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32 calcareous, gravelly alluvium derived principally trom basalt. The average annual precipitation is about 7 inches; the average annual air temperature is about 41 degrees F; and the frost-free period is about 95 days. Included in this unit are small areas of Travelers very stony loam, Luhon loam, and basalt Rock outcrop. Typically, the surface layer of this Garita soil is brown gravelly loam about 3 inches thick. The underlying material to a depth of about 6 inches is brown gravelly loam. Below this, to a depth of about 21 inches, is white very gravelly loam that has a moderate marly layer of concentrated calcium carbonate. From a depth of 21 to 60 inches, the soil is very pale brown very gravelly loam that has less calcium carbonate than the layer above. Permeability is moderate. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Available water capacity is moderate. Surtace runoff is medium, and the hazard of erosion is moderate. This soil is used as range and for wildlife habitat. The potential natural vegetation on this Garita soil is dominated by wintertat, fourwing saltbush, Indian ricegrass, and blue grama. If the range deteriorates, the proportion of these more desirable plants decreases, and that of plants such as threeawn, pricklypear, snakeweed, pingue, and other forbs increases. Undesirable weeds and annual plants invade and become more abundant as range condition declines. Establishing rangeland seedings is difficult on this soil because of the low rainfall. Deferred grazing, cross fencing, and stockwater developments are the practices most needed to prevent range deterioration and to promote the growth of more desirable plant species. This Garita soil has limited potential for wildlife habitat because of sparse vegetation. The soil is best suited to habitat for wildlife such as antelope, jackrabbit, cottontail, and coyote. This soil is suited to homesite development. The main limitations are slope and the large number of rock fragments throughout the soil profile. Gravel and cobblestones should be removed from areas that are to be landscaped, particularly ii these areas are used for lawns. Slope limits the use of this soii as septic tank absorption fields, and absorption lines should be installed on the contour. If the density of housing is moderate to high, community sewage systems are needed to prevent contamination of water supplies as a result of seepage from onsite sewage disposal systems. This soil is in capability subclass Vlle, nonirrigated. It is in the Limy Bench range site. 26-Garita-Platoro complexy t to 9 percent slopes. These deep, well drained soils occur on fans and terraces on alluvial valley floors. Elevation is 7,600 to 8,400 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 8 inches; the average annual air temperature is about 41 degrees F; and the frost-free period is about 95 days. Soil Survey The Garita soils make up 55 percent of the unit, and the Platoro soils make up about 40 percent. Garita soils differ from the Platoro soils by having a layer of concentrated calcium carbonate and a greater percentage of rock fragments. Luhon loam and Rock River gravelly loam make up about 5 percent of the unit. The Garita soils are deep, well drained, very gravelly soils. They formed in calcareous, gravelly alluvium derived principally from basalt. Typically, the surface layer is brown gravelly loam about 3 inches thick. The underlying material to a depth of about 9 inches is brown gravelly loam. Below this to a depth of about 21 inches is white very gravelly loam that has concentrated accumulations of calcium carbonate. Between the depths of 21 and 60 inches, the soil is pale brown very gravelly loam and has less calcium carbonate than the layer above. In the Garita soils, permeability is moderate. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Available water capacity is moderate. Surtace runoff is slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. The Platoro soils are deep and well drained. They formed in alluvium derived mainly from igneous rocks. Typically, the surface layer is light brownish gray loam , about 8 inches thick. The subsoil is brown clay loam in the upper 9 inches and calcareous, brown gravelly clay loam in the lower 4 inches. The upper part of the substratum, about 12 inches thick, is brown very gravelly. loam with visible calcium carbonate; and the lower part , of the substratum, extending to a depth of 60 inches or more, is light brownish gray very gravelly loamy sand.. In Platoro soils, permeability is moderately slow. ' Effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Available water capacity is moderate. Surtace runoff is medium, and the hazard of erosion is slight. The hazard of soil blowing is moderate. These soils are used mainly for range, and a few small. areas are used for irrigated pasture. ' : ~, Irrigation methods suitable for this complex are the border, furrow, and sprinkler methods. Land leveling ands proper lengths oirun are needed to prevent water loss from seepage and the buildup of salts in the soil. On irrigated fields, applications of commercial fertilizers, manure, and plant residue are commonly needed. '~ The potential natural vegetation on the Garita soils is`.~ dominated by wintertat, Indian ricegrass, blue grama, an~° fourwing saltbush. If the range deteriorates, the proportion of these more desirable plants decreases, and that of plants such as threeawn, pricklypear, snakeweed, pingue, and other forbs increases. , Undesirable weeds and annual plants invade and become more abundant as the range condition declines. The potential natural vegetation on the Platoro soils js dominated by blue grama, Indian ricegrass, needleandthread, wintertat, and fourwing saltbush. If th, range deteriorates, the proportion of Indian ricegrass, needleandthread, and western wheatgrass decreases,.