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Annual Production by Plant Type <br /> Annual Production(Ibs/ac) <br /> Representative <br /> Plant type Low value High <br /> Forb 135 210 285 <br /> Grass/Grasslike 945 1420 1600 <br /> Shrub/Vine 120 200 285 <br /> Tree 0 20 30 <br /> Total 1200 1850 2400 <br /> ESD R067BY035: <br /> Site stage:J�O ,1,,1 <br /> PrQvis:ona l:an ESD at the provisional status represents the lowest tier of documentation that is releasable to the public It contains a grouping of soil <br /> units that respond similarly to ecological processes.The ESD contains 1)enough information to distinguish it from similar and associated ecological <br /> sites and 2)a draft state and transition model capturing the ecological processes and vegetative states and community phases as they are currently <br /> conceptualized The prov sional ESD has undergone both quality control and quality assurance protocols tl is expected that the provisional ESD will <br /> continue refinement towards an approved status <br /> Site name:salt Meadow <br /> I Sporobolus airarcles-Panicum orgatum <br /> (/alkali sacaton-switchgrass) <br /> Site type Rangeland <br /> Site/D.R067BY035CO <br /> Mayor land resource area(MLRA):067B-Central High Plains,Southern Part <br /> This region is periodically affected by severe drought,including the historic"Dust Bowl'of the 1930s.Dust storms may form during drought <br /> years,in windy periods Elevations range from <br /> 3A00 to 6,000 feet.The Average annual precipitation ranges front 14-17 inches per year.and ranges from 13 inches to over 18 inches, <br /> depending on location Precipitation occurs mostly during the growing season,often dunng rapidly developing thunderstorms.Mean annual <br /> air temperature(MART)is 48-52°F.Summer temperatures may exceed 100°F.Winter temperatures may be sub-zero,and snowfall varies <br /> Climatic Features <br /> Average annual precipitation across the MLRA extent is 14 to 17 inches,and ranges from 13 inches to over 18 inches,depending on location. <br /> The average is 15 inches Precipitation increases from north to south Mean Annual Air Temperature(MAAT)is 50`F in the northern part and <br /> increases to 52°F in the southern part.Portions of Morgan and Weld counties(in the norihem part)are confer and drier,the MART is 48°F, <br /> and average precipitation is 13 to14 incites per year.Two-thirds of the annual precipitation occurs during the growing season from mid-April to <br /> late September.Snowfall averages 30 inches per year,area-wide,but vanes by location from 20 to 40 inches per year.Winds are estimated <br /> to average 9 miles per hour annually.Daytime winds are generally stronger than at night,and occasional strong storms may bring periods of <br /> high winds with gusts to more than 90 mph.High-intertsity afternoon thunderstorms may arise.The average length of the freeze-free period <br /> (28'F)is 155 days from April 30th to October to 3rd The average frost-free period(32"F)is 136 days from May 11th to September 24th.July <br /> is the hottest month,and December and January are the coldest months.Summer temperatures average 90°F and occasionally exceed <br /> 100"F.Summer humidity is low and evaporation is high.Winters are characterized with frequent northerly winds,producing severe cold with <br /> temperatures occasionally dropping to-30°F or lower.Blizzard conditions may form quickly.For detailed information,visit the Western <br /> Regional Climate Center website:Western Regional Climate Center>Historical Data>Westem U.S.Climate summaries,NOAA Coop <br /> Stations>Colorado http 11waw.wrcc dri.edu/summary/Climsmco.html Eastern Colorado was strongly affected by extended drought conditions <br /> in the"Dust Boyd"period of the 1930's,with recurrent drought cycles in the 1950s and 1970s,Extreme to exceptional drought conditions have <br /> re-visited the area from 2002 to 2012,with brief interludes of near normal to normal precipitation years.Long-term effects of these latest <br /> drought events have yet to be determined.Growth of native cool-season plants begin about April 1 and continue to mid-June.Native warm- <br /> season plants begin growth about May 1 and continue to about August 15.Regrowth of cool-season plants occur in September in most years, <br /> depending on moisture.Note:The climate described here is based on historic climate station data in the past 30 to 50 years,and is averaged <br /> to provide an overview of annual precipitation,temperatures,and growing season.Future climate is beyond the scope of this document <br /> However,research to determine the effects of elevated CO2 and/or heating on mixed-grass prairie ecosystems,and how it may relate to <br /> future plant communities(i.e.potential shifts in dominant and sub-dominant groups,changes in growing season length responses of cool- <br /> season and warm-season grasses,etc.)is on-going. <br /> Averaged <br /> Frost-free period(days): 129 <br /> Freeze-free period(days) 150 <br /> Mean annual precipitation(inches): 15.89 <br /> 11 <br />