Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations
This rangeland ecological site provides a diverse plant community for select native wildlife species. Mule deer and pronghorn antelope are the large herbivores using the site. The site provides seasonal habitat for resident and migratory animals including sagebrush lizard, shrews, ground squirrels, mice, coyote, red fox, badger, Ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, horned lark, and western meadowlark. Encroachment of noxious and invasive plant species (cheatgrass, kochia and Russian thistle) in isolated areas 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 runoff, artificial water catchments, and springs.
State 1 Phase 1.1 – Shadscale Saltbush/ Indian Ricegrass/ Needle and Thread/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail Reference Plant Community (RPC) This plant community provides a diversity of grassesand forbs used throughout the growing season by native insect communities that assist in pollination. The reptile community is represented by sagebrush lizard, leopard lizard, and short horned lizard. The plant community provides forage throughout the year for mule deer and pronghorn. Bud sagebrush provides good spring forage, and shadscale saltbush provides good spring and winter forage for deer and pronghorn. Bud sagebrush and shadscale are utilized extensively by rodents, rabbits, birds, and pronghorn. Small mammal populations including deer mice, jackrabbits, and Great Basin kangaroo rats can be high and provide an excellent prey base for raptors.
State 1 Phase 1.2 – Bottlebrush Squirreltail/ Shadscale Saltbush Plant Community: This state has developed due to improper grazing management and lack of fire. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation would provide less vertical structure for animals. Patches of shadscale and root sprouting shrubs (Gardner saltbush) may provide limited vertical structure for wildlife over time. Insect diversity would be reduced with the reduction of shadscale, winterfat, and bud sagebrush. Native forbs are still present and support select pollinators. Reptiles including short horned lizard and sagebrush lizard would be limited or excluded on sites with low brush cover. The herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark and western meadowlark). The reduced amounts of shadscale, winterfat, and bud sagebrush would reduce the quality of spring and winter forage for mule deer and pronghorn. The populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species. Predator (coyote, fox, and raptors) hunting success may increase due to the reduction of cover for small mammals.
State 1 Phase 1.3- Indian Ricegrass/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail Plant Community: This plant community is the result of fire. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation would provide little vertical structure for animals. Patches of root sprouting shrubs (Gardner saltbush) may begin to provide limited vertical structure for wildlife over time. Insect diversity would be reduced with the reduction of shadscale, winterfat, and bud sagebrush. Native forbs are still present and would support select pollinators. Reptiles including short horned lizard and sagebrush lizard would be limited or excluded on sites with low brush cover. The herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark and western meadowlark). The loss of shadscale, bud sagebrush, and winterfat would prevent the use of the site for winter habitat for mule deer and pronghorn. The populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species. Hunting success by predators may increase due to the reduction of cover for small mammals.
State 2 - Cheatgrass / Annual Plant Community:
This state has developed due to frequent fires and/or continued improper grazing management. The reduced forb and shrub components in the plant community would support a very limited population of pollinators. Most reptilian species are not supported with food, water, or cover. 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. Predator hunting success may increase due to poor cover for small mammals and grassland bird 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. The populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species.
Grazing Interpretations
This site is best adapted for livestock grazing in the spring, fall and early 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.
Recreational uses
Antelope hunting is the major recreational use of this site with sage grouse hunting and sight-seeing being significant but of lesser importance. The site is mostly open space with smooth terrain, varied slopes and low growing vegetation providing unobstructed views of adjacent mountains.
