State 1
Reference State--Utah Juniper/Pinyon Woodland with Big Sagebrush--1.1

Community 1.1
Reference State--Utah Juniper/Pinyon Woodland with Big Sagebrush--1.1

This community phase is dominated by Utah Juniper and Pinyon, with a well developed shrub and perennial grass understory. Grasses present typically include Indian ricegrass, needleandthread, blue grama, bottlebrush squirreltail, galleta, and muttongrass. Other shrubs present besides Basin big sagebrush, include Winterfat, Fourwing saltbush, and Green mormontea. The presence of perennial and annual forbs varies greatly depending on soil, seed source, and growing conditions. Bare ground is typically limited due to well developed biological crusts; however both of these can vary greatly in their expressions when measured as first raindrop impact. Surface rock fragments range from 0 to 5% cover and are generally described as gravels. --Community Pathways-- 1.1a – This pathway follows natural succession for this ecological site. As time passes, Utah juniper and Pinyon increase and the diverse understory becomes limited. Trees, especially Utah juniper, are able outcompete shrubs and grasses for nutrients. As length between fires, insect infestations, and droughts increase, tree establishment and growth also increases and trees are able to dominate the site. 1.1b – This pathway is rare, and occurs following a devastating fire. Fires are atypical on the Colorado Plateau in Southeastern Utah where this site occurs. However, they can happen given the right conditions. 1) A fire can carry in the understory after several wet years allow fine fuels to become contiguous, or 2) as the woodland approaches the later stages of development and canopies become dense (typically with dense Pinyon); crown sizes can increase and the community may become susceptible to crown fires. 1.1c – This pathway occurs as insect infestations and drought disfavor the establishment and growth of Pinyon and Utah juniper, allowing for the increase in available nutrients to native shrubs and perennial grasses.

State 2
Reference State--Utah Juniper/Pinyon Woodland--1.2

Community 2.1
Reference State--Utah Juniper/Pinyon Woodland--1.2

This community phase is characterized by a mature Pinyon and Utah juniper woodland. The prevailing weather patterns favor an increase on Pinyon and Utah juniper canopy with and understory of grasses and forbs. Grasses include Indian ricegrass, Needleandthread, Galleta, Blue grama, and Muttongrass. Depending on the timing of precipitation, cool season grasses or warm season grasses could dominate. The occurrence of big sagebrush and other shrubs decreases dramatically due to their inability to compete with the trees for nutrients. Interspaces supporting highly developed lichen crusts are common, but are variable depending on the amount and distribution of bare ground. --Community Pathways-- 1.2a – This pathway occurs as insect infestations and drought disfavor the establishment and growth of Pinyon and Utah juniper, allowing for the increase in available nutrients to native shrubs and perennial grasses. 1.2b – This pathway is rare, and occurs following a devastating fire. Fires are atypical on the Colorado Plateau in Southeastern Utah where this site occurs. However, they can happen given the right conditions. 1) A fire can carry in the understory after several wet years allow fine fuels to become contiguous, or 2) as the woodland approaches the later stages of development and canopies become dense (typically with dense Pinyon); crown sizes can increase and the community may become susceptible to crown fires.

State 3
Reference State--Native Annual Forb Dominance--1.3

Community 3.1
Reference State--Native Annual Forb Dominance--1.3

This community phase is rare due to it being a result of a fire, which is rare in the Colorado Plateau and MLRA 36. This phase is dominated by native annual and perennial forbs and grasses; although immediately following a fire it will be dominated by annual forbs. Commonly occurring forbs include Buckwheat species, Globemallow, Wright’s birdsbeak, and Wooly locoweed; however these and forbs may or may not be present depending on seed source, soil conditions, and growing conditions. Commonly seen perennial grasses include Indian ricegrass, Needleandthread, and Galleta. Bare ground is most common in this community phase, when compared to the other phases in the reference state. Biological crust cover typically is very low immediately following a fire, but it may start to recover as early as the first following a fire; however this is greatly dependent upon biological soil crust condition before the fire, fire intensity, and structure of the vascular plant community (Belnap et al., 2001). --Community Pathways-- 1.3a – This community follows the natural successional pathway that occurs after a fire. With time perennial grasses tend to out-compete the annual and perennial forbs and dominate the ecological site. Big sagebrush, other shrubs, and trees are also reestablishing.

State 4
Reference State--Perennial Grassland with Big Sagebrush--1.4

Community 4.1
Reference State--Perennial Grassland with Big Sagebrush--1.4

This community phase is dominated by perennial grasses and Basin big sagebrush. Grasses present typically include Indian ricegrass, Needleandthread, Blue grama, Galleta, Bottlebrush squirreltail, and Mutton grass. Other grasses, shrubs, and forbs may also be present but cover and species composition is variable. The reestablishment of trees is starting on this site, due to the “safe sites” created by the shrub canopy. Biological crusts have recovered to preburn conditions and bare ground is variable depending on biological crust cover. --Community Pathway-- 1.4a – This pathway is rare, and occurs following a devastating fire. Fires are atypical on the Colorado Plateau in Southeastern Utah where this site occurs. This however can happen given the right conditions. 1) A fire can carry in the understory after several wet years allow fine fuels to become contiguous, or 2) as the woodland approaches the later stages of development and canopies become dense (typically with dense Pinyon); crown sizes can increase and the community may become susceptible to crown fires. 1.4b – This pathway is the natural successional pathway for this ecological site. Time combined with favorable climatic conditions allow for the reestablishment of Utah juniper and Pinyon on this site, with a minor decrease in the shrub understory.

State 5
Current Potential State--Utah Juniper/Pinyon Woodland with Big Sagebrush--2.1

Community 5.1
Current Potential State--Utah Juniper/Pinyon Woodland with Big Sagebrush--2.1

This community phase is dominated by Utah Juniper and Pinyon, with a well developed shrub and perennial grass understory. Grasses present typically include Cheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Needleandthread, Blue grama, Bottlebrush squirreltail, Galleta, and Muttongrass. Other shrubs present besides Basin big sagebrush include Winterfat, Fourwing saltbush, and Green mormontea. The presence of perennial and annual forbs varies greatly depending on soil, seed source, and growing conditions. Bare ground is typically limited due to well developed biological crusts; however both of these can vary greatly in their expressions. Surface rock fragments range from 0 to 5% cover and are generally described as gravels. --Community Pathways-- 2.1a – This pathway follows the natural succession pathway for this ecological site. As time passes, Utah juniper and Pinyon increase and the diverse understory becomes limited. Trees, especially Utah juniper, are able outcompete shrubs and grasses for nutrients. As length between fires, insect infestations, and droughts increase, tree establishment and growth also increases and trees are able to take over and dominate the site. Improper livestock grazing may also facilitate this pathway 2.1b – This pathway is rare, and occurs following a devastating fire. Fires are atypical on the Colorado Plateau in Southeastern Utah where this site occurs. This however can happen given the right conditions. 1) A fire can carry in the understory after several wet years allow fine fuels to become contiguous, or 2) as the woodland approaches the later stages of development and canopies become dense (typically with dense Pinyon); crown sizes can increase and the community may become susceptible to crown fires. 2.1c – This pathway occurs as insect infestations and drought disfavor the establishment and growth of Pinyon and Utah juniper, allowing for the increase in available nutrients to native shrubs and perennial grasses.

State 6
Current Potential State--Utah Juniper/Pinyon Woodland--2.2

Community 6.1
Current Potential State--Utah Juniper/Pinyon Woodland--2.2

This community phase is characterized by a mature Pinyon and Utah juniper woodland. The prevailing weather patterns favor an increase on Pinyon and Utah juniper canopy with and understory of grasses and forbs. Grasses include Cheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Needleandthread, Galleta, Blue grama, and Muttongrass. Depending on the timing of precipitation, cool season grasses or war season grasses could dominate. The occurrence of big sagebrush and other shrubs decreases dramatically due to their inability to compete with the trees for nutrients. Interspaces supporting highly developed lichen crusts are common, but are variable depending on the amount and distribution of bare ground. --Community Pathways-- 2.2a – This pathway occurs as insect infestations and drought disfavor the establishment and growth of Pinyon and Utah juniper, allowing for the increase in available nutrients to native shrubs and perennial grasses. 2.2b – This pathway is rare, and occurs following a devastating fire. Fires are atypical on the Colorado Plateau in Southeastern Utah where this site occurs. This however can happen given the right conditions. 1) A fire can carry in the understory after several wet years allow fine fuels to become contiguous, or 2) as the woodland approaches the later stages of development and canopies become dense (typically with dense Pinyon); crown sizes can increase and the community may become susceptible to crown fires.

State 7
Current Potential State--Native Annual Forb Dominance--2.3

Community 7.1
Current Potential State--Native Annual Forb Dominance--2.3

This community phase is rare due to it being a result of a fire, which is rare in the Colorado Plateau and MLRA 36. This phase is dominated by native annual and perennial forbs and grasses; although immediately following a fire it will be dominated by annual forbs. Commonly occurring forbs include Buckwheat species, Globemallow, Wright’s birdsbeak, and Wooly locoweed; however these and forbs may or may not be present depending on seed source, soil conditions, and growing conditions. Commonly seen grasses include Cheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Needleandthread, and Galleta. Bare ground is most common in this community phase, when compared to the other phases in the reference state. Biological crust cover typically is very low immediately following a fire, but it may start to recover as early as the first following a fire; however this is greatly dependent upon biological soil crust condition before the fire, fire intensity, and structure of the vascular plant community (Belnap et al., 2001). --Community Pathways-- 2.3a – This community follows the natural successional pathway that occurs after a fire. With time perennial grasses tend to out-compete the annual and perennial forbs and dominate the ecological site. Big sagebrush, other shrubs, and trees are also reestablishing. Livestock grazing may accelerate this pathway.

State 8
Current Potential State--Perennial Grassland with Big Sagebrush--2.4

Community 8.1
Current Potential State--Perennial Grassland with Big Sagebrush--2.4

This community phase is dominated by perennial grasses and Basin big sagebrush. Grasses present typically include Cheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Needleandthread, Blue grama, Galleta, Bottlebrush squirreltail, and Mutton grass. Other grasses, shrubs, and forbs may also be present but cover and species composition is variable. The reestablishment of trees is starting on this site, due to the “safe sites” created by the shrub canopy. Biological crusts have recovered to preburn conditions and bare ground is variable depending on biological crust cover. --Community Pathway-- 2.4a – This pathway is rare, and occurs following a devastating fire. Fires are atypical on the Colorado Plateau in Southeastern Utah where this site occurs. This however can happen given the right conditions. 1) A fire can carry in the understory after several wet years allow fine fuels to become contiguous, or 2) as the woodland approaches the later stages of development and canopies become dense (typically with dense Pinyon); crown sizes can increase and the community may become susceptible to crown fires. 2.4b – This pathway is the natural successional pathway for this ecological site. Time combined with favorable climatic conditions allow for the reestablishment of Utah juniper and Pinyon on this site, with a minor decrease in the shrub understory. Improper livestock grazing may also accelerate this pathway.

State 9
Invasive Annual State--Big Sagebrush Shrubland with Invasive Annuals--3.1

Community 9.1
Invasive Annual State--Big Sagebrush Shrubland with Invasive Annuals--3.1

This community phase is dominated by an annual invasive understory with a big sagebrush canopy. Often, the sagebrush canopy is dense because disturbance factors have reduced the understory and nutrients are available. The interspaces are often bare, but may support slightly developed biological crusts. -- Community Pathway-- 3.1a – This pathway occurs when events such as frequent fire or drought remove the big sagebrush, and facilitate the continued establishment of cheatgrass or other invasive annuals. Cheatgrass will typically invade/increase in shrub interspaces when sagebrush communities are degraded. Once the cheatgrass establishes the amount and continuity of fine fuels increases until fire eliminates the shrub component and completes the conversion to near monocultures of cheatgrass that can persist for long periods of time. Once a fire or a drought remove the big sagebrush, it is difficult to reestablish because, not only has the fire return interval been shortened to a time that will not allow sagebrush to reestablish, the soil and other abiotic factors have been altered.

State 10
Invasive Annuals State--Invasive Annual Monoculture--3.2

Community 10.1
Invasive Annuals State--Invasive Annual Monoculture--3.2

This community phase is characterized by an almost a complete monoculture of cheatgrass or other invasive annuals. This state is typically self-enhancing and potentially perpetual state if fires continue to be frequent. This community is especially difficult for many of the traditional sagebrush wildlife species because forage and structural diversity is limiting. This community is also difficult to graze with domestic livestock because the forage availability is dependant on a singles species response to the timing and amount of moisture. -- Community Pathway – 3.2a – This pathway occurs when a longer fire return interval is facilitated through the use of firebreaks and/or fire suppression to allow perennial species to become established through natural processes or accelerated with vegetation manipulation techniques, including prescribed grazing.

State 11
Seeded State--Seeded Grassland--4.1

Community 11.1
Seeded State--Seeded Grassland--4.1

This community phase is dominated by introduced seeded grasses, with little to no production from big sagebrush or other shrubs. Typically this site has low species diversity, but higher production than the current potential or reference state. The seeded grasses are able to respond favorably to the available nutrients, and effectively compete with and limit the invasive species. Commonly seen grasses include Crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye. -- Community Pathway-- 4.1a – This pathway occurs when events favor shrub establishment. Improper grazing can reduce the competitive ability of the grasses. Time without disturbance and/or years of good establishment of young sagebrush will also facilitate this pathway.

State 12
Seeded State--Big Sagebrush Shrubland with Seeded Species--4.2

Community 12.1
Seeded State--Big Sagebrush Shrubland with Seeded Species--4.2

This community phase is represented by seeded species being co-dominant with big sagebrush. Bare interspaces supporting highly developed lichen crusts are common. -- Community Pathway-- 4.2a –This pathway occurs when events favor perennial bunchgrass establishment and a reduction in big sagebrush. These events may include drought that suppresses big sagebrush, a fire, and/or vegetation manipulation that removes big sagebrush, and allows the grasses to reestablish. 4.2b –This pathway occurs during long periods without disturbance. Pinyon and Utah juniper encroach, facilitated by the presence of shrubs (safe-sites). Perennial grasses and other understory species are reduced as trees become more dominant. Improper grazing and drought may accelerate this pathway.

State 13
Seeded State--Big Sagebrush Shrubland with Trees--4.3

Community 13.1
Seeded State--Big Sagebrush Shrubland with Trees--4.3

This community phase is dominated by big sagebrush, where it typically measures greater than 37% cover. Pinyon and Utah juniper may have encroached, however does not yet control the ecological site dynamics. If Pinyon and Utah juniper are present, big sagebrush cover is expected to be less. The understory supports sparse native herbaceous vegetation, including forbs and grasses, both natives and non-natives. Biological crusts are typically well developed in the interspaces; however, bare ground is most common in this community phase. --Community Pathway-- 4.3a – This pathway occurs when trees and shrubs are removed and nutrients are available for grasses and forbs. Sometimes seeded grasses can reestablish on-their-own, but often the species will need to be reseeded. Trees and shrubs can be removed through fire, mechanical or chemical methods. Nutrients are released, and sunlight can reach the understory resulting in an increase in herbaceous understory growth and development.