Soils 



with site progression). Concepts of potential plant commu- 

 nity, serai ecological status, and serai community apply to 

 this procedure. 



List of major plant species and their nonnal relative propor- 

 tion in the total natural plant community. 



Other features, if deemed significant, such as ground cover, 

 plant spacing, and overstory canopy. Descriptions of 

 additional communities that may occur on the site under 

 various stress and/or at different successional stages. 



Estimated total annual production and range in favorable and 

 imfavorable years. 



Briefly describes the main properties of the major soils 

 associated with the site with special significance on impor- 

 tant soil-vegetation-water properties. 



Name of major soils and their respective phase associated 

 with the site. 



Associated Water 

 Features 



Site 



Interpretation 



Identification 

 Authentication 



Includes information on the morphology and hydrology of 

 associated water system. Typical attributes include stream 

 type (Rosgen 1985), flow regime, erosional/depositional 

 features, surface and ground water features. 



Information on potential importance of the site for each of 

 its major uses. Includes successional stages and potential to 

 change characteristics (stability) or to change states. 



Gives location of typical example of the site. Identifies site 

 with the Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) in which it 

 occurs. Gives information of when the description was 

 approved and the principal author and agency. 



Use, Testing, Validation: The procedure in the National Range Handbook is used world- 

 wide to prepare site descriptions for rangelands. These procedures have been modified, 

 tested, and validated for use in preparing site descriptions for riparian areas. Procedures for 

 site correlation exist and are compatible with the National Soil Handbook. 



Ease of Application: Ease of application depends on the ability and experience of the users. 

 A team of specialists consisting of a biologist, botanist/ecologist, soil scientist, and hydrolo- 

 gist is required to use these procedures on riparian and wetland sites. The procedures for 

 mapping, delineating, describing, and interpreting sites have been used by several agencies 

 for several years. Sufficient training, review, and correlation is key to the success of the 

 procedure. 



Use in Defining System Response and Potential: A major purpose of the procedure is to 

 defme community response and the reasons why a particular response occurs. 



