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Site Type: Rangeland MLRA: 69 -Upper Arkansas Valley Rolling Plains Gravel Breaks R069XY064C0 Production ranges from 100 to 350 pounds of air-dry vegetation per acre per year and averages 200 pounds. The following is the growth curve of this plant community expected during a normal year: Growth curve number: C06907 Growth curve name: Warm season dominant; MLRA-69; upland coarse textured soils. JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 0 0 0 5 30 40 20 5 0 0 0 0 (monthly percentages of total annual growth) Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Heavy continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods following each grazing event will shift this plant community across an ecological threshold toward the Bare Ground, Cryptogams, Annuals Plant Community. Soil erosion is a major concern. • Long-term prescribed grazinq with adequate recovery periods between grazing events will move this plant community toward the Increased Blue Grams with Decreased Mid and Tall Grass Plant Community and eventually toward the HCPC, assuming an adequate seed :>ource and/or remnant plants are available. This transition may take upwards of 40 years or more to achieve. Bare Ground, Cryptogams, Annuals Plant Community This plant community is caused by heavy continuous grazing and/or excessive defoliation without adequate recovery opportunity given during the growing season. Bare ground, cushion plants and cryptogamic crusts have significantly increased. Remnant amounts of blue andlor hairy grams may still be found. Other plants that may be present are Russian thistle, kochia, red threeawn, cheatgrass, cushion plants (mat loco, sessile nailwort, Hoods phlox) and small soapweed. Soil erosion is severe. Desertification is obvious. Total annual production can vary from 25 to 150 pounds of air-dry vegetation per acre per year. The following is the growth curve of this plant community expected during a normal year: Growth curve number: C06905 Growth curve name: Warm season dominant, cool season sub-dominant; MLRA-69; upland coarse textured soils. JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 0 0 5 10 22 35 15 10 3 0 0 0 (monthly percentages of total annual growth) Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Long-term prescribed grazinq will move this plant community toward the Blue Grams Sod Plant Community assuming an adequate seed/vegetative source is available. This transition may take 40 years or more to achieve. Technical Guide Section IIE USDA NRCS Rev. 3/04 ~3