Physiographic features

This site occurs on mountain slopes with southerly exposures. Slopes vary from 10-60 percent but are mostly 30-60 percent. Elevation ranges from 3000-5000 feet (900-1500 m).

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

The elevation of MLRA 10 ranges from 1791 feet to 9236 feet, with a mean of 4602 feet. Overall, elevation increases from west to east. However, average annual precipitation decreases from west to east, ranging from 16.59 inches to 22.17 inches, with a mean of 19.56 inches, based on 7 long term climate stations throughout the MLRA. In general, precipitation peaks in December and January, with a steady decline to a low in July and August, then a steep increase during the autumn months. Most of the winter precipitation falls as snow, and maximum annual snowfalls of up to 82 inches have been recorded.
There is considerable variation in temperature throughout the year. Temperatures as low as -52° Fahrenheit and as high as 117° Fahrenheit are on record. Some areas have recorded the occurrence of more than 50 days with temperatures above 90° Fahrenheit. The average maximum annual temperature is 63 degrees F, while the average minimum temperature is 36.2 degrees F.The frost-free period can range from 128 to 152 days, while the freeze-free period can be from 164 to 189 days.
Both the average morning and average afternoon relative humidity values are lowest in July and August, and are below the national average. The number of clear, sunny days peaks during this same period, and is higher then the national average. During the Spring and Summer months high-intensity convective thunderstorms are not unusual.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Influencing water features

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

Soil features

The soils supporting this site are shallow over bedrock. The soils are well drained, with slow to moderate permeability above bedrock. Runoff is high to very high. The erosion hazard is moderate to very severe by water. The available water capacity is very low to moderate. The surface texture is stony loam with about 30 percent stones on the surface. These soils are characterized by a xeric soil moisture regime. Soil temperature regime is mesic.

Soil Series Correlated to this Ecological Site


Bluespin
Mehlhorn
Meland

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. Habitat is provided for resident and migratory animals including western toad, sagebrush lizard, western rattlesnake, shrews, bats, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, mice, coyote, red fox, badger, sage-grouse, Ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, horned lark and western meadowlark. The south facing slopes can provide winter food habitat for mule deer and elk. The diverse shrub cover provides suitable habitat for brewer’s sparrow and sage thrasher. In some areas encroachment of noxious and invasive plant species (cheatgrass, Medusahead) 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 - Foothills Big Sagebrush/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ 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. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by leopard lizard, short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard, western skink, western rattlesnake, 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 water would preclude the use of these sites by amphibians. The plant community provides habitat for prey species and cover for these resident reptiles and amphibians. Shrub-steppe obligate avian species include the Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage-grouse. Critical habitat (lek sites, nesting areas, winter cover and food) for sage-grouse is provided throughout this ecological site. The plant community supports the needs of large mammals (mule deer and elk) providing food and cover on a seasonal basis. Antelope bitterbrush is preferred browse for mule deer, available during the winter season on these sites. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks, yellow-bellied marmots and pikas utilize this plant community. The deer mouse is the primary vector for planting bitterbrush seed.

State 1 Phase 1.2 – Foothills Big Sagebrush/Sandberg Bluegrass/ Plant Community: This state has developed due to the lack of fire and improper grazing management. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. Grasses, forbs and shrubs, are used by native insects that assist in pollination but the reduced understory results in lower diversity and numbers of insects. The reptile community is represented by leopard lizard, short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard, western skink and western rattlesnake. Diversity and populations of the reptile community would decline with a reduced understory and associated loss of invertebrate habitat. Spring developments that capture all available water would preclude the use of these sites by amphibians. Key shrub-steppe obligate avians include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage-grouse. Reduced herbaceous understory is a key factor in limiting the use of this plant community by avian species. Critical habitat (lek sites, nesting areas, winter cover and food) for sage grouse is limited due to a less diverse herbaceous plant community. The plant community supports limited needs of large mammals (mule deer and elk) providing winter food and cover. The increase in big sagebrush reduces the density of antelope bitterbrush and the value of winter forage habitat. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks, deer mouse and yellow-bellied marmots would utilize the habitat. The deer mouse is the primary vector for planting bitterbrush seed.

State 1 Phase 1.3 - Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass Plant Community: This plant community is the result of fire. This plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little to no sagebrush or antelope bitterbrush reduces vertical structure for wildlife. Insect diversity would be reduced. A diverse native forb plant community would still support select pollinators. An increase in rabbitbrush would provide fall pollinator habitat. Reptile use including short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard and western rattlesnakes would be limited due to the absence of sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush. The dominance of herbaceous vegetation with no sagebrush or antelope bitterbrush canopy would eliminate use of these areas for nesting by Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage-grouse. This plant community provides limited brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse when sagebrush cover is adjacent to the site. Sage-grouse would not use the area for winter habitat. The dominant herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark and western meadowlark). Mule deer and elk forage use would be seasonal (early spring through fall) but the site would offer little thermal cover and young of year cover. The populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species like the Columbian ground squirrel.

State 2 –Sandberg Bluegrass/ Cheatgrass/ Medusahead Rye Plant Community: This plant community is the result of continued improper grazing management or frequent fire. Vertical structure is replaced by rabbitbrushes and horsebrush. Insect diversity and populations would be reduced with the loss of forbs and change in dominance of shrub species. Limited habitat is provided for native reptile species. Vertical structure is present but the reduced insect community will reduce the quality of reptile habitat. This plant community does not support the habitat requirements for sage-grouse and provides limited habitat for sage thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow and sage sparrow. 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. Small mammal populations and diversity would be reduced due to less favorable understory vegetation and reduced insect populations.




Grazing Interpretations.

This site is best suited for grazing by domestic livestock from late spring through fall.
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.

Hydrological functions

The majority of the soils on this site are in hydrologic group B. When hydrologic conditions of the vegetative cover are good, natural erosion hazard is slight to moderate.

Recreational uses

This site has fair values for aesthetic and recreation. Spring and early summer blooming forbs and shrubs offer color contrast. Hunting for mule deer, upland game birds and small game is available.

Wood products

None

Other products

None

Other information

Field Offices

Weiser, ID
Emmett, ID
Mountain Home, ID
Meridian, ID
Cascade, ID

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
Leah Juarros, Resource Soil Scientist, NRCS, Idaho
Lee Brooks, Range Management Specialist, IASCD

Type locality

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

Approval

Kendra Moseley, 9/23/2020