Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R028AB238UT
Semidesert Shallow Loam (Utah Juniper-Bluebunch Wheatgrass) South
Last updated: 6/12/2025
Accessed: 10/23/2025
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): 028A–Ancient Lake Bonneville
MLRA 28A occurs in Utah (82 percent), Nevada (16 percent), and Idaho (2 percent). It encompasses approximately 36,775 square miles (95,246 square kilometers). A large area west and southwest of Great Salt Lake is a salty playa. This area is the farthest eastern extent of the Great Basin Section of the Basin and Range Province of the Intermontane Plateaus. It is an area of nearly level basins between widely separated mountain ranges trending north to south. The basins are bordered by long, gently sloping alluvial fans. The mountains are uplifted fault blocks with steep side slopes. Most of the valleys are closed basins containing sinks or playa lakes. Elevation ranges from 3,950 to 6,560 feet (1,204 to 2000 meters) in the basins and from 6,560 to 11,150 feet (1996 to 3398 meters) in the mountains. Much of the MLRA has alluvial valley fill and playa lakebed deposits at the surface from pluvial Lake Bonneville, which dominated this MLRA 13,000 years ago. A level line of remnant lake terraces on some mountain slopes indicates the former extent of this glacial lake. The Great Salt Lake is what remains of the pluvial lake.
Mountains in the interior of this MLRA consist of tilted blocks of marine sediments from Cambrian to Mississippian age with scattered outcrops of Tertiary continental sediments and volcanic rocks. The average annual precipitation is 5 to 12 inches (13 to 30 cm) in the valleys and ranges up to 49 inches (124 cm) in the mountains. Most of the rainfall in the southern LRU occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms during the growing season (April through September). The driest period is from midsummer to early autumn in the northern LRU. Precipitation in winter typically occurs as snow. The average annual temperature is 39 to 53 °F (4 to 12 °C). The freeze-free period averages 165 days and ranges from 110 to 215 days, decreasing in length with increasing elevation. The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Aridisols, Entisols, and Mollisols. Soils are dominantly in the mesic or frigid soil temperature regime, aridic or xeric soil moisture regime, and mixed mineralogy. The soils are generally well drained, loamy or loamy-skeletal, and very deep.
LRU notes
The Basin and Range South LRU has mountain ranges that are about 40 percent sedimentary/metasedimentary (limestone/quartzite dominant) and about 40 percent Tertiary volcanics. The basin floors are generally higher in the southern LRU than in the north LRU between 4,900 and 6,100 feet (1493 to 1859 meters) in elevation. The Basin and Range South LRU also exhibits patterns of summers with a greater relative amount of precipitation in July and August coming from convective storms (ustic trending pattern). Pinyon and juniper ecological sites have a great percentage of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis or monophylla) than Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma), with pinyon pine up to 50 percent of the tree composition in the semidesert zones and more than 50 percent in upland zones. Warm season grasses, such as James’ galleta (Pleuraphis jamesii) or blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), are present within the plant community, and can make up a large portion of the subdominant grass composition. Bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) and cliffrose (Purshia sp.) are also present and dominant on some ecological sites in the southern LRU, while they are sparse or absent in the northern LRU.
Ecological site concept
The Semidesert Shallow Loam (Utah Juniper / Bluebunch Wheatgrass) ecological site is found on steep mountainsides and hillsides in the Great Salt Lake Area (MLRA
D28A) at elevations between 4,800 and 6,700 feet (1463 to 2042 meters). It occurs in the semidesert climate zone and receives about 8 to 10 inches of annual precipitation. Plant growth relies on spring moisture in April and May, which is usually followed by hot, dry June when cool season plants go dormant. In July and August there is often an increase in moisture from summer convective storms. This allows warm season plants, generally grasses to be present in the plant community. The soils are shallow and loamy with low water holding capacity. These soils typically formed in colluvium and residuum derived from limestone and/or sandstone. The reference plant community is dominated by Utah juniper, bluebunch wheatgrass, and often black sagebrush (Artemisia nova). Fire is the most common natural disturbance on this site. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and redstem stork’s bill (Erodium cicutarium) are common invaders of the understory, and cheatgrass is capable of dominating this site and altering the fire regime.
The Semidesert Shallow Loam (Utah Juniper-Bluebunch Wheatgrass) South site occurs across the proposed north and south LRU boundary and the soils correlated to this site need to be checked in the field to determine which LRU they belong in. The similar site in the Basin and Range North LRU is R028AY238UT. All soils are currently correlated to the R028AY238UT site.
Similar sites
| R028AY238UT |
Semidesert Shallow Loam (Utah Juniper-Bluebunch Wheatgrass) North This site occurs in the northern Basin and Range LRU and will not have as much influence from summer convective storms and will have little to no warm season grasses in the community. |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Juniperus osteosperma |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pseudoroegneria spicata |
Physiographic features
The Semidesert Shallow Loam (Utah Juniper-Bluebunch Wheatgrass) South site is commonly found on ridges, mountainsides, and hillsides, and may extend across fan remnants and fan pediments in some areas. It occurs on all aspects, and at elevations between 4,800 and 6,700 feet.
Figure 1.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Ridge
(2) Mountainside (3) Hillside |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 4,800 – 6,700 ft |
| Slope | 8 – 60% |
Climatic features
The Semidesert Shallow Loam (Utah Juniper-Bluebunch Wheatgrass) South site has a semiarid climate that is characterized by both spring moisture and late summer moisture, hot summers and cold winters. Average annual precipitation is 8 to 12 inches, with March through May and July through October as the wettest months and June as the driest month during the growing season. Plant growth usually begins in mid-March and continues until mid-June for cool-season plants and warm season grasses begin as the summer precipitation increases. Snow melt also contributes to high soil moisture in the spring. December through February are the coldest months, usually with small to moderate accumulations of snowpack.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (characteristic range) | |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 8-11 in |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 8-12 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | |
| Freeze-free period (average) | |
| Precipitation total (average) | 10 in |
Figure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
Soil features
The soils formed mostly in colluvium and residuum derived from limestone. Soils are shallow to bedrock with loamy surface textures. Rock fragments are generally abundant on the soil surface and throughout the profile. High amounts of carbonates are common in these soils but are not present in all locations for this site. The soil moisture regime is xeric and the soil temperature regime is mesic. Total water holding capacity ranges from 1 to 2 inches of water. These soils are well drained with moderately slow to impermeable.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Colluvium
–
limestone
(2) Residuum – limestone |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Extremely stony, gravelly loam |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderate to moderately rapid |
| Depth to restrictive layer | 10 – 20 in |
| Soil depth | 10 – 20 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 14 – 18% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 33% |
| Available water capacity (Depth not specified) |
1.3 – 1.8 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (Depth not specified) |
35% |
| Electrical conductivity (Depth not specified) |
4 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (Depth not specified) |
2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (Depth not specified) |
7.4 – 9 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
14 – 34% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
6 – 31% |
Ecological dynamics
The Semidesert Shallow Loam (Utah Juniper-Bluebunch Wheatgrass) South site is dominated by mature stands of Utah juniper with an understory dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass. There are 4 potential states within this site. The Reference State, an Invaded State that includes non-native species and an additional "at-risk" phase where the understory contains a more non-native annual grasses creating more fine fuels, a Tree/Annual State, and a Annual State.
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
Ecosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
The Reference State is characterized by mature stands of Utah juniper with an understory of bluebunch wheatgrass and black sagebrush. Fire, the most common natural disturbance on this site, removes juniper and most shrubs, while promoting bluebunch wheatgrass growth for several decades following fire. Non-sprouting shrubs and juniper increases slowly in the plant community after fire. Juniper regains overstory dominance after about 70 years (Barney and Frischknecht 1974).
Community 1.1
Juniper woodland/Bunchgrass
The Juniper woodland/Bunchgrass community is characterized by scattered mature Utah junipers with an understory of bluebunch wheatgrass, black sagebrush, and other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs. Percent composition by air-dry weight is 30 to 65 percent grasses, 2 to 10 percent forbs, 15 to 35 percent shrubs, and 15 to 35 percent trees. The overstory is composed of Utah juniper as the dominant woodland species with a few singleleaf or two needle pinyon occurring on moister sites. The understory shrub layer is most commonly black sagebrush and shadscale, with yellow rabbitbrush, horsebrush, and various other shrubs occurring in different locations. Bluebunch wheatgrass is the primary component of the understory, with lesser amounts of Nevada bluegrass and Indian ricegrass commonly present. Scattered perennial forbs are diverse and species vary by location.
Figure 3. 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 | 200 | 300 | 400 |
| Shrub/Vine | 125 | 175 | 225 |
| Tree | 100 | 150 | 200 |
| Forb | 25 | 50 | 75 |
| Total | 450 | 675 | 900 |
Table 6. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-15% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 10-15% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 5-15% |
| Forb foliar cover | 0-5% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 10-20% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0-20% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-30% |
| Bedrock | 0-5% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 15-30% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | 0% | 0% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | 0% | 0-5% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >1 <= 2 | 0% | 5-20% | 5-15% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | 0% | – | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | 0-5% | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT2381, PNC. Excellent 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 | 5 | 15 | 40 | 30 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT2382, Good Condition NO. 1. Bluegrass, Black Sagebrush.
| 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 | 0 | 20 | 50 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.2
Post-fire Grassland
The Post-fire Grassland community consists of bluebunch wheatgrass and other perennial grasses, forbs, and sometimes sprouting shrubs. Percent composition by air-dry weight is 70 to 95 percent grasses, 0 to 10 percent forbs, 0 to 15 percent shrubs, and 0 to 10 percent trees. Some mature juniper trees may survive surface fires, but most are usually killed by fire, along with non-sprouting shrubs and forbs. Bluebunch wheatgrass responds most vigorously to the burn and dominates the site for 10 to 30 years before shrubs begin to increase. Utah juniper may increase slowly in this community phase, but normally does not regain dominance of the overstory until about 70 years following fire (Barney and Frischknecht 1974).
Figure 6. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 375 | 450 | 525 |
| Shrub/Vine | 0 | 50 | 100 |
| Tree | 0 | 25 | 65 |
| Forb | 0 | 25 | 60 |
| Total | 375 | 550 | 750 |
Table 9. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0-5% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 0-5% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 20-35% |
| Forb foliar cover | 0-5% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 10-20% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0-20% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-30% |
| Bedrock | 0-5% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 15-30% |
Table 10. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | 0% | 0% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | 0% | 0-5% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >1 <= 2 | 0% | 0-5% | 15-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | 0-5% | – | 0-5% | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 0-5% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2
This pathway occurs when a crown or surface fire kills most or all of the trees and shrubs on the site. Perennial grasses respond to fire with vigorous growth and drive the ecological processes in phase 1.2 for several decades after the fire event.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1
This pathway occurs gradually as Utah juniper trees mature and regain dominance after about 70 years without fire. This timeframe may be affected by the pre-fire plant community and seedbank, or by fire intensity and subsequent events (such as soil erosion from unusually heavy rainfall).
Conservation practices
| Firebreak | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Break |
State 2
Invaded State
The Invaded State functions similarly to the Reference State, but allows for the presence of non-native species.
Community 2.1
Juniper woodland/Bunchgrass
The Juniper woodland/Bunchgrass community is characterized by scattered mature Utah junipers with an understory of bluebunch wheatgrass, black sagebrush, and other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs. Invasive species, including cheatgrass, storksbill, Halogeton, Russian thistle, and others, are present but not dominant. Percent composition by air-dry weight is 30 to 65 percent grasses, 2 to 10 percent forbs, 15 to 35 percent shrubs, and 15 to 35 percent trees. The overstory is composed of Utah juniper as the dominant woodland species with a few singleleaf or two needle pinyon occurring on moister sites. The understory shrub layer is most commonly black sagebrush and shadscale, with yellow rabbitbrush, horsebrush, and various other shrubs occurring in some locations. Bluebunch wheatgrass is the primary component of the understory, with lesser amounts of Nevada bluegrass and Indian ricegrass commonly present. Scattered perennial forbs are diverse and species vary by location.
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 11. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 200 | 300 | 400 |
| Shrub/Vine | 125 | 175 | 225 |
| Tree | 100 | 150 | 200 |
| Forb | 25 | 50 | 75 |
| Total | 450 | 675 | 900 |
Table 12. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-15% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 10-15% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 5-15% |
| Forb foliar cover | 0-5% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 10-20% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0-20% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-30% |
| Bedrock | 0-5% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 15-30% |
Table 13. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | 0% | 0% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | 0% | 0-5% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >1 <= 2 | 0% | 5-20% | 5-15% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | 0% | – | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | 0-5% | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT2381, PNC. Excellent 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 | 5 | 15 | 40 | 30 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT2382, Good Condition NO. 1. Bluegrass, Black Sagebrush.
| 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 | 0 | 20 | 50 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 2.2
Post-fire Grassland
The Post-fire Grassland community consists of bluebunch wheatgrass and other perennial grasses, forbs, and sometimes sprouting shrubs. Percent composition by air-dry weight is 70 to 95 percent grasses, 0 to 10 percent forbs, 0 to 15 percent shrubs, and 0 to 10 percent trees. Invasive species are present but not dominant. Some mature juniper trees may survive surface fires, but most are usually killed by fire, along with non-sprouting shrubs and forbs. Bluebunch wheatgrass responds most vigorously to the burn and dominates the site for 10-30 years before shrubs begin to increase. Utah juniper may increase slowly in this community phase, but normally does not regain dominance of the overstory until about 70 years following fire (Barney and Frischknecht 1974).
Figure 10. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 14. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 375 | 450 | 525 |
| Shrub/Vine | 0 | 50 | 100 |
| Tree | 0 | 25 | 65 |
| Forb | 0 | 25 | 60 |
| Total | 375 | 550 | 750 |
Table 15. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0-5% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 0-5% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 20-35% |
| Forb foliar cover | 0-5% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 10-20% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0-20% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-30% |
| Bedrock | 0-5% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 15-30% |
Table 16. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | 0% | 0% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | 0% | 0-5% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >1 <= 2 | 0% | 0-5% | 15-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | 0-5% | – | 0-5% | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 0-5% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Community 2.3
At-risk, Increasing Invasives
This community phase is characterized by the co-dominance of invasive annual species with perennial grasses in the understory. It is at-risk of transitioning to States 3 and 4, which are dominated by invasive annuals. When perennial grass vigor is reduced, resources become available for invasive annual species. The presence of invasive species in the plant community provides a seed source, and invasive species increase to the point that the plant community becomes at-risk of losing the perennial grasses. Reduced perennial grass vigor is often the result of improper grazing and/or disturbance (such as fire, mechanical treatment, etc).
Figure 11. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 17. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 200 | 300 | 400 |
| Shrub/Vine | 125 | 175 | 225 |
| Tree | 100 | 150 | 200 |
| Forb | 25 | 50 | 75 |
| Total | 450 | 675 | 900 |
Table 18. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-15% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 10-15% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 5-15% |
| Forb foliar cover | 0-5% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 10-20% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0-20% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-30% |
| Bedrock | 0-5% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 15-30% |
Table 19. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | 0% | 0% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | 0% | 0-5% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >1 <= 2 | 0% | 5-20% | 5-15% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | 0% | – | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | 0-5% | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2
This pathway occurs when a crown or surface fire kills most or all of the trees and shrubs on the site. Perennial grasses respond to fire with vigorous growth and drive the ecological processes in phase 1.2 for several decades after the fire event. Mechanical or chemical removal of shrubs and trees are not documented for this site. However, they are not expected to result in vigorous growth of perennial grasses as compared to fire. Mechanical and chemical removal of woody species leaves many nutrients tied up in woody debris, and may cause a different response in the plant community than fire. An increase in invasive species often occurs with disturbance in the invaded state due to the presence of invasive species seed in the seedbank that take advantage of resources made available by disturbance.
Conservation practices
| Brush Management | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Burning | |
| Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
Pathway 2.1b
Community 2.1 to 2.3
This pathway occurs when invasive annual species increase due to the reduction in vigor of perennial grasses. Improper grazing and/or disturbance (fire, mechanical treatments, etc.) drive this community pathway.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1
This pathway occurs gradually as Utah juniper trees mature and regain dominance after about 70 years without fire. This time frame may be affected by the pre-fire plant community and seedbank, or by fire intensity and subsequent events (such as soil erosion from unusually heavy rainfall).
Conservation practices
| Firebreak | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Break |
Pathway 2.2b
Community 2.2 to 2.3
This pathway occurs when invasive annual species increase due to the reduction in vigor of perennial grasses. Shrubs and Utah juniper also increase. Improper grazing and/or disturbance (excluding fire) drive this community pathway.
State 3
Utah Juniper/Annual Understory
The Utah Juniper/Annual Understory state retains juniper dominance in the overstory, but is dominated by invasive annual species in the understory. Production is greatly reduced and limited to a few weeks in April and early May. This state is not resistant or resilient against further degradation to state 4, in which the juniper overstory is lost.
Community 3.1
Invasive-dominant Understory
This community phase is characterized by the dominance of invasive annual species in the understory and Utah juniper in the overstory. It is at-risk of transitioning to state 4, which is dominated by invasive annuals without a juniper overstory. Composition by air-dry weight is 0 to 10 percent perennial grasses, 30 to 40 percent annual grasses, 10 to 20 percent forbs, 15 to 30 percent shrubs, and 15 to 40 percent Utah juniper.
Figure 12. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 20. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 100 | 200 | 300 |
| Tree | 100 | 150 | 200 |
| Shrub/Vine | 75 | 125 | 175 |
| Forb | 50 | 75 | 100 |
| Total | 325 | 550 | 775 |
Table 21. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-15% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 2-10% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 5-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-20% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 15-30% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0-20% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-30% |
| Bedrock | 0-5% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 10-20% |
Table 22. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | 0% | 0% | 5-15% | 5-15% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | 0% | 0-5% | 10-20% | 5-15% |
| >1 <= 2 | 0% | 0-10% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | 0% | – | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | 0-5% | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
State 4
Annual Dominance
The Annual Dominance state is dominated by invasive annuals, primarily cheatgrass, which increases the fire frequency to every several years (as opposed to decades or centuries). The fire frequency precludes woody species from regaining dominance on the site, and the resource pulses favor annual species. There is currently no transition or restoration pathway out of this state.
Community 4.1
Invasive-dominant Understory
This community phase is characterized by the dominance of invasive annual species in the understory and the general lack of native woody and herbaceous species. Total production is greatly reduced due to the loss of all functional/structural groups besides annual grasses and forbs. Composition by air-dry weight is 0 to 10 percent perennial grasses, 60 to 85 percent annual grasses, 10 to 25% percent forbs, 0 to 10 percent shrubs, and 0 to 5 percent Utah juniper.
Figure 13. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 23. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 100 | 250 | 450 |
| Shrub/Vine | 5 | 50 | 100 |
| Forb | 50 | 75 | 100 |
| Tree | 0 | 20 | 40 |
| Total | 155 | 395 | 690 |
Table 24. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0-2% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 0-5% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 20-35% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-25% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 15-30% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0-20% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-30% |
| Bedrock | 0-5% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 10-30% |
Table 25. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | 0% | 0% | 5-15% | 5-20% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | 0% | 0-5% | 15-30% | 5-20% |
| >1 <= 2 | 0% | 0-5% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | 0% | – | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 0-2% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | 0-2% | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Transition T1a
State 1 to 2
This transition occurs when invasive species establish on the site. Establishment of invasive species provides a seed source that decreases the resillience of the site following natural or human disturbance.
Transition T2a
State 2 to 3
This transition occurs when invasive annual species, such as cheatgrass and storksbill, become dominant in the understory, while Utah juniper remains dominant in the overstory. Some perennial grasses may be present but not dominant. Improper grazing that further reduces the vigor of perennial grasses during the growing season can drive this transition.
Transition T2b
State 2 to 4
This transition occurs when fire or other disturbance removes the woody species and frees up resources for invasive annuals, such as cheatgrass and storksbill. Invasive annuals now dominate the site and drive the ecological processes in their own favor, and to the exclusion of native species. Perennial grasses may be present but not dominant. The fire return interval is expected to be reduced to every few years, instead of several decades or centuries.
Transition T3a
State 3 to 4
This transition occurs when fire or other disturbance removes woody species and frees up resources for invasive annual species to thrive. Juniper and other woody species are not able to regain dominance in the community due to increased fire frequency following this transition.
Additional community tables
Table 26. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 1 | Trees | 100–200 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 100–200 | 5–15 | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 0–20 | 0–1 | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 0–20 | 0–1 | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 2 | Shrubs | 125–225 | ||||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 50–125 | 5–15 | ||
| shadscale saltbush | ATCO | Atriplex confertifolia | 5–50 | 0–3 | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 5–50 | 0–3 | ||
| shortspine horsebrush | TESP2 | Tetradymia spinosa | 0–50 | 0–3 | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Grasses | 180–400 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 160–360 | 8–15 | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 10–50 | 1–3 | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–50 | 1–3 | ||
| 1 | Secondary Grasses | 0–35 | ||||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Forbs | 25–75 | ||||
| desert princesplume | STPI | Stanleya pinnata | 0–35 | 0–3 | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Hooker's balsamroot | BAHO | Balsamorhiza hookeri | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| fleabane | ERIGE2 | Erigeron | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| browse milkvetch | ASCI2 | Astragalus cibarius | 0–15 | 0–2 | ||
Table 27. Community 1.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 1 | Trees | 0–65 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 0–65 | 0–4 | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 2 | Shrubs | 0–100 | ||||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–50 | 0–4 | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 0–50 | 0–3 | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 0–50 | 0–3 | ||
| shortspine horsebrush | TESP2 | Tetradymia spinosa | 0–50 | 0–3 | ||
| shadscale saltbush | ATCO | Atriplex confertifolia | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Grasses | 375–525 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 300–500 | 15–20 | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 10–75 | 1–5 | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–75 | 1–5 | ||
| 1 | Secondary Grasses | 0–75 | ||||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–40 | 0–2 | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–40 | 0–2 | ||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 0–40 | 0–2 | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Forbs | 0–60 | ||||
| desert princesplume | STPI | Stanleya pinnata | 0–35 | 0–3 | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Hooker's balsamroot | BAHO | Balsamorhiza hookeri | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| fleabane | ERIGE2 | Erigeron | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| browse milkvetch | ASCI2 | Astragalus cibarius | 0–15 | 0–2 | ||
Table 28. Community 2.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 1 | Trees | 100–200 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 100–200 | 5–15 | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 0–20 | 0–1 | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 0–20 | 0–1 | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 2 | Shrubs | 125–225 | ||||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 50–125 | 5–15 | ||
| shadscale saltbush | ATCO | Atriplex confertifolia | 5–50 | 0–3 | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 5–50 | 0–3 | ||
| shortspine horsebrush | TESP2 | Tetradymia spinosa | 0–50 | 0–3 | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Grasses | 180–400 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 160–360 | 8–15 | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 10–50 | 1–3 | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–50 | 1–3 | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 1–25 | 0–2 | ||
| 1 | Secondary Grasses | 0–35 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Forbs | 25–75 | ||||
| desert princesplume | STPI | Stanleya pinnata | 0–35 | 0–3 | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| redstem stork's bill | ERCI6 | Erodium cicutarium | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| fleabane | ERIGE2 | Erigeron | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Hooker's balsamroot | BAHO | Balsamorhiza hookeri | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| browse milkvetch | ASCI2 | Astragalus cibarius | 0–15 | 0–2 | ||
Table 29. Community 2.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 1 | Trees | 0–65 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 0–65 | 0–4 | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 2 | Shrubs | 0–100 | ||||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–50 | 0–4 | ||
| shortspine horsebrush | TESP2 | Tetradymia spinosa | 0–50 | 0–3 | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 0–50 | 0–3 | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 0–50 | 0–3 | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| shadscale saltbush | ATCO | Atriplex confertifolia | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Grasses | 375–525 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 300–500 | 15–20 | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 10–75 | 1–5 | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–75 | 1–5 | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 1–50 | 0–3 | ||
| 1 | Secondary Grasses | 0–75 | ||||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 0–40 | 0–2 | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–40 | 0–2 | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–40 | 0–2 | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Forbs | 0–60 | ||||
| redstem stork's bill | ERCI6 | Erodium cicutarium | 0–50 | 0–4 | ||
| desert princesplume | STPI | Stanleya pinnata | 0–35 | 0–3 | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| fleabane | ERIGE2 | Erigeron | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Hooker's balsamroot | BAHO | Balsamorhiza hookeri | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| browse milkvetch | ASCI2 | Astragalus cibarius | 0–15 | 0–2 | ||
Table 30. Community 2.3 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 1 | Trees | 100–200 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 100–200 | 5–15 | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 0–20 | 0–1 | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 0–20 | 0–1 | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 2 | Shrubs | 125–225 | ||||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 50–125 | 5–15 | ||
| shadscale saltbush | ATCO | Atriplex confertifolia | 5–50 | 0–3 | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 5–50 | 0–3 | ||
| shortspine horsebrush | TESP2 | Tetradymia spinosa | 0–50 | 0–3 | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Grasses | 180–400 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 80–180 | 4–8 | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 80–180 | 0–2 | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–50 | 1–3 | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 10–50 | 1–3 | ||
| 1 | Secondary Grasses | 0–35 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Forbs | 25–75 | ||||
| desert princesplume | STPI | Stanleya pinnata | 0–35 | 0–3 | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| redstem stork's bill | ERCI6 | Erodium cicutarium | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| fleabane | ERIGE2 | Erigeron | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Hooker's balsamroot | BAHO | Balsamorhiza hookeri | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| browse milkvetch | ASCI2 | Astragalus cibarius | 0–15 | 0–2 | ||
Table 31. Community 3.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 1 | Trees | 100–200 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 100–200 | 5–15 | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 0–20 | 0–1 | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 0–20 | 0–1 | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 2 | Shrubs | 75–175 | ||||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 50–125 | 5–15 | ||
| shadscale saltbush | ATCO | Atriplex confertifolia | 5–50 | 0–3 | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 5–50 | 0–3 | ||
| shortspine horsebrush | TESP2 | Tetradymia spinosa | 0–50 | 0–3 | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 0–30 | 0–2 | ||
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Grasses | 100–300 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 90–290 | 5–25 | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–50 | 1–3 | ||
| 1 | Secondary Grasses | 0–25 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–1 | 0–1 | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Forbs | 50–100 | ||||
| redstem stork's bill | ERCI6 | Erodium cicutarium | 0–100 | 0–8 | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 0–75 | 0–6 | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 0–50 | 0–4 | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 0–50 | 0–4 | ||
| desert princesplume | STPI | Stanleya pinnata | 0–35 | 0–3 | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| fleabane | ERIGE2 | Erigeron | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| Hooker's balsamroot | BAHO | Balsamorhiza hookeri | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| browse milkvetch | ASCI2 | Astragalus cibarius | 0–15 | 0–2 | ||
Table 32. Community 4.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 1 | Trees | 0–40 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 0–40 | 0–2 | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 2 | Shrubs | 5–100 | ||||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 0–100 | 0–8 | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 0–100 | 0–8 | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–100 | 0–8 | ||
| shortspine horsebrush | TESP2 | Tetradymia spinosa | 0–75 | 0–5 | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 0–50 | 0–4 | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 0–50 | 0–4 | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| shadscale saltbush | ATCO | Atriplex confertifolia | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Grasses | 100–400 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 100–400 | 10–30 | ||
| 1 | Secondary Grasses | 0–50 | ||||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 0–40 | 0–3 | ||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 0–25 | 0–2 | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–1 | 0–1 | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Forbs | 50–100 | ||||
| redstem stork's bill | ERCI6 | Erodium cicutarium | 0–100 | 0–8 | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 0–75 | 0–6 | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 0–75 | 0–6 | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 0–50 | 0–4 | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–20 | 0–2 | ||
| desert princesplume | STPI | Stanleya pinnata | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| fleabane | ERIGE2 | Erigeron | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| browse milkvetch | ASCI2 | Astragalus cibarius | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| Hooker's balsamroot | BAHO | Balsamorhiza hookeri | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–10 | 0–1 | ||
Interpretations
Supporting information
Other references
Barney, Milo A.; Frischknecht, Neil C. 1974. Vegetation changes following fire in the pinyon-juniper type of west-central Utah. Journal of Range Management. 27(2): 91-96.
Contributors
Jamin Johanson
Approval
Kendra Moseley, 6/12/2025
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 | 06/13/2025 |
| 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:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
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:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
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:
-
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.
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