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Representative Soil Features <br /> The soils on this site are very deep,poorly to somewhat poorly drained soils that fonned from alluvium They typically have a slow to <br /> moderately rapid permeability Gass-The available water capacity is typically low,but ranges to moderate.Available water is the portion of <br /> water in a soil that can be readily absorbed by plant roots.This is the amount of water released between the field capacity and the <br /> permanent witting point As fineness of texture increases,there is a general increase in available moisture storage from sands to loams and <br /> silt loams.The high levels of salts decreases the available water capacity in these soils-The soil moisture regime is typically aqu€c,but may <br /> include oxyaquic.The soil temperature regime is mesic. <br /> The surface layer of the soils in this site are typically loam,day loam.or fine sandy loam.but may include Gay or sandy loam The surface <br /> layer ranges from 4 to 10 inches thick The subsoil is typically clay,day loam,or loam,but may include stratified layefs with sandy loam, <br /> sand,or coarse sand with varying amounts of rock fragments.Rock fragments range from 0 to 35 percent in the undedying material.Soils in <br /> this site typically have free carbonates at the surface,but some soils may be leached from 4 to 10 inches.These soils are saline and <br /> alkaline.The high levels of salinity adversely affects plant species composition and growth These soils are susceptible to erosion by water <br /> and wind. <br /> Plant Communities <br /> Ecological Dynamics of the Site <br /> The information in this ESD,including the state-and-transition model diagram(STM),was developed using archeological and historical data, <br /> professional experience,and scientific studies The information is representative of a dynamic set of plant communities that represent the <br /> complex interaction of several ecological processes.The plant composition has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas.areas <br /> protected from excessive disturbance,seasonal use pastures,short duration/time controlled grazing strategies,and historical accounts. <br /> The Salt Meadow Ecological Site is characterized by three states Reference,Warm-Season Shortgrass,and Increased Bare Ground State <br /> The Reference State is characterized by warm-season bunchgress(alkali sacaton,switchgrass),cool-season midgrass(western wheatgrass), <br /> warm-season tall rhizomatous grass,and a minor component of cool-season grasslike(Nebraska sedge).The Warm-Season Shodgrass <br /> State is characterized by a warm-season short rhizomatous grass(inland saltgrass).The Increased Bare Ground State is characterized by <br /> early successional cool-season grass(foxtail barley),annual grasses,and annual(orbs. <br /> The site has a high water table throughout the growing season.The availability of water has a major influence on the vegetation that will <br /> persist on this site. <br /> Reference Plant Community <br /> This plant community is the interpretive plant community for this site.This community evolved with grazing by large herbivores and is well <br /> suited for grazing by domestic livestock.Historically,fires occurred infrequently This plant community can be found on areas that are grazed <br /> and where the grazed plants receive adequate periods of recovery during the growing season.The potential vegetation is about 80-95% <br /> grasses and grass-likes,3-10%forbs and 2-10%woody plants <br /> The community is dominated by tall and mid warm and cool-season grasses Major grasses include alkali sacaton,switchgrass,prairie <br /> cordgrass and western wheatgrass.Other grasses and grass likes occurring on the community include big bluestem,little bluestem,alkali <br /> cordgrass,Nebraska sedge,and Baltic rush.Key(orbs and shrubs include American 6conce,prairie gentian,rag sumpweed,and fourwing <br /> saltbush <br /> 12 <br />