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Ecological site R010XB096OR

Blue Mountain Foothills, Claypan South 12-16 PZ

Last updated: 5/16/2025
Accessed: 10/21/2025

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General information

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.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 010X–Central Rocky and Blue Mountain Foothills

This MLRA is characterized by gently rolling to steep hills, plateaus, and low mountains at the foothills of the Blue Mountains in Oregon and the Central Rocky Mountains in Idaho. The geology of this area is highly varied and ranges from Holocene volcanics to Cretaceous sedimentary rocks. Mollisols are the dominant soil order and the soil climate is typified by mesic or frigid soil temperature regimes, and xeric or aridic soil moisture regimes. Elevation ranges from 1,300 to 6,600 feet (395 to 2,010 meters), increasing from west to east. The climate is characterized by dry summers and snow dominated winters with precipitation averaging 8 to 16 inches (205 to 405 millimeters) and increasing from west to east. These factors support plant communities with shrub-grass associations with considerable acreage of sagebrush grassland. Big sagebrush, bluebunch wheatgrass, and Idaho fescue are the dominant species. Stiff sagebrush, low sagebrush, and Sandberg bluegrass are often dominant on sites with shallow restrictive layers. Western juniper is one of the few common tree species and since European settlement has greatly expanded its extent in Oregon. Nearly half of the MLRA is federally owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Most of the area is used for livestock grazing with areas accessible by irrigation often used for irrigated agriculture.

LRU notes

This ecological site is found across all of the land resource units within the Blue Mountain Foothills (Western) portion of MLRA 10. Within this extent, much of its range is concentrated in the John Day Sediments and John Day Mountain Foothills LRUs due to the influence of the John Day and Clarno formations on subsurface clay content.

Classification relationships

International Vegetation Classification System:
Macrogroup: M170. Great Basin-Intermountain Dwarf Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland
Group: G308. Intermountain Low & Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland

Landfire Biophysical Setting:
11240 - Columbia Plateau Low Sagebrush Steppe

Bunchgrass Plant Communities of the Blue and Ochoco Mountains:
SD1911 - Low sagebrush/Idaho fescue-bluebunch wheatgrass plant association

Ecological site concept

In reference condition, this ecological site supports a plant community dominated by low sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula) and bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata). Abiotically, this site is characterized by occupying southerly aspects and claypan soils marked by a strong clay increase within 4 to 8 inches of the surface, facilitating the presence of little sagebrush. The site receives 12 to 16 inches of annual precipitation, the soil climate is frigid to mesic near frigid/xeric and resistance/resilience to disturbance is moderate to moderately low.

Associated sites

R010XC054OR	SR Mountain Shallow South 12-16 PZ Adjacent south slopes in the Snake River Mountain Foothills, in topographical positions where ashy soil surfaces are deeper than 8 inches, lacking little sagebrush
R010XC047OR	SR Mountain South 12-16 PZ In complex with this site in areas with loamy surfaces deeper than 8 inches, lacking little sagebrush
R010XB047OR	JD Shallow South 12-16 PZ Adjacent shallow south slopes over John Day sediments, in topographical positions where ashy soil surfaces are deeper than 8 inches, lacking little sagebrush

R010XC054OR

SR Mountain Shallow South 12-16 PZ

Adjacent south slopes in the Snake River Mountain Foothills, in topographical positions where ashy soil surfaces are deeper than 8 inches, lacking little sagebrush

R010XC047OR

SR Mountain South 12-16 PZ

In complex with this site in areas with loamy surfaces deeper than 8 inches, lacking little sagebrush

R010XB047OR

JD Shallow South 12-16 PZ

Adjacent shallow south slopes over John Day sediments, in topographical positions where ashy soil surfaces are deeper than 8 inches, lacking little sagebrush

Similar sites

R010XB029OR	Blue Mountain Foothills, Claypan 9-12 PZ Non-aspect, slopes less than 12 percent, lower mean annual precipitation
R010XC047OR	SR Mountain South 12-16 PZ Clay subsoil deeper than 8 inches, lacking little sagebrush
R010XB081OR	Blue Mountain Foothills, Claypan North 12-16 PZ Northerly slopes greater than 20 percent
R010XB080OR	Blue Mountain Foothills, Claypan 12-16 PZ Non-aspect, slopes less than 12 percent

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	(1) Artemisia arbuscula
Herbaceous	(1) Pseudoroegneria spicata

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Physiographic features

This site occurs on south and west facing hillslopes, mountain slopes and rolling uplands. Slopes typically range from 12 to 30 percent. Elevations typically range from 4,000 to 5,000 feet. This site is not subject to ponding or flooding and no water table is present within the soil profile.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Slope shape across	(1) Concave (2) Linear
Slope shape up-down	(1) Concave (2) Linear
Landforms	(1) Upland > Hill (2) Upland > Mountain slope (3) Valley > Valley side
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	4,000 – 5,000 ft
Slope	12 – 30%
Water table depth	60 in
Aspect	W, SE, S, SW

Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)

Flooding frequency	Not specified
Ponding frequency	Not specified
Elevation	3,500 – 5,500 ft
Slope	12 – 45%
Water table depth	60 in

Climatic features

The annual precipitation ranges from 12 to 16 inches (300 to 400 mm), most of which occurs in the form of snow during the months of December through March. Localized convection storms occasionally occur during the summer. The mean air temperature is 45° F and temperature extremes range from over 100 to negative 20° F. The frost free period ranges from 60 to 75 days. The optimum growth period for plant growth is April through June. The graphs below are populated from the closest available weather station to representative site locations and are provided to indicate general climate patterns.

Table 4. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	60-75 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	12-16 in
Frost-free period (actual range)
Freeze-free period (actual range)
Precipitation total (actual range)	12-20 in
Frost-free period (average)	65 days
Freeze-free period (average)
Precipitation total (average)	14 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

Bar

Line

Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

Bar

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Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) BARNES STN [USC00350501], Prineville, OR
(2) MITCHELL 2 E [USC00355638], Mitchell, OR
(3) GRIZZLY [USC00353542], Madras, OR

Soil features

The soils of this site are typified by a shallow depth to claypan marked by a strong increase in clay within 4 to 8 inches of the surface. Soils may be deep overall but these heavy clay layers restrict some root penetration and cause soils to function as effectively shallow. Ground cover on the soil surface ranges from stony or cobbly to extremely stony or cobbly. Typically, the surface soil horizon is typically an ashy loam, to a sometimes abrupt subsurface marked by a heavy clay loam or clay. Permeability is moderate to slow. The available water holding capacity (AWC) is about 2 to 4 inches for the profile. The erosion potential is moderate to severe. The soil temperature regime is frigid to mesic near frigid and the soil moisture regime is xeric. Parent materials are residuum and colluvium derived from tuff, basalt, rhyolite, or sediments.

Figure 7.

Figure 8.

Table 5. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Residuum – volcanic and sedimentary rock (2) Colluvium – volcanic and sedimentary rock (3) Volcanic ash
Surface texture	(1) Very cobbly silt loam (2) Very stony loam (3) Ashy loam
Family particle size	(1) Clayey-skeletal (2) Clayey (3) Fine
Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Moderately slow to moderate
Depth to restrictive layer	10 – 20 in
Soil depth	17 – 40 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	15 – 25%
Surface fragment cover >3"	5 – 15%
Available water capacity (0-40in)	1.5 – 2.5 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	Not specified
Clay content (0-6in)	10 – 25%
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	2 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)	Not specified
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	6.6 – 7.3
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (4-40in)	5 – 20%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (4-40in)	15 – 35%

Table 6. Representative soil features (actual values)

Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Slow to moderate
Depth to restrictive layer	5 – 40 in
Soil depth	15 – 50 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	5 – 40%
Surface fragment cover >3"	25%
Available water capacity (0-40in)	1 – 4.5 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	5%
Clay content (0-6in)	6 – 30%
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	2 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)	Not specified
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	6.6 – 8.4
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (4-40in)	30%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (4-40in)	50%

Ecological dynamics

Indicators and Range in Characteristics:

Little sagebrush is a strong indicator of this ecological site; given its adaptation to the unique soil conditions that define the site. This site often exists within a matrix of stiff sagebrush (Artemisia rigida) ecological sites on very shallow soil and big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp.) ecological sites on deeper surface horizons. Old growth juniper may occur on this site in low density (0 to 9 trees per acre, BLM ESI data). Given the relatively low fuel loads and consequently infrequent fire regime, this site supports a greater likelihood of old growth juniper than other claypan ecological sites within MLRA 10. Sandberg bluegrass increases on shallower soils or soils with thinner surface horizons. Total production is proportional to surface soil depth, increasing with deeper surface soil layers.

Ecological Dynamics and Disturbance Response:

Ecological dynamics of this site are primarily driven by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Infrequent fires were the primary historical disturbance that maintained the reference state and drove plant community shifts within the state. Mean fire return intervals for little sagebrush communities are estimated at 100 to 200 years across their range and 97 to 183 for communities within Oregon (Landfire 2009, Bukowski and Baker 2013). Intensity and frequency of these fires is driven by relatively low fuel loads and strongly influence by drought cycles and insect or disease attacks on the plant community.

Livestock grazing is a common land use of this ecological site. Under improper grazing management, especially repeated over utilization during the growing season, cover of deep-rooted perennial grasses, such as Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass, will decrease. If improper management continues, cover of shallow-rooted perennial grasses, such as Sandberg bluegrass, and shrubs such as little sagebrush, may increase. Ongoing deterioration due to improper management will increase bare ground and release soil resources, facilitating invasion by annual grasses and forbs.

Little sagebrush has extensive fibrous roots with a greater capacity to tolerate poor aeration and extract water from lower depths than big sagebrush (Steinberg 2002); an important adaptation allowing it to thrive on seasonally saturated, claypan soils. Little sagebrush is killed by fire and will not resprout (Young 1983). Establishment after fire is from seed, which typically does not persist in the seedbank and must be dispersed from offsite (Bradley et al. 1992). After fire, if regeneration conditions are favorable, little sagebrush may recover in as little as five years, however during drought periods or on sites with low potential, recovery may require more than ten years (Young 1983). One study in Oregon found no recruitment of little sagebrush eight years post-fire (Bates and Davies 2022).

The primary perennial bunchgrass species found on this ecological site differ somewhat in their response to fire. While both Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass can survive low severity fires, Idaho fescue is characterized by somewhat higher growing points than bluebunch wheatgrass, rendering it more susceptible to damage and mortality following high severity fire (Conrad and Poulton 1966). Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) is generally unharmed by fire given its low litter production and early dormancy. While increases in Sandberg bluegrass have been documented in some sagebrush systems following fire (Howard 1997), one study in a little sagebrush community found no change after eight years post-fire (Bates and Davies 2022).

Perennial forbs are an important component of the species composition of this site. Mat forming forbs such as phlox (p. hoodii and longiloba), low pussytoes (Antenaria dimorpha) and desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis), are common as are geophytes such as desert parsley (Lomatium spp.) and bitter root (Lewisia rediviva); and other forbs such as lupine (Lupinus spp.) and hawksbeard (Crepis spp.). Mat forming forbs may be particularly vulnerable to decreases in cover and density following fire (Bates and Davies 2022). Interannual variation is often a significant driver of forb expression in little sagebrush communities (Bates and Davies 2022).

Western juniper is intolerant of fire and historically was restricted to sites with lower fuel loads and infrequent fire regimes, such as characterizes this ecological site. Given these conditions, this site may act as refugia that allow some scattered old growth juniper to persist (Miller et al. 1999). With the increased suppression of wildfire and livestock grazing which reduces ground fuels and understory competition, western juniper has increased in range and density and expanded into suitable sites previously dominated by sagebrush (Miller and Tausch 2008, Burns and Honkala 1990). However, post settlement western juniper expansion is also likely due at least in part to changing climate and may be accelerated by increasing atmospheric CO2 levels (Miller 2019). On this site, high clay content in the soil subsurface slows the rate at which juniper infill and encroachment occur.

The introduced annual grass species most likely to invade these sites are cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and North Africa grass (Ventenata dubia). All of these species compete with native herbaceous species for finite site resources and may increase fine fuel loads. Annual grass invasion, particularly cheatgrass, has been linked to increases in fire frequency in the intermountain west (Bradley et al. 2018). Medusahead invasion may promote thick, decomposition resistant thatch layers that suppress establishment of other species. Invasions by North Africa grass are increasing in recent years and research as to cause and effect of these invasions is ongoing.

Within the natural range of variability, this site is considered to have moderate to moderately low resistance and resilience to disturbance. These attributes are driven by the southerly aspects, warm annual temperatures and Mediterranean precipitation patterns (Mesic near Frigid/Xeric soil climate) (Chambers, et al. 2014). Resistance is further bolstered by the very shallow restrictive features and high clay content in the soil which slow establishment of western juniper. However, in an altered state where erosion of the surface horizon occurs, this site may lose resilience more rapidly than sites supporting deeper surface horizons.

State and transition model

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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

States 2 and 5 (additional transitions)

2. Current Potential

SWAPAEH

5. Annual

SWAPAEH

T1A	-	Introduction of non-native species; long-term overutilization by livestock.
T2A	-	Inappropriate grazing management
T2B	-	Time
T2C	-	Fire, soil disruption, inappropriate grazing management
T3B	-	Time
T3A	-	Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, and/or soil disturbing treatments, Inappropriate grazing management
R4A	-	Tree thinning; seeding
R4B	-	Mechanical tree thinning; seeding (failed)
T4A	-	Failed mechanical treatment, catastrophic fire
R5A	-	Annual grass treatment; reseeding

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

1.2. Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

1.1A	-	Time and lack of disturbance
1.2A	-	Fire

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

2.2. Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

2.3. Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

2.1A	-	Time, growing season grazing
2.1B	-	Inappropriate grazing management
2.2A	-	Fire, dormant season grazing, brush treatments, aroga moth outbreak
2.2B	-	Inappropriate grazing management, brush management
2.3B	-	Time, rest from grazing, reseeding
2.3A	-	Time and rest from grazing, reseeding

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

3.2. Little Sagebrush, Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

3.1A	-	Time
3.2A	-	Fire

State 4 submodel, plant communities

4.1. Western Juniper and Little Sagebrush

4.2. Western Juniper

4.1A	-	Time

State 5 submodel, plant communities

5.1. Annual Grass and Shrubs

5.2. Annual Grass

SWAPAEH

5.1A	-	Fire, mechanical shrub removal

State 1
Reference

The Reference state is representative of the natural range of variability under pristine condition. While occurrence is rare, this is not considered a "Historical" reference since for this ecological site, examples of these conditions may still occur on the landscape. No introduced species occur and repeated disturbance has not fundamentally altered soil quality or plant community composition. The reference state has two general plant communities; a grass-shrub dominant community, and a shrub-grass dominant community). State dynamics are maintained by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Plant community changes are primarily driven by fire, time and periodic drought.

Characteristics and indicators. • Lack of introduced plant species • Presence of all functional and structural groups • High plant vigor and reproductive capacity in most years • Lack of widespread soil erosion

Resilience management. Reference sites should be prioritized in landscape health strategies wherever possible. Management should focus on land conservation and protection of these rare conditions above other uses. Surrounding landscapes should be carefully managed to prevent species introductions and other impacts on reference sites. See the "Defend the Core" strategy for additional information (Maestas et al. 2021).

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass

Community 1.1
Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

The reference plant community is dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass with little sagebrush sub-dominant. Idaho fescue, Thurbers needlegrass, and a variety of forbs are present. Sandberg bluegrass is the dominant shallow-rooted perennial grass. Following fire, little sagebrush cover will be very patchy or absent. Vegetative composition of the community is approximately 70 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs and 20 percent shrubs. In an analysis of 78 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, two plots (3 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass

Figure 9. 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	275	410	550
Forb	60	90	120
Shrub/Vine	55	85	110
Tree	10	15	20
Total	400	600	800

Table 8. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-5%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	5-15%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	20-40%
Forb foliar cover	5-15%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-10%
Litter	15-35%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	2-10%
Surface fragments >3"	0-10%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	2-20%

Table 9. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	1.5-8.5%
Forb basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	3-10%
Litter	0.0-0.1%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-20%
Surface fragments >3"	2-20%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	20-40%

Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4281, Claypan Warm Dry. JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ and JD Claypan 9-12 moderate to high condition..

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	10	20	30	20	5	0	10	5	0	0

Community 1.2
Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Little sagebrush is dominant, deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses are sub-dominant; forbs may increase. A diverse forb component is typically present. Young juniper may be increasing. Annual non-native species are present but not dominant. In an analysis of 78 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, one plot (1 percent) were classified to this community, for this reason production values have largely been extrapolated from expert knowledge and high functioning current potential plots.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass

Figure 11. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 10. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	180	200	355
Shrub/Vine	140	250	270
Forb	20	30	70
Tree	10	20	30
Total	350	500	725

Table 11. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-5%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	15-25%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	15-25%
Forb foliar cover	5-15%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-10%
Litter	20-35%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	2-10%
Surface fragments >3"	0-10%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	2-20%

Table 12. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.5-1.0%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	2-10%
Forb basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	3-10%
Litter	0.0-0.1%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-15%
Surface fragments >3"	2-25%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	15-40%

Figure 12. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4281, Claypan Warm Dry. JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ and JD Claypan 9-12 moderate to high condition..

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	10	20	30	20	5	0	10	5	0	0

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Time and lack of disturbance allows for shrub regeneration and growth.

Context dependence. Ungulate grazing of perennial grasses may favor increases in shrub cover

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Low severity fire creates a grass and sagebrush mosaic; higher severity fire significantly reduces sagebrush cover and leads to a community dominated by grasses and forbs.

Context dependence. Fire may be more likely following wet years that increase herbaceous production

State 2
Current Potential

This state is similar to the reference state yet some amount of introduced species occur and species composition or soil quality has been altered by long-term overutilization by livestock. Ecological function is largely intact, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced. This state has two general communities; a grass-shrub dominant community, a shrub-grass dominant community and a shallow-rooted grass dominant community (considered an at risk-community). Introduced species may increase in abundance but will not become dominant within this state. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These feedbacks include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients.

Characteristics and indicators. • Low cover of introduced plant species (less than twice as much as deep rooted perennial bunchgrass cover) • Deep rooted perennial grasses typically greater than 10 percent cover • Presence of most or all functional and structural groups • High plant vigor and reproductive capacity in most years • Lack of widespread soil erosion

Resilience management. Current potential sites in high condition should be prioritized in landscape health strategies wherever possible. Management should focus on protection, minimization of disturbance, and early detection and treatment of plant invasions. Plant community management should focus on preserving deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses in particular. Surrounding landscapes should be carefully managed to prevent impacts to these sites. See the "Defend the Core" strategy for additional information (Maestas et al. 2021).

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass

Community 2.1
Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses, bluebunch wheatgrass, are dominant and little sagebrush is sub-dominant. Following fire, little sagebrush may be very patchily distributed or nearly absent. A diverse forb component is typically present and may be increasing. Annual non-native species are present but not dominant. In an analysis of 78 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, 22 plots (28 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass

Figure 13. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 13. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	265	400	575
Shrub/Vine	30	85	145
Forb	20	45	75
Tree	10	20	30
Total	325	550	825

Table 14. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	1-5%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	5-15%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	20-40%
Forb foliar cover	5-15%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-5%
Litter	10-30%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0-10%
Surface fragments >3"	2-10%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	2-20%

Table 15. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	5-15%
Forb basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	1-10%
Litter	0.0-0.1%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	10-30%
Surface fragments >3"	5-25%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	15-60%

Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4281, Claypan Warm Dry. JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ and JD Claypan 9-12 moderate to high condition..

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	10	20	30	20	5	0	10	5	0	0

Community 2.2
Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Little sagebrush is dominant and deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass, particularly bluebunch wheatgrass, are sub-dominant. A diverse forb component is typically present. Young juniper may be increasing. Annual non-native species are present but not dominant. In an analysis of 78 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, 14 plots (18 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass

Figure 15. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 16. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	170	190	385
Shrub/Vine	125	200	270
Forb	10	30	70
Tree	20	30	50
Total	325	450	775

Table 17. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	2-7%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	15-25%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	15-25%
Forb foliar cover	5-15%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-5%
Litter	10-35%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	1-10%
Surface fragments >3"	2-10%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	2-20%

Table 18. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.5-1.0%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	2-10%
Forb basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-15%
Litter	0.0-0.1%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-15%
Surface fragments >3"	5-30%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	20-40%

Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4281, Claypan Warm Dry. JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ and JD Claypan 9-12 moderate to high condition..

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	10	20	30	20	5	0	10	5	0	0

Community 2.3
Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Shallow-rooted perennial bunchgrass, particularly Sandberg bluegrass, is dominant and deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass are sub-dominant but still typically occupy at least 10 percent cover. Some of the soil surface may have been degraded due to compaction or minor erosion. Young juniper may be increasing. Introduced annual species present to increasing. This is considered an at-risk phase due to the loss of some of the deep-rooted bunchgrass component and typically an increase in introduced annual species, bare ground, and gap cover. In an analysis of 78 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, 13 plots (17 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass

Figure 17. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 19. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	140	225	340
Shrub/Vine	60	140	220
Forb	30	50	65
Tree	20	35	50
Total	250	450	675

Table 20. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	2-10%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	5-20%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	20-35%
Forb foliar cover	5-15%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-5%
Litter	10-20%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-15%
Surface fragments >3"	2-10%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	5-25%

Table 21. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	5-10%
Forb basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-10%
Litter	0.0-0.1%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	10-40%
Surface fragments >3"	5-25%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	20-40%

Figure 18. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4282, Claypan Warm Dry, poor condition. JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ and JD Claypan 9-12 poor condition. This curve is extrapolated from the OR4281 curve..

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	10	25	30	15	5	0	10	5	0	0

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Time and lack of disturbance allows for shrub growth and regeneration.

Context dependence. Ungulate grazing during the growing season may also reduce deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass composition relative to little sagebrush.

Pathway 2.1B
Community 2.1 to 2.3

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Inappropriate grazing management, or excessive wildlife grazing, especially during the growing season may reduce deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses. Soil compaction as a result of inappropriate grazing management may also favor shallow-rooted bunchgrass dominance.

Context dependence. Drought may accelerate or exacerbate change; soils are particularly susceptible to compaction when moist.

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Low severity fire creates a grass and shrub mosaic; higher severity fire significantly reduces sagebrush cover and leads to community dominated by grasses and forbs. Agora moth outbreaks may decrease little sagebrush. Brush treatments with minimal soil disturbance may reduce the shrub overstory. Dormant season grazing by ungulates, particularly sheep, may also decrease little sagebrush composition.

Context dependence. Soil disturbance will be influenced by season of treatment or grazing

Pathway 2.2B
Community 2.2 to 2.3

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Inappropriate year-round grazing may reduce deep-rooted bunchgrasses and little sagebrush relative to Sandberg bluegrass. Brush treatments that lead to soil compaction may reduce shrubs and deep-rooted bunchgrasses. Soil compaction as a result of inappropriate grazing management may also favor shallow-rooted bunchgrass dominance.

Context dependence. Drought may accelerate or exacerbate change; soils are particularly susceptible to compaction when moist.

Pathway 2.3B
Community 2.3 to 2.1

Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Time and rest from growing season grazing may promote an increase in deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses. Brush treatments with minimal soil disturbance may reduce the shrub overstory. Dormant season grazing by ungulates, particularly sheep, may also decrease little sagebrush composition.

Context dependence. Above average growing season precipitation may increase establishment success; if deep-rooted bunchgrass establishment is limited by reproductive vigor, reseeding may be required

Pathway 2.3A
Community 2.3 to 2.2

Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Time and rest from excessive grazing allows the shrub overstory to mature. Deep-rooted bunchgrasses may increase in the absence of disturbance if conditions are favorable.

Context dependence. If deep-rooted bunchgrass establishment is limited by reproductive vigor, reseeding may be required

State 3
Degraded

This state is a product of many years of heavy grazing during growth periods of cool season, perennial bunchgrasses. Much of the deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass component has been lost and cover rarely exceeds 5 to 7 percent. Erosion and compaction of surface soil horizon may have occurred and may be ongoing. Sandberg bluegrass will increase with a reduction in deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass competition and become the dominant grass. This state consists of two plant communities, a shallow-rooted bunchgrass dominant community and a little sagebrush, shallow-rooted bunchgrass community. Introduced species cover is typically higher than in the current potential state. The shrub overstory and bluegrass understory dominate site resources such that soil water, nutrient capture, nutrient cycling and soil organic matter are temporally and spatially redistributed.

Characteristics and indicators. • Low cover and production of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses (typically less than 7 percent cover) • Moderate to high cover of shallow-rooted perennial bunchgrasses • Variable cover of little sagebrush • Evidence of soil erosion and/or compaction

Resilience management. Management should focus on preserving and reintroducing deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and treating introduced annual species to prevent a transition to an annual state.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Community 3.1
Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

Sandberg bluegrass is dominant and little sagebrush decreased. Deep-rooted perennial grasses are a minor component or missing. Non-native annual species present to increasing. Western juniper present to increasing. In an analysis of 78 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, two plots (3 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Figure 19. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 22. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	115	200	265
Shrub/Vine	20	55	90
Forb	20	40	55
Tree	20	30	40
Total	175	325	450

Table 23. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-5%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	5-15%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	10-20%
Forb foliar cover	2-10%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	1-2%
Litter	10-30%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	1-15%
Surface fragments >3"	5-15%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	15-35%

Table 24. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	2-5%
Forb basal cover	0.1-1.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-10%
Litter	0.0-0.1%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-25%
Surface fragments >3"	10-35%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	25-40%

Figure 20. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4282, Claypan Warm Dry, poor condition. JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ and JD Claypan 9-12 poor condition. This curve is extrapolated from the OR4281 curve..

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	10	25	30	15	5	0	10	5	0	0

Community 3.2
Little Sagebrush, Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

Little sagebrush is dominant. Sandberg bluegrass increases. Deep-rooted perennial grasses are a minor component or missing. Non-native annual species present to increasing. Western juniper present to increasing. In an analysis of 78 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, three plots (4 Percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Figure 21. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 25. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	120	170	205
Shrub/Vine	85	130	155
Forb	25	70	115
Tree	20	35	50
Total	250	405	525

Table 26. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	5-10%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	10-20%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	5-20%
Forb foliar cover	5-20%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	1-5%
Litter	5-20%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	10-15%
Surface fragments >3"	0-10%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	10-35%

Table 27. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.1-0.5%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.1-1.0%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	2-5%
Forb basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	5-15%
Litter	0.0-0.1%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	15-45%
Surface fragments >3"	0-30%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	40-60%

Figure 22. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4282, Claypan Warm Dry, poor condition. JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ and JD Claypan 9-12 poor condition. This curve is extrapolated from the OR4281 curve..

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	10	25	30	15	5	0	10	5	0	0

Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2

Time without disturbance

Context dependence. Shrub regeneration and growth may depend on nearby availability of seed source and/or shrub reproductive vigor

Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1

Fire reduces shrub component

Context dependence. Years of above average precipitation may increase herbaceous fuels and increase the probability of fire

State 4
Encroached

In this state the site has crossed a threshold and is dominated by western juniper. Low sagebrush and perennial bunchgrasses may still be present, but they are no longer controlling site resources. As juniper cover increases, shrub cover typically decreases, therefore this site is characterized by two communities, a western juniper/shrub community and a western juniper dominated community. Soil moisture, soil nutrients and soil organic matter distribution and cycling have been spatially and temporally altered. Soil erosion may accelerate as perennial herbaceous cover decreases. Relative to other claypan sites, juniper is more common on this ecological site and a transition to this state is more likely.

Characteristics and indicators. • Western juniper canopy cover typically at least 10 to 25 percent (or greater) (see Miller et al. 2007 for additional context) • Deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and little sagebrush decreased • Evidence of soil erosion common

Resilience management. Management should focus on preserving and reintroducing deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and treating western juniper to prevent further loss of other plant functional groups. Communities at earlier stages of invasion will have the highest likelihood of restoration success (See Miller et al. 2007). Special care should be taken to avoid removal of old growth western juniper.

Dominant plant species

western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree
little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Community 4.1
Western Juniper and Little Sagebrush

Western juniper is co-dominant relative to sagebrush and deep-rooted perennial grasses. Sandberg bluegrass may be increasing in the understory. Introduced annual species are often common. The site will be expressing late stage 1 or early stage 2 juniper invasion (see Miller et al. USGS, 2007). In an analysis of 78 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, nine plots (12 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree
little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Figure 23. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 28. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Tree	150	200	250
Grass/Grasslike	85	135	200
Shrub/Vine	90	135	185
Forb	25	30	40
Total	350	500	675

Table 29. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	10-15%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	5-15%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	10-25%
Forb foliar cover	2-20%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-2%
Litter	20-35%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-15%
Surface fragments >3"	2-10%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	5-25%

Table 30. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.1-1.0%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.5-1.0%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	2-10%
Forb basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-10%
Litter	0.0-0.1%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	10-30%
Surface fragments >3"	5-30%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	15-40%

Figure 24. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4281, Claypan Warm Dry. JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ and JD Claypan 9-12 moderate to high condition..

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	10	20	30	20	5	0	10	5	0	0

Community 4.2
Western Juniper

Western juniper dominates and shrub cover is diminished. For this site this transition typically occurs at a 20 percent or greater canopy cover of juniper where the site will be expressing late stage 2 or stage 3 juniper invasion (see Miller et al. USGS, 2007). Sandberg bluegrass may be dominant in the understory and non-native annual species may be abundant. As juniper cover increases, shrubs are eliminated, infiltration decreases, soil moisture is reduced and erosion accelerates. Idaho fescue typically persists longer than other deep-rooted bunchgrasses due to its shade tolerance. It may be very challenging to restore ecological function once the site has reached this community. In an analysis of 78 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, five plots (6 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Figure 25. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 31. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Tree	200	250	350
Grass/Grasslike	100	125	235
Shrub/Vine	20	25	85
Forb	30	50	55
Total	350	450	725

Table 32. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	15-25%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	2-5%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	10-30%
Forb foliar cover	2-10%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-5%
Litter	15-25%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-10%
Surface fragments >3"	2-10%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	5-30%

Table 33. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	5-10%
Forb basal cover	0.1-1.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	1-10%
Litter	0.0-0.1%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	15-25%
Surface fragments >3"	5-35%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	20-45%

Figure 26. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4282, Claypan Warm Dry, poor condition. JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ and JD Claypan 9-12 poor condition. This curve is extrapolated from the OR4281 curve..

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	10	25	30	15	5	0	10	5	0	0

Pathway 4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2

Western Juniper and Little Sagebrush

Western Juniper

Time without fire allows cover to increase.

Context dependence. Above average precipitation may facilitate wester juniper regeneration and growth (Miller 2019).

State 5
Annual

In this state, the site has crossed a threshold into a state dominated by introduced annual species, especially invasive annual grasses. Invasive annual grasses become increasingly dominant though time by altering nutrient cycling, litter creation, and soil moisture capture thereby promoting positive feedbacks. An increase in fire frequency may also occur due to higher fine fuel loads that become flammable earlier in the season. Shrub and tree cover is variable. Shallow-rooted perennial grasses are common but are no longer controlling site resources.

Characteristics and indicators. • Annual grass cover typically greater than 25 percent • Deep-rooted perennial grass cover typically less than 5 percent • Annual grass cover greater than twice as much as deep-rooted perennial grass cover • Little sagebrush cover may be very low • Herbaceous litter cover may be abnormally high, especially in summer

Resilience management. Focus management actions on reducing invasive annual grass cover and spread to adjacent sites.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), grass
North Africa grass (Ventenata dubia), grass

Community 5.1
Annual Grass and Shrubs

Introduced annual grasses are dominant and shrubs are sub-dominant. Annual native and introduced forbs may also be common. The little sagebrush component of the site is typically still intact but may be replaced by resprouting rabbitbrush species if fire occurs. In an analysis of 78 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, four plots (5 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
North Africa grass (Ventenata dubia), grass
medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), grass

Figure 27. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 34. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	130	180	280
Shrub/Vine	100	150	225
Tree	20	35	50
Forb	0	10	20
Total	250	375	575

Table 35. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-15%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	10-20%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	22-60%
Forb foliar cover	1-6%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0.5-3.0%
Litter	14-41%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	1-7%
Surface fragments >3"	3-15%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	2-15%

Table 36. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.00-0.75%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.5-1.5%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	2-10%
Forb basal cover	0.1-0.5%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	4-18%
Litter	0.0-0.1%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	2-11%
Surface fragments >3"	6-32%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	12-53%

Figure 28. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4283, Claypan Warm Dry, annual invaded. JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ and JD Claypan 9-12 annual invaded. This curve is extrapolated from the OR4281 curve..

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	15	25	25	15	5	0	10	5	0	0

Community 5.2
Annual Grass

Introduced annual grasses are dominant. Annual native and introduced forbs may also be common. Dominant annual grasses include medusahead, cheatgrass and North Africa grass. Cover of little sagebrush and western juniper is variable but will decrease, and likely remain suppressed, if fire occurs. In an analysis of 78 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, three plots (4 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
North Africa grass (Ventenata dubia), grass
medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), grass

Figure 29. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 37. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	140	175	355
Forb	15	25	50
Shrub/Vine	0	25	40
Tree	20	25	30
Total	175	250	475

Table 38. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-10%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	0-5%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	30-70%
Forb foliar cover	5-20%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-2%
Litter	10-40%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	1-10%
Surface fragments >3"	0-15%
Bedrock	0.0-0.5%
Water	0%
Bare ground	2-15%

Table 39. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0-1%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	2-20%
Forb basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0.1-5.0%
Litter	0.0-0.1%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	2-15%
Surface fragments >3"	0-40%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	20-70%

Figure 30. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4283, Claypan Warm Dry, annual invaded. JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ and JD Claypan 9-12 annual invaded. This curve is extrapolated from the OR4281 curve..

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	15	25	25	15	5	0	10	5	0	0

Pathway 5.1A
Community 5.1 to 5.2

Annual Grass and Shrubs

Annual Grass

Fire occurs and eliminates shrubs. May also be caused by a mechanical shrub removal treatment.

Context dependence. Probability of fire may increase following successive years with increased spring precipitation and high annual grass production

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Reference

Current Potential

Introduction of non-native species; long-term overutilization by livestock.

Context dependence. Ecological drought may increase the likelihood of this transition

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Current Potential

Degraded

Inappropriate grazing management, especially repeated growing season over utilization, will reduce deep-rooted perennial grasses and lead to soil compaction and eventually erosion

Context dependence. Soil is particularly vulnerable to compaction during late winter and spring when it is moist or saturated but unfrozen; this transition is most likely to occur from the 2.3 at-risk phase.

Transition T2B
State 2 to 4

Current Potential

Encroached

Time and lack of fire allows for maturation of the tree community

Context dependence. Years with above average precipitation may accelerate establishment and growth of western juniper (Miller et al. 2019); adjacent seed sources will also increase juniper establishment rates.

Transition T2C
State 2 to 5

Current Potential

Annual

Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, soil disturbing treatments, inappropriate grazing management

Context dependence. Transition rate and probability will depend on existing cover, reproductive vigor and seedbank density of invasive annual species; higher than normal spring precipitation may interact with these disturbances to further favor increases in annual plant composition; this transition may be more likely to occur from the 2.3 at-risk phase.

Transition T3B
State 3 to 4

Degraded

Encroached

Time and lack of fire allows for maturation of the tree community

Transition T3A
State 3 to 5

Degraded

Annual

Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, soil disturbing treatments, inappropriate grazing management

Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 2

Encroached

Current Potential

Thinning of trees, potentially coupled with seeding of desired species if required. Use of fire should be restricted to sites without little sagebrush and very low cover of annual species.

Context dependence. If most functional groups are still present, community 4.1 may be potentially restored to State 2; if most functional groups have been diminished or soil loss has occurred, 4.2 is likely to restore to State 3. Hand thinning may help decrease soil disruption while mechanical thinning may increase compaction; seeding success is low on this site and will depend in part on existing exotic grass pressure.

Restoration pathway R4B
State 4 to 3

Encroached

Degraded

Ground disturbing mechanical tree thinning treatment; potentially coupled with a failed seeding. Use of fire should be restricted to sites without little sagebrush and very low cover of annual species.

Context dependence. If most functional groups are still present, community 4.1 may be potentially restored to State 2; if most functional groups have been diminished or soil loss has occurred, 4.2 is likely to restore to State 3. Hand thinning may help decrease soil disruption while mechanical thinning may compact soils and increase the likelihood of a transition to State 3; seeding success is low on this site and will depend in part on existing exotic grass pressure.

Transition T4A
State 4 to 5

Encroached

Annual

Ground disturbing mechanical treatment, catastrophic fire

Context dependence. Transition rate and probability will depend on existing cover, reproductive vigor and seedbank density of invasive annual species

Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 3

Annual

Degraded

Treatment of annual grasses, likely requiring herbicide application; coupled with seeding of desired native species

Context dependence. Above average growing season precipitation may increase establishment success; restoration success will be much more likely from community 5.1 than 5.2 given a greater composition of functional groups

Additional community tables

Table 40. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses			270–420
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	180–240	–
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	30–90	–
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	60–90	–
3	Other perennial bunchgrasses			0–60
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–20	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0–20	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTRT	Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus	0–20	–
3	Shallow rooted perennial bunchgrass			12–42
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	12–42	–
Forb
4	Forbs			30–54
	arrowleaf balsamroot	BASA3	Balsamorhiza sagittata	12–18	–
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	6–12	–
	phlox	PHLOX	Phlox	6–12	–
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	6–12	–
5	Other Forbs			0–60
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	0–18	–
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–18	–
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	0–18	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–18	–
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	0–18	–
	sagebrush buttercup	RAGL	Ranunculus glaberrimus	0–18	–
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	0–18	–
	agoseris	AGOSE	Agoseris	0–18	–
	stoneseed	LITHO3	Lithospermum	0–18	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	0–18	–
	larkspur	DELPH	Delphinium	0–18	–
	bushy bird's beak	CORA5	Cordylanthus ramosus	0–18	–
	brodiaea	BRODI	Brodiaea	0–18	–
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–18	–
	woodland-star	LITHO2	Lithophragma	0–18	–
Shrub/Vine
11	Other Shrubs			0–30
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–10	–
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–10	–
	rubber rabbitbrush	ERNA10	Ericameria nauseosa	0–10	–
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–10	–
10	Shrubs			60–90
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	60–90	–
Tree
12	Trees			6–18
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	6–18	–

Table 41. Community 1.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, deep-rooted, dominant			150–260
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSPS	Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata	80–180	–
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	40–100	–
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			0–20
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	0–15	–
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–5	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0–5	–
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			30–75
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	30–75	–
Forb
4	Perennial forbs			20–40
	longleaf phlox	PHLO2	Phlox longifolia	5–10	–
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	5–10	–
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	5–10	–
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	5–10	–
5	Perrenial forbs, other			0–20
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	0–5	–
	beardtongue	PENST	Penstemon	0–5	–
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–5	–
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	0–5	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–5	–
6	Annual forbs, native			0–10
	tall annual willowherb	EPBR3	Epilobium brachycarpum	0–5	–
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–5	–
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–2	–
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			140–220
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	140–220	–
11	Other shrubs			0–50
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–20	–
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–15	–
	Truckee rabbitbrush	CHHU2	Chrysothamnus humilis	0–10	–
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–10	–
	rubber rabbitbrush	ERNA10	Ericameria nauseosa	0–10	–
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			10–30
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	10–30	–

Table 42. Community 2.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, deep-rooted, dominant			205–400
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	140–250	12–35
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	40–175	3–6
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			25–45
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	20–35	1–2
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	5–20	1–2
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			15–60
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	15–60	3–9
9	Annual grass, introduced			20–70
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	13–40	1–12
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	5–25	0–8
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	2–5	0–2
Forb
4	Perennial forbs			10–25
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	3–10	1–2
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–10	0–2
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	3–10	1
5	Perrenial forbs, other			0–20
	basalt milkvetch	ASFI	Astragalus filipes	0–10	0–4
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	0–10	1–4
	longleaf phlox	PHLO2	Phlox longifolia	0–10	0–3
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	0–5	0–3
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	0–5	0–3
	tapertip onion	ALAC4	Allium acuminatum	0–5	0–2
	tapertip onion	ALAC4	Allium acuminatum	0–5	0–2
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–2	0–1
	parsnipflower buckwheat	ERHE2	Eriogonum heracleoides	0–2	0–1
	Blue Mountain buckwheat	ERST4	Eriogonum strictum	0–2	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			5–10
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–10	0–4
	tall annual willowherb	EPBR3	Epilobium brachycarpum	0–5	0–6
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–4	0–2
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–2	0–1
7	Annual forbs, introduced			5–20
	curveseed butterwort	CETE5	Ceratocephala testiculata	0–5	0–2
	spring draba	DRVE2	Draba verna	0–5	0–2
	prickly lettuce	LASE	Lactuca serriola	0–5	0–2
	jagged chickweed	HOUM	Holosteum umbellatum	0–5	0–2
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			30–100
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	30–100	2–8
11	Other shrubs			0–45
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–20	0–2
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–15	0–2
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–15	0–1
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			10–30
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	10–30	1–5

Table 43. Community 2.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, deep-rooted, dominant			120–215
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSPS	Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata	80–140	5–15
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	40–80	4–8
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			0–25
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	0–15	1–5
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–5	1–2
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0–5	0–1
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			30–80
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	30–80	5–10
9	Annual grass, introduced			20–65
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	10–40	1–5
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	0–20	0–3
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	0–10	0–2
Forb
4	Perennial forbs			10–40
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	5–10	1–4
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	5–10	1–3
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	5–10	1–2
	longleaf phlox	PHLO2	Phlox longifolia	5–10	1–2
5	Perrenial forbs, other			0–20
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	0–5	0–2
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	0–5	0–2
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–5	0–1
	beardtongue	PENST	Penstemon	0–5	0–1
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–5	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			0–10
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–5	0–4
	tall annual willowherb	EPBR3	Epilobium brachycarpum	0–5	0–2
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–2	0–1
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			125–220
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	125–220	10–20
11	Other shrubs			0–50
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–20	0–3
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–20	0–2
	Truckee rabbitbrush	CHHU2	Chrysothamnus humilis	0–5	0–2
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–5	0–1
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			20–50
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	20–50	2–7

Table 44. Community 2.3 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, deep-rooted, dominant			60–125
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSPS	Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata	40–90	3–10
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	20–50	2–5
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			0–15
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	0–10	1–3
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–5	1–2
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			50–120
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	50–120	9–27
9	Annual grass, introduced			30–80
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	20–40	3–12
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	5–20	0–6
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	5–20	0–6
Forb
4	Perennial forbs			20–35
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	3–10	1–3
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	3–10	1–2
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	5–10	1–2
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	5–10	1
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–5	0–2
5	Perrenial forbs, other			5–20
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	0–5	0–2
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	0–2	0–2
	beardtongue	PENST	Penstemon	0–2	0–2
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–2	0–1
	parsnipflower buckwheat	ERHE2	Eriogonum heracleoides	0–2	0–1
	tapertip onion	ALAC4	Allium acuminatum	0–2	0–1
	basalt milkvetch	ASFI	Astragalus filipes	0–2	0–1
	woollypod milkvetch	ASPU9	Astragalus purshii	0–2	0–1
	longleaf phlox	PHLO2	Phlox longifolia	0–2	0–1
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–2	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			5–10
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	2–10	1–5
	Great Basin woollystar	ERSP3	Eriastrum sparsiflorum	0–5	0–3
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–5	0–2
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–5	0–2
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			60–180
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	60–180	3–17
11	Other shrubs			0–40
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–30	1–2
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–5	0–2
	rubber rabbitbrush	ERNA10	Ericameria nauseosa	0–5	0–2
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			20–50
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	20–50	2–10

Table 45. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			25–75
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSPS	Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata	10–60	3–5
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	0–30	0–2
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–5	0–1
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	0–5	0–1
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted			35–80
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	30–70	7–12
	onespike danthonia	DAUN	Danthonia unispicata	0–10	0–2
	bulbous bluegrass	POBU	Poa bulbosa	0–10	0–1
9	Annual grass, introduced			55–110
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	30–60	5–15
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	10–30	1–4
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	10–20	1–3
Forb
4	Perennial forbs			10–25
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	2–10	1–4
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	1–10	2–3
	slender buckwheat	ERMI4	Eriogonum microthecum	0–5	0–3
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	1–5	1–2
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	0–5	0–1
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	0–2	0–1
	Lava aster	IOAL	Ionactis alpina	0–2	0–1
	Idaho milkvetch	ASCO11	Astragalus conjunctus	0–2	0–1
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–2	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			5–20
	bushy bird's beak	CORA5	Cordylanthus ramosus	0–10	0–2
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–10	0–1
7	Annual forbs, introduced			0–10
	spring draba	DRVE2	Draba verna	0–5	0–1
	strict forget-me-not	MYST2	Myosotis stricta	0–5	0–1
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			10–50
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	10–50	6–12
11	Other shrubs			10–40
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–20	0–2
	Truckee rabbitbrush	CHHU2	Chrysothamnus humilis	0–10	0–3
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–10	0–1
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			20–40
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	20–40	2–6

Table 46. Community 3.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			50–65
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	10–40	1–4
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	10–30	1–2
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	10–30	1–2
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted			40–70
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	30–70	8–14
9	Annual grass, introduced			30–70
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	20–30	4–10
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	5–20	1–5
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	5–20	1–5
Forb
4	Perennial forbs			10–45
	largehead clover	TRMA3	Trifolium macrocephalum	2–15	1–4
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–10	0–3
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	0–10	0–3
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	2–10	1–2
	longleaf phlox	PHLO2	Phlox longifolia	0–5	0–1
	Anderson's larkspur	DEAN	Delphinium andersonii	0–5	0–1
	parsnipflower buckwheat	ERHE2	Eriogonum heracleoides	0–5	0–1
	tapertip onion	ALAC4	Allium acuminatum	0–3	0–1
	desert yellow fleabane	ERLI	Erigeron linearis	0–3	0–1
	Blue Mountain buckwheat	ERST4	Eriogonum strictum	0–3	0–1
	yellow fritillary	FRPU2	Fritillaria pudica	0–3	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			15–70
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	5–30	4–8
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	5–20	2–4
	basin cryptantha	CRAM3	Cryptantha ambigua	5–20	1–4
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			80–140
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	80–140	10–16
11	Other shrubs			5–15
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	5–10	1–3
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–5	0–2
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			20–50
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	20–50	6–10

Table 47. Community 4.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, deep-rooted, dominant			60–110
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	20–60	2–6
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	40–50	4–8
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			10–20
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	5–10	1–5
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0–10	0–3
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–5	0–1
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			5–40
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	5–40	3–8
9	Annual grass, introduced			10–30
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	5–15	2–7
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	5–10	1–2
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	0–10	0–2
Forb
4	Perennial forbs			20–30
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	0–10	0–6
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	2–10	1–3
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	0–5	0–3
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	3–5	0–2
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	3–5	1–2
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–5	0–1
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–3	0–1
	beardtongue	PENST	Penstemon	0–3	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			5–10
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–10	0–5
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–10	0–4
	Great Basin woollystar	ERSP3	Eriastrum sparsiflorum	0–2	0–1
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–2	0–1
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			80–120
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	80–120	7–11
11	Other shrubs			10–65
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–40	0–2
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–20	0–1
	Truckee rabbitbrush	CHHU2	Chrysothamnus humilis	0–5	0–2
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			150–250
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	150–250	10–14

Table 48. Community 4.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, deep-rooted, dominant			40–80
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	20–70	3–4
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	20–60	2–6
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			20–40
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	10–25	1–5
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	10–25	1–2
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–5	0–2
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			15–65
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	15–65	4–12
9	Annual grass, introduced			25–50
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	15–35	6–10
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	5–15	1–3
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	0–10	0–2
Forb
4	Perennial forbs			25–35
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	3–10	1–4
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	4–10	1–2
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	4–5	1–2
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	0–5	0–2
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	3–5	1–2
	low pussytoes	ANDI2	Antennaria dimorpha	0–5	0–1
	ragwort	SENEC	Senecio	0–5	0–1
	sandwort	ARENA	Arenaria	0–5	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			0–15
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–5	0–1
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–5	0–1
7	Annual forbs, introduced			0–5
	desert madwort	ALDE	Alyssum desertorum	0–5	0–2
	pale madwort	ALAL3	Alyssum alyssoides	0–5	0–1
	jagged chickweed	HOUM	Holosteum umbellatum	0–5	0–1
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			20–60
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	20–60	2–7
11	Other shrubs			0–25
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–25	0–5
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			200–350
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	200–350	15–25

Table 49. Community 5.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			20–35
Grass/Grasslike
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			25–50
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSPS	Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata	15–30	2–3
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	10–15	0–1
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–5	0–1
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted			10–25
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	10–25	1–3
9	Annual grass, introduced			120–205
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	80–120	15–30
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	30–60	5–10
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	10–30	4–10
Forb
4	Perennial forbs			0–15
	arrowleaf balsamroot	BASA3	Balsamorhiza sagittata	0–5	0–2
	granite prickly phlox	LIPU11	Linanthus pungens	0–5	0–2
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	0–5	0–1
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	0–5	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			0–5
	willowherb	EPILO	Epilobium	0–5	0–4
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			100–140
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	100–140	12–22
11	Other shrubs			0–85
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–50	0–5
	rubber rabbitbrush	ERNA10	Ericameria nauseosa	0–35	0–3

Table 50. Community 5.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			10–30
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted			15–45
	bulbous bluegrass	POBU	Poa bulbosa	10–20	0–10
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	5–20	2–6
9	Annual grass, introduced			115–280
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	50–180	15–35
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	50–160	12–30
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	20–100	4–15
Forb
4	Perennial forbs			5–15
	largehead clover	TRMA3	Trifolium macrocephalum	0–10	0–3
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–10	0–2
	bigseed biscuitroot	LOMA3	Lomatium macrocarpum	0–5	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			5–15
	tall annual willowherb	EPBR3	Epilobium brachycarpum	0–15	0–8
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	1–5	1–2
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–5	0–2
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–5	0–2
7	Annual forbs, introduced			5–20
	spring draba	DRVE2	Draba verna	2–10	4–6
	jagged chickweed	HOUM	Holosteum umbellatum	2–10	1–3
Shrub/Vine
11	Shrubs			0–40
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–20	0–6
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	0–10	0–1
	rubber rabbitbrush	ERNA10	Ericameria nauseosa	0–5	0–4
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–5	0–2
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			20–30
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	20–30	0–5

Interpretations

Animal community

Livestock Grazing:

This site is suitable for livestock grazing use in the spring, early summer, and fall under a planned grazing system. Use should be postponed until the soils are firm enough to prevent trampling damage and soil compaction. Grazing management should be keyed for bluebunch wheatgrass. Deferred grazing or rest is recommended at least once every three years.

Native Wildlife Associated with the Reference Plant Community:

This site is commonly used by pronghorn antelope, mule deer, rabbits, rodents, upland birds and various predators. Antelope and mule deer make excellent use of the site for winter and spring forage.

Hydrological functions

The soils of this site are typically in an upland topographic position. They have medium to rapid runoff potential and moderate to slow infiltration rates when the hydrologic cover is high. Hydrologic cover is high when the perennial deep rooted bunchgrass component is greater than 70 percent of potential.

Wood products

The soils are not suitable to tree production. Incidental juniper trees may produce minimal amounts of fence posts and firewood.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

This site was verified using vegetation and soils data summarized across 78 plots collected on this ecological site across MLRA 10 in Oregon from 2005 to 2022. Of these plots, 25 included vegetative production estimates, and all included cover estimates. Data sources: SPSD ecological site plots, n = 7; BLM ecological site inventory (ESI), n = 52; and BLM assessment inventory and monitoring (AIM), n = 19. A list of plots with names, locations (for publicly available plots), data collection intensity and associated state and plant community is available to users with EDIT developer privileges. For these plots, coordinate locations listed are in WGS84. Site_IDs included that are not in NASIS for data duplication or legal reasons are preceded by "Pville_ESI", 'Oregon_AIM', or 'NRI'.

References

Bates, J.D., T. Svejcar, R.F. Miller, and R.A. Angell. 2006. The effects of precipitation timing on sagebrush steppe vegetation. Journal of Arid Environments 64:670–697.
Bunting, S.C., B.M. Kilgore, and C.L. Bushey. 1987. Guidelines for Prescribe burning sagebrush-grass rangelands in the Northern Great Basin. General Technical Report INT-231. USDA Forest Service Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 33.
Burns, R.M., B.H. Honkala, and others. 1990. Silvics of North America. Volume 1: Conifers. Agriculture Handbook 654. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
Chambers, J.C., D.A. Pyke, J.D. Maestas, M. Pellant, C.S. Boyd, S.B. Campbell, S. Esipinosa, D.W. Havlina, K.E. Mayer, and A. Wuenschel. 2014. Using resistance and resilience concepts to reduce impacts of invasive annual grasses and altered fire regimes on the sagebrush ecosystem and greater sage-grouse: A strategic multi-scale approach.. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-326.. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station., Fort Collins, CO. 73.
Chambers, J.C., B.A. Bradley, C.S. Brown, C. D’Antonio, M.J. Germino, J.B. Grace, S.P. Hardegree, R.F. Miller, and D.A. Pyke. 2013. Resilience to Stress and Disturbance, and Resistance to Bromus tectorum L. Invasion in Cold Desert Shrublands of Western North America. Ecosystems 17:360–375.
Conrad, C.E. and C.E. Poulton. 1966. Effect of a Wildfire on Idaho Fescue and Bluebunch Wheatgrass. Journal of Range Management 19:138–141.
Miller, R.F., T.J. Svejcar, and J.A. Rose. 2000. Impacts of western juniper on plant community composition and structure. Journal of Range Management 53:574–585.
Stringham, T.K., D. Snyder, P. Novak-Echenique, A. Wartgow, A. Badertscher, and K. O'Neill. 2019. Great Basin Ecological Site Development Project: State and Transition Models for Major Land Resource Area 23, Nevada and portions of California. Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report 2019-01. University of Nevada Reno, Reno, Nevada.
Stringham, T.k., D. Snyder, and A. Wartgow. 2016. State-and-Transition Models for USFS Crooked River National Grassland Major Land Resource Area B10 Oregon. DRAFT Report.. University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV.

Other references

Bates, Jonathan D. and Davies, Kirk W. "Early Succession Following Prescribed Fire in Low Sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula var. Arbuscula) Steppe," Western North American Naturalist 82 (1), 50-66, (8 April 2022). https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0105

Bradley, B. A., Curtis, C. A., Fusco, E. J., Abatzoglou, J. T., Balch, J. K., Dadashi, S., & Tuanmu, M.-N. (2018). Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) distribution in the intermountain Western United States and its relationship to fire frequency, seasonality, and ignitions. Biological Invasions, 20, 1493–1506. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-017-1641-8

Bradley, A.F., N.V. Noste, and W.C. Fischer. 1992. Fire ecology of forests and woodlands in Utah. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-287. Ogden, UT. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 128 p.

Howard, Janet L. 1997. Poa secunda. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online].
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station,
Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/graminoid/poasec/all.html [2024, December 30].

LANDFIRE, 2020, BpS Model 11240 - Columbia Plateau Low Sagebrush Steppe, LANDFIRE 2.0.0, U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Accessed 11, November 2024 at https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/pdfs/BpS/LF2020/11240_1_7_8_9.pdf

Miller, H.C., D. Clausnitzer, and M.M Borman. 1999a. Medusahead. In: Sheley, R.L. and J.K. Petroff (eds.). Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR.

Miller, Richard F.; Bates, Jonathan D.; Svejcar, Tony J.; Pierson, Frederick B.; Eddleman, L.E. 2007. Western juniper field guide: asking the right questions to select appropriate management actions. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1321. Reston, VA: U.S. Geological Survey. 61 p.

Miller, Richard F.; Chambers, Jeanne C.; Evers, Louisa; Williams, C. Jason; Snyder, Keirith A.; Roundy, Bruce A.; Pierson, Fred B. 2019. The ecology, history, ecohydrology, and management of pinyon and juniper woodlands in the Great Basin and Northern Colorado Plateau of the western United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-403. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 284 p.

Miller, R.F.; Tausch, R.J.; McArthur, E. D.; [et al.]. 2008. Age structure and expansion
of piñon-juniper woodlands: A regional perspective in the Intermountain West. Res.
Pap. RMRS-RP-69. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Rocky Mountain Research Station. 15 p.

Miller, Richard F.; Tausch, R.J.; Waichler, W.S. 1999. Old-growth juniper and pinyon
woodlands. In: Monsen, S.B.; Richards, S. Tausch, R.J. [et al.], comps. Proceedings of
the ecology and management of pinyon-juniper communities within the Interior West;
1997 September 15-18; Provo, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-9. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 375-384.

Steinberg, Peter D. 2002. Artemisia arbuscula. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/artarb/all.html [accessed 2024, February 1].

Stringham, T.K., D. Snyder, and A. Wartgow. 2016. State-and-Transition Models for USFS Crooked River National Grassland Major Land Resource Area B10 Oregon. DRAFT Report. University of Nevada Reno.

Tausch, R. J. 1999. Historic pinyon and juniper woodland development. Proceedings: ecology and management of pinyon–juniper communities within the Interior West. Ogden, UT, USA: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, RMRS-P-9:12-19

Young, R.P. 1983. Fire as a vegetation management tool in rangelands of the Intermountain region. In: Monsen, S.B. and N. Shaw (Eds). Managing Intermountain rangelands—improvement of range and wildlife habitats: Proceedings of symposia; 1981 September 15-17; Twin Falls, ID; 1982 June 22-24; Elko, NV. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-157. Ogden, UT. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Pp. 18-31.

Zamora, B.; Tueller, Paul T. 1973. Artemisia arbuscula, A. longiloba, and A. nova habitat types in northern Nevada. The Great Basin Naturalist. 33(4): 225-242.

Contributors

Jenni Moffitt, general edits and updates 8/2020
Tamzen Stringham et al. (2016), Ecological Dynamics and S&T Model
Andrew Neary - verification project 2024
Kate Peterson, BLM Prineville District 6/2005
Cici Brooks, extensively updated using BLM ESI data and soil survey correlations - 2/2010

Approval

Kirt Walstad, 5/16/2025

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)	Cici Brooks, Rangeland Management Specialist for MLRA B10
Contact for lead author
Date	09/18/2008
Approved by	Kirt Walstad
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Slopes greater than 20 percent will have slight to moderate rills due to low moisture holding capacity and low plant productivity.
Presence of water flow patterns:
Some minor water flow patterns are apparent due to slope and slow infiltration rates of the soils.
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
5 to 15 percent bare ground is expected for this site.
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Fine litter movement would be approximately 10 inches depending on slope.
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Values are expected to be 4 to 5, but need to be validated.
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
A horizon structure varies from very cobbly silt loam with weak fine granulary structure to a very stony loam with weak platy structure. Dry soil colors range from 5YR 4/4 to 10 YR 4/2. Soil organic matter ranges from 1 to 4 percent.
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Slope, aspect, soil depth and low productivity of plant community limit the infiltration of precipitation and increase runoff potential.
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
A compaction layer does not occur but a claypan or bedrock does occur on this site within 6 to 10 inches of the surface.
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:
Deep-rooted perennial, cool season bunchgrasses>>

Sub-dominant:
Shallow-rooted shrubs=shallow rooted, perennial, cool season bunchgrasses>>

Other:
Shallow rooted and annual forbs.

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Expect some decadence and mortality in low sagebrush.
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Needs to be verified.
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Favorable 900 lbs/acre; Normal 700 lbs/acre; Unfavorable 500 lbs/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:
Cheatgrass, Medusahead, Toadflax, Thistle.
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species should be capable of reproducing annually.

Download reference sheet

Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.

Ecosystem states

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

States 2 and 5 (additional transitions)

2. Current Potential

SWAPAEH

5. Annual

SWAPAEH

T1A	-	Introduction of non-native species; long-term overutilization by livestock.
T2A	-	Inappropriate grazing management
T2B	-	Time
T2C	-	Fire, soil disruption, inappropriate grazing management
T3B	-	Time
T3A	-	Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, and/or soil disturbing treatments, Inappropriate grazing management
R4A	-	Tree thinning; seeding
R4B	-	Mechanical tree thinning; seeding (failed)
T4A	-	Failed mechanical treatment, catastrophic fire
R5A	-	Annual grass treatment; reseeding

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

1.2. Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

1.1A	-	Time and lack of disturbance
1.2A	-	Fire

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

2.2. Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

2.3. Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

2.1A	-	Time, growing season grazing
2.1B	-	Inappropriate grazing management
2.2A	-	Fire, dormant season grazing, brush treatments, aroga moth outbreak
2.2B	-	Inappropriate grazing management, brush management
2.3B	-	Time, rest from grazing, reseeding
2.3A	-	Time and rest from grazing, reseeding