Physiographic features

This site is on undulating to steep slopes ranging from 5 to 45 percent on south aspects. Elevations extend from 4500 to 6000 feet (1372-1829 meters). These sites are associated with colluvial mountain slopes and hillslopes.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

In MLRA 25 summers are hot, especially at lower elevations, and winters are cold and snowy. Precipitation is usually lighter at lower elevations throughout the year. At higher elevations precipitation is much greater, and snow accumulates to a considerable depth. The average total precipitation is 14 inches (based on 6 long term climate stations located throughout the MLRA).
The mean annual temperature is 45.9 degrees F. The average high is 59.7 and the average low temperature is 32.1 degrees. The prevailing wind is from the west. Average wind speed is greatest, at about 10 miles per hour, in March.
The frost-free period ranges from 79 to 103 days and the freeze free period ranges from 114 to 140 days.

No climate stations exist nearby site.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Influencing water features

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

Soil features

The soils supporting this site are shallow to very deep, well drained, with moderately slow to moderately rapid permeability. Runoff is medium to very high. The erosion hazard is very high by water. Erosion hazard is severe when vegetative cover is depleted. The available water holding capacity (AWC) is very low to low.
Soils at this site are typically 10 to 50 inches deep to bedrock except for Earcree soil which is 64 inches or more deep. The surface texture is coarse sandy loam or loam with few or no surface stones. The subsoil is usually moderately well developed with clay ranging from approximately 12 to 28 percent. The soil surface is inherently unstable and is subject to trampling damage by hoof and foot traffic. Soil temperature regime is either cryic or frigid.

Soil series correlated to this site are: Bearskin, Earcree and Moonstone

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

The rangeland ecological site provides diverse habitat for many native wildlife species. The plant community exhibits a diverse mixture of forbs throughout the growing season offering excellent habitat for invertebrates. Mule deer and elk utilize the site throughout the year. The south and west facing slopes may provide winter habitat for deer and elk. The rangeland habitat 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 animal species include Brewer’s sparrow, sage thrasher, sage sparrow, sage-grouse, northern leopard frog and Columbia spotted frog. Water features are sparse provided by seasonal runoff, artificial water catchments and springs.

State 1 Phase 1.1 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Thurber’s Needlegrass/ Idaho Fescue/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail/ Antelope Bitterbrush Reference Plant Community (RPC): This plant community provides a diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs, used by native insect communities that assist in pollination. An extensive 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, western toad, Columbia spotted frog 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 bird species utilizing the habitat include the Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow and sage thrasher. Sage-grouse habitats (nesting, brood-rearing and winter) are provided by this plant community. The plant community provides seasonal food and cover for large herbivores including mule deer and elk. Antelope bitterbrush may be present in this plant community, along with bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue are important forage for mule deer and elk. South facing slopes provide winter food habitat for mule deer and elk. A small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, Merriam’s shrew, Columbia Plateau ground squirrel, bushy-tailed woodrat, jackrabbit and yellow-bellied marmots 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/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Thurber’s Needlegrass/ Idaho Fescue/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Mountain Big Sagebrush Plant Community: This state has developed due to fire frequency being much longer than normal. An increase in canopy of antelope bitterbrush and sagebrush contributes to a declining herbaceous understory. The reptile community will be similar to State 1 Phase 1.1 community represented by common sagebrush lizard and western rattlesnake. Sagebrush provides brood-rearing, winter cover and winter food for sage-grouse but as understory vegetation declines and bitterbrush increases the quality of this habitat for nesting is reduced or eliminated. The plant community supports spring, fall and winter forage for mule deer and elk. A small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, Merriam’s shrew, Columbia Plateau ground squirrel, bushy-tailed woodrat, jackrabbit and yellow-bellied marmots 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 1.3 – Western Juniper/ Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Sandberg Bluegrass / Bottlebrush Squirreltail Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management and lack of fire. An increase in canopy of sagebrush and junipers contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. A reduced herbaceous understory results in less diversity and numbers of insects. The reptile community will be similar to State 1 Phase 1.1 community. The reduced understory cover may reduce quality of food and cover for reptile populations. As juniper increases, habitat quality for Brewer’s sparrow, sage thrasher and sage sparrow may decrease. Remaining sagebrush provides brood-rearing, winter cover and winter food for sage-grouse but as juniper encroaches the quality of this habitat is severely reduced or eliminated. No sage-grouse nesting habitat is provided. The quality of spring and fall grazing habitat for mule deer and elk is significantly reduced due to the loss of vigor and production 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 small mammal population would be similar to State 1 Phase 1.2 small mammal community.

State 1 Phase 1.4 – Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Thurber’s Needlegrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass Plant Community: The plant community is a result of recent wildfire or prescribed burning. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little or no sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush would provide less vertical structure for animals. Insect diversity would be reduced but a native forbs plant community similar to State 1 Phase 1.1 would still support select pollinators. Habitat for reptiles would be limited due to the loss of sagebrush. Amphibian habitat would be tied to permanent spring sites in the area. Development of spring sites that collected all available water would exclude the use of amphibians on these sites. The dominance of herbaceous vegetation with little sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush canopy would limit use of these areas as nesting habitat by Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow and sage thrasher. Brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse would be provided when adjacent to sagebrush cover. The dominant herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark, savannah sparrow, vesper sparrow and western meadowlark). Mule deer and elk use would be seasonal (spring and fall) and offer little thermal cover and 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 historic plant community and reduce the quality of habitat for shrub-steppe obligate animal species.

State 1 Phase 1.5 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Thurber’s Needlegrass/ Idaho Fescue/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail/ Antelope Bitterbrush/ Western Juniper Plant Community: This plant community is the result of a lack of fire. An increase in canopy of sagebrush and junipers contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. A reduced herbaceous understory results in less diversity and numbers of insects. The reptile community will be similar to State 1 Phase 1.1 community. The reduced diversity of insects and understory cover may reduce quality of food and cover for reptile populations. As juniper increases, habitat quality for Brewer’s sparrow, sage thrasher and sage sparrow may decrease. Remaining sagebrush provides brood-rearing, winter cover and winter food for sage-grouse but as juniper encroaches the quality of this habitat is severely reduced or eliminated. The quality of spring and fall grazing habitat for mule deer and elk is significantly reduced due to the loss of vigor and production of understory vegetation. As juniper encroaches the site will provide additional thermal cover for large mammals and provide winter habitat (cover and food) for mule deer. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, jackrabbits, deer mice and Great Basin pocket mice utilize this plant community.

State 1 Phase 1.6 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management and lack of fire. An increase in canopy of sagebrush contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by common sagebrush lizard, western rattlesnake, western toad and northern leopard frog. Shrub-steppe obligate bird species include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage-grouse. Quality of habitats (brood-rearing and nesting cover) for sage-grouse is reduced due to a less diverse herbaceous plant community. Winter habitat (cover and food) for sage-grouse is provided. The reduced vigor of understory vegetation provides for a shorter grazing season for mule deer and elk. The poor vigor and hedging on bitterbrush would lower the quality of winter food habitat for mule deer and elk. Young of year cover would be provided for large herbivores. Small mammal diversity and populations would be similar to State 1 Phase 1.2.


State 2 Phase 2.1 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Annuals Plant Community: This state has developed due to improper grazing management and the absence of fire. An increase in canopy of sagebrush contributes to a reduction of bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue. The reduced diversity of herbaceous understory results in less diversity of insects. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by common sagebrush lizard, western rattlesnake, western toad and northern leopard frog. The reduced diversity of insects may reduce reptile populations. Shrub-steppe obligate bird species include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage-grouse. Reduced herbaceous understory will lower quality of habitat for ground nesting bird species. Quality of habitats (brood-rearing and nesting cover) for sage-grouse is reduced due to poor vigor and less diverse herbaceous plant community. Winter habitat (cover and food) for sage-grouse is provided. Young of year cover would be provided for mule deer and elk. Small mammal diversity and populations would be similar to State 1 Phase 1.2.

State 2 Phase 2.2 – Bottlebrush Squirreltail/ Sandberg/ Annuals/ Forbs/ Twistedleaf Rabbitbrush Plant Community: This state has developed due to improper grazing management and frequent fire. The reduced forbs and shrub component in the plant community would support a very limited population of pollinators. Habitat for common sagebrush lizard 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 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. Mule deer, elk and pronghorn may utilize the herbaceous vegetation in the early part of the year when the vegetation is more palatable. The diversity and populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species. Hunting success on small mammals by predator species would increase. Large blocks of this plant community would fragment historic plant community and reduce the quality of habitat for shrub-steppe obligate animal species.

State 3 – Western 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. The lack of flowering plants has reduced pollinators including butterflies and moths. Habitat for common sagebrush lizard and western toad would be limited due to the loss of sagebrush and understory cover. This plant community does not support life requisites 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. Off-site hunting success by raptors may increase due to an increase in perch sites. As juniper encroaches, the site will provide additional thermal cover and young of year cover for large mammals. An increase in juniper provides food and cover for mule deer in the spring, fall and winter.

State 4 - Range Seeding Plant Community: The proposed seeding mixture (native or non-native) would determine the animal species that would utilize the area. A diverse seed mixture of grasses and forbs would provide similar habitat conditions as in the herbaceous plant community described in State 1 phase 1.4. A diverse seed mixture of grasses, forbs and shrubs would provide similar habitat conditions as described in State 1 phase 1.1, 1.2 or 1.6.

A monoculture of non-native grass species would not support year-long diverse populations of insects, reptiles, birds or mammals. Sagebrush obligate animal species would not be supported with a monoculture of grass. Animal species including western meadowlark, horned lark, savannah sparrow, deer mouse, kangaroo rat, mule deer and antelope would utilize this site for nesting and/or seasonal foraging. Birds of prey including hawks and falcons may range throughout these areas looking for prey species. Large blocks of this plant community would fragment historic plant community and reduce the quality of habitat for shrub-steppe obligate animal species.


Grazing Interpretations

This site is suitable for late spring, summer and fall grazing. The steeper slopes will limit livestock movement. Excessive trailing of livestock should be avoided to minimize erosion on the slopes.

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.

Hydrological functions

The soils of this site are in hydrologic group C. They have moderately high run-off potential.

Recreational uses

Recreation use of this site includes hunting, hiking, horseback riding, plant and animal observation and motorized vehicle use.

Due to the relative abundance of wildlife that use this site, hunting is one of the primary uses. ATV’s use this site due to the relatively non-stony soil surface.

Wood products

Mature juniper that has invaded and increased on the site can be cut for posts, poles, firewood and lumber.

Other products

None.

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, State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Idaho (retired)
Joe May, State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Idaho
Lee Brooks, Assistant State Conservationist, NRCS, Idaho (retired)
Leah Juarros, 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.

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.

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.

Contributors

Dave Franzen And Jacy Gibbs

Approval

Kendra Moseley, 4/25/2024