Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R078BY701TX
Shallow Sandstone
19-26" PZ
Last updated: 9/15/2023
Accessed: 08/11/2026
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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 soils on uplands. Reference vegetation includes midgrasses and shortgrasses with forbs and scattered woody plants. Abusive grazing practices can lead to a shift in the plant community. Without fire or alternative brush management, woody species may increase on the site.
Associated sites
R078BY076TX Gyp 19-26" PZ
Shallow soils over gypsum
R078BY084TX Rough Breaks 19-26" PZ
Shallow soils on breaks
R078BY090TX Shallow Clay 19-26" PZ
Shallow clay soils on uplands
R078BY092TX Very Shallow Clay 19-26" PZ
Very shallow soils on uplands
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Juniperus pinchotii
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Schizachyrium scoparium
(2) Bouteloua curtipendulaPhysiographic features
This is an upland site with very shallow soils mixed with outcrops of Permian and Triassic sandstone. It occurs on ridges, low hills, side slopes along drainageways and along escarpments. Slopes are moderate to moderately steep. There are often sandstone fragments mixed with shale and siltstone on the soil surface and often sandstone bedrock will be showing. The site may be small to relatively large, varying from 50 to over 1000 acres in size. The actual soils are so intermingled with rock outcrops that they cannot be separated.
This site may be encountered at any aspect of the landscape.Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Plains > Ridge
(2) Plains > Escarpment
(3) Plains > Hill
Runoff class Low to medium Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 1350 – 3200 ft Slope 1 – 20 % 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 seem uncomfortable. Most of the precipitation comes in the form of rain and that in 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 November. 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) 190-200 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 200-220 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 20 in Frost-free period (actual range) 180-200 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 200-220 days Precipitation total (actual range) 20-20 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) WELLINGTON [USC00419565], Wellington, TX
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(2) MATADOR [USC00415658], Matador, TX
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(3) SPUR [USC00418566], Spur, TX
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(4) SNYDER [USC00418433], Snyder, TX
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(5) ROBERT LEE [USC00417669], Robert Lee, TX
">Influencing water features
Rapid runoff due to impermeable soil material and steep slopes.<br />
<br />
There are no streams or wetlands associated with this ecological site.Wetland description
NA
Soil features
Soils are very shallow, well drained and calcareous with limited soil development. Rock outcrops are intermingled with soil material. Geologic erosion has stripped away soil material exposing bedrock in many places. Layers of sandstone may be quite thick and are interlaid with sandy to clayey redbeds. The soil is generally loam to fine sandy loam in texture with stony or gravelly modifier. Underlying material is pale brown strongly cemented sandstone. Available water holding capacity is low and fertility is low. Plant growth and production is limited due to shallow depth. Cracks in underlying bedrock can allow water to penetrate. Shrubs and grasses with deep root systems may be able to access some of this moisture.
Major Soil Taxonomic Units correlated to this site include: Latom soils and Latom Rock Outcrop.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Residuum – sandstone
Surface texture (1) Fine sandy loam
(2) Gravelly fine sandy loam
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately slow to moderate Depth to restrictive layer 4 – 20 in Soil depth 4 – 20 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 5 – 40 % Surface fragment cover >3" 1 – 5 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)0.4 – 1.2 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 10 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.9 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)3 – 22 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)1 – 3 % Ecological dynamics
This reference plant community is dominated by tall and midgrasses with a good perennial forb population and a variety of short shrubs. Some juniper occurs on the site along with occasional mesquite. The site occurs in rougher terrain and is found along escarpments and drainageways within the rolling red plains. The parent material is sandstone and rock outcrops are mixed with soil material. Production potential is limited due to shallow depth of soil and by steep terrain.
Slopes vary from moderate to steep but usually fall into the 5 to 20 % slope range. Runoff is rapid and infiltration limited. Evaporation is high. Plant basal cover is generally sparse but varies. Cracks and fissures in the underlying sandstone trap water in some locations and plants can sometimes access this water. Lack of inherent fertility may affect palatability of plants. This site is not as prone to over utilization as some sites with deeper, more fertile soils. Because of it’s diversity of plant species, the site is utilized by a variety of wildlife. There are several desirable forb and shrub species that afford good quality browse.
Natural fire shaped the ecology of this site as with most plains grassland sites. Grasses such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii), and sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) are stimulated by periodic fire. Redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii) is suppressed but usually resprouts and attains pre-burn status within a few years. But in general, shrubs are suppressed sufficiently to allow for a grassland aspect to exist. Cacti species (Opuntia spp) are damaged by fire provided sufficient fuel exists to insure an intense burn. Wildfires are thought to have occurred perhaps every 8 to 15 years in the region depending on fuel accumulation and random lightning strikes. Native Americans sometimes purposely set fires to influence grazing by large herbivores. Due to relatively thin vegetative cover, limited fuel loads and protective terrain, some susceptible shrub species have been naturally protected from wildfire damage on some portions of the site. If not naturally burned, juniper will increase on the site and can form a significant canopy cover in some areas. Overgrazing by livestock will reduce the more palatable grass and forb species. Cattle will generally not spend as much time on this site but will selectively graze when there.
The main influences that drive the ecology of the site are: climatic variability, occurrence of / or lack of fire, shallow soils, and selective grazing or browsing by livestock and wildlife. Geologic erosion can have an effect on portions of the site. The site can deteriorate through mismanagement and is sensitive to abuse.
Plant Communities and Transitional Pathways (diagram):
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 textT1A - Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure R2A - Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes T2A - Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Mixed-grass/Shrubland StateThe interpretive or "reference" plant community for the Tall/Midgrass/Shrubs Community (1.1) is a balanced mixture of tallgrasses such as little bluestem and sand bluestem; midgrasses such as sideoats grama and a few shortgrasses such as blue grama, buffalograss, and hairy grama. There is also a variety of perennial forbs including dotted gayfeather, plains blackfoot daisy, heath aster, western ragweed, gaura, and catclaw sensitivebriar. There are also scattered short woody shrubs in this community including feather dalea, skunkbush sumac, and vine ephedra. A few scattered redberry juniper, mesquite, and hackberry trees also occur.
The Mid/Tallgrass/Shrubs Community (1.2) occurs when tallgrasses such as little bluestem and sand bluestem decrease and midgrasses such as sideoats grama, sand dropseed, and silver bluestem dominate. There is an increase in perennial three-awns. Some low growing shrubs such as feather dalea, pricklypear, elbowbush, and yucca also occur. Redberry juniper increases to ten to fifteen percent woody canopy.Dominant plant species
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Pinchot's juniper (Juniperus pinchotii), tree
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little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
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sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
Community 1.1
Tall/Midgrass/Shrubs Community
Figure 8. 1.1 Tall/Midgrass/Shrubs Community
The interpretive or "reference" plant community for this site is a balanced mixture of tallgrasses - little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii); midgrasses - sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) and a few short grasses – blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) and hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta), a variety of perennial forbs – dotted gayfeather, (Liatris punctata), plains blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum), heath aster (Aster ericoides), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), gaura (Gaura spp), catclaw sensitivebriar (Mimosa nuttallii), and scattered short woody shrubs – feather dalea (Dalea formosa), skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata), and vine epedra (Ephedra pedunculata). A few scattered redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii), mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and hackberry (Celtis spp.) trees also occur.
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 500 800 1000 Tree 25 60 100 Shrub/Vine 50 60 90 Forb 50 100 90 Microbiotic Crusts 10 20 25 Total 635 1040 1305 Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2047 , Tall & Midgrass with Shrubs community. mid and 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 1 4 6 10 20 24 10 5 10 7 2 1 Community 1.2
Mid/Tallgrass/Shrubs Community
Figure 11. 1.2 Mid/Tallgrass/Shrubs Community
This community represents the first phase in the transition of the Tall/Midgrass/Shrubs Community (1.1) toward the Mid/Shortgrass/Shrubs Community (1.2). Tallgrasses such as little bluestem and sand bluestem decrease and midgrasses such as sideoats grama, sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) and silver bluestem (Bothriochloa laguroides) dominate with some increase in perennial three-awns (Aristida spp.) with some low growing shrubs such as feather dalea, pricklypear (Opuntia spp.), elbowbush (Forestiera pubescens) and yucca (Yucca glauca). Redberry juniper increases to 10-15% woody canopy. Proper grazing and the use of prescribed burning can maintain or possibly restore this community to the reference community and prevent the transition toward the Shortgrass/Shrubland State. With further heavy continued grazing and fire suppression, the community will degrade toward the Short/Midgrass/Shrubs Community (2.1).
Figure 12. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 400 600 800 Tree 35 75 150 Shrub/Vine 75 85 100 Forb 40 50 60 Microbiotic Crusts 5 10 20 Total 555 820 1130 Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2048 , Midgrasses and forbs. warm-season midgrasses and forbs..
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 Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Tall/Midgrass/Shrubs Community
Mid/Tallgrass/Shrubs CommunityWith heavy continuous grazing and no fires, the Tall/Midgrass/Shrubs Community will shift to the Mid/Tallgrass/Shrubs Community.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Mid/Tallgrass/Shrubs Community
Tall/Midgrass/Shrubs CommunityWith Prescribed Grazing and Prescribed Burning, the Mid/Tallgrass/Shrubs Community can be reverted back to the Tall/Midgrass/Shrubs Community.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing State 2
Shortgrass/Shrubland StateThe Short/Midgrass/Shrubs Community (2.1) occurs when little and sand bluestem decrease significantly, allowing midgrasses such as perennial three-awn, silver bluestem, and slim tridens to increase. Sideoats grama decreases in dominance and vigor. Shortgrasses such as buffalograss, hairy grama, and hairy tridens increase in density. Climax forbs decrease in frequency and diversity. Woody shrubs such as feather dalea, elbowbush and skunkbush sumac increase. Redberry juniper increases to 20% woody canopy.
Dominant plant species
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juniper (Juniperus), tree
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featherplume (Dalea formosa), shrub
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skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata), shrub
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buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), grass
Community 2.1
Short/Midgrass/Shrubs Community
Figure 14. 2.1 Short/Midgrass/Shrubs Community
The Short/Midgrass/Shrubs Community (2.1) occurs when little and sand bluestem decrease significantly, allowing midgrasses such as perennial three-awn, silver bluestem, and slim tridens (Tridens mutica) to increase. Sideoats grama decreases in dominance and vigor. Shortgrasses such as buffalograss, hairy grama, and hairy tridens (Erioneuron pilosum) increase in density. Climax forbs decrease in frequency and diversity. Woody shrubs such as feather dalea, elbowbush and skunkbush sumac increase. Redberry juniper increases to 20% woody canopy. More intense management using Prescribed Burning and Prescribed Grazing will be necessary to prevent further degradation to the Shrubs/Shortgrass Community (3.1). Brush management may be necessary to prevent competition from juniper.
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 300 450 600 Tree 50 130 200 Shrub/Vine 80 100 120 Forb 20 30 40 Microbiotic Crusts 0 5 10 Total 450 715 970 Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2049 , shortgrass, shrubs & forbs community. warm- and cool-season forbs, shrubs 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 1 3 8 16 25 5 5 10 16 8 3 State 3
Shrubland StateThe Shrubs/Shortgrass Community (3.1) occurs when tallgrasses and midgrasses decrease to the extent that shortgrasses such as hairy grama, hairy tridens, and buffalograss dominate. Forbs decrease in abundance, contributing to increased bare ground, accelerated soil erosion and an increase of juniper more than 25% canopy. Broom snakeweed may increase, further deteriorating the ecology of the site.
Dominant plant species
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Pinchot's juniper (Juniperus pinchotii), tree
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broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), shrub
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hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta), grass
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buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), grass
Community 3.1
Shrubs/Shortgrass Community
Figure 17. 3.1 Shrubs/Shortgrass Community
The Shrubs/Shortgrass Community (3.1) occurs when tallgrasses and midgrasses decrease to the extent that shortgrasses such as hairy grama, hairy tridens, and buffalograss dominate. Forbs decrease in abundance, contributing to increased bare ground, accelerated soil erosion and an increase of juniper more than 25% canopy. Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) may increase, further deteriorating the ecology of the site. Production of forage available for grazing is less than 25% of the reference plant community. Mechanical Brush Management, Range Planting, and Prescribed Burning followed by prescribed grazing will be mandatory for any restoration of this site to the Mixed-grass/Shrubland State.
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 150 250 350 Tree 70 150 250 Shrub/Vine 90 120 150 Forb 10 20 30 Microbiotic Crusts 0 2 5 Total 320 542 785 Figure 19. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX2050 , Shrubs and Shortgrass community. shortgrasses, warm- and cool-season forbs, and short 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 8 16 25 5 5 10 16 8 3 Transition T1A
State 1 to 2With Heavy Continuous Grazing, No Fires, and No Brush Management, the Mixed-grass/Shrubland State can transition into the Shortgrass/Shrubland State.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1With Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management and Prescribed Burning conservation practices, the Shortgrass/Shrubland State can be restored back to the Mixed-grass/Shrubland State.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing Transition T2A
State 2 to 3With Heavy Continuous Grazing, No Fires, No Brush Management, and Brush Invasion, the Mixed-grass/Shrubland State can transition into the Shrubland State.
Additional community tables
Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 tall/midgrasses 400–525 sideoats grama BOCUC Bouteloua curtipendula var. caespitosa 200–525 – little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 200–525 – 2 mid/shortgrasses 100–200 Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 0–200 – black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 0–200 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 0–200 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 0–200 – silver beardgrass BOLAT Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana 0–200 – hairy woollygrass ERPI5 Erioneuron pilosum 0–200 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–200 – slim tridens TRMU Tridens muticus 0–200 – 3 tallgrass 125–200 sand bluestem ANHA Andropogon hallii 0–200 – Indiangrass SONU2 Sorghastrum nutans 0–200 – 4 mid/shortgrass 35–75 buffalograss BODA2 Bouteloua dactyloides 0–75 – fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 0–75 – tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 0–75 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 0–75 – Forb5 forbs 50–100 Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 0–100 – Cuman ragweed AMPS Ambrosia psilostachya 0–100 – white sagebrush ARLUM2 Artemisia ludoviciana ssp. mexicana 0–100 – woollypod milkweed ASER Asclepias eriocarpa 0–100 – yellow sundrops CASE12 Calylophus serrulatus 0–100 – rose heath CHER2 Chaetopappa ericoides 0–100 – blacksamson echinacea ECAN2 Echinacea angustifolia 0–100 – spearleaf buckwheat ERLO4 Eriogonum lonchophyllum 0–100 – warty spurge EUSP Euphorbia spathulata 0–100 – shaggy dwarf morning-glory EVNU Evolvulus nuttallianus 0–100 – western blanketflower GASP Gaillardia spathulata 0–100 – hoary false goldenaster HECA8 Heterotheca canescens 0–100 – collegeflower HYFL Hymenopappus flavescens 0–100 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 0–100 – Gordon's bladderpod LEGO Lesquerella gordonii 0–100 – dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 0–100 – hoary blackfoot MECI Melampodium cinereum 0–100 – plains blackfoot MELE2 Melampodium leucanthum 0–100 – blazingstar MENTZ Mentzelia 0–100 – Nuttall's sensitive-briar MINU6 Mimosa nuttallii 0–100 – evening primrose OENOT Oenothera 0–100 – purple locoweed OXLA3 Oxytropis lambertii 0–100 – yellow nailwort PAVI4 Paronychia virginica 0–100 – Fendler's penstemon PEFE Penstemon fendleri 0–100 – white milkwort POAL4 Polygala alba 0–100 – slimflower scurfpea PSTE5 Psoralidium tenuiflorum 0–100 – earleaf fanpetals SITR Sida tragiifolia 0–100 – stemmy four-nerve daisy TESC2 Tetraneuris scaposa 0–100 – Rocky Mountain zinnia ZIGR Zinnia grandiflora 0–100 – Shrub/Vine6 shrubs/vines 50–90 Christmas cactus CYLE8 Cylindropuntia leptocaulis 0–90 – featherplume DAFO Dalea formosa 0–90 – vine jointfir EPPE Ephedra pedunculata 0–90 – stretchberry FOPU2 Forestiera pubescens 0–90 – algerita MATR3 Mahonia trifoliolata 0–90 – catclaw mimosa MIACB Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 0–90 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 0–90 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–90 – soapweed yucca YUGL Yucca glauca 0–90 – Tree7 trees 25–100 netleaf hackberry CELAR Celtis laevigata var. reticulata 0–100 – Pinchot's juniper JUPI Juniperus pinchotii 0–100 – honey mesquite PRGL2 Prosopis glandulosa 0–100 – 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
White tail deer and mule deer utilize the site for browsing. The site has little cover for bobwhite quail but scaled quail frequent the site during feeding. The Texas horned lizard is often present along with several species of lizards and snakes. A few species of small mammals often find dens in rock crevices.
Hydrological functions
Runoff water from the site will enter streams lower on the landscape. The site yields considerable runoff due to steep slopes.
Recreational uses
Hunting, Camping, Hiking, Birdwatching, 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. Several years of clipping data were surveyed. Inventory Data References (documents): NRCS FOTG – Section II - Range Site Descriptions and NRCS Clipping Data summaries over a 20 year period
Other references
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 Reviewers:
Tony Garcia, Zone RMS, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas
Clint Rollins, RMS, NRCS, Amarillo, Texas
Mark Moseley, Acting State RMS, NRCS, San Antonio, Texas
Jack Eckroat, Oklahoma Ecologist, NRCS, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Justin Clary, RMS, NRCS, Temple, TexasContributors
James Crownover
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:
Due to the percent slopes, rills will be common. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Due to the percent slopes, water flow patterns will be common. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Due to the percent slopes, pedestals/terracettes will be common. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
25-30% mineral soil; low percentage due to rock fragments scattered throughout the profile. -
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):
If the soil surface is unprotected by vegetation, the sloping soil is highly susceptible to water erosion. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Calcareous loam to fine sandy loam; 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 slowly permeable soil, well-draiend and available water holding capacity is low. Plant growth and production is limited due to very shallow depth. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. -
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Warm-season tallgrasses >Sub-dominant:
Warm-season midgrasses > Warm-season shortgrasses >Other:
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):
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 - 1,300 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:
Juniper and mesquite 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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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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