Physiographic features

This site occurs on basalt plains in areas with sand dunes. Associated within the site are areas of rock outcrop and pockets of deep soils. Slopes range from 1 to 6 percent on all aspects. Elevations range from 4900 to 5500 feet (1500 to 1675 meters).

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

MLRA 13, the Eastern Idaho Plateaus, is part of the Northwestern Wheat and Range Region. Its elevation ranges from 4209 to 9331 feet above sea level, with an average elevation of 5787 feet. The average annual precipitation is 16.41 inches, with a range of 13.56 to 18.75 inches, based on ten long term climate stations located throughout the MLRA. A spike in precipitation amount often occurs in late spring, usually in May.
Temperatures vary widely in the MLRA throughout the year. A maximum temperature of 103° Fahrenheit occurred at the McCammon climate station (# 105716; elevation 4770 feet), while a minimum of -41° was recorded at the Kilgore station (#104908). At all stations temperatures throughout the year are usually below the national average. Kilgore also recorded the greatest annual snowfall amount of 217 inches. The average temperature is 41.4 degrees F. with an average high of 55.3 degrees and an average low of 27.5 degrees.
The frost-free period ranges from 64 to 90 days, while the freeze-free period can be 98 to 123 days.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Influencing water features

This site is not influenced by adjacent wetlands, streams, or run on.

Soil features

This site contains well to excessively drained soils that are very shallow to shallow to bedrock. They are on basalt plains that formed from sandy eolian deposits. Textures are dominantly sand and very cobbly fine sandy loam. Coarse fragments are present and can exceed 35 percent by volume in the soil profile. Permeability is moderately rapid to very rapid and a very low to low runoff. The available water holding capacity is very low, however moisture does penetrate the fractures in the bedrock. . The soils are characterized by a xeric soil moisture regime and a frigid soil temperature regime.

Soil Series Correlated to this Ecological Site


Nayrib
Sandcreek

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Wildlife Interpretations.

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

This rangeland ecological site provides diverse habitat for many native wildlife species. Forb and grass production is low but in combination with a diverse shrub community, provides excellent cover and browse for insects, reptiles, birds, and small to large mammals. Mule deer, elk, and sometimes pronghorn antelope may utilize the site at different times of the year. The rangeland provides seasonal habitat for resident and migratory animals including western toad, shrews, bats, ground squirrels, mice, coyote, red fox, badger, Ferruginous hawk, and prairie falcon. Area sensitive bird species include Brewer’s sparrow, sage thrasher, sage sparrow, sharp-tailed grouse, and sage-grouse. Water features are sparse provided by seasonal runoff, artificial water catchments, and springs.

State 1 Phase 1.1 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Antelope Bitterbrush Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Idaho Fescue/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Prairie Junegrass Reference Plant Community (RPC): This plant community provides a diversity of grasses, forbs, and shrubs used by native insect communities that assist in pollination. A diverse array of forbs is represented throughout the growing season leading to a diverse insect community. Many avian and mammal species utilize this habitat based on the availability of invertebrate prey species. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by common sagebrush lizard, western rattlesnake, Great Basin spadefoot toad, 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. Native shrub-steppe obligate avian species utilizing the habitat include the Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage grouse, and sage thrasher. Sage-grouse habitat (leks, nesting, brood-rearing, and winter) is provided by this plant community. The plant community provides seasonal food and cover for large mammals including mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and elk. Antelope bitterbrush, bluebunch wheatgrass, and Idaho fescue are important forage species for these animals. Some areas (south and west facing slopes) may provide winter food for mule deer and elk. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, jackrabbits, deer mice, and Great Basin pocket mice may utilize this plant community. The deer mouse is beneficial to this site as it is the principal vector for planting bitterbrush seed.

State 1 Phase 1.2- Antelope Bitterbrush/ Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Idaho Fescue/ Sandberg Bluegrass Plant Community: This phase has developed due to fire return intervals being much longer than normal. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush contributes to a declining herbaceous understory. The reptile and amphibian community will be similar to the State 1 Phase 1.1 community. Sagebrush provides nesting, brood-rearing, winter cover, and winter food habitat for sage-grouse but as understory vegetation declines the quality of this habitat is reduced. The plant community supports spring and fall forage for mule deer, elk, and pronghorn. Quality of winter habitat for mule deer, elk, and pronghorn is similar to that in State 1 Phase 1.1. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, jackrabbits, deer mice, and Great Basin pocket mice may utilize this plant community.

State 1 Phase 1.3 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Utah Juniper/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Thickspike Wheatgrass Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management and no fire. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush and juniper contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. A reduced herbaceous understory results in lower diversity and numbers of insects. The reptile and amphibian community will be similar to the State 1 Phase 1.1 community, represented by common sagebrush lizard, western rattlesnake, Great Basin spadefoot toad, western toad, and northern leopard frog. The reduced diversity of insects and understory cover may reduce the quality of food and cover for reptile populations. As juniper increases, habitat 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 spring and fall forage for mule deer, elk, and pronghorn antelope due to the loss of understory vegetation. Juniper can provide winter habitat (cover and food) for mule deer. As juniper encroaches the site will provide additional thermal cover for large mammals. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, jackrabbits, deer mice, and Great Basin pocket mice may utilize this plant community.

State 1 Phase 1.4 – Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail/ Sand Dropseed Plant Community: This plant community is a result of recent wildfire or prescribed burning. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little to no sagebrush or antelope bitterbrush would provide less vertical structure for animals. Patches of root sprouting shrubs (horsebrush and rabbitbrushes) may be present to provide limited vertical structure for wildlife in the future. Insect diversity would be reduced, but a native forb plant community similar to that in State 1 Phase 1.1 would still support select pollinators. The quality of food and cover habitat for reptiles would decline due to the loss of sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush. 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. The dominance of herbaceous vegetation with little sagebrush or antelope bitterbrush canopy cover would limit the use of these areas as nesting habitat by Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage grouse, and sage thrasher. The dominant herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark, savannah sparrow, vesper sparrow, and western meadowlark). Sharp-tailed grouse may prefer this plant community over sites with more sagebrush canopy cover. Mule deer, pronghorn, and elk use would be seasonal (spring, summer, and fall) but the site would offer little thermal or young of year cover due to the loss of shrub cover. The diversity and populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species. Large blocks of this plant community would fragment the reference plant community and reduce the quality of habitat for shrub-steppe obligate animal species.

State 1 Phase 1.5 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Idaho Fescue/ Columbia Needlegrass/ Big Bluegrass Plant Community: This phase has developed due to the absence of fire. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by common sagebrush lizard, western rattlesnake, Great Basin spadefoot toad, western toad, and northern leopard frog. Shrub-steppe obligate avian species include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage-grouse. Quality of habitat (brood-rearing and nesting cover) for sage-grouse is reduced due to a less diverse herbaceous plant community and increase in junipers. Winter habitat (cover and food) for sage-grouse is provided but the quality is reduced or eliminated when junipers become dominant. The reduced vigor of understory vegetation provides a shorter forage season for mule deer, elk, and pronghorn antelope. Young of year cover would be provided for deer and pronghorn antelope. As juniper is established additional thermal cover is provided for mule deer and elk. Small mammal diversity and populations would be similar to those in State 1 Phase 1.1.

State 1 Phase 1.6 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Sandberg Bluegrass Plant Community: This phase has developed due to improper grazing management and a lack of fire. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush and improper grazing results in a reduction of Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by common sagebrush lizard, western rattlesnake, Great Basin spadefoot toad, western toad, and northern leopard frog. Shrub-steppe obligate avian species include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage-grouse. Quality of habitat (brood-rearing and nesting cover) for sage-grouse is reduced due to poor vigor and a less diverse herbaceous plant community. Winter habitat (cover and food) for sage-grouse is provided. Young of year cover would be provided for deer and pronghorn antelope. Small mammal diversity and populations would be similar to those in State 1 Phase 1.1.


State 2 Phase 2.1 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Annuals/ Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management and no fire. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush and improper grazing management results in a reduction of Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass. The reduced diversity of native herbaceous understory plants and increase in invasive plants results in a lower diversity of insects. The reptile and amphibian community is similar to that in Phase 1.6, State 1. The reduced diversity of insects may reduce reptile diversity and populations. Reduced herbaceous understory will lower quality of habitat for bird species. Shrub-steppe obligate avian species include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage-grouse. Quality of habitat (brood-rearing and nesting cover) for sage-grouse is reduced due to poor vigor and a less diverse herbaceous plant community. Winter habitat (cover and food) for sage-grouse is provided. Young of year cover would be provided for deer and pronghorn antelope. Small mammal diversity and populations would be similar to those in Phase 1.1, State 1.

State 2 Phase 2.2 –Sandberg/ Annuals/ Forbs/ Green Rabbitbrush/ Mountain Snowberry Plant Community: This phase has developed due to improper grazing management and frequent fires from Phase 1.4, State 1 or with improper grazing management and fire from Phase 2.1, State 2. The reduced forb and shrub components in the plant community would support a very limited population of pollinators. Habitat for common sagebrush lizard, Great Basin spadefoot toad, and western toad would be limited due to the loss of sagebrush. The loss of sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush would severely reduce the quality of the habitat for sage thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow, sage-grouse, and sage sparrow. Birds of prey including hawks and falcons may range throughout these areas looking for prey species. If managed properly, Kentucky bluegrass will provide excellent forage for elk and deer. The populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species. Predator hunting success would increase due to the reduced quality of cover provided to small mammals. Large blocks of this plant community would fragment the reference plant community and reduce the quality of habitat for shrub-steppe obligate animal species.

State 3 –Utah Juniper/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Annuals Plant Community: This state 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 reduces use by pollinators like butterflies and moths. Habitat for common sagebrush lizard, Great Basin spadefoot toad, and western toad would be limited due to the loss of sagebrush. This plant community does not support the habitat requirements for sage-grouse. Birds using this site as resident or migratory habitat include Juniper titmouse, western bluebird, waxwings, chipping sparrow, 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. As juniper encroaches the site will provide additional thermal cover for large mammals. The plant community provides winter food and cover for mule deer.


Grazing Interpretations.

This site is best suited for grazing by livestock in spring, early summer, and fall.
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 A. They have low runoff potential.

Recreational uses

This site offers minimal recreational or aesthetic values.

Wood products

none.

Other products

none.

Other information

Field Offices

American Falls
Blackfoot
Burley
Driggs
Idaho Falls
Malad
Pocatello
Rexburg
Soda Springs
St. Anthony

Revision Notes: “Previously Approved” Provisional
This Provisional ecological site concept has passed Quality
Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) to ensure that the site
meets the 2014 NESH standards for a Provisional ecological site
description. This is an updated “Previously Approved” ESD that
represents a first-generation tier of documentation that, prior to the
release of the 2014 National Ecological Site Handbook (NESH),
met all requirements as an “Approved” ESD as laid out in the 1997
(rev.1, 2003) National Range and Pasture Handbook (NRPH). The
document fully described the Reference State and Community
Phase in the State-and-Transition model. All other alternative
states are at least described in narrative form. The “Previously
Approved” ESD has been field-tested for a minimum of five years
and is a proven functional document for conservation planning.
The “Previously Approved” ESD does not contain all tabular and
narrative entries as required in the current “Approved” level of
documentation, but it is expected that the “Previously Approved”
ESD will continue refinement toward an “Approved” status.

Site Development and Testing Plan:
Future work, as described in a Project Plan, is necessary to
validate the information in this Provisional Ecological Site
Description. This will include field activities to collect low-,
medium-, and high-intensity sampling, soil correlations, and
analysis of that data. Annual field reviews should be done by soil
scientists and vegetation specialists. The final field review, peer
review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews of the ESD
will be required to produce the final document.

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
Lee Brooks, Range Management Specialist, IASCD
Kristen May, Resource Soil Scientist, NRCS, Idaho

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”.
Petersen, S.L., 2004. A Landscape-Scale Assessment of Plant Communities, Hydrologic Processes, and State-and-Transition Theory in a Western Juniper Dominated Ecosystem. PhD Dissertation. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.

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/feis
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, 9/23/2020