20 Tree 0 0 0 Total 635 1210 1425 Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2040 , Midgrass/Shortgrass Community with Forbs and Shrubs. Warm season mid and shortgrasses along with traces of tallgrasses, forbs, 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 2 4 8 25 25 14 6 8 5 2 1 State 2
Shrubland StateThe Shrub/Shortgrass Community (2.1) is composed of warm-season shortgrasses with mesquite. This community is also dominated by increasing woody canopy of shrubs such as mesquite and redberry juniper.
Dominant plant species
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mesquite (Prosopis), shrub
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Pinchot's juniper (Juniperus pinchotii), shrub
Community 2.1
Shrub/Shortgrass Community
Figure 11. 2.1 Shrub/Shortgrass Community
The Shrub/Shortgrass Community (2.1) is composed of warm-season shortgrasses with mesquite. This community is also dominated by increasing woody canopy of shrubs such as mesquite and redberry juniper. There are annuals invading the community as well. There is a dramatic increase in bare soil and water erosion.
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 500 700 800 Forb 100 200 250 Shrub/Vine 100 150 180 Microbiotic Crusts 5 15 20 Tree 0 0 0 Total 705 1065 1250 Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2041 , Woody Shrubs and Shortgrasses. Mesquite, Juniper, and shortgrasses..
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 15 25 22 10 6 8 5 1 1 State 3
Degraded Grassland StateThe Degraded Grassland State is composed of degraded annuals and shortgrasses. Shortgrasses will continue to dominate the site with large components of annual grasses and forbs. There are also shrubs and half-shrubs present in this plant community.
Dominant plant species
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purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea), grass
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hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta), grass
Community 3.1
Degraded Shortgrass/Annuals Community
Figure 14. 3.1 Degraded Shortgrass/Annuals Community
The Degraded Shortgrass/Annuals Community is composed of degraded annuals and shortgrasses. Shortgrasses will continue to dominate the site with large components of annual grasses and forbs. There are also shrubs and half-shrubs present in this plant community. There are visible signs of accelerated surface erosion and gullies. This site has a low production potential and will not be able to be restored back to the Shrubland or Grassland 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 200 350 500 Forb 200 300 300 Shrub/Vine 55 90 150 Microbiotic Crusts 5 20 20 Tree 0 0 0 Total 460 760 970 Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2022 , Shortgrasses/Annual grasses/Shrubs . Shortgrasses, shrubs, and annuals having low production and being degraded..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 5 16 27 25 7 4 10 5 1 0 Transition T1A
State 1 to 2With heavy continuous grazing pressure, no fires, and brush invasion of mesquite and juniper, the Grassland State will transition into the Shrubland State.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1With the use of various conservation practices such as Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management, and Prescribed Burning, the Shrubland State may be able to be restored back to the Grassland State.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing Transition T2A
State 2 to 3With continual heavy grazing pressure, brush invasion of mesquite and juniper, no brush management, and no pest management, the Shrubland State will transition into the Degraded Grassland State.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Shortgrasses 200–450 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 150–360 – buffalograss BODA2 Bouteloua dactyloides 35–85 – 2 Midgrasses 150–325 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 100–240 – little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 40–90 – 3 Tallgrasses 40–90 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii 20–50 – Indiangrass SONU2 Sorghastrum nutans 20–45 – 4 Midgrasses 65–140 tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 30–70 – slim tridens TRMUE Tridens muticus var. elongatus 20–50 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 10–30 – 5 Mid/Shortgrasses 65–140 purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 5–20 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 5–20 – silver beardgrass BOLAT Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana 5–20 – tumble windmill grass CHVE2 Chloris verticillata 5–20 – ear muhly MUAR Muhlenbergia arenacea 5–20 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 5–20 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 5–20 – bristlegrass SETAR Setaria 5–20 – 6 Cool Season Grasses 30–70 Grass, annual 2GA Grass, annual 10–25 – foxtail barley HOJU Hordeum jubatum 10–25 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 10–25 – Forb7 Forbs 60–130 Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 0–10 – Cuman ragweed AMPS Ambrosia psilostachya 0–10 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 0–10 – yellow sundrops CASE12 Calylophus serrulatus 0–10 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 0–10 – Engelmann's daisy ENGEL Engelmannia 0–10 – Indian blanket GAPU Gaillardia pulchella 0–10 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–10 – stiffleaf false goldenaster HEST3 Heterotheca stenophylla 0–10 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 0–10 – dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 0–10 – evening primrose OENOT Oenothera 0–10 – slimflower scurfpea PSTE5 Psoralidium tenuiflorum 0–10 – Drummond's skullcap SCDR2 Scutellaria drummondii 0–10 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 0–10 – woodland germander TESC Teucrium scorodonia 0–10 – stiff greenthread THFIF Thelesperma filifolium var. filifolium 0–10 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 0–10 – Shrub/Vine8 Shrubs/Vines 25–75 fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–15 – Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 0–15 – jointfir EPHED Ephedra 0–15 – Berlandier's wolfberry LYBE Lycium berlandieri 0–15 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 0–15 – honey mesquite PRGL2 Prosopis glandulosa 0–15 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 0–15 – Tree9 Trees 0–5 Pinchot's juniper JUPI Juniperus pinchotii 0–5 – hackberry CELTI Celtis 0–1 – 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
Native animals that occupy this site include Scaled quail, Bobwhite quail, Dove, small mammals, reptiles, and various predators such as coyotes, skunks, bobcats, and avian predators. This site lacks the cover aspect that whitetail deer and turkey may need, but nearby sites may furnish this element.
Hydrological functions
This is an upland site that contributes runoff to small streams and drainages. Good vegetative cover will lessen silt load into creeks and major streams.
Recreational uses
Hunting, Camping, Hiking, Birdwatching, Photography, and Horseback Riding.
Wood products
None.
Other products
None.
Other information
None.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Based on 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, 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 – Range, Wildlife & Fisheries Dept.
Technical Review:
Homer Sanchez, State RMS, NRCS, Temple, Texas
Mark Moseley, State RMS, NRCS, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Clint Rollins, RMS, NRCS, Amarillo, Texas
Tony Garcia, Zone RMS, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas
Dr. Jack Eckroat, Grazing Lands Specialist, NRCS, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Justin Clary, RMS, NRCS, Temple, TexasContributors
J.R. Bell (retired NRCS)
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) 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:
Slight to moderate. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Slight to moderate. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Slight to moderate. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
35 to 40% bare ground. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Slight to moderate. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None to slight. -
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):
Water erosion hazards are moderate to severe. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Clay to clay loam surfaces; moderate fine subangular blocky structure; very hard; firm; very sticky, plastic; many fine and common medium roots; moderate SOM. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Low vegetative cover and percent slopes makes this site susceptible to erosion. This site is a very slowly permeable soil, runoff is medium to high depending on slope and available water holding capacity is moderate to high. -
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 >Other:
Forbs > Warm-season tallgrasses > Shrubs/Vines > TreesAdditional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Plant mortality and decadence is 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):
650 to 1,400 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 and pricklypear can be invasive. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All plant species should be capable of reproduction, except during periods of prolonged drought conditions, heavy natural herbivory, or intense wildfires.
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