Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R028AY008ID
GRAVELLY LOAM 12-16 ARTRT/PSSPS
Last updated: 6/12/2025
Accessed: 10/19/2025
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 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 North LRU exhibits dry summer with stronger xeric patterns than the Basin and Range South LRU. Ranges in the north LRU are about 50 percent Paleozoic sedimentary/metasedimentary (limestone/quartzite dominant) and about 10 percent Tertiary volcanics. The basin floors are between 4,200 and 5,100 feet (1,280 to 1,554 meters) in elevation. Pinyon and juniper sites have a greater percentage of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) in the plant community than pinyon pine (Pinus edulis or monophylla). The Basin and Range North have few semidesert ecological sites with Utah juniper. Cool season grasses, such as bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), are dominant in the plant community, while warm season grasses are largely absent or a small component of the plant community.
Classification relationships
Artemisia vaseyana/ Agropyron spicatum ht. Hironaka, M., M.A. Fosberg, A. H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush- Grass Habitat Types of Southern Idaho. University of Idaho. Moscow, Idaho. Bulletin Number 35
Ecological site concept
The Gravelly Loam 12-16 ARTRT/PSSPS site is found on lake terraces, fan remnants, and stream terraces. The soil is very deep with a surface texture of very gravelly to gravelly loams. Precipitation varies from 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm). Basin big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass are the dominant species.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata |
Physiographic features
The Gravelly Loam 12-16 ARTRT/PSSPS site occurs on lake and stream terraces, and fans remnants usually at the base of the mountains. Slopes range from 0 to 60 percent. Elevation ranges from 4,500 to 5,200 feet (1,371 to 1,584 meters).
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Lake terrace
(2) Fan remnant (3) Stream terrace |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 4,500 – 5,200 ft |
| Slope | 60% |
Climatic features
The climate is characterized by cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers. The average annual precipitation varies from 12-16 inches (30-40 cm.). July is commonly the driest month. The average annual precipitation is 14 inches based on data collected from 5 long term climate stations located throughout the MLRA. The average annual low is 11.32 inches and the average annual high is 16 inches. The average annual temperature is 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit. The average annual low is 31.7 and the average annual high is 59.7 degrees F. The frost free period ranges from 100 to 125 days and the freeze free period ranges from 131 to 156 days.
Annual distribution varies from 20 to 45 percent during the plant growth period May to October. However, this is usually not too effective in influencing plant growth since it comes as small intermittent showers. These showers do not wet the soil very deep or occur as intense cloud bursts where considerable runoff occurs especially in July and August. The most effective moisture for plant growth is the 55 to 80 percent that falls during the winter plant dormant period.
Plant growth usually begins between April 1 and April 20. Grasses and forbs usually mature from June 15 to July 1, due to soil moisture deficiencies and hot temperatures. The optimum growth period is May and early June. Shrubs usually grow throughout July and August but at a much reduced rate and continue until October 1 to October 15. Grasses may green up again in late August or September when late summer precipitation occurs and temperatures are cooler.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 125 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 156 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 16 in |
Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
Soil features
The soils are very deep well to somewhat excessively drained gravelly to very gravelly loams formed in mixed alluvium. Coarse fragments are present in the soil profile, increasing with depth, and can exceed 35 percent by volume. The subsoils are gravelly sandy loam to sandy clay loam. Permeability is moderate and the available water holding capacity (AWC) is very low to low. The soils are characterized by a xeric soil moisture regime and a mesic soil temperature regime.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
|
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Extremely gravelly loam (2) Gravelly loam |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderate |
| Soil depth | 60 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 25 – 45% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (Depth not specified) |
2.7 – 4.7 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (Depth not specified) |
10 – 40% |
| Electrical conductivity (Depth not specified) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (Depth not specified) |
5 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (Depth not specified) |
7.4 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
44 – 45% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
Ecological dynamics
The dominant visual aspect of the Gravelly Loam 12-16 ARTRT/PSSPS site is basin big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. The composition by weight is 85 to 95 percent grasses, 3 percent forbs, and 5 to 10 percent shrubs.
In the last few thousand years, this site has evolved in an semi-arid climate characterized by dry summers and cold, moist winters. Herbivory has historically occurred on this site at low levels of utilization. Herbivores include mule deer, pronghorn antelope and lagomorphs.
Fire has historically occurred on the site at intervals of 20-50 years.
The Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC), the Reference State (State 1), moves through many phases depending on the natural and human-caused forces that impact the community over time. State 1, described later, indicates some of these phases. The Reference Plant Community Phase is Phase 1.1. This plant community is dominated by basin big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. Other prominent species in the plant community include mutton bluegrass, Nevada bluegrass, fleabane, elk thistle, antelope bitterbrush and buckwheat. There are a variety of other grasses, forbs and shrubs in the plant community that occur in small amounts. The plant species composition of Phase 1.1 is listed later under “Reference Plant Community Phase Plant Species Composition”.
Total annual production is 1000 pounds per acre (1120 kilograms per hectare) in a normal year. Production in a favorable year is 1400 pounds per acre (1568 kilograms per hectare). Production in an unfavorable year is 600 pounds per acre (672 kilograms per hectare). Structurally, cool season deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses are dominant, followed by tall shrubs being more dominant than perennial forbs while shallow rooted bunchgrasses are subdominant.
Impacts on the Plant Community.
Influence of fire:
In the absence of normal fire frequency, basin big sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush can gradually increase. Grasses and forbs decrease as shrubs increase. Juniper can invade if a seed source is in the proximity. With the continued absence of fire, antelope bitterbrush can become dominant. Basin big sagebrush or juniper can significantly increase. This increase in shrubs can displace most of the primary understory species. See “Influence of juniper invasion” below.
When fires become more frequent than historic levels, basin big sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush are reduced significantly. Rabbitbrush can increase slightly. With continued short fire frequency, basin big sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush can be completely eliminated along with many of the desirable understory species such as bluebunch wheatgrass. These species may be replaced by Sandberg bluegrass and bulbous bluegrass along with a variety of annual and perennial forbs including noxious and invasive plants. Cheatgrass will invade the site. These fine fuels will increase the fire frequency.
Influence of improper grazing management:
Season-long grazing and/or excessive utilization can be very detrimental. This type of management leads to reduced vigor of the bunchgrasses. With reduced vigor, recruitment of these species declines. As these species decline, an increase in basin big sagebrush and noxious and invasive plants will occur. Also the plant community becomes susceptible to juniper invasion. Basin big sagebrush or juniper can completely dominate with continued improper grazing management. Continued improper grazing management and excessive utilization influences fire frequency by reducing fine fuels of perennial plants. The Gravelly Loam 12-16 ARTRT/PSSPS site then becomes susceptible to an invasion of noxious and invasive plants and/or soil erosion. If cheatgrass increases due to improper grazing management and it becomes co-dominant with Sandberg bluegrass and other annuals, fires become more frequent.
Good grazing management that addresses frequency, duration, and intensity of grazing can also keep fine fuels from developing, thus reducing fire frequency. This can lead to gradual increases in basin big sagebrush. An increase in tall shrubs generally leads to an increase in juniper by providing bird perches and “nursery” sites for juniper establishment. A planned grazing system can be developed to intentionally accumulate fine fuels in anticipation of a prescribed fire.
Weather influences:
Above normal precipitation in April, May and June can dramatically increase total annual production of the plant community. These weather patterns can also increase viable seed production of desirable species to provide for recruitment. Likewise, below normal precipitation during these spring months can significantly reduce total annual production and be detrimental to good viable seed production. Overall plant composition is normally not affected when perennials have good vigor.
Below normal temperatures in the spring can have an adverse impact on total production regardless of the precipitation. An early, hard freeze can occasionally kill some plants.
Prolonged drought adversely affects this plant community in several ways. Vigor, recruitment, and production are usually reduced. Mortality can occur. Prolonged drought can lead to reduction in fire frequency.
Influence of Insects and disease:
Outbreaks can affect vegetation health. Bitterbrush can be severely affected by the western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma fragilis). Two consecutive years of defoliation by the tent caterpillar can cause mortality in bitterbrush. Mormon cricket and grasshopper outbreaks occur periodically. Outbreaks seldom cause plant mortality since defoliation of the plant occurs only once during the year of the outbreak.
Influence of noxious and invasive plants:
Many of these species add to the fine-fuel component and lead to increased fire frequency. Perennial and annual weeds compete with desirable plants for moisture and nutrients. The result is reduced production and change in composition of the understory.
Influence of wildlife:
Big game can use the Gravelly Loam 12-16 ARTRT/PSSPS site in the spring, summer and fall and in moderate winters. Their numbers are seldom high enough to adversely affect the plant community. Herbivory can be detrimental to bitterbrush when livestock grazing and browsing by big game occurs at the same time and season. This will occur when both kinds of animal are using the plant in the late summer or fall. The adverse impact is excessive use of the current year’s leader growth. The deer mouse is beneficial to this site. It is the principal vector for planting bitterbrush seed.
Watershed:
Decreased infiltration and increased runoff occur with an increase in basin big sagebrush. Desired understory species can be reduced. This composition change can affect nutrient and water cycles. Increased runoff also causes sheet and rill erosion. Abnormally short fire frequency also gives the same results, but to a lesser degree. The long-term effect is a transition to a different state.
Influence of juniper invasion:
In plant communities that are invaded by juniper, the species has a competitive advantage for the following reasons:
-Juniper is very drought tolerant.
-It has the ability to extract soil moisture from a wide range of soil depths.
-Juniper has high evapo-transpiration rates.
-The species intercepts rain and snow before it reaches the soil surface.
-It has the ability to grow as long as there is soil moisture and the temperature is above freezing.
-Juniper has a relatively rapid growth rate and is long-lived. It can readily over-top shade intolerant species which leads to mortality.
-Nutrient cycling is reduced.
-As the canopy closes, juniper gains control of energy capture.
As juniper extracts water, other plants are unable to acquire sufficient water and nutrients to sustain growth and reproduction, thus reducing cover and biomass in the interspaces. After the canopy closes, there is sufficient soil moisture available for shallow-rooted, shade tolerant species to persist directly under the tree.
The following hydrological impacts occur on sites invaded by juniper:
-Infiltration in the interspaces is reduced.
-Run-off increases resulting in increased sheet and rill erosion with elevated sediment loads.
-Soil temperatures increase in the interspaces which results in accelerated drying of the soil surface.
-Increased bare ground in the interspaces.
-Soil moisture storage is reduced.
As bare ground and connection of bare ground patches increases, flow rates are accelerated (reduction of flow sinuosity) and run-off out of the area increases.
Degradation of these systems can result in the formation of a feedback cycle in which greater juniper cover and density results in greater plant and soil disturbance between the canopies.
In summary, a closed juniper community takes control of the following ecological processes: hydrology, energy capture and nutrient cycling. The changes are primarily driven by the hydrological processes. The development of a closed juniper canopy always results in a transition across the threshold to a different state. Generally, when juniper canopy cover nears 20%, the plant community is approaching the threshold.
State and transition model
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Ecosystem states
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
The Reference State has three plant community phases. Community phase 1.1 is dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass and basin big sagebrush. Community phase 1.2 is dominated by basin big sagebrush with bluebunch wheatgrass reduced in production from 1.1. Community phase 1.2 develops in the absence of a disturbance that would reduce or remove the sagebrush. Community phase 1.3 develops after a recent disturbance, such as fire, that removes the sagebrush canopy.
Community 1.1
Bluebunch wheatgrass/basin big sagebrush
The dominant visual aspect of Community Phase 1.1 is basin big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. The composition by weight is 85 to 95 percent grasses, 3 percent forbs, and 5 to 10 percent shrubs. Other prominent species in the plant community include mutton bluegrass, Nevada bluegrass, fleabane, elk thistle, antelope bitterbrush and buckwheat. There are a variety of other grasses, forbs, and shrubs in the plant community that occur in small amounts. Natural fire frequency is 20 to 50 years.
Figure 3. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 540 | 900 | 1260 |
| Shrub/Vine | 42 | 70 | 98 |
| Forb | 18 | 30 | 42 |
| Total | 600 | 1000 | 1400 |
Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID1005, ARTRT-PSSP-ACHY. State 1.
| 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 | 25 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID1002, ARTRT Early Seral. State 2.
| 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 | 30 | 40 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID1003, D28-JUNIPER, Early Seral. State 3.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Community 1.2
Basin big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass
Community Phase 1.2 is dominated by basin big sagebrush with some juniper seedlings and saplings invading. Sandberg bluegrass has increased. Other bunchgrasses, including bluebunch wheatgrass, are present but in reduced amounts and in low vigor. Antelope bitterbrush is still present but in reduced amounts and may be hedged. A juniper seed source is present in nearby sites. Community Phase 1.2 has developed due to fire frequency being much longer than normal or improper grazing management with no fire.
Community 1.3
Bluebunch wheatgrass/other perennial bunchgrasses
Community Phase 1.3 is dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass. Bluegrasses have increased. Forbs have also increased. Most basin big sagebrush have died due to fire, but low green rabbitbrush, grey horsebrush and Utah snowberry have re-sprouted and may have increased. The community is a result of recent wildfire, prescribed burning or brush management.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Develops in the absence of fire and improper grazing management. There is a juniper seed source present in the vicinity.
Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3
Results from a wildfire or brush management.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Occurs with prescribed grazing and brush management or prescribed burning.
Pathway 1.2b
Community 1.2 to 1.3
Results from a wildfire or brush management.
Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.1
Results from prescribed grazing and no fire.
State 2
Current Potential State
The Current Potential State has four plant community phases. Community phases 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 are similar to community phases 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3. All community phases in this state contain non-native species. Community phase 2.4 is dominated by basin big sagebrush with shallow rooted bunchgrasses as the dominant species in the understory. Deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses have been removed by improper grazing.
Community 2.1
Bluebunch wheatgrass/basin big sagebrush
Community Phase 2.1 is dominated by basin big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. Other prominent species in the plant community include mutton bluegrass, Nevada bluegrass, fleabane, elk thistle, antelope bitterbrush and buckwheat. There are a variety of other grasses, forbs and shrubs in the plant community that occur in small amounts including non-native species. Natural fire frequency is 20 to 50 years.
Community 2.2
Basin big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass/juniper seedlings
Community Phase 2.2 is dominated in the overstory by basin big sagebrush with some juniper seedlings and saplings invading. Sandberg bluegrass has increased. Other bunchgrasses including bluebunch wheatgrass are present but in reduced amounts and in low vigor. Antelope bitterbrush is still present but in reduced amounts and may be hedged. A juniper seed source is present in nearby sites. Some cheatgrass may be present. Community Phase 2.2 has developed due to fire frequency being much longer than normal or improper grazing management with no fire.
Community 2.3
Blueblunch wheatgrass/other perennial bunchgrasses
Community Phase 2.3 is dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass. Bluegrasses have increased. Forbs have also increased. Most basin big sagebrush have died due to fire, but low green rabbitbrush, grey horsebrush, and Utah snowberry have re-sprouted and may have increased. Some cheatgrass has invaded the site. The community is a result of recent wildfire, prescribed burning, or brush management.
Community 2.4
Basin big sagebrush/Sandberg bluegrass
Community Phase 2.4 is dominated by basin big sagebrush in the overstory with reduced amounts of bluebunch wheatgrass and in reduced vigor. Sandberg bluegrass has increased. Other bunchgrasses have been reduced and are in low vigor. Antelope bitterbrush has reduced vigor and maybe hedged in shape. There is no juniper seed source in the proximity. Some cheatgrass may have invaded the site. Community Phase 2.4 has developed due to improper grazing management and no fire.
Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2
Develops in the absence of fire and improper grazing management. There is a juniper seed source present in the vicinity.
Pathway 2.1b
Community 2.1 to 2.3
Results from a wildfire or brush management.
Pathway 2.1c
Community 2.1 to 2.4
Results from improper grazing management and no fire. There is no juniper seed source present in the vicinity.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1
Occurs with prescribed grazing and brush management or prescribed burning.
Pathway 2.2b
Community 2.2 to 2.3
Results from wildfire or brush management.
Pathway 2.3a
Community 2.3 to 2.1
Results from prescribed grazing and no fire.
Pathway 2.3b
Community 2.3 to 2.4
Occurs with no fire and improper grazing management.
Pathway 2.4a
Community 2.4 to 2.1
Occurs with prescribed grazing.
Pathway 2.4b
Community 2.4 to 2.3
Occurs with fire or prescribed burning and prescribed grazing.
State 3
Shrub State
The Shrub State has basin big sagebrush in the overstory and Sandberg bluegrass and annuals in the understory. Cheatgrass is a dominant annual in the community. There may be a variety of weedy forbs and some noxious weeds may have invaded. Some soil loss has occurred. The Shrub State developed due to continued improper grazing management and frequent fire. The Gravelly Loam 12-16 ARTRT/PSSPS site has crossed the threshold. It is economically impractical to return this state to State 1 or 2 with accelerated practices.
Community 3.1
Basin big sagebrush/Sandberg bluegrass
Community Phase 3.1 is dominated by Sandberg bluegrass and annuals in the understory. Cheatgrass is a dominant annual in the community. There may be a variety of weedy forbs and some noxious weeds may have invaded. Some soil loss has occurred. The community has developed due to continued improper grazing management and frequent fire. Community Phase 3.1 has crossed the threshold. It is economically impractical to return this state to State 1 or 2 with accelerated practices.
State 4
Tree State
The Tree State is dominated by juniper with Sandberg bluegrass and annuals in the understory. Cheatgrass is a dominant annual at lower elevations. There are few shrubs present due to competition from junipers. Some deep-rooted perennials may be present under the trees. Generally, shrub cover is below 10 to 15 percent, bare ground is above 25 to 30 percent, and juniper cover is greater than 20 percent, when the threshold is crossed. Some soil loss has occurred. Th Tree State has developed due to continued improper grazing management and lack of fire. The Gravelly Loam 12-16 ARTRT/PSSPS site has crossed the threshold. It is economically impractical to return this community to State 1 or 2 with accelerated practices.
Community 4.1
Juniper/Sandberg bluegrass/non-native annuals
This plant community is dominated by juniper with Sandberg bluegrass and annuals in the understory. Cheatgrass is a dominant annual at lower elevations. There are few shrubs present due to competition from junipers. Some deep-rooted perennials may be present under the junipers. Generally, shrub cover is below 10-15%, bare ground is above 25-30% and juniper cover is greater than 20% when the threshold is crossed. Some soil loss has occurred. This plant community has developed due to continued improper grazing management and lack of fire. This site has crossed the threshold. It is economically impractical to return this community to State 1 or 2 with accelerated practices.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Introduction of non-native species.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
Develops through improper grazing management and frequent fire.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4
Develops with no fire and improper grazing management from a juniper invaded phase of State 2.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | – | |||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSPS | Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata | 300–700 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 120–280 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 90–210 | – | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 12–28 | – | ||
| oniongrass | MEBU | Melica bulbosa | 12–28 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | – | |||||
| fleabane | ERIGE2 | Erigeron | 30–70 | – | ||
| meadow thistle | CISC2 | Cirsium scariosum | 30–70 | – | ||
| arrowleaf balsamroot | BASA3 | Balsamorhiza sagittata | 12–28 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 12–28 | – | ||
| desertparsley | LOMAT | Lomatium | 0–14 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–14 | – | ||
| lupine | LUPIN | Lupinus | 0–14 | – | ||
| mule-ears | WYAM | Wyethia amplexicaulis | 0–14 | – | ||
| onion | ALLIU | Allium | 0–14 | – | ||
| phlox | PHLOX | Phlox | 0–14 | – | ||
| stickseed | HACKE | Hackelia | 0–14 | – | ||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 0–14 | – | ||
| scatter knotweed | PODOS2 | Polygonum douglasii ssp. spergulariiforme | 0–14 | – | ||
| ragwort | SENEC | Senecio | 0–14 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | – | |||||
| basin big sagebrush | ARTRT | Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata | 48–112 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 36–84 | – | ||
| buckwheat | ERIOG | Eriogonum | 30–70 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVIV4 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus ssp. viscidiflorus var. viscidiflorus | 24–56 | – | ||
| Utah snowberry | SYORU | Symphoricarpos oreophilus var. utahensis | 12–28 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 0–14 | – | ||
Interpretations
Supporting information
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 | 06/14/2025 |
| 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):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.