Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R028AB310UT
Upland Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South
Last updated: 6/12/2025
Accessed: 10/20/2025
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 (1,493 to 1,859 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 Upland Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South site is located on hills, mountain slopes, and fan remnants. The site is visually dominated by Bonneville big sagebrush with snowberry and bluebunch wheatgrass. This southern LRU site will have greater influence from summer precipitation in the plant community composition and will have some warm season grasses in the community (like galleta grass). It is typically found in the zone between Wyoming big sagebrush (lower elevation and precipitation) and mountain big sagebrush (higher elevation and precipitation) and is a recognized hybrid between those species (Garrison et al. 2013).
Associated sites
| R028AB320UT |
Upland Shallow Hardpan (Singleleaf pinyon-Utah juniper) South This site will occur upslope and have more rock fragments in the soil. |
|---|---|
| R028AB334UT |
Upland Stony Loam (Wyoming sagebrush) South This site is upslope and has more rock fragments. |
| R028AB338UT |
Upland Stony Loam (pinyon-Utah juniper) South This site is upslope and has more rock fragments. |
| R028AB306UT |
Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South The amount of gravel in the soil and the 100 to 300 pounds per acre are notable differences in these two sites. Also the difference in the amount of Antelope bitterbrush makes these two sites different. |
| R028AY308UT |
Upland Gravelly Loam (Singleleaf Pinyon-Utah Juniper) This site will occur in soils that are moderately deep (20 to 40 inches). |
Similar sites
| R047XA310UT |
Upland Loam (basin wildrye) The differences between these two sites is that one is found in MLRA 47XA and the other is in MLRA 28AY. Another difference is that the one in 47XA will have more production and more of it will be cool season plants. |
|---|---|
| R028AB306UT |
Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South The amount of gravel in the soil and the 100 to 300 pounds per acre are notable differences in these two sites. Also the difference in the amount of Antelope bitterbrush makes these two sites different. |
| R028AY066NV |
GRAVELLY LOAM 12-14 P.Z. This site is located in the Nevada portion of 28A and is similar in community dynamics. |
| R028AY310UT |
Upland Loam (Bonneville Big Sagebrush) North This site occurs in the northern LRU in the MLRA. It does not have warm season grasses in the plant community and receives very little summer precipitation. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. ×bonnevillensis |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pseudoroegneria spicata |
Physiographic features
The Upland Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South site occurs on loamy hills, mountain slopes, and fan remnants. These are mainly Bonneville Lake terraces. This site is found on all aspects at elevations between 5,500 and 6,500 feet (1,676 to 1,981 meters). Slopes are gentle to steep (0 to 30 percent). Runoff is variable depending on slope, basal cover, and soil permeability.
Figure 1.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Hill
(2) Mountain slope (3) Fan remnant |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 5,500 – 6,500 ft |
| Slope | 30% |
Climatic features
The climate is characterized by warm, dry summers, cold, snowy winters and moist springs. October through May is the wettest part of the year and July to September is the driest. The effective moisture for plant growth is the 53 percent that falls during the plant dormant period, which wets the soil deeply in the spring and early summer. Warm season moisture occurs on this site and influences the plant community composition with the inclusion of warm season grasses.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (characteristic range) | |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 12-17 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | |
| Freeze-free period (average) | |
| Precipitation total (average) | 14 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
Due to its landscape position, the Upland Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South site is not typically influenced by streams or wetlands. It can sometimes be influenced by overland flow during heavy thunder storms and/or during wetter spring runoff periods.
Soil features
The soils are deep and well drained. They are formed in alluvium derived from igneous and sedimentary rock. Surface texture is typically loam or very cobbly loam. Rock fragments usually make up less than 35 percent of the soil volume and may not be present on the soil surface. Permeability is slow to moderate and available water-holding capacity ranges from 4 to 7 inches of water in the upper 40 inches of soil. The soil moisture regime is xeric and the soil temperature regime is mesic.
Soil Survey Area: Soil Components (Map Units in parentheses);
Beaver County, Utah Western Part (UT626): Lucero (201)
Iron-Washington Area, Utah Parts of Iron, Kane, and Washington Counties (UT634): Doyce (372), Kanarra (395, 396), Lucero (318, 406, 407, 440, 447), Studhorse (486)
Beaver-Cove Fort Area (UT640): Deer Creek (REG2), Etta (Et, UND), Etta variant (Ev), Flowell (FEC2, FGC2, FMC2, FUF, MZF2, RFF2), Hansel (HAB), Hansel variant (He), Mill Hollow (MMD, MNF, MOF, UOD2, UOF2), Mosida (MuB, MuC, MuC2, MVC3 MwC, URF), Red Rock (RhB), Ushar (FUF, MOF, PSF2, PWF2, SFF, UAD2, UHC3, UHD, UHD2, ULF2, UMF2, UND, UOD2, UOF2, URF, USF, UTF2, UTG2), Ushar variant (FMC2)
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
–
igneous and sedimentary rock
|
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Cobbly loam (2) Very cobbly loam |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Slow to moderate |
| Soil depth | 60 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 33% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 19% |
| Available water capacity (Depth not specified) |
5.1 – 7.1 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (Depth not specified) |
30% |
| Electrical conductivity (Depth not specified) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (Depth not specified) |
6.6 – 9 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
42% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
32% |
Ecological dynamics
These plant communities may not represent every possibility, but they are the most prevalent and repeatable plant communities. As more data is collected, some of these plant communities may be revised or removed and new ones may be added. None of these plant communities should necessarily be thought of as the “desired plant community”. According to the USDA NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook, the desired plant community will be determined by the decision makers and will meet minimum quality criteria established by the NRCS. The main purpose for including any description of a plant community here is to capture the current knowledge and experience at the time of this revision.
The Upland Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South ecological site is dominated by perennial deep rooted cool season bunchgrasses and deep-rooted shrubs. Bonneville big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. Bonnevillensis [tridentata ssp. vaseyana x tridentata ssp. Wyomingensis], antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), and Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis) are the dominant shrubs. The perennial bunchgrasses that are co-dominant with the shrubs include bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudorogenaria spicata), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and Nevada bluegrass (Poa nevadensis syn. Poa secunda). These species generally have somewhat 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 than shrubs. General differences in root depth distributions between grasses and shrubs result in resource partitioning in these shrub/grass systems.
Bonneville big sagebrush is a hybrid between Wyoming big sagebrush and mountain big sagebrush (Garrison et al. 2013). It exhibits characteristics of both parent species and is found in the ecotone between the lower elevation Wyoming big sagebrush and higher elevation mountain big sagebrush. Bonneville big sagebrush occurs in moister areas and is often found growing with bitterbrush, serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and mountain snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus). While it can be difficult to separate Wyoming big sagebrush from Bonneville big sagebrush, it is important to identify this site because of its high utilization by native ungulates and birds (Winward 2004). Bonneville big sagebrush is found in a recurring pattern that can be predicted based on temperature, moisture, and elevation (Rivera et al. 2011). It is often found on Lake Bonneville terraces above the Wyoming sagebrush zone.
This site is more productive and floristically diverse than lower elevation Wyoming big sagebrush sites (Garrison 2006). This increase in productivity can be attributed to the increase in moisture availability due to the landscape position. Moisture used for plant growth is from water stored in the soil profile during the winter. Some precipitation may come in the summer months (June through August), it is however an unreliable source of moisture for plant growth.
Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) may be present on this site due to the proximity of the pinyon/juniper zone. This site is vulnerable to an increase in both pinyon and juniper trees without disturbances that keep the tree densities lower (i.e. fire). Singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper may dominate the site if there is time without disturbances and eventually out-compete mountain big sagebrush for water and sunlight, severely reducing both the shrub and herbaceous understory (Miller et al. 2000, Lett and Knapp 2005). Bluegrasses may remain underneath trees on north-facing slopes. The potential for soil erosion increases as the Utah juniper woodland matures and the understory plant community cover declines (Pierson et al. 2010).
The Upland Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South ecological site has moderate resilience to disturbance and moderately low resistance to invasion (Miller et al. 2015). Resilience increases with elevation, aspect, increased precipitation, and increased nutrient availability. Long-term disturbance response may be influenced by small differences in landscape topography. Concave areas receive run-in from adjacent landscapes and consequently retain more moisture to support the growth of deep-rooted perennial grasses (i.e. bluebunch wheatgrass) whereas convex areas where runoff occurs are slightly less resilient and may have more shallow-rooted perennial grasses (i.e. squirreltail (Elymus elmoides) and muttongrass (Poa fendleriana)). North slopes are also more resilient than south slopes because lower soil surface temperatures operate to keep moisture content higher on northern exposures.
Fire Ecology:
Bonneville big sagebrush has not specifically been researched regarding fire tolerance, but it is likely similar to Wyoming and Mountain big sagebrush which are killed by fire and do not resprout (Miller et al. 2013). Plant community composition after a fire is influenced by what plants were present before the fire and their densities (Miller et al. 2013). Typically, plants that are tolerant to fire will return after the fire (this also will depend on the severity of the fire). Bluebunch wheatgrass is tolerant of fire and can reestablish to pre-fire densities within 3 years. If the density of deep-rooted perennial grasses is low before the fire, they will be low after the fire (Miller et al. 2013). Post-fire recovery of Bonneville big sagebrush sites has not been research, however, mountain and Wyoming big sagebrush have been extensively researched. These two species have different recovery potentials base on site characteristics, like available soil moisture. Mountain big sagebrush can return to a 20 to 30 percent canopy cover within 20 to 30 years while Wyoming big sagebrush may never recover to pre-burn canopy cover (Miller et al. 2013). Recovery of big sagebrush is limited in the presence of cheatgrass either before or after fire (Miller et al. 2013). Rabbitbrush, snowberry, serviceberry, and bitterbrush may increase after fire depending on the severity of the fire. (Miller et al. 2013). The sprouting ability of antelope bitterbrush is variable and depends on fire season, severity, and age of the plant (Zlatnik 1999). Plants younger than 5 years or older than 40 years do not sprout well (Zlatnik 1999).
The introduction of annual weedy species, like cheatgrass, may cause an increase in fire frequency and eventually lead to an annual dominated community (Miller et al. 2013). Infilling by singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper may also occur with an extended fire return interval. Without fire or changes in management, pinyon and juniper will dominate the site and Bonneville big sagebrush will be severely reduced. The herbaceous understory will typically be reduced. The potential for soil erosion increases as the juniper woodland matures and the understory plant community cover declines. Catastrophic wildfire in juniper controlled sites may lead to an annual weed dominated site.
Livestock/Wildlife Grazing Interpretations:
Overgrazing leads to an increase in sagebrush and a decline in understory plants like bluebunch wheatgrass. Squirreltail will increase temporarily with further degradation. Invasion of annual weedy forbs and cheatgrass could occur with further grazing degradation, leading to a decline in squirreltail and an increase in bare ground. Wetter sites are more resistant to degradation and may end up having sagebrush and Sandberg bluegrass dominate the site. A combination of overgrazing and prolonged drought may lead to soil redistribution, increased bare ground and a loss in plant production. Bonneville big sagebrush can be utilized by native ungulates and birds (Winward 2004). Bluebunch wheatgrass is moderately grazing tolerant but is very sensitive to defoliation during the active growth period (Blaisdell and Pechanec 1949, Laycock 1967, Anderson and Scherzinger 1975). Sandberg bluegrass may slow reestablishment of deeper rooted bunchgrass, increase under grazing pressure (Tisdale and Hironaka 1981) and is capable of co-existing with cheatgrass. Reduced bunchgrass vigor or density provides an opportunity for Sandberg bluegrass expansion and/or cheatgrass and other invasive species to occupy interspaces, leading to increased fire frequency and potentially an annual plant community. Depending on the season of use, the grazer and site conditions, either Sandberg bluegrass or cheatgrass may become the dominant understory with inappropriate grazing management. For example, Daubenmire (1970) found that heavy sheep grazing favors Sandberg bluegrass, while heavy cattle grazing favors cheatgrass.
Five possible alternative stable states have been identified for this ecological site. The Reference State contains three community phases, shrub/grass dominated, shrub dominated, and grass dominated. The primary drivers in this state are fire, drought, and/or insect of disease. The Current Potential State is like the Reference State; however, non-native species have been introduced in the system which alters the resilience and resistance of the state. The Shrub State/Tree State occurs with time and lack of disturbance and/or inappropriate grazing management. The Annual State occurs after large fires or multiple fires that promote annual invasive species dominance over native shrubs and grasses. The Seeded State occurs with management with seeding of deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses. Specific community phases and transitions will be described in the narratives below.
State and transition model
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Ecosystem states
States 2 and 5 (additional transitions)
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
The Reference State includes the plant communities that were best adapted to the unique combination of factors associated with this ecological site prior to European settlement. It was in a natural dynamic equilibrium with the historic biotic, abiotic, and climatic factors on its ecological site in North America at the time of European immigration and settlement. This dominant aspect of the plant community is Bonneville big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass.
Characteristics and indicators. This state will only contain native species in the plant community.
Community 1.1
Bonneville big sagebrush/Perenial cool season grasses ≥ Forbs ≥ Other native shrubs
This is the community that is described in the initial plant list. The community is represented with 60 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 15 percent shrubs. The dominant shrub visually and in production is Bonneville big sagebrush. The dominant grass is bluebunch wheatgrass and the dominant forb visually is arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata).
Figure 4. 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 | 540 | 900 | 1320 |
| Forb | 225 | 375 | 550 |
| Shrub/Vine | 135 | 225 | 330 |
| Total | 900 | 1500 | 2200 |
Table 6. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 5-15% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 40-50% |
| Forb foliar cover | 15-25% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 0% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 0% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | 0% | 1-2% | 3-9% | 5-10% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | 0% | 1-2% | 12-23% | 10-15% |
| >1 <= 2 | 0% | 0-1% | 35-45% | 5-10% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | 0% | 10-20% | 1-3% | 5-10% |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 0% | 5-10% | 1-3% | 0% |
| >13 <= 40 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| >40 <= 80 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| >80 <= 120 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| >120 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Community 1.2
Bonneville big sagebrush ≥ Other native shrubs ≥ Perennial cool season grasses = Forbs
This community occurs when there is a period of time when Bonneville big sagebrush increases to where it is suppressing the understory and other shrubs (notably) mountain snowberry, antelope bitterbrush and Utah serviceberry increase This causes the grasses and forbs to be suppressed. The community composition is 40 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 35 percent shrubs. This community will have between 10 to 20 percent bare ground.
Community 1.3
Perennial cool season grasses ≥ Forbs ≥ Fire tolerant shrubs
This community usually occurs when there is a hot, patchy fire that heats the ground to the point where it damages the antelope bitterbrush, snowberry, and Utah serviceberry. These shrubs will have a smaller presence in the plant community after a fire. The plant community composition is 70 percent grasses, 20 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. This community will have between 15 to 20 percent bare ground.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Time without catastrophic event. This was probably dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3
Mid-summer fire, insects, prolonged drought, and pathogens that kill and/or reduce the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.3
A fire that is hot enough and fast moving enough to kill sagebrush and stimulate the perennial cool season grasses, insects, prolonged drought and pathogens that kill and/or reduces the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.1
Time without catastrophic event. This was probably dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
State 2
Current Potential State
The Current Potential State (CPS) may include acclimatized, naturalized or invasive nonnative species. There is no known way to effectively remove these plants from the site once they have become established. This site is irreversibly changed. The level of occurrence of these plants in the CPS is such that careful management can prevent their domination of the site. Plant communities within the CPS state may be managed and used for various purposes without significant alteration in plant community composition or production. It includes all the plant communities that exist in the Reference State with the inclusion of species that are non-native.
Characteristics and indicators. This state will be similar to the Reference State, except it will have non-native species in the plant community.
Community 2.1
Bonneville sagebrush ≥ perennial cool season grass ≥ forb ≥ other native shrub ≥ non-native species
This community is represented with 60 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 15 percent shrubs. The dominant shrub visually and in production is Bonneville big sagebrush. The dominant grass is bluebunch wheatgrass and the dominant forb visually is arrowleaf balsamroot. This community will have between 10 to 15 percent bare ground. This community will have notable amounts of non-native species.
Community 2.2
Bonneville sagebrush ≥ other native shrub ≥ perennial cool season grass = forb ≥ non-native species
This community occurs when Bonneville big sagebrush increases to where it is suppressing the understory. Other shrubs (notably) mountain snowberry, antelope bitterbrush and Utah serviceberry will increase which also helps to suppress the herbaceous understory. The community composition is 40 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 35 percent shrubs. This community is typically has bare ground between 10 to 20 percent. This community will have notable amounts of non-native species.
Community 2.3
Perennial cool-season grass ≥ forb ≥ fire tolerant shrub ≥ non-native species
This community usually occurs when there is a hot erratically moving fire that heats the ground to the point where it damages the antelope bitterbrush, snowberry, and Utah serviceberry to the point where they cannot gain dominance in the community. The plant community is represented with 70 percent grasses, 20 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. This community will have around 15 to 20 percent bare ground. This community will have notable amounts of non-native species.
Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2
Time without catastrophic event. This was probably dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
Pathway 2.1b
Community 2.1 to 2.3
Mid-summer fire, insects, prolonged drought, and pathogens that kill and/or reduces the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.3
A fire that is hot enough and fast moving enough to kill sagebrush and stimulate the perennial cool-season grasses, insects, prolonged drought, and pathogens that kill and/or reduces the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Pathway 2.3a
Community 2.3 to 2.1
Time without catastrophic event. This was probably dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
State 3
Utah Juniper/Invasive Annuals State
The Utah Juniper/Invasive Annuals State has two described plant community phases, but many variations of the represented ones are present. The site will move to this state when there is a lack of fire (over exuberant fire control) and there is a source of Utah Juniper and/or pinyon seed. Movement from community phase to community phase can and often is accelerated by overgrazing. Cheatgrass will often be the dominant understory plant in this state. This state can persist for a long time until extreme conditions needed for a wildfire occur or some other management treatment is implemented.
Characteristics and indicators. This state will have noticeable cover of Utah junipers or pinyon.
Community 3.1
Utah Juniper/Bonneville big sagebrush/Native Perennials/Invasive Annuals
This community has a strong overstory of Utah juniper and singleleaf pinyon but still has an understory like community 2.1. This community will have around 20 to 35 percent bare ground. Fire is the surest means to bring this community back toward the current potential state. Mechanical removal of juniper and pinyon can be used to reduce cover.
Community 3.2
Utah Juniper / Invasive Annuals
This community is present when 99 percent of the native plants have been removed from the plant community and only pinyon and juniper with a sparse understory of invasive annuals are left on the site. This community will have around 35 to 85 percent bare ground. The bare ground in this phase may accelerate soil erosion as there are few species to protect the soil surface.
Pathway 3.1a
Community 3.1 to 3.2
Overgrazing with or without drought over a prolonged period of time.
Pathway 3.2a
Community 3.2 to 3.1
Fire, insects, prolonged drought, and pathogens that kill and/or reduces the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
State 4
Yellow rabbitbrush/Invasive Annuals
The Yellow rabbitbrush/Invasive Annuals state occurs when this site is overgrazed for an extended time. This state may also occur with the combination of drought and over grazing or drought and fire with either no seeding following the fire or a failed seeding. The dominant aspect of the plant community is cheatgrass brome, yellow rabbitbrush, and a small amount of Bonneville big sagebrush.
Characteristics and indicators. This state is dominated by shrubs other than big sagebrush and annual grasses.
Community 4.1
Yellow rabbitbrush ≥ invasive annuals = native perennials
This plant community occurs when the site is overgrazed for a prolonged period. Drought, fire, mechanical disturbance, and other like disturbances will speed up the process. The plant community composition is about 40 percent yellow rabbitbrush, 50 percent non-native/invasive annuals, and 10 percent native perennials. This community will have between 20 to 35 percent bare ground.
Community 4.2
Invasive annuals
This plant community has lost the Bonneville big sagebrush and the invasive annuals have taken space away from the sandberg bluegrass. The plant community composition is about 88 percent non-native/invasive annuals and 12 percent native perennials. This community will have around 20 to 40 percent bare ground.
Pathway 4.1a
Community 4.1 to 4.2
Increased fire frequency (from 10 to 15 years to 3 to 5 years) and intensity without follow-up management. Overgrazing can move this change along faster. This condition is somewhat self sustaining and the site will keep deteriorating until the site potential is lost. This will continue unless a large amount of energy is injected into the system to cause changes to take place.
Pathway 4.2a
Community 4.2 to 4.1
Time and management of grazing alone or along with other disturbances where human and/or naturalized introduction of native and/or introduced perennial plant species takes place.
State 5
Seeded Range State
The Seeded Range State exists when the site is cultivated and/or burned and planted to introduced perennial plants and/or in some situations a mix of native grasses and forbs.
Characteristics and indicators. This state will be dominated by seeded grass and forbs in the plant community.
Community 5.1
Introduced perennial plants
The plant community consists of introduced and in some situations native grasses, forbs and sometimes native and/or introduced half-shrubs and/or shrubs. This community phase is often as productive as Community phase 2.1 in the Current Potential State.
Community 5.2
Native shrubs = Introduced perennial plants
This phase occurs when weather conditions create the kind of episodic situation that allows Bonneville big sagebrush to move back onto the site.
Pathway 5.1a
Community 5.1 to 5.2
Time without catastrophic event. This was probably dependent on a specific chain of climatic events. Also heavy prolonged cattle grazing can cause this to happen.
Pathway 5.2a
Community 5.2 to 5.1
Time and management of grazing alone or along with other disturbances where human intervention takes place to move the community back.
Transition T1a
State 1 to 2
Introduction of non-native species into the ecosystem.
Transition T2a
State 2 to 3
Prolonged drought, overgrazing, extreme lengthening of the fire interval frequency. This takes place when the sagebrush canopy gets so dense that it out-competes the perennial grass and forb understory and the fire frequency is increased from 20 to 40 years to 60 to 90 years and there is an introduction of Utah Juniper.
Transition T2b
State 2 to 4
Prolonged drought and/or prolonged overgrazing. Most often it is a combination of the two conditions that bring this condition into existence. Continued overgrazing and increase of the fire frequency over a very prolonged period of time such as a 3 to 5 year fire frequency interval.
Transition T3b
State 3 to 4
Continued overgrazing and increase of fire frequency over a very prolonged period of time such as a 3 to 5 year fire frequency interval.
Transition T3a
State 3 to 5
Human caused disturbance i.e. mechanical treatment and seeding; chemical treatment and seeding etc.
Transition T4a
State 4 to 5
Human caused disturbance i.e. mechanical treatment and seeding; chemical treatment and seeding etc.
Restoration pathway R5a
State 5 to 2
Time with proper management that favors the native plants as they move back onto the site.
Transition T5a
State 5 to 3
Prolonged drought, overgrazing, extreme lengthening of the fire interval frequency. This takes place when the sagebrush canopy increases and out-competes the perennial grass and forb understory and the fire frequency is increased from 20 to 40 years to 60 to 90 years and there is an introduction of Utah Juniper.
Transition T5b
State 5 to 4
Continued overgrazing and increase of fire frequency over a very prolonged period of time such as a 8 to 12 year fire frequency interval.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Shrubs | 450–720 | ||||
| Bonneville big sagebrush | ARTRB3 | Artemisia tridentata ssp. ×bonnevillensis | 270–450 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 180–270 | – | ||
| 3 | Secondary shrubs | 180–540 | ||||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 90–180 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 90–180 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 18–54 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 18–54 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 18–54 | – | ||
| granite prickly phlox | LIPU11 | Linanthus pungens | 18–36 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 18–36 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 18–36 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 0–18 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–18 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–18 | – | ||
| Woods' rose | ROWOU | Rosa woodsii var. ultramontana | 0–18 | – | ||
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 2 | Primary Grasses | 810–1260 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 270–450 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 180–270 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 180–270 | – | ||
| 1 | Secondary Grasses | 270–540 | ||||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 180–270 | – | ||
| Grass, annual | 2GA | Grass, annual | 90–180 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 54–90 | – | ||
| thickspike wheatgrass | ELLA3 | Elymus lanceolatus | 18–90 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 18–90 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 54–90 | – | ||
| beardless wheatgrass | PSSPI | Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. inermis | 18–54 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 18–54 | – | ||
| Idaho fescue | FEID | Festuca idahoensis | 18–54 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 18–54 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 18–54 | – | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 18–54 | – | ||
| oniongrass | MEBU | Melica bulbosa | 18–54 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–36 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Forb | 180–450 | ||||
| white sagebrush | ARLUC8 | Artemisia ludoviciana ssp. candicans | 54–90 | – | ||
| arrowleaf balsamroot | BASA3 | Balsamorhiza sagittata | 54–90 | – | ||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 54–90 | – | ||
| 2 | Secondary Forbs | 90–270 | ||||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 180–450 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 90–180 | – | ||
| common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 18–90 | – | ||
| nettleleaf giant hyssop | AGUR | Agastache urticifolia | 18–54 | – | ||
| Indian paintbrush | CASTI2 | Castilleja | 18–54 | – | ||
| purple milkvetch | ASAG2 | Astragalus agrestis | 18–54 | – | ||
| silverleaf milkvetch | ASAR4 | Astragalus argophyllus | 18–54 | – | ||
| Torrey's milkvetch | ASCA9 | Astragalus calycosus | 18–54 | – | ||
| painted milkvetch | ASCE | Astragalus ceramicus | 18–54 | – | ||
| freckled milkvetch | ASLE8 | Astragalus lentiginosus | 18–54 | – | ||
| woollypod milkvetch | ASPU9 | Astragalus purshii | 18–54 | – | ||
| longstalk springparsley | CYLO | Cymopterus longipes | 18–54 | – | ||
| Anderson's larkspur | DEAN | Delphinium andersonii | 18–54 | – | ||
| twolobe larkspur | DENU2 | Delphinium nuttallianum | 18–54 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 18–54 | – | ||
| matted buckwheat | ERCA8 | Eriogonum caespitosum | 18–54 | – | ||
| cushion daisy | ERCO3 | Erigeron compactus | 18–54 | – | ||
| cutleaf daisy | ERCO4 | Erigeron compositus | 18–54 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 18–54 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 18–54 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 18–54 | – | ||
| sticky purple geranium | GEVI2 | Geranium viscosissimum | 18–54 | – | ||
| Lewis flax | LILE3 | Linum lewisii | 18–54 | – | ||
| prairie flax | LILEL2 | Linum lewisii var. lewisii | 18–54 | – | ||
| western stoneseed | LIRU4 | Lithospermum ruderale | 18–54 | – | ||
| Macdougal's biscuitroot | LOFOM | Lomatium foeniculaceum ssp. macdougalii | 18–54 | – | ||
| Gray's biscuitroot | LOGR | Lomatium grayi | 18–54 | – | ||
| Nevada biscuitroot | LONE | Lomatium nevadense | 18–54 | – | ||
| Great Basin desertparsley | LOSIS | Lomatium simplex var. simplex | 18–54 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 18–54 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 18–54 | – | ||
| carpet phlox | PHHOC | Phlox hoodii ssp. canescens | 18–36 | – | ||
| smoothstem blazingstar | MELA2 | Mentzelia laevicaulis | 18–36 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 18–36 | – | ||
| yellow owl's-clover | ORLU2 | Orthocarpus luteus | 18–36 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCAC3 | Lupinus caudatus ssp. caudatus | 12–36 | – | ||
| stoneseed | LITHO3 | Lithospermum | 18–36 | – | ||
| manyflower stickseed | HAFL2 | Hackelia floribunda | 18–36 | – | ||
| common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 18–36 | – | ||
| scarlet gilia | IPAGA3 | Ipomopsis aggregata ssp. aggregata | 18–36 | – | ||
| Utah buttercup | RAJO | Ranunculus jovis | 18–36 | – | ||
| lambstongue ragwort | SEIN2 | Senecio integerrimus | 18–36 | – | ||
| yellow fritillary | FRPU2 | Fritillaria pudica | 18–36 | – | ||
| yellow avalanche-lily | ERGR9 | Erythronium grandiflorum | 18–36 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCAC | Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum | 18–36 | – | ||
| white mariposa lily | CAEU | Calochortus eurycarpus | 18–36 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 18–36 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 18–36 | – | ||
| tall annual willowherb | EPBR3 | Epilobium brachycarpum | 18–36 | – | ||
| Brandegee's woollystar | ERBR3 | Eriastrum brandegeeae | 18–36 | – | ||
| showy milkweed | ASSP | Asclepias speciosa | 0–36 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUNU | Cirsium undulatum var. undulatum | 18–36 | – | ||
| yellow spiderflower | CLLUL | Cleome lutea var. lutea | 18–36 | – | ||
| miner's lettuce | CLPEP | Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata | 18–36 | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain beeplant | CLSE | Cleome serrulata | 18–36 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 18–36 | – | ||
| cushion cryptantha | CRCI2 | Cryptantha circumscissa | 18–36 | – | ||
| roundspike cryptantha | CRHU2 | Cryptantha humilis | 18–36 | – | ||
| tapertip onion | ALAC4 | Allium acuminatum | 18–36 | – | ||
| Nevada onion | ALNE | Allium nevadense | 18–36 | – | ||
| textile onion | ALTE | Allium textile | 18–36 | – | ||
| foothill deathcamas | ZIPA2 | Zigadenus paniculatus | 18–36 | – | ||
| flatbud pricklypoppy | ARMUR | Argemone munita ssp. rotundata | 0–18 | – | ||
| hookedspur violet | VIADA | Viola adunca var. adunca | 0–18 | – | ||
| upland yellow violet | VIPRL | Viola praemorsa ssp. linguifolia | 0–18 | – | ||
| goosefoot violet | VIPUV2 | Viola purpurea ssp. venosa | 0–18 | – | ||
| mountain tarweed | MAGL2 | Madia glomerata | 0–18 | – | ||
Interpretations
Supporting information
Inventory data references
This site was first written back in 1994. When it was written and revised in 2014 it was done with the 26 ECS-417s and 2 UT-Range-2 completed in the 1900s and 4 UT-Range-2 done from 2009 to 2014 along with personal knowledge collected by Brock Benson Rangeland Management Specialist working in the D28A MLRA for 30 years.
Other references
Type Location: West Hills located West of Tremonton, Utah and the Wasatch Mountains East of Provo, Utah
Anderson, E. W. and R. J. Scherzinger. 1975. Improving quality of winter forage for elk by cattle grazing. Journal of Range Management:120-125.
Blaisdell, J.P. and J.F. Pechanec. 1949. Effects of herbage removal at various dates on vigor of bluebunch wheatgrass and arrowleaf balsamroot. Ecology 30(3):298-305.
Daubenmire, R. 1970. Steppe Vegetation of Washington. 131 pp.
Garrison, H. 2006. Study of a putative hybrid taxon in the Artemisia tridentata complex. Master’s thesis, College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
Garrison, H. D., L. M. Shultz, and E. D. McArthur. 2013. Studies of a new hybrid taxon in the Artemisia tridentata (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) complex. Western North American Naturalist 73(1):1-19.
Laycock, W. A. 1967. How heavy grazing and protection affect sagebrush-grass ranges. Journal of Range Management:206-213.
Lett, M. S., and A. K. Knapp. 2005. Woody plant encroachment and removal in mesic grassland: Production and composition responses of herbaceous vegetation. American Midland Naturalist 153:217-231.
Miller, R.F., J.C. Chambers, D.A. Pyke, F.B. Pierson, and C.J. Williams. 2013. A review of fire effects on vegetation and soils in the Great Basin Region: response and ecological site characteristics. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-308. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 126 p.
Miller, R.F., J.C. Chambers, and M. Pellant. 2015. A field guide for rapid assessment of post-wildfire recovery potential in sagebrush and pinon-juniper ecosystems in the Great Basin: Evaluating resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasive annual grasses and predicting vegetation response. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-338. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 70 p.
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:574-585.
Pierson, F. B., C. J. Williams, P. R. Kormos, S. P. Hardegree, P. E. Clark, and B. M. Rau. 2010. Hydrologic vulnerability of sagebrush steppe following pinyon and juniper encroachment. Rangeland Ecology & Management 63:614-629.
Rivera, S., L. Schultz, A.J. Hernandez, and R.D. Ramsey. 2011. GIS ordination approach to model distribution of shrub species in northern Utah. Natural Resources and Environmental Issues 17(25):1-12.
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.
Winward, A.H. 2004. Sagebrush of Colorado: taxonomy, distribution, ecology and management. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, CO.
Zlatnik, Elena. 1999. Purshia tridentata. 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.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/purtri/all.html [2018, May 10].
Contributors
David J. Somorville
DJS
GBB
Approval
Marji Patz, 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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