Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations.
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations
This rangeland ecological site provides diverse habitat for many native wildlife species. Large herbivore use of this ecological site is dominated by mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and elk. Important seasonal 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. Changes in the plant community composition can reduce the number and diversity of wildlife species in the area. With reduced shrub cover, shrub obligate avian and mammal species become rare including sage-grouse, brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and pygmy rabbits. Area sensitive species include pygmy rabbit, burrowing owl, great basin ground squirrel, and Townsend pocket gopher. Encroachment of noxious and invasive plant species (cheatgrass) 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. This rangeland ecological site is commonly associated with pre-historic lava flows which may provide unique cave habitats for several sensitive animal species, including the Blind Cave Leiodid Beetle, Cave Obligate Mite, Bats and Cave Obligate Harvestman.
State 1 Phase 1.1 - Basin Big Sagebrush/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass Reference Plant Community (RPC): The RPC provides a diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs, used by native insect communities who assist in the pollination process for the plant community. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by leopard lizard, short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard, western skink, western rattlesnake, western toad and northern leopard frog. Amphibians are associated with springs and isolated water bodies adjacent to this plant community. Shrub-steppe obligate avian species include the Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage-grouse. Brood-rearing habitat for sage grouse may be provided by this plant community. Open areas with deeper soils may support burrowing owls. The plant community provides seasonal (winter and spring) forage and cover needs for mule deer, antelope, and elk. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks, yellow-bellied marmots, and pygmy rabbits would utilize the site.
State 1 Phase 1.2 - Basin Big Sagebrush/ Sandberg Bluegrass Plant Community: This phase has developed due to improper grazing management and a lack of fire. 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 herbaceous understory results in lower diversity and numbers of insects. You can expect a decrease in populations and diversity of reptiles due to the reduced diversity of insects and canopy cover of herbaceous vegetation. Reduced herbaceous understory is a key factor in limiting the use of this plant community by avian species. Key shrub-steppe obligate avian species include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage-grouse. Brood-rearing habitat for sage grouse is limited due to the reduced diversity and canopy cover of herbaceous vegetation. The plant community supports seasonal needs (food and cover) for mule deer, antelope, and elk but for a shorter period of time in the spring due to a degraded herbaceous understory. The quality of food and cover habitat for small mammals would decline with the decline of prey species and herbaceous cover.
State 1 Phase 1.3 - Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail Plant Community: This plant community is the result of frequent fire. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little or no sagebrush provides less vertical structure, limiting use by shrub obligate animals. Insect diversity would be reduced but 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 or excluded due to the absence of sagebrush. The dominance of herbaceous vegetation with little sagebrush canopy cover would severely reduce or eliminate use of these areas for nesting by Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow and sage thrasher. This plant community provides brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse when adjacent to sagebrush cover. The herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark and western meadowlark). The open areas may provide good habitat for burrowing owls. Mule deer, antelope, and elk forage use would be seasonal (spring through fall) and the site would offer little thermal cover and young of year cover. Small mammal diversity and numbers would be reduced due to a lack of cover from predators. The plant community would not provide suitable habitat for pygmy rabbits.
State 2 - Sandberg Bluegrass/ Cheatgrass and Annual Plant Community: This state has developed due to frequent fires and/or improper grazing management. This plant community would not support a diverse insect community. The reduced forb component in the plant community would support a very limited population of pollinators. Most reptilian species would not be supported with food, water or cover. The plant community would not provide suitable habitat for sage thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow or sage sparrow. The lack of sagebrush improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark and western meadowlark). 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) would be more palatable. At other times of the year large mammals would not regularly utilize these areas due to its 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:
There are moderate to severe limitations to grazing due to surface stones. The site is suited for grazing in the spring, early summer, and fall by livestock. The distance to water may be a problem in some areas and water developments may be necessary. Water hauling is also an option.
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 soils in this site are in hydrologic group B. The have moderately low runoff potential.
Recreational uses
This site has limited recreational opportunities. Surface stones limit opportunities for hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle. Early spring flowers offer some opportunities for photography.
