United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service

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ESIS Scenes
Ecological Site Interpretations
Animal Community:
Habitat for Wildlife:
The loamy bottom is found along drainages that have intermittent flooding. These drainage ways provide excellent habitat for wildlife species. Doves and Gambel’s quail use the grass, trees and shrubs for nesting and food. Mule deer use the area for cover, food, and water. Many other species of small mammals, birds and reptiles use this area extensively. Wildlife species include: white tailed deer, mule deer, Arizona gray squirrel, desert cottontail, bannertail kangaroo rat, javelina, dove and Gambel’s quail.

Plant Preference by Animal Kind:
Animal Kind: mature cow Cattle
Common Name Scientific Name Plant Part J F M A M J J A S O N D
catclaw acacia Acacia greggii Leaves
Thurber's desert honeysuckle Anisacanthus thurberi Entire plant
yerba de pasmo Baccharis pteronioides Leaves E E E E E E E E E E E E
cane bluestem Bothriochloa barbinodis Entire plant U U U U U U P P D U U U
sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula Entire plant P P P P P P P P P P P P
blue grama Bouteloua gracilis Entire plant D D D D P P P P P D D D
hairy grama Bouteloua hirsuta Entire plant D D D D P P P P P D D D
Celtis reticulata (Syn) Leaves
desert willow Chilopsis linearis Leaves U U U U U D D D D D D U
squirreltail Elymus elymoides Entire plant U U D D D U U U D D D U
jointfir Ephedra Leaves D D D D D D D D D D P P
buckwheat Eriogonum Entire plant
Apache plume Fallugia paradoxa Leaves
green sprangletop Leptochloa dubia Entire plant U U D D D U U U U U U U
pale desert-thorn Lycium pallidum Leaves
vine mesquite Panicum obtusum Entire plant D D D D D D D D D D D D
tobosagrass Pleuraphis mutica Entire plant U U U U U D D D D D U U
ragwort Senecio Leaves
plains bristlegrass Setaria vulpiseta Entire plant D D D D P P P P P D D D
globemallow Sphaeralcea Entire plant U U D D D D D D U U U U
big sacaton Sporobolus wrightii Entire plant D D D D D P P P U U U D
grape Vitis Flowers
soaptree yucca Yucca elata Flowers D D D D P P U U U U U D
Animal Kind: mature deer Deer
Common Name Scientific Name Plant Part J F M A M J J A S O N D
catclaw acacia Acacia greggii Leaves
Thurber's desert honeysuckle Anisacanthus thurberi Leaves D D D D D D D D D D D D
yerba de pasmo Baccharis pteronioides Leaves
cane bluestem Bothriochloa barbinodis Entire plant
sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula Entire plant U U U U D D D D U U U U
blue grama Bouteloua gracilis Entire plant U U U U D D D D D D U U
hairy grama Bouteloua hirsuta Entire plant U U U U D D D D D D U U
Celtis reticulata (Syn) Leaves
desert willow Chilopsis linearis Leaves D D D D D D D D D D D D
squirreltail Elymus elymoides Entire plant U U D D D U U U U U U U
jointfir Ephedra Leaves
buckwheat Eriogonum Entire plant U U D D D D D D U U U U
Apache plume Fallugia paradoxa Leaves
green sprangletop Leptochloa dubia Entire plant
pale desert-thorn Lycium pallidum Leaves
vine mesquite Panicum obtusum Entire plant
plains bristlegrass Setaria vulpiseta Entire plant U U U U D D D D D D U U
globemallow Sphaeralcea Entire plant U U D D D D D D U U U U
big sacaton Sporobolus wrightii Entire plant
grape Vitis Flowers
soaptree yucca Yucca elata Flowers
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
Arizo-------------------------A
Glendale----------------------B
Hawkeye-----------------------A
Pima--------------------------B

Recreational Uses:
Native trees and shrubs break the monotony of an otherwise grassland and increase the aesthetic appeal. The four seasons are apparent on this site, unlike the desert areas of Arizona. Horseback riding, wildlife observation, hunting, and hiking are the main activities on this site.

Wood Products:
No Data.

Other Products:
Grazing:
Livestock water is not usually a problem on this site. Although there is a wide diversity of plants, primary forage production is from tall grasses. The problems of erosion, poisonous and noxious plant invasions, and easy accessibility require extra management efforts to protect and maintain this site. The forage is high quality during July through September when plants are green and growing. Quality deteriorates from September or first frost to March 1, which is the time of lowest quality. Stocking rates should be evaluated and livestock numbers adjusted based on actual use experience and climatic fluctuations.

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

Similarity Index-----------------Ac/AUM
100 - 76-----------------------1.5 – 2.0
75 – 51------------------------2.0 – 2.5
50 – 26------------------------2.5 – 7.0
25 – 0-------------------------7.0+



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