Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R023XY600OR
CLAYPAN SOUTH 8-12 PZ
Last updated: 4/10/2025
Accessed: 10/19/2025
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): 023X–Malheur High Plateau
The Malheur High Plateau, MLRA 23, consists primarily of nearly level to moderately steep plateaus, basins, and valleys bordered by long, gently sloping alluvial fans. North-south-trending fault-block mountain ranges separate some basins. Volcanic plateaus rise sharply above the valleys. Drainage patterns have not yet been established on the youngest lava plateaus. The area has no major rivers. It consists mostly of closed basins. Elevation ranges from 3,900 to 6,900 feet (1,190 to 2,105 meters) in most of the MLRA, but it exceeds 9,000 feet (2,745 meters) on some mountains.
Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout fall, winter and spring but is low in summer. Snow can occur throughout the area in the winter. Average annual precipitation is 6 to 52 inches (156 to 1,331 millimeters). Surface water is scarce, except in areas at the higher elevations where precipitation is greater.
The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Aridisols and Mollisols. The soils in the area dominantly have a mesic or frigid temperature regime, an aridic bordering on xeric or xeric bordering on aridic moisture regime, and mixed or smectitic mineralogy. The soils on uplands generally are well drained, loamy or clayey, and shallow or moderately deep. The soils in the basins may be poorly drained and/or salt and sodium affected. Locally, large areas have an ashy particle-size class and glassy mineralogy.
LRU notes
N/A
Classification relationships
N/A
Ecological site concept
This ecological site is found on south facing slopes of tablelands and hills. Slopes range from 12 to 40 percent. Elevations range from 4,500 – 6,000 ft. The soils associated with this site are shallow or moderately deep and have an abrupt boundary in the top 10 inches resulting in wet non-satiated conditions (Schoeneberger, 2012). The soil climate is frigid (soil temperature regime) and aridic boarding xeric to xeric (soil moisture regime). Since this site occurs on south aspects, it receives more solar insolation and thus is slightly drier and warmer than its non-aspect counterpart, resulting in reduced resistance and resilience and annual production. The reference plant community is characterized by dominance of low sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. Thurber’s needlegrass is also common in the understory.
Associated sites
| R023XY302OR |
SOUTH SLOPES 12-16 PZ |
|---|---|
| R023XY312OR |
SHALLOW NORTH 12-16 PZ |
| R023XY214OR |
CLAYPAN 10-12 PZ |
| R023XY301OR |
DROUGHTY SOUTH SLOPES 11-13 PZ |
| R023XY216OR |
CLAYPAN 12-16 PZ |
Similar sites
| R023XF081CA |
SHALLOW STONY LOAM 9-12" Non-Aspect. Sites are similar in terms of soil characteristics, species composition, annual production and physiographic features. |
|---|---|
| R023XY031NV |
CLAYPAN 10-14 P.Z. Non-Aspect. Sites are similar in terms of soil characteristics, species composition, annual production and physiographic features. |
| R023XY214OR |
CLAYPAN 10-12 PZ Non-aspect; aridic soil moisture regime. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Artemisia arbuscula |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata |
Physiographic features
This ecological site occurs on south-facing slopes of tablelands and hills. Elevations range from 4,500-6,000 feet. Slopes range from 12 to 40 percent, but are typically less than 20 percent.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Mountains
> Mountain slope
(2) Hills > Hillslope |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 4,500 – 6,000 ft |
| Slope | 12 – 40% |
| Water table depth | 100 in |
| Aspect | SE, S, SW |
Climatic features
Climate associated with this ecological site is characterized by dry warm summers and wet cold winters.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (characteristic range) | |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 8-12 in |
Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) THE POPLARS [USC00358420], Silver Lake, OR
-
(2) RILEY 10 WSW [USW00004128], Brothers, OR
Influencing water features
Water features are not associated with this ecological site.
Wetland description
N/A
Soil features
The soils of this site are shallow to moderately deep over bedrock. Typically the surface layer is a gravelly loam to ashy loam. The subsoil is a clay to clay loam, and typically skeletal. An abrupt boundary occurs at the interface of the surface and subsoil, resulting in wet non-satiated conditions in the spring. Depth to bedrock or an indurated pan ranges from 15 to 40 inches. Permeability is moderate to moderately slow in the surface and slow in the subsoil. The soil is well drained. The available water holding capacity is about 2 to 4 inches for the profile.
(wet non-saturated conditions - Schoeneberger, P.J., 2012, pg 1-15)
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Residuum
–
volcanic rock
(2) Colluvium – igneous rock (3) Volcanic ash |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Gravelly loam (2) Ashy, gravelly loam (3) Ashy loam (4) Loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy-skeletal (2) Clayey-skeletal |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Slow to moderate |
| Depth to restrictive layer | 15 – 40 in |
| Soil depth | 15 – 40 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 10 – 30% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 5 – 15% |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in) |
15 – 45% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in) |
15 – 35% |
Ecological dynamics
The reference plant community is dominated by low sagebrush (little sagebrush) with an understory of bluebunch wheatagrass. Thurber’s needlegrass and Sandberg bluegrass are also common in the stand. The site has low resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasion. Resilience is a system’s capacity to regain its structure, processes, and function following stressors or disturbance (e.g. drought or fire). Resistance is the capacity of the system to retain its structure, processes, and function despite stressors or disturbances (including pressure from invasive species) (Chambers 2014a). Increased resilience increases with elevation, aspect, increased precipitation and increased nutrient availability (Stringham et al. 2019); where greater resource availability and more favorable environmental conditions exist for plant growth and reproduction (Chambers 2014a).
This ecological site’s lower effective precipitation (southern aspect) and restrictive soil features limit site productivity resulting in more open space for establishment of invasive annual grasses. Timing of precipitation also favors invasive annual grasses that are particularly well adapted to cool wet winters and warm dry summers; beginning growth and utilizing resources prior to native species breaking dormancy. The site’s cooler soil temperature regime (frigid to) does provide some resistance compared to warmer sites but is not cold enough to inhibit invasive annual grasses (Chambers 2014b). Furthermore, the increased solar insolation received by the site due to its southerly aspect makes this site warmer than its non-aspect counterpart and reduces overall site resistance.
Production and composition are affected by soil depth and texture. Bluebunch wheatgrass and production will increase as the soil depth increases. Sandberg bluegrass will increase as the surface becomes thinner. Thurber needlegrass will increase as the percent of gravels on the surface increases.
This ecological site is dominated by deep-rooted cool season, perennial bunchgrasses and long-lived shrubs (50+ years) with high root to shoot ratios. Community types with low sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula Nutt.) as the dominant shrub were found to have soil depths (and thus available rooting depths) of 71 to 81 centimeters in a study in northeast Nevada (Jensen 1990). These shrubs have a flexible generalized root system with development of both deep taproots and laterals near the surface (Comstock and Ehleringer 1992).
Periodic drought regularly influences sagebrush ecosystems and drought duration and severity have increased throughout the 20th century in much of the Intermountain West. Major shifts away from historical precipitation patterns have the greatest potential to alter ecosystem function and productivity. Species composition and productivity can be altered by the timing of precipitation and water availability with the soil profile (Bates et al. 2006).
Low sagebrush is fairly drought tolerant but also tolerates periodic wetness during some portion of the growing season.
The perennial bunchgrasses that are dominant on this site include bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Á. Löve) and Thurber's needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum (Piper) Barkworth). These species generally have shallower root systems than the shrubs, but root densities are often as high as or higher than those of shrubs in the upper 0.5 m but taper off more rapidly. Differences in root depth distributions between grasses and shrubs result in resource partitioning in these shrub/grass systems.
Prior to 1897, mean fire return intervals for low sagebrush communities have been estimated to be from 35 to over 100 years. Fire risk is greatest following a wet, productive year when there is greater production of fine fuels (Beardall and Sylvester 1976). Historically, however, fires were probably patchy due to the low productivity of these sites. Fine fuel loads generally average 100 to 400 pounds per acre (110- 450 kg/ha) but are occasionally as high as 600 pounds per acre (680 kg/ha) in low sagebrush habitat types (Bradley et al. 1992).
Low sagebrush is killed by fire and does not sprout (Tisdale and Hironaka 1984).
Establishment after fire is from seed, generally blown in and not from the seed bank (Bradley et al. 1992). Recovery time of low sagebrush following fire is variable (Young 1983). After fire, if regeneration conditions are favorable, low sagebrush recovers in 2 to 5 years; on harsh sites where cover is low to begin with and/or erosion occurs after fire, recovery may require more than 10 years (Young 1983). Slow regeneration may subsequently worsen erosion (Blaisdell et al. 1982). Low sagebrush is also susceptible to the sagebrush defoliator Aroga moth. Aroga moth can partially or entirely kill individual plants or entire stands of big sagebrush (Furniss and Barr 1975), but the research is inconclusive of the damage sustained by low sagebrush populations.
Bluebunch wheatgrass has coarse stems with little leafy material, therefore the aboveground biomass burns rapidly and little heat is transferred downward into the crowns (Young 1983). Bluebunch wheatgrass was described as fairly tolerant of burning, other than in May in eastern Oregon (Britton et al. 1990). Uresk et al. (1976) reported burning increased vegetative and reproductive vigor of bluebunch wheatgrass and is thus considered to experience slight damage to fire but is more susceptible in drought years (Young 1983). Most authors classify the plant as undamaged by fire (Kuntz 1982).
Thurber’s needlegrass, a minor component on this site, is very susceptible to fire-caused mortality. Burning has been found to decrease the vegetative and reproductive vigor of Thurber’s needlegrass (Uresk et al. 1976). Fire also reduces basal area and yield of Thurber’s needlegrass (Britton et al. 1990). The fine leaves and densely tufted growth form make this grass susceptible to subsurface charring of the crowns. Although timing of fire highly influences the response and mortality of Thurber’s needlegrass, smaller bunch sizes are less likely to be damaged by fire (Wright and Klemmedson 1965). Thurber’s needlegrass often survives fire, however, and will continue growth when conditions are favorable (Koniak 1985). Thus, the initial condition of the bunchgrasses within the site along with seasonality and intensity of the fire are important factors in individual species’ responses.
Sandberg bluegrass has been found to increase following fire likely due to its low stature and productivity (Daubenmire 1975) and may retard reestablishment of more deeply-rooted bunchgrasses.
Sagebrush communities have high spatial and temporal variability in precipitation both among years and within growing seasons. Nutrient availability is typically low but increases with elevation and closely follows moisture availability. The invasibility of plant communities is often linked to resource availability. Disturbance can decrease resource uptake due to damage or mortality of the native species and depressed competition. It can also increase resource pools via the decomposition of dead plant material following disturbance. The invasion of sagebrush communities by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) has been linked to disturbances (fire, abusive grazing) that have resulted in fluctuations in resources (Chambers et al. 2007). The introduction of annual weedy species, like cheatgrass, may cause an increase in fire frequency and eventually lead to an annual state. Conversely, as fire frequency decreases, sagebrush will increase and with inappropriate grazing management, the perennial bunchgrasses and forbs may be reduced.
Adapted from: Stringham, T.K., D. Snyder, P. Novak-Echenique, A. Wartgow, A. Badertscher, 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. University of Nevada Reno, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report 2019-01. 605 p.
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 text
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
The Reference State 1.0 is a representative of the natural range of variability under pre- Euro settlement conditions. State dynamics are maintained by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Plant community phase changes are primarily driven by fire, periodic drought and/or insect or disease attack. Management should focus on maintaining high species diversity of desired species to promote site resiliency.
Characteristics and indicators. 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.
Resilience management. Maintaining high species diversity, including native grasses, forbs and shrubs, to promote site resiliency.
Dominant plant species
-
little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
-
Thurber's needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum), grass
-
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass
Community 1.1
Reference Plant Community
The representative plant community is characterized by an open canopy of perennial bunchgrasses and low growing shrubs.
Resilience management. Proper disturbance return intervals contributes to the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads and soil and site stability.
Dominant plant species
-
little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
-
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata), grass
-
Thurber's needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum), grass
Figure 7. 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 | 340 | 475 | 610 |
| Shrub/Vine | 90 | 125 | 160 |
| Forb | 70 | 100 | 130 |
| Total | 500 | 700 | 900 |
Community 1.2
This community phase is characteristics of a post-disturbance, early/mid-seral community. Bluebunch wheatgrass, Thurbers's needlegrass and other perennial bunchgrasses dominate. Depending on fire severity and/or time since last disturbance patches of mature sagebrush may remain. Rabbitbrush and/or other sprouting shrubs may recover quickly. Sprouting shrubs and perennial forbs can dominate the visual aspect of the plant community for many years.
Community 1.3
This community is characterized by a dominant stand of mature and/or decadent sagebrush. Sagebrush dominates the visual aspect of the plant community, as well as, spatial and temporal distribution of moisture, light and nutrient resources. Perennial, deep-rooted, bunchgrass are reduced due to competition with shrubs. Shallow-rooted perennial grasses like may increase.
Resilience management. Fire will reduce sagebrush cover and allow deep-rooted, perennial bunchgrasses to recover.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2
low severity fire creates grass/shrub mosaic; high severity fire significantly reduces sagebrush cover and leads to early/mid seral community, dominated by grasses and forbs.
Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3
Natural regeneration and lack of disturbance such as fire allows for sagebrush to increase and become decadent. Long-term drought, herbivory, or combinations of these eliminate fine fuels and reduce intensity and spatial variability of fire allowing sagebrush to increase and dominate site resources.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Natural regeneration and lack of disturbance over time will allow sagebrush to recover.
Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.1
Low severity fire, targeted herbivory or combinations will reduce cover of sagebrush, creating a sagebrush/perennial grass mosaic.
Pathway 1.3b
Community 1.3 to 1.2
Fire that decrease or eliminate overstory of sagebrush and allow the perennial bunchgrasses to recover and dominate. Fires are widespread and severe enough to decrease or eliminate overstory of sagebrush, but not damage root-crowns of perennial bunchgrasses or oxidize soil organic matter.
State 2
Current Potential State
This state is similar to the Reference State 1.0. Ecological function has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of non-native annuals. These non-native species can be highly flammable, and promote fire where historically fire had been infrequent.
Characteristics and indicators. 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. Positive feedbacks decrease ecosystem resilience and stability of the state. These include the non-natives’ high seed output, persistent seed bank, rapid growth rate, ability to cross pollinate, and adaptations for seed dispersal.
Resilience management. Maintain high diversity of desired species to promote organic matter inputs and prevent the dispersal and seed production of the non-native invasive species.
Dominant plant species
-
little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
-
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass
-
Thurber's needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum), grass
State 3
Shrub State
This state is the result of many years of inappropriate grazing management during time periods harmful to perennial bunchgrasses. Low sagebrush dominates the overstory and rabbitbrush may be a significant component. Understory is dominated by shallow-rooted perennial bunchgrass, like Sandberg bluegrass, which has replaced a more diverse community of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses. Sagebrush cover is stable and may be decadent, reflecting stand maturity and lack of seedling establishment due to competition with mature plants. Annual non-natives are typically present, but do not control site resources.
Characteristics and indicators. Sandberg bluegrass has increased, replacing deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses as the dominant grasses. 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.
Dominant plant species
-
little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
-
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass
-
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), other herbaceous
State 4
Annual State
This state has crossed a biotic threshold (dominated by non-native annuals) and an abiotic threshold (site dynamics are driven by fire and time).
Characteristics and indicators. Herbaceous understory is dominated by annual non-natives. The site is no longer resistant or resilient following disturbance. The annual or semi-annual fire return interval establishment of cheatgrass with a minor component of sprouting shrubs. This shortened fire return interval prevents the establishment and survival of long lived native perennials preventing this site from experiencing natural recovery.
Dominant plant species
-
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
-
medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), other herbaceous
-
tall tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum), other herbaceous
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Trigger: introduction of non-native annual plants, such as cheatgrass, medusahead, mustards, and bur buttercup. Slow variables: over time annual non-native plants increase within the plant community, competing with native perennials for limited moisture, light and nutrient resources.
Constraints to recovery. Any amount of non-native annuals cause an immediate reduction in site resilience. Annuals have the potential to significantly alter disturbance return intervals from their historic range of variation. Annual non-native species cannot be easily removed from the system.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
Trigger: Severe fire in community phase 2.3 eliminates sagebrush overstory, may damage deep-rooted bunchgrasses limiting their recovery, and enhance Sandberg bluegrass and annual non-natives. Slow variable: Long-term decrease in deep-rooted perennial grass density. Inappropriate grazing management, drought or both contribute to dominance shallow-rooted bunches and annual non-natives.
Constraints to recovery. Loss of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses changes nutrient cycling and redistribution, soil moisture storage and reduces organic matter, further reducing resilience of the site
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4
Trigger: fire(s) and/or soil disturbing management actions damage existing herbaceous component, reducing site resistance to dominance by annual non-natives. Slow variables: Increased production and cover of non-native annual species, which may be coupled with additional stressors like heavy grazing pressure and/or drought.
Constraints to recovery. Threshold: changes in the dominant functional/structural groups (biotic threshold) changes the size, intensity and spatial variability of fire (biotic threshold).
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4
Trigger: Fire(s) and/or soil disturbing management practices damage existing grass community reducing site resilience and resistance. Slow variables: Prolific seed production by annual non-natives increase competition with native perennials during times when soil moisture is critical for germination and establishment.
Constraints to recovery. Increased, continuous fine fuels change the frequency, intensity and spatial variability of fire. Changes in the dominant structural/functional groups result in changes to energy capture and nutrient cycling limiting the sites ability to recover naturally.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Perennial, Deep-rooted, Bunchgrasses | 260–455 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSPS | Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata | 210–350 | – | ||
| Thurber's needlegrass | ACTH7 | Achnatherum thurberianum | 35–70 | – | ||
| Idaho fescue | FEID | Festuca idahoensis | 8–35 | – | ||
| 2 | Perennial, Shallow rooted, Bunchgrass | 14–35 | ||||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 14–35 | – | ||
| 3 | Other Perennial Grasses | 0–56 | ||||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–14 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–14 | – | ||
| Cusick's bluegrass | POCU3 | Poa cusickii | 0–14 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 0–14 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 4 | Perennial Forbs | 28–84 | ||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 7–21 | – | ||
| phlox | PHLOX | Phlox | 7–21 | – | ||
| fleabane | ERIGE2 | Erigeron | 7–21 | – | ||
| buckwheat | ERIOG | Eriogonum | 7–21 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Forbs | 0–35 | ||||
| lupine | LUPIN | Lupinus | 0–7 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–7 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–7 | – | ||
| phacelia | PHACE | Phacelia | 0–7 | – | ||
| granite prickly phlox | LIPU11 | Linanthus pungens | 0–7 | – | ||
| owl's-clover | ORTHO | Orthocarpus | 0–7 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 0–7 | – | ||
| desertparsley | LOMAT | Lomatium | 0–7 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 6 | Shrubs | 35–105 | ||||
| little sagebrush | ARAR8 | Artemisia arbuscula | 35–105 | – | ||
| 7 | Other Shrubs | 0–35 | ||||
| spiny hopsage | GRSP | Grayia spinosa | 0–7 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 0–7 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 0–7 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 0–7 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 8 | Evergreen Tree | 0–7 | ||||
| western juniper | JUOC | Juniperus occidentalis | – | – | ||
Interpretations
Supporting information
Other 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.
Beardall, L. E. and V. E. Sylvester. 1976. Spring burning for removal of sagebrush competition in Nevada. In: Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference and Proceedings. Tall Timbers Research Station. 14: 539-547.
Blaisdell, J. P., R. B. Murray, and E. D. McArthur. 1982. Managing intermountain rangelands - sagebrush-grass ranges. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-134. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. p. 41.
Bradley, A. F., N. V. Noste, and W. C. Fischer. 1992. Fire ecology of forests and woodlands in Utah. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-287. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. P. 128.
Britton, C. M., G. R. McPherson, and F. A. Sneva. 1990. Effects of burning and clipping on five bunchgrasses in eastern Oregon. Great Basin Naturalist 50:115-120.
Chambers, J. C., B. A. Roundy, R. R. Blank, S. E. Meyer, and A. Whittaker. 2007. What makes Great Basin sagebrush ecosystems invasible by Bromus tectorum? Ecological Monographs 77:117-145.
Comstock, J. P. and J. R. Ehleringer. 1992. Plant adaptation in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau. Western North American Naturalist 52:195-215.
Daubenmire, R. 1975. Plant succession on abandoned fields, and fire influences in a steppe area in southeastern Washington. Northwest Science 49:36-48.
Furniss, M. M. and W. F. Barr. 1975. Insects affecting important native shrubs of the northwestern United States. General Technical Report INT-19. Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Ogden, UT. p. 68.
Jensen, M.E. 1990 Interpretation of environmental gradients which influence sagebrush community distribution in Northeastern Nevada. J. of Range Management 43:161-166.
Kuntz, D.E. 1982. Plant response following spring burning in an Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana/Festuca idahoensis habitat type. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho. 73 p. Thesis.
Koniak, S. 1985. Succession in pinyon-juniper woodlands following wildfire in the Great Basin. The Great Basin Naturalist 45:556-566.
Tisdale, E. W. and M. Hironaka. 1981. The sagebrush-grass region: A review of the ecological literature. University of Idaho, Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station. Moscow, ID. P. 31.
Schoeneberger, P.J., D.A. Wysocki, E.C. Benham, and Soil Survey Staff. 2012. Field book for describing and sampling soils, Version 3.0. Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, NE.
Stringham, T.K., D. Snyder, P. Novak-Echenique, A. Wartgow, A. Badertscher, 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. University of Nevada Reno, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report 2019-01. 605 p.
Tisdale, E. W. and M. Hironaka. 1981. The sagebrush-grass region: A review of the ecological literature. University of Idaho, Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station. Moscow, ID. P. 31
Uresk, D. W., J. F. Cline, and W. H. Rickard. 1976. Impact of wildfire on three perennial grasses in south-central Washington. Journal of Range Management 29:309-310.
Wright, H. A. and J. O. Klemmedson. 1965. Effect of fire on bunchgrasses of the sagebrush-grass region in southern Idaho. Ecology 46: 680-688.
Young, R. P. 1983. Fire as a vegetation management tool in rangelands of the intermountain region. In: S. Monsen, N. Shaw [eds.] Managing intermountain rangelands - Improvement of range and wildlife habitats. USDA, Forest Service. P. 18-31.
Contributors
Bob Gillaspy
Charlie Tackman And ESI Team
Erin Hourihan
Jennifer Moffitt
Approval
Kendra Moseley, 4/10/2025
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) | |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | |
| Date | 04/11/2025 |
| Approved by | Kendra Moseley |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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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:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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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:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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The 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.
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.