2011-11-02_REVISION - M2003019 ‎(5)‎

• Permit No: M2003019
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 11/2/2011
• Doc Name: Submittal
• From: Baca County
• To: DRMS
• Type & Sequence: CN1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Site Type: Rangeland
MLRA: 69 - Upper Arkansas Valley Rolling Plains
Technical Guide
Section IIE
8
Loamy
R069XY006CO
Increased Blue Grama, Buffalograss, Galleta with Cool Season Remnants Plant
Community
This plant community evolved with Tong -term continuous grazing, moderate stocking, and in some
instances heavy winter stocking. Recognition of this plant community will enable the land user to
implement key management decisions before a significant economic /ecological threshold is crossed.
Species such as western wheatgrass, purple prairie clover, fourwing saltbush and winterfat have been
reduced to remnant amounts. Blue grama and /or buffalograss, and galleta dominate the community.
Blue grama and buffalograss will begin to exhibit a sodded appearance under higher moisture
regimes. Ring muhly, sand dropseed, red threeawn, sixweeks fescue, bottlebrush squirreltail, plains
pricklypear, hairy goldaster and broom snakeweed have increased. This plant community is at risk of
losing western wheatgrass. Substantial increases in energy and other resources will be required to
replace the lost species.
Total above ground carbon has been reduced due to decreases in forage and litter production.
Reduction of rhizomatous wheatgrass, nitrogen fixing forbs, shrub component and increased warm
season short grasses has begun to alter the biotic integrity of this community. Water and nutrient
cycles may be impaired.
Total annual production can vary from 150 to 700 pounds of air -dry vegetation per acre and will
average 400 pounds during an average year.
The following is the growth curve of this plant community expected during a normal year:
Growth curve number: C06903
Growth curve name: Warm season dominant, cool season sub - dominant; MLRA -69; upland fine
textured soils.
(monthly percentages of total annual growth)
Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows:
• Continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events shifts this plant
community across an ecological threshold toward the Blue Grama/Buffalograss Sod; Broom
Snakeweed Plant Community.
• Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods after each grazing occurrence during the
growing season with a proper stocking rate will return the plant community back to the Western
Wheatgrass, Blue Grama, Galleta, Fourwing Saltbush Plant Community (HCPC).
Low Plant Density, Excessive Litter Plant Community
This plant community occurs when grazing is removed for long periods of time (rest) in the absence of
fire. Species composition can be highly variable, but will most likely resemble the vegetation that was
present when non -use or rest began. Species production and density will decrease as non -use and
fire suppression persists.
Much of the nutrients are tied up in excessive litter. The semiarid environment and the absence of
animal traffic to break down litter slow nutrient recycling. Aboveground litter also limits sunlight from
reaching plant crowns. Many plants, especially bunchgrasses die off. Thick litter and absence of
grazing or fire reduce seed germination and establishment.
In advanced stages, plant mortality can increase and erosion may eventually occur if bare ground
increases. Once this happens it will require increased energy input in terms of practice cost and
management to bring back.
Total annual production can be extremely variable depending on length of non -use.
USDA NRCS
Rev. 3/04
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
I JAN
0
0
0
5
15
35
25
15
5
0
0
0
Site Type: Rangeland
MLRA: 69 - Upper Arkansas Valley Rolling Plains
Technical Guide
Section IIE
8
Loamy
R069XY006CO
Increased Blue Grama, Buffalograss, Galleta with Cool Season Remnants Plant
Community
This plant community evolved with Tong -term continuous grazing, moderate stocking, and in some
instances heavy winter stocking. Recognition of this plant community will enable the land user to
implement key management decisions before a significant economic /ecological threshold is crossed.
Species such as western wheatgrass, purple prairie clover, fourwing saltbush and winterfat have been
reduced to remnant amounts. Blue grama and /or buffalograss, and galleta dominate the community.
Blue grama and buffalograss will begin to exhibit a sodded appearance under higher moisture
regimes. Ring muhly, sand dropseed, red threeawn, sixweeks fescue, bottlebrush squirreltail, plains
pricklypear, hairy goldaster and broom snakeweed have increased. This plant community is at risk of
losing western wheatgrass. Substantial increases in energy and other resources will be required to
replace the lost species.
Total above ground carbon has been reduced due to decreases in forage and litter production.
Reduction of rhizomatous wheatgrass, nitrogen fixing forbs, shrub component and increased warm
season short grasses has begun to alter the biotic integrity of this community. Water and nutrient
cycles may be impaired.
Total annual production can vary from 150 to 700 pounds of air -dry vegetation per acre and will
average 400 pounds during an average year.
The following is the growth curve of this plant community expected during a normal year:
Growth curve number: C06903
Growth curve name: Warm season dominant, cool season sub - dominant; MLRA -69; upland fine
textured soils.
(monthly percentages of total annual growth)
Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows:
• Continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events shifts this plant
community across an ecological threshold toward the Blue Grama/Buffalograss Sod; Broom
Snakeweed Plant Community.
• Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods after each grazing occurrence during the
growing season with a proper stocking rate will return the plant community back to the Western
Wheatgrass, Blue Grama, Galleta, Fourwing Saltbush Plant Community (HCPC).
Low Plant Density, Excessive Litter Plant Community
This plant community occurs when grazing is removed for long periods of time (rest) in the absence of
fire. Species composition can be highly variable, but will most likely resemble the vegetation that was
present when non -use or rest began. Species production and density will decrease as non -use and
fire suppression persists.
Much of the nutrients are tied up in excessive litter. The semiarid environment and the absence of
animal traffic to break down litter slow nutrient recycling. Aboveground litter also limits sunlight from
reaching plant crowns. Many plants, especially bunchgrasses die off. Thick litter and absence of
grazing or fire reduce seed germination and establishment.
In advanced stages, plant mortality can increase and erosion may eventually occur if bare ground
increases. Once this happens it will require increased energy input in terms of practice cost and
management to bring back.
Total annual production can be extremely variable depending on length of non -use.
USDA NRCS
Rev. 3/04