Physiographic features

This site occurs on mountain sides on north, east and northwest facing exposures with slopes of 20 to 60 percent slopes. The elevation ranges from 5000 to 8800 feet (1515 to 2666 meters).

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

The Big and Little Wood River Foot slopes and Plains, proposed as MLRA 10X, has a mean elevation of 5310 feet above sea level, and varies from 3600 to 9235 feet. In general, average annual precipitation is greatest on the western side, with the southeast area being the driest. However, the northern fringe receives upwards of 41 inches of precipitation. Monthly precipitation is generally greatest at the end of the year, diminishes steadily until a low in July and August, then increases rapidly in the autumn.
Monthly temperatures can vary considerably. Highs of up to 102° and lows down to -52° Fahrenheit have been recorded. The average annual temperature is 42.9°. The frost-free period ranges from 60 to 85 days. The freeze-free period is a bit longer: 80 to 105 days.
Both morning and afternoon average relative humidity values peak in the winter, and reach their low in July and august. The average number of sunny, cloud-free days is above average for the summer months, but below average for the period from November through February.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Influencing water features

This site is not influenced by adjacent wetlands, streams or run on.

Soil features

The soils are dark colored, gravelly loams, gravelly silt loams, and clay loams and are over 40 inches deep. The subsoils are loams or clay loams which have varying amounts of coarse fragments. The soils are derived from volcanic, metasedimentary, or granitic materials. Infiltration and internal water movement is good. The available water holding capacity (AWC) is moderate. Erosion hazard is low to moderate when the vegetation is scarce or removed.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Wildlife Interpretations.

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

This rangeland ecological site provides diverse habitat for many native wildlife species. The plant community exhibits a diverse mixture of forbs throughout the growing season offering excellent habitat for invertebrates. Wildlife use these areas on a short seasonal basis due to the high elevation, short growing season and temperature regimes. Mule deer and elk are the large herbivores using the site. The rangeland habitat provides seasonal habitat for resident and migratory animals including western toad, sagebrush lizard, shrews, bats, ground squirrels, mice, coyote, red fox, badger, sage-grouse, Ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, horned lark and western meadowlark. Sagebrush obligate avian and mammal species including sage-grouse, Brewer’s sparrow, sage thrasher and pika utilize these sites on a limited basis, due to the high elevation and associated cold temperatures throughout much of the year. Sage-grouse, an area sensitive species, may utilize the sagebrush plant community as winter and brood-rearing habitat. A change in the quality of the historic plant community over time can reduce the numbers and diversity of native wildlife species in the area. Encroachment of noxious and invasive plant species (i.e. cheatgrass and medusahead) in isolated areas have replaced native plant species which provide critical feed, brood-rearing and nesting cover for a variety of native wildlife. The loss of herbaceous understory vegetation has had a negative impact on ground nesting birds, while the loss of shrub cover has negatively affected both ground and shrub nesting avians. Water features are sparse provided by seasonal streams, artificial water catchments and springs.

State 1 Phase 1.1 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Idaho Fescue/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Antelope Bitterbrush Reference Plant Community (RPC): This plant community provides a diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs, used by native insect communities that assist in pollination. An extensive array of forbs is represented throughout the growing season leading to a diverse insect community. Many avian and mammal species utilize this habitat based on the availability of invertebrate prey species. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by leopard lizard, short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard, western skink, western toad, boreal chorus frog and northern leopard frog. Amphibians are associated with springs and isolated water bodies adjacent to this plant community. Spring developments that capture all available hydrology would preclude the use of these sites by amphibians. Native shrub-steppe obligate avian species utilizing the habitat include the Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage-grouse. Sage-grouse may utilize this plant community on a limited basis for winter and brood-rearing habitat due to the sites high elevation. The plant community provides seasonal forage needs for large mammals including mule deer and elk. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks and yellow-bellied marmots utilize this community. Pikas may utilize the site if adjacent to rocky open areas. Habitat for the pygmy rabbit would be marginal due to gravelly soils, steepness and high elevation. The deer mouse is beneficial to this site as it is the principal vector for planting bitterbrush seed.

State 1 Phase 1.2- Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Antelope Bitterbrush Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management and no fire. An increase in canopy of sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. Native insects assist in pollination but the reduced herbaceous understory results in reduced diversity and numbers of insects. The reptile community represented by leopard lizard, short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard and western skink would decline in diversity and population due to the reduction of available prey species and cover. Amphibian habitat would be tied to permanent spring sites in the area. Development of spring sites that collected all available water would exclude the use of amphibians on these sites. This plant community supports a less diverse variety of migratory and resident avian species with the reduced understory vegetation. Few prey species and less understory cover results in poor food, brood rearing and nesting habitat. Key shrub-steppe avian obligates include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage- grouse. Critical habitat (winter cover and winter food) for sage-grouse is available. The plant community supports limited seasonal habitat for large mammals including mule deer, and elk. A small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks and yellow-bellied marmots utilize these areas. Pikas may be present in areas with adjacent open rocky habitat. The deer mouse is beneficial to this site as it is the principal vector for planting bitterbrush seed.

State 1 Phase 1.3 – Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail Plant Community Plant Community: This plant community is the result of fire. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little or no sagebrush or antelope bitterbrush would provide less vertical structure for animals. Insect diversity would be reduced but a diverse native forb plant community would still support select pollinators. The reptiles including short horned lizard and sagebrush lizard would be limited or excluded due to the loss of sagebrush. Amphibian habitat would be tied to permanent spring sites in the area. Development of spring sites that collected all available water would exclude the use of amphibians on these sites. The dominance of herbaceous vegetation with little sagebrush canopy would prevent use of these areas as nesting habitat by Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage-grouse. This plant community provides limited brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse when adjacent sagebrush cover is provided. Use as winter cover and winter food by sage- grouse is eliminated. The dominant herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark and western meadowlark). Large mammal (mule deer, and elk) use for forage would be seasonal and offer little thermal cover and young of year cover. The diversity and populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species like the Columbian ground squirrel.

State 2 – Sandberg Bluegrass/ Cheatgrass/ Bulbous Bluegrass/ Annuals Plant Community:
This plant community is the result of continued improper grazing management and/or frequent fire. Invasive herbaceous plants and patches of root sprouting shrubs like rabbitbrushes and mountain snowberry can be present. The plant community does not support a diverse insect community. The reduced forb and shrub component in the plant community would support a very limited population of pollinators. Most reptilian species are not supported with food, water or cover. This plant community does not support the habitat requirements for sage-grouse, sage thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow or sage sparrow. Diversity of grassland avian species is reduced due to poor cover and available food. Birds of prey including hawks and falcons may range throughout these areas looking for prey species. Large mammals may utilize the herbaceous vegetation in the early part of the year when the invasive annuals (cheatgrass) are more palatable. At other times of the year large mammals would not regularly utilize these areas due to poor food and cover conditions. The diversity and populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species like the Columbian ground squirrel.



Grazing Interpretations.

The site is best used by livestock in the late spring, summer, and fall. The steep slopes can limit some access by livestock.
Estimated initial stocking rate will be determined with the landowner or decision-maker. They will be based on the inventory which includes species, composition, similarity index, production, past use history, season of use and seasonal preference.

Hydrological functions

The hydrologic condition of rangelands is the result of complex interrelationships of soil, vegetation, topography and climate. The hydrology of this site is characterized by low intensity frontal storms from October through April, and occasional high intensity thunderstorms during summer and early fall. About 60 to 70 percent of the precipitation falls as snow, and the site has snow cover during most of the winter. Productive mountain big sagebrush sites at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 8,800 feet generate most runoff from snowmelt. The site is typically protected by vegetation when snowmelt and runoff occur, from late spring through summer. Shallow subsurface flow to drainages, especially on steeper slopes, is common. Runoff averages about 10-15% of the annual water budget, but this is quite variable from year to year. Ponding and flooding generally do not occur on this site. Run-on from adjacent sites normally does not occur.


State 1, Phase 1.1.
In Reference, the majority of rainfall and snowmelt infiltrates into the soil profile and the erosion potential is very low. Shrub canopy zones (coppices) generally have higher rates of infiltration than shrub interspaces because of differences in soil morphology, organic matter and surface litter cover. Moss and lichens dominate most coppices as ground cover. Interspaces between shrubs have sufficient aerial and ground cover in HCPC to protect the site from runoff and erosion. Moss in the sagebrush understory is a good indicator of proper hydrologic function. Dominance of bunchgrasses (especially Idaho fescue) in the stand is also an indicator of good hydrologic condition. When soil surface condition is dry, and undecomposed litter biomass is great, water repellency can develop on lighter textured soils. The bulk of runoff occurs in late spring and early summer and is associated with snowmelt. Event-based runoff increases the potential for soil loss, and modeling indicates that the largest erosion losses will typically occur in early fall. Higher runoff volumes are positively correlated with increasing bare ground and steepness of slope, but some studies have also shown reduced runoff on steeper slopes due to increased component of subsurface flow. Differences in runoff potential will be dependent on the interaction of site characteristics (soils, slopes, vegetation, and microtopography). Some sediment may be transported off-site with higher runoff volumes. Rill erosion is the dominant process on steeper slopes where erosion is more likely, but sediment is usually deposited on lower slopes and does not reach area streams. Deep percolation (5% of water budget) does not generally occur on these deep soils unless there is greater than average winter snow cover. Good grazing management that addresses frequency, duration, and intensity of grazing can keep fine fuels from developing on these northern slopes, maintain normal levels of litter, and promote the production and vigor of existing native bunchgrasses. Trampling and overgrazing can result in rapid and possibly permanent loss of the cryptogam cover, which can increase the potential for wind erosion, and open crusts are a microenvironment for the establishment of winter annual aliens.

State 1, Phase 1.2.
Increasing sagebrush density and cover, due to the lack of fire or improper grazing management, can be associated with deteriorating hydrologic condition. Increasing water repellency and subsequently higher runoff rates are associated with litter buildup in decadent bitterbrush and Mountain big sagebrush coppice microsites. Repellency typically increases during dry conditions, so that runoff and erosion are more likely to occur from smaller and/or less intense storm events. Studies show increasing cover of sagebrush is typically correlated with greater sediment/runoff ratios when runoff does occur. The loss of vigorous deep-rooted bunchgrasses in conjunction with invading annual grasses will typically increase the seasonal variability of infiltration and runoff as compared to reference. Increasing shrub cover, including taller shrubs, may impact snow hydrology. Greater shrub cover increases the chance of interception loss, but may also increase potential snow accumulation and reduce snowmelt rate. The preponderance of small, low intensity events coupled with greater shrub cover reduces the effective precipitation during the growing season, since the interception loss can be a significant proportion (> 25%) of seasonal precipitation. Brush management (chemical or prescribed burn) should have minimal impact on sagebrush hydrology if other factors remain undisturbed (coppice characteristics remain intact, with little impact on litter cover), and will invigorate native bunchgrasses if managed properly.

State 1, Phase 1.3.
Fire can reduce infiltration, subsurface water recharge and increase runoff and erosion causing reduced site productivity and contributing to water quality impacts in the short term. Runoff can be generated more quickly and in greater volume after fire, leading to erosion and flooding concerns. Fire reduces random roughness and significantly reduces plant cover, litter biomass, and organic matter in the soil surface. The effects of fire on the risk of runoff and erosion will be significant on steeper sites until ground and canopy cover recover. Amount of runoff and erosion will depend on the weather pattern during the recovery period. After fire, water repellency often occurs on the soil surface, with burned coppices being most impacted. Mosaic burn patterns on a pre-fire reference site will somewhat mitigate erosion and runoff effects. Repellency is typically gone after two seasons following fire, and hydrologic function improves as vegetation cover increases. Runoff and erosion on severely burned steep sagebrush landscapes may require more than 3 years to return to background levels. Recovered sites with bluebunch wheatgrass dominating the understory have good hydrologic function. Gradual increases in sagebrush and bitterbrush, along with fine fuels management, will reduce fire frequency over time.

State 2
Litter cover can be reduced by 50% or more, and bare ground can increase significantly immediately following fire. Repeated fires significantly reduce site productivity. Dominance of annual grass and forbs is typical, and is associated with unstable hydrologic conditions. Due to diffuse basal characteristics, annual grasses do not have the capacity to catch and hold sediment like bunchgrass clumps. Heavy stands of annual grasses may contribute to increased infiltration in spring and early summer, but will not have sufficient cover during other times to protect the site. These sites may demonstrate significant variability in infiltration and runoff due to seasonal changes in cover. Snow accumulation may be reduced since there are insufficient shrubs to prevent drifting, and earlier melt-off is probable without shrub cover. Likewise, there is no shrub cover to mitigate the impact of rainfall on soil, which leads to increased soil detachment and availability for transport during high intensity events. Fire risk can be high, especially when conditions are dry. More frequent fires result in increased bare ground conditions which are highly susceptible to water and wind erosion. Repeated cycles of annual grass regeneration and repeated fire can result in severe depletion of the surface soil horizon and organic matter. Reductions in organic matter lead to reduced aggregate stability, reducing infiltration and plant available water, and increasing the risks of runoff and soil loss. Reduced cover and reduced random roughness due to repeated burns provide interconnected flow paths for runoff and associated erosion. Sediment yields increase as rill erosion processes become dominant, even on lower slopes. With improper grazing management, trail areas become compacted, leading to further rilling and gully creation.

Recreational uses

This site has value for hunting, hiking and horseback riding. There is many opportunities for photography of blooming flowers in the spring and early summer.

Wood products

None

Other products

None

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping and other inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. Those involved in developing this site description include:
Dave Franzen, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC
Jacy Gibbs, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC
Jim Cornwell, Range Management Specialist, IASCD
Brendan Brazee, State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Idaho
Lee Brooks, Range Management Specialist, IASCD

References

• . 2004. Restoring Western Ranges and Wildlands. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-136 Vols 1-3. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.

Other references

Hironaka, M., M.A. Fosberg, A. H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush- Grass Habitat Types of Southern Idaho. University of Idaho. Moscow, Idaho. Bulletin Number 35

USDA, NRCS.2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov.). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA
USDA, Forest Service, Fire Effects Information Database. 2004. www.fs.fed.us/database/feis

USDI Bureau of Land Management, US Geological Survey; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agricultural Research Service; Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health. Technical Reference 1734-6; version 4-2005.

Contributors

Dave Franzen And Jacy Gibbs
DLF

Approval

Kirt Walstad, 12/13/2023