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12/9/2019 ESD Printable Report
<br /> Major soil series correlated to this ecological site include:Apishapa,Bloom,Fluvaquents,Las,Las Animas,Saline wet land,Seldom
<br /> Revisions to soil surveys are on-going.For the most recent updates,visit the Web Soil Survey,the official site for latest soils information:
<br /> http://websoilsurvey.nres.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx
<br /> Surface Texture:silty clay,clay loam,silty clay loam,loam,sandy loam,loamy sand
<br /> Parent materials
<br /> Kind:Alluvium
<br /> Surface texture:(1)Silty clay loam
<br /> (2)Clay loam
<br /> (3)Silty clay loam
<br /> Minimum Maximum
<br /> Surface fragments< 3"(%cover): 0 0
<br /> Surface fragments>3"(%cover): 0 0
<br /> Subsurface fragments<J"'(%volume): 0 5
<br /> Subsurface fragments>3"(%volume): 0 0
<br /> Drainage class:Poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained
<br /> Permeability class:Slow to rapid
<br /> Minimum Maximum
<br /> Depth(inches): 60 80
<br /> Available water capacity(inches): 0.80 8.00
<br /> Electrical conductivity(mmhos/cm): 0 16
<br /> Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 12
<br /> Calcium carbonate equivalent(percent): 1 20
<br /> Soil reaction(1:1 water): 7.4 9.0
<br /> Soil reaction(0.01 M CaCl2): 6.6 8.4
<br /> Plant Communities
<br /> Ecological Dynamics of the Site
<br /> The information in this ESD,including the state-and-transition model(STM),was developed using archeological and historical data,
<br /> professional experience,and scientific studies.The information is representative of a complex set of plant communities.The plant composition
<br /> has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas,areas protected from excessive disturbance,seasonal use pastures,short
<br /> duration/time controlled grazing strategies,and historical accounts.Not all scenarios or plants are included.Key indicator plants,animals,and
<br /> ecological processes are described to inform land management decisions.
<br /> This region was historically occupied by large grazing animals such as bison along with pronghorn and mule deer.Deer and pronghorn are
<br /> widely distributed throughout the MLRA.This is an important site for livestock grazing,especially cattle.
<br /> Drought has historically impacted the vegetation of this region.Changes in species composition will vary depending upon the duration and
<br /> severity of the drought cycle,and prior grazing management.Recent drought events have increased mortality of blue grama significantly in
<br /> some locales,along with other bunchgrasses such as sideoats grama,little bluestem,needleandthread,threeawn,and squirreltail.Historic fire
<br /> frequency(pre-industrial),is estimated at 15-20 years(Guyette,2012),randomly distributed,and started by lightning at various times
<br /> throughout the growing season.Early human inhabitants were also likely to start fires for various reasons(deliberate or accidental).
<br /> The primary grasses consist of warm-season mid bunch grass(alkali sacaton),warm-season tall bunch grass(switchgrass),warm-season tall
<br /> rhizomatous grass(prairie cordgrass),and cool-season mid rhizomatous western wheatgrass.Secondary grasses and grass-likes occurring in
<br /> the community include warm-season tall bunch grasses(big bluestem,Indiangrass),warm-season mid stoloniferous grass(vine mesquite),
<br /> cool-season tall bunch grass(Canada wildrye),and cool-season grass-like plants(Nebraska sedge,Baltic rush). Minor grasses include little
<br /> bluestem,slender wheatgrass,alkali cordgrass and inland saltgrass.Key(orbs and shrubs include American licorice,showy prairie gentian,
<br /> rag sumpweed,Illinois bundleflower,rubber rabbitbrush and fourwing saltbush.
<br /> Recurring seasonal herbivory without adequate recovery opportunity following each grazing occurrence will cause prairie cordgrass,
<br /> switchgrass,alkali sacaton and eventually western wheatgrass to decrease in frequency and production while inland saltgrass increases. In
<br /> time,the plant community will become dominated by inland saltgrass and develop into a sod bound condition with alkali sacaton and western
<br /> wheatgrass persisting only in remnant amounts.Heavy continuous grazing will ultimately result in a plant community dominated by foxtail
<br /> barley,annual invaders and increased bare ground.Excessive litter,plant mortality and decadence can result from the lack of fire and/or non-
<br /> use.Extended periods of non-use(rest),lack of fire or heavy long term continuous grazing can lead to increased bare ground.Persistent
<br /> water table alteration or drainage causes a complete alteration and/or disruption of the hydrologic function and biotic integrity resulting in the
<br /> crossing of an ecological threshold and the replacement of the natural states and plant communities applicable to the site.
<br /> Drier and warmer climatic conditions exist in the central portion of MLRA-69(LRU A).This area includes the eastern half of Pueblo county,
<br /> northern Otero,extreme northwestern Bent,western edge of Kiowa,southern edge of Lincoln and all of Crowley County.These conditions are
<br /> primarily caused by a rain shadow effect from the southern Rocky Mountains.Evapotranspiration rates(atmospheric demand)will be higher in
<br /> LRU A and total annual production will typically be lower.
<br /> The reference plant community(description follows the plant community diagram)has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas,
<br /> areas protected from excessive disturbance,seasonal use pastures,and short duration/time controlled grazing and historical accounts.
<br /> The following is a diagram that illustrates the common plant communities that can occur on the site and the transition pathways(arrows)
<br /> https://esis.sc.egov.usda.gov/ESDReport/fsReportPrt.aspx?id=R069XY03000&rptLevei=all&approved=yes&repType=regular&scrns=&comm= 4/15
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