Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations.
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations
This rangeland ecological site provides diverse habitat for native wildlife species. The sparse plant community exhibits a diverse mixture of forbs throughout the growing season offering excellent habitat for invertebrates. Mule deer and elk may utilize the site throughout 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 Greater sage-grouse. Water features are sparse provided by seasonal runoff, artificial water catchments, and springs.
State 1 Phase 1.1 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Idaho Fescue/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Prairie Junegrass/ Nevada Bluegrass/ Arrowleaf Balsamroot/ Reference Plant Community (RPC): This plant community provides a diversity of grasses, forbs, and shrubs used by native insect communities that assist in pollination. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by common sagebrush lizard, western rattlesnake, 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 may utilize this site for brood rearing, winter cover, and winter food. Sharp-tailed grouse may utilize this plant community. The plant community provides spring, fall, and winter (south slopes) food and cover for mule deer and elk. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, jackrabbits, Great Basin pocket mice, and deer mice would utilize this plant community. Mountain snowberry and Woods’ rose are present in the plant community and provides desirable forage for large herbivores.
State 1 Phase 1.2 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Idaho Fescue/ Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Sandberg Bluegrass/ Woods’ Rose/ Mountain Snowberry Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management and no fire. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush contributes to a decline in vigor and production of native deep rooted grasses and forbs. The reduced diversity of herbaceous understory results in lower diversity of insects. The reptile community would be similar to the reptile community in State 1 Phase 1.1. Shrub-steppe obligate avian species using the site include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage-grouse. Quality of brood-rearing 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. The reduced vigor and production of understory vegetation provides a shorter grazing season for mule deer and elk. Small mammal diversity and populations would be similar to those in State 1 Phase 1.1.
State 1 Phase 1.3– Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Idaho Fescue Plant Community: This plant community is a result of recent wildfire, prescribed burning, or brush management. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little or no sagebrush would provide less vertical structure for animals. Patches of root sprouting shrubs (mountain snowberry and Wood’s rose) may be present to provide limited vertical structure for wildlife. Insect diversity would be reduced but a native forb plant community similar to the one in State 1 Phase 1.1 would still support select pollinators. Habitat quality for reptiles including common sagebrush lizard and western rattlesnake would decline due to the loss of sagebrush. Amphibian habitat would be tied to permanent spring sites in the area. Development of spring sites that collect all available water would exclude amphibians on these sites. The dominant herbaceous vegetation and lack of sagebrush canopy cover would limit use of these areas as nesting habitat for Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage grouse, and sage thrasher. The herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for bird species that favor grassland habitat including horned lark, savannah sparrow, vesper sparrow, and western meadowlark. Sage-grouse may use this site for brood-rearing habitat when sagebrush cover is nearby. Habitat quality for sharp-tailed grouse may increase as patches of shrubs become established. Mule deer and elk use would be seasonal (spring and fall) but the site would offer little thermal or young of year cover due to the reduced shrub cover. The 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 2 –Annual Forbs/ Grasses Plant Community: This state has developed due to improper grazing management and/or frequent fire. The reduced native forb and shrub components in the plant community would support a very limited population of pollinators. Season long pollinator habitat provided by native forbs is missing. Habitat quality would decline for common sagebrush lizard and western rattlesnake due to the loss of sagebrush. The loss of sagebrush would severely reduce the quality of habitat for sage thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow, sage-grouse, and sage sparrow eliminating nesting and escape cover. Birds of prey including hawks and falcons may range throughout this area looking for prey species. Large mammals may utilize the herbaceous vegetation in the early part of the year when it is more palatable. Kentucky bluegrass, when managed properly, can provide desirable forage in spring and fall for mule deer and throughout the year for elk. The diversity and populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species. Hunting success by predators on small mammals would increase. Large blocks of this plant community would fragment the reference plant community and reduce the quality of habitat for shrub-steppe obligate animal species.
Grazing Interpretations.
This site is suited for grazing by domestic livestock in late spring, summer, and fall. The steeper slopes will limit livestock movement. Excessive trailing of livestock should be avoided to minimize terracette development and erosion on the steeper 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. Calculations used to determine estimated initial stocking rate will be based on forage preference ratings.
Recreational uses
This site provides only fair aesthetic and recreation values
Other information
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