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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

ECOLOGICAL SITE DESCRIPTION
ECOLOGICAL SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Site Type: Rangeland

Site Name: Salt Flats

/ Atriplex canescens - Atriplex confertifolia / Sporobolus airoides - Sporobolus wrightii
( / fourwing saltbush - shadscale / alkali sacaton - giant sacaton )

Site ID: R070CY111NM

Major Land Resource Area: 070C - Central New Mexico Highlands


Physiographic Features
This site occurs on level to gently sloping land that averages 3 percent or less and rarely exceeds 8 percent. Exposures vary and are not significant. What is normally a uniform slope may be broken by natural playas, potholes, or arroyos. Elevations range from 4,600 to 7,000 feet above sea level.


Land Form: (1) Alluvial flat
Minimum Maximum
Elevation (feet): 4600 7000
Slope (percent): 3 8
Water Table Depth (inches): 9 12
Flooding:
         Frequency:
         Duration: None None
Ponding:
         Depth (inches):
         Frequency:
         Duration: None None
Runoff Class: Negligible Medium
Aspect: No Influence on this site
Climatic Features
The climate of the area is "semi-arid continental."

The average annual precipitation ranges from 13 to 16 inches. Variations of 5 inches, more or less, are not uncommon. Seventy-five percent of the precipitation falls from April to October. Most of the summer precipitation comes in the form of high intensity-short duration thunderstorms.

Temperatures are characterized by distinct seasonal changes and large annual and diurnal temperature changes. The average annual temperature is about 50 degrees F with extremes of -29 degrees F in the winter and 103 degrees F in the summer.

The average frost-free season is 130 to 160 days. The last killing frost falling in early May and the first killing frost in early October.

Both temperature and precipitation favor warm-season perenial species. However, approximately 40 percent of the annual precipitation falls at a time favorable for cool-season plant growth. This allows the cool-season species to occupy an important component of this site. Strong winds blow from the west and southwest from February to June and rapidly dry out the soil duing a critical stage for cool-season plant growth.

Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site using 50% probability for freeze-free and frost-free seasons using 28.5 degrees F and 32.5 degrees F respectively.


Minimum Maximum
Frost-free period (days): 131 173
Freeze-free period (days): 155 187
Mean annual precipitation (inches): 13.0 16.0
Monthly precipitation (inches) and temperature (°F):
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Precip. Min. 0.34 0.34 0.23 0.39 0.85 0.89 1.77 2.46 1.54 1.0 0.57 0.34
Precip. Max. 0.92 0.81 0.98 0.96 1.61 1.62 2.75 3.22 2.26 1.51 1.02 1.16
Temp. Min. 15.6 19.9 24.4 31.4 39.2 46.9 53.1 51.9 44.3 32.8 22.2 15.9
Temp. Max. 42.1 52.9 59.7 68.9 77.7 87.1 88.5 85.7 80.4 70.5 57.5 49.3
Climate Stations: (1) 291918, Clines Corners 7 SE, NM. Period of record 1968 - 2000
(2) 292096, Corona 11 SSW, NM. Period of record 1977 - 1992
(3) 293060, Estancia, NM. Period of record 1914 - 2000
(4) 293649, Gran Quivira Natl. Monument, NM. Period of record 1938 - 2000
(5) 295965, Mountainair, NM. Period of record 1914 - 2000
(6) 299405, Vaughn, NM. Period of record 1971 - 2000

Influencing Water Features
This site is not influenced by water from a wetland or stream.

Wetland Description: System Subsystem Class
(Cowardin System) None N/A N/A

Representative Soil Features
The soils on this site are typically deep loams that are affected by both high pH and total soluble salts. Surface crusting and sealing are common, water intake rates and permeability are moderately slow to very slow, and ponding is common after summer thunderstorms. Total water-holding capacity is high but that available to plants is often low.


Predominant Parent Materials:
           Kind: Marine deposits
           Origin: Gypsum
Surface Texture: (1) Loam
Subsurface Texture Group: Loamy
Minimum Maximum
Surface Fragments <=3" (% Cover):
Surface Fragments > 3" (% Cover):
Subsurface Fragments <=3" (% Volume):
Subsurface Fragments > 3" (% Volume):
Drainage Class: Poorly drained To Well drained
Permeability Class: Very slow To Moderately slow
Minimum Maximum
Depth (inches): 10 72
Electrical Conductivity (mmhos/cm): 0 16
Sodium Absorption Ratio:
Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (percent):
Soil Reaction (1:1 Water): 7.9 9.6
Soil Reaction (0.01M CaCl2):
Available Water Capacity (inches): 1.0 5.0
Plant Communities
Ecological Dynamics of the Site
Historic Climax Plant Community
The aspect of this site is grassland mixed with scattered shrubs. Forbs production is variable and can assume the aspect dominate during years of abundant moisture. However, generally forbs are a minor component of this site.

Other grasses which would appear on this site include: sand dropseed, threeawn, bottlebrush squirreltail, plains bristlegrass, common reedgrass, carex spp., wolftail and Halls panicum. Other shrubs would include: yucca spp., rubber rabbitbrush, broom snakeweed, Bigelow sagebrush, and cacti spp..

Other forbs would include: fetid marigold, bladderpod, locoweed, and annual sunflowers.


Historic Climax Plant Community Plant Species Composition:
Grass/Grasslike Annual Production
in Pounds Per Acre
Group Group Name Common Name Scientific Name Low High
1 163 228
     alkali sacatonSporobolus airoides163228
     big sacatonSporobolus wrightii163228
2 98 130
     western wheatgrassPascopyrum smithii98130
3 65 98
     vine mesquitePanicum obtusum6598
4 65 98
     blue gramaBouteloua gracilis6598
     James' galletaPleuraphis jamesii6598
5 33 65
     black gramaBouteloua eriopoda3365
6 46 65
     saltgrassDistichlis spicata4665
     Nuttall's alkaligrassPuccinellia nuttalliana4665
7 7 33
     salt sedgeCarex hassei733
8 7 33
     scratchgrassMuhlenbergia asperifolia733
     mat muhlyMuhlenbergia richardsonis733
     ring muhlyMuhlenbergia torreyi733
9 7 20
     Buchloe dactyloides (Syn)720
     burrograssScleropogon brevifolius720
10 7 20
     Graminoid (grass or grass-like)720
Forb Annual Production
in Pounds Per Acre
Group Group Name Common Name Scientific Name Low High
11 7 20
     buckwheatEriogonum720
12 7 20
     scarlet globemallowSphaeralcea coccinea720
13 7 20
     threadleaf ragwortSenecio flaccidus var. flaccidus720
14 7 20
     Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like)720
Shrub/Vine Annual Production
in Pounds Per Acre
Group Group Name Common Name Scientific Name Low High
15 65 78
     fourwing saltbushAtriplex canescens6578
     shadscale saltbushAtriplex confertifolia6578
16 33 65
     prairie sagewortArtemisia frigida3365
     jointfirEphedra3365
     winterfatKrascheninnikovia lanata3365
17 20 33
     Shrub, deciduous2033
Annual Production by Plant Type:
Annual Production (lbs/AC)
Plant Type Low Representative Value High
Forb 24 52 80
Grass/Grasslike 225 488 750
Total:
249
540
830
Structure and Cover:
Ground Cover (%)
Vegetative Cover Non-Vegetative Cover
Grass/ Grasslike Forb Shrub/ Vine Tree Non-Vascular Plants Biological Crust Litter Surface Fragments > 1/4 & <= 3" Surface Fragments > 3" Bedrock Water Bare Ground
    2 to 5  0 to 1      12 to 15          55 to 65 
 

Plant Growth Curve:
Growth Curve Number: NM4311
Growth Curve Name: HCPC
Growth Curve Description: Mixed warm/cool season grassland with scattered shrubs and a minor component of forbs.
Percent Production by Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0 0 5 7 10 15 25 25 8 5 0 0

Ecological Site Interpretations
Animal Community:
Habitat for Wildlife:

This site provides habitat which supports a resident animal community that is characterized by pronghorn antelope, coyote, black-tailed jackrabbit, spotted ground squirrell, banner-tailed kangaroo rat, Botta’s pocket gopher, silky pocket mouse, sparrow hawk, meadow lark, western spadefoot toad, leopard lizard, and prairied rattlesnake.

Plant Preference by Animal Kind:
Animal Kind: mature antelope Antelope
Common Name Scientific Name Plant Part J F M A M J J A S O N D
fourwing saltbush Atriplex canescens Leaves D D D D D D D D D D D D
winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata Leaves D D D D D D D D D D D D
vine mesquite Panicum obtusum Entire plant D D D D D D D D D D D D
western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii Entire plant U U D D D U U U U U U U
scarlet globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea Entire plant U U P P P D D D D D D U
Animal Kind: mature cow Cattle
Common Name Scientific Name Plant Part J F M A M J J A S O N D
fourwing saltbush Atriplex canescens Leaves P P P P D D D D D D D P
winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata Leaves D D P P P P P P D D D D
vine mesquite Panicum obtusum Entire plant D D D D D D D P D D D D
western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii Entire plant D D P P P D D P D D D D
alkali sacaton Sporobolus airoides Entire plant D D D D D P P P U U U D
Animal Kind: mature sheep Sheep
Common Name Scientific Name Plant Part J F M A M J J A S O N D
fourwing saltbush Atriplex canescens Leaves D D P P P P P P D D D D
winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata Leaves P P P P P P P P P P P P
vine mesquite Panicum obtusum Entire plant D D D D D D D D D D D D
western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii Entire plant U U D D D D D D D D D U
scarlet globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea Entire plant U U P P P D D D D D D U
Legend:          P = Preferred     D = Desirable          U = Undesirable     N = Not consumed          E = Emergency     T = Toxic     X = Used,      but degree of utilization unknown

Hydrology Functions:
The runoff curve numbers are determined by field investigations using hydrologic cover conditions and hydrologic soil groups.

Hydrologic Interpretations
Soil Series---------------Hydrologic Group
Duncan----------------------D
Harvey----------------------B
Karde-----------------------B
Willard---------------------B


Recreational Uses:
Recreation on this site is limited chiefly by highly saline or alkaline soils and the site’s general lack of natural beauty. Activities, including horseback riding, hunting, hiking, nature observation, photography, picnicking, and camping are fair.

Wood Products:
There is no potential for wood products.

Other Products:
Grazing:
This site is suitable for grazing by all kinds and classes of livestock during all seasons of the year. This site frequently is more productive than surrounding sites and can best be managed separately by fencing. This site will respond well to intensive grazing for short periods of time. Site deterioration results in a decline in alkali sacaton, western wheatgrass, vine-mesquite, and fourwing saltbush, with an increase in inland saltgrass, alkali muhly, buffalograss, and shadscale. This causes a decrease in production and ground cover. Under continued deterioration, woody species will dominate the site and erosion will increase.

Other Information:
Guide to Suggested Initial Stocking Rate Acres per Animal Unit Month

Similarity Index----------------Ac/AUM
100 - 76------------------------1.8 – 4.0
75 – 51-------------------------2.4 – 5.9
50 – 26-------------------------3.6 – 7.5
25 – 0--------------------------7.5+


Supporting Information
Associated Sites:
Site Name Site ID Site Narrative

Similar Sites:
Site Name Site ID Site Narrative

State Correlation:
This site has been correlated with the following states:
Inventory Data References:

Type Locality:
State: NM
County: Chaves
Township:
Range:
Section:
General Legal Description:
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system:
   
State: NM
County: DeBaca
Township:
Range:
Section:
General Legal Description:
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system:
   
State: NM
County: Guadalupe
Township:
Range:
Section:
General Legal Description:
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system:
   
State: NM
County: Lincoln
Township:
Range:
Section:
General Legal Description:
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system:
   
State: NM
County: San Miguel
Township:
Range:
Section:
General Legal Description:
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system:
   
State: NM
County: Santa Fe
Township:
Range:
Section:
General Legal Description:
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system:
   
State: NM
County: Torrance
Township:
Range:
Section:
General Legal Description:
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system:
   

Relationship to Other Established Classifications:
Other References:
Data collection for this site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Pecos-Canadian Plains and Valleys 70 Major Land Resource Area of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys: Chaves, De Baca, Guadalupe, Lincoln, Sna Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance.

Characteristic Soils Are:
Harvey, Karde, Willard

Other Soils included are:
Duncan



Site Description Approval:
Author Date Approval Date
Don Sylvester 11/25/1981 George Chavez 12/17/2002

Site Description Revision Approval:
Author Date Approval Date
John Tunberg 4/22/2008 John Tunberg 4/22/2008
Christine Bishop 11/27/2007 John Tunberg 10/31/2007
Elizabeth Wright 6/19/2002 George Chavez 12/17/2002

Reference Sheet

Author(s)/participant(s):

Contact for lead author:

Date:               MLRA: 070C               Ecological Site: Salt Flats R070CY111NM     This must be verified based on soils and climate (see Ecological Site Description). Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Composition (indicators 10 and 12) based on:       Annual Production,       Foliar Cover,       Biomass

Indicators. For each indicator, describe the potential for the site. Where possible, (1) use numbers, (2) include expected range of values for above- and below-average years for each community and natural disturbance regimes within the reference state, when appropriate and (3) cite data. Continue descriptions on separate sheet.

1. Number and extent of rills:
2. Presence of water flow patterns:
3. Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
4. Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, standing dead, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
5. Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
6. Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
7. Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
8. Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
9. Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type and strength of structure, and A-horizon color and thickness):
10. Effect on plant community composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
11. Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
12. Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground weight using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to) with dominants and sub-dominants and "others" on separate lines:
      Dominant:
      Sub-dominant:
      Other:
      Additional:
13. Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
14. Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( inches):
15. Expected annual production (this is TOTAL above-ground production, not just forage production:
16. Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List Species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicator, we are describing what in NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
17. Perennial plant reproductive capability:
 

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