VI. Classification and Description Procedures 



1. Name: SCS-BLM Standard Ecological Site Description. 



Authors: Soil Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management. 



References: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1976. National Range Handbook, as amended. 

 Soil Conservation Service, Washington, DC. 



U.S. Department of Interior. 1990. National range handbook. BLM Manual Handbook H- 

 4410-1. Bureau of Land Management, Washington, DC. 



Objectives: The National Range Handbook (SCS) as supplemented by BLM Manual Hand- 

 book H-4410-1 National Range Handbook includes procedures for preparing standardized 

 ecological site (range site) descriptions. The National Range Handbook provides for range 

 site descriptions that include a unique name, physiographic features, climatic features, 

 vegetation ecology and production, soils, and management interpretations (which can be used 

 in making management recommendations). BLM Manual Handbook H-4410-1 further 

 provides that the concept also applies to grazable woodlands, forest and riparian/wetland 

 sites. 



Early in 1988, BLM determined that the standard site description procedures contained in the 

 National Range Handbook as applied to uplands would accommodate land features associated 

 with riparian and wetland sites as well. These procedures were modified by adding riparian 

 and wetland associated water features and additional descriptions of site dynamics to the 

 standard site description format and the Siteform program. 



Designed Users: All levels of land users. 



Area of Applicability: Universal application to rangeland, woodland, and native pasture. 



Classification Units, Description, and Data: 



Classification Units Description 



Physiographic Occurrence of the site in the landscape. Degree 



Features and direction of slopes. Range of elevation. 



Climatic Range in average annual precipitation, temperature, and 



Features seasonal distribution. Average beginning and ending dates 



of growing season for major native forage species. 



Other featiu^s such as storm intensity, wind velocity, and 

 drought cycles that typify the site and may contribute to or 

 limit its potential. 



Vegetation Description of the plant community that would become 



Ecology established if all successional sequences were completed 



without major disturbance under similar environmental 

 conditions (assuming no major site changes such as seen 



