Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations
This rangeland ecological site provides habitat for select native wildlife species that can tolerate cold sites, high in elevation, with a sparse plant community. Large herbivore use of the reference plant community is dominated by mule deer, elk, and pronghorn antelope. The site can provide critical winter habitat for mule deer and antelope. The the site provides important seasonal habitat for resident and migratory animals including western toad, sagebrush lizard, shrews, bats, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, mice, coyote, red fox, badger, sage-grouse, Ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, horned lark, and western meadowlark. Sage-grouse and Idaho pocket gopher are area sensitive species that may be present on this site. In isolated areas encroachment of noxious and invasive plant species (cheatgrass, medusahead and rush skeletonweed) can replace native plant species which provide critical feed, brood-rearing, and nesting cover for a variety of native wildlife. Water is limited, being provided only by seasonal runoff, artificial water catchments, and spring sites.
State 1 Phase 1.1 – Low Sagebrush/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Indian Ricegrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail Plant Community (HCPC): 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, and western toad. 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. Birds that may be resident or migratory include mountain bluebird, lazuli bunting, vesper sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, and lesser goldfinch. Nesting sites, brood-rearing habitat, winter cover, and winter food for sage grouse are provided by this diverse plant community. Low sagebrush is a preferred winter food for sage-grouse. The plant community provides spring, fall, and winter forage needs for large mammals including mule deer, elk, and antelope. Mule deer and antelope have a high preference for low sagebrush. The south facing slopes provide winter habitat for mule deer and antelope. A diverse small mammal population may include Idaho pocket gopher, golden-mantled ground squirrels, and chipmunks.
State 1 Phase 1.2 – Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail Plant Community: This phase has developed due to fire. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little or no sagebrush provides less vertical structure for animals. Insect diversity would be reduced with the loss of sagebrush but a native forb plant community similar to State 1 Phase 1.1 would still support select pollinators. Encroachment of rabbitbrush would add fall pollinator habitat to the site over time. Until rabbitbrush is established diversity and populations of reptiles would be limited or excluded. The dominance of herbaceous vegetation with no sagebrush canopy cover would eliminate use of this area for nesting, winter cover, and winter food by sage-grouse. This plant community provides limited brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse if site is adjacent to sagebrush cover. The dominant herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark, western meadowlark, vesper sparrow, and grasshopper sparrow). Winter habitat for antelope and mule deer would be reduced or eliminated with the loss of low sagebrush. Small mammal diversity and populations would be reduced due to the loss of cover and increase in hunting success by predators.
State 1 Phase 1.3- Low Sagebrush/ Sandberg Bluegrass 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. A reduced herbaceous understory results in lower diversity and numbers of insects. The reptile community will be similar to State 1 Phase 1.1 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 sagebrush increases, habitat cover for Brewer’s sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage sparrow may increase. Quality of nesting and brood-rearing for sage-grouse would decline with the loss of vigor and amounts of deep-rooted perennial bunch grasses. Winter cover and winter food for sage-grouse would still be provided. The plant community provides important winter habitat for mule deer and antelope. A diverse small mammal population may include Idaho pocket gopher, golden-mantled ground squirrels, and chipmunks.
State 1 Phase 1.4- Utah Juniper/ Sandberg Bluegrass Plant Community: This site has developed due to improper grazing management and no fire. The loss of native forbs and understory vegetation will reduce insect diversity on the site. Reptile species will be similar to the State 1 Phase 1.1 community, but the quality of the habitat is reduced resulting in lower populations. The site will not provide suitable habitat 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.
State 2 - Sandberg Bluegrass/ Cheatgrass / Medusahead/ Annuals Plant Community:
This plant community is the result of continued improper grazing management and fire. The reduced forb and shrub components in the plant community would support a very limited population of pollinators. Most reptilian species identified in State 1 Phase 1.1 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. Hunting success by raptors may increase. Mule deer and antelope 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. Winter habitat for mule deer and antelope would not be available. Small mammal populations and diversity would be reduced due to poor quality food and cover, and an increase in hunting success by predators.
State 3 – Utah Juniper/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Annuals: This site has developed due to improper grazing management and no fire. The loss of native forbs and 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 the habitat requirements of 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 adapted to lilvestock grazing in the spring, fall, and winter. 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 in this site are in hydrologic group B. They have moderately low runoff potential.
Recreational uses
Antelope and sagegrouse hunting are the major recreation uses of this site.
