Physiographic features

This site occurs on nearly level areas between outcrops of lava flows or pressure ridges which are highly fractured and have vegetation growing where soil material has accumulated. Slopes range from 0-30 percent. It occurs on all aspects and elevations range from 4800-5600 ft (1450-1700 meters).

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

The Upper Snake River Plain, MLRA 11B, is part of the Northwestern Wheat and range Region. It has a mean elevation of 4841 feet above sea level, and varies from 4177 to 4841 feet. In general, it is a geologically young, level to gently sloping lava plateau. In places larger streams have cut deep, steep-walled canyons. The average annual precipitation, based on 10 long term climate stations located throughout the MLRA, is 10.88 inches. The averaged low is 8.74 inches and the maximum average is 12.69. Monthly precipitation usually peaks in May, then drop off rapidly to reach its low in July and August. The climate station at Aberdeen Experiment Station (1000010) has records of zero precipitation in 11 months of the year, and as low as 0.03 inches in December, the lone non-zero month.
Temperatures can be extremely variable across the year. Highs of up to 104° and lows down to -42° Fahrenheit have been recorded. The average annual temperature from ten climate stations is 44.75° F. The frost-free period ranges from 91 to 115 days. The freeze-free period can last from 123 to 146 days.
Both morning and afternoon average relative humidity values reach their low in August, and are far below the national average. Wind speed peaks in the Spring, and is generally somewhat above the national average. 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. The average total snowfall is approximately 29 inches.

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 to basalt bedrock, well drained, with moderate permeability above the bedrock. Runoff is low to moderate. The erosion hazard is slight to high by water and moderate to high by wind. The available water holding capacity (AWC) is very low to low. These soils are usually 5 to 10 inches deep to fractured basalt bedrock. The surface texture is silt loam with surface stones. Usually, the subsoil is weakly developed with clay ranging from approximately 15 to 22 percent. These soils are characterized by limited AWC, a xeric soil moisture regime, and a frigid soil temperature regime.

Soil Series Correlated to this Ecological Site

Pingree

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Wildlife Interpretations.

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

The plant production is low in this ecological site due to shallow soils but provides diverse habitat for many native wildlife species. Large herbivore use of this ecological site is dominated by mule deer and pronghorn antelope. Important seasonal habitat is provided for resident and migratory animals including western toad, sagebrush lizard, western rattlesnake, shrews, 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 species become rare including sage-grouse, brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, and sage thrasher. 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 provide unique cave habitats for several sensitive animal species, including the Blind Cave Leiodid Beetle, Cave Obligate Mite, Bats, and the Cave Obligate Harvestman.


State 1 Phase 1.1 - Wyoming Big Sagebrush/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail 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. 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 by this diverse plant community. The plant community supports seasonal (spring through early winter) needs of large mammals (mule deer and antelope) with Wyoming big sagebrush providing food and cover. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks, and yellow-bellied marmots would utilize this plant community.

State 1 Phase 1.2 - Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Gray Horsebrush/ Dwarf Green Horsebrush 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 and limits use by animals dependent on shrub cover. Insect diversity would be reduced but a diverse native forb plant community would still support select pollinators. Horsebrush would provide early summer pollinator habitat. Assuming horsebrush is not a significant part of the plant community, 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 prevent 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 if sagebrush cover is adjacent to the site. The site would not provide suitable winter habitat for sage-grouse. The herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark and western meadowlark). Large mammal (mule deer and antelope) use for foraging would be seasonal (spring through fall) but the site would offer little thermal cover and young of year cover. Small mammal diversity would be reduced. This plant community could exhibit an increase in three-tip sagebrush. When the three-tip cover increases a limited amount of cover would be provided for reptiles, birds, and large mammals listed above.

State 1 Phase 1.3 - Wyoming Big Sagebrush/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. An increase in threetip sagebrush may occur leading to further increase in sagebrush canopy cover. The reduced herbaceous understory results in lower diversity of insects. Diversity of reptiles may decline due to a less diverse prey base. Shrub-steppe obligate avian species 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 ground nesting bird species. Habitat (lek sites, nesting areas, winter cover and food) for sage-grouse is limited due to a less diverse herbaceous plant community. A decrease in herbaceous understory and increase in three-tip sagebrush reduces the forage value of the plant community for mule deer and antelope. Thermal and young of year cover would be provided for mule deer and antelope. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks, and yellow-bellied marmots would utilize this plant community.



State 2 - Sandberg Bluegrass/ Cheatgrass and Annual Plant Community: The community has developed due to continued improper grazing management and fire. The loss of the native shrub and herbaceous plant community would not support a diverse insect community. Most native 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 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 deer and antelope would not regularly utilize these areas due to poor food and cover conditions. The populations of small mammals would be dominated by grassland species like the Columbian ground squirrel. This plant community could exhibit an increase in gray horsebrush and three-tip sagebrush. When the shrub cover increases a limited amount of cover would be provided for reptiles, birds, and large mammals identified above.

State 3 - Range Seeding Plant Community: The seeding mixture (native or non-native) determines the animal species that utilize this site. A diverse seed mixture of grasses and forbs would provide similar habitat conditions as in the plant community described in State 1 phase 1.2. A diverse seed mixture of grasses, forbs and shrubs would provide similar habitat conditions as described in State 1 phase 1.1 or 1.3. A monoculture of non-native grass species would not support diverse populations of insects, reptiles, avians, mammals, or sagebrush obligate species. Grassland animal species including western meadowlark, horned lark, savannah sparrow, deer mouse, kangaroo rat, and elk would utilize this site for nesting and/or foraging. Birds of prey including hawks and falcons may range throughout this community looking for prey species.

Grazing Interpretations.

This site is best suited for livestock grazing in spring, summer, and early fall. Total average annual production for livestock use is low. Natural water supplies are limited.
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

Soils on this site are in hydrologic group C and D .

Recreational uses

The site offers minimal recreation or aesthetic values.

Wood products

None

Other products

None

Other information

Field Offices

Burley, ID
Shoshone
American Falls, ID
Pocatello, ID
Blackfoot, ID
Arco, ID
Rexburg, ID
St. Anthony, ID
Rigby, ID
Fort Hall, ID
Idaho Falls, 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

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, 4/06/2020