Ecological Sustainability Report 

Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle, and 

McClellan Creek National Grasslands 

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

Forest Service 

Southwestern 

Region 

April 2012 

Version 
Ecological Sustainability Report for the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands

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Table of Contents

1 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Planning Unit and Ecological Niche .............................................................................. 1

1.2 Surrounding Landscape.................................................................................................. 6

1.2.1 Terrestrial Units....................................................................................................... 6

1.2.2 Aquatic/Airshed Units............................................................................................ 10

1.3 Comparison of the National Grasslands to Surrounding Landscape............................ 13

1.4 Important Ecosystems.................................................................................................. 14

2 Ecosystem Diversity ............................................................................................................. 14

2.1 Terrestrial Systems....................................................................................................... 14

2.1.1 Mixed Grass Prairie ............................................................................................... 15

2.1.2 Shortgrass Prairie .................................................................................................. 16

2.1.3 Shinnery Oak.......................................................................................................... 19

2.1.4 Pinyon-Juniper ....................................................................................................... 21

2.1.5 Cottonwood Willow................................................................................................ 23

2.1.6 Mixed Hardwood Riparian ................................................................................... 25

2.1.7 Sand Sagebrush ...................................................................................................... 27

2.2 Vegetative Disturbances .............................................................................................. 29

2.2.1 Fire........................................................................................................................... 29

2.2.2 Grazing.................................................................................................................... 30

2.2.3 Invasive Species...................................................................................................... 31

2.2.4 Climate .................................................................................................................... 32

2.2.5 Floods ...................................................................................................................... 33

2.2.6 Motorized Travel and User-Created Roads......................................................... 33

2.3 Soils.............................................................................................................................. 33

2.3.1 Current Condition.................................................................................................. 34

2.3.2 Erosion Hazard....................................................................................................... 34

2.3.3 Soil Condition.................................................................................................... 35

2.4 Soil Loss....................................................................................................................... 37

2.4.1 Disturbances and Processes................................................................................... 39

2.4.2 Reference Condition............................................................................................... 39

2.4.3 Disturbances and Processes................................................................................... 40

2.4.4 Projected Future Conditions and Trends and Comparison to Current and 

Reference Conditions............................................................................................. 41

2.5 Aquatic Systems and Niche ......................................................................................... 42

2.5.1 Surface Water and Associated Riparian.............................................................. 42

2.5.2 Groundwater Quality/Quantity ............................................................................ 44

2.6 Airsheds ....................................................................................................................... 45

2.6.1 Air Quality .............................................................................................................. 45

2.7 Summary of Major Findings........................................................................................ 51

3 Species Diversity .................................................................................................................. 52

3.1 Species Lists................................................................................................................. 52

3.1.1 Species and Habitat Associations.......................................................................... 53

3.1.2 Summary of major findings .................................................................................. 55

4 Integration of Ecosystem and Species Diversity Status and Risk Assessment..................... 55

4.1 Threats to Ecosystem Diversity ................................................................................... 55

4.2 Risk Assessment to Ecosystem Diversity .................................................................... 57

4.2.1 Terrestrial ............................................................................................................... 57
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4.2.2 Aquatic .................................................................................................................... 58

4.3 Species Risk Assessment ............................................................................................. 59

4.4 Summary of Species at High Risk on the Grasslands.................................................. 65

4.4.1 Lesser Prairie-chicken ........................................................................................... 65

4.4.2 Plains leopard frog ................................................................................................. 65

4.4.3 Black-tailed prairie dog ......................................................................................... 65

4.4.4 Mountain Plover..................................................................................................... 66

4.4.5 Swift fox................................................................................................................... 66

5 Summary of Ecological Sustainability ................................................................................. 66

5.1 Ecosystem Management Opportunities and Constraints.............................................. 67

5.1.1 Mixed Grass Prairie ............................................................................................... 67

5.1.2 Shortgrass Prairie .................................................................................................. 68

5.1.3 Shinnery Oak.......................................................................................................... 68

5.1.4 Pinyon-Juniper ....................................................................................................... 69

5.1.5 Cottonwood Willow Riparian ............................................................................... 70

5.1.6 Mixed Hardwood Riparian ................................................................................... 70

5.1.7 Sand sagebrush....................................................................................................... 71

5.1.8 Soil ........................................................................................................................... 72

5.1.9 Perennial Streams, Reservoirs, Lakes, Ponds and Playa Lakes......................... 73

5.1.10 Air ............................................................................................................................ 74

6 References Cited................................................................................................................... 75

7 Geographic Information System (GIS) Data Location ......................................................... 81

8 Appendix A: Map Index ......................................................................................................... 1

9 Appendix B: Comprehensive Species List ............................................................................. 1

10 Appendix C: Potential Threats Table...................................................................................... 1

11 Appendix D: Not Available .................................................................................................... 1

12 Appendix E: Status of Species Table...................................................................................... 1

13 Appendix F: Reference Condition Departure Analysis.......................................................... 1

List of Tables

Table 1 Grassland States and Counties ........................................................................................... 1

Table 2 Potential Natural Vegetation and Associated Existing Vegetative Units Found on the 

Grasslands............................................................................................................................... 3

Table 3 Existing Vegetative Unit Descriptions............................................................................... 4

Table 4 Descriptions of Ecological Sections Found on the Grasslands (Avers and McNab 1994, 

McNab et. al. 2005) ................................................................................................................ 6

Table 5 Relative Abundance of Subsection Vegetation Types ....................................................... 8

Table 6 Departure from Natural Fire Regimes by Subsection and Potential Natural Vegetation 

Type (PNVT).......................................................................................................................... 9

Table 7 Watersheds in which the Grasslands Fall Including Areas in National Forest System 

(NFS) Ownership and Other (Primarily Private) Ownership ............................................... 10

Table 8 Percentage of Perennial Streams, Intermittent Streams and Perennial Lakes or Ponds on 

National Forest System Land in the Watersheds in which the Grasslands Fall.................... 12

Table 9 Current Composition and Structure of the Mixed Grass Prairie PNVT........................... 15

Table 10 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Mixed Grass Prairie PNVT

.............................................................................................................................................. 15

Table 11 Reference Conditions for the Mixed Grass Prairie......................................................... 16

Table 12 Current Composition and Structure of the Shortgrass Prairie PNVT............................. 17

Table 13 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Shortgrass Prairie PNVT . 17
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Table 14 Reference Conditions for the Shortgrass Prairie ............................................................ 18

Table 15 Current Composition and Structure of the Shinnery Oak PNVT ................................... 19

Table 16 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Shinnery Oak PNVT........ 20

Table 17 Reference Conditions for Shinnery Oak......................................................................... 20

Table 18 Current Structure of the Pinyon-Juniper PNVT ............................................................. 21

Table 19 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Pinyon-Juniper PNVT ..... 22

Table 20 Reference Conditions for Pinyon-Juniper ...................................................................... 23

Table 21 Current Composition and Structure of the Cottonwood-Willow PNVT ........................ 23

Table 22 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Cottonwood-Willow PNVT

.............................................................................................................................................. 24

Table 23 Reference Conditions for Cottonwood-Willow.............................................................. 24

Table 24 Current Composition and Structure of the Mixed Hardwood Riparian PNVT .............. 26

Table 25 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Mixed Hardwood Riparian 

PNVT.................................................................................................................................... 26

Table 26 Reference Condition for Mixed Hardwood Riparian ..................................................... 27

Table 27 Current Composition and Structure of the Sand sagebrush PNVT ................................ 28

Table 28 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Sand sagebrush PNVT..... 28

Table 29 Reference Conditions for Sand sagebrush...................................................................... 29

Table 30 Erosion Hazard by PNVT............................................................................................... 35

Table 31 Grassland-Wide Soil Condition by PNVT ..................................................................... 36

Table 32 Soil Loss by PNVT......................................................................................................... 38

Table 33 Summary of key changes made to the Clean Air Act, state air quality regulations (NM, 

OK & TX) since the implementation of the Cibola LRMP.................................................. 47

Table 34 National and New Mexico Ambient Air Quality Standards (New Mexico AAQS not 

listed are not stated, the same or slightly higher than NAAQS)........................................... 48

Table 35 Species for Further Consideration in Plan Revision and Habitat Association ............... 53

Table 36 Potential Threats to the Ecosystem Diversity of the Grasslands.................................... 55

Table 37 Severity of Departures from Reference Condition Considering Multiple Resources .... 57

Table 38 Status of Species............................................................................................................. 61

Table 39 Species at Risk and Consequences................................................................................. 63

List of Figures

Figure 1 National Grasslands Administered by the Cibola National Forest .................................. iv

Figure 2 Great Plains (UNMC 2007) .............................................................................................. 2

Figure 3 Relative abundance of PNVTs on the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands........ 5

Figure 4 Relative Abundance of PNVTs on the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National 

Grasslands............................................................................................................................... 5

Figure 5 Acres Prescribed Burned on the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek 

National Grasslands, 1990-2005 (GIS Geodatabase–Prescribed Fire History 2007). .......... 30

Figure 6 Effect of Moisture on Soil Differences in the Great Plains............................................. 32

Figure 7 Area Burned in Prescribed and Wildfires* on the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and 

McClellan Creek National Grasslands from 1990 through 2006.......................................... 50

Figure 8 Departure of Current Condition Vegetation Structure from Reference Condition 

Vegetation Structure. ............................................................................................................ 51
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Figure 1 National Grasslands Administered by the Cibola National Forest
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1 Introduction

This report evaluates the ecological systems of the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan 

Creek National Grasslands (hereafter referred to as the Grasslands) and the surrounding area. It will 

provide the information needed to determine areas needing revision in the existing Land and Resource 

Management Plan (the Plan), for the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands. It outlines and puts into 

context the relationship between the resources managed by the Grasslands and the broader ecological 

environment. The report is organized into two main sections, ecosystem diversity and species diversity. 

The ecosystem diversity section discusses conditions and trends in the vegetation communities and 

physical resources. Habitats for wildlife, fish and rare plants that exist within the Grasslands are 

discussed in the species diversity section.

The Grasslands are administered by the Cibola National Forest under the United States Department of 

Agriculture Forest Service. The Kiowa National Grassland is located in northeastern New Mexico, the 

Rita Blanca National Grassland is located in the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas, the McClellan 

Creek National Grassland is located in the panhandle of Texas and the Black Kettle National Grassland 

is located in western Oklahoma (Figure 1). Table 1 shows each Grassland, the counties in which they 

are located and the total acres administered by the Forest Service.

Table 1 Grassland States and Counties

Grassland* State County

Kiowa (136,300 acres) New Mexico Harding 

Union

Mora

Colfax

Rita Blanca (93,000 acres) Texas

Oklahoma

Dallam 

Cimarron

Black Kettle (31,200 acres) Oklahoma

Texas

Roger Mills

Hemphill 

McClellan Creek (1,400 

acres)

Texas Gray

*Acreages are approximate

1.1 Planning Unit and Ecological Niche

The ecological niche of the Grasslands is defined by the unique land ownership pattern found across the 

administrative boundaries. It may best be described as a “checkerboard” land ownership pattern, as the 

units managed by the Grasslands are smaller parcels of land mostly surrounded by private land with the 

largest contiguous piece of land managed by the Grasslands being approximately 42,600 acres. The 

ecological niche of the Grasslands is described here in the context of the broader landscape, by 

examining subsections in the National Ecological Hierarchy, and in the context of the various 

ecological communities and processes that are represented within the Grasslands.
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All four Grasslands are part 

of the larger Great Plains 

grassland ecosystem (Figure 

2); however, each Grassland 

has unique characteristics 

which will be evaluated later 

in this report. This analysis 

was conducted using 

Potential Natural Vegetation 

Types (PNVTs) and existing 

mid-scale vegetation types 

found on the Grasslands.

1

PNVTs are coarse-scale 

groupings of ecosystem types 

that share similar geography, 

vegetation, and historical

disturbances such as fire, 

drought, and native herbivory 

(Vander Lee and Smith 

2005). The PNVTs used for 

this analysis were 

summarized from the 

Terrestrial Ecological Unit 

Inventory data for the 

Grasslands.

2 There are seven 

PNVTs found on the 

Grasslands. A comparison 

between PNVTs and existing 

vegetation was used to show 

the departure from reference 

conditions.

3

 

1 Mid-scale vegetation types were determined using satellite data and are mapped at the scale of 1:100,000. The 

mid-scale vegetation inventory for all National Grasslands analyzed in this report was conducted in 2005 and 

2006 (USDA Forest Service 2006a).

2 The Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory (TEUI) referenced in this document is specific to the Cibola National 

Forest National and Grasslands and is a classification of ecological types. It maps terrestrial ecological units based 

on soil types and existing vegetation (USDA Forest Service 2006b).

3 Mid-scale vegetation type description is structural, not compositional. Description of existing species 

composition was inferred by relating remotely sensed data (mid-scale) to ground-based data (TEUI). Comparison 

of existing vegetation to reference condition is therefore limited to vegetation structure (not species composition).

Figure 2 Great Plains (UNMC 2007)
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Table 2 shows the PNVTs found on the Grasslands and the associated current vegetation type (based on 

Mid-Scale Vegetation Inventory) (USDA Forest Service 2006a).

Table 2 Potential Natural Vegetation and Associated Existing Vegetative Units Found on the 

Grasslands

Potential Natural Vegetation Type Associated Existing Dominant Vegetation 

Types

Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands*

Mixed Grass Prairie−11,400 acres Mixed bluestem grassland

Grama grassland

Sparsely vegetated/bare/developed

Shinnery Oak−19,100 acres Shinnery oak grassland

Mixed bluestem grassland

Shelterbelts

Mixed Hardwood Riparian−2,000 acres Forested floodplains and draws

Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands*

Shortgrass Prairie−182,000 acres Grama grassland

Grama w/Juniper grassland

Grama w/Shrub grassland

Grama/Feathergrass grassland

Mixed bluestem grassland

Sparsely vegetated/bare/developed

Sand sagebrush−22,700 acres Sand sagebrush dunes

Grama grassland

Mixed bluestem grassland

Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands (w/Ponderosa 

pine)−23,200 acres

Juniper Canyons

Oak Canyons

Pinyon Canyons

Grama grasslands

Mixed bluestem grasslands

Ponderosa pine

Cottonwood-Willow Riparian−1,400 acres Cottonwood-willow riparian

River Canyon Bottoms

Playas and Ephemeral Draws

*Acreages are approximate
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Table 3 gives a general description of the vegetation types found on the Grasslands. Maps displaying 

the different PNVTs for each Grassland can be found in Appendix A. Existing dominant vegetation 

maps in Appendix A, display the vegetative units found on the Grasslands.

Table 3 Existing Vegetative Unit Descriptions

Mid-Scale Vegetation Type General Description

Mixed bluestem grassland Includes a variety of mixed grasses, little or big 

bluestem, sand sagebrush, western wheatgrass and 

Indian grass. May have a hardwood component.

Shinnery Oak Low-growing shinnery oak shrubs that are generally no 

more than 3 to 5 feet high. Shinnery oak shrubs 

commonly grow in small clusters, or "motts", that grow 

no more than 15 feet high and are less than 1/2 acre in 

size. Herbaceous understory included grasses and forbs.

Mixed Hardwood Riparian Bottomland forests consisting of cottonwood, American 

elm, hackberry, and walnut.

Bare Soil/Sparsely Vegetated Bare soil, disturbed areas, and developed areas

Grama grassland Include a variety of mixed grasses, such as blue grama, 

buffalograss, galleta, and threeawn.

Grama/Feathergrass Includes a variety of grama grasses with New Mexico 

feathergrass and threeawn included.

Grama with Shrubs Grama grass communities with a shrub component, 

consisting of oak, mountain mahogany, squawbush and 

sumac.

Grama with Juniper Grama grass communities with juniper and pinyon

pine.

Juniper Canyons Consists of one-seed juniper and gamble oak in 

canyons. Occur mainly on South-facing, steeper slopes.

Oak Canyons Consists of Gambel oak and mountain mahogany. 

Occur mainly on north-facing slopes of gentler sloping 

canyon walls.

Pinyon Canyons Consists of pinyon, juniper and oak. Pinyon occurs 

interspersed with junipers and oaks on canyon sides and 

along canyon rim.

Cottonwood-Willow/Ephemeral Draws Consists of cottonwood, willows, grama grasses, 

wheatgrass, and Apache plume. Found is areas along 

permanent and ephemeral water systems, such as

bottomlands, marshes, and floodplains. These areas are 

adjacent to and near drainages, creeks, and lakes.

Playas Consists of alkali sacaton, saltgrass and other riparian 

vegetation, including sedges and rushes. Playas are 

hollow, bowl-shaped depressions that are dependent on 

rainfall and surface runoff for the water they impound; 

may be dry for years at a time.
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Figure 3 Relative abundance of PNVTs on the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands.

Figure 4 Relative Abundance of PNVTs on the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National 

Grasslands

Pinon-Juniper

10%

CottonwoodWillow

1%

Sandsage

10%

Shortgrass 

Prairie

79%

Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands PNVTs

Mixed 

Hardwood 

Riparian

6%

Mixed Grass 

Prairie

35%

Shinnery Oak 

59%

Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands PNVTs
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As the Grasslands have a checkerboard pattern of land ownership across the landscape, they form 

“islands” of restored grassland ecosystems surrounded by agricultural fields. Much of the land 

surrounding the Grasslands was once native prairie that has since been converted to agricultural fields. 

This makes the Grasslands and the PNVTs found within them important ecologically. While the 

Grasslands lack the large contiguous pieces of vegetation needed for many wildlife species, they 

provide crucial habitat features that may not be present on surrounding lands.

1.2 Surrounding Landscape

1.2.1 Terrestrial Units

Using the National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units (Cleland et. al. 1997) an ecological 

sustainability analysis of the landscapes surrounding the Grasslands was completed using the Section 

and Subsection units. This broad-scale analysis was done to set the context for the contributions the 

Grasslands make to ecological sustainability. Most of the analysis was done at the Subsection level. The 

Grasslands lie within four Sections and six Subsections.

Ecological Sections are characterized according to features and attributes such as landform, vegetation, 

surface water, and others. The Grasslands fall within four of these sections shown on the Ecoregion 

Sections Map in Appendix A as:

Southern High Plains; 

Northern Texas High Plains; 

Texas High Plains; and 

South Central and Redbed Plains (Redbed Plains).

Collectively, the four sections mentioned above total over 65 million acres. The Grasslands make up 

less than 2% of these total acres. The majority of the land within these sections is privately-owned 

agriculture or crop land. Irrigated agriculture areas used for cropland are used mainly to farm soybeans, 

corn, or alfalfa. The main crops grown through dry-farming are winter wheat, beans, small grains, or 

sorghum. Much of the remaining vegetation is either shortgrass or mixed grass prairie, however, as the 

majority of the land ownership is private, most of these acres are used as rangeland for grazing cattle 

(Pennsylvania State University 2006). Table 4 describes the landforms, elevation, precipitation, 

vegetation, and land uses of the ecological Sections found on the Grasslands.

Table 4 Descriptions of Ecological Sections Found on the Grasslands (Avers and McNab 1994, 

McNab et. al. 2005)

Southern High Plains 

Typical Landforms Smooth plains, small tablelands

Elevation 2,600 to 4,000 feet

Precipitation Ranges from 15-25 inches

Predominant Vegetation Short to mid-height grasslands (blue grama, 

buffalograss, hairy grama, little bluestem)

Surface Water Low density of small, low volume, low 

intensity intermittent streams. Cimarron and 

North Canadian Rivers pass through.

Land Use Natural vegetation has been converted to 

agricultural crops and range for cattle grazing 
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on about 90% of the area.

Northern Texas High Plains

Typical Landforms Gently to moderately rolling plains dissected 

by narrow intermittent stream valleys

Elevation 1,500 – 5,500 feet

Precipitation Ranges from about 15-25 inches

Predominant Vegetation Shinnery oak, mixed grass prairie with little 

bluestem and sideoats grama, open to dense 

stands of broadleaved deciduous shrubs

Surface Water Canadian River and other perennial and 

intermittent streams. Water disappears and 

reappears through sandbeds.

Land Use Livestock grazing is common. Most productive 

sites have been converted to crop farming.

Texas High Plains

Typical Landforms Broad, extensive flat plains

Elevation 2,600 to 6,500 feet

Precipitation 15 to 22 inches annually

Predominant Vegetation Shinnery oak, Bunch grasses with a sparse 

shrub layer, short grasses (blue grama and 

buffalograss), sagebrush, mesquite, yucca

Surface Water Low density of small, intermittent streams with 

low volume and velocity. Canadian and Red 

Rivers pass through. Playa lakes are common 

in the western part of the Texas High Plains. 

Land Use About 90% converted to agricultural crops or 

pasture.

South Central and Redbed Plains

Typical Landforms Mostly irregular plains, with low mountains, 

smooth plains and tablelands

Elevation 1,600 to 3,000 feet

Precipitation 20 to 30 inches annually

Predominant Vegetation Medium-tall grasslands with sparse tree cover,

Shinnery oak, Grasses include sand bluestem, 

little bluestem, sand sagebrush.

Surface Water Low density of small to medium intermittent 

streams and associated rivers, with a low 

volume of water flowing at low velocity. Major 

rivers include the Washita, Canadian and Red.
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Land Use About 90% converted to agricultural crops or 

pasture.

The Grasslands lie within six Subsections. Ecological Subsections are similar to Sections in that they 

are characterized according to features and attributes such as landform, vegetation, surface water; 

however, they are smaller in size and are more useful in planning at a smaller scale. Those within which 

the Grasslands lie are the Canadian River Canyon and Hills Woodland, Canadian-Cimarron Breaks, 

Caprock High Plains Grassland, Red Prairie, Sandy-Smooth High Plains and Southern South Central 

and Red Bed Plains. A map displaying the six subsections found on the Grasslands can be found in 

Appendix A. Table 5 displays the relative abundance of the existing general vegetation types within 

each of these Subsections (Fisher and Gregory 2001, Parker et. al. 2003, and Lowry et. al. 2005).

Table 5 Relative Abundance of Subsection Vegetation Types

Section

Northern Texas High 

Plains

South 

Central 

and Red 

Bed Plains

Texas High Plains Southern 

High 

Plains

Subsection*

PNVTs

CanadianCimarron 

Breaks

(McClellan 

Creek)

Red 

Prairie

(Black 

Kettle)

Southern 

and South 

Central 

Red Bed 

Plains

(Black 

Kettle)

Caprock

High 

Plains

(Kiowa 

and Rita 

Blanca)

Canadian 

River 

Canyon 

and Hills 

Woodland

(Kiowa)

Sandy 

Smooth 

High 

Plains

(Kiowa 

and Rita 

Blanca)

Agriculture 15% 24% 45% 8% 2% 26%

Shortgrass 

Prairie 12% 4% 1% 62% 54% 48%

Mixed Grass 

Prairie 41% 27% 43% 16% 6% 13%

Shinnery Oak 7%

Mixed 

Hardwood 

Riparian

2% 1% 1%

CottonwoodWillow 

Riparian

1% 2% 1% 2%

Sand sagebrush 8% 3% 3% 8% 5% 4%

Pinyon-Juniper 1% 15% 4%

Herbaceous 

Riparian 3% 1% 1%

Bare 1% 1%

Mesquite (with 

other species) 16% 28% 3% 2% 9% 2%
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Section

Northern Texas High 

Plains

South 

Central 

and Red 

Bed Plains

Texas High Plains Southern 

High 

Plains

Subsection*

PNVTs

CanadianCimarron 

Breaks

(McClellan 

Creek)

Red 

Prairie

(Black 

Kettle)

Southern 

and South 

Central 

Red Bed 

Plains

(Black 

Kettle)

Caprock

High 

Plains

(Kiowa 

and Rita 

Blanca)

Canadian 

River 

Canyon 

and Hills 

Woodland

(Kiowa)

Sandy 

Smooth 

High 

Plains

(Kiowa 

and Rita 

Blanca)

Salt Cedar 2% 1%

Chihuahuan 

Desert 

Vegetation

1% 5%

Oak Savannah 2%

Tallgrass 

Prairie 1%

Redcedar/Oak 2% 2%

Cliffs 1%

*A blank cell means that vegetation type does not occur within or makes up <1% of a subsection.

Using LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Fire Regime Departure data4, an assessment of current conditions

for common PNVTs on the surrounding landscape was conducted to determine the similarity of the 

Grasslands to the surrounding landscape. Each Subsection was evaluated using the vegetation types 

listed for each Subsection in Table 5. Fire regime departure delineates a continuous index of zero to 100

(percent departure from reference conditions). The higher the percentage of departure from the natural 

fire regime for a given vegetation type, the more likely it is that vegetation type is not in reference 

condition. For this report, fire regime departure was categorized into five groups: 0-20%; 21-40%; 41-

60%; 61-80%; and 81-100%, departed from natural fire regimes.

Table 6 displays the Subsections, the PNVTs on both the Grasslands and that Subsection and the 

category of highest percent departed (for example, within Canadian-Cimarron Breaks Subsection, the 

majority of the shortgrass prairie vegetation is 21-40% departed from its natural fire regime).

Table 6 Departure from Natural Fire Regimes by Subsection and Potential Natural Vegetation 

Type (PNVT)

Section

Northern Texas High 

Plains

South 

Central 

and Red 

Bed Plains

Texas High Plains Southern 

High 

Plains

 

4

Fire regime departure is defined as a continuous measure describing the degree of departure from the reference 

fire regime (Hann and Bunnell 2001). This departure results in changes to one (or more) of the following 

ecological components: vegetation characteristics (species composition, structural stages, stand age, canopy 

closure, and mosaic pattern); fuel composition; fire frequency, severity, and pattern; and other associated 

disturbances (such as insect and disease mortality, grazing, and drought).
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Subsection*

PNVTs

CanadianCimarron 

Breaks

(McClellan 

Creek)

Red 

Prairie

(Black 

Kettle)

Southern 

and South 

Central 

Red Bed 

Plains

(Black 

Kettle)

Caprock 

High 

Plains

(Kiowa 

and Rita 

Blanca)

Canadian 

River 

Canyon 

and Hills 

Woodland

(Kiowa)

Sandy 

Smooth 

High 

Plains

(Kiowa 

and Rita 

Blanca)

Mixed Grass 

Prairie 21-40% 61-80% 21-40% 61-80% 21-40% 21-40%

Shortgrass 

Prairie 21-40% 81-100% 21-40% 61-80% 61-80% 61-80%

Shinnery Oak 61-80%

Pinyon-Juniper 61-80% 61-80% 61-80%

CottonwoodWillow 

Riparian

21-40% 81-100% 61-80% 81-100%

Mixed 

Hardwood 

Riparian

41-60% 81-

100% 21-40%

Sand sagebrush 41-60 and 

81-100% 61-80% 41-60% 61-80% 61-80% 81-100%

* A blank cell means that vegetation type does not occur within or makes up <1% of a subsection.

Agriculture was not included in the table above, however it makes up a portion of each Subsection. 

Since agriculture is a complete conversion from the natural vegetative cover, the departure from the 

natural fire regime is 100%.

1.2.2 Aquatic/Airshed Units

Aquatic: Aquatic units are known as watersheds. Watersheds are delineated based on the 

direction that a raindrop would runoff. Watersheds can be almost any size ranging from a few 

acres to thousands of square miles as in the case of the entire Mississippi River Basin. The midsized watersheds, approximately 40,000 to 250,000 acres, were selected to analyze the 

Grasslands. This size of watershed is known as a 5th level hydrologic unit. This is four steps 

down from the Arkansas, White, Red Region, 1st level hydrologic unit, in which the Grassland 

units are contained. The Grasslands are contained within twenty-six 5th level hydrologic unit 

watersheds. The majority of the Grasslands units fall within eight 5th code Hydrologic Unit 

Code watersheds, as displayed in Table 7 and shown on the Watersheds map in Appendix A. 

Three of those watersheds have at least a 15% overlap with Grasslands units, as shown as 

bolded text in Table 7.

Table 7 Watersheds in which the Grasslands Fall Including Areas in National Forest System 

(NFS) Ownership and Other (Primarily Private) Ownership

Sub-basin Name Watershed Name Ownership Total 

Area 

(acres) NFS

% Acres
Ecological Sustainability Report for the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands

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Sub-basin Name Watershed Name Ownership Total 

Area 

(acres) NFS

% Acres

Washita Headwaters 

(111300301)

Foss Reservoir-Washita River (05) 0.1% 187 155,393

Cyclone Creek (04) 0.1% 104 111,410

Lower Washita River (03) 4.8% 12,536 259,340

Upper Washita River (02) 8.2% 17,260 210,114

Upper North Fork Red 

(11120301)

McClellan Creek (02) 0.6% 1,411 242,370

Coldwater (11100103) Frisco Creek (04) 1.1% 2,899 276,092

Upper Coldwater Creek (02) 10.1% 25,004 248,136

Headwaters Coldwater Creek (01) 25.6% 54,591 212,985

Upper Beaver 

(11100101)

Town of Texhoma-Beaver River (08) 0.3% 511 173,395

Town of Kerrick-Beaver River (06) 0.5% 537 108,815

Near Boise City-Beaver River (05) 0.1% 174 116,816

Town of Boise City (04) 0.3% 474 185,625

Seneca Creek-Corrumpa Creek (03) 7.9% 13,071 165,384

Seneca Creek (02) 3.7% 6,968 185,991

Lower Canadian-Deer 

(11090201)

Hackberry Creek-Canadian River (02) 0.4% 598 135,514

Middle CanadianSpring (11090106)Boggy Creek-Canadian River (08) 0.3% 579 225,938

Carrizo (11090104) Trabajo Creek-Carrizo Creek (04) 1.1% 2,964 274,330

Town of Sedan (03) 0.6% 515 80,213

Rita Blanca 

(11090103)

Perico Creek (03) 2.7% 4,273 157,964

Sand Draw (02) 21.3% 30,228 142,034

East Rita Blanca Creek (01) 7.9% 8,236 104,426

Ute (11080007) Tequesquite Creek (05) 12.4% 20,773 168,193

Carrizo Creek-Canadian River (02) 18.5% 17,813 96,511

Alamocita Creek-Ute Creek (02) 0.5% 1,272 247,214

Upper Canadian 

(11080003)

Carrizo Creek-Canadian River (05) 12.1% 26,748 221,741

Sauz Creek-Canadian River (03) 5.5% 12,375 223,880
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Overall, there appears to be representative miles of stream and acreage in waterbodies on the 

Grasslands based on total acreage in the watersheds. However, the numbers tend to vary greatly 

in a given watershed. For example, the Grasslands in the Upper Washita River watershed have 

almost 15 percent of the perennial stream miles in the watershed (Table 8) but represent only 

about 8 percent of the area of the watershed. Conversely, the Grasslands in the Headwaters of 

Coldwater Creek watershed represent about 25 percent of the area of the watershed, but have 

no perennial streams and only 2 percent of the perennial lakes or ponds.

Table 8 Percentage of Perennial Streams, Intermittent Streams and Perennial Lakes or Ponds on 

National Forest System Land in the Watersheds in which the Grasslands Fall

Sub-basin Name Watershed Name Perennial 

streams 

on NFS

Intermittent 

streams on 

NFS

Perennial 

lakes/ponds 

on NFS

Washita Headwaters 

(111300301)

Foss Reservoir-Washita River 

(05) 0.0% 0.2% 0.0%

Cyclone Creek (04) 0.0% 0.2% 0.0%

Lower Washita River (03) 7.5% 7.1% 1.6%

Upper Washita River (02) 14.8% 11.2% 13.4%

Upper North Fork Red 

(11120301)

McClellan Creek (02) 2.8% 0.6% 0.0%

Coldwater (11100103) Frisco Creek (04) 0.0% 0.5% 0.7%

Upper Coldwater Creek (02) 7.1% 5.3%

Headwaters Coldwater Creek 

(01) 0.0% 20.0% 2.1%

Upper Beaver 

(11100101)

Town of Texhoma-Beaver 

River (08) 0.0% 0.0%

Town of Kerrick-Beaver River 

(06) 0.0% 0.0%

Near Boise City-Beaver River 

(05) 0.0% 2.6% 0.0%

Town of Boise City (04) 0.0% 2.1% 0.0%

Seneca Creek-Corrumpa Creek 

(03) 3.0% 9.3% 1.8%

Seneca Creek (02) 3.8% 4.5% 0.9%

Lower Canadian-Deer 

(11090201)

Hackberry Creek-Canadian 

River (02) 0.5% 1.1% 0.1%

Middle CanadianSpring (11090106)Boggy Creek-Canadian River 

(08) 2.2% 0.2% 14.3%

Carrizo (11090104) Trabajo Creek-Carrizo Creek 

(04) 0.0% 0.5% 0.0%
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Sub-basin Name Watershed Name Perennial 

streams 

on NFS

Intermittent 

streams on 

NFS

Perennial 

lakes/ponds 

on NFS

Town of Sedan (03) 0.0% 0.0%

Rita Blanca 

(11090103)

Perico Creek (03) 0.0% 1.3% 0.0%

Sand Draw (02) 0.0% 13.8% 7.0%

East Rita Blanca Creek (01) 6.2% 0.9%

Ute (11080007) Tequesquite Creek (05) 15.1% 41.8%

Carrizo Creek-Canadian River 

(02) 0.0% 0.9% 0.0%

Alamocita Creek-Ute Creek 

(02) 15.1% 2.4%

Upper Canadian 

(11080003)

Carrizo Creek-Canadian River 

(05) 4.3% 16.4% 3.9%

Sauz Creek-Canadian River 

(03) 7.7% 7.4% 0.9%

Airshed: The Kiowa National Grassland is in the Canadian River airshed as delineated by the 

New Mexico Environment Department for the purposes of smoke management5. The remaining 

Grassland units are not in a delineated airshed only because Texas and Oklahoma have not 

delineated any airshed other than around non-attainment areas. All four National Grasslands, 

however are in the larger regional watershed around the Canadian River and would therefore 

likely be in similar airsheds as the Kiowa National Grassland. Air quality standards for Class I 

areas, primarily larger Wilderness areas, are more stringent than the National Ambient Air 

Quality Standards (NAAQS) because they allow for no degradation of air quality (i.e. Class II 

air quality attainment areas which only need to meet state and national air quality standards). 

The nearest Class I areas to the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands are the Pecos 

Wilderness and the Wheeler Peak Wilderness about 60 miles to the west on the Santa Fe and 

Carson National Forests, respectively, in New Mexico. Wichita Mountains Wilderness Class I 

area in the Wichita Peak Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma is about 70 miles southeast of the Black 

Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands.

1.3 Comparison of the National Grasslands to Surrounding Landscape

The Grasslands have a combined total acreage of approximately 261,900 acres. The Sections they 

overlap have a combined total acreage of 62,870,000 acres and the Subsections they overlap have a 

combined total acreage of 32,740,000 acres. This means the Grasslands make up approximately less 

than one percent of the landscape in the six Subsections within which the Grasslands lie. However, by 

looking at the PNVTs and comparing the amount of each found on the Grasslands and within the 

Sections and Subsections, there are some ecosystems that stand out in terms of relative abundance

(Table 5). Most of the land surrounding the Grasslands and land within the Sections and Subsections is 

in private ownership. Land ownership within the Grasslands administrative boundaries is as follows: 

 

5 Airshed is defined as a “geographic area based on watershed boundaries that, because of topography, 

meteorology, and/or climate, are frequently affected by the same air mass” (New Mexico Environment 

Department Air Quality Bureau 2005).
Ecological Sustainability Report for the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands

14

73% Private; 24% Forest Service; and 3% State. Lands that are in private ownership are used primarily 

for agriculture, croplands or rangeland for grazing of domestic livestock (McNab et. al. 2005).

1.4 Important Ecosystems

The analysis of the Subsections was based on structural classes within each Subsection and compared to 

reference condition. Structures of the PNVTs on the Grasslands that are representative of the 

surrounding landscape may have characteristics that make them different and may contribute more to 

ecological sustainability within these areas as well. In comparing the Grasslands to the surrounding 

landscape, there are two PNVTs that are similar to or representative of the surrounding landscape. 

These are mixed grass prairie and pinyon-juniper. The remaining PNVTs, shortgrass prairie, shinnery 

oak, mixed hardwood riparian, cottonwood-willow and sand sagebrush, have more presence on the 

Grasslands in comparison to the surrounding landscape and Subsections. Management of these five 

PNVTs on the Grasslands that are underrepresented within the surrounding landscape is key to 

maintaining ecological sustainability. They may provide key wildlife habitat components or special 

features that have diminished on surrounding lands.

2 Ecosystem Diversity

2.1 Terrestrial Systems

This section summarizes the current and reference conditions for vegetation structure, along with 

current management and projected trends for the Grasslands. Analyses were conducted for vegetation 

(prevalent ecosystems) and soil.

Vegetation reference conditions for structure, current vegetative conditions, and projected future 

conditions and trends on the Grasslands were derived using the mid-scale inventory information. 

Within each PNVT, mid-scale information was synthesized and grouped into successional classes based 

on vegetative structure.

6 Current vegetative conditions are shown for both the surrounding landscape 

and the Grasslands themselves in terms of presence on the landscape. This also allows the relative 

abundance of a PNVT on the Grasslands to be shown in comparison to the surrounding landscape. They 

are displayed in terms of the Grasslands (Planning Unit) and surrounding landscape (Sections and 

Subsections).

Reference conditions for vegetation structure were determined using various ecological models, based 

on the appropriateness and similarity to the potential natural vegetation types (PNVTs). Models used in 

this analysis were either LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Models or LANDFIRE National models or 

Fire Regime Condition Class Models. When describing the reference conditions, comparisons between 

the current condition and reference condition are based on structure only. The historical extent of a 

certain PNVT is discussed, but not offered for comparison to current condition.

The projected future condition and trends and comparison to current and reference conditions section 

describes current management trends and the effect continuation of those trends would have on the 

Grasslands PNVTs. It also describes whether or not continuation of current trends will move the PNVT 

toward the described reference condition. Future conditions are described only for the Grasslands as the 

Forest Service cannot affect management of lands off of the Grasslands.

For the mixed grass prairie and shinnery oak PNVT, modeling was conducted to determine the 

reference condition vegetation structure percentages using the appropriate Vegetation Dynamics 

 

6

Succession is defined as the gradual process of change in an ecosystem brought about by the progressive 

replacement of one community by another in a definite order until a stable community (i.e. climax community) is 

established over a period of time. Successional classes are the different stages found during ecological succession.
Ecological Sustainability Report for the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands

15

Development Tool models. This modeling resulted in a range of vegetation structure variation for the 

reference conditions, which is why there is range listed for these PNVTs and none of the others.

2.1.1 Mixed Grass Prairie

Current Condition: Mixed grass prairie covers approximately 11,300 acres or 35% of the Black 

Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands. In the early stage, 1-3 years post-fire, there 

are more forbs and diversity of species before little bluestem regains dominance. After 

approximately three years, the grasses become the dominant species. Perennial grasses on the 

red-shale soils are primarily blue grama, hairy grama, little bluestem, and purple three awns. 

About 10% of the areas are covered in forbs and 10% in woody species. Table 9 displays the 

current composition and structure of vegetation within the mixed grass prairie PNVT.

Table 9 Current Composition and Structure of the Mixed Grass Prairie PNVT

Successional Class Structure and Composition Percent

Early: 1-3 years postfire. Resprouting grasses especially post-rain. Species include 

blue grama, buffalograss, hairy grama, sideoats grama and little bluestem. 35%

Mid/Late: Greater than 3 years post-fire. Lower diversity of forbs and lower 

productivity. Woody species may encroach in the absence of fire. 65%

The mixed grass prairie PNVT is found within all four Sections of the National Hierarchical 

Framework of Ecological Units, comprising between 10-37 % of those Sections. The mixed 

grass prairie PNVT is characterized by mixed grass to tall grass prairie found on moderate to 

gentle slopes and is dominated by one or some of the following species: big bluestem; little 

bluestem; western wheatgrass; sideoats grama and blue grama. This PNVT may also include 

areas that are dominated by low structure grasses and forbs. Table 10 depicts the subsections 

and grasslands mixed grass prairie PNVT percent.

Table 10 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Mixed Grass Prairie PNVT

Subsection % Subsection in Mixed 

Grass Prairie PNVT

% of Grasslands within 

Subsection in Mixed Grass 

Prairie PNVT

Canadian-Cimarron Breaks 41% 69%

Southern South Central and

Red Bed Plains 44% 46%

Red Prairie 28% 6%

Contribution to Sustainability and Spatial Niche: The Subsections, Canadian-Cimarron Breaks 

and Red Prairie, have disproportionate total percentages of mixed grass prairie compared to the 

percentage of mixed grass prairie on the Grasslands within those Subsections. The McClellan 

Creek boundary overlaps the Canadian-Cimarron Breaks Subsection and the disproportionately 

larger percentage of mixed grass on McClellan Creek is due to the small size of this unit and 

the lack of PNVT diversity considering the topography and overall landscape constraints. The 

disproportionately small percentage of mixed grass prairie within the Red Prairie Subsection 

and Black Kettle boundary overlap is largely due to the soil types in this area of the Grasslands 

that are more conducive to other PNV types. While it may appear that management of the 

mixed grass prairie on the Grasslands is not a priority due to its overrepresentation on private 
Ecological Sustainability Report for the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands

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land, much of all mixed grass prairie off of the Grasslands is highly departed from its reference 

condition due to historical agricultural practices and land use. This makes the native mixed 

grass prairie located on the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands important, 

as it has a high contribution to the overall ecological sustainability.

Reference Condition Planning Unit: F.W. Albertson (as quoted in Finch 2004) described the 

mixed-grass prairie just before the turn of the 20th century:

o “The vast majority of the land was native prairie. It was neither broken for cultivation 

nor overgrazed by livestock. Short grasses and low growing broad-leafed herbaceous 

plants occupied the hilltops. Many of the hills were dotted with bunches of little 

bluestem and in the favored areas such as buffalo wallows, sideoats grama and big 

bluestem were common. The hillsides were occupied primarily by big and little 

bluestem, sideoats grama, Indian grass and panic grass. All but the little bluestem and 

sideoats grama were dominant on the lowlands.”

Dr. Albertson also noted that severe droughts and dust storms of the 20th century that were 

magnified by cultivating these dry lands also occurred before 1900 (Finch 2004). The mixed 

grass prairie also had less mesquite than what occurs today (Finch 2004). The mixed grass 

prairie experienced more frequent and higher intensity fires compared to the shortgrass prairie 

(Finch 2004).

The reference conditions for the mixed grass prairie were distributed as demonstrated in Table 

11. Reference conditions were based on the LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Model for 

shortgrass/mixed grass prairie (Bell et. al. 2005). Current condition is shown for comparison.

Table 11 Reference Conditions for the Mixed Grass Prairie

Successional Class Structure Current 

Percent

Reference 

Percent7

Early: 1-3 years postfire. Resprouting grasses especially postrain. 35% 0-57%

Mid/Late: Greater than 3 years post-fire. Lower diversity of forbs

and lower productivity. Woody species may encroach in the 

absence of fire.

65% 33-100%

The mixed grass prairie that occurs on soils that are of a loamy, red-shale type are currently 

close to the reference condition for vegetation structure.

Projected Future Condition and Trends: Prescribed fire and livestock grazing would produce

plant communities with increased forb composition, and maintain current structure conditions

within the mixed-grass prairie.

2.1.2 Shortgrass Prairie

Current Condition: Shortgrass prairie covers approximately 181,900 acres (or 79%), of the 

Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. The shortgrass prairie PNVT typically occurs on 

plains and draws, or on gently rolling uplands of the southern Great Plains. Elevations range 

 

7

Percentages are given as a range due to the dynamic nature of grassland ecosystems. There may be fluctuations 

throughout the year due to disturbance regimes. Range of percentages will be used in describing all PNVTs 

reference condition.
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from 3,500-6,800 ft. Precipitation ranges from 12 to 20 inches, and occurs predominantly 

during the summer. Vegetation is mainly shortgrass dominated by blue grama, needle-andthread, buffalograss, and galleta, with intermingled forbs and scattered half-shrubs. Post-fire 

early successional stages are dominated by resprouts and seedlings of grasses and post-fire 

associated forbs covering approximately 2% of this PNVT. Species include blue grama and 

buffalograss. The mid-open stage covers approximately 90% of the PNVT with less than 35 

percent herb cover that is low to medium height. The main grasses are blue grama and 

buffalograss. The mid-closed stage covers about 8% of this PNVT with greater than 35 percent 

herb cover. Again the main grass species are blue grama and buffalograss.

Livestock grazing is conducted in accordance with most recent environmental analyses utilizing 

an adaptive management approach taken by monitoring use and conditions on the ground, then 

adjusting as conditions change. Prescribed fire is applied, but on a small scale and generally not 

within the historical fire regime of 5-10 years. Removal of shrubs and trees encroaching onto 

the shortgrass prairie is occurring where access is adequate.

Playa lakes are a feature often occurring within the shortgrass prairie. They are shallow 

depressions that occur primarily in the High Plains region (Haukos and Smith 2003). There are 

approximately 19,000 playas scattered throughout the Southern High Plains with another 6,000 

in adjacent states (The Handbook of Texas Online 2006). Playa vegetation occasionally occurs 

depending on the frequency of water retention and the size and depth of the playa. Where 

shoreline vegetation occurs, it typically consists of buffalograss, western wheatgrass, sideoats 

grama, alkali sacaton, and blue grama. Maps of locations of playa lakes found on the 

Grasslands can be found in Appendix A. Table 12 displays the current composition and 

structure the shortgrass prairie PNVT.

Table 12 Current Composition and Structure of the Shortgrass Prairie PNVT

Successional Class Structure and Composition Percent

Early-Dominated by resprouts and seedlings of grasses and associated 

forbs. Species include blue grama and buffalograss. 2%

Mid Open-Less than 35 percent herb cover. Low to medium height. Main 

grasses are blue grama and buffalograss. 90%

Mid Closed-Greater than 35 percent herb cover. Main grass species are blue 

grama and buffalograss. 8%

The shortgrass prairie can be found in all four Sections that overlap the Grasslands. It 

comprises anywhere from 1%-43% of these sections. There are two Subsections that overlap 

the Grasslands and encompass the shortgrass prairie PNVT. Table 13 shows the amount of the 

Grasslands in each Subsection in the shortgrass prairie PNVT.

Table 13 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Shortgrass Prairie PNVT

Subsection % Subsection in 

Shortgrass Prairie 

PNVT

% of Grasslands within 

Subsection in Shortgrass 

Prairie PNVT

Caprock High Plains Grassland 64% 53%

Sandy-Smooth High Plains 48% 87%
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Contribution to Sustainability and Spatial Niche: The Subsections, Caprock High Plains 

Grassland and Sandy-Smooth High Plains, overlap the Rita Blanca and the Eastern units of 

Kiowa Grasslands boundaries. Both Subsections have disproportionate total percentages of 

shortgrass prairie compared to the percentage of shortgrass prairie on the Grasslands within 

those Subsections. The disproportionately smaller percentage of shortgrass on the Grasslands 

compared to Caprock High Plains Grassland is due to topography proportion discrepancies. The 

1.89 million total acres of the Caprock High Plains Grasslands encompasses Eastern Kiowa and 

the far Western portion of Rita Blanca Grasslands that are not representative of shortgrass 

prairie percentage of 79% over the total Kiowa Rita Blanca administrative boundary. 

Agriculture practices off of the grasslands that favor irrigation farming over cattle grazing 

addresses the disproportionately larger percentage of shortgrass prairie on the Grasslands 

boundary overlap with the Sandy-Smooth High Plains Subsection.

Currently, there is less shortgrass prairie across the landscape than found historically. 

Shortgrass prairie located off the Grasslands is highly departed from the reference condition. 

Therefore, the shortgrass prairie located within the National Grassland units is important and 

has a high contribution to the overall ecological sustainability.

Reference Condition Planning Unit: An analysis was conducted to determine departure of this 

PNVT from its reference condition vegetation structure (Appendix F). Historically, the 

shortgrass prairie was dominated by large expanses of blue grama mixed with buffalograss, 

with smaller amounts of galleta, New Mexico feathergrass, needle-and-thread, little bluestem, 

sideoats grama and western wheatgrass (The Nature Conservancy 2007, Finch 2004). Playas 

were formed and maintained through a combination of dissolution of subsurface basin material 

and the deflating action of strong prairie winds sweeping across the landscape (Haukos and 

Smith 2003, The Handbook of Texas Online 2006). Most of the playa lakes on Grasslands units 

have remained unmodified and appear to have the size, structure, composition and function that 

they were perceived to have had historically. Reference conditions utilized in analyzing playa 

lakes were pulled from Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory (TEUI) data and based on the 

potential vegetation for those units.

The shortgrass prairie is in low departure from reference condition vegetation structure as a 

whole for the PNVT as demonstrated in Table 14. Reference condition was based on the 

LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Model for Shortgrass Prairie (Green et. al. 2005). Current 

condition is shown again for comparison.

Table 14 Reference Conditions for the Shortgrass Prairie

Successional Class Structure and Composition Current 

Percent

Reference 

Percent

Early: Dominated by resprouts and seedlings of grasses and postfire associated forbs. Species include blue grama and 

buffalograss.

2% 5%

Mid-Open: Less than 35 percent herb cover. Low to medium 

height. Main grasses are blue grama and buffalograss. 90% 65%

Mid-Closed: Greater than 35 percent herb cover. Main grass 

species are blue grama and buffalograss. 8% 30%
Ecological Sustainability Report for the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands

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Projected Future Condition and Trends: Current management trends will keep this PNVT in 

low departure from its reference condition and would create a greater proportion of early and 

late-structural successional stages.

2.1.3 Shinnery Oak

Current Condition: This ecosystem covers approximately 18,900 acres (or 59%), of the Black 

Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands. The composition and structure of shinnery 

oak areas varies across the landscape due to historical agricultural practices of deep plowing. 

About 45% of the shinnery oak PNVT is in the early-mid-open, post-fire to three years post-fire 

regime and dominated by tallgrasses in shallower and more stable sandsheet areas. Grass cover 

is dominant with rapid recovery of shinnery oak resprouts. The late-closed successional class 

structure and composition stage occurs in the 3 to 10 year post-fire time frame. Shinnery cover 

is mostly dominant although grasses remain co-dominant on about 55% of the PNVT. Most 

shinnery oak stands on the Grasslands are burned on a 2 to 9 year cycle with the intent to 

maintain grass cover within the oak for wildlife habitat diversity and to mimic historical

conditions. While the vertical structure of shinnery oak fluctuates frequently, the horizontal 

expanse or range of shinnery oak has not increased since the mid-19th century (Peterson and 

Boyd 1998). The rate of spread for shinnery oak is very slow, with edges of stands spreading up 

to 30 ft in 50 yrs (Peterson and Boyd 1998). Table 15 displays the current composition and 

structure the shinnery oak PNVT.

Table 15 Current Composition and Structure of the Shinnery Oak PNVT

Successional Class Structure and Composition Percent

Early/Mid-Open: Dominated by tallgrasses in shallower and more 

stable sandsheet areas. Grass cover dominant with rapid recovery of 

shin-oak resprouts.

45%

Late-Closed: Three to ten years post-fire. Shinnery cover mostly 

dominant although grasses remain co-dominant. 55%

Structurally, the areas of deep plowed shinnery oak are close to the reference condition of 

shinnery oak but the composition of plants is different. These areas are dominated by little 

bluestem and have a small shrub and forb component with little or no shinnery oak present.

Current livestock grazing within the shinnery oak system is relatively light, with utilization 

levels retaining at least 50% of the current year’s growth of vegetation, by weight, of forage 

species. Most shinnery oak stands on the unplowed areas are burned on a 2 to 9 year cycle with 

the intent to maintain grass cover within the oak for wildlife habitat diversity and to mimic 

historical conditions.

The shinnery oak PNVT can be found in two of the four Sections that overlap the Grasslands. It 

comprises 1% of the Texas High Plains Section and 2% of the Northern Texas High Plains 

Section. There are two Subsections that overlap the Grasslands and encompass the shinnery oak 

PNVT. Table 16 shows the amount of the Grasslands in each Subsection in the shinnery oak 

PNVT.
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Table 16 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Shinnery Oak PNVT

Subsection % Subsection in Shinnery 

Oak PNVT

% of Grasslands within 

Subsection in Shinnery Oak 

PNVT

Red Prairie <1% 90%

Southern South Central and 

Red Bed Plains 8% 49%

Contribution to Sustainability and Spatial Niche: The Subsections, Red Prairie and Southern 

South Central and Red Bed Plains, have overlapping boundaries with Black Kettle Grasslands. 

Both Subsections have disproportionate total percentages of shinnery oak compared to the 

Black Kettle Grassland due to agricultural practices that removed the shinnery oak species 

component. Currently, there is a much larger amount of the shinnery oak PNVT on Grasslands 

than in the surrounding landscape. This makes the contribution of the shinnery oak located 

within the Grasslands important to the overall ecological sustainability.

Reference Condition Planning Unit: Historically, the shinnery oak PNVT covered about 1 

million acres in Oklahoma, 3.5 million acres in Texas, and 1.5 million acres in New Mexico 

(Peterson and Boyd 1998). Big bluestem, sand bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass, giant 

dropseed, plains bristlegrass, cane bluestem, and sideoats grama are among the grasses found in 

this ecosystem (Peterson and Boyd 1998). Both midgrass and tallgrass components and oak are 

well adapted to most fire regime variations (Peterson and Boyd 1998). The shinnery oak 

ecosystem contained a diverse mix of grasses and forbs along with the prevalent shinnery oak. 

The fire return interval for shinnery oak ecosystems is not well known, however, there are 

commonalities between the herbaceous compositions and fuel ignitions sources between 

shinnery oak and tallgrasses (Boyd and Bidwell 2002). This suggests that the fire return interval 

would have been similar to that of the tallgrass, which is between 5-10 years (Boyd and 

Bidwell 2002). The reference conditions for shinnery oak were distributed as demonstrated in 

Table 17. Reference conditions were based on the LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Model for 

Shinnery Oak–Mixed Grass (Terrell 2005). Current condition is shown again for comparison.

Table 17 Reference Conditions for Shinnery Oak

Successional Class Structure and Composition Current 

Percent

Reference 

Percent

Early/Mid-Open: Postfire to three years post-fire. Dominated 

by tallgrasses in shallower and more stable sandsheet areas. 

Grass cover dominant with rapid recovery of shin-oak 

resprouts.

45% 4-43%

Late/Closed: Three to ten years post-fire. Shinnery cover 

mostly dominant although grasses remain co-dominant. 55% 58-96%

The shinnery oak PNVT is in low departure from reference condition overall and has a slightly 

higher percent in the early/mid-open stage and slightly less in the late-closed stage than 

occurred historically.

Projected Future Condition and Trends: Under current management, the areas of unplowed 

shinnery oak are expected to remain close to the current condition. Prescribed burning and 
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controlled grazing move this PNVT toward reference conditions that have the shinnery oak 

composition fully recovering its vertical structure within 2 to 4 years after a fire (Harrell et. al. 

2001). The horizontal expanse or range of shinnery oak does not fluctuate by current 

management, and the areas of the shinnery oak PNVT will remain fairly constant on the 

Grasslands with the composition and structure trends toward reference. Grassland managers 

will continue to manage with livestock grazing and prescribed fire to select for shrubs and 

woody plants including shinnery oak, sand sagebrush, Oklahoma plum, and yucca to move the 

deep-plowed areas as close as possible to a historical shinnery oak structure.

2.1.4 Pinyon-Juniper

Current Condition: This vegetation type covers approximately 21,700 acres (or 10%), of the 

Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. In the pinyon-juniper PNVT, juniper trees make 

up the overstory, with pinyon pine mixed in with annual and perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs 

found in the understory (Vanderlee and Smith 2005). Juniper species include one-seed juniper 

and Rocky Mountain juniper. Common understory species include blue grama, big bluestem, 

wolfstail, vine mesquite, sideoats grama, Indian ricegrass, four-wing saltbush, mountain 

mahogany, sumac, oak, and winterfat in the understory. There are also small, narrow 

“stringers” of ponderosa pine trees in the moist draws, hill slopes and canyon scarp slopes. The 

current condition was derived using the mid-scale data inventory. Because structural classes 

cannot be distinguished using the mid-scale vegetation inventory for this PNVT, all the tree 

classes were lumped together. Table 18 displays the current structure the pinyon-juniper PNVT.

Table 18 Current Structure of the Pinyon-Juniper PNVT

Successional Class Structure and Composition Current Percent

Early: Open with grasses, forbs, seedlings and saplings. Usually 

occurs postfire. Seedlings are less than 4.5 ft. in height. 

12%

Mid/Late: A mix of pinyon and juniper trees in a variety of classes 

with varying canopy cover. Mid-development classes averages 10% 

of the PNVT in relative abundance and has dense canopy cover (31-

70%) of pole size trees (5-9” in diameter) and very little understory. 

25% of the PNVT will have pole size trees with a mixed 

shrub/herbaceous understory and canopy cover ranges from 0-30%. 

35% of the PNVT will have late development with medium size trees 

(9-21” in diameter) and canopy cover of 0-40%. 10% of the PNVT 

will have dense, old growth characteristics with medium size trees 

and canopy cover of 41-70%.

88%

The pinyon-juniper PNVT can be found in three of the four Sections that overlap the 

Grasslands. It comprises 6% of the Southern High Plains Section, 3% of the Texas High Plains 

and 1% of the Northern Texas High Plains Section. There are three Subsections that overlap the 

Grasslands and encompass the pinyon-juniper PNVT. Table 19 shows the amount of the 

Grasslands in each Subsection in the pinyon-juniper PNVT.
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Table 19 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Pinyon-Juniper PNVT

Subsection % Subsection in 

Pinyon-Juniper PNVT

% of Grasslands within 

Subsection in PinyonJuniper PNVT

Caprock High Plains Grasslands 1% 0%

Canadian River Canyon and Hills 

Woodland 14% 87%

Sandy-Smooth High Plains 4% 7%

Contribution to Sustainability and Spatial Niche: On the Kiowa Grasslands, almost all of the 

pinyon-juniper can be found within the Canadian River Canyon and Hills Woodland 

Subsection. The disproportionate percentage of the pinyon-juniper PNVT on the Grasslands 

compared to the Subsections is due to the Grasslands administrative boundary encompassing a 

pinyon-juniper PNVT dominated landscape, whereas the Canadian River Canyon and Hills 

Woodland Subsection is not dominated by pinyon-juniper.

Currently, there is approximately the same amount of pinyon-juniper across the landscape as 

was historically, in terms of relative abundance. Since the majority of the pinyon-juniper found 

off the Grasslands is highly departed from the reference condition, the contribution the 

Grasslands make to ecological sustainability for the pinyon-juniper PNVT is important.

Reference Condition Planning Unit: Because structural classes cannot be distinguished using 

the mid-scale vegetation inventory for this PNVT, all the tree classes were lumped together. 

This means that there may be some structural components of the PNVT that are not within the 

reference condition that will need to be addressed with management activities. This will be 

determined at the project level. An analysis was conducted to determine departure of this 

PNVT from its reference condition (Appendix F).

On a regional scale, it is uncertain whether the present extent and structure of pinyon-juniper 

woodlands are characteristic of its historical flux or whether the current occupancy and 

structure now exceed its range of natural variation (Gottfried et al. 1995). Much of what is now 

pinyon-juniper woodland may have once been mostly juniper savannah, dominated by grasses 

and forbs and containing no more than 4-6 trees per acre (Brockway et. al. 2002a). By studying 

pollen, packrat middens, and archeological sites, scientists have been able to determine that 

juniper expanded down mountain slopes and into drier communities during times of increased 

moisture (Brockway et al. 2002a). Historical conditions facilitated periodic surface fires that 

maintained open stands of pinyon-juniper with low tree densities and abundant grasses, forbs 

and shrubs in the understories (Brockway et al. 2002a).

Major ecological changes occurred in the Southwest with the arrival of Anglo-European settlers 

and their large herds of cattle and sheep and coincidental droughts in the late 1800s and mid1900s (Gottfried et al. 1995). During the past 150 years, juniper trees increased in distribution 

and density and invaded historical grasslands (Brockway et al. 2002b). Pre-settlement fire 

frequencies ranged from 15-25 years, normally killing juniper trees less than 50 years old 

(Brockway et al. 2002b). The reference conditions for pinyon-juniper were distributed as 

demonstrated in Table 20. Reference conditions were based on the LANDFIRE Biophysical 

Setting Model – Colorado Plateau Pinyon-Juniper Woodland (Babler 2006). Current condition 

is shown again for comparison.
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Table 20 Reference Conditions for Pinyon-Juniper

Successional Class Structure and Composition Current 

Percent

Reference 

Percent

Early: Open with grasses, forbs, seedlings and saplings. Usually 

occurs postfire. Seedlings are less than 4.5 ft. in height. 

12% 10%

Mid/Late: A mix of pinyon and juniper trees in a variety of 

classes with varying canopy cover. Mid-development classes 

averages 10% of the PNVT in relative abundance and has dense 

canopy cover (31-70%) of pole size trees (5-9” in diameter) and 

very little understory. 25% of the PNVT will have pole size 

trees with a mixed shrub/herbaceous understory and canopy 

cover ranges from 0-30%. 35% of the PNVT will have late 

development with medium size trees (9-21” in diameter) and 

canopy cover of 0-40%. 10% of the PNVT will have dense, old 

growth characteristics with medium size trees and canopy cover 

of 41-70%.

88% 90%

The pinyon-juniper PNVT located on the Grasslands is in low departure from reference 

condition based on the above comparison.

Projected Future Condition and Trends: Through the continued use of prescribed burning, 

regeneration of trees is expected to remain near reference condition. Thinning and burning 

projects improve diversity in the understory. Woodland areas have become more open although 

they have retained their mid to late seral stage structure including old growth characteristics of 

large-diameter trees, snags, and down logs.

2.1.5 Cottonwood Willow

Current Condition: This vegetation type covers approximately 1,370 acres (or 1%), of the 

Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. The cottonwood willow PNVT vegetation is a 

diverse mosaic of riparian forests, shrublands, streamside marshes, and barren alluvial surfaces. 

Larger river systems are dominated by gallery forests. Dominant species are Fremont 

cottonwood, narrowleaf willow, apache plume, western wheatgrass, and hackberry. Vegetation 

is dependent upon periodic flooding. Native Americans also had a strong influence on 

vegetation composition and structure by favoring edible plants (e.g., mesquite), collecting fuel 

wood, and burning to flush animals and increase accessibility to open water and agricultural 

fields. The current condition was derived using the mid-scale data inventory. Because structure 

cannot be determined using the mid-scale vegetation inventory for this PNVT, all the tree 

classes were lumped together. Table 21 displays the current structure the cottonwood-willow 

PNVT.

Table 21 Current Composition and Structure of the Cottonwood-Willow PNVT

Successional Class Structure and Composition Percent

Early: This class is typically shrub/seedling dominated, but grasses may codominate.16%
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Successional Class Structure and Composition Percent

Mid: Vegetation composition includes tall shrubs and small trees (willows & 

cottonwoods).

Late: This class represents the mature, large cottonwood and willow riparian 

woodlands.

84%

The cottonwood-willow PNVT can be found in two of the four Sections that overlap the 

Grasslands. It comprises 1% of the Southern High Plains Section and 1% of the South Central 

and Red Bed Plains Section. There are two Subsections that overlap the Grasslands and 

encompass the cottonwood-willow PNVT. Table 22 shows the amount of the Grasslands in 

each Subsection in the cottonwood-willow PNVT.

Table 22 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Cottonwood-Willow PNVT

Subsection % Subsection in 

Cottonwood-Willow PNVT

% of Grasslands within 

Subsection in CottonwoodWillow PNVT

Canadian River Canyon and Hills 

Woodland

1% 3%

Caprock High Plains Grassland 2% 1%

Sandy Smooth High Plains 2% 0%

Southern and South Central High 

Plains Grassland

2% 0%

Contribution to Sustainability and Spatial Niche: Currently, there is much less cottonwoodwillow across the landscape than appeared historically. The Subsections that do have 

cottonwood-willow are highly departed from the reference condition. The cottonwood-willow 

located within the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands is in low departure from 

reference condition, making it an important ecosystem and important to sustaining ecological 

sustainability.

Reference Condition Planning Unit: Riparian areas currently dominated by woody species were 

historically dominated by the same woody species, primarily cottonwood and willows. The 

regeneration of these woody species requires the presence of bare moist alluvial surfaces that 

are laid down during infrequent high-intensity floods. Structural diversity of semiarid woody 

riparian systems reaches a maximum after approximately 90 years (Skagen et. al. 2005). The 

reference conditions for cottonwood-willow were distributed as demonstrated in Table 23. 

Reference conditions were based on the LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model for North 

American Warm Desert Riparian Systems (Grove et. al 2005). Current condition is shown 

again for comparison.

Table 23 Reference Conditions for Cottonwood-Willow

Successional Class Structure and Composition Current

Percent

Reference 

Percent

Early: This class is typically shrub/seedling dominated, but 

grasses may co-dominate. 16% 20%
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Successional Class Structure and Composition Current

Percent

Reference 

Percent

Mid (25%): Vegetation composition includes tall shrubs and 

small trees (willows & cottonwoods).

Late (55%): This class represents the mature, large cottonwood 

and willow riparian woodlands.

84% 80%

The cottonwood-willow located within the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands is in 

low departure from reference condition.

Projected Future Condition and Trends: Because structure cannot be determined using the midscale vegetation inventory for this PNVT, all the tree classes were lumped together. This means 

that there may be some structural components of the PNVT that are not within the reference 

condition that will need to be addressed with management activities. This will be determined at 

the project level. An analysis was conducted to determine departure of this PNVT from its 

reference condition (Appendix F).

Current management trends of treating invasive species within the riparian systems, specifically 

salt-cedar, will help reduce the amount of invasives found in the cottonwood-willow PNVT. By 

removing salt-cedar from the Canadian River system in Mills Canyon, more of the PNVT will 

move into the mid successional class. This will increase vegetation on stream banks and 

stabilize slopes. Areas along Perico and Sauz Creeks periodically flood which helps keep some 

of this PNVT within the early successional class.

Under current management, this PNVT is expected to remain near reference condition. There 

are disruptions to the natural hydrologic processes off of the Grasslands that prevent this PNVT 

from functioning fully as it did historically.

2.1.6 Mixed Hardwood Riparian

The mixed hardwood riparian areas that are found on the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National 

Grasslands are there due to soil movement during the Dust Bowl area. Topsoil blew into these lowlying areas followed by upstream damming, creating areas that would not have been present 

historically. However, as this PNVT is present now, current management is conducted in ways 

conducive to keeping this PNVT intact. Under current management, this PNVT is expected to remain in 

its current state.

Current Condition: This vegetation type covers approximately 1,946 acres (or 6%), of the Black 

Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands. The hardwood bottomlands have an 

overstory of cottonwood, elm, black walnut, soapberry, hackberry, and persimmon. Primary 

understory species include buckbrush, buttonbush, Virginia creeper, and Japanese brome where 

the overstory is thick and little bluestem in a more open overstory. A large percentage of the 

bottomland is sub-irrigated, with standing water during the wetter periods of the year. The 

exclusion of fire and the lack of disturbance have led to overcrowding of the hardwoods and the 

invasion of eastern red cedar in some locations. The current condition was derived using the 

mid-scale data inventory. Because structure cannot be determined using the mid-scale 

vegetation inventory for this PNVT, all the tree classes were lumped together. Table 24

displays the current structure the mixed hardwood riparian PNVT.
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Table 24 Current Composition and Structure of the Mixed Hardwood Riparian PNVT

Successional Class Structure and Composition Percent

Early: Pioneer tree and shrub species of cottonwoods and willows. Herbaceous understory of 

sedges in wet areas. In this early stage, most of the area is bare sand. Dominated by young 

canopy of tree saplings and shrubs. Species would include indigo bush and various grass, 

sedges, and rushes. 

13%

Mid: This stage develops as the stand starts to mature. This community tends to be partially 

opened, with scattered cottonwoods and willows. The shrub layer is poorly developed and 

often consists of widely scattered patches of dogwood. The understory vegetation is highly 

variable with wild rye, and muhly grass. In wetter, more shaded areas Virginia creeper, 

nettles, and poison ivy would exists. 

Late: This class is a mature, late seral closed canopy cottonwood floodplain forest. Overstory 

is dominated by cottonwood, box elder, hackberry, walnut and elm. Understory species 

composed of Virginia creeper, and poison ivy. Found along the upper terrace that has been 

protected from most flood events, except for rare high intensity flooding. 

87%

The mixed hardwood riparian PNVT can be found in two of the four Sections that overlap the 

Grasslands. It comprises 2% of the Northern Texas High Plains Section and 1% of the South 

Central and Red Bed Plains Section. There are three Subsections that overlap the Grasslands 

and encompass the mixed hardwood riparian PNVT. Table 25 shows the amount of the 

Grasslands in each Subsection in the mixed hardwood riparian PNVT.

Table 25 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Mixed Hardwood Riparian 

PNVT

Subsection % Subsection in 

Mixed Hardwood 

Riparian PNVT

% of Grasslands within 

Subsection in Mixed 

Hardwood Riparian PNVT

Canadian-Cimarron Breaks 2% 31%

Red Prairie 2% 4%

Southern South Central and Red Bed 

Plains 1% 5%

Contribution to Sustainability and Spatial Niche: The disproportionate percent of mixed 

hardwood riparian on McClellan Creek Grasslands compared to the Canadian-Cimarron Breaks 

is due to the abundance of the PNVT located along a relatively small reach of McClellan Creek

within the administrative boundary of the Grassland. The mixed hardwood riparian PNVT areas 

off of the Grasslands are outside of the reference condition. The Black Kettle and McClellan 

Creek National Grasslands hold a fairly large portion of this PNVT within the CanadianCimarron Breaks subsection, making this an important ecosystem.

Reference Condition Planning Unit: Because structure cannot be determined using the midscale vegetation inventory for this PNVT, all the tree classes were lumped together. This means 

that there may be some structural components of the PNVT that are not within the reference 

condition that will need to be addressed with management activities. This will be determined at 

the project level. An analysis was conducted to determine departure of this PNVT from its 

reference condition (Appendix F). The reference conditions for the mixed hardwood riparian 
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vegetation type were distributed as demonstrated in Table 26. Reference conditions were based 

on the LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Model for Great Plains Floodplain (Cunningham and 

Ortman 2005). Current condition is shown again for comparison.

Table 26 Reference Condition for Mixed Hardwood Riparian

Successional Class Structure and Composition Current 

Percent

Reference 

Percent

Early: Pioneer tree and shrub species of cottonwoods and 

willows. Herbaceous understory of sedges in wet areas. In this 

early stage, most of the area is bare sand. Dominated by young 

canopy of tree saplings and shrubs. Species would include 

indigo bush and various grass, sedges, and rushes. 

13% 20%

Mid (25%): This stage develops as the stand starts to mature. 

This community tends to be partially opened, with scattered 

cottonwoods and willows. The shrub layer is poorly developed 

and often consists of widely scattered patches of dogwood. The 

understory vegetation is highly variable with wild rye, and 

muhlies. In wetter, more shaded areas Virginia creeper, nettles, 

and poison ivy would exist. 

Late (55%): This class is a mature, late seral closed canopy 

cottonwood floodplain forest. Overstory is dominated by 

cottonwood, box elder, hackberry, walnut and elm. Understory 

species composed of Virginia creeper, and poison ivy. Found 

along the upper terrace that has been protected from most flood 

events, except for rare high intensity flooding. 

87% 80%

The mixed hardwood riparian areas that are found on the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek 

National Grasslands are there due to soil movement during the Dust Bowl creating areas that 

would not have been present historically. Consequently there is not an appropriate reference 

condition for a departure from reference condition determination.

Projected Future Condition and Trends: The current management is conducted in ways 

conducive to keeping this PNVT intact and it is expected to remain in its current state.

2.1.7 Sand Sagebrush

Current Condition: The sand sagebrush PNVT vegetation type covers approximately 22,651 

acres (or 8 %), of the Grasslands. Sand sagebrush occurs with perennial grasses such as little 

bluestem, blue grama, sand bluestem, and sand dropseed. It usually occurs on dunes, hills and 

other deep, well-drained sandy soils. Elevational range for sand sagebrush over its whole range 

is given as 2,000 to 6,000 feet. Annual precipitation for the shortgrass prairie, which includes 

sand sagebrush as a major shrub, ranges from 11.8 to 21.7 inches. The growing period for sand 

sagebrush in the southern Great Plains is from February to November (Brown and Smith 2000).

Prescribed burning is used in the PNVT, but presently only about 500 acres is burned every 3-5 

years. Livestock grazing is done during the winter months to limit the impact to soils. No 

livestock grazing is conducted during the growing season in the sand sagebrush.

Table 27 displays the current structure the sand sagebrush PNVT.
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Table 27 Current Composition and Structure of the Sand sagebrush PNVT

Successional Class Structure and Composition Percent

Post-fire: Dominated by resprouts and seedlings of grasses and forbs. Low to 

medium height with variable canopy cover. This type typically occurs where 

fires burn relatively hot.

1%

Mid-Open: Less than 35% herb cover. Medium to tall height. 69%

Mid-Closed: Greater than 35% herb cover. Medium to tall height. 30%

The Sand sagebrush PNVT can be found in all four Sections that overlap the Grasslands. It 

comprises 4% of the Southern High Plains, 3% of the Texas High Plains, 7% Northern Texas 

High Plains Section and 2% of the South Central and Red Bed Plains Section. There are two

Subsections that overlap the Grasslands and encompass the sand sagebrush PNVT. Table 28

shows the amount of the Grasslands in each Subsection in the sand sagebrush PNVT.

Table 28 Percent of Subsection and Grasslands within Subsection in Sand sagebrush PNVT

Subsection % Subsection in Sand 

sagebrush PNVT

% of Grasslands within 

Subsection in Sand 

sagebrush PNVT

Caprock High Plains Grassland 1% 46%

Sandy-Smooth High Plains 4% 6%

Contribution to Sustainability and Spatial Niche: The 1.89 million total acres of the Caprock 

High Plains Grassland Subsection overlaps the Rita Blanca and the Eastern units of Kiowa 

Grasslands boundaries. The Caprock High Plains Grassland total percentage of sand sagebrush

PNVT is disproportionate to the percentage on the Grasslands within those Subsections. 

Eastern Kiowa and the far Western portion of Rita Blanca Grasslands are disproportionate to 

the 10% sand sagebrush PNVT found over the total Kiowa Rita Blanca administrative 

boundary as well. The disproportionately larger percentage of sand sagebrush on the Eastern 

Kiowa and far Western portion of Rita Blanca that overlap the Caprock High Plains Grasslands 

is due to topography, land use, conversion to agriculture, and management practices.

Currently, there is much less of the sand sagebrush PNVT across the landscape than was 

historically present due to massive soil movement that occurred during the dust bowl. These 

areas of the surrounding landscape that are sand sagebrush are highly departed from the 

reference condition. There is currently more of the sand sagebrush vegetation type on the 

Grasslands than was present historically (TEU data). Sand sagebrush keeps the soil stable and 

helps prevent further soil movement; therefore, they are important on the Grasslands. This 

makes the sand sagebrush PNVT on the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands an 

important ecosystem and important to ecological sustainability.

Reference Condition Planning Unit: An analysis was conducted to determine departure of this 

PNVT from its reference condition (Appendix F). Historically, sand sagebrush areas included 

tall, warm season grasses such as prairie sandreed, sand bluestem and switchgrass, with blue 

grama in the understory. Cool season grasses and forbs such as needle-and thread and sun 

sedge were common. Sand sagebrush stabilizes light sandy soils from wind erosion and can 

coexist with herbaceous (grass) species by protecting them in heavily grazed conditions (Davis 

and Bonham 1979). The reference conditions for the sand sagebrush vegetation type were 
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distributed as demonstrated in Table 29. Reference conditions were based on the Fire Regime 

Condition Class Model for Prairie Grassland 1 (Sand sagebrush-Bluestem Prairie) (Hann 2003). 

Current condition is shown again for comparison.

Table 29 Reference Conditions for Sand sagebrush

Successional Class Structure and Composition Current 

Percent

Reference 

Percent

Early: Dominated by resprouts and seedlings of grasses and forbs. 

Low to medium height with variable canopy cover. 5% 1%

Mid-Open: Less than 35% herb cover. Medium to tall height. 69% 55%

Mid-Closed: Greater than 35% herb cover. Medium to tall height. 30% 44%

Currently, the sand sagebrush prairie is in low departure from reference condition as a whole 

for the PNVT.

Projected Future Condition and Trends: Planned fire and livestock grazing during the winter 

months would continue to maintain the current structure and composition.

2.2 Vegetative Disturbances

Historically, natural disturbance was a regular component of all of the PNVTs found on the Grasslands. 

These disturbances, including wildfire, grazing, and climatic events, had notable effects on the 

Grasslands vegetation (including composition and structure). In addition to these events, hardwood 

riparian areas were periodically affected by flooding. Though their frequency and intensity have shifted 

as a result of settlement and management, these historical natural disturbances continue to influence the 

composition and structure of the Grassland PNVTs. In addition, invasive species and motorized and 

off-road travel are now recognized as having disturbance-like effects on the Grasslands vegetation.

These various disturbances and their current and reference conditions are described below. Where 

possible, descriptions of the projected future conditions and trends for these vegetative disturbances are 

also included.

2.2.1 Fire

Current Conditions: Fire is the most significant disturbance process in sustaining plains 

grassland ecosystems. Grassland fires release nutrients into the soil, which stimulates nutrient 

cycling and soil productivity (Brockway et al. 2002a). Grassland fires reduce the establishment 

of woody trees and shrubs, which helps maintain a more resilient grassland composition and 

structure (Brockway et al. 2002a, Ford 2003). The encroachment of woody species that 

threatens plains grasslands in the region is not only the result of over 100 years of fire 

suppression, but also the planting of shelterbelts and other tree species during the early years of 

grasslands restoration in the 1940s.

Grasslands managers have increasingly used prescribed burns to eliminate the excess of woody 

trees and shrubs, including invasive trees like black locust and eastern red cedar, improve the 

diversity of structural stages, and restore fire-adapted ecosystems. Over the past 10-12 years, 

approximately 80% of the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands have been 

burned, with some units burned two to four times, and about 2% of the Kiowa and Rita Blanca 

National Grasslands units have been burned, mostly in the pinyon-juniper ecosystem (GIS 

Geodatabase – Prescribed Fire History 2007). In addition, approximately 7,300 acres burned in 
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0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005

wildfires on all four Grasslands in the ten years from 1995 to 2005. The 2006 wildfire season 

was especially unique due to prolonged drought and burned over 3,700 acres of Black Kettle, 

1,500 acres of McClellan Creek and 850 acres of the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National 

Grasslands (GIS Geodatabase – Fire History 2007). Prescribed fire and wildfire maps are 

located in Appendix A.

Reference Conditions: Historically, lightning-caused fires and fires set by Indian Tribes burned 

across extensive areas of the plains grasslands, and ecosystems adapted to these periodic fires 

(Finch 2004). The plains grasslands had a historical fire regime of 3 to 10-years (Wright and 

Bailey 1982). This was disrupted by Euro-American settlements in the late 1800s (Wright and 

Bailey 1982), mainly by over-grazing and fire suppression (Finch 2004). Contemporary 

residential development and growth led to widespread fire suppression, with roads often 

serving as fuel breaks. Fire suppression caused increases in trees and other woody vegetation 

while reducing the abundance of fire-adapted native grasses (McPherson 2000; Coppedge et al. 

2001; Finch 2004).

Projected Future Conditions and Trends: The Forest Service’s emphasis on prescribed burning 

throughout the Grasslands will increase in the amount of acres burned and continue mimic 

historical fire regimes, improving the structural diversity of each PNVT toward its reference 

condition. Figure 5 shows the acreage per year treated using prescribed burns.

Figure 5 Acres Prescribed Burned on the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek 

National Grasslands, 1990-2005 (GIS Geodatabase–Prescribed Fire History 2007).

2.2.2 Grazing

Current Conditions: Cattle grazing occurs on over 96% of the Grasslands. Flexible stocking 

rates are set according to the season and vegetative conditions, with a minimum 30-day 

growing season recovery period on the Black Kettle National Grassland and 60-day recovery 

period on the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands.

Reference Conditions: Grazing by herbivores such as bison played a very important role in the 

development of the current grazing-adapted grasslands (Finch 2004). Unconfined herds of 

bison in the 1800s moved over extensive grasslands year-round, reducing grass cover and 

changing the dominance of certain plant species (Finch 2005). Blue grama and buffalograss 

tend to increase under continuous grazing, while warm season big-and little bluestem and cool-
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season grasses decrease with grazing pressure (The Nature Conservancy 1998). A prolonged 

drought in the mid-19th century, coupled with hunting pressure and competition with domestic 

livestock for riparian winter grazing, brought the bison to the brink of extinction (Finch 2005).

Prairie dogs once inhabited millions of acres of the Great Plains and played an important role in 

modifying grasslands and providing habitat for numerous species (Finch 2004). Prairie dog 

grazing has been observed to reduce effective vegetative ground cover in drier PNVTs and 

potentially contributes to accelerated erosion, soil compaction (USDA Forest Service 1991) and 

declined soil productivity, especially during periods of drought. Herbivory can directly reduce 

vegetative cover, affect a change in vegetation species which may have reduced root holding 

and soil trampling by large ungulate trail creation, all of which can lead to accelerated erosion 

rates.

Projected Future Conditions and Trends: The Forest Service has adopted an adaptive 

management approach and completed an environmental analyses and Allotment Management 

Plans on every active grazing allotment on the Grasslands. The adaptive management approach 

now in place allows for adjustments in numbers of livestock and seasons of use through the 

annual operating permit system in order to respond to changing conditions and achieve 

management objectives. The intensity of livestock grazing is substantially lower on the 

Grassland units than on adjacent private lands, averaging half the stocking rate found on private 

land (UNM-BBER 2005). Current livestock management trends indicate that grazing on the 

Grasslands is currently sustainable.

2.2.3 Invasive Species

Current Conditions: Invasive species disrupt natural ecosystem functions and negatively affect 

both ecological and socio-economic conditions (Finch 2004). Invasive species can displace 

desirable native species, reduce the quality of wildlife habitat, damage sensitive riparian and 

watershed areas, increase wildfire risk, and increase erosion (Fletcher 1998, Finch 2004). The 

displacement of native species causes a decline in opportunities for land use and land values 

(Finch 2004). Invasive species cause major modifications in ecological processes and soil 

microflora, affecting nutrient cycling and decomposition rates (Finch 2004). Changes to 

grassland habitat by non-native species introduction can be beneficial to some game species 

such as whitetail deer and Rio Grande turkey and tree dependant bird species that can utilize 

the altered habitat.The following list shows some invasive and/or non-native plants found so far 

on Grasslands units, and there are likely other species not yet inventoried (GIS Geodatabase –

Invasive Plant 2007):

Black locust Cheatgrass

Eastern redcedar Johnson cress

Jointed goatgrass Mesquite

Hoary cress Salt-cedar

Scotch thistle Siberian elm

Musk thistle Russian olive

Bull thistle Kochia

Prickly sowthistle Russian thistle

Maps displaying invasive species by Grassland are located in Appendix A.
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Reference Conditions: Historically, there were no invasive species found on the Grasslands.

Projected Future Conditions and Trends: Over the past decade, Grasslands managers have 

greatly increased the emphasis on preventing and controlling invasive plants, by: developing 

cooperative agreements with adjacent landowners to actively control invasive plants on “both 

sides of the fence”; engaging in cooperative interagency programs such as the salt-cedar control 

project along the Canadian River; conducting some small-scale control treatment for invasive 

species; and developing environmental analyses needed to implement more invasive plant 

control projects. These management activities will help to move all PNVTs closer to their 

reference conditions.

2.2.4 Climate

Current Conditions: The Grasslands experience extreme fluctuations in climate conditions and 

extreme weather events such as prolonged droughts, flooding, hail, blizzards, tornadoes, and 

dust storms (Bragg 1995, The Nature Conservancy 1998). Precipitation has a significant 

influence on ecological conditions and processes in the Great Plains (The Nature Conservancy 

1998). Evaporation typically exceeds precipitation and water is the primary factor limiting 

vegetative growth and the type of vegetation a site will support (Finch 2004). Native grasslands 

are extremely well adapted to tolerate and resist the impacts from drought, fire and grazing 

(Weaver 1954, Finch 2004). Great Plains grassland soils and vegetation vary depending upon 

their location along the east-west moisture gradient (Figure 6). Grasslands average annual 

precipitation ranges from about 14 inches (Kiowa) to 29 inches (Black Kettle); average annual 

temperature ranges from about 50° F (Kiowa) to 59° F (Black Kettle) (DAYMET 2010).

Reference Conditions: The Grasslands evolved with severe droughts and other extreme climatic 

events, along with grazing and fire. Native grasslands are extremely well-adapted to tolerate 

and resist the impacts from drought, fire, and grazing (Weaver 1954, Finch 2004).

Projected Future Conditions and Trends: Joyce et al. (2001) predict that the Great Plains will 

become warmer and wetter; the combined effect will increase evapotranspiration and water 

stress on plants. Impacts of climate change on grasslands may include the invasion of woody 

species as a function of increased CO2 concentration and a change in seasonal precipitation 

patterns (Brown et al. 1997, Morgan et al. 2007). Both of these factors favor the establishment 

of vegetation with the C3 photosynthetic pathway such as woody shrubs at the expense of warm 

season perennial C4 species of grasses (Bazzaz and Carlson 1984, Patterson and Flint 1990, 

Johnson et al. 1993).

Figure 6 Effect of Moisture on Soil Differences in the Great Plains
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2.2.5 Floods

Current Conditions: While some local, small-scale flooding occurs, there is a general lack of 

flood disturbance. This is attributed to the extensive flood control efforts in areas outside the 

Grasslands.

Reference Conditions: The entire range of flood magnitudes contributed to ecological processes 

such as nutrient cycling, recruitment and species composition (Finch 2004). Two to ten-year 

events primarily impacted herbaceous vegetation and 7-50 year events resulted in patchy 

removal of shrubs and saplings. 50+-year events removed stands of larger trees. Cottonwoods 

returned to pole size within 10 years of disturbance. Cottonwood is considered mature around 

60 years. Flooding resulted in scouring, sedimentation and regeneration of cottonwood and 

other riparian species.

2.2.6 Motorized Travel and User-Created Roads

Current Conditions: On the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands, off-road driving is not 

prohibited and is particularly prevalent in the popular hunting areas. Most of the Kiowa and 

Rita Blanca National Grasslands are not highly desired by off-road driving enthusiasts because 

of the mixed ownership pattern, abundance of fences, and relatively even and homogenous 

terrain. However, where the off-road driving and user-created roads are prevalent, such as in 

the Mills Canyon and Uplands, use has resulted in a loss of vegetative productivity and species 

diversity, long-term soil compaction and erosion, water quality degradation, and impacts to 

scenery, historical resources and other social values.

The Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands prohibit driving off designated 

roads or trails so effects of off-road motorized travel on ecological sustainability are not an 

issue on that District. Transportation maps can be found in Appendix A.

Reference Conditions: Historically, there was no motorized travel on the Grasslands.

2.3 Soils

The Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory (TEUI) is the result of the systematic analysis, mapping, 

classification and interpretation of terrestrial ecosystems also known as ecological types delineated and 

numbered in ecological units. TEUI was used throughout the soils analysis. Within National Forest 

System boundaries, TEU data is available at scales finer than subsections. The TEUI provides seamless 

coverage and descriptive information of terrestrial ecological units at the land unit (Landtype Phase) 

level (1:24,000) within the boundaries of the Grassland. The Ecological Units (and soils) are derived 

from the Ecological Unit Inventory, the TEUI of the Grasslands, (Strenger et al. 2007). It is the only 

seamless mapping of vegetation and soils available across the Grasslands that include field visited, 

validated and correlated sites with a stringent Regional and National protocol stemming from decades 

of work. The TEUI data is roughly equivalent to a Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) soil 

survey with more emphasis placed on recognizing the soil, vegetation, landform and climatic 

relationships.

Differences in ecosystem properties, including soil and vegetation, can occur within short distances. 

Generally, small vegetation types smaller than about 10 to 40 acres were not mapped and are included 

in larger TEUI map units. Individual map units were based on data collected across the Grassland and 

may or may not represent landscape existing conditions and potential plant community as depicted in 

the TEUI. Overall accuracy of mapping and information provided by the TEUI is considered reliable at 

the Landtype Phase scale. There are 47 different terrestrial ecological map units and 13 different 

landforms on the Grasslands. A map unit is a collection of areas defined and named in terms of their 
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landform, soil, vegetation, and climate components. Each map unit differs in some respect from all 

others in a survey area and is unique.

2.3.1 Current Condition

The Forest Service is required to manage lands in ways that minimize soil erosion and loss of topsoil in 

order to maintain long-term soil productivity. The loss of topsoil and productivity during the Dust Bowl 

era was extreme. Restoration management practices on the Grasslands over the past several decades 

have resulted in tremendous improvement in soil stability and vegetative recovery. A few units on the 

Black Kettle National Grassland that were heavily plowed in the past do not appear capable of 

recovering to their productivity potential, although the soils are grass-covered and stabilized. A few 

units on Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands adjacent to towns or other private developments 

are heavily impacted by invasive plant populations that are seriously reducing soil productivity and 

vegetative diversity (USDA Forest Service 2007a pg. 26-30; USDA Forest Service 2007b pg. 20-23). 

These soils are not likely to be fully restored to full productivity and native grassland vegetation due to 

continued spread of invasive plants and other impacts from adjacent lands.

Authorized activities on the Grasslands units that contribute to a long-term loss of soil productivity 

include recreation developments, oil-gas operations, roads, and caliche extraction pits. These constitute 

small, localized areas scattered across large landscapes. After authorized activities are completed, the 

Forest Service requires the disturbed acreage to be rehabilitated to restore soil productivity. Activities 

conducted by the Forest Service have gone through an environmental analysis process in accordance 

with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the NEPA documents indicate that none of the 

projects would result in a significant impact to soil productivity or other soil conditions.

When conducted as planned, prescribed burns do not typically pose a risk to sustaining soil conditions. 

Prescribed burns are ignited under very specific climate and fuel moisture conditions so that grass will 

reemerge more quickly than it does after a typical wildfire event. The faster green-up results in less 

wind-driven soil erosion. Also, prescribed burns reduce the fuel loads so that subsequent wildfires that 

burn through those areas do not burn as hot or cause as much soil damage. Research on prescribed 

burning overall effects in the ecosystems found on the Grasslands will help to ensure that these general 

“rules” hold true throughout the different PNVTs and terrestrial ecological units.

The only public land use activity causing unacceptable impacts to soil conditions is the unmanaged 

motorized vehicle use and the resulting unauthorized roads and trails this off-road driving creates. This 

use has resulted in degraded soil conditions and a loss of soil productivity, particularly in Mills Canyon. 

There are currently over 200 miles of roads, including unauthorized roads on soils with the potential for 

severe erosion.

2.3.2 Erosion Hazard

The Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory (TEUI) indicates places where there is a “severe erosion 

hazard” (USDA Forest Service 2006b). Severe erosion hazard means predicted soil loss rates have a 

high probability of reducing site productivity if all the vegetation is removed from the area and it 

experiences heavy rainfall or similar events. Areas with this rating are typically not severely eroding 

currently or expected to experience serious erosion under current ecological conditions and 

management trends but they are more susceptible to erosion if disturbed.

The process of soil erosion is variable and dependant on many soil factors and disturbance. Once 

disturbance causes the protective vegetative layer to be removed, the soil is susceptible to erosion and 

can occur above tolerable limits on soil with moderate or severe erosion hazards. A rating of slight 

indicates that removal of vegetation will not cause soil loss above the threshold, i.e. the maximum 

possible soil loss modeled would not exceed tolerable erosion rates (T), (Strenger et al. 2007). 

Threshold values vary by soil type and roughly equate to the point where annual soil renewability or 
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soil productivity is sustained. Erosion rates higher than T cause a loss of soil surface horizons and soil 

productivity. Conversely, erosion rates less than T allow for the soil to naturally regenerate enough and 

do not cause a loss of soil productivity. A rating of moderate indicates that rates of soil loss will result 

in lowering of site productivity (modeled soil loss exceeds T). A rating of severe indicates that rates of 

soil loss have a high probability of lowering site productivity (modeled soil loss exceeds T). Areas that 

have excessive fuel loadings on soils with moderate or severe erosion hazard pose a risk of appreciable 

watershed degradation following wildfires. Erosion hazard is an indicator of the potential for soil loss 

given the loss of all ground cover. Current erosion hazard is similar to historical erosion hazard because 

it compares tolerable soil loss to potential soil loss (soil loss occurring when the vegetative ground 

cover is removed).

The following PNVTs have appreciable areas of severe erosion hazard: mixed grass prairie, pinyonjuniper and shortgrass prairie (Table 30). Where disturbances or lack of disturbances, such as a lack of 

fire, has caused high fuel loadings, canopy covers and high departures from natural soil and vegetative 

conditions, there is high risk of watershed degradation following wildfires. Other PNVTs have fewer 

areas of soils with high erosion hazard but where they do exist, wildfire could have similar negative 

consequences on the watershed including soil productivity and sediment delivery or flooding. Similarly 

any activity that significantly reduces ground cover, e.g. prairie dog towns, could have negative effects 

including loss of soil productivity especially on soils with a severe erosion hazard. It is important to 

recognize that effective vegetative ground cover is essential, as indicated by satisfactory soil condition,

to protect against compaction, removal of surface organic matter, accelerated erosion and sustain soil 

productivity.

Table 30 Erosion Hazard by PNVT

Erosion Hazard

Slight Moderate Severe

PNVT % Acres % Acres % Acres

Mixed Grass 

Prairie 0.0% 0 65.2% 7358 34.8% 3932

Shortgrass 

Prairie 5.7% 10,288 65.8% 119,771 28.5% 51,931

Shinnery oak 0.0% 0 100.0% 19,033 0.0% 0

Pinyon-Juniper 6.0% 0 47.1% 10931 46.8% 10858

CottonwoodWillow 100.0% 1370 0.0% 0 0.0% 0

Mixed 

Hardwood 

Riparian

76.2% 1491 23.8% 465 0.0% 0

Sand sagebrush 25.7% 5812 74.3% 16,839 0.0% 0

Total 19,987 174,397 66,722

2.3.3 Soil Condition

Soil condition is an analysis of the primary soil functions evaluated were soil hydrology, soil stability 

and nutrient cycling (USDA Forest Service 1999b). Numerous onsite soil condition assessments were 

made, and existing field notes were analyzed to classify and extrapolate soil condition across the 
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Grasslands. Individual map units were based on data collected across the Grassland and may or may not 

represent soil condition at any given point on the landscape. Many differences in soils and related 

disturbances can occur within short distances. Overall accuracy of mapping and information provided 

by the TEUI and soil condition protocol is considered reliable at the ecological unit or landscape level.

Classes used for Soil Condition are Satisfactory, Impaired, Unsatisfactory and Inherently Unstable. The 

following are definitions describe each class:

Satisfactory: Indicators signify that soil function is being sustained and soil is functioning 

properly and normally. The ability of the soil to maintain resource values and sustain outputs is 

high.

Impaired: Indicators signify a reduction in soil function. The ability of the soil to function 

properly and normally has been reduced and/or there exists an increased vulnerability to 

degradation. An impaired category indicates there is a need to investigate the ecosystem to 

determine the cause and degree of decline in soil functions. Changes in land management 

practices or other preventative measures may be appropriate.

Unsatisfactory: Indicators signify that a loss of soil function has occurred. Degradation of vital 

soil functions result in the inability of the soil to maintain resource values, sustain outputs or 

recover from impacts. Unsatisfactory soils are candidates for improved management practices 

or restoration designed to recover soil functions.

Inherently Unstable: These soils have natural erosion exceeding tolerable limits. Based on 

calculations Hillslope Erosion Model these soils are eroding faster than they are renewing 

themselves but are functioning properly and normally.

Table 31 displays Grassland Soil Condition by PNVT with acreage and relative extent and percent 

contributions throughout the PNVT total extent.

Table 31 Grassland-Wide Soil Condition by PNVT

PNVT

Soil Condition Grassland PNVT 

Total Satisfactory Impaired Unsatisfactory Inherently 

Unstable

% Acres % Acres % Acres % in 

PNVT

Acres

Mixed Grass 

Prairie 93% 10,496 7% 794 0 0 0 0 4.3% 11,290

Shortgrass Prairie 54% 98,208 46% 83,782 0 0 0 0 69.5% 181,990

Shinnery oak 15% 2855 85% 16,178 0 0 0 0 7.3% 19,033

Pinyon-Juniper 76% 17,599 24% 5594 0 0 0 0 8.9% 10,522

CottonwoodWillow 100% 1370 0% 0 0 0 0 0 0.5% 1,370

Mixed Hardwood 

Riparian 100% 1956 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.7% 1,956

Sand sagebrush 26% 5812 74% 16,839 0 0 0 0 8.6% 22,651

Total 135,441 126,043 0 0 100.0% 261,485

Total as 

Grassland Percent 52% 48% 0.0% 0.0%
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Contribution to Sustainability: About 52 percent of the Grassland is in satisfactory condition 

and about 48 percent is in impaired condition (Table 31).

More than 90 percent of the mixed hardwood riparian, mixed grass prairie, and cottonwoodwillow riparian PNVTs are in satisfactory refined soil condition. Indicators signify that soil 

function is being sustained and soil is functioning properly and normally. The ability of the soil 

to maintain resource values and sustain outputs is high.

Conversely, the greatest proportion of impaired soil conditions are found in the shinnery oak 

PNVT. This PNVT only totals to about seven percent of the Grassland areal extent but there is 

a much larger amount of the shinnery oak PNVT on the Grasslands than in the surrounding 

landscape. The shinnery oak PNVT, which is all on one terrestrial ecological unit, is impaired 

due to a combination of historical plowing on inclusions within of the map unit which resulted 

in changes in the topsoil; sandy, nutrient-poor soils; and non-native eastern red cedar 

encroachment.

A considerable portion of the pinyon-juniper, sand sagebrush and shortgrass prairie PNVTs 

also have impaired soil conditions. Indicators signify that there has been a reduction in soil 

function. The ability of the soil to function properly and normally has been reduced and/or 

there exists an increased vulnerability to degradation.

The impaired terrestrial ecological units in the pinyon-juniper PNVT are likely in this category 

due to high portions of bare soil and current and natural soil loss greater than tolerable. Both 

terrestrial ecological units have low re-vegetation potential, but appear to be in good condition 

otherwise.

In the sand sagebrush PNVT, the terrestrial ecological units appeared to be impaired because of 

a high proportion of bare soil.

There are many impaired TEUs in the shortgrass prairie PNVT so there are also many potential 

reasons for the impairments. TEUs 803, 807, 808, 814, 818 and 853 all have a high proportion 

of bare soil which is erodible and hinders soil hydrology functioning. TEUs 814 and 818 also 

have natural soil loss greater than tolerable soil loss. Some of the TEUs also have a low revegetation potential due to high alkalinity which indicates potential problems with soil 

nutrients.

Maintaining satisfactory soil condition is important in maintaining long-term soil productivity 

which is essential in sustaining ecosystem diversity. Impaired soil conditions have resulted in 

the reduced ability of the soil to grow plants and sustain productive, diverse vegetation. Much 

of the current soil condition is an artifact of the Dust Bowl era erosion and deposition. These 

changes significantly altered soil structure, texture and horizonation. Most soils negatively 

affected during the Dust Bowl have yet to develop into productive grassland soils found prior to 

the 1930s.

2.4 Soil Loss 

The TEUI identified soil loss by ecological map unit and is primarily based on soil properties modeled 

using the Hillslope Erosion Model (HEM) (Anderson 1988). A separate resource characteristic analysis 

will be conducted in this report evaluating Forest-wide soil condition based on three soil functions 

including ability of soil to resist erosion, ability of the soil to infiltrate water and ability of the soil to 

recycle nutrients.

Ratings used for Soil Loss are Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, and Unsuited. A Satisfactory rating denotes 

that the current erosion rate is less than the soil erosion rate tolerable threshold (T) and that a low level 

of erosion is occurring, representing maintenance of soil productivity. An Unsatisfactory rating denotes 

a high level of erosion (more than T), representing continued loss of soil productivity. An Unsuited 
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rating represents inherently unstable soil types that, even with optimal ground cover, soil loss would 

exceed T. TEUI units with Unsuited ratings are typically on steep slopes or sandy soils with low natural 

cover and are naturally prone to high rates of erosion.

Soil loss rates for natural, current, and tolerable are listed in the TEUI. Soil loss is defined as the 

predicted net average soil loss from a site due to erosion. Conditions on the ground when the TEUI was 

mapped indicate that 60% of the TEUI map units have a current soil loss rate either equal to or below 

the predicted natural soil loss potential, as in the predicted soil loss under natural conditions. Thirty 

percent of the TEUI map units have current soil loss rates exceeding natural soil loss rates but less than 

tolerable soil loss rates. These two conditions are in the satisfactory category for soil loss condition. 

The tolerable soil loss rate is the rate of soil loss that can occur while sustaining inherent soil 

productivity (Strenger et al. 2007). Ten percent of the TEU map units have soil loss rates where both 

natural and current soil loss rates are above the tolerable amount and unsuited. This is an unstable state, 

but given this is the natural soil loss condition, management activities on the Grasslands are not 

contributing to the soil loss (Strenger et al. 2007).

Table 32 displays soil loss by PNVT acreage and relative extent and percent contributions throughout 

the PNVT total extent. PNVT is a product of the Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory and is listed for 

each map unit.

Table 32 Soil Loss by PNVT

Soil Loss

PNVT

Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Unsuited Grassland PNVT 

Total

% In 

PNVT

Acres % In 

PNVT

Acres % In 

PNVT

Acres % on 

Grassland

Acres

Mixed Grass 

Prairie 65.8% 7425 0% 0 34.2% 3865 4.3% 11,290

Shortgrass 

Prairie 89.8% 163,490 0% 0 10.2% 18,501 69.5% 181,990

Shinnery 

oak 100% 19,033 0% 0 0% 0 7.3% 19,033

PinyonJuniper 87.7% 20348 0% 0 12.3% 2845 8.9% 10,522

Cottonwood

-Willow 100% 1370 0% 0 0% 0 0.5% 1370

Mixed 

Hardwood 

Riparian

100% 1956 0% 0 0% 0 0.7% 1956

Sand 

sagebrush 100% 22,651 0% 0 0% 0 8.6% 22,651

Total 8236,273 0 25,681 98.8% 261,954

Percent of 

Grassland 90.2% 0% 9.8%

 

8

Percentages do not total to 100 because water makes up a percentage of the area but is not considered a PNVT.
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Contribution to Sustainability: About 90 percent of the Grassland has a satisfactory soil loss

rating, none of the Grassland has an unsatisfactory soil loss rating, and about 10 percent has an 

unsuited soil loss rating (Table 32). All of the mixed hardwood riparian, pinyon-juniper, 

cottonwood-willow riparian, sand sagebrush, and shinnery oak PNVTs are in satisfactory soil 

loss condition. This indicates that on-site soil loss is within threshold limits and is not reducing 

the ability of the soil to maintain long-term soil productivity. Conversely, the greatest areas of 

unsuited soil loss are found in the shortgrass prairie PNVT. Proportionally, the mixed grass 

prairie PNVT has the most area in an unsuited soil loss, about 35 percent. Soil erosion may be 

occurring beyond its threshold and the soil is at risk of not maintaining long-term soil 

productivity. Maintaining satisfactory soil loss is important in maintaining long-term soil 

productivity, which is crucial in sustaining ecosystem diversity. Unsatisfactory soil loss results 

in the reduced ability of the soil to grow plants and sustain productive, diverse vegetation.

2.4.1 Disturbances and Processes

The following is a list and analysis of disturbances that occur on the Grasslands affecting all identified 

soil resource characteristics including soil condition, soil loss, soil productivity and organic matter.

Herbivory: Cattle graze throughout most PNVTs. High levels of ungulate (livestock and 

pronghorn) and prairie dog grazing has been observed to reduce effective vegetative ground 

cover in drier PNVTs and potentially contributes to accelerated erosion, soil compaction 

(USDA Forest Service 1991) and declined soil productivity (especially during periods of 

drought). Herbivory can directly reduce vegetative cover, affect a change in vegetation species 

which may have reduced root holding, and trample soil in trails, all of which can lead to 

accelerated erosion rates.

Drought: The Grasslands have recently experienced several years of drought (roughly since 

about 1999) with occasional normal levels of seasonal moisture. Reduced precipitation results 

in reduced vegetative growth, reduced surface organic matter and productivity and ineffective 

vegetative ground cover putting the soil at risk of accelerated erosion and compaction during 

storm events and subsequent loss of soil productivity. As vegetation dries out, there is increased 

risk of wildfire spread and subsequent accelerated erosion and watershed degradation.

Flooding: Flooding affects the riparian PNVTs, as well as unmapped streamcourses throughout 

all the PNVTs. Flooding may cause localized soil loss in the stream channel, streambanks and 

floodplains if not well protected with deep rooted vegetative ground cover. Frequent flooding is 

a natural process and disturbance within these PNVTs. Flash flooding can occur in perennial, 

intermittent and ephemeral streams in all PNVTs, especially in large watersheds where short 

duration, high intensity storms occur. Maintaining native vegetation described in the Potential 

Plant Community of the TEUI provides channel stability, functional riparian areas and good 

water quality for wildlife and aquatic species.

Fire Regime: With the exclusion of wildfire throughout most PNVTs in the last 70 years, fuel 

loading has increased in woodland and forest PNVTs resulting in high risk of accelerated 

erosion, loss of soil and vegetative productivity, and sediment transport to connected streams 

following wildfires in areas with moderate and high erosion hazard on the Grassland. High 

levels of sediment can reduce fishery and aquatic habitat and those species that rely on it for 

their survival.

2.4.2 Reference Condition

Reference conditions for the Grasslands were developed using information in the TEUI database.
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Erosion Hazard: Soils identified as unsuited are inherently unstable soils and would have had 

natural erosion above tolerable thresholds, regardless of natural or anthropogenic disturbances. 

This is likely the case unless some areas were disturbed intensively during the Dust Bowl era.

Herbivory, such as ungulate and prairie dog grazing, has been observed to reduce effective 

vegetative ground cover in the vegetative basal area and litter, cause surface soil compaction, 

especially when the soil is wet and contribute to causing accelerated soil loss (USDA Forest 

Service 1991) and declined soil productivity. Previous to 1935, there is little documentation of 

range condition on public lands (USDA Forest Service 1991). It is not known to what degree 

Native American agricultural practices, including burning and cultivation may have had on soil 

loss but it is probable that when soils with high erosion hazard where burned and farmed, 

accelerated erosion resulted from storm events. Natural flood disturbance would have had 

limited affect on the extent of soil loss only causing accelerated erosion adjacent to stream 

channels or floodplains. Drought may have reduced the amount of protective vegetative ground 

cover resulting in accelerated erosion.

Soil Condition: Very little quantitative data exists to measure historical soil condition. 

However, some qualitative and quantitative inferences can be made and estimated providing 

insight into historical soil condition primarily using knowledge about present disturbances and 

their effect on erosional processes, soil compaction and nutrient cycling. Historical conditions 

analyzed here generally estimate pre-European settlement conditions unless otherwise noted.

Historically or pre-European settlement and without human-caused disturbances, soil loss, soil 

compaction and nutrient cycling would have been within functional limits to sustain soil 

function and maintain soil productivity for most soils. However, during cyclic periods of 

drought and local areas of overgrazing caused by buffalo, there were areas that experienced 

some soil problems. Since there were no political boundaries historically, soil condition was 

similar on similar soil types throughout the range of the PNVT both within and outside of the 

Grassland.

Prior to the Dust Bowl era much of the land area currently in an impaired soil condition was in 

a satisfactory condition. It is not possible to predict if this was indeed the case and to what 

extent this may have been the conditions historically.

Soil Loss: No quantitative data exists to measure historical soil loss. However, some 

qualitative and quantitative inferences can be made and estimated providing insight into 

historical soil loss condition primarily using knowledge about present disturbances and their 

effect on erosional processes. Historical conditions analyzed here generally estimate preEuropean settlement conditions unless otherwise noted.

Historically or pre-European settlement and without extensive human-caused disturbances, soil 

loss and consequently, the soil loss condition, would have been below threshold values and 

therefore in satisfactory soil loss condition where not unsuited or inherently unstable. Since 

there were no political boundaries historically, soil loss would have been similar on similar 

soils throughout the range of the PNVT both within and outside of the Grasslands. It is 

unknown how much of the unsuited or inherently unstable land, prior to the Dust Bowl era, was 

in a satisfactory soil loss condition.

2.4.3 Disturbances and Processes

The following is a list and analysis of historical disturbances that may have occurred on the Grassland 

affecting soil characteristics and ecosystem diversity.
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Herbivory: Very little range condition data is available before 1935 (USDA Forest Service 

1991). However the General Terrestrial Ecological Survey (GTES) shows that from 1902–1987 

that, as more livestock numbers and acres were grazed, range condition (and therefore soil 

condition) declined and, as fewer number and acres were grazed, range condition and trend 

improved (USDA Forest Service 1991). Domestic livestock grazing was not present historically 

or before European settlement, but bison were known to graze the Grassland and were reported 

to denude grass in some areas.

Drought: Cyclic drought patterns are known to have occurred throughout the last few centuries 

as evidenced through tree ring studies. The worst drought on record occurred in 1892-1893 

when 50-75 % of range animals perished or shipped to market (USDA Forest Service 1991). 

The first assessments of range condition were made by untrained observers in the late 1800’s.

These explorers contained optimistic assessments of large amounts of forage, but equally 

ominous warnings of areas denuded of grass by bison and drought (USDA Forest Service 

1991).

Flooding: Streambanks were vegetated with native riparian species providing for greater 

streambank stability and little soil erosion and sediment delivery. The Canadian River likely 

had cottonwood and willow on the banks rather than tamarisk.

Fire Regime: Fuel loading or fuel build-ups were historically much lower than current 

conditions in woodland and grassland PNVTs and consequently did not pose as high a risk to 

accelerated soil loss and sediment delivery.

Plowing: Homesteaders plowed under native vegetation to cultivate much of the land that is 

now part of the National Grasslands. This exposed these soils to wind and water erosion and 

the lack of rainfall led to crop failures causing this condition to be maintained for long periods 

of time. This soon let to what is now know as the Dust Bowl era and is one of the reasons 

many of these soils/terrestrial ecological units are impaired today.

2.4.4 Projected Future Conditions and Trends and Comparison to Current and Reference 

Conditions

The Grasslands will always contain some small, scattered patches of bare soil that “blow in the wind” 

similar to natural erosion events that occurred historically, such as in prairie dog colonies, playa lake 

beds, and recently burned wildfire sites. Since 1971, over 100 wildfires have burned over 17,000 acres 

on the Grasslands (GIS Geodatabase–Fire History 2007). All areas have recovered to acceptable levels 

of soil stability and vegetative cover. The number of active oil-gas wells and other developments that 

would reduce site productivity is not expected to significantly increase on Grasslands units over the 

next 10-20 years.

Soil productivity is likely to improve after the 2005 Travel Management Rule is fully implemented and 

motorized travel routes and areas are designated9. Given the potential for livestock grazing activities to 

affect soil conditions and plant communities and productivity in a TEU, continued monitoring and 

adaptive management is needed to maintain and continue to improve soil condition. Predicted increases 

in air temperatures in the southern Great Plains may reduce soil organic matter affecting productivity, 

water-holding capacity and carbon storage in the soil (Joyce et al. 2001).

Erosion hazard and soil condition values indicate that there is a potential for soil productivity and soil 

erosion to be limited. Soil loss is rated relatively well given the erosion hazard and soil condition 

 

9 The 2005 Travel Management Rule (36 CFR 294) requires National Forest and Grassland to establish a 

designated motorized trail system for all units.
Ecological Sustainability Report for the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands

42

ratings. Current management trends are keeping soil productivity stable or slightly improving, even 

given damage done during the Dust Bowl era.

2.5 Aquatic Systems and Niche

A comparison of the Grasslands to the surrounding landscape for aquatic properties was described 

earlier in this report in section 1.2.2.1.

Overall, there appears to be representative miles of stream and acreage in waterbodies on the 

Grasslands based on total acreage in the watersheds. However, the numbers tend to vary greatly in a 

given watershed. For example, the Grasslands in the Upper Washita River watershed have almost 15 

percent of the perennial stream miles in the watershed (Table 8) but represent only about 8 percent of 

the area of the watershed. Conversely, the Grasslands in the Headwaters of Coldwater Creek watershed 

represent about 25 percent of the area of the watershed, but have no perennial streams and only 2 

percent of the perennial lakes or ponds.

Playa lakes are a feature often occurring within the shortgrass prairie. They are shallow depressions that 

occur primarily in the High Plains region (Haukos and Smith 2003). There are approximately 19,000 

playas scattered throughout the Southern High Plains with another 6,000 in adjacent states (The 

Handbook of Texas Online 2006). The Grasslands units include approximately 903 acres of playa lakes, 

mostly on the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands (GIS Geodatabase – Water Body 2007). The 

playas only source of water is from rainfall events, and a significant amount of collected water is lost 

through evaporation, transpiration, and infiltration (Haukos and Smith 2003). The playa lakes on the 

Grasslands typically remain dry for most of the year and may remain dry for several years depending on 

precipitation (Playa Lakes Joint Venture 2006). When they contain water they become an important 

water and food resource for migratory birds and other wildlife. Playa ecosystems serve as biological 

refugia and critical sites of biodiversity (Haukos and Smith 2003). Water collected in playas also serves 

as a recharge point for the Ogallala Aquifer. Playa vegetation occasionally occurs depending on the 

frequency of water retention and the size and depth of the playa. Where shoreline vegetation occurs, it 

typically consists of buffalograss, western wheatgrass, sideoats grama, alkali sacaton, and blue grama. 

Maps of locations of playa lakes found on the Grasslands can be found in Appendix A.

2.5.1 Surface Water and Associated Riparian

The following section outlines the current and reference conditions and current management for 

the aquatic systems of the Grasslands.

Current Condition: The following surface water and riparian vegetation occurs on the 

Grasslands units, and additional water and riparian resources occur on adjacent private and 

state lands (GIS Geodatabase – Waterbodies and Streams 2007):

o 32 miles of perennial (mostly year-round) streams, with 60% on the Kiowa and Rita 

Blanca National Grasslands and 40% on the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek 

National Grasslands

o 3,400 acres of riparian area and 40 acres of playa lakes (shallow depressions that 

remain dry between rain events), and

o 1,300 acres of water in reservoirs, lakes, and ponds (at normal pool levels).

Over the past 20 years, water quality on the Grasslands has been relatively good. Some surface 

water has been polluted to a certain extent, most notably the Washita River that runs through a 

portion of the Black Kettle and is on the most recent list of water quality impaired streams in 

Oklahoma (Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality 2004). Those reaches of the 

Washita are below water quality standards for pathogens (E. coli, enterococcus and fecal 
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43

coliform), sulfates and turbidity. The source of impairment is not yet known. Of the 

approximately 51 miles of the Washita River that run in the Black Kettle National Grassland's 

administrative boundary, less than two miles go through Grasslands units.

The 16 miles of the Canadian River on the Kiowa National Grassland is not listed as water 

quality impaired according to New Mexico state standards (New Mexico Water Quality Control 

Commission 2004). However, a recent Stream Health Assessment noted that the reaches on the 

Grassland were degraded primarily due to the effects of tamarisk invasion, including lack of 

down woody debris in the riparian area and stream channel (Haan and Thornton 2004). 

Additionally the report noted that watershed conditions upstream of the Grasslands were 

degraded and likely affecting the reaches of the Canadian River on the Grasslands primarily 

through increased sedimentation. Additionally several of the numerous user-created roads and 

trails created by visitors to Mills Canyon are along and across the river, contributing to stream 

sedimentation, chemical pollution, and other unacceptable riparian and water quality impacts.

Stream and riparian condition analyses conducted during the environmental analysis process for 

continuation of current cattle grazing strategies, oil-gas operations and other authorized 

activities on Grasslands units have not indicated a significant impact or a risk to water quality 

or riparian conditions. In fact, most projects were specifically designed to improve water, 

riparian and soil conditions. There are 20- to 50-year-old oil and gas wells in riparian areas on 

the Lake Marvin and McClellan units; however, they are in compliance with environmental 

protection laws. For current and future oil-gas operations, the Forest Service requires oil-gas 

wells to be located outside the riparian corridor.

The water quality in the reservoirs on Black Kettle National Grasslands is not tested by the 

Forest Service, but none are on the impaired water lists for New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas. 

Drinking water at developed recreation sites is tested routinely and meets water quality 

standards. Dams now located on most stream channel throughout the Grasslands limit the 

potential for flooding and significantly reduce the peak flow of high intensity rainfall events. 

This alters the hydrology enough to change patterns of regeneration of species such as 

cottonwood and willow and allows tamarisk and other invasive species to continue to invade 

new areas and flourish in other areas. Likewise limiting the peak flow of floods reduces the 

sediment carrying capacity of streams and the floodplain deposition that historically occurred.

Reference Condition: Prior to the Dust Bowl era, water quality was very good except 

immediately after large fires, drought or bison grazing or during extreme flood events. Though 

there were no standards historically all streams would have met current water quality standards 

baring the rare events described above.

There were lower peak flow events, even on un-dammed reaches, compared to current 

conditions due to better watershed conditions. These conditions encouraged infiltration and 

groundwater recharge rather than fast runoff and overland flow. Higher ground water levels 

resulted in streams running longer into the growing season.

Playas were formed and maintained through a combination of dissolution of subsurface basin 

material and the deflating action of strong prairie winds sweeping across the landscape (Haukos 

and Smith 2003, The Handbook of Texas Online 2006). Most of the playa lakes on Grasslands 

units have remained unmodified and appear to have the size, structure, composition and 

function that they were perceived to have had historically. Reference conditions utilized in 

analyzing playa lakes were pulled from Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory (TEUI) data and 

based on the potential vegetation for those units.
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Projected Future Conditions and Trends and Comparison to Current and Reference Conditions: 

Climate patterns in this region have a pronounced affect on watershed conditions and trends. 

Extreme temperatures and heat stress events in the southern Great Plains are expected to 

increase (Joyce et al. 2001). Along with this change, water demand for irrigation of grass and 

grain crops is expected to increase at least 50 percent over current use.

Long-term impairments to watershed conditions are expected to occur as a result of the 

conversion of native grasslands to farming and ranching operations on private lands, including 

large irrigation and chemical applications. There are also risks associated with industrial

livestock grazing and oil and gas development.

There are no agricultural or industrial operations on the Grasslands units, which are managed to 

support native grasslands habitat and other ecosystems. Recent authorized activities occurring 

on the Grasslands units do not appear to be impairing watershed conditions. In evaluating 

NEPA documents, monitoring reports, and resource condition assessments for the Grasslands, 

activities such as livestock grazing, oil and gas development, recreation site development,

thinning, and prescribed burning have been conducted in a manner that avoids or mitigates 

significant adverse impacts. The one unauthorized activity that currently poses a risk to 

watershed conditions is unmanaged motorized vehicle use and the resulting “user-created” 

roads and trails. Motor vehicle use on the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National 

Grasslands was limited to designated routes since 1990, but motor vehicle use has not yet been 

regulated on the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands.

Over the past several decades watershed conditions have been dramatically improved, 

especially compared to the extremely degraded condition they were in during the 1940s and 50s 

following the Dust Bowl era. Conservation practices across the southern Great Plains, and 

notably in the McClellan Creek drainage, has resulted in a substantial increase in infiltration 

and groundwater recharge and a subsequent reduction in surface runoff and associated 

sedimentation. The reduced water level in the McClellan Creek reservoir has been attributed to 

a high amount of sediment build-up in the reservoir, continued drawdown of groundwater and 

the previously mentioned conservation efforts which limit that amount of water reaching the 

reservoir.

Management trends are improving the Canadian River’s water quality and riparian conditions. 

Over the past ten years the Forest Service initiated improvement actions along the River 

including closing off-road vehicle trails and moving camping units away from the floodplain, 

removing cattle grazing on the largest riparian unit and limiting grazing in other parts of the 

riparian area, allowing fallen trees to create pools in the stream, and proposing salt-cedar 

control treatments as part of the interagency Canadian River salt-cedar control program. There 

are currently 40-50 miles of road in riparian areas on the Grasslands, including unauthorized 

user-created roads. Thus, the main risk to water quality on Grasslands units is expected to be 

from those roads located along streams and in riparian areas. Additionally dams located on 

most drainages will limit flooding and the associated hydrologic processes.

2.5.2 Groundwater Quality/Quantity

Current Condition: Groundwater, which is stored in water-bearing underground formations 

called aquifers, is an important factor in contributing to social, economic, and ecological 

conditions. On Grasslands units, it is mostly used to provide water for livestock and wildlife, 

and on private lands it is additionally used for drinking water and irrigation. Except for the 

Mills Canyon portion of Kiowa National Grassland, which is over the Canadian River aquifer, 

and a small portion of Black Kettle units over the Washita Alluvium aquifer the Grasslands lie
Ecological Sustainability Report for the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands

45

over what is considered the Central High Plains aquifer which contains parts of New Mexico, 

Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and Kansas (Becker et al. 2002).

In 1999 ground water quality was tested at 74 wells throughout the central High Plains aquifer. 

Over half of the samples showed signs of human-caused nitrate contamination and three of the 

wells had nitrate levels above the national standard of 10 milligrams per liter (Becker et al. 

2002). A few samples also had concentrations of lead, manganese and uranium above the 

standards. These standards are known as the Maximum Contaminant Levels or Secondary 

Maximum Contaminant Levels. Nine samples contained detectable levels of volatile organic 

compounds and 18 samples contained one or more pesticide. None of the samples containing 

pesticides exceeded the standard and the samples containing pesticides were primarily taken 

from the Kansas portion of the aquifer (Becker et al. 2002).

Reference Condition: Prior to the Dust Bowl era, water quality was very good except 

immediately after large fires, drought or bison grazing or during extreme flood events. Though 

there were no standards historically all streams would have met current water quality standards 

baring the rare events described above. There were lower peak flow events, even on undammed reaches, compared to current conditions due to better watershed conditions. These 

conditions encouraged infiltration and groundwater recharge rather than fast runoff and 

overland flow. Higher ground water levels resulted in streams running longer into the growing 

season.

Projected Future Conditions and Trends and Comparison to Current and Reference Conditions: 

Groundwater depletion and drawdown have been ongoing concerns in the prairie grasslands 

eco-region. Within the Grasslands administrative boundary, approximately 1,500 water wells, 

about 80%, are on state and private land and 380 water wells, 20%, are on Forest Servicemanaged land.

There is minimal data available on the conditions of the smaller aquifers, but data on the High 

Plains aquifer indicates that it has experienced extreme draw down over the last 50 years 

(McGuire 2004). Pumping water for irrigation, municipal water supplies and other uses far 

exceeds the recharge ability of the aquifer (McGuire 2004). This drawdown may cause some 

wells and springs used to manage livestock grazing and distribution to go dry. Also, the cost 

associated with drilling deeper wells is becoming a constraint to meeting the demand for water 

sources.

The continued reduction in available water is expected to impact wildlife populations and the 

ability of permittees to properly manage their livestock. While this situation impacts 

management on the Grasslands, management activities on the Grasslands contribute a minor 

amount to this problem because ground water use is limited primarily to livestock watering and 

drinking water at recreation sites. The predicted increase in water demand for irrigation (Joyce 

et al. 2001) and population growth will likely put additional strain on the ground water levels in 

the High Plains and other aquifers under the Grasslands.

2.6 Airsheds

2.6.1 Air Quality

Current Condition: Nationally, air quality standards are directed by the Clean Air Act (CAA)

(42 U.S.C. s/s 7401 et seq.). The CAA identifies the roles of Federal and State government in 

maintaining healthy air quality. Air quality issues addressed by the CAA include:

o Movement of air pollution
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o Permits

o Enforcement

o Deadlines and 

o Public participation

The Clean Air Act also defines standards to protect human and environmental health; those 

areas that meet these standards are defined as “attainment areas”; those that do not are referred 

to as “non-attainment areas”. The CAA directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to 

set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for pollutants considered harmful to 

public health and the environment.

The CAA delegates responsibility for implementation and enforcement of Clean Air Act 

regulations to the states. Many states augment the regulations of the CAA with additional 

regulations. Within the 3 states containing the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan 

Creek National Grasslands there are lower air quality thresholds for sulfur compounds, carbon 

monoxide, and nitrogen oxide in New Mexico (Table 33). Texas and Oklahoma ambient air 

quality standards are similar to the NAAQS. None of the states has air quality monitoring in the 

area of the National Grasslands because there are few activities in the area to emit primary 

pollutants and there are relatively few people living in these area to be affected by adverse air 

quality conditions. Nonetheless the air quality data that has been collected in these areas, 

usually by national monitoring networks or at regional airports, indicates that there is not a 

concern for air quality conditions in these areas except from dust storms and wildland fires.

Of the three states that contain the Grasslands, only New Mexico has identified Airsheds. Texas 

and Oklahoma reference their air quality based on the county or descriptions of non-attainment 

or maintenance areas.

The Kiowa National Grassland is located within the Canadian River Airshed. Based on the 

EPA’s April 2005 non-attainment designations for the six criteria pollutants, the Canadian 

River Airshed is in attainment for all six pollutants. There are no facilities listed by the EPA 

AirData 1990 and 1999 Facility Emissions Reports for Criteria Pollutants in the 3 counties in 

New Mexico that contain the Kiowa National Grassland (US EPA 1990, US EPA1999).

The Black Kettle, McClellan Creek and Rita Blanca National Grasslands are split between 

Texas and Oklahoma. Based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s April 2005 nonattainment designations for the six criteria pollutants, the associated counties covering the 

Black Kettle and Rita Blanca National Grasslands are in attainment for all six pollutants10. As 

of 1999 there are a total of 62 facilities listed on the EPA AirData Facility Emissions Report for 

the counties in Oklahoma and Texas on which the Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan 

Creek National Grasslands are located (US EPA 1999). The number in Cimarron County, OK 

increased from 2 in 1990 to 4 in 1999 (US EPA 1990, US EPA 1999). There are no facilities 

listed in Dallam County Texas. The number of facilities remained steady from 1990 to 1999 in 

Gray County Texas with 17 and 16 respectively. Hemphill County Texas had an increase in 

facilities listed from 1990 to 1999 from 11 to 16. Roger Mills County Oklahoma saw the 

biggest increase in facilities on the list with only 4 in 1990 and 26 in 1999. The large number of 

facilities on this list helps to explain some of the higher levels of criteria pollutants in these 

counties relative to others with fewer or no polluting facilities.

 

10 The Environmental Protection Agency sets standards for six common, or criteria, air pollutants: ozone, nitrogen 

dioxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, lead and carbon monoxide. These pollutants are considered indicators 

of air quality. 
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There have been several amendments to the Clean Air Act (in 1990 and 1997) and states of 

New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma air regulations since the implementation of the Cibola Land 

and Resource Management Plan (Table 33).

Table 33 Summary of key changes made to the Clean Air Act, state air quality regulations (NM, 

OK & TX) since the implementation of the Cibola LRMP

States

CAA 

Amendments

New Mexico Oklahoma Texas FS Handbook

1997 amendment 

to the PM2.5 and 

ground level 

Ozone standards. 

The 

implementation 

of the Regional 

Haze Rule.

Title 20, Ch. 2, 

Part 3, 1995. 

Changes to the 

states Ambient 

Air Quality 

Standards. The 

Grassland must 

make sure 

projects do not 

exceed these 

limits.

Just starting their 

Smoke 

Management 

Plan required by 

EPA. 

Texas Emissions 

Reduction Plan 

(SB 5) in 2001.

2580 R3 

Supplement.

2001 the 

modification for 

the states to 

develop Smoke 

Management 

Plans that would 

allow for 

exclusion of an 

exceedance if a 

state had a plan. 

Title 20, 

Ch.2,Part 65,

2003. Smoke 

Management 

Plan. The 

Grassland must 

follow to apply 

for a permit to 

burn.

Smoke 

Management 

Plan is the 

Burning 

Protocol.

The significant changes that affect the Grasslands are the PM2.5 and Ozone regulation, the 

Regional Haze ruling, the development of Oklahoma’s Smoke Management Plan and Texas 

Emissions Reduction Plan. The changes in these regulations require that the Grasslands provide 

documentation that they are not exceeding any of the new limits. At this time, there are no 

specific actions the Grasslands need to take other than working with the state of Oklahoma on 

the development of the Smoke Management Plan.

Reference Condition: The reference condition used for this analysis is the air quality standards 

that are currently in place for each state. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (US EPA 

2006)

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas produced primarily by motor 

vehicles. Other sources include wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, wildland fires and industries 

that process metals or manufacture chemicals. High CO concentrations can occur in large urban 

areas and mountain valleys. CO is poisonous at high levels and can damage the heart and 

central nervous system.
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Lead in the air exists primarily as particulates. The major source used to be gasoline, but is 

currently metals processing. Other sources are waste incinerators, utilities, and lead-acid battery 

manufacturers. Lead particularly affects young children and infants, and is found at high levels 

in urban and industrial areas. Lead deposits on soil and water, and can harm other animals.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) has a reddish-orange-brown color and a pungent odor. Nitrogen oxides 

form when fuel is burned at high temperatures, as in a combustion process. The primary 

sources are motor vehicles, electric utilities, and other industrial, commercial, and residential 

operations that burn fuels. Some nitrogen dioxide is emitted by wildland fires. NO2 is easily 

converted to nitrates, a major component of acid rain, contributing to impacts on vegetation,

visibility and soil and water quality. Nitrogen dioxide also impairs human health.

Ozone is an unstable gas composed of three oxygen atoms, and it has a characteristic odor. 

Ozone forms when hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides chemically react in sunlight. Motor 

vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, gasoline vapors, chemical solvents and natural 

sources emit NOX and the volatile organic compounds that help to form ozone. Ozone can 

trigger a variety of health problems including permanent lung damage after long-term exposure. 

It can also damage plants and ecosystems.

Particulate Matter (PM) consists of particles of solid or semi-solid materials in the atmosphere. 

Most human-made particles are 0.1 to 10 micrometers in diameter. Particulates 10 micrometers 

can cause respiratory problems, while larger particulates tend to settle out of the air. 

Particulates 2.5 micrometers are generally created during combustion and are the major cause 

of visibility impairment. These fine particles move over long distances by wind and then settle 

on ground or water. High PM concentrations are often associated with large urban areas or 

mountain valleys where dust, smoke, and emissions are common. Health effects of PM include: 

respiratory problems, decreased lung function, asthma, chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, 

nonfatal heart attacks, and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless gas that easily dissolves in water to form acid. It is a major 

pollutant throughout the world and potentially carcinogenic. The main source is burning fossil 

fuels, but diesel fuel and gasoline also contribute to sulfur dioxide in the air.

Table 34 National and New Mexico Ambient Air Quality Standards (New Mexico AAQS not 

listed are not stated, the same or slightly higher than NAAQS)

Pollutant Averaging 

Times

National Primary 

Standards

National 

Secondary 

Standards

New Mexico 

Standards

Carbon Monoxide 8-hour 1

9 ppm (10 mg/m3) None 8.7 ppm

1-hour 1

35 ppm (40 mg/m3) None 13.1 ppm

Lead Quarterly Avg. 1.5 μg/m3 Same as 

Primary

Nitrogen Dioxide Annual

(Arith. Mean)

0.053 ppm (100 

μg/m3)

Same as 

Primary 0.053

24-hour ------------- --------------- 0.10 ppm

Particulate Matter 

(PM10)

Annual 2

(Arith. Mean)

revoked ---------------
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Pollutant Averaging 

Times

National Primary 

Standards

National 

Secondary 

Standards

New Mexico 

Standards

24-hour 3

150 μg/m3

Particulate Matter 

(PM2.5)

Annual 4

(Arith. Mean)

15.0 μg/m3 Same as 

Primary

24-hour 5

65 μg/m3

Ozone 8-hour 6

0.08 ppm Same as 

Primary

Sulfur Oxides Annual (Arith. 

Mean) 0.03 ppm --------------- 0.02 ppm

24-hour 1

0.14 ppm --------------- 0.10 ppm

3-hour 1

-----------

0.5 ppm 

(1300 μg/m3)

1) Not to be exceeded more than once per year.

2) Due to a lack of evidence linking health problems to long-term exposure to coarse particle pollution, the 

agency revoked the annual PM10 standard in 2006 (effective December 17, 2006).

3) Not to be exceeded more than once per year on average over 3 years.

4) To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the weighted annual mean PM2.5 concentrations from single or 

multiple community-oriented monitors must not exceed 15.0 μg/m3.

5) To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations at each 

population-oriented monitor within an area must not exceed 35 μg/m3 (effective December 17, 2006).

6) To attain this standard, the 3-year average of the fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hour average ozone 

concentrations measured at each monitor within an area over each year must not exceed 0.08 ppm.

Reference condition: Reference conditions on the Grasslands were in attainment of the 

standards with the exception of short-term events such as rare dust storms or smoke from a 

large-scale grassland fire. Reference conditions are considered to be prior to pre-European 

settlement of the area. The Dust Bowl era caused degradation to air quality and conditions have 

greatly improved.

Projected Future Conditions and Trends: Management activities on the Grasslands do not cause 

long term changes in air quality and meet state and federal air quality standards. This 

attainment of air quality standards is expected to continue into the future.

The regional emissions data were obtained from the 2002 Visibility Improvement State and 

Tribal Association of the Southeast (VISTAS) base case emissions database by county. Based 

on emission data from 1999 to 2002 for four of the six criteria pollutants, the overall trend is a 

decrease in pollutants in the three counties covering the Kiowa National Grassland (VISTAS 

2005). The projected trend out to 2018 indicates a continued decrease in the four criteria 

pollutants except particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5. It is not clear at this time why there are 

slight increases, but these increase are slight and do not exceed NAAQS or state standards. To 

date there have been no documented exceedances of the NAAQS due to National Grassland 

activities. This trend is expected to continue over the next five to ten years.
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Based on emission data from various local, state and federal sources for 1999 to 2002 for the 

four criteria pollutants, the overall trend is a decrease in the counties covering the Black Kettle 

and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. The projected trend out to 2018 using the Forest Service

Emissions Tool11 shows a continued decrease in the four criteria pollutants except NOX in 

Roger Mills County, Oklahoma and CO and SO2 in Gray County, Texas. These increases along 

with increases in NH3 and volatile organic carbons may be due to a projected increase in oil and 

gas development or higher levels of urbanization in these counties. To date there have been no 

documented violations of the NAAQS in the counties the Black Kettle, McClellan Creek or 

Rita Blanca National Grasslands cover due to Grassland activities. This trend is expected to 

continue over the next five to ten years.

Prescribed fire is the most notable land management activity that takes place on the Grasslands 

that has implications on air quality; however, this does not contribute adversely to air quality. 

All projects, including prescribed burns, must meet State air quality standards and smoke 

management plans once finalized (USDA Forest Service 1999a, USDA Forest Service 2000).

Air quality is carefully considered where prescribed burning activities could affect neighboring 

land uses (USDA Forest Service 1999a, USDA Forest Service 2000). Likewise, grassland and 

ecosystem productivity is not negatively affected by regional air quality. This is still true given 

an increase in prescribed burning in the last decade on the Grasslands (Figure 7).

Figure 7 Area Burned in Prescribed and Wildfires* on the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and 

McClellan Creek National Grasslands from 1990 through 2006.

*Wildfire acreages are the sum of recorded wildfires. Typically only wildfires greater than 10 acres are 

recorded.

Comparison of Current, Reference, and Projected Future Conditions: Currently, the Grasslands 

are meeting the air quality standards as outlined for each state. Since the reference and current 

conditions are the same, the Grasslands are within the reference conditions for air quality. 

 

11 The Forest Service Emissions Tool was developed to view emission inventory results. 

http://webcam.srs.fs.fed.us/why_monitor.htm

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

199019921994199619982000200220042006

Year

Area (acres)

Prescribed

Wildfire
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Continuation of current management trends will keep the Grasslands within the reference 

conditions, since the only management trend affecting air quality is prescribed burning, and the 

Forest Service is required to meet State air quality standards during implementation of these 

burns. The increases in facilities listed on the EPA Air Data Facility Emissions Reports 

especially in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma may indicate that in the future off-site emissions 

may have increase effects on the Grasslands’ ecosystems (US EPA 1999). However, given the 

current superior air quality in the area these increases in emissions may not have substantial 

effects on the ecosystems.

2.7 Summary of Major Findings

The Grasslands are contributing to ecological sustainability within each resource analyzed in this 

report. Four out of the seven PNVTs found on the Grasslands have greater representation on the 

Grasslands in comparison to the surrounding landscape. These are the shinnery oak, mixed-hardwood 

riparian, cottonwood-willow riparian and sand sagebrush PNVTs.

All of the vegetation types are in low departure from their respective reference condition (Figure 8). 

Continuation of management trends is expected to maintain that condition.

Figure 8 Departure of Current Condition Vegetation Structure from Reference Condition 

Vegetation Structure.

Some of the vegetation types, while close to their respective reference condition overall, may not be 

able to recover to near reference condition. These include the shinnery oak areas that were once deeply 

plowed, as well as formerly cultivated old field sites in shortgrass prairie. The deep plowing practices 

on shinnery oak eliminated the species from some areas during the Dust Bowl era, and recovery does 

not readily occur. Soil movement that occurred during the Dust Bowl era also created conditions that 

facilitated mixed hardwood riparian establishment, a vegetation type not historically found on the 

Grasslands. Consequently, determining a departure from reference condition for mixed-hardwood 

Departure from Reference Condition

Departure (%)

Low Moderate Severe

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 

Mixed-grass Prairie

Cottonwood-Willow Riparian

Pinyon-Juniper

Mixed-hardwood Riparian

Sand Sagebrush

Shinnery Oak

Shortgrass Prairie
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riparian on Black Kettle and McClellan Creek is a comparison to riparian woody vegetation structure 

and composition from other areas. Some areas within the cottonwood-willow riparian may not have the 

capacity to fully recover to the lower percentages of departure from reference condition due to the 

disruption of natural hydrologic processes on and off of the Grasslands. While the historical plant 

species composition and structure may not be fully achievable on some areas within the shinnery oak, 

shortgrass prairie, mixed-hardwood riparian, and cottonwood-willow riparian vegetation types, the 

continuation of select management practices should maintain these areas in low departure from 

reference conditions.

Over the past several decades watershed conditions have been dramatically improved, especially 

compared to the extremely degraded condition they were in during the 1940s and 50s following the 

Dust Bowl era. Conservation practices across the southern Great Plains, and notably in the McClellan 

Creek drainage, has resulted in a substantial increase in infiltration and groundwater recharge and a 

subsequent reduction in surface runoff and associated sedimentation.

All areas of the Grasslands have recovered to acceptable levels of soil stability and vegetative cover. 

The number of active oil-gas wells and other developments that would reduce site productivity is not 

expected to significantly increase on Grasslands units over the next 10-20 years. Soil productivity is 

likely to greatly improve after the 2005 Travel Management Rule is fully implemented and motorized

travel is limited to designated travel routes. Predicted increases in air temperatures in the southern Great 

Plains may reduce soil organic matter affecting productivity, water-holding capacity and carbon storage 

in the soil (Joyce et al. 2001).

The Grasslands are meeting the air quality standards as outlined for each state. Since the reference and 

current conditions are the same, the Grasslands are within the reference conditions for air quality. 

Continuation of current management trends will keep the Grasslands within the reference conditions, 

since the only management trend affecting air quality is prescribed burning, and the Forest Service is 

required to meet State air quality standards during implementation of these burns.

3 Species Diversity

An analysis of ecological sustainability must include consideration of both ecosystem and species 

diversity. To better capture the ecological sustainability of the Grasslands, a hierarchical approach was 

used to analyze species diversity on the Grasslands. A list of plant, macro-lichen, bird, insect, and 

animal species was developed from species recognized by Federal or State agencies as Threatened or 

Endangered, or that are known to have some population or habitat issue and occur in the Plan area. 

Ecosystem habitat and habitat associations were identified for these species. This information was 

integrated with species diversity status and population and habitat trend information to conduct an 

analysis of risks to these species and their habitat.

3.1 Species Lists

A comprehensive list of species (including plant, macro-lichen, bird, insect, and animal 

species) that have population or habitat concerns and that are found in Texas, New Mexico, and 

Oklahoma was developed. This list includes 1,652 species at the time of this writing (Appendix 

B), and was developed using:

o Lists maintained under the Ecological Services Agency of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (US FWS 2007a, US FWS 2007b, US FWS 2007c),

o Species ranks maintained by NatureServe (US FWS 2007b),

o New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma State T& E lists (NMDGF 2006a, ODWC 2007,

TPWD 2007a), 
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o New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma priority Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation 

Strategy, (CWCS), species,

o Species for which there are local concerns resulting from declines in habitat, population, 

and/or distribution (ODWC 2005, NMDGF 2006b, TPWD 2007b),

o Species that are of high public interest, and 

o Species that have emerging issues (such as invasive species).

Using this comprehensive list as a starting point, an analysis was conducted to develop a 

second list of those species that warrant consideration in the Grasslands Plan revision (Table 

35). This list includes 36 species that meet all of the following criteria:

o The species currently has populations and/or habitat within the Plan area,

o The species is known to have population or habitat concerns (e.g., small or decreasing 

population, limited habitat, etc.), and

o The species may be affected by Forest Service management actions.

3.1.1 Species and Habitat Associations 

The species included in Table 35 were organized according to their associated Vegetation 

Types and the Grasslands on with they occur. Some species, however, are not associated with a 

vegetation type, but rather, are dependent on unique habitat features (such as Playa Lakes, 

aquatic or riverine wetlands, etc. The species habitat associations were used to assess the status 

of species and severity of risk to ecosystem characteristics.

Table 35 Species for Further Consideration in Plan Revision and Habitat Association

# Common Name Ranger 

District

Habitat or Vegetation Type

1 Alpine Fever-few KRB Shortgrass Prairie

2 Ambersnail KRB Other Wetlands

3 American avocet KRB Ponds and Playas

4 Andean prairie-clover KRB Shortgrass Prairie

5 Arid Land Ribbon Snake KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian

6 Arkansas River Shiner BKMC Rivers

7 Bald eagle KRB Shortgrass Prairie

Bald eagle KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian

Bald Eagle BKMC Aquatic Lakes

8 Bell's vireo BKMC Mixed Hardwood Riparian

9 Black-tailed prairie dog KRB Sand Sagebrush 

Black-tailed prairie dog KRB Shortgrass Prairie

10 Burrowing Owl KRB Shortgrass Prairie

11 Conchas Crayfish KRB Rivers

12 Dotted Checkerspot KRB Sand sagebrush

Dotted Checkerspot KRB Shortgrass Prairie

13 Ferruginous Hawk KRB Shortgrass Prairie

14 Grasshopper sparrow BKMC Mixed Grass Prairie
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# Common Name Ranger 

District

Habitat or Vegetation Type

Grasshopper Sparrow KRB Shortgrass Prairie

Grasshopper Sparrow BKMC Shinnery Oak

Grasshopper Sparrow KRB Sand Sagebrush

15 Great Plains narrow-mouth toad KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian

16 Greene milkweed KRB Shortgrass Prairie

Greene milkweed KRB Pinyon-Juniper

17 Hobomok Skipper KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian

18 Horrid Herrickia KRB Caves-Cliffs-Rock Outcrops

19 Interior Least Tern BKMC Rivers

20 Largemouth bass BKMC Rivers

Largemouth bass BKMC Aquatic Lakes

21 Lesser Prairie-chicken BKMC Mixed Grass Prairie

Lesser Prairie-chicken BKMC Shinnery Oak

Lesser Prairie-chicken KRB Sand Sagebrush

22 Long-billed Curlew KRB Ponds and Playas

Long-billed Curlew KRB Shortgrass Prairie

Long-billed Curlew BKMC Mixed Grass Prairie

23 Mountain Plover KRB Shortgrass Prairie

24 Northern Bobwhite BKMC Shinnery Oak

Northern Bobwhite BKMC Mixed Grass Prairie

25 One-flowered Milkvetch KRB Shortgrass Prairie

One-flowered Milkvetch KRB Pinyon-Juniper

26 Panhandle Spurge KRB Pinyon-Juniper

Panhandle Spurge KRB Sand sagebrush

27 Plains Leopard Frog KRB Ponds and Playas

Plains Leopard Frog KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian

Plains Leopard Frog BKMC Aquatic Lakes

28 Red-headed Woodpecker BKMC Mixed Hardwood Riparian

Red-headed Woodpecker KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian

29 Rhena Crossline Skipper KRB Shortgrass Prairie

30 Rio Grande Turkey BKMC Mixed-grass Prairie

Rio Grande Turkey BKMC Mixed Hardwood Riparian

Rio Grande Turkey BKMC Shinnery Oak

31 Rocky Mountain Dagger KRB Caves-Cliffs-Rock Outcrops

32 Scaled Quail KRB Sand sagebrush

Scaled Quail KRB Shortgrass Prairie

33 Spellenberg’s Groundsel KRB Shortgrass Prairie

Spellenberg’s Groundsel KRB Pinyon-Juniper

34 Suckermouth minnow KRB Rivers

35 Swift fox KRB Shortgrass Prairie

36 Zone-tailed Hawk KRB Pinyon-Juniper
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3.1.2 Summary of major findings

Initially, 1,654 species with population or habitat concerns in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico were 

considered for Grasslands Plan revision. This list was then narrowed down to just those species that 

occur on the Cibola National Grasslands and then screened further to a list of 36 species that includes 

only those that have known populations or habitat within the Plan area, have known population or 

habitat concerns, and may be affected by Forest Service management. These species were sorted 

according to the PNVT or unique habitat feature with which they are associated. Each of the PNVTs on 

the Grasslands, along with some unique habitat features (e.g., wetland or riverine), have adequate 

representation from species on the List of Species for Consideration in Plan Revision to warrant 

management consideration.

4 Integration of Ecosystem and Species Diversity Status and Risk 

Assessment

Based on known threats to ecosystem diversity on the Grasslands, assessments of risk to ecosystem 

diversity and those species identified for Consideration in Plan Revision (Table 35) were conducted.

The risk assessment process was initiated by first determining the threats to composition, structure and 

processes that create or sustain the various vegetation types found on the Grasslands. To determine 

whether or not these threats were resulting in risk to ecosystem diversity, each PNVT was considered in 

terms of the PNVTs projected trend toward (or away from) its reference condition and the potential of 

any existing or potential threats to influence that projected trend.

The risk assessment also included an analysis of each species’ population dynamics and relationship to 

habitat and threats to that habitat. This analysis resulted in the development of “Overall Risk Summary” 

statements for each species on the list of Species for Consideration in Plan Revision. Those species 

considered to be at risk regarding the likelihood that the species will experience negative population 

and distribution consequences were assessed further and a “Conclusion” statement reflected the 

“Status” of the at risk species.

4.1 Threats to Ecosystem Diversity

Those activities that have the potential to change the composition, structure and processes that create or 

sustain an ecosystem, including terrestrial and aquatic, away from its reference condition are considered 

threats to ecosystem diversity. A comprehensive list of potential threats to ecosystem diversity was 

developed, including 28 potential anthropogenic (human caused) and five potential natural threats to 

ecosystem diversity (Table 36). Each potential threat was analyzed to 1) determine whether or not the 

threat could affect ecosystem structure, composition, and processes and 2) whether or not the threat is 

under the Forest Service’s control and ability to influence or remove the threat with management 

actions.

Table 36 Potential Threats to the Ecosystem Diversity of the Grasslands

Potential Threats: Affects: Administration:

Anthropogenic Structure/

Composition

Process Agency Control Mgt. Response

Mining (caliche) Yes Yes Yes Yes

Oil/Gas development Yes Yes Yes Yes

Water withdrawal No No No No
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Potential Threats: Affects: Administration:

Anthropogenic Structure/

Composition

Process Agency Control Mgt. Response

Wind farms Yes Yes Yes Yes

Fuelwood collection Yes No Yes Yes

Livestock grazing Yes Yes Yes Yes

Hunting-gathering No No Yes Yes

Solid waste No No No No

Sewage/septic waste No No No No

Agriculture (conversion to 

cropland)

Yes Yes No No

Dam/Impoundments/flood 

control (small earthen dams)

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Fire Management Yes Yes Yes Yes

Groundwater depletion Yes Yes No No

Urban development Yes Yes No No

Herbicide use Yes No Yes Yes

Vegetation treatments Yes Yes Yes Yes

Toxic waste contamination Yes Yes No No

Transportation infrastructure Yes Yes Yes Yes

Exotic and/or invasive 

species

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Fire Suppression Yes Yes Yes Yes

Flooding 

(dams/impoundments)

Yes Yes No No

Off-highway vehicle use Yes Yes Yes Yes

Recreation No No Yes Yes

Scientific research No No Yes Yes

Agricultural chemicals Yes Yes No No

Groundwater contamination No No No No

Powerplants and Industry No No No No

Natural

Wildfire Yes Yes No Yes

Drought Yes Yes No No

Herbivory Yes Yes Yes Yes
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Potential Threats: Affects: Administration:

Anthropogenic Structure/

Composition

Process Agency Control Mgt. Response

Flooding Yes Yes No No

Insects/Disease Yes Yes No No

These potential threats were further assessed to determine how they affect the sustainability or function 

of various ecosystem characteristics, including PNVT, water, soil and air (Appendix C).

Only those threats that are under the authority of the Forest Service and those that the Forest Service 

has the ability to control or influence with management were considered in the risk assessment. Threats 

that were outside of the Forest Service’s ability to control or influence with management were not 

considered.

4.2 Risk Assessment to Ecosystem Diversity

4.2.1 Terrestrial

The ecosystem diversity risk assessment was conducted by first considering the ecosystem 

characteristics at risk and then determining a departure from reference condition for each PNVT. 

Sections within this Ecological Sustainability Report were referenced and departure from reference 

condition for the PNVT, fire frequency, soil impairment, and soil loss, along with species association 

and niche contribution to sustainability was determined. The following list identifies the location of the 

information used for Table 37.

o PNVT is the Potential Natural Vegetation Type

o Mid-scale vegetation departure references the Ecological Sustainability Report, Appendix 

F. PNVT Departure from Reference Conditions.

o LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Fire Regime Departure data is an assessment of current 

conditions for common PNVTs on the surrounding landscape referencing Ecological 

Sustainability Report, Table 6. Departure from Natural Fire Regimes by Subsection and 

Vegetation Type.

o Soil condition percent impaired information is from the Ecological Sustainability Report, 

Table 31, Grassland-wide Soil Condition by PNVT.

o Soil Loss percent unsuited information is derived from t the Ecological Sustainability 

Report, Table 32, Soil loss by PNVT

o Species information reference is the Species Diversity Section 3 of the Ecological 

Sustainability Report, Table 36.

o Spatial Niche contribution to sustainability information was determined from the 

Contribution to Sustainability-Spatial Niche conclusion for each ecosystem characteristic.

Table 377 Severity of Departures from Reference Condition Considering Multiple Resources

Vegetation Soils Species Niche
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Vegetation Soils Species Niche

PNVT Mid-scale 

vegetation 

Departure

LANDFIRE 

% 

Departure1

Soil 

Condition 

(% impaired)

Soil Loss (% 

unsuited)

Number of 

T&E, 

SOC, and 

SOI 

associated

Contribution 

to 

sustainability

Mixed- grass 

Prairie Low 21% - 40% 7% impaired 34% unsuited 4 High

Shortgrass 

Prairie Low 61% - 80% 46% impaired 10% unsuited 18 High

Shinnery 

oak Low 61% - 80% 100% impaired 0% unsuited 3 High

PinyonJuniper Low 61% - 80% 24% impaired 12% unsuited 4 Moderate

CottonwoodWillow Low 81% - 100% 0% impaired 0% unsuited 6 High

Mixedhardwood 

riparian

Low 41% - 60% 0% impaired 0% unsuited 3 Moderate

Sand 

sagebrush Low 61% - 80% 74% impaired 0% unsuited 8 High

1 The % departure from LANDFIRE was for the PNVTs as a whole throughout all the 

subsections (millions of acres), not just on the National Grasslands .The grey shaded blocks are 

departures from reference above 50%

No characteristics were determined trend away from reference or show significant departure from 

multiple resources overall. No ecosystem characteristic was determined to have a negative outcome or 

be at risk and no risk assessment was performed12. The shinnery oak PNVT, which is all on one 

terrestrial ecological unit, is impaired due to a combination of historical plowing on inclusions within of 

the map unit which resulted in changes in the topsoil; sandy, nutrient-poor soils; and non-native eastern 

red cedar encroachment. The effects of past plowing is stable while the encroachment is currently being 

managed resulting in a trend toward reference for shinnery oak as far as soil condition is concerned. In 

the sand sagebrush PNVT, the terrestrial ecological units appeared to be impaired because of a high 

proportion of bare soil. This condition is typical of this PNVT and is stable. Levels of unsuited soil loss 

rating for all PNVTs are primarily the result of activities during and effects of the Dust Bowl era and 

are stable with very slow trends toward reference.

4.2.2 Aquatic

The aquatic ecosystem diversity risk assessment was conducted by first considering the aquatic biota, 

water quality, riparian condition, and wetland condition. Sections 2.4.1 Surface Water and Associated 

Riparian and 2.4.2 Groundwater Quantity/Quality within this Ecological Sustainability Report were 

 

12 In some instances, an ecosystem characteristic (for example, ground water quantity) was identified as being 

outside of, and trending away from, its reference condition. However, the causes for this condition and trend were 

found to be outside of the Forest Service’s control (for example, due to aquifer drawdown).
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referenced and departure from reference condition was then determined for the three watersheds that 

have at least a 15% overlap with the Grasslands units.

Over the past several decades watershed conditions have been dramatically improved, especially 

compared to the extremely degraded condition they were in during the 1940s and 50s following the 

Dust Bowl era. Conservation practices across the southern Great Plains have resulted in a substantial 

increase in infiltration and groundwater recharge and a subsequent reduction in surface runoff and 

associated sedimentation.

No significant departure from current conditions relationship to reference or future conditions to 

reference was determined for surface water, associated riparian, and wetland or for groundwater 

quantity and quality under forest service control.

4.3 Species Risk Assessment

A species risk assessment was conducted by processing each species on the List of Species for Further 

Consideration in Plan Revision (Table 35) through an assessment of various habitat and population 

factors and threats13. Natural history and population information was gleaned from the references used 

in the screening process and from Cibola National Grasslands biologists; State of OK, TX, and NM 

biologists; and the US Fish and Wildlife Service biologists. The results of this process provided a 

numerical ranking of the risk to each species. Those species found to be at high risk were further 

assessed for their likelihood of being affected by four population and distribution scenarios (Appendix 

E Status of Species).

The risk assessment process included the following steps:

 Habitat factors within the plan area boundaries (per FSH 1909.12 Land Management Planning 

Handbook, Chap. 40, Sec. 43.26) were assessed for each species, according to PNVT. For those 

species with habitat on multiple PNVTs, separate risk assessments were run for each habitat type.

Each of the habitat factors were assessed in terms of the historical, current, and projected future 

trends. As a way of synthesizing the overall habitat status for the species on a specific PNVT, the 

average "score" for the current condition and projected trend was calculated and a status statement 

for the species habitat developed. The habitat factors considered in the assessment included:

o Amount: The percentage of the Plan area that is specific to a particular PNVT habitat.

 High quantity of habitat encompasses > 50% of the total Plan area.

 Moderate quantity indicates habitat is restricted to between < 50% and > 5% of the 

total Plan area.

 Low quantity indicates that habitat is limited to < 5% of the total Plan area.

o Quality: The availability of key habitat features in the Plan area boundary.

 A high quality habitat has adequate representation of all PNVT successional stages 

and includes plentiful of key habitat feature availability (i.e. nesting sites, roost 

trees, brood habitat, etc.).

 A moderate quality rating indicates that key habitat features are present and but are 

not all readily available.

 A low quality rating indicates that key habitat features are not always present and 

not all available.

 

13 To assess the habitat, population and threat factors for each species, the Forest Service’s Southwestern Regions’ 

Ecological Sustainability guidance was followed and tables were adapted to reflect assessment and ranking 

processes (Ecological Sustainability Version 5.1, 10/10/2006, Status of Species, Table 6, Table 7). 
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o Distribution: The distribution of habitat features across a PNVT within the Plan area 

boundary.

 Even habitat distribution indicates that habitat is dispersed broadly across the 

PNVT.

 Restricted habitat distribution describes PNVTs where habitat is localized to 

specific areas.

 Highly fragmented habitat describes PNVTs where habitat is isolated and separated 

by distance or barriers.

o Habitat processes: Those processes (e.g., grazing, fire, flooding, etc.) that create or sustain 

the habitat within the Plan area boundary.

 Functioning habitat indicates that the processes are extant within the PNVT.

 Disrupted habitat indicates that not all processes are extant within the PNVT.

 Population factors were considered at the scale at which biological populations of the species 

operate (per FSH 1909.12 Land Management Planning Handbook, Chap. 40, Sec. 43.26). Each of 

the population factors were assessed in terms of the historical, current, and projected future trends.

As a way of synthesizing the overall population status for the species on a specific PNVT, the 

average "score" for the current condition and projected trend was calculated and a status statement 

for the population factors developed. The population factors included in the assessment included:

o Population distribution: Interaction within the population.

 High isolation describes a population that is separated by barriers and or distance.

 Moderate isolation indicates that the population is separated but has interaction on 

a limited basis.

 High interaction describes a population that interacts regularly across its range.

o Population size: Size of population, relative to individual species dynamics.

 A large population indicates that the species has great numbers relative to the 

individual species dynamic.

 A moderate population indicates that the species population number is not large or 

is limited.

 A small population describes a species whose population number is very limited.

o Species population stability: Current changes to the species population.

 Gaining describes species whose populations are growing.

 Stable describes species whose population sizes are not changing.

 Declining describes species whose populations are decreasing.

o Species diversity: Phenotypic, ecological, and genetic diversity.

 High diversity describes species with vigorous population diversity dynamics.

 Moderate diversity describes species with stable diversity dynamics.

 Low diversity describes species with decreasing diversity opportunities.
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 "Other threats" including risks to the PNVT and other known threats such as invasive species, 

disease, etc. to the species were identified and the severity (how bad the negative outcome may be)

and the likelihood (the probability of a negative outcome) of the threats were analyzed.

o Severity: How a species population or habitat would respond to a threat and was evaluated 

to determine the degree the species would be impacted.

 High severity indicates that the threat will affect the species population in a critical 

negative manner.

 Moderate severity indicates the threat impacts would be severely negative.

 Low severity indicates that the threat impacts are chronic.

o Likelihood: The probability of a negative outcome from a threat to the species population 

or habitat.

 High likelihood indicates that the threat will have an imminent negative outcome.

 Moderate likelihood indicates that odds are even that the threat will produce a 

negative outcome.

 Low likelihood indicates that the probability of negative outcomes due to the threat 

is possible but not imminent.

 Descriptions of key biological interactions were developed, where they exist, for each species.

 To determine the overall risk to each species, an overall score was calculated by averaging the 

habitat, population, risk, severity and likelihood scores. Each species was then determined to be at 

high (average score of 1 to 1.5), moderate (average score of 1.51 to 2), or low (average score over 

2.1) risk.

 Status Summary statements were developed to describe the overall current and projected status for 

the species on a particular PNVT.

 Risk Summary statements were developed to capture the potential severity and likelihood of the 

known threats on the species' population and habitat.

 Lastly, for those species determined to be at high risk, the likelihood of the species population 

dynamics being affected by four key consequence scenarios14was determined.

Of the 36 Species assessed for threats to population or distribution, five species were found to be facing 

a high risk (Table 38) and were further assessed to be facing high and moderate risks to one of the 

consequence scenarios (Table 39).

Table 388 Status of Species 

Status of Species

Common Name Ranger 

District Habitat Type

15H/P/R 

score

Risk

Black-tailed prairie dog KRB Sand Sagebrush 1.26 High

 

14 The four consequence scenarios considered (per the Forest Service’s Southwestern Regions’ Ecological 

Sustainability guidance, Version 5.1, 10/10/2006, Status of Species, Table 7) included: 1) widespread decline of 

population in the Plan area and new isolation of populations within the Plan area; 2) widespread population 

decline, but without isolation of populations; 3) localized population decline that may be accompanied by some 

minor restrictions in population interactions, and 4) populations and their distribution are stable or improving.

15 H/P/R score column is the Current and Trend Habitat factors, Population factors, and Risks to a species average. High Risk is a score of 1 to 

1.5. Moderate risk is over 1.51 to 2. Low risk is a score over 2.1
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Status of Species

Common Name Ranger 

District Habitat Type

15H/P/R 

score

Risk

Black-tailed prairie dog KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.47 High

Lesser Prairie-chicken BKMC Mixed Grass Prairie 1.19 High

Lesser Prairie-chicken BKMC Shinnery Oak 1.19 High

Lesser Prairie-chicken KRB Sand Sagebrush 1.44 High

Mountain plover KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.49 High

Plains Leopard Frog KRB Ponds and Playas 1.35 High

Plains Leopard Frog KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian 1.47 High

Swift fox KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.51 High

Northern bobwhite BKMC Shinnery Oak 1.56 Moderate

Bald eagle KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.59 Moderate

Arid Land Ribbon Snake KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian 1.63 Moderate

Conchas Crayfish KRB Rivers 1.64 Moderate

Arkansas River Shiner BKMC Rivers 1.66 Moderate

Suckermouth minnow KRB Rivers 1.67 Moderate

Great Plains narrowmouth toad KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian 1.69 Moderate

Largemouth bass BKMC Rivers 1.69 Moderate

Bell's vireo BKMC Mixed Hardwood Riparian 1.75 Moderate

Greene milkweed KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.77 Moderate

Bald eagle KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian 1.80 Moderate

American avocet KRB Ponds and Playas 1.81 Moderate

Dotted Checkerspot KRB Sand sagebrush 1.81 Moderate

Dotted Checkerspot KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.81 Moderate

Interior Least Tern BKMC Rivers 1.84 Moderate

Alpine Fever-few KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.88 Moderate

Burrowing Owl KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.88 Moderate

Northern Bobwhite BKMC Mixed Grass Prairie 1.88 Moderate

One-flowered Milkvetch KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.88 Moderate

Panhandle Spurge KRB Pinyon-Juniper 1.88 Moderate

Rocky Mountain Dagger KRB Caves-Cliffs-Rock Outcrops 1.88 Moderate

Spellenberg’s Groundsel KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.88 Moderate

Long-billed Curlew KRB Ponds and Playas 1.92 Moderate

Zone-tailed Hawk KRB Pinyon-Juniper 1.92 Moderate

Rhena Crossline Skipper KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.93 Moderate

Ambersnail KRB Other Wetlands 1.94 Moderate

One-flowered Milkvetch KRB Pinyon-Juniper 1.94 Moderate

Panhandle Spurge KRB Sand sagebrush 1.94 Moderate

Spellenberg’s Groundsel KRB Pinyon-Juniper 1.94 Moderate

Hobomok Skipper KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian 1.96 Moderate

Ferruginous Hawk KRB Shortgrass Prairie 1.97 Moderate

Andean prairie-clover KRB Shortgrass Prairie 2.00 Moderate
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Status of Species

Common Name Ranger 

District Habitat Type

15H/P/R 

score

Risk

Scaled Quail KRB Sand sagebrush 2.00 Moderate

Red-headed Woodpecker BKMC Mixed Hardwood Riparian 2.03 Moderate

Bald Eagle BKMC Aquatic Lakes 2.06 Moderate

Red-headed Woodpecker KRB Cottonwood-Willow Riparian 2.13 Low

Rio Grande Turkey BKMC Mixed-grass Prairie 2.13 Low

Largemouth bass BKMC Aquatic Lakes 2.19 Low

Rio Grande Turkey BKMC Mixed Hardwood Riparian 2.19 Low

Scaled Quail KRB Shortgrass Prairie 2.19 Low

Rio Grande Turkey BKMC Shinnery Oak 2.25 Low

Long-billed Curlew KRB Shortgrass Prairie 2.38 Low

Long-billed Curlew BKMC Mixed Grass Prairie 2.44 Low

Grasshopper sparrow BKMC Mixed Grass Prairie 2.50 Low

Plains Leopard Frog BKMC Aquatic Lakes 2.50 Low

Grasshopper Sparrow KRB Shortgrass Prairie 2.56 Low

Horrid Herrickia KRB Caves-Cliffs-Rock Outcrops 2.56 Low

Grasshopper Sparrow BKMC Shinnery Oak 2.69 Low

Grasshopper Sparrow KRB Sand Sagebrush 2.69 Low

Greene milkweed KRB Pinyon-Juniper 2.69 Low

Table 39 Species at Risk and Consequences

Species Threats Specific to the Species Likelihood of Consequence

Lesser Prairiechicken1

(Kiowa/Rita 

Blanca and Black 

Kettle National 

Grasslands)

Sand sagebrush, Shinnery oak and Mixed

grass Prairie Vegetation:

Invasive species; Red cedar and black locust 

encroachment alter habitat requisites in shinnery 

oak and mixed grass prairie.

Contiguous habitat; Fragmentation that creates

areal expanse <8,000 acres that can result from 

agriculture expansion and oil and gas 

development, transportation infrastructure and 

etc. reduce desirable habitat conditions for Lesser 

Prairie-chicken.

Obstructions; Wind farms, fences, trees, etc. 

create avoidance areas for the Lesser Prairiechicken.

High likelihood of 

widespread declines in 

population in the plan area, 

and new isolation of 

populations within the area.

Plains leopard frog

(Kiowa and Rita 

Blanca National 

Grasslands)

Cottonwood willow/riparian and Ponds and 

Playas PNVT: Riparian habitat is limited and is 

ephemeral on Kiowa/Rita Blanca.

Agriculture; Increased agriculture on private 

land both within the administrative boundary and 

Moderate likelihood that 

populations and their 

distribution are unstable.
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Species Threats Specific to the Species Likelihood of Consequence

outside of it creates total type conversion and loss 

of habitat.

Loss of water developments and overflow pits 

associated with ranching which could house the 

plains leopard frog will be lost or abandoned 

when type converting to agriculture.

Disease; Chytridiomycosis known as Bd fungus

weakens and usually kills amphibians by 

disrupting necessary skin functions such as water 

and salt transfer.

Contiguous habitat; Fragmentation from 

agriculture type conversion from ranching. Those 

remaining overflow pits, if left available, further 

fragment and isolate populations.

Predation; Bullfrog predation on tadpoles and 

heron and coyote predation on all life stages of 

plains leopard frog.

Black-tailed prairie 

dog (Kiowa/Rita 

Blanca)

Short grass prairie and Sand sagebrush

PNVT:

Disease; Outbreaks of Sylvatic Plague every five 

to ten years occur within and outside the 

administrative boundary where black-tailed 

prairie dogs towns exist.

Contiguous habitat; Fragmentation and habitat 

loss from increased agricultural conversion on 

adjacent private lands.

Predation; Poisoning and target shooting of 

black-tailed prairie dogs.

High likelihood localized 

population declines that may 

be accompanied by some 

minor restrictions in 

population interactions.

Mountain Plover Shortgrass prairie PNVT:

Invasive Species; Habitat change due to tree and 

shrub encroachment.

Disease; Outbreaks of Sylvatic Plague every five 

to ten years occur within and outside the 

administrative boundary where black-tailed 

prairie dogs towns exist. The loss of prairie dog 

towns, limits mountain plover ideal nesting 

conditions.

Contiguous habitat; Fragmentation and habitat 

loss from increased agricultural conversion on 

adjacent private lands.

Moderate likelihood of 

widespread declines in 

population in the plan area, 

and new isolation of 

populations within the area.

Swift Fox Shortgrass prairie PNVT:

Invasive Species; Habitat change due to tree and 

Moderate likelihood that 

populations and their 

distribution are unstable.
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Species Threats Specific to the Species Likelihood of Consequence

shrub encroachment.

Disease; Outbreaks of Sylvatic Plague every five 

to ten years occur within and outside the 

administrative boundary where black-tailed 

prairie dogs towns exist. The loss of prairie dog 

towns, limits swift fox dens and escape 

opportunities.

Contiguous habitat; Fragmentation and habitat 

loss from increased agricultural conversion on 

adjacent private lands.

Predation; Coyote predation and competition are 

limiting factors on swift fox.

1Due to either a very small or absent population of Lesser Prairie-chickens on Cibola National 

Grasslands, likelihood consequence scenarios remain difficult to project.

4.4 Summary of Species at High Risk on the Grasslands

4.4.1 Lesser Prairie-chicken

There are no known existing Lesser Prairie-chicken populations on the Kiowa or Rita Blanca 

Grasslands or on adjacent private lands. Where sand sagebrush habitat exists on the Kiowa and Rita 

Blanca Grasslands, it does not occur in contiguous blocks large enough to provide for a population of 

Lesser Prairie-chicken. Ideal Lesser Prairie-chicken habitat is considered to be about 25,000 contiguous 

acres and is subject to quality and vegetative composition needed for the species. Agriculture 

conversion of sand sagebrush habitat on adjacent private lands within and outside of the administrative 

boundary continues to increase. Some agriculture is beneficial to the Lesser Prairie-chicken (depending 

on the crop), but as agriculture increases, native habitat is lost. There are minimal obstructions on sand

sagebrush due to programs that keep fences to a minimum. Homesteads that have trees are extremely 

scattered, not very abundant and do not appear to be expanding. Sand sagebrush on the Kiowa and Rita 

Blanca National Grasslands is not at risk from tree encroachment.

4.4.2 Plains leopard frog

The limiting factors impacting plains leopard frog on the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands 

are the existence of wetland habitat and predation. Due to the semi-arid nature of the area, nearly all 

natural surface waters are ephemeral and of short duration. The plains leopard frog uses anthropogenic 

impoundments that, in some cases, create permanent bodies of water. Predation by bullfrog on the 

plains leopard frogs in permanent water is potentially severe due to bullfrog biennial maturation giving 

second season bullfrog tadpoles a distinct advantage over plains leopard frog tadpoles.

4.4.3 Black-tailed prairie dog

The Rita Blanca National Grassland lost greater than 95% of its black-tailed prairie dog population in 

less than a year (2004) to Sylvatic plague. Several large contiguous blocks of habitat within the 

administrative boundary prevent total isolation of part of the black-tailed prairie dog complex on the 

Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands although the increase in agriculture on private lands within 

and outside of administrative boundary will create total isolation from other distant black-tailed prairie 

dog colonies.
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4.4.4 Mountain Plover

Limiting factors impacting the mountain plover within the short grass habitat type is the availability of 

ideal nesting cover. The close cropped vegetation associated with prairie dog towns is ideal nesting 

cover for mountain plover. Agriculture conversion on adjacent private lands within and outside of the 

administrative boundary continues to increase, further limiting mountain plover habitat. Plague effects 

to Black-tailed prairie dog communities has direct negative impacts to mountain plover.

4.4.5 Swift fox

Limiting factors impacting the swift fox within the short grass habitat type is the availability of escape 

cover and den sites often associated with prairie dog towns. Without escape areas and den site 

opportunities the swift fox is subject to predation largely from coyotes. Agriculture conversion on 

adjacent private lands within and outside of the administrative boundary continues to increase, further 

limiting swift fox habitat. Plague effects to Black-tailed prairie dog communities has direct negative 

impacts to swift fox.

5 Summary of Ecological Sustainability

The ecological sustainability of the Grasslands is a culmination of ecosystem characteristics

assessment, including PNVT, soil, water and air, and species diversity and status. Based on the 

ecosystem and species risk assessment findings described above, the Grasslands contribute to the 

ecological sustainability within each resource analyzed in this report.

Four out of the seven PNVTs found on the Grasslands have greater representation on the Grasslands in 

comparison to the surrounding landscape. These are the shinnery oak, mixed hardwood riparian, 

cottonwood-willow and sand sagebrush PNVTs. Mixed grass and shortgrass prairie have less 

representation on the Grasslands in comparison to the surrounding landscape and pinyon-juniper is 

equally represented.

All of the vegetation types are in low departure from their respective reference condition, and 

continuation of management trends is expected to maintain that condition.

Some of the vegetation types, while close to reference conditions overall, may not be able to make a 

full recovery to reference conditions. These include the shinnery oak areas that were once deeply 

plowed, as well as formerly cultivated old field sites in shortgrass prairie. The deep plowing practices 

on shinnery oak eliminated the species from some areas during the Dust Bowl era, and recovery does 

not readily occur. Soil movement that occurred during the Dust Bowl era also created conditions that 

facilitated mixed hardwood riparian establishment, a vegetation type not historically found on the 

Grasslands. Consequently, determining a departure from reference condition for mixed hardwood 

riparian on Black Kettle and McClellan Creek is a comparison of riparian woody vegetation structure 

from other areas. Some areas within the cottonwood-willow riparian may not have the capacity to fully 

recover to reference condition due to the disruption of natural hydrologic processes on and off of the 

Grasslands. While the historical structure and composition may not be fully achievable on some areas 

within the shinnery oak, shortgrass prairie, and the mixed hardwood riparian and cottonwood willow 

riparian vegetation types, the continuation of select management practices should maintain these areas 

in low departure from reference conditions.

Over the past several decades watershed conditions have been dramatically improved, especially 

compared to the extremely degraded condition they were in during the 1940s and 50s following the 

Dust Bowl era. Conservation practices across the southern Great Plains, and notably in the McClellan 

Creek drainage, have resulted in a substantial increase in infiltration and groundwater recharge and a 

subsequent reduction in surface runoff and associated sedimentation. The conditions of the unique 

habitat features found on the Grasslands, such as playa lakes, riverine and wetland associations on the 
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Kiowa and Rita Blanca Grasslands and aquatic or riverine and wetland associated habitats on the Black 

Kettle Grasslands, have also been dramatically improved. Overall, the Grasslands are similar to the 

surrounding landscape in respect to miles and acreage of waterbodies. Groundwater depletion is 

occurring, though this depletion is outside of the agency’s control, it has the potential to affect 

Grasslands management.

All areas of the Grasslands have recovered to acceptable levels of soil stability and vegetative cover. In 

terms of soil productivity, about 52 percent of the soils on the Grasslands are in satisfactory soil 

condition while about 48 percent are impaired. In terms of soil loss, about 90% of the soils on the 

Grasslands are in satisfactory condition with the remaining 10% considered unsuited inherently 

unstable. The number of active oil-gas wells and other developments that would reduce site 

productivity is not expected to significantly increase on Grasslands units over the next 10-20 years. Soil 

productivity is likely to greatly improve after the 2005 Travel Management Rule is fully implemented 

and motorized travel is limited to designated travel routes. Predicted increases in air temperatures in the 

southern Great Plains may reduce soil organic matter affecting productivity, water-holding capacity and 

carbon storage in the soil (Joyce et al. 2001).

The Grasslands are meeting the air quality standards as outlined for each state. Since the reference and 

current conditions are the same, the Grasslands are within the reference conditions for air quality. 

Management activities on the Grasslands do not cause long term changes in air quality and meet state 

and federal air quality standards. This attainment of air quality standards is expected to continue into 

the future.

Of the species identified for further consideration in Plan Revision, Lesser Prairie-chicken, plains 

leopard frog, black-tailed prairie dog, mountain plover, and swift fox were assessed to be at high risk on

cottonwood/willow riparian, shinnery oak, sand sagebrush and mixed and shortgrass prairie PNVTs. 

The risks to these species were found to be the threats derived from fragmentation, disease, predation, 

and invasive species.

5.1 Ecosystem Management Opportunities and Constraints

When looking to identify resource management opportunities and constraints, two key factors should be 

considered: the current status and trend of an ecosystem and the effects of current management

activities on that status and trend. Using these considerations and recognizing the importance of other 

ecosystem characteristics, such as, soil, water, air and habitat, each PNVT and habitat feature found on 

the Grasslands was reviewed to identify general management opportunities and constraints for the 

Grasslands.

5.1.1 Mixed Grass Prairie

Condition: Mixed grass prairie covers approximately 11,300 acres or 35% of the Black Kettle 

and McClellan Creek National Grasslands. Prescribed fire and livestock grazing are used to 

achieve plant community desired conditions. Prescribed burning increases the amount of forbs 

within the mixed-grass prairie. In the early stage, 1-3 years post-fire, there are more forbs and 

diversity of species before little bluestem regains dominance. After approximately three years, 

the grasses become the dominant species. Perennial grasses on the red-shale soils are primarily 

blue grama, hairy grama, little bluestem, and purple three awns. About 10% of the areas are 

covered in forbs and 10% in woody species.

Trends: The mixed grass prairie PNVT areas will be managed with livestock grazing and 

prescribed fire to maintain the reference conditions.
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Departure from Reference: The natural areas of mixed grass prairie are near reference 

condition.

Contribution to Sustainability and Management opportunities and constraints: Currently, there 

is more mixed grass prairie on the landscape, specifically off the Grasslands, than was present 

historically largely due to the past and current agriculture practices. While it may appear that 

management of the mixed grass prairie on the Grasslands is not a priority due to its 

overrepresentation on the landscape, much of the mixed grass prairie off of the Grasslands is

highly departed from reference conditions. This makes the native mixed grass prairie located on 

the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands important, as it has a high 

contribution to the overall ecological sustainability.

5.1.2 Shortgrass Prairie

Condition: Shortgrass prairie covers approximately 181,900 acres, or 79%, of the Kiowa and 

Rita Blanca National Grasslands. The shortgrass prairie PNVT typically occurs on plains and 

draws, or on gently rolling uplands of the southern Great Plains. Vegetation is mainly 

shortgrass dominated by blue grama, needle-and-thread, buffalograss, and galleta, with 

intermingled forbs and scattered half-shrubs. Post fire early successional stages are dominated 

by resprouts and seedlings of grasses and post-fire associated forbs covering approximately 2% 

of this PNVT. Species include blue grama and buffalograss. The mid-open stage covers 

approximately 90% of the PNVT with less than 35 percent herb cover that is low to medium

height. The main grasses are blue grama and buffalograss. The mid-closed stage covers about 

8% of this PNVT with greater than 35 percent herb cover. Again the main grass species are 

blue grama and buffalograss. Livestock grazing is conducted in accordance with most recent 

environmental analyses utilizing an adaptive management approach taken by monitoring use 

and conditions on the ground, then adjusting as conditions change. Prescribed fire is applied, 

but on a small scale and generally not within the historical fire regime of 5-10 years. Removal 

of shrubs and trees encroaching onto the shortgrass prairie is occurring where access is 

adequate.

Trends: Current management trends are stable and will keep this PNVT near reference 

condition.

Departure from Reference: Currently, the shortgrass prairie is in low departure from reference 

condition.

Contribution to Sustainability and Management opportunities and constraints: Currently, there 

is less shortgrass prairie across the landscape than found historically. These areas of shortgrass 

prairie located off the Grasslands are highly departed from the reference condition. Therefore, 

the shortgrass prairie located within the National Grassland units is important and has a high 

contribution to the overall ecological sustainability. There is a management opportunity to 

create a greater proportion of late-structural stage conditions, which may require more rest or 

grass-banking. Likewise, prescribed fire may be used to create a greater proportion of earlysuccessional stage conditions.

5.1.3 Shinnery Oak

Condition: This vegetation type covers approximately 18,900 acres (or 59%), of the Black 

Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands. About 45% of the shinnery oak PNVT is in 

the early-mid-open, post-fire to three years post-fire regime and dominated by tallgrasses in 
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shallower and more stable sandsheet areas. Grass cover is dominant with rapid recovery of 

shin-oak resprouts. The late-closed successional class structure and composition stage occurs in 

the 3 to 10 year post-fire time frame. Shinnery cover is mostly dominant although grasses 

remain co-dominant on about 55% of the PNVT. Most shinnery oak stands are burned on a 2 to 

9 year cycle with the intent to maintain a co-dominant canopy cover of grasses intermixed with 

shinnery oak for wildlife habitat diversity and to mimic historical conditions. Current livestock 

grazing within the shinnery oak system is relatively light, with utilization levels retaining at 

least 50% of the current year’s growth of vegetation, by weight, of forage species. Livestock 

grazing utilizes an adaptive management approach during the dormant season.

Trends: Prescribed burning and controlled grazing move this PNVT toward reference 

conditions that have the shinnery oak composition fully recovering its vertical structure within 

2 to 4 years after a fire. The horizontal expanse or range of shinnery oak does not fluctuate by 

current management and the area of the shinnery oak PNVT will remain fairly constant on the 

Grasslands with the composition and structure trends toward reference.

Departure from Reference: The current condition of shinnery oak is in low departure from

reference condition.

Contribution to Sustainability and Management opportunities and constraints: The Black Kettle 

Grassland contains a large portion of the shinnery oak found within the Red Prairie and 

Southern South Central and Redbed Plains Subsections. Both Subsections have 

disproportionately smaller total percentages of shinnery oak compared to the Black Kettle 

Grassland due to agricultural practices that removed much of the shinnery oak species 

component. Currently, there is a much larger amount of the shinnery oak PNVT on the 

Grasslands than in the surrounding landscape. This makes the management of the shinnery oak 

located within the Grasslands important because of its contribution to the overall ecological 

sustainability.

5.1.4 Pinyon-Juniper

Condition: This vegetation type covers approximately 21,700 acres or 10%, of the Kiowa and 

Rita Blanca National Grasslands. The current condition includes the early successional stage 

that occurs post-fire and covers about 12% of the PNVT with open areas of grasses, forbs, 

seedlings less than 4.5 ft. in height and saplings. The mid-late successional stage covers about 

88% of the PNVT and includes a mix of pinyon and juniper trees in a variety of classes with 

varying canopy cover. Mid-development classes averages 10% of the PNVT in relative 

abundance and have dense canopy cover, 31-70%, of pole size trees 5-9” in diameter, and very 

little understory. Twenty five % of the PNVT will have pole size trees with a mixed shrubherbaceous understory and canopy cover ranges from 0-30%. Thirty five % of the PNVT will 

have late development with medium size trees, 9-21” in diameter and canopy cover of 0-40%. 

Ten % of the PNVT will have dense, old growth characteristics with medium size trees and 

canopy cover of 41-70%. Stands of pinyon-juniper that are overstocked and encroaching onto 

the shortgrass prairie are being treated using thinning and prescribed burning. Currently, the 

level of treatment is approximately 500-900 acres of thinning a year, followed by 1,000 to 

1,800 acres of burning.

Trends: Through the continued use of prescribed burning and thinning projects, woodland areas 

have become more open although they have retained their mid to late seral stage structure 

including old growth characteristics of large-diameter trees, snags, and down logs. 
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Continuation of current management trends is expected to keep the pinyon-juniper PNVT in its 

current state, which is near reference conditions.

Departure from Reference: The pinyon-juniper PNVT is in low departure from reference 

condition.

Contribution to Sustainability and Management opportunities and constraints: There is 

approximately the same amount of pinyon-juniper across the landscape as was historically, in 

terms of relative abundance. Continued and increased, where appropriate, burning will help 

encourage this PNVT toward reference condition. Since the majority of the pinyon-juniper 

found off the Grasslands is highly departed from the reference condition, the contribution the 

Grasslands make to ecological sustainability for the pinyon-juniper PNVT is important.

5.1.5 Cottonwood Willow Riparian

Condition: This vegetation type covers approximately 1,370 acres or 1%, of the Kiowa and Rita 

Blanca National Grasslands. The early successional class is represented on about 16% of this 

PNVT and is typically shrub-seedling dominated, but grasses may co-dominate. The mid and 

late successional class covers about 84% of this PNVT. The mid vegetation composition 

includes tall shrubs and small trees such as willows and cottonwoods. Late successional class 

represents the mature, large cottonwood and willow riparian woodlands. Current management 

activities are targeting non-native, invasive species in riparian areas, specifically, salt-cedar. 

These activities are encouraging establishment of needed mid-successional conditions.

Trends: By removing salt-cedar from the Canadian River system in Mills Canyon, more of the 

PNVT will move into the mid successional class. This will increase vegetation on stream banks 

and stabilize slopes. Areas along Perico and Sauz Creeks periodically flood which helps keep 

some of this PNVT within the early successional class. Under current management, this PNVT 

is expected to remain in low departure from reference condition.

Departure from Reference: The cottonwood-willow areas located within the Kiowa and Rita 

Blanca National Grasslands are in low departure from reference condition.

Contribution to Sustainability and Management opportunities and constraints: Currently, there 

is much less cottonwood-willow across the landscape than appeared historically and those areas 

present on the landscape that do have cottonwood-willow are highly departed from the 

reference condition. The cottonwood-willow areas located within the Kiowa and Rita Blanca 

National Grasslands are near the reference condition, making it an important ecosystem and 

important to sustaining ecological sustainability. On-going non-native invasive species control 

will benefit regeneration and establishment of native cottonwood and willows. However, flood 

control and impoundments upstream of Grassland units can reduce flooding and in turn 

negatively affect cottonwood and willow recruitment. Current management trends of treating 

invasive species within the riparian systems, specifically saltcedar, will help reduce the amount 

of invasive species found in the cottonwood-willow PNVT.

5.1.6 Mixed Hardwood Riparian

Condition: This vegetation type covers approximately 1,946 acres or 6% of the Black Kettle 

and McClellan Creek National Grasslands. The early successional stage represents 

approximately 13% of this PNVT with pioneer tree and shrub species of cottonwoods and 

willows with an herbaceous understory of sedges in wet areas. In this early stage, most of the 
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area is bare sand dominated by a young canopy of tree saplings and shrubs. Species would 

include indigo bush and various grass, sedges, and rushes. The mid and late successional stage 

covers the remaining 87% of this PNVT. In the mid stage developing stands start to mature. 

This community tends to be partially open with scattered cottonwoods and willows. The shrub 

layer is poorly developed and often consists of widely scattered patches of dogwood. The 

understory vegetation is highly variable with wild rye, and muhlies. In wetter, more shaded 

areas, Virginia creeper, nettles, and poison ivy are present. In the late class is a mature, late 

seral, closed canopy cottonwood floodplain forest. Overstory is dominated by cottonwood, box 

elder, hackberry, walnut and elm. Understory species include Virginia creeper and poison ivy 

found along the upper terrace that has been protected from most flood events except for rare 

high intensity flooding.

Trends: Under current management, this PNVT is expected to remain in its current state.

Departure from Reference: The mixed hardwood riparian areas that are found on the Black 

Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands are there due to soil movement during the 

Dust Bowl Era. Topsoil blew into these low-lying areas followed by upstream damming, 

creating areas that would not have been present historically. Consequently there is not an 

appropriate reference condition for a departure from reference condition determination.

Contribution to Sustainability and Management opportunities and constraints: Currently, areas 

off of the National Grasslands that represent the mixed hardwood riparian PNVT are outside of 

mixed hardwood riparian structure and composition ideals. The Black Kettle and McClellan 

Creek National Grasslands hold a fairly large portion of this PNVT within the CanadianCimarron Breaks subsection, making this an important ecosystem. The most important 

management activity occurring within the mixed hardwood riparian is the removal of invasive 

species eastern redcedar and black locust. Management activities are limited by the conditions 

currently found within the mixed hardwood riparian. Overcrowded, thicket like conditions 

compounded with stream impoundments are preventing large disturbance events, such as, fire 

and flooding from developing conditions that would have led to early successional stage classes 

and regeneration of woody species. The removal of invasive woody species such as, eastern 

redcedar and black locust, would help with the re-establishment of native hardwood species,

such as cottonwood, willow, elm, hackberry, and ash. However, as this PNVT is present now, 

current management is conducted in ways conducive to keeping this PNVT intact

5.1.7 Sand sagebrush

Condition: The sand sagebrush PNVT vegetation type covers approximately 22,651 acres or 8 

% of the Grasslands. One percent of this PNVT is a post-fire successional class dominated by 

resprouts and seedlings of grasses and forbs with low to medium height having a variable 

canopy cover. This class typically occurs where fires burn relatively hot. The mid-open 

successional stage represents 69% of this PNVT that has less than 35% herb cover, medium to 

tall in height. Mid-closed stage represents about 39% of the PNVT area with greater than 35% 

herb cover, medium to tall in height. Prescribed burning is currently being used at a rate of 

approximately 500 acres every three-five years. Livestock grazing occurs during the winter 

months to limit the impact to soils and no livestock grazing occurs during the growing season.

Trends: Continuation of current management trends will maintain sand sagebrush in low 

departure from reference condition.
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Departure from Reference: The sand sagebrush PNVT is in low departure from reference 

condition.

Contribution to Sustainability and Management opportunities and constraints: Currently, there 

is much less of the sand sagebrush PNVT across the landscape than was historically present due 

to massive soil movement that occurred during the dust bowl. These areas of the surrounding 

landscape that are sand sagebrush are highly departed from the reference condition. Sand 

sagebrush keeps the soil stable and helps prevent further soil movement; therefore, they are 

important on the Grasslands. This makes the sand sagebrush PNVT on the Kiowa and Rita 

Blanca National Grasslands an important ecosystem and important to ecological sustainability. 

Management activities will continue to maintain these areas. An increase in prescribed burning 

activities would help move more of the area into needed early- and mid-successional classes.

5.1.8 Soil

Condition: About 90% of the Grassland is in satisfactory soil loss, none of the Grassland is in 

an unsatisfactory soil loss and about 10% is in an unsuited soil loss. All of the mixed hardwood 

riparian, pinyon-juniper, cottonwood-willow riparian, sand sagebrush, and shinnery oak PNVTs 

are in satisfactory soil loss. This indicates that on-site soil loss is within threshold limits and is 

not reducing the ability of the soil to maintain long-term soil productivity. Conversely, the 

greatest areas of unsuited soil loss conditions are found in the shortgrass prairie PNVT. 

Proportionally, the mixed grass prairie PNVT has the most area in an unsuited soil loss 

condition, about 35%. Soil erosion may be occurring beyond its threshold and the soil is at risk 

of not maintaining long-term soil productivity.

Trends: Restoration management practices over the past several decades have resulted in 

tremendous improvement in soil stability and vegetative recovery. A few units on the Black 

Kettle National Grassland that were heavily plowed in the past do not appear capable of 

recovering their productivity potential, although the soils are grass-covered and stabilized. A 

few units on Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands adjacent to towns or other private 

developments are heavily impacted by invasive plant populations that are seriously reducing 

soil productivity and vegetative diversity. These too are not likely to be fully restored to full 

productivity and native grassland vegetation due to continued spread of invasive plants and 

other impacts from adjacent lands.

Departure from Reference: Soils found on the Grasslands are altered due to soil movement 

during the Dust Bowl area creating areas that would not have been present historically. 

Consequently there is not an appropriate reference condition or a departure from reference 

condition determination.

Contribution to Sustainability and Management opportunities and constraints: There are no 

management activities occurring on the Grasslands that are targeted specifically to soil 

productivity or soil loss. However, all management activities that are implemented must be 

conducted in a manner that does not contribute to loss of long-term soils productivity there are 

activities or conditions off of the Grasslands that affect Grassland soils. If populations of 

invasive species off of Grassland units are not controlled, they will continue to spread onto the 

Grasslands, posing management problems.
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5.1.9 Perennial Streams, Reservoirs, Lakes, Ponds and Playa Lakes

Condition: The following surface water and riparian vegetation occurs on the Grasslands units 

and additional water and riparian resources occur on adjacent private and state lands (based on 

TEUI data):

o 32 miles of perennial, mostly year-round, streams, with 60% on the Kiowa and Rita 

Blanca National Grasslands and 40% on the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National 

Grasslands

o 3,400 acres of riparian area and 40 acres of playa lakes that are shallow depressions that 

remain dry between rain events

o 1,300 acres of water in reservoirs, lakes, ponds and rivers at normal pool levels

Water quality conditions were extremely degraded during and immediately following the Dust 

Bowl era. These conditions have been dramatically improved by intentionally minimizing or 

avoiding any adverse effects from Grassland management activities. Impoundments are 

maintained and inspected for safety. Recreation surrounding the reservoirs, lakes and ponds 

does cause some minor erosion and contribute some sediment into the waterbodies. Likewise 

roads contribute some sediment into streams. Typically grazing activities are managed to limit 

erosion and trampling along perennial streams, but watering of livestock does contribute some 

sediment into waterways.

Trends: Conditions of most streams, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds are trending towards reference 

conditions.

Departure from Reference: Though there were no standards historically all streams would have 

met current water quality standards. There were lower peak flow events, even on un-dammed 

reaches, compared to current conditions due to better watershed conditions. These conditions 

encouraged infiltration and groundwater recharge rather than fast runoff and overland flow. 

Higher ground water levels resulted in streams running longer into the growing season. No 

significant departure from current conditions relationship to reference or future conditions to 

reference was determined for perennial streams, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds under forest 

service control.

Contribution to Sustainability and Management opportunities and constraints: On the Black 

Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands, unmanaged off highway vehicle use currently 

poses a risk to watershed conditions. The patchwork land ownership limits the ability of land 

management activities on the National Grasslands to have a large effect on water quality and 

streamflow. Benefits to stream health on Grasslands units can be negated by poor management 

on nearby private land. The mixed land ownership also presents an opportunity to work with 

partners and local land owners to address water quality and stream channel issues. On the 

Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands, invasive species, such as, salt-cedar, and 

unmanaged off highway vehicle use currently pose risks to watershed conditions. Invasive 

species are being controlled when and where they are found to be affecting streamflow and 

water quality. Grazing activities are altered when playa lakes have water. Likewise playa lakes 

are protected from “pitting,” an activity that modifies the water holding capacity of a playa. 

Land management on adjacent private property could allow invasive species to re-invade 

riparian areas being treated. Additionally, impoundments can affect flooding which limits 

recruitment of riparian vegetation.
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Overall, the Grasslands are similar to the surrounding landscape in respect to miles and acreage 

of waterbodies. Groundwater depletion is occurring; though this depletion is outside of the

agency’s control, it has the potential to affect Grasslands management.

5.1.10 Air

Condition: None of the three states, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, containing the Kiowa, 

Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands has air quality monitoring 

in the area of the National Grasslands. Nonetheless the air quality data that has been collected 

in these areas, usually by national monitoring networks or at regional airports, indicates that 

there is not a concern for air quality conditions in these areas except from dust storms and 

wildland fires.

Trends: The management trend affecting air quality is prescribed burning. The Forest Service is 

required to meet State air quality standards during implementation of burns and all management 

activities that are implemented must be conducted in a manner that does not lead to long-term 

non-attainment.

Departure from Reference: Currently, the Grasslands are meeting the air quality standards as 

outlined for each state. Since the reference and current conditions are the same, the Grasslands 

are within the reference conditions for air quality. The increases in facilities listed on the EPA 

Air Data Facility Emissions Reports especially in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma may indicate 

that in the future off-site emissions may have increase effects on the Grasslands’ ecosystems 

(US EPA 1999). However, given the current superior air quality in the area these increases in 

emissions may not have substantial effects on the ecosystems.

Contribution to Sustainability and Management opportunities and constraints: Prescribed 

burning must be done with respect to state and national air quality standards and appropriate 

burn permits must be obtained prior to implementation. There are potential threats to air quality 

that occur off of the Grasslands and outside of Forest Service control, however, they do not 

affect management of the Grasslands.
Ecological Sustainability Report for the Kiowa, Rita Blanca, Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands

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7 Geographic Information System (GIS) Data Location

All GIS data is from 2007 and can be accessed by contacting the Cibola National Forest’s Supervisor’s 

Office.

Playa Lakes Data

USFS-R3_UTM13 Geodatabase

o Water

 Water Body

Prescribed Fire Data

Other Cibola Data Geodatabase

o Fire

 Prescribed Fire History

Wildfire Data

USFS-R3_UTM13 Geodatabase

o Fire Management

 Fire History

Invasive Species

USFS-R3_UTM13 Geodatabase

o Vegetation

 Invasive Plants

Aquatic Data

USFS-R3_UTM13 Geodatabase

o Water

 Waterbody

 Stream

Soils Data

NRIS

o Legend

 Properties

Interpretation