2003-04-29_REVISION - M1999024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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V ~. [Y Ptt n[NI Ut AGK:CU.IUKL ~iATURAL'ttESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE OQ/z1/58 Endnote -- RANGELAND PRODUCTIVITY AND CHRACTERISTIC PLANT COMMUNITIES In areas that have similar climate and topography, differences in the kind and amount of .vegetation produced on rangeland are closely related to the kind of soil. Effective management is based on the relationship betveen the soils and vegetation and water. This report shows, for each soil, the range site; the total annual production of vegetation in favorable, normal, and unfavorable years; the characteristic vegetation; and ihr average percentage of each species. Only those soils that are used as rangeland or are suited to use as rangeland are listed. An explanation of the column headings in this report follows. RANGE SITE is a distinctive kind of rangeland that produces a characteristic natural plant community that differs from natural plant communities on other range sites in kind, amount and proportion of range plants. the relationship betveeen soils and vegetation was ascertained during this survey; thus, rmn9e sites generally can be determined directly from the soil map. Soil properties that affect moisture supply and plant nutrients have the greatest influence on the productivity of range plants. Soli reaction, salt content, and a seasonal high water table are also important. TOTAi PRODUCTION is the amount of vegetation that can be expected to grow annually on well managed rangeland that is supporting the potential natural plant community. It includes all vegetation, whether or not it is palatable is grazing animals. It includes the current Year's growth of leaves, twigs, and fruits of woody plants. It does not include the increase in stem diameter of trees and shrubs. It is expressed in pounds per acre of air-dry vegetation for favorable, normal, and unfavorable rears. In a favorable year, the amount and distribution of precipitation and the temperatures make growing conditions substantiaiIy better than average. In a Hormel year, growing conditions are about average. In an unfavorable year, growing conditions are well below average, generally because of low available soil moisture. Dry weight is the iotai annual yield per acre of air-dry vegetation. Yields are adjusted to a common percent of air-dry moisture content. The relationship of green weight to air-dry weight varies according to such factors as exposure, amount of shade, recent rains, and unseasonable dry periods. CHARACTEkiSTIC VEGETATION The grasses, fortis, and shrubs 'that make up most of the potential natural plant community on each soil is listed by common name. Under COMPOSITION the expected percentage of the total annual production is given for each species making up the characteristic vegetation. The amount that can be used as forage depends on the kinds of grazing animals and on the 4raz ing season. Range management requires a knowledge of the kinds of soil and of the potential natural plant community. It also reouires an evaluation of the present range condition. Range condition is determined by comparing the present plant community with the potential natural plant community on a particular range site. The more closely the existing community resembles the potential community, the better the range condition. Range COnd1t10n 15 8n eCm10g1C81 rating Only. The ObjeetlVe In range management 15 t0 control grazing so that the vlanis growing on a site are about the same in kind and amount es the potential natural plant community far thai site. Such management generally results in the optimum production of vegetation, control of undesirable brush species, conservation of water, and control of erosion, Sometimes, however, a range condition somewhat beiov 'the potential meets grazing needs, provides wildlife habitat, and protects soli and eater resources.