State 1
Nebraska Sedge/Tufted Hairgrass Plant Community

Community 1.1
Nebraska Sedge/Tufted Hairgrass Plant Community

The interpretive plant community for this site is the Historic Climax Plant Community. This site evolved with grazing by large herbivores, a water table within reach of the herbaceous plants through most of the growing season, and periodic fires. Potential vegetation is about 70% grasses or grass-like plants, 15% forbs and 15% woody plants. The major grasses and grasslikes include Nebraska sedge, tufted hairgrass, northern reedgrass, basin wildrye, and alpine timothy. Woody plants are mainly willows but other riparian shrubs and tree species occur. A variety of forbs occurs in this state as well and plant diversity is high (see Plant Composition Table). This state produces between 3000 and 4500 pounds annually, depending on the growing conditions. The state is extremely resilient and well adapted to the Central Rocky Mountains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species allows for high drought resistance. This is a healthy and sustainable plant community (site/soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity). Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Moderate, continuous season-long grazing will convert the plant community to the Tufted Hairgrass/Willow Plant Community. • Heavy, continuous, season-long grazing will convert this plant community to Low Sedge/Mat Muhly/Willow Plant Community. • No fire and No Use will convert the HCPC to the Dense Shrub/Nebraska Sedge Plant Community. • Channelization and lowering of the Water Table will result in a Dense Shrub/Bluegrass Sod Plant Community.

State 2
Tufted Hairgrass/Willow Plant Community

Community 2.1
Tufted Hairgrass/Willow Plant Community

Historically, this plant community evolved under grazing by large ungulates, a water table within reach of the herbaceous plants through most of the growing season, and a low fire frequency. Currently, this site is normally found under a moderate, season-long grazing regime and will be exacerbated by prolonged drought conditions. In addition, the fire regime for this site has been modified and extended periods without fire is now common. Willows are an important component of this plant community. Cool-season grasses and grasslikes make up the majority of the understory with the balance made up of miscellaneous forbs. Mid grass-like species and cool season tall and mid-grasses dominate this state. The major grasslike and grasses include tufted hairgrass, slender wheatgrass, alpine timothy, and of less frequency northern reedgrass, basin wildrye, and Nebraska sedge. Grasses and grasslikes of secondary importance include inland sedge, meadow barley, Baltic rush, big bluegrass, and Idaho fescue. Willows and other riparian shrubs comprise from 20% to 25% of the total annual production. When compared to the Historical Climax Plant Community, willows and other riparian shrubs, forbs, and bluegrasses have increased. Northern reedgrass, basin wildrye, and Nebraska sedge have decreased, often occurring only where protected from grazing by the shrub canopy. Some annual grasses and forbs may have invaded the site but are in small patches. This state produces between 2800 and 4300 pounds annually, depending on the growing conditions. This plant community is resistant to change. The herbaceous species present are well adapted to grazing; however, species composition can be altered through long-term overgrazing. The herbaceous component is mostly intact and plant vigor and replacement capabilities are sufficient. Water flow patterns and litter movement may be occurring but only on steeper slopes. Incidence of pedestalling is minimal. Soils are mostly stable and the surface shows minimum soil loss. The watershed is functioning and the biotic community is intact. Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Prescribed grazing over the long-term will result in a plant community very similar to the Historic Climax Plant Community. • Heavy, continuous, season-long grazing will convert this plant community to a Low Sedge/Mat Muhly/Willow Plant Community. • No fire and No Use will convert the HCPC to the Dense Shrub/Nebraska Sedge Plant Community. • Channelization and lowering of the Water Table will result in a Dense Shrub/Bluegrass Sod Plant Community.

State 3
Dense Shrub/Nebraska Sedge Plant Community

Community 3.1
Dense Shrub/Nebraska Sedge Plant Community

This plant community results from little or no use and no fires over an extended period in the HCPC. Shrubs are a significant component of this plant community. Mid grasslikes and tall and mid cool-season grasses make up the majority of the understory, however, the shrub component has become so dominant that the area occupied by herbaceous species has been significantly reduced. Preferred grasses are still present but the frequency and production have been reduced. Dominant grasslikes and grasses include Nebraska sedge, tufted hairgrass, northern reedgrass, basin wildrye, and alpine timothy. Grasses and grass-likes of secondary importance include inland sedge, meadow barley, Baltic rush, big bluegrass, and Idaho fescue. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include American bistort, American licorice, buttercup, mint, clovers, geranium, fragrant bedstraw, wild strawberry, violets, alpine avens, and water hemlock. A wide variety of shrubs can be present and will exceed 30% of the total production. Shrubs include mainly willows as well as others such as dogwood, chokecherry, currant, wild rose, water birch, thinleaf alder, and boxelder. When compared to the Historic Climax Plant Community, shrubs have significantly increased. Most of the preferred grasses and grasslikes are present in areas not dominated by shrubs. The increase in shrub production has offset some of the loss in the herbaceous production. Annual production ranges from 2800 to 4300 pounds. This plant community is resistant to change as the shrubs become more abundant. The herbaceous component is as diverse and plant vigor and species regeneration capabilities of preferred species are sufficient. Some plants may become overly mature especially some of the shrubs. Browsing may increase the opening for the preferred herbaceous plants, however, over grazing is possible if prescribed grazing is not implemented. Water flow patterns and litter movement is normal. Incidence of pedestalling is not occurring. Soils are stable and the surface shows minimum or no soil loss. The watershed is functioning and the biotic community is intact. Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Prescribed grazing and wildfire or brush management will convert this plant community to the HCPC. The probability of this occurring is high especially if brush management is used with rotational grazing along with deferred grazing as part of the prescribed method of use. In addition, the removal of fire suppression will allow a somewhat natural fire regime to reoccur to more easily transition between this plant community and the HCPC. • Brush management or Wildfire with Heavy, continuous, season-long grazing will convert this plant community to the Low Sedge/Mat Muhly/Willow Plant Community. • Channelization and lowering of the Water Table will result in a Dense Shrub/Bluegrass Sod Plant Community.

State 4
Low Sedge/Mat Muhly/Willow Plant Community

Community 4.1
Low Sedge/Mat Muhly/Willow Plant Community

This plant community currently is found under heavy continuous season-long grazing by livestock. Shrubs are a significant component of this plant community. Mid grasses and low sedges make up the majority of the understory, but some of the preferred grasses and grasslikes have been reduced or absent. Dominant grasslikes and grasses include low sedge, mat muhly, Idaho fescue, big bluegrass, and Baltic rush. Grasses and grasslikes of less frequency are Nebraska sedge, tufted hairgrass, northern reedgrass, basin wildrye, and alpine timothy. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include American bistort, American licorice, buttercup, mint, clovers, geranium, fragrant bedstraw, wild strawberry, violets, alpine avens, and water hemlock. Other weedy annual species may include cocklebur, sowhistle, prickly lettuce, curly dock, common milkweed, stickseed, and a variety of thistles. A wide variety of shrubs can be present and will exceed 20% of the total production. Shrubs include mainly willows and others such as dogwood, chokecherry, currant, wild rose, water birch, thinleaf alder, and boxelder. When compared to the Historic Climax Plant Community, shrubs, bluegrasses, low sedges, and mat muhly have increased. Most of the preferred grasses and grasslikes have been reduced or removed. The increase in shrub production has offset some of the loss in the herbaceous production. Annual production ranges from 2300 to 3500 pounds. This plant community is resistant to change as the shrubs become more abundant. The herbaceous component is not as diverse and plant vigor and species regeneration capabilities of some cool-season perennials and mid sedges are deficient. The removal of grazing does not seem to affect the plant composition or structure of the plant community. Soil erosion may be accelerated because of increased bare ground. In areas where sod forming plants have become more dominant water infiltration has decreased. While these patches of sod protect the area itself, off-site areas are affected by excessive runoff that can cause rills and gully erosion. Water flow patterns are obvious in the bare ground areas and pedestalling is apparent along these sodded edges and around shrubs. Hummocks may be noticeable. In general, infiltration is reduced and runoff is increased as the soils become more compacted. Rill channels may be noticeable in the interspaces on steeper areas and gullies may be establishing where rills have concentrated down slope. Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Prescribed grazing plus brush management will convert this plant community to near HCPC. If prescribed fire is used as a means to reduce or remove the shrubs, sufficient fine fuels will need to be present. This may require deferment from grazing prior to treatment. Post management is critical to ensure success. This can range from two or more years of rest to partial growing season deferment, depending on the condition of the understory at the time of treatment and the growing conditions following treatment. Seeding will often be required regardless of the brush treatment to reestablish the major cool-season grasses. • Frequent and severe grazing will convert this plant community to the Shrubby Cinquefoil/Willow Plant Community. • Channelization and lowering of the Water Table will result in a Dense Shrub/Bluegrass Sod Plant Community.

State 5
Shrubby Cinquefoil/Willow Plant Community

Community 5.1
Shrubby Cinquefoil/Willow Plant Community

This plant community is the result of frequent and severe grazing and protection from fire. Shrubby cinquefoil, willows and a variety of other shrubs can dominate this plant community as the annual production will exceed 30%. The preferred cool season grasses have been eliminated or greatly reduced. A sod of bluegrass and rhizomatous grasses can dominate the interspaces between shrubs. On areas without this sod, interspaces are usually bare ground. The dominant grasses are bluegrass such as big and Kentucky. Weedy annual species such cocklebur, sowhistle, prickly lettuce, curly dock, common milkweed, stickseed, and a variety of thistles can occupy the site. Noxious weeds such as Canada thistle, white top, and leafy spurge may invade the site, if a seed source is available. When compared with the HCPC, the annual production is less as the major grasslikes and grasses are reduced and replaced by lower growing sod grasses and sedges. The shrub composition has changed as more preferred shrubs have either been removed or significantly altered and replaced with shrubby cinquefoil and other less preferred species. In general, total production by shrubs have increased, which compensates for some of the decline in the herbaceous production. Annual production ranges from 1800 to 2800 pounds. This plant community is resistant to change as the stand becomes more decadent and the sodded areas, which are extremely resistant to change, expand. Continued frequent and severe grazing or the removal of grazing does not seem to affect the plant composition or structure of the plant community. The herbaceous component is not as diverse and plant vigor and species regeneration capabilities of cool-season perennials are deficient. Soils are unstable on areas where bare ground has increased and erosion is accelerating. Soil compaction is apparent and hummocks are noticeable. Likewise, on areas where sod forming plants become more dominant, water infiltration is restricted. While these patches of sod protect the area itself, off-site areas are affected by excessive runoff that can cause rills and gully erosion. Water flow patterns are obvious in the bare ground areas and pedestalling is apparent along these sodded edges and bushes. In general, infiltration is reduced and runoff is increased as the soils become more compacted. The rill channels may be noticeable in the interspaces on steeper areas and gullies may be establishing where rills have concentrated down slope. Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Prescribed grazing plus brush management will convert this plant community to near HCPC. If prescribed fire is used as a means to reduce or remove the shrubs, sufficient fine fuels will need to be present. This may require deferment from grazing prior to treatment. Post management is critical to ensure success. This can range from two or more years of rest to partial growing season deferment, depending on the condition of the understory at the time of treatment and the growing conditions following treatment. Seeding will often be required regardless of the brush treatment to reestablish the major cool-season grasses. • Frequent and severe grazing will convert this plant community to the Shrubby Cinquefoil/Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community. • Channelization and lowering of the Water Table will result in a Dense Shrub/Bluegrass Sod Plant Community.

State 6
Shrubby Cinquefoil/Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community

Community 6.1
Shrubby Cinquefoil/Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community

This plant community is the result of frequent and severe grazing and protection from fire. Shrubby cinquefoil, and a variety of other shrubs can dominate this plant community as the annual production will exceed 30%. Willows have been severely browsed and may have been removed. The preferred grasses have been eliminated. A sod of bluegrass dominates the interspaces between shrubs. On areas without this sod, interspaces are usually bare ground. The dominant grasses and grasslikes are bluegrasses and foxtail barley. Weedy annual species such as cocklebur, sowhistle, prickly lettuce, curly dock, common milkweed, stickseed, and a variety of thistles can occupy the site. Noxious weeds such as Canada thistle, white top, and leafy spurge may invade the site if a seed source is available. When compared with the HCPC, the annual production is significantly less as the major grasslikes and grasses are removed and replaced by less productive species. The shrub composition has changed as more preferred shrubs have either been removed or significantly altered and replaced with shrubby cinquefoil and other less preferred species. In general, total production by shrubs have increased, which compensates for some of the decline in the herbaceous production. Annual production ranges from 1800 to 2800 pounds. This plant community is resistant to change as the shrubs and sod grasses become denser. Continued frequent and severe grazing or the removal of grazing does not seem to affect the plant composition or structure of the plant community. Weedy species and bare ground compromise the biotic integrity. Plant diversity is poor and the potential for native grasses to reproduce is absent. The shift in the vegetative structure and function is extreme and the biotic integrity is lost. Soils are unstable on areas where bare ground has increased and erosion is accelerating. Soil compaction is apparent and hummocks are noticeable. Likewise, on areas where sod forming plants become more dominant, water infiltration is restricted. While these patches of sod protect the area itself, off-site areas are affected by excessive runoff that can cause rills and gully erosion. Water flow patterns are obvious in the bare ground areas and pedestalling is apparent along these sodded edges. In general, infiltration is reduced and runoff is increased as the soils become more compacted. The rill channels are noticeable in the interspaces and gullies are typical where rills have concentrated down slope. Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Prescribed grazing plus brush management will convert this plant community to near HCPC. If prescribed fire is used as a means to reduce or remove the shrubs, sufficient fine fuels will need to be present. This may require deferment from grazing prior to treatment. Post management is critical to ensure success. This can range from two or more years of rest to partial growing season deferment, depending on the condition of the understory at the time of treatment and the growing conditions following treatment. Seeding will often be required regardless of the brush treatment to reestablish the major cool-season grasses. • Channelization and lowering of the Water Table will result in a Dense Shrub/Bluegrass Sod Plant Community.

State 7
Dense Shrub/Bluegrass Sod Plant Community

Community 7.1
Dense Shrub/Bluegrass Sod Plant Community

This plant community evolved as a result of channelization or down cutting of an adjacent water course. The disruption in the natural hydrologic regime is either directly caused by humans, such as dams or dikes, or indirectly through accelerated erosion and channelization. Extended periods of drought will exacerbate this situation. Upland plants are more pronounced and deep-rooted shrub species, which can benefit from the deeper water table, dominate. Big and/or silver sagebrush and/or rubber rabbitbrush occur on drier warmer sites and a mixture of sagebrush and isolated patches of riparian species occur on cooler wetter sites. Tall and medium cool season grasses and grasslikes such as mid sedges have been reduced or eliminated. Dense sod patches of grasses, mostly Kentucky bluegrass, occur amongst the shrubs and bare ground. The annual grasses and upland forbs are more prevalent along with noxious weeds such as leafy spurge, Canada thistle and Russian knapweed. Total annual production is mostly from shrubs and sod forming grasses. Shrubs can be greater than 40% of the total annual production. When compared with the HCPC, the annual production is significantly reduced but the dense shrub component makes up for some of this loss in total production. Annual production ranges from 700 to 1000 pounds. This plant community is resistant to change as the shrub stand and the sod become denser. Continued frequent and severe grazing or the removal of grazing does not seem to affect the plant composition or structure of the plant community. Weedy species and bare ground compromise the biotic integrity. Plant diversity is poor and the potential for preferred species to reproduce is absent. The shift in the vegetative structure and function is extreme and the biotic integrity is lost. The hydrologic integrity of the site has been severely altered as the water table is now below the rooting depth of the herbaceous species. The soil of this state is somewhat protected where the sod patches are located and the dense shrubs occur, but erosion has accelerated in places between the patches where bare ground may be common. Water flow patterns and pedestaling are obvious and may be numerous. Remnant hummocks may be present. Infiltration is reduced and runoff is increased. Rill channels are noticeable in the interspaces and gullies and head cuts are typical. Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Hydrologic restoration and brush management will convert this plant community in to the HCPC. Restoring the hydrological function of an area is usually very expensive and may take many years. This may require reintroducing both periodic flooding and an overflow regime. If practical and if the habitat is favorable, reintroducing beaver may be a part of the solution. Brush management typically is necessary to remove shrubs and specifically upland shrubs if they have encroached.