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. Area sensitive species may include burrowing owl, pygmy rabbit, Great Basin ground squirrel, Idaho pocket gopher, and Merriam’s shrew. 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 rabbit. Encroachment of noxious and invasive plant species (cheatgrass) can replace native plant species which provide 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 - Wyoming Big Sagebrush/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass 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, 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 (brood-rearing, nesting areas, winter cover and food) for sage grouse is provided by this diverse plant community. The plant community supports the seasonal needs of large mammals (mule deer and antelope), providing forage and young of year cover. Wyoming big sagebrush is a preferred browse for large mammals. A diverse small mammal population including jackrabbit, deer mouse, Great Basin kangaroo rat, and golden-mantled ground squirrels may utilize this plant community.
State 1 Phase 1.2 - Wyoming Big 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. Grasses, forbs, and shrubs are used by native insects that assist in pollination, but the reduced herbaceous understory results in lower diversity of insects. The reptile community is represented by leopard lizard, short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard, western skink, and western rattlesnake. The reduced diversity of insects may reduce reptile diversity and populations. Reduced herbaceous understory is a key factor in limiting the use of this plant community by avian species. Key obligate shrub-steppe avians include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage-grouse. Critical habitat (brood-rearing and nesting cover) for sage-grouse is limited due to a less diverse herbaceous plant community. The reduced vigor of understory vegetation provides a shorter forage season for mule deer. Wyoming big sagebrush is a preferred browse for wild ungulates. Young of year cover would be provided for deer and antelope. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, jackrabbits, and deer mice may utilize this plant community.
State 1 Phase 1.3 - Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass Squirreltail Plant Community: This plant community is the result of fire. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little or no sagebrush, provides less vertical structure and limits use by shrub obligate animals. Large areas of Phase 1.3 would fragment the reference plant community and would severely reduce the quality of the habitat for shrub obligate animal species. Insect diversity would be reduced due to the loss of brush but a native forb plant community would still support select pollinators. 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 reduce or prevent use of these areas for nesting by Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage-grouse. This plant community provides brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse when sagebrush cover is nearby. The site does not provide suitable winter habitat for sage grouse. The herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark, grasshopper sparrow, vesper sparrow, savannah sparrow, and western meadowlark). Large mammal (mule deer and antelope) use for foraging would be seasonal, but the site would offer little thermal or young of year cover.
State 1 Phase 1.4 - Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Sandberg Bluegrass Plant Community: This plant community is the result of acontinued lack of fire. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush and junipers contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. A reduced herbaceous understory results in lower diversity and numbers of insects. The reptile community will be similar to State 1 Phase 1.1 community represented by leopard lizard, short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard, and western skink. The reduced diversity of insects and understory cover may reduce the quality of food and cover for reptile populations. As juniper increases, habitat cover for Brewer’s sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage sparrow may increase. The remaining sagebrush provides brood-rearing, winter cover, and winter food habitat for sage-grouse, but as juniper encroaches the quality of this habitat is severely reduced or eliminated. The plant community provides limited seasonal habitat for mule deer, elk, and antelope. As juniper encroaches, the site will provide additional thermal cover for large mammals. A small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks, yellow-bellied marmots, and pikas may utilize this site.
State 2 - Sandberg Bluegrass/ Cheatgrass and Annual Plant Community: This plant community is the result of continued improper grazing management and/or frequent fire. Large areas of State 2 would fragment the reference plant community and would severely reduce the quality of habitat for shrub obligate animal species. Ants and grasshoppers will likely dominate the 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 bird species will be 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 large mammals would not regularly utilize these areas due to poor food and cover conditions. Small mammal populations and diversity would be dominated by open grassland species like the Columbian ground squirrel. Hunting success by predators would increase with the loss of cover.
State 3 – Utah Juniper/ Annuals/ Sandberg Bluegrass: This site has developed due to improper grazing management and no fire. The loss of native understory vegetation will reduce insect diversity on the site. The lack of flowering plants will reduce use by pollinators like butterflies and moths. Most reptilian species identified in State 1 Phase 1.1 are not supported with food, water, or cover. This plant community does not support life the habitat requirements for sage-grouse. Birds using this site as resident or migratory habitat include Juniper titmouse, western bluebird, and Virginia’s warbler. The Juniper titmouse relies heavily on juniper seeds for winter food. Hunting success by raptors may decrease due to a heavy overstory of juniper. The plant community supports limited seasonal habitat for mule deer, elk, and antelope in spring and fall. As juniper encroaches, the site will provide additional thermal cover for large mammals.
Grazing Interpretations.
This site is best suited for livestock use in the spring, early summer and fall. Natural water supplies can be short or absent in areas and water may have to be piped, hauled, or otherwise made available. Steep slopes in some areas may limit livestock access.
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 groups B, C, or D depending mostly on slope. When cover is at or near potential, the erosion hazard is slight to moderate depending on slope.
Recreational uses
This site offers limiting values for hunting, hiking and photography.
