Range site

An area of rangeland having the potential to produce distinctive kinds and amounts of vegetation, resulting in a characteristic plant community under its particular combination of environmental factors, especially soils and climate. Each range site is typified by an association of species that differ from that of other range sites in the kind or proportions of species, or in total production. Synonymous with ecological site when referring to rangeland. Some agencies use range site based on the climax concept, not potentialnaturalcommunity. Synonym: ecologicalsite. [Source: USDA National Plant Materials Manual]