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<br />2-Absarokee-Work loams, 6 to 25 percent slopes.
<br />These moderately sloping to moderately steep soils are
<br />on uplands and valley side slopes. Elevation ranges from
<br />6,800 to 8,500 feet. Average annual precipitation is
<br />about 17 inches, average annual air temperature is about
<br />44 degrees F, and the average frost-free season is
<br />about 90 days.
<br />The Absarokee soil makes up about 40 percent of this
<br />complex and is on the steeper side slopes and on small
<br />ridges. The Work soil makes up about 40 percent and is
<br />in depressions and swales.
<br />Included with this complex in mapping are a few small
<br />areas of Beenom, Kech, Progresso, and Potts soils and
<br />Fluven[s, flooded. Also included are some areas where
<br />the surface layer is light clay loam or sandy loam and
<br />small areas where gravel, cobbles, and stones are on
<br />the surface. The included areas make up 20 percent of
<br />the complex.
<br />The Absarokee soil is moderately deep and well
<br />drained and overlies sandstone at a depth of 20 to 40
<br />inches. It formed in material weathered from sandstone.
<br />Typically the surface layer of the Absarokee soil is
<br />dark grayish brown loam about 7 inches thick. The sub-
<br />soil is brown clay about 18 inches thick. The substratum
<br />is light brown channery clay loam. Sandstone is at a
<br />depth of about 30 inches.
<br />In the Absarokee soil, permeability is moderately slow
<br />and available water capacity is low. Effective rooting
<br />depth is 20 to 40 inches. Surface runoff is medium. The
<br />hazard of erosion from wind is slight and from water is
<br />moderate.
<br />On the Absarokee soil the native vegetation consists
<br />mainly of Gambel oak, serviceberry, big sagebrush,
<br />wheatgrasses, and bromes.
<br />The Work soil is deep and well drained ,and overlies
<br />sandstone at a depth of 60 inches or more. It formed in
<br />material weathered from sandstone and in reworked
<br />eolian material.
<br />Typically the surtace layer of the Work soil is dark
<br />brown loam about 6 inches thick. The subsoil is brown
<br />clay about 33 inches thick. The substratum is very pals
<br />brown channery loam and extends to a depth of 60
<br />inches or more.
<br />In the Work soil, permeability is moderately slow and
<br />available water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth
<br />is 60 inches or more. Surface runoff is medium. The
<br />hazard of erosion from wind is slight and from water is
<br />moderate to high.
<br />On the Work soil the native vegetation consists mainly
<br />of wheatgrasses, bluegrasses, bromes, big sagebrush,
<br />oakbrush, and serviceberry.
<br />Most areas of this complex are used for grazing by
<br />livestock and wi'dlife and for racreational purposes.
<br />The potential plant community on the Absarokee soil
<br />consists mainly of Gambel oak, mountain brome, nod-
<br />ding brome, slender wheatgrass, and elk sedge. As
<br />range condition deteriorates, mountain brome, nodding
<br />brome, slender wheatgrass, and elk sedge decrease,
<br />forbs and woody shrubs increase, and undesirable
<br />weeds and annual plants invade and become morn
<br />abundant.
<br />The potential plant community on the Work soil con-
<br />sists mainly of wheatgrasses, bluegrasses, and needle-
<br />grasses. As range condition deteriorates, the wheat-
<br />grasses and needlegrasses decrease, forbs and woody
<br />shrubs increase, and undesirable weeds and annual
<br />plants invade and become more abundant.
<br />Seeding is advisable on the soils in this complex if
<br />range is in poor condition, Slender wheatgrass, blue-
<br />bunch wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, and big blue-
<br />grass are suitable for seeding. Grasses that meet the
<br />seasonal requirements of livestock should be selected.
<br />Preparing a seedbed and drilling the seed help to obtain
<br />the best results. Good pasture and range management is
<br />needed to maintain the grasses. On some sites control
<br />of competing shrubs is required to improve range condi-
<br />tion.
<br />These soils are used for winter range by mule deer
<br />and elk. Some important plant species which can be
<br />managed for optimum production are bitterbrush, moun-
<br />tainmahogany, Gambel oak, serviceberry, and elk sedge.
<br />Berry-producing shrubs are used by black bear. This soil
<br />provides habitat for Merriam turkey, blue grouse, and
<br />t3-Beenom-Absarokee association, 20 to 60 per-
<br />cent slopes. These hilly, steep, and very steep soils are
<br />on mountain side slopes. Elevation ranges from 6,800 to
<br />8,300 feet. Average annual precipitation is about 17
<br />inches, average annual air iemperatura is about 43 de-
<br />grees F, and the average frost-free season is about 100
<br />days.
<br />The Beenom soil makes up about 50 percent of the
<br />association. It is on the upper part of the slope and on
<br />ridgetops. The Absarokee soil makes up about 30 per-
<br />cent of the association. It is in a position Iewer on the
<br />slope than the Beenom soil and is also in swales.
<br />Included with these soils in mapping are a few small
<br />areas of Kech, Progresso, and Work soils. Also included
<br />are rock outcrops, very shallow soils, and deep, stony
<br />soils. Included areas make up 20 percent of the associ-
<br />ation. In some small areas the surface layer is clay loam,
<br />or sandy loam.
<br />The Beenom soil is shallow and well drained and over-
<br />lies bedrock al a depth of 10 to 20 inches. It formed in
<br />material that was weathered in place iroin sandstone
<br />and interbedded shale.
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