Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R028AB338UT
Upland Stony Loam (pinyon-Utah juniper) South
Last updated: 6/12/2025
Accessed: 10/22/2025
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 Stony Loam (pinyon-Utah juniper) South site is located on mountain slopes, hills, and ridges on gentle to steep slopes (3 to 60 percent) between 5,500 and 7,800 feet (1,674 to 2,377 meters). The soil is loamy-skeletal and moderately deep to lithic bedrock to deep. The soil was formed in alluvium derived from igneous and sedimentary rock. The precipitation ranges from 11 to 18 inches (279 to 457 mm). The dominant vegetation is pinyon pine and Utah juniper with an understory of mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana), antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), and Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides. Total canopy cover in the reference state is about 15 percent trees, 15 percent shrubs, 15 percent grasses, and forbs 5 percent.
Associated sites
| R028AB306UT |
Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South This site occurs downslope and is dominated by sagebrush. |
|---|---|
| R028AB324UT |
Upland Shallow Loam (Singleleaf pinyon-Utah juniper) South This site occurs on shallow soil. |
| R028AB334UT |
Upland Stony Loam (Wyoming sagebrush) South This is a sagebrush dominated site and may occur with the juniper site. The soils in the sagebrush site also have more rock fragments. |
| R028AB310UT |
Upland Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South This site occurs lower on the landscape. This site also has fewer rock fragments in the soil. |
Similar sites
| R028AB324UT |
Upland Shallow Loam (Singleleaf pinyon-Utah juniper) South This site is shallow and not moderately deep. |
|---|---|
| R028AB320UT |
Upland Shallow Hardpan (Singleleaf pinyon-Utah juniper) South This site is shallow to a hardpan, not bedrock. |
| F028AY099NV |
PIMO-JUOS/ARTRV/PSSPS-POFE This site is similar in species composition and productions, but has a shallow soil, steeper slope and is found higher in elevation. |
| R028AY308UT |
Upland Gravelly Loam (Singleleaf Pinyon-Utah Juniper) This site is found at lower slopes and has fewer rock fragments. |
| R028AB334UT |
Upland Stony Loam (Wyoming sagebrush) South This site is similar but is dominated by Wyoming sagebrush. |
| R028AY338UT |
Upland Stony Loam (Pinyon-Utah Juniper) This is the similar site found in the Basin and Range North LRU. It will not have as much influence from summer precipitation and will have fewer or no warm season species in the plant community. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Pinus monophylla |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pseudoroegneria spicata |
Physiographic features
The Upland Stony Loam (pinyon-Utah juniper) South site occurs on mountain slopes, hills, and ridges. This site is found on all aspects at elevations between 5,500 and 7,800 feet (1,674 to 2,377 meters). Slopes are gentle to steep (3 to 60 percent).
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Mountain slope
(2) Hill (3) Ridge |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 5,500 – 7,800 ft |
| Slope | 3 – 60% |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
The climate is characterized by warm, dry summers, cold, snowy winters and moist springs. The average annual precipitation is between 11 and 18 inches. October through May is the wettest part of the year and July to September is the driest, except for summer convective storms that occur. These storms are intermittent and may not occur reliably every year, however they do provide enough summer moisture to alter the plant community with warm season grasses. The effective moisture for plant growth is the portion that falls during the plant dormant period, which wets the soil deeply in the spring and early summer.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (characteristic range) | |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 11-18 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | |
| Freeze-free period (average) | |
| Precipitation total (average) | 15 in |
Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
Due to its landscape position, the Upland Stony Loam (pinyon-Utah juniper) 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 moderately deep to deep and well to somewhat excessively drained. They may have contact with lithic bedrock within 40 inches of the soil surface, however most areas mapped do not have contact with bedrock in the top 60 inches. They formed in alluvium derived from igneous and sedimentary rock. The surface layer is very cobbly loam to cobbly loam with 0 to over 75 percent rock fragments. The subsoil is has between 0 to 70 percent rock fragments. Available water capacity ranges from 1 to 5 inches in the upper 40 inches of soil. A layer of carbonate accumulation is usually within 30 inches of the surface. The soil moisture regime is xeric and the soil temperature regime is mesic.
Soil Map Units that may contain this site:
Soil Survey Area: Soil Components (Map units in parentheses)
Beaver County, Utah-Western Part (UT626): Blue Star, Bodacious, Cokel, Phage, Sheeprock
Loa-Marysvale Area, Utah, Parts of Piute, Wayne and Garfield Counties (UT629): Red Butte, Sheeprock
Iron-Washington Area, Utah, Parts of Iron, Kane, and Washington Counties (UT634): Abela, Bamos, Bodacious, Fontreen, Moondog
Beaver-Cove Fort Area, Utah (UT640): Blue Star, Cokel, Maderfield, Phage, Pharo, Red Butte, Sheeprock, Snake Hollow, Snake Hollow variant
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 to somewhat excessively drained |
| Permeability class | Moderate to moderately rapid |
| Soil depth | 60 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 3 – 41% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 42% |
| Available water capacity (Depth not specified) |
0.9 – 5.1 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (Depth not specified) |
20% |
| Electrical conductivity (Depth not specified) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (Depth not specified) |
7.9 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
7 – 40% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
30% |
Ecological dynamics
This site is found in the Great Salt Lake Area of the Basin and Range Ecological Provence. It developed under the natural ecological conditions found there, including the normal influences of native wildlife herbivory, fire and climate. Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) are the dominant tree species. Mountain big sagebrush dominates the shrub layer. A mix of other shrubs including antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush and Utah serviceberry are commonly found. Perennial herbaceous species occurrence and production is directly related to overstory canopy density with bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass and Indian ricegrass found most often.
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).
Because of the sites stony, somewhat shallow soils and steep slopes, it is rarely chained and/or seeded to introduced forage species. Cheatgrass and annual forbs are most likely to invade this site.
As vegetative communities respond to changes caused by natural or manmade events that cause them to cross ecological thresholds, a return to previous states may not be possible. The amount of effort needed to affect desired vegetative shifts depends on the present biotic and abiotic features and the desired results.
Fire Ecology:
Infilling by younger trees increases canopy cover causing a decrease in understory perennial vegetation and an increase in bare ground. As pinyon and juniper trees increase in density so has their litter. Phenolic compounds of juniper scales can have an inhibitory effect on grass growth (Jameson 1970). Furthermore, infilling shifts stand level biomass from ground fuels to canopy fuels which has the potential to significantly impact fire behavior. The more tree dominated pinyon and juniper woodlands become, the less likely they are to burn under moderate conditions, resulting in infrequent high intensity fires (Gruell 1999, Miller et al. 2008). Additionally, as the understory vegetation declines in vigor and density with increased canopy the seed and propagules of the understory plant community also decrease significantly. The increase in bare ground allows for the invasion of non-native annual species such as cheatgrass and with intensive wildfire the potential for conversion to annual exotics is a serious threat (Tausch 1999, Miller et al. 2008). 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. 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.
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.
Three possible alternative stable states have been hypothesized for this ecological site. This site is similar to 028AY099NV developed in Nevada. The Reference State contains two community phases, tree/shrub/grass dominated and a tree/shrub dominated phase. 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 Disturbance State occurs after large fires or multiple fires that promote annual invasive species dominance over native shrubs and grasses. Specific community phases and transitions will be described in the narratives below.
State and transition model
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Ecosystem states
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
The Reference State describes the various biotic communities that are expected to be found on this ecological site under natural conditions. This reference state has an overstory canopy of singleleaf and/or two-needle pinyon, with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. The shrub layer is typically dominated by mountain big sagebrush. A mixture of other shrubs including black sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush, and Utah serviceberry are commonly found. Bluebunch wheatgrass is the dominant herbaceous species with Nevada bluegrass and Indian ricegrass commonly occurring. Other native grasses, forbs, and shrubs will often produce a significant portion of vegetative composition in the plant community. The Reference State is self-sustaining and resistant to change due to a good natural resilience to its natural disturbances. The primary natural disturbance mechanisms are wildlife population densities which can affect the shrub layer composition, weather fluctuations, and fire period. Reference State: Natural plant communities as influenced by tree and shrub canopy densities, long term weather fluctuations, and periodic fire. Indicators: These communities are dominated by pinyon/juniper, mountain big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. The density of the tree and shrub canopies determines the amount and composition of the other native species present in the community. Feedbacks: Natural fluctuations in weather patterns that allow for a self-sustaining tree, shrub and native grass community. Prolonged drought, an increase in fire frequency, or other disturbances may allow for the establishment of invasive species. At-risk Community Phase: All communities are at risk when native plants are stressed and conditions are created that may allow invasive plants to establish. Trigger: The establishment of invasive plant species.
Community 1.1
Open Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big Sagebrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass Community Phase
This community phase is characterized by an open overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass, Geyer sedge and Indian ricegrass. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs are also often present. This community phase is fairly early in its natural fire cycle and, over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will slowly close, reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation as described in community phase 1.2. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 55 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs, 25 percent shrubs, and 15% trees. Bare ground is variable (2 to 50 percent) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1 to 25 percent) and surface rock fragments (2 to 70 percent). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 6. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.2
Closed Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big Sagebrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass Community Phase
This community phase is characterized by a closed overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush, and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass, Geyer sedge, and Indian ricegrass. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs are also often present. This community phase typically occurs late in the sites natural fire cycle. Over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will continue to slowly close, further reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation as described in community phase 1.1. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 20 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs, 40 percent shrubs, and 35 percent trees. Bare ground is variable (2 to 50 percent) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1 to 25 percent) and surface rock fragments (2 to 70 percent). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces.
Figure 5. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 9. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 10. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2
This community pathway occurs when long-term drought and/or extended periods without fire allows canopies of Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon to significantly increase. This closing canopy event causes understory vegetation to be reduced and eventually nearly eliminated from the site. Drought alone can also reduce native perennial grass production and eventually eliminate some species from the system. Improper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1
This community pathway occurs when weather patterns return to within normal ranges and some level of fire reduces Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon, significantly opening the sites canopy. Insect damage on singleleaf pinyon can also cause its canopy to be reduced on this site. This more open canopy allows understory vegetation to recover and increase in production, and under some circumstances, flourish on the site. Proper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
State 2
Current Potential State
The Current Potential State is similar to the Reference Sate except that non-native species are now present. This state describes the plant communities that may or have become established on this ecological site under various successional sequences and disturbance conditions. This state typically has a well developed overstory canopy composed of either two-needle or singleleaf pinyon with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush often dominates the shrub layer. Black sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush, and Utah serviceberry are common shrub species. Bluebunch wheatgrass is the dominant herbaceous species with Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass and other perennial grasses and forbs also commonly found in abundance. Cheatgrass, alyssum, various mustard species and other non-native species are present on the site and, under certain circumstances, may visually dominate the sites aspect. The primary disturbance mechanisms are the tree and shrub layer densities; the amount and kinds of invasive species present; weather fluctuations; and fire. The current potential state is still self-sustaining but may be losing its resistance to change due to the impact of disturbances with less resilience following those disturbances. Current Potential State: Plant communities influenced by tree and shrub canopy density, long term weather fluctuations, and periodic fire. Invasive species are present in various amounts. Indicators: A community dominated by pinyon/ juniper, mountain big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. The density of the tree and shrub canopies determines the amount and composition of the other native and introduced grasses and forbs that may be present. Feedbacks: Natural fluctuations in weather patterns that allow for a self sustaining shrub and native grass community. Prolonged drought, more frequent fires, and/or other disturbances that may allow for the increase of invasive species. At-risk Community Phase: All communities are at risk when native plants are stressed and nutrients become available for invasive plants to increase. Trigger: A reduction of perennial grass and forb species combined with an increase of invasive plant species.
Community 2.1
Open Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big Sagebrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass Invasive Weeds
This community phase is characterized by an open overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush, and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass, Geyer sedge, and Indian ricegrass. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs are also often present. Non-native species including cheatgrass, Russian thistle, and various annual mustard species are now present in the all plant communities and are expected to remain a permanent part of these communities. This community phase is fairly early in its natural fire cycle and, over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will slowly close, reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation as described in community phase 2.2. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 40 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, 30 percent shrubs, and 20% trees. Bare ground is variable (2 to 50 percent) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1 to 25 percent) and surface rock fragments (2 to 70 percent). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 12. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 13. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 2.2
Closed Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big Sagebrush
This community phase is characterized by a closed overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush, and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Herbaceous species including bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass, and Indian ricegrass are typically much reduced. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs may or may not be present. Non-native species including cheatgrass, Russian thistle, and various annual mustard species are now present in the all plant communities and are expected to remain a permanent part of these communities. This community phase typically occurs late in the sites natural fire cycle. Over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will continue to slowly close, further reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 25 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, 30 percent shrubs, and 45 percent trees. Bare ground is variable (2 to 50 percent) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1 to 25 percent) and surface rock fragments (2 to 70 percent). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces.
Figure 9. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 15. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 16. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2
This community pathway occurs when long-term drought and/or extended periods without fire allows canopies of Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon to significantly increase. This closing canopy event causes understory vegetation to be reduced and eventually nearly eliminated from the site. Drought alone can also reduce native perennial grass production and eventually eliminate some species from the system. Improper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1
This community pathway occurs when weather patterns return to within normal ranges and some level of fire reduces Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon, significantly opening the sites canopy. Insect damage on singleleaf pinyon can also cause its canopy to be reduced on this site. This more open canopy allows understory vegetation to recover and increase in production, and under some circumstances, flourish on the site. Proper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
State 3
Disturbance State
The Disturbance State describes the plant communities that may or have become established on this ecological site under various successional sequences and disturbance conditions. Two distinct community phases have been observed to date. The first describes the effects of recent crown fire, and the other describes communities where dense canopies of pinyon and juniper have been removed either by chaining, pushing or chainsaw cutting. Non-native species are normally present in all community phases. Vegetative communities are quite variable depending the disturbance mechanism and pre-disturbance conditions. Fire will normally also remove mountain big sage and other fire sensitive species while mechanical removal usually leaves these species. Bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass, and other native perennial grass species are often abundant following fire but may also be reduced or missing following either disturbance. Western wheatgrass is usually still present on the site and along with invasive weedy species, including cheatgrass, alyssum, various mustard species, and other non-native species, may visually dominate the sites herbaceous layer. The primary disturbance mechanisms include recent crown fire or the mechanical removal of the overstory of pinyon/juniper; a shrub layer comprised of various amounts of mountain big sagebrush; significant amounts of invasive herbaceous species present; weather fluctuations, and pre-disturbance conditions. This state may be losing its resistance to change due to the impact of these disturbances and may have less resilience following those disturbances. Disturbance State: Plant communities impacted by the removal of overstory of pinyon/juniper; a shrub canopy that may or may not contain mountain big sagebrush; long term weather fluctuations; and periodic fire. Indicators: The density of the remaining tree and shrub canopies following disturbance determines the amount and composition of the other native and introduced grasses and forbs that may be present. Feedbacks: Natural fluctuations in weather patterns following the removal of pinyon/juniper that may impact the remaining native shrub and grass communities. Prolonged drought, improper livestock grazing and/or other disturbances that allow for the increase of invasive species. At-risk Community Phase: All communities are at risk when native plants are stressed and nutrients become available for invasive plants to increase. Trigger: A reduction of perennial grass and forb species combined with an increase of invasive plant species.
Community 3.1
Recent Crown Fire
This community phase is at the beginning of the sites natural fire cycle. It is created after a fire has recently (typically 1 to 5 years) removed most of the singleleaf or two-needle pinyon and Utah juniper from the site. Mountain big sagebrush, black sagebrush, and antelope bitterbrush have also been reduced but those species that are sprouters may be recovering. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include cheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass, and Indian ricegrass. Non-native species are present in the all plant communities and are expected to remain a permanent part and potentially dominate these communities. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 65 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, 20 percent shrubs, and 5 percent trees. Bare ground is variable (2 to 50 percent) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1 to 25 percent) and surface rock fragments (10 to 70 percent). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 18. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 19. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 12. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 3.2
Recent Chaining/Pushing
The site has been chain-sawed, mechanically chained or pushed to remove the overstory singleleaf or two-needle pinyon and Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush, and other shrubs may or may not be present. Native perennial grasses are typically much reduced or missing from the herbaceous layer. The site is occasionally seeded to smooth brome or intermediate wheatgrass. Various amounts of native grasses and forbs may still be present but often at reduced levels. Non-native species are present on the site and will be present in the seeded community. Some pinyon and juniper seedlings are also typically present in the community. The sites vegetative composition by air-dry weight is approximately 65 percent grasses and introduced weedy species, 10 percent forbs, 20 percent shrubs, and 5 percent trees.
Figure 13. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 21. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 22. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
This transitional pathway occurs when any combination of improper livestock grazing, prolonged drought or other disturbance causes the perennial herbaceous community to become significantly reduced allowing non-native species such as cheatgrass, alyssum, Russian thistle, and other invasive weeds to become established. Broom snakeweed may also increase during this time. Once invasive species occupy the site, a threshold has been crossed. Cheatgrass, however, has been known to become established in healthy communities on this site.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
This transitional pathway occurs when a major fire or mechanical treatment removes nearly all the Utah juniper and any pinyon present from the site. A combination of improper livestock grazing, prolonged drought or other disturbance can slow the expected recovery of the perennial herbaceous community, allowing non-native species such as cheatgrass, alyssum, russian thistle and other invasive weeds to flourish. Broom snakeweed may also increase during this time. Fire tolerant shrubs will often recover quickly during these periods.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2
This restoration pathway occurs when the site is well managed and fire is excluded for long periods of time. The natural fire cycle will be expected to occur but not for many years. The site will normally have a mix of native and introduced species including perennial grasses and annual and perennial grasses. Mountain big sagebrush will normally increase until it again dominates the shrub layer. Pinyon and Utah juniper will also return to normal, pre-disturbance levels during this time.
Additional community tables
Table 23. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 200–350 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 125–175 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 60–90 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | 30–60 | |||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 250–375 | ||||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 150–200 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 120–160 | ||||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 80–100 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 80–100 | – | ||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 20–40 | – | ||
Table 24. Community 1.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 100–200 | ||||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 30–60 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Secondary Forbs | 30–60 | ||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| elephant grass | PEPU2 | Pennisetum purpureum | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| naked mariposa lily | CANU2 | Calochortus nudus | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 350–450 | ||||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 200–300 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 220–260 | ||||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 120–160 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 120–160 | – | ||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 80–120 | – | ||
Table 25. Community 2.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 200–350 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 125–175 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 60–90 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 30–60 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bulbous bluegrass | POBU | Poa bulbosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| red brome | BRRU2 | Bromus rubens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Secondary Forbs | 30–60 | ||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 10–20 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 10–20 | – | ||
| common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| prickly lettuce | LASE | Lactuca serriola | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| elephant grass | PEPU2 | Pennisetum purpureum | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 10–20 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 10–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| desert madwort | ALDE | Alyssum desertorum | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| naked mariposa lily | CANU2 | Calochortus nudus | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 10–20 | – | ||
| crossflower | CHTE2 | Chorispora tenella | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 250–375 | ||||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 150–200 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 120–160 | ||||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 80–100 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 80–100 | – | ||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 20–40 | – | ||
Table 26. Community 2.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 100–200 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 60–90 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 30–60 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 20–30 | – | ||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| bulbous bluegrass | POBU | Poa bulbosa | 20–30 | – | ||
| red brome | BRRU2 | Bromus rubens | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Secondary Forbs | 30–60 | ||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 20–30 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 20–30 | – | ||
| desert madwort | ALDE | Alyssum desertorum | 20–30 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 20–30 | – | ||
| crossflower | CHTE2 | Chorispora tenella | 20–30 | – | ||
| prickly lettuce | LASE | Lactuca serriola | 20–30 | – | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 20–30 | – | ||
| common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 20–30 | – | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 20–30 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 20–30 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| elephant grass | PEPU2 | Pennisetum purpureum | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| naked mariposa lily | CANU2 | Calochortus nudus | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 350–450 | ||||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 200–300 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 220–260 | ||||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 120–160 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 120–160 | – | ||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 80–120 | – | ||
Table 27. Community 3.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 200–350 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 125–175 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 60–90 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 30–60 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bulbous bluegrass | POBU | Poa bulbosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| red brome | BRRU2 | Bromus rubens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Secondary Forbs | 30–60 | ||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 10–20 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 10–20 | – | ||
| common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| prickly lettuce | LASE | Lactuca serriola | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| elephant grass | PEPU2 | Pennisetum purpureum | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 10–20 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 10–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| desert madwort | ALDE | Alyssum desertorum | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| naked mariposa lily | CANU2 | Calochortus nudus | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 10–20 | – | ||
| crossflower | CHTE2 | Chorispora tenella | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 100–150 | ||||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 30–60 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 60–90 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 20–40 | – | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 20–40 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 20–40 | – | ||
Table 28. Community 3.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 200–350 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 125–175 | – | ||
| intermediate wheatgrass | THIN6 | Thinopyrum intermedium | 60–90 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 60–90 | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 60–90 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 30–60 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bulbous bluegrass | POBU | Poa bulbosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| red brome | BRRU2 | Bromus rubens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Secondary Forbs | 30–60 | ||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 10–20 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 10–20 | – | ||
| common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| prickly lettuce | LASE | Lactuca serriola | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| elephant grass | PEPU2 | Pennisetum purpureum | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 10–20 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 10–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| desert madwort | ALDE | Alyssum desertorum | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| naked mariposa lily | CANU2 | Calochortus nudus | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 10–20 | – | ||
| crossflower | CHTE2 | Chorispora tenella | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 250–375 | ||||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 150–200 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 60–80 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 20–40 | – | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 20–40 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 20–40 | – | ||
Interpretations
Supporting information
Type locality
| Location 1: Iron County, UT | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T14N R16W S3 |
| General legal description | 1500ft north 500ft east of SW corner of Section 3, Township 14N, Range 16W, Indian Peak, Iron County, Utah. |
Other references
Anderson, E. W. and R. J. Scherzinger. 1975. Improving quality of winter forage for elk by cattle grazing. Journal of Range Management:120-125.
Baily, R.G. 1995. Description of the ecoregions of the United Sates. Available http://www.fs.fed.us/land/ecosysmgmt/ecoreg1_home.html. Accessed February 27, 2008.
Belnap, J. and S.L. Phillips. 2001. Soil biota in an ungrazed grassland: response to annual grass (Bromus tectorum) invasion. Ecological Applications. 11:1261-1275
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.
Chapin, S.F., B.H. Walker, R.J. Hobbs, D.U. Hooper, J.H. Lawton, O.E. Sala, and D. Tilman. 1997. Biotic control over the functioning of ecosystems. Science. 277:500-504
Cox R.D. and V.J. Anderson. 2004. Increasing native diversity of cheatgrass-dominated rangeland through assisted succession. Journal of Range Management. 57:203-210,
Daubenmire, R. 1970. Steppe Vegetation of Washington. 131 pp.
Gruell, G.E. 1999. Historical and modern roles of fire in pinyon-juniper. In: S. B. Monsen, R. Stevens [comps.] Proceedings: ecology and management of pinyon–juniper communities within the Interior West. RMRS-P-9. Ogden, UT, USA: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 24-28.
Howard, Janet L. 2003. Atriplex canescens. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/. Accessed on February 25, 2008.
Jameson, D.A. 1970. Degradation and accumulation on inhibitory substances from Juniperus osteosperma (Torr.) Little. Plant Soil 33: 213-224.
Knight, A.P. and R.G. Walter. 2001. A guide to plant poisoning of animals in North America. Teton NewMedia. Jackson, WY.
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., T. J. Svejcar, and J. A. Rose. 2000. Impacts of western juniper on plant community composition and structure. Journal of Range Management:574-585.
Miller, R.F. R.J. Tasuch, E.D. McArthur, D.D. Johnson and S.C. Sanderson. 2008. Age Structure and Expansion of Pinon-Juniper Woodlands: A Regional Perspective in the Intermountain West. Res. Pap. RMRS-RP-69. Fort Collins CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 15
National Engineering Handbook. US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Available: http://www.info.usda.gov/CED/Default.cfm#National%20Engineering%20Handbook. Accessed February 25, 2008.
NRCS Grazing Lands Technology Institute. 2003. National Range and Pasture Handbook. Fort Worth, TX, USA: US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 190-VI-NRPH.
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.
Tausch, R. J. 1999. Historic pinyon and juniper woodland development. In: S. B. Monsen, R. Stevens [comps.] Proceedings ecology and management of pinyon-juniper communities within the Interior West; 1997 September 15-18. RMRS-P-9. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station Proceedings. p. 12-19.
Tilley, D.J. 2007. Reintroducing native plants to the American West. Aberdeen Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, ID, USA: US Department of Agriculture. Available: http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/idpmc/publications.html. Accessed February 22, 2008.
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.
Utah Climate Summaries. 2008. Available: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/summary/climsmut.html. Accessed on February 25, 2008.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 2007.
Woods, A.J., D.A. Lammers, S.A. Bryce, J.M. Omernik, R.L. Denton, M. Domeier, and J.A. Comstock. 2001. Ecoregions of Utah (color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs). Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey (map scale 1:1,175,000).
Contributors
David J. Somorville
DJS
V. Keith Wadman
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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