Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations.
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations
This rangeland ecological site provides habitat for select native wildlife species who can tolerate cold sites high in elevation with a sparse plant community. The plant community exhibits a diverse mixture of forbs throughout the short growing season offering excellent habitat for invertebrates. Mule deer, antelope, 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, ground squirrels, mice, coyote, red fox, badger, sage-grouse, Ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, horned lark, and western meadowlark. Sage-grouse, Merriam’s shrew, and Idaho pocket gopher are area sensitive species in this plant community. Encroachment of noxious and invasive plant species (cheatgrass) 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 –Black Sagebrush/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Salmon Wildrye/ Sandberg Bluegrass 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, 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. Sage-grouse may utilize this plant community for nesting, winter food, and cover. The plant community provides important forage for large mammals including mule deer, antelope, and elk in the spring, winter, and fall. A small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, Wyoming ground squirrel, Merriam’s shrew, Idaho pocket gopher, and yellow-bellied marmots utilize this community.
State 1 Phase 1.2 –Sandberg Bluegrass/ Forbs Plant Community: This plant community is the result of fire. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation would provide less vertical structure for animals. Patches of root sprouting shrubs (rabbitbrushes) may be present and provide limited vertical structure for wildlife. Insect diversity would be reduced due to reduced shrub cover but a native forb plant community would still support select pollinators. Rabbitbrush may provide fall pollinator habitat in the future. 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 the use of amphibians on these sites. Winter cover and winter forage use by sage-grouse is eliminated. The dominance of herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark and western meadowlark). Large mammal (mule deer, elk, and antelope) use for forage would be limited to herbaceous vegetation in the spring and fall.
State 1 Phase 1.3- Black Sagebrush/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management and no fire. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. 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 these resident reptiles. Amphibian habitat would be tied to permanent spring sites in the area. Development of spring sites that collect all available water would exclude the use of amphibians on these sites. Fewer prey species and sparse understory cover results in limited food, brood-rearing, and nesting habitat for avians. Winter cover and winter food for sage-grouse is available. Reduced understory vegetation would lower spring and fall forage value for deer, antelope, and elk. Winter browse for deer and antelope would still be available. A small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, Merriam’s shrew, Idaho pocket gopher, and yellow-bellied marmots would utilize this community.
State 2 – Sandberg Bluegrass/ Cheatgrass / Annuals Plant Community:
This plant community is the result of continued improper grazing management and frequent fire. Invasive herbaceous plants and patches of root sprouting shrubs like rabbitbrushes can be present. 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. 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.
Grazing Interpretations.
This site is best adapted for livestock grazing in the spring, early summer and fall. Natural water supplies are short or absent, and livestock water may have to be piped, hauled or otherwise made available.
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 on this site are in hydrologic group B. They have moderately low runoff potential.
Recreational uses
Antelope hunting is the major recreational use of this site. There are limited opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and photography.
