RANG ELANDS 14(4), August 1992
Desert Tortoise Population Densities and Distribution, Piute
Valley, Nevada
Randal W. Wilson and Robert D. Stager
A soils and vegetationsurvey was completedduring
April 1988 in PiuteValley, Clark County,Nev. The survey
covered approximately 47,000 acres of Public Lands
administered by theBureau of Land Management located
southof Searchlight,Nev., and 60 miles southeast of Las
Vegas. Desert tortoise (Gopherusagassizii) have been
studied in Piute Valley since 1979. The objectives of the
surveywereto comparesoils and vegetative characteris-
tics to tortoise density and distribution and attempt to
identifysoils characteristics that may be used to predict
tortoise distribution and densities.
KWY l5
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El:
FIg. 1. Location ofthe study area, Piute Valley, Nevada.
The climateis typical Mojave Desert with cool winters
and hot summers. The area receives 5 to 8 inches of
precipitation annually from low intensity uniformly dis-
tributedwinter storms and scattered, high intensitysum-
merstorms. The elevation varies from about 2,300feet to
3,500feet. The major physiographicpartsof thevalleyare
Theauthors are Soil Conservationist,U.S. Departmentof Agriculture, Soil
conservation Service, Las vegas, Nev.; RangeConservationist,U.S. Depart-
mentof Interior, Bureauof LandManagement, Lasvegas, Nev., respectively.
239
thePiedmontslopes and the basinfloor. Thethree major
landformtypesof the Piedmontslopes are erosional fan
remnants, insetfans, and fan skirts. Thevegetationcom-
munity surveyed were creosote/whitebursage with the
herbaceous understory ranging from predominantlya
mixtureof introducedand native annual forbs and grasses
in the southern portion of the area to perennial grasses
with annuals in the north.
The soils and vegetationwere classifiedand analyzed
usingstandard USDA-SCSand USDI-BLM field methods.
The vegetationwas categorized to range site (ecological
site). Soil propertiesexamined included rock fragment
content, texture, consistence, pH, color, effervescence,
and electroconductivity.Vegetation data consistedof air
dry production by plant species, determination of range
condition (ecologicalstatus) and the correlationof range
sites to soils.
The presence or absence of tortoise sign was docu-
mented during the soils and vegetationmappingto sup-
plementexisting tortoise data. Soil transects were care-
fully located to represent the dominantsoil types, deter-
mine soil map unit percent compositionand compareto
thetortoise distributionand densitydata and field obser-
vationsto determine if an association mayexist.
Results
Eight soil map units weredeveloped in the study area
from the soil survey. Map units 1 through 7 will be dis-
cussed in this paper. The climatic conditions wereideal
for studying spring vegetative growth responses on the
differentsoils. The winter and spring storms were docu-
mented on site as gentleand uniform with a goodS to 10
inches percolation into the soil profile throughout the
surveyarea. Any vegetative differences are interpretedas
beingmoreafunction of soil propertiesand characteris-
tics than climatefor this study.
Thefirstareareviewed,soil mapunit 1, is locatedalong
the old railroad grade southwest of Searchlight. The
component landforms in this soil mapping unit are ero-
sional fan remnants with an alternating pattern of inset
fans. The dominantsoil in this unit occurs on erosional
fan remnants and is classified as a fine-loamy, mixed
thermic Ustalfic Haplargidsrepresenting60 percent of
the unit. There is a limiting argillic horizon from 11 to 43
inches. Tortoiseburrowswere lacking in this soil though
sign and tortoiseactivity weredocumented.
Thesecond majorsoil in this unit is located in theinset
fans, and is classified as a coarse-loamy, mixed, calcare-
ous, thermicUstic Torriorthentsrepresenting 35 percent
of the unit. This profile lacksany restrictivesoil feature
240 RANGELANDS14(4), August 1992

and has stablestructural strengththroughoutthe profile. mixed, thermic Typic Camborthidsrepresenting 25 per-
This map unit has a low to medium density of desert centof the map unit.
tortoise with about 50 to 100 per square mile. Tortoise This map unit hasthe highestdensityof deserttortoise
burrowsoccurredpredominantlyin theinsetfans.Creo- with 150 or greater per square mile. Tortoise burrows
sate bush, white bursage, and big galletta grass are the appeared to be uniformlydistributedon both soils. Creo-
major perennial plant species present. Twelve native sote bush, and white bursage are the major perennial
annuals and three introducedannuals were identified. plant species present. Seven native annuals and two
Soil map unit 2 is located approximately two miles introducedannuals were identified.
southwestof the Searchlight landing strip. The compo- Map unit4is located southofTen MileWell inthesouth
nentlandformsin this unit are fanskirts with intermingled central part of thesurvey area. This unit hasthree major
streamterraces. The dominantsoil in this unit occurs on componentsthat occur in a complexassociation. They
fan skirts, and is classifed as a coarse-loamy, mixed, are fan skirts, fan remnants, and inset fans.
thermic Typic Camborthids. It represents 50 percentof Thedominantsoil inthisunitoccursonfan skirts and is
the map unit. classified as a coarse-loamy, mixed, thermicTypic Cam-
The secondmajor componentoccurs on stream terra- borthidsrepresenting 55 percentof the unit.
ces and is classifiedas a coarse-loamy, mixed, thermic Thesecondcomponentin thisunit occurs on fan rem-
Typic Calciorthids representing 35 percentof the map nants and isclassifiedasaloamy-skeletal, mixed, thermic
unit. Typic Calciorthids representing20 percent of the map
This map unit has a low to mediumdensity of desert unit.
tortoise with about 50 to 100 per square mile. Tortoise The third componentoccurs in inset fans and active
distribution appeared to bethesame in both major soils. channels and is classifiedas a sandy or sandy-skeletal,
Creosote bush,white bursage, and big galletta grass are mixed, thermicTypic Torriorthentsrepresenting 16 per-
the major perennial plant species present. Ten native cent of the map unit. This soil is occasionally flooded,
annuals and three introducedannuals were identified. with flooding generally occurring during prolonged high-
intensitystorms in the mid and late summer months.
This area hasa medium to highdensitywith 100to 150
and 150 or greateranimals per acre. Component1 had
most of the tortoise burrows. Fewer tortoise sign was
noted in component2 with veryor extremely cobblysur-
faces and in component 3. Creosote bush, and white
bursage are the major perennial plant species present.
Nine native annuals and two introduced annuals were
identifed.
Map unit 5 is located in the southern portion of the
surveyarea. The two major components are eolian sand
sheets and inset fans occurring in an association.
The dominant soil occurs on the eolian sand sheets
classified as a mixed, thermic, Typic Torripsamments
representing 70 percent of the unit. This soil lacks any
structural strength and has loose soil consistence
throughoutthe profile.
Thesecondmajor componentoccurson fan skirts that
are intermingledalong the peripheryof the unit and is
classifiedas coarse-loamy, mixed, thermic Typic Cam-
borthids.
No tortoiseburrowswere noted in the eolian sand sheet
soil with most burrowing activity identified on the fan
skirts.Tortoisedensityis low to medium with about 50 to
Map Unit3 Showing greater vegetativeproduction and canopy 100 per square mile in this map unit. Creosote bush,and
cover associatedwitha goodAvailable WaterCapacity.
white bursage are the major perennial shrub species
Soil map unit 3 is locatedeast of the town CalNevAri. presentwith 3 to40 percent, by weight,biggallettagrass.
This unit covers most of the valley bottom.The compo- Five native annuals and one introduced annual were
nent landformsin thisunit are fan skirts and stream terra- identified.
ces. The dominantsoil in this unit occurson fan skirtsand Map unit 6 is divided by U.S. Highway 95 south of
is classified as a coarse-loamy, mixed, thermic Typic Searchlight,Nev. The componentlandformsin this unit
Camborthidsrepresenting 65 percentof the map unit. are erosional fan remnants with alternating patterns of
The next major component in this unit occurs on insetfans and active channels. The dominantsoil in this
stream terraces and is classified as a coarse-loamy, unit occurs on fan remnants and is classified as a Fine-
RANGELANDS 14(4), August 1992
Map Unit2 Showing lessvegetativeproduction andcanopycover
associatedwith a lower Available WaterCapacity.
loamy, mixed, ThermicTypic Haplargids representing 50
percentof the map unit. Tortoiseburrowing activity was
not observed on this soil.
The next major componentin this unit occurs on inset
fansand is classifiedas a coarse-loamy, mixed, thermic
Typic Camborthidsrepresenting35 percentof the map
unit.Tortoiseburrowingactivity was prevalent in thissoil.
Tortoisedensityis mediumto high with about 100to 150
per squaremile.
Creosote bush, andwhite bursage are themajor peren-
nial plant species present. Therewereover seven native
annuals and one introducedannual identified.
Map unit 7 is locatedduewest ofthe power linecorridor
runningin themiddleofthesurvey area. The component
landformsin the unit are deeply dissected erosionalfan
remnants with narrow alternating pattern of inset fans
and active channels. The dominatesoil in this unitoccurs
on summitsof fan remnants and is classified as a fine,
montmorrillonitic,thermicPetrocalicicPaleargids repre-
senting 55 percentof the unit.
No burrowingactivity was noted on this soil and popu-
lationstudiesshowthisareato be a lowerdensitytortoise
area.The insetfansand washes cutting through this soil
often expose the indurated petrocalicic or "caliche"
horizon whereburrowing activity was noted underneath
the layer.
The nextmajor componentsin thisunit occurs on side
slopes of the fan remnants and is classifiedas a loamy,
mixed, thermicshallowTypic Paleorthids representing 30
percent of the unit. Most of the tortoise burrows and
activity noted wereon this soil, andtheinsets and washes
which comprise 15 percentas inclusions in the mapping
unit. Tortoisedensity is low to mediumwith about 50 to
241
100 per square mile in this map unit.
Creosote bush, andwhite bursage arethe major peren-
nial plant species present with trace to 3 percent, by
weight,big galleta. Spanish daggeriscommonon thefan
remnants. Therewere over four nativeannuals identified
and two introducedannuals.
Conclusions
The objective of the survey was to compare soils and
vegetative habitat characteristics to tortoise densityand
distribution and identify possible soils and geomorphic
relationships that may beassociated and later used in the
field to predicttortoisedistribution and densities for sim-
ilar soils.
Dr. Hardy, as quoted in E. Jaegers Desert Wildlife
(1961) concludedthat soils largelydetermine habitatand
distribution of the deserttortoise.Hardydetermined that
the soil must be sufficiently free from rocks to permit
digging and compact enough to maintain a strong arch-
way over the burrow. Woodburyand Hardy (1948) and
Miller and Stebbins (1964) found that tortoise habitat
types are restrictedto suitablesoils for den construction.
Luckenbach (1976) noted that preferred habitattypes in
the Providence Mountainsregion were areas with good
denning potential having soil characteristics of sandy
loamto lightgravel clay.
The observations and data collected for this paper in
PiuteValleycorroborateearlierfindingsand go furtherto
suggest an association between certain soil characteris-
tics and geomorphic relationshipsand tortoise density
and distribution.
Thesoil characteristicsidentifiedwereavailable water
capacity (AWC), soil consistence, depth to a limiting
layer, rock fragment content, soil salinity, soil tempera-
ture, and frequencyof flooding.
ThegreaterAWC, thegreaterthevegetative productive
capacity under the same climatic regime. In soils with
similar denning characteristics, forage productivity may
be moreimportantfor determiningtortoisedensities due
to available forage and canopy coveras indicatedin the
photosfor map units 2 and 3. Soil consistenceconsiders
thestructuralstrengthand limits to digging inasoil. Soils
with good structural stability and little to no digging lim-
itationsas in map unit 3 appear to providebettertortoise
burrow locations.
Depthfrom thesurfaceto a limiting layeris defined as
thedepth to lithicor paralithiccontact and/or to a hard-
pan. A limiting layerwithin Oto20 inchesofthesurfaceas
occurs in the dominant soil in map unit 1 may restrict
tortoise burrowing activity, affecting their distribution
and population density. Tortoise burrows usually fall
within40 inches ofthesurface and are crucialtosurviving
the winter cold and summer heat.
Rock or coarse fragment content is determined on a
percent by weight basis. Soils with very cobbley and
extremely cobbley surface textures may limit tortoise
mobility on the surface. The more gravel or rock frag-
ments present in theprofile,as in map unit 2, the lowerthe
242 RANGELANDS 14(4), August 1992

Table 1. Soil propertiesthat may beassociatedwithdeserttortoise While thereare numerous indicatedassociationsbetween

distribution and density. vegetationand tortoise density,a moredetailed study is
needed to develop them. There may be a relationship
Elements/SoilProperty RestrictiveFeature between the highly productiveand opportunistic intro-
duced annuals such as filaree and Schismus barbatus
1. Dry soil consistenceat Structural strength, limited
and tortoise density. These are known to be part of their
0-40 inches digging
diets. Filaree is highly nutritious and has a high water
2. Available water capacity Droughty content during its growth periodand Schismus is highly
droughttolerant,growingeven on the driestyears tooffer
3. Depth to limiting layer Depth to rock or cemented pan a staple, though lower quality,food supply.
in inches limiting depth of digging
Thedeserttortoisespends approximately90 percentof
4. Coarsefragments (pct Surfacemobility may be its life in a subterranean environmentwherethe burrow
by wt >3 inchessize) on limited
surface layer protectsitfrom thecold winters,hot summers, and preda-
tors. Since soils and their properties comprise thedesert
5. Salinity (MMHOS/CM)' Excess salts
tortoise's subterranean environment and the vegetative
6. Soil temperature (at 20 in. Temperatureat burrows depth community its surface environment, mappingthesoil to
in degreesF) soil series, determiningtheir properties, correlatingrange
7. Flooding Flooding sites and determiningtheexisting vegetative community
8. Soil horizon properties Limited digging can assist the manager in understanding and managing
(0to 40 in.) thedeserttortoisemoreeffectively. It may even be possi-
<
'The soils in Piute Valley had low salinity levels at 2 MMHOS/CM with ble to accuratelypredict their distribution and densities
medium hightortoise densities.The EldoradoValleylocatedNWof Piute Valleyhas
>
lowtortoise densitiesand it's soils have salinity levels 8 mmhos/cm.
and develop a computermodel to simulatevarious envi-
ronmental conditionssuchand drought,grazing, or other
factors.
structural stability of a burrow and the harder it is to dig. A soil survey can be useful in providing preliminary
How soil salinity may affecttortoisedistribution and den-
sity is not certain.There may be a relationshipbetween interpretations for burrowing locations and potential
thewaterbalanceofthetortoiseand the saline contentof plantcommunityinformation relating to range condition
theforage and the soil in the burrow itself. or vegetative seral stages on theavailabilityof forageand
Soil temperature is defined asthemean annual temper- coverforthe desert tortoise.Interpretations providedby a
ature at a depth of 20 inches. This soil propertyis divided soil survey should only be used as part of an overall
habitat evaluation for the deserttortoise.
into greaterthan 59 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and less than
59 degrees F. This temperature break coincideswith the Literature Cited
boundarybetween the Thermic (59 to 72 degrees F) and Luckenbach, R.A. 1976. Field EstimatesofCalifornia Populationsof
Mesic (47 to 59 degrees F) soil temperature regimes. It Gospherusagassizii.I. Procedures. P. 22-37 In: N.J. Engberg,S.
also coincideswith the northernmostgeographicdistri- Allan,and R.L. Young(eds.).DesertTortoiseCouncil Proceedings
of 1976 Symposium.
bution of the desert tortoise in thestateof Nevada. Woodbury, A.M., and R. Hardy. 1948a.Studies of the Desert Tor-
Soilsthat are frequentlyflooded could present obvious toise, GospherusAgassizii.Ecol. Monogr. 18:145-200.
hazards to a burrowing animal. Woodbury,A.M.,and R.Hardy. 1948. Studiesofthe DesertTortoise,
These soil characteristicswere applied to the soils in Gospherusagassizii.Biol. Abstr., 22:2016-201 7.
United States Dept. of Agricuiture. 1975. Soil Taxonomy (Soil Sur-
the seven map units in the survey area. The results are vey Staff, 1975).
that map units with the highest ratings also have the United States Dept. of Agriculture. 1962. Soil Survey Manual (Soil
highest densities of desert tortoise in the Puite Valley. SurveyStaff). HandbookNo. 18.
Table 1 summarizes these soil properties. Miller, H.A., R.C. Stebblns. 1964. The Lives of Desert Animals in
Joshua Tree National Monument.University of California Press,
Berkeley. P. 452.