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. Mule deer and elk are the large herbivores using the site. The site 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 during the growing season for nesting and brood-rearing habitat. Sage-grouse an area sensitive species, may utilize the sagebrush plant community as winter habitat. This rangeland ecological site is commonly associated with pre-historic lava flows which provide unique cave habitats for several sensitive animal species, including the Blind Cave Leiodid Beetle, Cave Obligate Mite, Bats and Cave Obligate Harvestman. A change in the quality of the historic plant community over time can reduce the numbers and diversity of native wildlife species on this ecological site. Encroachment of invasive plant species (cheatgrass and bulbous bluegrass) in isolated areas can replace native plant species which provide critical feed, brood-rearing and nesting cover for a variety of native wildlife. Water features are sparse provided by seasonal streams, artificial water catchments and springs.
State 1 Phase 1.1 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Antelope Bitterbrush Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Reference Plant Community (RPC) This plant community provides a diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs, used throughout the growing season by native insect communities that assist in pollination. 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. Development of spring sites that collect all available water would exclude amphibian use on these sites. 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 for nesting, winter and brood rearing habitat. The plant community provides forage and cover 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 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/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management and a lack of fire. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. Antelope bitterbrush has decreased. The reduced herbaceous understory results in reduced diversity and numbers of insects. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by leopard lizard, short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard, western skink and western toad. The reduction of grasses and forbs in the plant community would reduce the available prey species and cover for the resident reptile species. Amphibian habitat would be tied to permanent spring sites in the area. Development of spring sites that collect all available water would exclude amphibian use on these sites. This plant community supports a less diverse variety of migratory and resident avian species. Fewer prey species and sparse understory cover results in less available food, brood-rearing and nesting habitat for birds. Key shrub-steppe avian obligates include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage-grouse. Winter cover and winter food for sage-grouse is available. Reduced understory vegetation and increased sagebrush density reduces forage value 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/ Canby Bluegrass Plant Community: This plant community is the result of wildfire. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little to no sagebrush or antelope bitterbrush would provide less vertical structure for animals. Patches of root sprouting shrubs (rabbitbrush) may be present to provide limited vertical structure for wildlife. Insect diversity would be reduced but a diverse native forb community, and increase in rabbitbrush would still support select pollinators throughout the growing season. 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 collect all available water would exclude amphibian use on these sites. The dominance of herbaceous vegetation with little sagebrush canopy cover would eliminate 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 if suitable sagebrush cover is close by. Winter cover and winter food for sage-grouse is eliminated. The herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland bird species (horned lark and western meadowlark). Large mammal (mule deer and elk) use would be seasonal and offer little thermal cover and young of year cover with the loss of shrub cover. The diversity and populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species like the Columbian ground squirrel.
State 1 Phase 1.4 – Antelope Bitterbrush/ Mountain Big Sagebrush Plant Community: This state has developed due to fire frequency being much longer than normal and no grazing. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. Antelope bitterbrush has increased. The reduced herbaceous understory results in reduced diversity and numbers of insects. The reptile and amphibian community is similar to Phase 1.2. The reduction of grasses and forbs in the plant community would reduce the available prey species and cover for the resident reptile species. Amphibian habitat would be tied to permanent spring sites in the area. Development of spring sites that collect all available water would exclude amphibian use on these sites. Fewer prey species and sparse understory cover results in less available food, brood-rearing and nesting habitat for birds. Key shrub-steppe avian obligates include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage-grouse. Winter cover and winter food for sage-grouse is available. Reduced understory vegetation and increased sagebrush density reduces forage value 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. The deer mouse is beneficial to this site as it is the principal vector for planting bitterbrush seed.
State 2 –Canby Bluegrass/ Cheatgrass / Annuals Plant Community:
This plant community is the result of continued improper grazing management and frequent fire. The reduced forb and shrub component in the plant community would support a very limited population of pollinators. Most reptilian species identified in other phases 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 Canby bluegrass and 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 populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species like the Columbian ground squirrel. Bats may be impacted by the loss of the native plant species and reduced populations and diversity of insects.
Grazing Interpretations.
This site is suited for livestock grazing in late spring and fall months. Hoof action from livestock grazing can cause some soil displacement due to the unstable soil surface with cinder gravels. Prescribed grazing must take this into account.
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. Calculations used to determine estimated initial stocking rate will be based on forage preference ratings.
Recreational uses
This site has some recreation value and natural beauty due to spring blooming forbs and shrubs. The site can be used for hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and cross country skiing in winters when there is adequate snow.
Other information
Field Offices
Mountain Home, ID
Gooding, ID
Fairfield, ID
Shoshone, ID
Rupert, ID
Arco, ID
