East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory, Big Horn County, Montana

Prepared for Decker Coal Company

Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants

February 2016

East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory, Big Horn County, Montana

Prepared for Decker Coal Company P.O. Box 12 Decker, Montana 59025

Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants 1892 South Sheridan Avenue Sheridan, Wyoming 82801 Phone (307) 673-4303 | Fax (307) 673-4505 www.swca.com

February 1, 2016

East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Study Area ...... 1 2.0 METHODS ...... 4 2.1 Preliminary Vegetation Mapping ...... 4 2.2 Field Surveys ...... 5 2.2.1 Vegetation Transect Selection...... 5 2.2.2 Vegetation Sampling ...... 6 2.3 Rare Plant Surveys...... 7 2.4 Noxious Weed Surveys ...... 8 2.5 Species List ...... 10 2.6 Vegetation Mapping Review and Finalization ...... 10 2.7 Land Use Inventory ...... 11 2.8 Ecological Sites, Ecological Condition, and Productivity ...... 12 3.0 RESULTS ...... 13 3.1 Land Use History ...... 13 3.1.1 Landownership and Agricultural Operations ...... 13 3.1.2 Livestock Grazing Practices ...... 14 3.1.3 Hay Fields ...... 16 3.2 Land Use Types and Vegetation Communities ...... 17 3.2.1 Pastureland ...... 18 3.2.2 Grazing Land ...... 20 3.2.3 Fish and Wildlife Habitat ...... 27 3.2.4 Developed Water Resources ...... 31 3.2.5 Industrial/Commercial...... 31 3.2.6 Residential ...... 31 3.3 Rare Plants ...... 32 3.4 Noxious Weeds ...... 32 3.5 Species List ...... 32 3.6 Ecological Sites, Ecological Condition, and Productivity ...... 33 3.6.1 Ecological Sites ...... 33 3.6.2 Ecological Condition ...... 34 3.6.3 Productivity ...... 34 4.0 REFERENCES ...... 40

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Overview of the study area...... 3

i East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Number of Sample Points Allocated to Each Land Use ...... 5 Table 2. Montana/Dakotas Bureau of Land Management Sensitive Plant Species List ...... 7 Table 3. Montana Natural Heritage Program Species of Concern near the Study Area ...... 8 Table 4. State of Montana Noxious Weed List ...... 9 Table 5. Big Horn County Noxious Weed List ...... 10 Table 6. Visborg Ranch Livestock Grazing Use in the Study Area...... 15 Table 7. Ranchholme Cattle Livestock Grazing Use in the Study Area ...... 15 Table 8. Land Use Acreages and Percentage of Study Area ...... 18 Table 9. Pastureland Vegetation Community Types...... 19 Table 10. Grazing Land Vegetation Community Types ...... 20 Table 11. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Vegetation Community Types ...... 27 Table 12. Montana Natural Heritage Program Species of Concern with Potential Habitat in the Study Area ...... 32 Table 13. Mapped Ecological Sites ...... 33 Table 14. Grazing Land Productivity ...... 35 Table 15. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Productivity ...... 36 Table 16. Pastureland Productivity ...... 37 Table 17. Productivity Summary ...... 38

LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A Vegetation Sampling Transect Classifications B Plant Functional Group Classification Summary Statistics C Land Use Vegetation Sampling Data D Vegetation Community Vegetation Sampling Data E Ecological Site Vegetation Sampling Data F Transect Vegetation Sampling Data G Species List H Ecological Site Description Reports

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Attachment A-1 Land Use Map, East Half A-2 Land Use Map, West Half B-1 Vegetation Community Map, East Half B-2 Vegetation Community Map, West Half C-1 Ecological Site Map, East Half C-2 Ecological Site Map, West Half D-1 Ecological Condition Map, East Half D-2 Ecological Condition Map, West Half E-1 Management Unit and Hay Fields Map, East Half E-2 Management Unit and Hay Fields Map, West Half

ii East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

1.0 INTRODUCTION

SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) was contracted by Decker Coal Company (DCC) to conduct a baseline vegetation and land use inventory for the East Decker Northeast Extension, located approximately 3.7 miles northeast of the town of Decker, Montana (Figure 1). Data collection sampling design and methods were based on Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) rules, regulations, and guidelines and were devised to provide data suitable for describing existing vegetation communities and land uses in accordance with the requirements of the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) 17.24.304(1)(i) and (l), respectively (MDEQ 2015a).

A draft Plan of Study (POS) was completed in May 2015 (SWCA 2015a) and submitted to the MDEQ; a revision to account for the number of sample transects and methodology refinement was submitted in August 2015 (SWCA 2015b). Vegetation surveys encompassing the entire East Decker Mine Permit Area, which is adjacent to the Northeast Extension Amendment Area, were previously completed. These surveys and their findings are presented in Volume 6 (DCC 1992) of the DCC’s East Decker mine permit.

The vegetation baseline and land use study was conducted to supplement historical data and characterize conditions in the Northeast Extension Amendment Area. This report provides the results of the vegetation baseline study and land use investigation.

1.1 STUDY AREA

The study area for the baseline vegetation and land use inventory consists of approximately 5,190 acres in Section 36, Township (T) 8 South (S), Range (R) 40 East (E); Sections 1–4, T8S, R41E; Sections 1 and 12, T9S, R40E, and Sections 3–10, T9S, R41E in Big Horn County, Montana (see Figure 1). The study area is adjacent to the East Decker Mine Permit Area and extends east and north from the mouth of Deer Creek at Tongue River Reservoir.

There are two streams in the study area: Deer Creek and an unnamed intermittent stream. Deer Creek is the primary drainage in the study area and flows westward across the study area’s southern portion. The unnamed intermittent stream, locally known and referred to in this report as “Dry Fork,” is a tributary to Deer Creek that flows south across the eastern end of the study area before converging with Deer Creek in the southeastern portion of the study area. Ephemeral tributaries are a common feature within the dissected landscape of the study area.

The study area lies within the Northwestern Great Plains ecoregion, which is characterized by rolling plains and a semiarid environment. Grassland and shrubland plant communities dominate the vegetation of this ecoregion (Bailey et al. 1994). The study area encompasses isolated hilltops and ridgelines that support coniferous woodland stands surrounded by a mosaic of grassland and sagebrush shrubland communities. The major land uses surrounding the study area are mining, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and agriculture.

1 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

The regional climate is semiarid continental, with a 10-year average annual temperature of 47° Fahrenheit (F). July is generally the hottest month, with an average high of 77°F, and December is the coldest month, with an average low of -20°F (Aqua Terra 2015a) Annual precipitation averages 10.89 inches, based on a 30-year average (Aqua Terra 2015b).

DCC is the primary landowner within the study area. Alfred Visborg (Visborg Ranch) and Rancholme Cattle Limited Partnership (Rancholme Cattle) also own private land within the study area. Additionally, there are small parcels administered by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Visborg Ranch and Rancholme Cattle conduct agricultural activities within the study area. The Visborg Ranch operations in the study area occur on the ranch’s own parcels and on a DNRC parcel subleased from DCC (Section 36, T8S, R40E). Rancholme Cattle conducts operations on the remainder of the private (including DCC land) and public lands in the study area; including the one small parcel of DNRC land subleased from DCC (SE1/4, SW1/4, Section 1, T9S, R40E) and three small parcels of BLM land (S1/2, SE1/4, Section 33, T8S, R40E; NW1/4, SW1/4, Section 3, T9S, R41E; NE1/4, NW1/4, Section 4, T9S, R41E). The agricultural activities that occur within the study area are livestock grazing and hay production. The operators use the land in a manner typical of regional cow-calf operations.

2 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Figure 1. Overview of the study area.

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2.0 METHODS

2.1 PRELIMINARY VEGETATION MAPPING

SWCA preliminarily mapped vegetation resources in the study area in a geographic information system (GIS) map program based on 1-meter (m) resolution aerial imagery (Esri 2015), soil survey maps (Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS] 2015a), and extrapolations from previous vegetation studies (DCC 1981, 1992) conducted at the study area. The primary variables analyzed for vegetation community differentiation during preliminary vegetation mapping included soil type, landscape position, slope, and aspect. Spectral shifts identified in the aerial imagery were correlated with these variables to inform the delineation of vegetation community boundaries. The preliminary vegetation map was developed at a scale of 1:4,800 (1 inch = 400 feet). Community type designations were based on aerial imagery interpretation of dominant physiognomic growth types and interpretation of dominant plant species within these types. Vegetation community types were defined in a manner consistent with the 1981 and 1992 East Decker vegetation mapping (DCC 1981, 1992) to facilitate comparison of survey results with historical data.

Once the preliminary vegetation map was complete, vegetation communities were aggregated to develop a land use map based on the definitions in ARM 17.24.301 (MDEQ 2015b) and Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 82-4-203 (MCA 2015). These communities consist of pastureland, grazing land, fish and wildlife habitat, developed water resources (e.g., stock ponds), industrial/commercial (e.g., coalbed methane surface facilities and scoria mining pits), and residential (e.g., farmstead and associated structures).

The land uses as defined in ARM 17.24.301(65) (MDEQ 2015b) and (MCA) 82-4-203 (MCA 2015) are as follows:

 "Pastureland" is land used primarily for the long-term production of adapted, domesticated forage plants to be grazed by livestock or occasionally cut and cured for livestock feed.

 "Grazing land" is land used for grasslands and forest lands where the indigenous vegetation is actively managed for livestock grazing or browsing or occasional hay production.

 "Fish and wildlife habitat" is land dedicated wholly or partially to the production, protection, or management of species of fish or wildlife.

 "Developed water resources" is land used for storing water for beneficial uses such as stockponds, irrigation, fire protection, flood control, and water supply.

 "Industrial/commercial" is land used for: o Extraction or transformation of materials for fabrication of products, wholesaling of products or for long-term storage of products. This includes all heavy and light manufacturing facilities, such as lumber and wood processing,

4 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, and fabricated metal products manufacture. Land that is used for facilities in support of these operations and is adjacent to, or an integral part of, such operations is also included. o Land that is used for facilities in support of commercial operations and is adjacent to, or an integral part of, these operations is also included. Support facilities include, but are not limited to, parking, storage or shipping facilities.

 "Residential" is land used for single- and multiple-family housing, mobile home parks, or other residential lodgings. Land that is used for facilities in support of residential operations and that is adjacent to, or an integral part of, these operations is also included. Support facilities include, but are not limited to, vehicle parking and open space that directly relate to the residential use.

An area that has 51% or greater relative cover of introduced forage species will be included in the pastureland land use.

2.2 FIELD SURVEYS

2.2.1 Vegetation Transect Selection SWCA distributed 115 vegetation sample points across the study area using stratified random sampling. Sample point locations were stratified based on the three dominant land use types identified within the study area: pastureland, grazing land, and fish and wildlife habitat. The sample points were proportionally allocated based on the acreage extent of the plant communities found within each land use type. Table 1 shows the number of sample points allocated to each land use during the preliminary vegetation community mapping and the number of sample points in each land use after the final vegetation community mapping was complete This was completed through the use of Sampling Design Tool for ArcGIS 10 (Buja et al. 2015). Minor plant communities (e.g. wetlands) with limited occurrence and sites posing surveyor safety concerns (e.g., steep rock outcrops), are not represented by vegetation sampling transects but were observed in the field and are described in the report narrative. Developed water resources, industrial/commercial, and residential land uses were specifically excluded from vegetation due to a lack of vegetation cover.

Table 1. Number of Sample Points Allocated to Each Land Use

Land Use During Preliminary Mapping After Final Mapping Pastureland 22 27 Grazing land 61 62 Fish and wildlife habitat 32 26

5 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

2.2.2 Vegetation Sampling A vegetation sampling transect was conducted at each random sample point location. Sampling was conducted from June 15 through July 31, 2015. Navigation to each sample point was accomplished using a global positioning system (GPS) unit with submeter accuracy. Data were collected and analyzed using the Database for Inventory, Monitoring, and Assessment (DIMA) (Agricultural Research Service 2014). The location, transect bearing, percent slope, aspect, topography, slope configuration, date of recording, and the personnel who conducted the work were noted at each transect. The methodology used to collect vegetation data is provided below.

2.2.2.1 Cover Cover was measured using the line-point intercept method (LPI). A 100-m tape (i.e., transect) was orientated by using a compass degree from a randomly generated computer list that was followed sequentially using the next number in line for the next transect sampled. The tape was pulled taut and pinned at each end in that direction of orientation. The direction of LPI sample points started at the 1-m mark and were spaced at 1-m intervals along the length of the transect (Herrick et al. 2009). Aerial and basal plant cover data and ground cover data were collected at 100 points along each transect. A laser pointer was used to increase sampling speed, efficiency, and repeatability. The laser pointer was mounted on a monopod with a water bubble level, and the observer leveled the monopod while standing firm on both legs to achieve tripod stabilization. Whenever the laser intercepted a plant, the observer pushed aside the plant to determine whether the laser point intercepted a different plant species lower in the canopy, thereby recording first-hit and multiple-hit (stratified) cover. This method was then repeated until the laser intercepted litter, bare ground, lichen, bryophyte, rock, or the basal portion of a plant.

2.2.2.2 Shrub Density Shrub and sub-shrub density were measured at each transect using a belt transect sampling method (Herrick et al. 2009). The belt transects were 1 m wide and 100 m long and were centered on the LPI transect. Shrubs and sub-shrub individuals were counted and split into age classes. Shrub density was subsequently calculated by dividing species tallies by belt transect area (number of individuals/transect area). Non-clustered stems of rhizotomous shrub species were counted as individuals.

2.2.2.3 Tree Density No areas containing commercially viable timber densities were identified during the preliminary mapping nor were any observed during vegetation sampling. Tree density was estimated in a GIS map program using high-resolution aerial imagery to differentiate between tree species and to count individual trees. Tree density estimates were calculated by counting individual trees within each of the woodland association polygons defined for the study area.

6 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

2.3 RARE PLANT SURVEYS

No threatened or endangered plant species listed under the Endangered Species Act nor any candidate or proposed species are identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as having the potential to occur in Big Horn County (USFWS 2015).

The Montana/Dakotas BLM Sensitive Species list (BLM 2014) for the BLM-administered land in the study area is shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Montana/Dakotas Bureau of Land Management Sensitive Plant Species List

Common Name Scientific Name Alkali primrose Primula alcalina Beartooth large-flowered goldenweed Pyrrocoma carthamoides var. subsquarrosa Beautiful bladderpod Physaria pulchella Bitterroot milkvetch Astragalus scaphoides Chicken sage Sphaeromeria argentea Cusick’s horse-mint Agastache cusickii Fendler cat’s-eye Cryptantha fendleri Gray’s milkvetch Astragalus grayi Idaho sedge Carex idahoa Painted milkvetch Astragalus ceramicus var. apus Pryor Mountains bladderpod Lesquerella lesicii Railhead milkvetch Astragalus terminalis Sand wildrye Leymus flavescens = Elymus flavescens Sapphire rockcress Arabis fecunda Shoshone carrot Shoshonea pulvinata Visher’s buckwheat Eriogonum visheri Whitebark pine Pinus albicaulis

The Montana Natural Heritage Program (MNHP) Natural Heritage Map Viewer (MNHP 2015) lists 14 species of concern as occurring near the study area (Table 3).

7 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Table 3. Montana Natural Heritage Program Species of Concern near the Study Area

Common Name Scientific Name Barr’s milkvetch Astragalus barrii Big Horn fleabane Erigeron allocotus Daggett rockcress Boechera demissa Double bladderpod Physaria brassicoides Geyer’s milkvetch Astragalus geyeri Heavy sedge Carex gravida Nannyberry Viburnum lentago Nuttall desert-parsley Lomatium nuttallii Scribner’s panic grass Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum Spiny hopsage Grayia spinosa Spotted joe pye-weed Eupatorium maculatum Woolly twinpod Physaria didymocarpa var. lanata Wyoming sullivantia Sullivantia hapemanii Wyoming thistle Cirsium pulcherrimum

BLM sensitive plants and Montana species of concern were considered rare plants for the purposes of this study. Suitable habitat for rare plants was surveyed using the intuitive controlled method (U.S. Forest Service 2005) where such habitat was identified in the field.

2.4 NOXIOUS WEED SURVEYS

Noxious weeds listed by the State of Montana and Big Horn County under Montana County Weed Control Law (MCA 7-2101 through 7-2153) were recorded when encountered during field surveys. Noxious weeds are defined by the law as any exotic plant species that may render land unfit for agriculture, forestry, livestock, wildlife, or other beneficial uses or that may harm native plant communities. Species on the State of Montana noxious weed list are categorized by occurrence within Montana with specified management criteria shown in Table 4 and outlined below. Only those species listed as noxious weeds by the State of Montana or Big Horn County are included in the list.

 Priority 1A invasive species are not present in Montana. Management criteria require that these species, if detected, be eradicated; such efforts would include education and prevention.

8 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

 Priority 1B invasive species have a limited presence in Montana. Management criteria require that these species, if encountered, be eradicated and contained; such efforts would include education.  Priority 2A invasive species are common in isolated areas of Montana. Management criteria require that these species, where less abundant, be eradicated or contained. Management shall be prioritized by local weed districts.  Priority 2B invasive species are abundant in Montana and widespread in many counties. Management criteria require that these species, where less abundant, be eradicated or contained. Management shall be prioritized by local weed districts. Table 4. State of Montana Noxious Weed List

Priority Common Name Scientific Name 1A Common reed Phragmites australis ssp. australis Dyer’s woad Isatis tinctoria Yellow starthistle Centaurea solstitialis 1B Knotweed complex Polygonum cuspidatum, P. sachalinense, P. × bohemicum, Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis, F. × bohemica, Reynoutria japonica, R. sachalinensis, and R.× bohemica) Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Rush skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea Scotch broom Cytisus scoparius 2A Blueweed Echium vulgare Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum Flowering rush Butomus umbellatus Meadow hawkweed complex Hieracium caespitosum, H. praealturm, H. floridundum, and Pilosella caespitosa Orange hawkweed Hieracium aurantiacum, Pilosella aurantiaca Perennial pepperweed Lepidium latifolium Tall buttercup Ranunculus acris Tansy ragwort Senecio jacobaea, Jacobaea vulgaris Yellowflag iris Iris pseudacorus 2B Canada thistle Cirsium arvense Common tansy Tanacetum vulgare Curlyleaf pondweed Potamogeton crispus Dalmatian toadflax Linaria dalmatica

9 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Priority Common Name Scientific Name Diffuse knapweed Centaurea diffusa Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis Hoary alyssum Berteroa incana Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Russian knapweed Acroptilon repens, Rhaponticum repens Saltcedar Tamarix spp. Spotted knapweed Centaurea stoebe, C. maculosa St. Johnswort Hypericum perforatum Sulfur cinquefoil Potentilla recta Whitetop Cardaria draba, Lepidium draba Yellow toadflax Linaria vulgaris Source: Montana Department of Agriculture 2015

Big Horn County adds three listed noxious weeds, in addition to the State of Montana listed noxious weeds, to its County noxious weed list (Table 5).

Table 5. Big Horn County Noxious Weed List

Category Common Name Scientific Name These weeds are listed by Big Black henbane Hyoscyamus niger Horn County and require control Common burdock Arctium minus when identified. Poison hemlock Conium maculatum Source: Montana Weed Control Association 2015

2.5 SPECIES LIST

All vascular plant species encountered in the study area were recorded, and a comprehensive list of those species was compiled. Taxa not readily identified in the field were collected and identified using taxonomic references relevant to the study area. Nomenclature of vascular plant species follows the NRCS PLANTS Database (NRCS 2015c).

2.6 VEGETATION MAPPING REVIEW AND FINALIZATION

Vegetation communities were classified based on the vegetation community type (grassland, shrubland, woodland) and vegetation sampling data. Shrubland associations were differentiated from grassland associations based on transect plant cover and woody density

10 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana data and field observations indicating whether an individual transect was representative of the association within which it fell. Seedling shrub density was recorded but not used for shrubland classification because it was common for hundreds of seedling shrubs to be concentrated in pockets too small to sustain more than a couple mature individuals. The general benchmark used for shrubland classification was shrub density numbers greater than 1,000 individuals per acre and shrub canopy cover greater than 6%. The threshold for woodland association classification was tree canopy cover in excess of 3%.

Randomly selected sample points introduce the potential for individual transects to be placed in locations that are not representative of the predominant community, thereby skewing community classifications determined solely on vegetation sampling data. To mitigate this possible effect, notes were taken on the landscape context of each sample transect. For instance, the documentation of each non-forested transect included whether the transect fell in a grassland (less than approximately 6% shrub cover) or shrub/grassland stand. Vegetation community classifications and community boundaries within the preliminary vegetation map were adjusted, as needed, to match the field community type classifications and vegetation sampling data. Plant community inclusions smaller than 4 acres (e.g., small pockets of shrubs within grasslands) typically were not considered separate from the greater plant community. These small inclusions were captured within the random sampling conducted and have been interpreted as accounting for the range of transitive variability within the respective community types.

2.7 LAND USE INVENTORY

Land use is defined in MCA 82-4-203 as

specific uses or management-related activities, rather than the vegetative cover of the land. Land uses may be identified in combination when joint or seasonal uses occur and may include land used for support facilities that are an integral part of the land use. Land use categories include cropland, developed water resources, fish and wildlife habitat, forestry, grazing land, industrial or commercial, pastureland, land occasionally cut for hay, recreation, or residential. (MCA 2015)

Data pertaining to recent land uses, management activities, agricultural production, and historical mining were collected through reviews of aerial and satellite imagery and through interviews with landowners, agricultural operators, and other parties involved in the management of lands or land uses in the study area. Data collected included information pertaining to grazing practices such as fence locations, pasture rotation, grazing timing and stocking rates, and records of recent pastureland hay production. Agricultural operators were specifically queried for information pertaining to the past 5 years (2011–2015). However, agricultural land uses have been relatively static for a longer period. Some information related to historical agricultural operations was also collected, particularly pertaining to hay production in the Deer Creek valley bottom. Personal interviews were conducted with Visborg Ranch operators Deanna Visborg and Doug Elliot and with Rancholme Cattle operator Mark Moreland on October 8, 2015. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with Mr. Elliot on October 14, 2015, and with Mr. Moreland on November 18, 2015.

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Land use mapping was completed according to the defined categories outlined in Section 2.1.

2.8 ECOLOGICAL SITES, ECOLOGICAL CONDITION, AND PRODUCTIVITY

NRCS ecological site descriptions (ESDs) were used to determine the ecological condition and productivity of the study area. ESDs are reports that provide detailed information about a particular kind of land, or distinctive ecological site. An ecological site is a specific kind of land defined by its physical characteristics that differs from other communities within a landscape in its ability to produce and support a distinctive type and amount of vegetation, and in its ability to respond similarly to management actions and natural disturbances (NRCS 2003).

Ecological site classifications and descriptions provide a consistent framework for stratifying and describing rangelands and their soil, vegetation, and abiotic features, thereby delineating units that share similar capabilities to respond to management activities or disturbance processes. ESDs provide land managers the information needed for evaluating the land’s suitability for various land-use activities, capability to respond to various management activities or disturbance processes, and ability to sustain productivity over the long term (Caudle et al. 2013).

The study area is located in NRCS Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 58A - Northern Rolling Plains, Northern Part (NRCS 2006). MLRAs are geographically associated land units. Each MLRA has ESDs specific to that unit. The study area ecological sites were mapped using the baseline soil survey data (Catena Consulting, LLC [Catena] 2016) and keying them to the applicable ecological site using the Montana Rangeland Ecological Site Key (NRCS 2013).

Productivity is typically closely related to ecological sites and their associated condition based on species composition. Production ranges for grazing lands and fish and wildlife habitat were determined by using the predicted production values in the ESDs (Appendix H) for each ecological site polygon and the soil survey information (Soil Conservation Service [SCS] 1977; Catena 2016).

Pastureland production values were taken from the Deer Creek Valley Alluvial Valley Floor (AVF) Assessment (Aqua Terra et al. 2016). The production values were derived from NRCS guides and production clipping completed in the AVF assessment.

Production is not applicable to Developed Water Resources, Industrial/Commercial, or Residential land uses. No commercial forest land as defined in ARM 17.24.301(61)(d) (MDEQ 2015b) occurs in the study area, and, therefore, tree production was not measured. The tree-dominant vegetation communities have a limited extent of forested areas and low timber value.

12 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

3.0 RESULTS

The vegetation within the study area has been classified into land uses, vegetation communities, and ecological sites. Appendix A provides a cross-walk table providing the linkages between the land use classification, ecological site, and vegetation community for each sample transect. Summary statistics of plant functional groups within the land use, vegetation community, and ecological site classifications are provided in Appendix B. Detailed vegetation sampling data for the land use classifications are provided in Appendix C. Detailed vegetation sampling data for the vegetation community classifications are provided in Appendix D. Detailed vegetation sampling data for the ecological site classifications are provided in Appendix E. The vegetation data collected at each sampling transect are provided in Appendix F. A plant species list is provided in Appendix G. Attachments A-1 and A-2 show the land use category mapping. Attachments B-1 and B-2 show the vegetation community mapping. Attachments C-1 and C-2 show the ecological site mapping. Attachments D-1 and D-2 show the ecological condition mapping for the grazing land and fish and wildlife habitat land uses. Attachments E-1 and E-2 show the hay fields, landownership, pasture names, and fences in the study area.

3.1 LAND USE HISTORY

Lands within the study area are primarily owned by DCC, although land owned by other private and public landowners is also present. The two agricultural operations in the study area, Visborg Ranch and Rancholme Cattle, use a mixture of deeded land, leased DCC land, and public land leases administered by the DNRC and BLM. This section presents information related to land use, management, and agricultural productivity that was collected from interviews with agricultural operators and other available sources.

3.1.1 Landownership and Agricultural Operations The extent of the agricultural operations within the study area is consistent with the fenced pastures and miscellaneous areas in which they conduct their operations (Attachments E-1 and E-2). Within the study area, the Visborg Ranch’s operations are limited to private land owned by the ranch operators and a parcel of Montana DNRC land subleased from DCC (Section 36, T8S, R40E). Rancholme Cattle conducts operations on the remainder of the private and public lands in the study area, including one small parcel of DNRC land subleased from DCC (SE1/4, SW1/4, Section 1, T9S, R40E) and three small unfenced parcels of BLM land (S1/2, SE1/4, Section 33, T8S, R40E; NW1/4, SW1/4, Section 3, T9S, R41E; NE1/4, NW1/4, Section 4, T9S, R41E). Attachments E-1 and E-2 show the landownership in the study area.

Cattle ranching is the managed surface use in the study area. Visborg Ranch and Rancholme Cattle both use the land within the study area in a manner typical of regional cow-calf operations (grazing practices are described in Section 3.1.2). Forage resources are primarily grazed, although approximately 192 acres of pastureland are harvested for hay that is used for winter feed (see Attachments E-1 and E-2 for hay field areas and discussion in Section 3.1.3).

13 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Both operators were queried for their perception of how much of their operation is located within the study area and how much economic value that portion contributes to their overall operation. Ms. Visborg estimated that less than 10% of the operation is within the study area, but declined to estimate the economic value of production of that area for the Visborg Ranch operation. Mr. Moreland estimated that approximately 50% of the Rancholme Cattle operation is within the study area and estimated the economic value of that area on the operation at 80% to 90%. The disproportionally high economic value attributed to those portions of the Rancholme operation within the study area are attributed to the presence of the ranch headquarters in the study area. In this case, the term “ranch headquarters” is understood to include two residences, a barn, sheds, corrals, hay storage yards, winter feeding grounds, and calving pastures.

3.1.2 Livestock Grazing Practices The extent of each fenced pasture within the study area is shown on Attachments E-1 and E-2. Stocking rates reflect the intensity of grazing measured as the number of animal units grazing for a month (animal unit months, or AUMs) on each acre based on grazing activities reported by the operators. Stocking rates were not calculated for pastures where supplemental feeding was known to occur (i.e., grazing between late-fall and spring). While nearly the entire study area is subject to livestock grazing at some time during most years, all areas do not meet the regulatory definition of grazing land as discussed later in this section. However, average stocking rates must take into account that livestock will graze any available forage regardless of the designated land use(s) occurring within each fenced pasture.

Stock water is provided by tanks along coalbed methane dewatering pipelines, wells, and reservoirs. Fences are typically four-wire barbed wire construction. Both agricultural operators reported that no mineral supplementation is provided for cattle.

3.1.2.1 Visborg Ranch Ms. Visborg grazes a small herd of breeding cows. Maintaining this small herd is essentially a retirement activity for Ms. Visborg. Mr. Elliot manages day-to-day activities for the Visborg operation. Herefords are the cow breed kept by the Visborg Ranch.

Approximately 20 cow-calf pairs are generally placed in Pasture A from June to September. Ms. Visborg stated that the south part of the pasture (the portion within the study area) is steep and rough with no water sources and is underutilized. All stock water sources are in the northern portion of the pasture, outside the study area.

Another 40 cow-calf pairs are placed in Pasture O from June to September. The DNRC lease comprises about two thirds of Pasture O. However, it is only a partial section as about a quarter of the section is in the Tongue River Reservoir. The majority of Pasture O is steep rocky breaks along the Tongue River, and the prescribed stocking rate for the Montana DNRC lease is 0.194 AUMs per acre (Jocee Hedrick, DNRC, personal communication with Darrel Myran, Catena, October 13, 2015). Access to an impoundment provides water for cattle. Although the northern boundary of the pasture was not determined during the study, based on its estimated location, only about 14% of Pasture O is within the study area.

14 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

The Visborg Ranch livestock grazing use in the study area is shown Table 6.

Table 6. Visborg Ranch Livestock Grazing Use in the Study Area

Pasture Acres % within Stock Class Grazing Average Stocking Study Area and Number Timing AUMs Rate Used (AUMs/acre) A 2,549 32 20 cow-calf June to 84 0.03 pairs September O* 936 14 40 cow-calf June to 201 0.21 pairs September

3.1.2.2 Rancholme Cattle Rancholme Cattle’s operations encompass the majority of the study area and occur across 13 fenced pastures, including portions of which are outside of the study area. Twelve of the pastures are typically used for livestock grazing, several of which are grazed simultaneously by leaving gates open. The fenced area identified as Pasture K is the ranch headquarters and includes structures, roads, and livestock handling facilities and exclosures (e.g., corrals). The Rancholme Cattle operation’s winter grazing and most of the annual hay harvest for the ranch occur within the study area. The Visborg Ranch livestock grazing use in the study area is shown Table 7.

Table 7. Ranchholme Cattle Livestock Grazing Use in the Study Area

Pasture Acres % within Stock Class Grazing Average Stocking Study Area and Number Timing AUMs Rate Used (AUMs/acre) B 2,182.0 40 100 cow-calf June to 409 0.19 pairs August, September to November D 1,125.0 100 40 cow heifers July to 124 0.11 October CEF C 522.4 70 100 cows November to 200 N/A December E 245.2 100 F 157.7 61 GL G 427.8 93 200 cows and January 600 N/A heifers L 28.9 83

15 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Pasture Acres % within Stock Class Grazing Average Stocking Study Area and Number Timing AUMs Rate Used (AUMs/acre) HI H 51.0 100 300 cows February to 1,200 N/A April I 70.0 100 J 444.2 100 150 cow-calf April to May 150 N/A pairs K 32.7 100 N/A N/A N/A N/A M 207.4 88 13 horses Year round 190 0.92 N 381.3 92 150 cow-calf April to May 150 N/A pairs

Livestock are concentrated near the ranch headquarters during winter (Pastures CEF and GL) to optimize supplemental feeding activities and early spring (Pasture HI) to monitor calving activities. After cows and calves are paired (Pastures J and N), they are moved to more distant pastures, including pastures outside of the study area, and are allowed to graze through the growing season and into the fall. Pasture M is used as a year-round horse pasture. Notes specific to fenced pastures managed by Rancholme Cattle not presented in Table 7 are summarized below:

 Mr. Moreland uses Pasture B as summer or fall pasture in an alternate year rotation with another pasture that is outside the study area. Pasture B includes two small BLM leases in Section 33 (0.200 AUM per acre) and Section 3 (0.225 AUM per acre) (Dawn Doran, BLM, personal communication with Darrel Myran, Catena, October 13, 2015).

 Mr. Moreland reported that Pasture C provides little forage because of a densely populated prairie dog colony (see Section 3.2.3).

 Pasture D includes one small BLM lease (Section 4). Mr. Moreland described Pasture D as rough and rocky, which correlates with the low stocking rate prescription (0.167 AUM per acre) prescribed in the BLM lease.

3.1.3 Hay Fields Hay field production for the period from 2011 to 2015 was obtained from landowner interviews. The hay fields in the study area are operated by Rancholme Cattle. No written records of haying activities or yields are kept by the operator, and estimates were provided for the range of years rather than for each year individually. All production estimates and other information related to haying activities are from the landowners’ memory. Hay fields delineated in the study area total 192 acres and are shown on Attachments E-1 and E-2.

16 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

The hay is used for winter livestock feed. Hayed pastureland areas are also grazed in fall, winter, or early spring. Ranch operations purchase the majority of supplemental feed required to sustain livestock during the winter months. Historic cultivation of these marginal agricultural lands often occurred as part of Homestead Act (U.S. Government 1862) requirements to cultivate a portion of the homestead property to receive the land patent. Later, areas were seeded with introduced forage species, such as crested wheatgrass (Agropyrum cristatum). Some areas could have been cultivated as recently as 30 to 40 years ago. The landowners are aware areas had been cultivated but could not recollect the timing of the last cultivation.

Common in the region are historical small-scale irrigation features intended to slow and spread surface water runoff to increase infiltration (spreader dikes). Evidence of such features is observable in portions of the Deer Creek valley associated with the Rancholme operation, but the features are not maintained. Mr. Moreland stated that he had no personal knowledge of when the structures were constructed or when maintenance was suspended. Spreader dikes are also readily observable in the upper Deer Creek valley outside of the study area; however, Mr. Moreland reported that those areas have not been hayed for 15 to 20 years.

Mr. Moreland estimated production of the hay fields at 0.3 to 1.3 lbs per acre (Aqua Terra et al. 2016). His estimates of production from pastureland hayed within the last 5 years do not reflect production from some parcels where haying was evident in historical imagery but not reported. The hay fields are primarily dominated by crested wheatgrass, however the larger hay area east of the ranch headquarters also has some alfalfa (Medicago sativa) planted (Attachments E-1 and E-2).

Bale counts of 2014 production were conducted based on aerial imagery to provide a quantitative measure of production. April through July precipitation in 2014 was higher than the 30-year average but was unevenly distributed over the 4 months (Aqua Terra 2015b). In 2014 an additional 62 acres of pastureland was hayed, due to more biomas production being available in the high precipitation year. This brought the total hay production acreage to 254 acres in 2014 (hay fields plust the additional 62 acres). The additional hayed areas were located on flat areas within the pastureland land use. Averages from 2014 bale counts provide estimates of the relative production from the various parcels assuming a grass-hay round bale weight of 1,100 pounds. The operator estimated that approximately 180 tons of hay is produced within the study area. The results of 2014 bale counts indicate that approximately 82.5 tons (150 bales) were produced from all pastureland (Aqua Terra et al. 2016) for an average of approximately 0.3 ton per acre.

3.2 LAND USE TYPES AND VEGETATION COMMUNITIES

Vegetation types mapped using the methods described above were aggregated into six land uses consistent with the definitions in ARM 17.24.301: pastureland, grazing land, fish and wildlife habitat, developed water resources, industrial/commercial, and residential. The latter three land uses are typically non-vegetated or are not managed for perennial cover; therefore, they were considered miscellaneous areas for purposes of vegetation mapping. No cropland, forestry, or recreation land use areas were identified in the study area.

17 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

The aggregation of vegetation communities into land uses follows the vegetation typespecific land use designations, shown in Tables 9, 10, and 11 (There are no vegetation communities for developed water resources, industrial/commercial, and residential land uses) The acreages of land uses within the study area are summarized in Table 8. Land uses, fenced pastures, and pastureland occasionally cut for hay are identified in Attachments A-1 and A-2. Vegetation community maps are provided in Attachments B-1 and B-2. Detailed vegetation sampling data for each land use classification and vegetation community are provided in Appendices C and D, respectively. Appendix A contains a cross-walk table providing the vegetation transect IDs occurring within each of the land use types classified for the project, which can be referenced to the transect-specific vegetation data provided in Appendix F.

All land uses are located within fenced pastures. Although forested areas are present, those areas are not used or managed for long-term production of wood products and are not considered to be a commercial timber resource. No evidence of historical surface or underground coal mining was observed in the study area. Descriptions of the land uses and vegetation communities defined for the project are presented in this section.

Table 8. Land Use Acreages and Percentage of Study Area

Land Use Acres Percentage Pastureland 1,125 21.7% Grazing land 3,094 59.6% Fish and wildlife habitat 879 16.9% Developed water resources 9 0.2% Industrial/commercial 68 1.3% Residential 15 0.3% Total 5,190 100.0%

3.2.1 Pastureland Pastureland is defined in ARM 17.24.301 and MCA 82-4-203 as “land used primarily for the long-term production of adapted, domesticated forage plants to be grazed by livestock or occasionally cut and cured for livestock feed."

In all, 27 vegetation transects (Appendix A) were located within pastureland, encompassing approximately 1,125 acres, or 21.7%, of the study area (see Table 9). The entire pastureland area is classified as a single vegetation type: tame pasture. Many of the pastureland parcels showed evidence of historical manipulation such as cultivation or interseeding. Forage resources are primarily grazed, although approximately 192 acres is harvested for hay (see discussion in Section 3.1.3). Other areas of poor or overgrazed rangeland were interseeded with introduced forage species. Some pastureland areas are the result of expansion of

18 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana introduced forage areas, particularly along the Deer Creek drainage. Table 10 identifies the vegetation community type for the vegetation community

Land parcels designated as pastureland are all managed by Rancholme Cattle. Only a portion of the pastureland is occasionally hayed, and this portion is entirely located in the Deer Creek valley. The remainder of pastureland in the study area is not hayed but is grazed in fall or spring to use cool-season grasses or during dormancy. Maintenance of pastureland is limited to harrowing of concentrated winter feeding areas and spraying noxious weeds where observed. Weeds are sprayed in nearly all pastureland land parcels. Section 3.1 describes the livestock grazing use by the agricultural operators. Section 3.6.3 describes the productivity of this land use.

Land use mapping is shown in Attachments A-1 and A-2, and vegetation community mapping is shown in Attachments B-1 and B-2. Summary tables of the sampling data are presented in the appendices, specifically plant functional group cover in Appendix B, land use cover/constancy in Appendix C, vegetation community cover/constancy in Appendix D, and individual transect data in Appendix F.

Tame pasture is the only vegetation community within the study area. It is primarily located along the Deer Creek and lower Dry Fork floodplains and terraces. The hay fields are included in the tame pasture vegetation community due to the dominance of crested wheatgrass. Of the 27 transects sampled, most were located on slopes ranging from almost flat (0%1%) to gentle (1%2%), and some were on moderate slopes (4%5%).

Table 9. Pastureland Vegetation Community Types

VEGETATION TYPE/VEGETATION COMMUNITY Acres Grassland Tame Pasture 1,125

The vegetation community is dominated by crested wheatgrass, which comprises more than 50% of the cover and more than 70% of the production within the community. Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), sweetclover (Melilotus spp.), alfalfa, field brome (Bromus arvensis), and needle-and-thread grass (Hesperostipa comata) are common community constituents. Shrub occurrence was limited to small pockets at the periphery of the community. Tree cover is a rare occurrence in the tame pasture community, but several remnant plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera) trees occur on low terraces in the Deer Creek drainage.

Shrub density averages 286.3 plants per acre, of which 18% is seedling silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana), 18% is mature silver sagebrush, 20% is Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), and 1% is Gardner’s saltbush (Atriplex gardneri). Isolated pockets of Woods’ rose (Rosa woodsii) are present within the minor tributaries of Deer Creek.

19 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Isolated small plains cottonwood trees are also scattered along the bottom of the Deer Creek drainage but were not observed near the sampling transects.

3.2.2 Grazing Land Grazing land is defined in ARM 17.24.301(65) (MDEQ 2015b) and MCA 82-4-203 (MCA 2015) as “land used for grasslands and forest lands where the indigenous vegetation is actively managed for livestock grazing or browsing or occasional hay production.”

In all, 62 vegetation transects (Appendix A) were located within grazing land, which encompasses approximately 3,094 acres, or 59.6% of the study area (see Table 9). Five grassland community types were identified in three series: western wheatgrass, needle-and- thread grass, and bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata). Grasslands were a more common occurrence in the valley bottoms and on the middle to lower slopes and elevations. Nine shrubland community types were identified in three series: Wyoming big sagebrush, silver sagebrush, and skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata var. trilobata). Although shrubland and grassland communities intergrade with each other, forming a patch-like mosaic in many areas, shrubland community types become more dominant on middle to upper slopes and elevations, integrating into the woodland communities (fish and wildlife habitat) at the hilltops and ridgelines. Table 10 identifies the vegetation community type for each vegetation community.

The entire study area is fenced and used for livestock grazing to some extent. Fenced pastures include substantial areas of grazing land, pastureland, fish and wildlife habitat, and other land uses. Areas used as grazing land are dominated by indigenous (native) species with a substantial component of grasses and forbs primarily suitable for use as livestock forage. Section 3.1 describes the livestock grazing use by the agricultural operators. Section 3.6.3 describes the productivity of this land use.

Table 10. Grazing Land Vegetation Community Types

VEGETATION TYPE/VEGETATION COMMUNITY ACRES Grassland Bluebunch wheatgrass/needle-and-thread grass 170 Needle-and-thread grass/prairie sandreed 58 Needle-and-thread grass/sideoats grama 29 Western wheatgrass/green needlegrass 13 Western wheatgrass/needle-and-thread grass 628

20 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Shrubland Big sagebrush/needle-and-thread grass 709 Big sagebrush/western wheatgrass 682 Big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass 460 Silver sagebrush/western wheatgrass 175 Big sagebrush/sideoats grama 108 Big sagebrush/blue grama 30 Silver sagebrush/sideoats grama 14 Silver sagebrush/crested wheatgrass 9 Big sagebrush - black greasewood/western wheatgrass 9

Land use mapping is shown in Attachments A-1 and A-2, and vegetation community mapping is in Attachments B-1 and B-2. Summary tables of the sampling data are presented in the appendices, specifically plant functional group cover in Appendix B, land use cover/constancy in Appendix C, vegetation community cover/constancy in Appendix D, and individual transect data in Appendix F. The vegetation associations classified as grazing land are further discussed in the following community descriptions.

3.2.2.1 Bluebunch Wheatgrass/Needle-and-Thread Grass The bluebunch wheatgrass/needle-and-thread grass association is common (3.13%), encompassing approximately 170 acres. Three transects were sampled on uplands and midslopes. Transects were located on slopes ranging from almost flat (0.93%) to gentle (2.27%–3.11%) with aspects to the south and southwest.

This association is most common along the shoulder slopes located within the highly dissected western portion of the study area and is commonly located in the loamy and thin breaks ecological sites. The bluebunch wheatgrass component shows high fidelity to the woodland associations on hilltops in the study area. The association is often bounded by one of the two woodland types defined for the study area. Needle-and-thread grass and bluebunch wheatgrass are co-dominant. Crested wheatgrass, threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia), Wyoming big sagebrush, silverleaf Indian breadroot (Pediomelum argophyllum), scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), western ragweed (Cumin ragweed, Ambrosia psilostachya), pale madwort (Alyssum alyssoides), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), and broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) are common community constituents.

Shrub density averages 539.5 plants per acre, of which 100% is Wyoming big sagebrush. Rocky Mountain juniper (Junioperus scopulorum) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) are scattered at the edges of this association but were not located near the vegetation transects.

21 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

3.2.2.2 Needle-and-Thread Grass/Prairie Sandreed The needle-and-thread grass/prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia) association is uncommon (1.12%), encompassing approximately 58.6 acres. Two transects were sampled on undulating uplands. Transects were located on slopes ranging from gentle (1.71%) to moderate (4.54%) and had a southeasterly aspect.

This association is primarily limited to hilltops in the western portion of the study area and commonly found within shallow draughty and sandy ecological sites. Needle-and-thread grass is dominant. Prairie sandreed and western wheatgrass are both subdominant, but prairie sandreed was noted in field observation as being a species that showed high levels of fidelity to this association, therefore, prairie sandreed was used as the subdominant for the community classification . Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca), silver sagebrush, blue grama, threadleaf sedge, western ragweed, silverleaf Indian breadroot, and prairie sagewort are common community constituents.

Over 95% of the shrubs recorded within this association are seedling silver sagebrush, which was a result of a vegetation transect intercepting silver sagebrush pockets containing high concentrations of seedlings. Silver sagebrush showed high fidelity and fecundity to this association but was not representative of the community type. Including seedlings, shrub density averaged 2,044 plants per acre, of which 99% are silver sagebrush and 1% is soapweed yucca. Discounting the silver sagebrush seedlings recorded for this association, shrub density averages 121 plants per acre. Tree density is negligible in the needle-and-thread grass/prairie sandreed community.

3.2.2.3 Needle-and-Thread Grass/Sideoats Grama The needle-and-thread grass/sideoats grama association is uncommon (0.56%), encompassing approximately 29 acres. Three transects were sampled on upper slopes. Transects were located on gentle slope gradients (1.48%–3.47%) and had northerly to southeasterly aspects.

This plant association is limited to lower and middle valley slopes in the northwestern portion of the study area and is almost exclusively located within the shallow droughty ecological site. Needle-and-thread grass and sideoats grama are co-dominant in this grassland community. Bluebunch wheatgrass, blue grama, threadleaf sedge, and silverleaf Indian breadroot are common community constituents.

Shrub density averages 202 plants per acre, of which 94% is Wyoming big sagebrush and 7% is soapweed yucca. Isolated Rocky Mountain juniper occur within this association, but none were observed near the vegetation transects.

3.2.2.4 Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass The western wheatgrass/green needlegrass association is uncommon (0.25%), encompassing approximately 13 acres. The association was classified and delineated during field surveys but was not included within the randomly selected transects of the study. It was observed within vegetated swales located within the Dry Fork drainage system and is found within the thin hilly and loamy ecological sites. Western wheatgrass and green needlegrass are the dominant

22 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana species. Silver sagebrush is present at low density (fewer than 400 plants per acre). No trees were found within this association.

3.2.2.1 Western Wheatgrass/Needle-and-Thread Grass The western wheatgrass/needle-and-thread grass association is abundant (12.46%), encompassing approximately 628 acres. Fourteen transects were sampled in this association. Transects were located on slopes ranging from almost flat (0.88%) or gentle (1.44%–2.70%) to moderate (4.18%–8.62%) or steep (9.50%); aspects were variable but predominately to the south.

This association is primarily located along the outside edges of bottomlands and on the foot slopes of adjacent hills in the loamy, sandy, and thin breaks ecological sites. Western wheatgrass and needle-and-thread grass are the dominant plants within this community, and Wyoming big sagebrush, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), blue grama, crested wheatgrass, spiny phlox, bluebunch wheatgrass, western ragweed, purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea), scarlet globemallow, pale madwort, prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), sweet clover, green needlegrass (Nassella viridula), and white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana) are common community constituents.

Shrub density averages 465 plants per acre; 47% is silver sagebrush, which is found at lower landscape positions and typically associated with elevated soil water availability. Wyoming big sagebrush is scattered throughout the community, comprising 25% of the shrubs sampled. The small, low-growing Woods’ rose accounts for 27% of shrub density. Small isolated winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) individuals account for the balance of shrubs sampled. Scattered Rocky Mountain juniper trees occur in the upper landscape positions of this association, but none were located near vegetation transects.

3.2.2.2 Big Sagebrush/Needle-and-Thread Grass The big sagebrush/needle-and-thread grass association is abundant (13.78%), encompassing approximately 709 acres. Eleven transects were sampled on upper and middle slopes. Transects were located on slopes ranging from predominately gentle (1.20%–3.94%) to moderate (4.9%–7.47%) and steep (11.91%). Aspect was variable.

This community type is ubiquitous within the study area and commonly was found to intergrade into the western wheatgrass/needle-and-thread grass association and thin hilly, thin breaks, sandy, and loamy ecological sites in the eastern portion of the study area. Wyoming big sagebrush dominated the shrub layer, and needle-and-thread grass dominated the understory. Yellow sweetclover, sideoats grama, western wheatgrass, field brome, purple threeawn, Rocky Mountain juniper, bluebunch wheatgrass, green needlegrass, cheatgrass, little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), blue grama, and threadleaf sedge are common community constituents.

Shrub density averages 1,938 plants per acre, of which 98% is Wyoming big sagebrush, 1% is silver sagebrush, and 1% is soapweed yucca. Rocky Mountain juniper occurs at low density in the higher landscape positions of this association.

23 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

3.2.2.3 Big Sagebrush/Western Wheatgrass The big sagebrush/western wheatgrass association is abundant (13.27%), encompassing approximately 682 acres. In all, 14 transects were sampled, primarily on gently rolling uplands. Transects were located on slopes ranging from gentle (1.16%–3.28%) to moderate (4.82%–5.11%). Aspect was variable, ranging from northwesterly to easterly to southerly.

As with the big sagebrush/needle-and-thread grass plant association, the big sagebrush/western wheatgrass association is ubiquitous within the study area. However, the big sagebrush/western wheatgrass association was generally found to occur in higher landscape positions and within clayey and thin hilly ecological sites. Wyoming big sagebrush dominated the shrub layer, and western wheatgrass dominated the understory in this shrubland community. Western marsh cudweed (Gnaphalium palustre), crested wheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, sweetclover, cheatgrass, field brome, needle-and-thread grass, Rocky Mountain juniper, spiny phlox, blue grama, silverleaf Indian breadroot, green needlegrass, rosy pussytoes (Antennaria rosea), yellow salsify (Tragopogon dubius), purple threeawn, soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus), and winterfat are common community constituents.

Shrub density averages 2,457 plants per acre, of which 90% is Wyoming big sagebrush, 7% is winterfat, and 2% is silver sagebrush; soapweed yucca and the low-growing Wood’s rose account for the remaining 1% of shrub density. Scattered Rocky Mountain juniper individuals occur within the upper landscape positions of this association, primarily on hilltops in the northern portion of the study area.

3.2.2.4 Big Sagebrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass The big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass association is common (8.93%), encompassing approximately 460 acres. Seven transects were sampled on midslopes and shoulder slopes. Transects were located on slopes ranging from gentle (1.55%) to steep (12.21%). Aspect was variable.

This shrubland community is located in the upper landscape positions, typically interfacing with woodland associations within the thin breaks ecological sites. Wyoming big sagebrush dominated the shrub layer, and bluebunch wheatgrass is the dominant herbaceous species. Yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis), little bluestem, blue grama, threadleaf sedge, western wheatgrass, sideoats grama, prairie Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha), spiny phlox, field brome, and false boneset (Brickellia eupatorioides) are community constituents.

Shrub density averages 3,816 plants per acre, of which 91% is Wyoming big sagebrush, 6% is rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), and 1% is Woods’ rose; fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), yellow rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), winterfat, skunkbush sumac, greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus), and soapweed yucca cumulatively account for the remaining 2% of shrub density. Ponderosa pine and Rocky Mountain juniper are common in upper landscape positions.

24 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

3.2.2.5 Silver Sagebrush/Western Wheatgrass The silver sagebrush/western wheatgrass association is common (3.4%), encompassing approximately 175 acres. Two transects were sampled, both located within ephemeral drainages. Transects were located on gentle (2.09%2.46%) slope gradients. The aspects were southerly and northeasterly.

The silver sagebrush/western wheatgrass association is dispersed throughout the bottom of the drainages and composed over 50% of the overflow ecological sites. Silver sagebrush dominated the shrub layer, and western wheatgrass dominated the understory. Yellow sweetclover, common yarrow, field brome, common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and green needlegrass are common community constituents.

Shrub density averaged 890 plants per acre, of which 95% was silver sagebrush; the remaining 5% was split evenly between Wyoming big sagebrush and winterfat. Isolated plains cottonwood trees were observed within the association but not near the vegetation transects.

3.2.2.6 Big Sagebrush/Sideoats Grama The big sagebrush/sideoats grama association is an uncommon community type (2.08%), encompassing approximately 108 acres of the study area. Four transects were sampled on midslopes and toe slopes. Transects were located on slopes ranging from gentle (2.66%2.96%) to moderate (6.05%7.92%), with southeasterly and southwesterly aspects.

The big sagebrush/sideoats grama association occurs at upper landscape positions within the shallow droughty and thin breaks ecological sites of the northern and central portions of the study area. Wyoming big sagebrush dominated the shrub layer, and sideoats grama dominated the understory. Purple threeawn, crested wheatgrass, threadleaf sedge, needle-and-thread grass, blue grama, western wheatgrass, spiny phlox, vervain (Glandularia sp.), American vetch (Vicia americana), prairie Junegrass, green needlegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, and little bluestem are community constituents.

Shrub density averages 2,455 plants per acre, of which 56% is Wyoming big sagebrush, 40% is Wood’s rose, 2% is soapweed yucca, and 1% is rubber rabbitbrush and skunkbush sumac. Rocky Mountain juniper was scattered in low densities (less than 0.25 tree per acre) throughout most of the association polygons.

3.2.2.7 Big Sagebrush/Blue Grama The big sagebrush/blue grama association is relatively uncommon (0.58%), encompassing approximately 30 acres. Two transects were sampled on undulating hills and drainage areas. Transects were located on gentle slopes (2.51%2.76%) with easterly and southerly aspects.

The big sagebrush/blue grama association is restricted to a couple of small areas of the central portion of the study area, mostly within thin breaks and thin hilly ecological sites. Wyoming big sagebrush dominated the shrub layer, and blue grama dominated the understory. Yellow sweetclover, western wheatgrass, needle-and-thread grass, threadleaf sedge, green

25 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana needlegrass, American vetch, field brome, and bluebunch wheatgrass are community constituents.

Shrub density averages 2,246 plants per acre, of which 89% is Wyoming big sagebrush, 6% is winterfat, and 5% is Woods’ rose. No trees were observed within this association.

3.2.2.8 Silver Sagebrush/Sideoats Grama The silver sagebrush/sideoats grama association is relatively uncommon (0.28%), encompassing approximately 14 acres. One transect was sampled on a steep slope (11.54%) with a northwesterly aspect.

The association is restricted to small pockets along the west-facing slopes adjacent to Tongue River Reservoir, in the project’s shallow droughty ecological site. Silver sagebrush and sideoats grama are the dominants in their respective strata. Bluebunch wheatgrass is very common, along with field brome, field chickweed (Cerastium arvense), needle-and-thread grass, wavyleaf thistle (Cirsium undulatum), soapweed yucca, blue grama, and skunkbush sumac as community constituents.

Shrub density is 3,237 plants per acre, of which 40% is silver sagebrush, 40% is skunkbush sumac, and 20% is soapweed yucca. Scattered Rocky Mountain juniper occurs at a low density with less than 1 tree per acre observed in this association.

3.2.2.9 Silver Sagebrush/Crested Wheatgrass The silver sagebrush/crested wheatgrass association is uncommon (0.18%), encompassing approximately 9 acres. None of the randomly assigned sampling transects were located within this association, but the association was described during field surveys.

The association was observed at the lower portion of the Dry Fork drainage, near the Rancholme Cattle farmstead, mostly within the loamy ecological site. Although very similar to the silver sagebrush/western wheatgrass association in structure and landscape position, it has lower diversity and a higher proportion of crested wheatgrass, representing the transition from pastureland to grazing land within the herbaceous strata. The association supports a rigorous silver sagebrush community, with plant densities estimated to be over 2,000 shrubs per acre. No trees were observed within this association.

3.2.2.10 Big Sagebrush-Black Greasewood/Western Wheatgrass The big sagebrush-black greasewood/western wheatgrass association is uncommon (0.17%) and encompasses approximately 9 acres. One transect was sampled on a gentle slope (3%) with a southeasterly aspect.

The association is located in isolated pockets. The pockets observed in the field were located within the thin breaks ecological site but showed little fidelity to a particular landscape position. Wyoming big sagebrush and greasewood are co-dominants in the shrub strata, and, though typically sparsely vegetated, the herbaceous stratum was dominated by western wheatgrass. Bluebunch wheatgrass, field brome, and sweetclover were community constituents.

26 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Shrub density averages 2,994 plants per acre, of which 73% is Wyoming big sagebrush, 18% is black greasewood, 5% is rubber rabbitbrush, and 4% is soapweed yucca. Stunted, scattered Rocky Mountain juniper trees were observed at the outer boundaries of this association at densities below 0.5 tree per acre.

3.2.3 Fish and Wildlife Habitat The fish and wildlife habitat land use is defined in ARM 17.24.301(65) (MDEQ 2015b) and MCA 82-4-203 (MCA 2015) as “land dedicated wholly or partially to the production, protection, or management of species of fish or wildlife.”

In all, 26 vegetation transects (Appendix A) were recorded in fish and wildlife habitat, which encompasses approximately 879 acres or 16.9% of the study area (see Table 9). Woodland communities, land degraded by prairie dog colonization and vegetation communities otherwise providing insufficient forage for livestock grazing have been classified as a fish and wildlife habitat land use type. All lands used by wildlife within the study area are enclosed in fenced pastures used for livestock grazing. Section 3.1 describes the livestock grazing use by the agricultural operators. Section 3.6.3 describes the productivity of this land use. Wildlife use of the study area will be addressed in a separate wildlife report.

A large black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colony located at the western edge of the study area covers a significant proportion of the fish and wildlife habitat land use identified for the study. This area has been degraded beyond what should be considered viable grazing land.

Two woodland communities were identified in two series: Ponderosa pine and Rocky Mountain juniper. Woodland communities dominated the upper landscape positions of the study area. The woodland community types are abundant at the upper landscape positions in the central portion of the study area and expand to encompass the middle and upper landscape positions in the northern portion of the study area. The skunkbush-big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass association is a patch type vegetation community, typically occurring as small pockets on the typically steep slopes at the margins of the woodland associations. A combination of low forage cover and steep inaccessible slopes preclude management for grazing in this association. Badland areas, highly disturbed areas surrounding ranch headquarters, an inlet to Tongue River Reservoir, and small wetland pockets and water retention areas located within the Deer Creek and Dry Fork drainages provide the balance of fish and wildlife habitat land use within the study area. Table 11 identifies the vegetation community type for each vegetation community.

Table 11. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Vegetation Community Types

VEGETATION TYPE/VEGETATION COMMUNITY ACRES Grassland Western wheatgrass/prickly pear cactus 79

27 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Shrubland Skunkbush sumac/bluebunch wheatgrass 59 Woodland Ponderosa pine - Rocky Mountain juniper/big 285 sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass Rocky Mountain juniper/big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass 309 Other Bare soil - badland 87 Wetlands 26 Disturbance - weedy 34

Land use mapping is shown in Attachments A-1 and A-2, and vegetation community mapping is in Attachments B-1 and B-2. Summary tables of the sampling data are presented in the appendices, specifically plant functional group cover in Appendix B, land use cover/constancy in Appendix C, vegetation community cover/constancy in Appendix D, and individual transect data in Appendix F. The vegetation associations classified as fish and wildlife habitat are further discussed in the following community descriptions.

3.2.3.1 Western Wheatgrass/Prickly Pear Cactus The western wheatgrass/prickly pear cactus (Opuntia polyacantha) association is uncommon (1.63%), encompassing approximately 79 acres. The two transects sampled within this association had less than 1% slope, which is characteristic for this community.

The western wheatgrass/prickly pear cactus association is a degraded community type with low plant productivity located primarily in the loamy ecological sites. It is located within a large prairie dog colony along the western edge of the study area. The community is primarily surrounded by tame pasture that intergrades into western wheatgrass/prickly pear cactus in less-disturbed portions of the prairie dog colony. Western wheatgrass is the dominant plant within the association, accounting for 9.0% of the 15.5% total canopy cover. Although not encountered within the sample transects, prickly pear cactus was observed to have high fidelity. Other community constituents include crested wheatgrass, blue grama, pale madwort, cheatgrass, scarlet globemallow, vervain, and Great Plains stickseed (Lappula cenchrusoides). No shrubs or trees were observed within this association.

3.2.3.2 Skunkbush Sumac/Bluebunch Wheatgrass The skunkbush sumac/bluebunch wheatgrass association is a patch type community typically occurring in small pockets within and at the periphery of the woodland associations in the project’s shallow droughty ecological sites. Although this association is not uncommon within the study area, its small patch size disallowed mapping, and many occurrences of this association have consequently been classified as intrusions within the woodland associations.

28 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

The occurrences large enough to be mapped account for a small area (1.13%) encompassing approximately 59 acres. A single transect was sampled on a slope with a northwesterly aspect.

The skunkbush sumac/bluebunch wheatgrass association is found on poorly developed soils, typically on middle and shoulder slopes in the study area. Skunkbush sumac dominated the shrub layer, and bluebunch wheatgrass dominated the understory. Blue grama, needle-and- thread grass, field brome, and cheatgrass are common community constituents.

Shrub density is 2,266 plants per acre, of which 62% is skunkbush sumac, 27% is silver sagebrush, 9% is Woods’ rose, and 2% is soapweed yucca. Rocky Mountain juniper occurs at a density of fewer than 0.25 tree per acre, but no trees were observed near the vegetation transects recorded within this association.

3.2.3.3 Ponderosa Pine-Rocky Mountain Juniper/Big Sagebrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass The ponderosa pine-Rocky Mountain juniper/big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass association is common (5.48%), encompassing approximately 285 acres. Twelve transects were sampled on ridgetops and along middle slopes. Transects were located on slopes ranging from gentle (2.15%) to steep (9.33%–12.38%), with variable aspects.

This structurally diverse association is located at the top of the large ridgelines and buttes located in the central and northern portions of the study area, almost exclusively within thin breaks and shallow droughty ecological sites. Skunkbush sumac, western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis), creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), and multiple species of currants (Ribes spp.) were observed to grow through the layer of duff at the base of ponderosa pine. High Wyoming big sagebrush fecundity was found at the outer edges of this association. Bluebunch wheatgrass and sideoats grama were both common, but bluebunch wheatgrass showed greater fidelity to the association, occurring in 11 of the 12 vegetation transects recorded. Needle-and-thread grass, threadleaf sedge, green needlegrass, and Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) were common community constituents of the herbaceous strata.

Shrub density averages 2,148 plants per acre, of which 36% is Wyoming big sagebrush, 28% is western snowberry, 11% is silver sagebrush, 5% is skunkbush sumac, and 5% is Woods’ rose. American black currant (Ribes americanum), greasewood, creeping juniper, golden currant (Ribes aureum), yellow rabbitbrush, rubber rabbitbrush, shadscale saltbush (Atriplex confertifolia), soapweed yucca, wax currant (Ribes cereum), and winterfat each compose less than 5% of the shrub density. Tree density averages 41.5 plants per acre, of which 84% is Rocky Mountain juniper and 16% is ponderosa pine.

3.2.3.4 Rocky Mountain Juniper/Big Sagebrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass The Rocky Mountain juniper/big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass association is common (7.53%), encompassing approximately 309 acres. Ten transects were sampled on ridgetops and along middle slopes. Transects were located on slopes ranging from moderate (5.11%– 7.44%) to steep (9.88%–11.47%). All cardinal aspects were sampled.

29 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

This association extended into lower landscape positions than the ponderosa pine-Rocky Mountain juniper/big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass association but was predominantly found in the same ecological sites (i.e., the thin breaks and shallow droughty ecological sites). Rocky Mountain juniper dominated the tree canopy, and big sagebrush dominated the shrub layer. Ponderosa pine, western wheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, sideoats grama, silver sage, silvery lupine (Lupinus argenteus), Missouri goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis), arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata), blue grama, threadleaf sedge, prairie sagewort, and green needlegrass are common community constituents.

Shrub density averages 1,821 plants per acre, of which 76% is Wyoming big sagebrush, 11% is Woods’ rose, 5% is silver sagebrush, and 4% is soapweed yucca. The other shrub species, cumulatively accounting for less than 3% of total density, include skunkbush sumac, rubber rabbitbrush, greasewood, fourwing saltbush, and western snowberry. Tree density averages 34.5 plants per acre, of which 97% is Rocky Mountain juniper and 3% is ponderosa pine.

3.2.3.5 Bare Soil/Badlands The bare soil/badlands association is common in small pockets along the steep and/or unstable slopes, but most of the occurrences of this association were too small to meet the mapping scale of the study and were inclusions within other fish and wildlife habitat vegetation communities. The mapped component of this association encompassed approximately 87 acres (1.7%). No sampling transects were located within this association, but field observations estimated total plant cover averaged below 3%. Scattered stunted Wyoming big sagebrush, skunkbush sumac, and Gardner’s saltbush were observed within this association. Individual Rocky Mountain juniper occurred within this association in the higher elevations of the study area.

3.2.3.6 Wetlands The wetlands association is a relatively uncommon community type (0.54%) encompassing approximately 26 acres, mostly within saline subirrigated and riparian wet meadow ecological sites. One transect was sampled on an almost flat slope (0.28%) with a southerly aspect. Western wheatgrass is dominant within this community. Common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris), foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), and Mountain rush (Juncus articus ssp. littoralis) are common community constituents. Invasive non-native Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is present. Shrub density is 40 plants per acre, of which 100% is silver sagebrush.

A separate wetland survey to investigate the occurrence of waters of the U.S, as defined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was conducted in 2015 (SWCA 2016). The subsequent aquatic resource inventory report includes additional vegetation information on the wetlands in the study area (SWCA 2016).

3.2.3.1 Disturbance-Weedy The disturbance-weedy association is dominated by introduced annual forbs and grasses. It occurs on the terraces in lower Deer Creek and near the ranch headquarters in saline subirrigated and loamy ecological sites. It composes less than 1% of the study area. No vegetation transects were located within this association. Field observations of dominant

30 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana species included a dominance of Kentucky wheatgrass and crested wheatgrass at the ranch headquarters and a dominance of introduced annual forbs and grasses immediately south of the ranch headquarters.

3.2.4 Developed Water Resources Developed water resources are defined by ARM 17.24.301(65) (MDEQ 2015b) and MCA 82- 4-203 (MCA 2015) as land used “for storing water for beneficial uses such as stockponds, irrigation, fire protection, flood control, and water supply.” All ponds designated as developed water resources in the study area are dependent on runoff from snowmelt and rainfall and hold water seasonally. These ponds are used for livestock watering in conjunction with water from wells and pipelines to support grazing activities. The developed water resources also provide value to wildlife, although those resources were not constructed for that purpose. Mr. Moreland (Rancholme Cattle) noted that the reservoirs fail to hold water well.

Six developed water features were mapped. The largest developed water feature is the inlet to the Tongue River Reservoir located at the southwestern end of the study area. This open waterbody encompasses 4.9 acres of the study area. The remaining five developed water features total 4.3 acres and are all impoundments constructed within ephemeral drainages. The developed water resources land use is found on approximately 9 acres or 0.2% of the study area (see Table 9).

3.2.5 Industrial/Commercial The industrial/commercial land use is defined by ARM 17.24.301(65) (MDEQ 2015b) and MCA 82-4-203 (MCA 2015) as including extraction or transformation of materials for fabrication of products, wholesaling of products or for long-term storage of products, and support facilities. Industrial/commercial areas mapped included facilities related to coalbed methane development, existing gravel/scoria mining operations, and non-vegetated transportation facilities (e.g., occasionally graded roads). Coalbed methane facilities were in place for the 5 years preceding this study but were being decommissioned in 2015. This land use is found on approximately 68 acres, or 1.3% of the study area (see Table 9). Underground facilities remain in place and are not included in this land use unless surface structures overlie the underground facilities.

3.2.6 Residential The residential land use is defined by ARM 17.24.301(65) (MDEQ 2015b) and MCA 82-4- 203 (MCA 2015) as “land for single- and multiple-family housing, mobile home parks, or other residential lodgings. Land that is used for facilities in support of residential operations and that is adjacent to, or an integral part of, these operations is also included. Support facilities include, but are not limited to, vehicle parking and open space that directly relate to the residential use.” Residential areas in the study area include the Rancholme Cattle ranch headquarters and associated nearby buildings, corrals, and hay storage areas. Residential land use covers approximately 15 acres, or 0.3% of the study area (see Table 9).

31 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

3.3 RARE PLANTS

No USFWS-listed species, BLM sensitive species, or their respective habitats were identified in the study area during the preliminary mapping or field surveys.

MNHP plant species of concern identified as having potential habitat in the study area are listed in Table 12. No species of concern were observed during surveys of the potential habitat.

Table 12. Montana Natural Heritage Program Species of Concern with Potential Habitat in the Study Area

Common Name Scientific Name Barr’s milkvetch Astragalus barrii Double bladderpod Physaria brassicoides Nuttall desert-parsley Lomatium nuttallii Woolly twinpod Physaria didymocarpa var. lanata

3.4 NOXIOUS WEEDS

During vegetation mapping, populations of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), and Canada thistle were identified in mesic areas associated with the drainages of the study area. The locations of these weed populations are shown in the vegetation community map (Attachments B-1 and B-2).

Ms. Visborg (Visborg Ranch) noted that Dalmation toadflax (Linaria dalmatica) and leafy spurge occur in areas of disturbance associated with coalbed methane extraction infrastructure (e.g., roads, pipelines, and compressor stations). Ms. Visborg said she is responsible for weed spraying on Visborg Ranch property.

Mr. Moreland (Rancholme Cattle) noted that Canada thistle and leafy spurge occur throughout the study area and that weeds seem to be proliferating, especially in the Deer Creek valley. He also mentioned the occurrence of a weed in some pastures that purportedly can cause fetal deformation in cattle, but he could not recall the plant name and did not provide location information. Rancholme Cattle currently contracts weed spraying services.

3.5 SPECIES LIST

A list of all the plant species sampled or observed during the field surveys was compiled. The list is provided in Appendix G.

32 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

3.6 ECOLOGICAL SITES, ECOLOGICAL CONDITION, AND PRODUCTIVITY

3.6.1 Ecological Sites Ecological sites were mapped based on the baseline soil survey (Catena 2016) and vegetation community sampling data. Attachments C-1 and C-2 show the mapped ecological sites in the study area. The ecological sites identified during the mapping effort and their acreages are shown in Table 13. The MLRA 58A ESDs used for analysis are located in Appendix H (NRCS 2015b) They ESD names have not been updated to names used in the Montana Ecological Site Key (NRCS 2013), and in some cases more than one ecological site correlates to a single ESD report. Table 13 also contains the ESD that the mapped ecological site correlates to and that was used to determine ecological condition and production. The ESD reports are located in Appendix H. Summary tables of the sampling data organized by ecological site are located in the appendices, including plant functional groups (Appendix B), shrub cover /constancy (Appendix E), and herbaceous cover/constancy (Appendix E).

Table 13. Mapped Ecological Sites

Mapped Ecological Site Acres Correlated Ecological Site Description Report Loamy 58A 10-inch to 14-inch 1,189 Silty 58A-E 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. precipitation zone (p.z.) Loamy argillic 58A 10-inch to 14-inch 429 Silty 58A-E 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. p.z. Overflow 58A 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. 144 Overflow 58A-E 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. Riparian wet meadow 58A 10-inch to 27 Wet meadow 58A-E 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. 14-inch p.z. Riparian subirrigated 58A 11-inch to 17 Riparian subirrigated 58A-C 11-inch to 14-inch p.z. 14-inch p.z. Saline subirrigated 58A 10-inch to 140 Saline lowland 58A-E 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. 14-inch p.z. Clayey 58A 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. 29 Clayey 58A-E 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. Sandy 58A 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. 381 Sandy 58A-E 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. Shallow droughty 58A 10-inch to 844 Shallow 58A-E 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. 14-inch p.z. Thin breaks 58A 11-inch to 14-inch p.z. 1,174 Thin breaks 58A-C 11-inch to 14-inch p.z. Thin hilly 58A 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. 814 Complex of silty 58A-E 10-inch to 14-inch p.z., clayey 58A-E 10-inch to 14-inch p.z. and sandy 58A-E 10-inch to 14-inch p.z.

33 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

3.6.2 Ecological Condition Ecological condition was assessed using baseline plant species composition data to determine where the mapped ecological site fell within the ESD state and transition model and plant community. State and transition models describe the ecological site’s response to natural and management-induced disturbances (Stringham et al. 2013). The plant communities for each state and transition model are described in each ESD (Appendix H). Monitoring shifts in the plant community composition and ground cover can be used to determine a change in the ESD state, therefore marking a condition change in the site. The ESDs provide information on the condition of each state’s plant community in relation to each ESD’s historic climax plant community (HCPC), designated as Plant Community 1 in the ESD. HCPC is the reference state for the ecological site.

Each ecological site polygon located within the grazing land and fish and wildlife habitat land uses were assigned a state and transition model plant community by relating the vegetation sampling data relative cover to the description in each ESD. The condition classification is named using the ESD plant community numerical identifier. The ecological condition classification for each class within each ecological site for grazing land and fish and wildlife habitat is shown in Tables 14 and 15, respectively. Attachments D-1 and D-2 show the mapping of these ecological condition classifications within the study area. Ecological condition is not applicable to the developed water resources, industrial/commercial, and residential land uses, due to a lack or near lack of vegetation cover; therefore, these land use areas were not assigned an ecological condition classification. ESD condition does not correctly represent pasturelands due to soil tillage and seeding, therefore no condition rating was assigned to pastureland.

3.6.3 Productivity Productivity for grazing land and fish and wildlife habitat land uses was calculated using a weighted mean of the condition class and related production for each ecological condition within each ecological site and each land use (see Tables 14 and 15). The weighted mean productivity is the production for each ecological condition. HCPC production is provided for comparison. The summary results for productivity of the grazing land and fish and wildlife habitat are shown in Tables 14 and 15, respectively.

Productivity for pastureland was calculated using a weighted mean for each topographical category within each ecological site, taking into account the production variations for the different categories of unconsolidated deposits (Aqua Terra et al. 2016), shown in Table 14.

A weighted mean summary of production in all areas open to grazing in the study area (Section 3.2) is shown in Table 17. No productivity was calculated for developed water resources, industrial/commercial, or residential land uses due to the limited or non-existent vegetation available to livestock.

34 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Table 14. Grazing Land Productivity

Ecological Ecological Weighted Current HCPC Weighted Sites Condition Mean Condition Production Mean Classification Condition Production (lbs/acre)6 Productivity (%)1 (lbs/acre)2 (lbs/acre)8 Loamy Plant Community 2A 9.1 1,0503 1,400 95.5 Plant Community 2B 14.2 1,0503 1,400 149.4 Loamy Plant Community 2A 2.4 1,0503 1,400 25.7 argillic Plant Community 2B 1.0 1,0503 1,400 10.7 Plant Community 4 0.1 8254 1,400 0.9 Overflow Plant Community 2 3.4 1,5003 2,500 51.6 Riparian Plant Community 3 0.0 3,0003 4,000 1.1 subirrigated Riparian wet Plant Community 3 0.2 5,5003 6,001 8.4 meadow Saline Plant Community 3 0.3 1,5003 2,500 3.8 subirrigated Clayey Plant Community 2A 0.9 7003 1,300 6.5 Sandy Plant Community 3 8.8 1,0003 1,600 88.1 Shallow Plant Community 2 18.9 5003 900 94.6 droughty Thin breaks Plant Community 2 22.8 5704 690 130.1 Thin hilly Plant Community 2 17.8 8105,7 1,0507 143.8 Total weighted mean productivity for grazing land 810.2 1. Weighted mean condition is the relative abundance of each ecological site and condition within each land use. 2. Production numbers includes current years’ growth for all species, presented in pounds per acre (lbs/ac), as used by the NRCS for determining condition and stocking rates. Derived from applicable ESDs in Appendix H and soil survey (SCS 1977). 3. The current condition production is derived from the ESD and considers the degraded condition as described in the ESDs. 4. The current condition production is derived from the ESD using the mean of Plant Community 1 low production and the most degraded plant community mean. 5. Mean production of the thin hilly complexes for Plant Community 2 were used for current production. 6. Representative value for HCPC as stated in the ESD. 7. The thin hilly ESD is a complex of sandy, shallow, and loamy sites. It has lower production potential due to shallow soils, and therefore the low and high production is composed of the lowest and highest low production number for the ESDs. 8. The weighted mean productivity is determined as a weighted average of the production for each ecological site condition class.

35 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Table 15. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Productivity

Ecological Ecological Weighted Current HCPC Weighted Mean Sites Condition Mean Condition Production Productivity Classification Condition Production (lbs/acre)6 (lbs/acre)8 (%)1 (lbs/acre)2 Loamy Plant Community 2A 0.1 1,0503 1,400 1.0 Plant Community 2B 2.6 1,0503 1,400 27.4 Loamy Plant Community 2A 0.0 1,0503 1,400 0.2 argillic Plant Community 4 7.6 8254 1,400 62.4 Overflow Plant Community 2 0.6 1,5003 2,500 9.6 Riparian Plant Community 2 0.0 3,000 4,000 0.3 subirrigated Riparian wet Plant Community 3 1.3 5,5003 6,001 71.3 meadow Saline Plant Community 2 2.0 7003 1,300 29.4 subirrigated Sandy Plant Community 3 0.8 1,0003 1,600 7.5 Shallow Plant Community 2 28.1 5003 900 140.4 droughty Thin breaks Plant Community 2 51.5 5704 690 293.7 Thin hilly Plant Community 2 5.5 8105,7 1,0507 44.1 Total weighted mean productivity for fish and wildlife habitat 687.4 1. Weighted mean condition is the relative abundance of each ecological site and condition within each land use. 2. Production numbers includes current years’ growth for all species, presented in pounds per acre (lbs/ac), as used by the NRCS for determining condition and stocking rates. Derived from applicable ESDs in Appendix H and soil survey (SCS 1977). 3. The current condition production is derived from the ESD and considers the degraded condition as described in the ESDs. 4. The current condition production is derived from the ESD using the mean of plant community 1 low production and the most degraded plant community mean. 5. Mean production of the thin hilly complexes for plant community 2 were used for current production. 6. Representative value for HCPC as stated in the ESD. 7. The Thin Hilly ESD is a complex of Sandy, Shallow, and Loamy sites. It has lower production potential due to shallow soils, therefore the low and high production is composed of the lowest and highest low production number for the ESDs. 8. The weighted mean productivity is determined as a weighted average of the production for each ecological site condition class.

Pastureland productivity varied based on the locations of stream-laid deposits. ESD production information does not correlate to areas that have been seeded, tilled, or heavily invaded by non-native forage species, and therefore production clipping was used to determine production in the pastureland areas. However, the production for each category of the pastureland is divided into the ecological sites, as identified by the soil survey (Catena 2016), to facilitate comparison across the land uses and allow calculations of grazing capacity. Hay fields are not included in these calculations; however, grazing does occur on these hay fields. The hay field production is discussed in Section 3.1.3.

36 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

The pastureland production ranged from 956 lbs per acre in Terrace 4 to 1,981 lbs per acre in Terrace 1, and 1,659 lbs per acre and 1,820 lbs per acre, respectively, for slope-wash and channel deposits. The estimated production for the Tongue River terraces is 600 pounds per acre (Aqua Terra et al. 2016). Table 16 shows the summary results for weighted production in the pastureland land use.

Table 16. Pastureland Productivity

Ecological Pastureland Weighted Current Weighted Mean Sites Category Mean Condition Production Productivity (%)1 (lbs/acre)2 (lbs/acre)3 Loamy Channel 0.5 1,820 8.6 Slope wash 6.3 1,659 105.2 Dry Fork Terrace 1 0.5 1,981 9.1 Deer Creek Terrace 2 11.0 1,476 161.7 Deer Creek Terrace 3 0.8 1,307 10.4 Deer Creek Terrace 4 1.0 956 9.1 Upland 11.7 1,265 147.6 Loamy Channel 0.0 1,820 0.2 argillic Slope wash 3.6 1,659 60.1 Deer Creek Terrace 4 7.4 956 70.6 Tongue River Terrace 1 6.1 600 36.5 Tongue River Terrace 2 0.0 600 0.1 Upland 2.6 1,265 32.5 Overflow Channel 2.8 1,820 50.5 Slope wash 0.0 1,659 0.5 Deer Creek Terrace 4 0.0 956 0.4 Upland 0.2 1,265 2.8 Riparian wet Deer Creek Terrace 1 0.7 1,981 14.0 meadow Riparian Deer Creek Terrace 1 1.7 1,981 34.2 subirrigated Saline Deer Creek Terrace 1 6.5 1,981 129.0 subirrigated Deer Creek Terrace 2 2.9 1,476 42.2 Sandy Channel 1.1 1,820 20.7

37 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Ecological Pastureland Weighted Current Weighted Mean Sites Category Mean Condition Production Productivity (%)1 (lbs/acre)2 (lbs/acre)3 Slope wash 0.7 1,659 12.4 Deer Creek Terrace 4 0.2 956 1.5 Tongue River Terrace 1 0.5 600 2.8 Upland 7.7 1,265 97.8 Clayey Deer Creek Terrace 4 0.1 956 0.7 Shallow Upland 1.1 1,265 14.0 droughty Thin breaks Upland 1.2 1,265 15.7 Thin hilly Channel 0.1 1,820 1.0 Slope wash 3.5 1,659 57.4 Deer Creek Terrace 2 0.1 1,476 1.3 Deer Creek Terrace 3 2.1 1,307 27.2 Deer Creek Terrace 4 7.3 956 70.0 Tongue River Terrace 1 0.5 600 3.1 Upland 7.6 1,265 96.3 Total weighted mean productivity for pastureland 1,347.2 1. Weighted mean condition is the relative abundance of each category within the land use. 2. Production numbers includes current years’ growth for all species, presented in pounds per acre (lbs/ac), as used by the NRCS for determining condition and stocking rates. 3. The weighted mean productivity is determined as a weighted average of the production for each production category.

The production summary by land use for each ecological site, based on the weighted mean productivity, is shown in Table 17. This does not include hay fields (Section 3.2).

Table 17. Productivity Summary

Land Weighted Mean Weighted Mean Use Abundance1 Production Production (lbs/acre) (lbs/acre) Grazing land 63.1% 809.9 511.0 Fish and wildlife 17.9% 689.1 123.1 habitat

38 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Land Weighted Mean Weighted Mean Use Abundance1 Production Production (lbs/acre) (lbs/acre) Pastureland 19.0% 1,347.2 256.3 Mean production total 890.4 1. Weighted abundance is the weighted mean of the abundance of each land use against the amount of land available for forage.

The weighted mean production for the land being used by livestock (excluding the hay fields) in the study area is 890.4 lbs per acre. Grazing capacity can be determined by multiplying the lbs per acre by the preferred harvest efficiency multiplied by the acreage available and then dividing by 912 lbs (monthly average forage use by 1 animal unit) for a result of the total available AUMs.

39 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

4.0 REFERENCES

Agricultural Research Service (ARS). 2014. Database for Inventory, Monitoring, and Assessment, Version 3.1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Jornada Rangeland Research Programs. Available at: http://jornada.nmsu.edu/monit-assess/dima.

Aqua Terra. 2015a. 2005 to 2014 West Decker Weather Station Temperature Data. Sheridan, Wyoming: Aqua Terra Consultants, Inc. Unpublished.

———. 2015b. 1976 to 2014 West Decker Weather Station Precipitation Data. Sheridan, Wyoming: Aqua Terra Consultants, Inc. Unpublished.

Aqua Terra, Catena Consulting, and SWCA Environmental Consultants. 2016. Alluvial Valley Floor Assessment for Deer Creek Valley. Decker Coal Company, Decker, Montana. Unpublished.

Bailey, R.G., P.E. Avers, T. King, and W.H. McNab, editors. 1994. Ecoregions and subregions of the United States (map). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Geological Survey.

Buja, K., E. Finnen, and C. Caldow. 2015. Sampling Design Tool for ArcGIS 10. National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Available at http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/study areas/detail?key=185. Accessed May 18, 2015.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 2014. Montana-Dakotas 2014 Special Status Species List. Bureau of Land Management. 10 pp.

Catena Consulting, LLC (Catena). 2016. East Decker Northeast Extension Soil Survey. Billings, Montana: Catena Consulting, LLC. January 2016.

Caudle, D., H. Sanchez, J. DiBenedetto, C. Talbot, and M. Karl. 2013. Interagency Ecological Site Handbook for Rangelands. U.S. Department of Interior, BLM; U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Decker Coal Company (DCC). 1981. East Decker Vegetation Type Map. Sheridan, Wyoming: Peter Kiewit Sons’ Company.

———. 1992. East Decker Vegetation Type and Reference Area Map in Volume 6 of the East Decker Mining and Reclamation Permit Update. Sheridan, Wyoming: Kiewit Mining & Engineering.

Esri. 2015. ArcGIS Desktop: Release 10.3.0.4322. Redlands, California: Esri. Imagery provided by Esri, DigitGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community.

40 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

Herrick, J.E., J.W. Van Zee, K.M. Havstad, L.M. Burkett, and W.G. Whitford. 2009. Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Las Cruces, New Mexico: USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range.

Montana Code Annotated (MCA). 2015. Title 82: Minerals, Oil, and Gas, Chapter 4: Reclamation, Part 2: Coal and Uranium Mine Reclamation. State of Montana. 82-4-2.

Montana Department of Agriculture. 2015. Montana noxious weed list. July 2015. Available at: http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/Weeds/PDF/2015WeedList.pdf. Accessed August 2, 2015.

Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). 2015a. Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) Rule # 17.24.301 Baseline Information, Environmental Resources. Department of Environmental Quality, Reclamation, Strip and Underground Mine Reclamation Act: Definitions and Strip Mine Permit Application Requirements. State of Montana. Sub-chapter: 17.24.3.

———. 2015b. Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) Rule # 17.24.301 Definitions. Department of Environmental Quality, Reclamation, Strip and Underground Mine Reclamation Act: Definitions and Strip Mine Permit Application Requirements. State of Montana. Sub-chapter: 17.24.3.

Montana Natural Heritage Program. 2015. Natural Heritage Map Viewer. Helena, Montana: Montana Natural Heritage Program. Available at: http://mtnhp.org/mapviewer/. Accessed April 28, 2015.

Montana Weed Control Association. 2015. County Listed Weeds. January 2015. Available at: http://mtweed.org/wp-content/uploads/County-weed-list-v15-01-30.pdf. Accessed August 2, 2015.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2003a. Ecological Site Description (ESD) System for Rangeland and Forestland Data. Updated January 26, 2004. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Available at: https://esis.sc.egov.usda.gov/Welcome/pgReportLocation.aspx?type=ESD. Accessed November 15, 2015.

———. 2006. Montana Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Handbook 296.

———. 2013. Rangeland Ecological Site Key-Soil Component (Version 13.0) for MLRA’s 4 3A, 43B, 44A, 44B, 46X, 52X, 53A, 58A, and 60B. National Range and Pasture Handbook, Grazing Lands Ecological Sites and Forage Suitability Groups, Chapter 3, Section 1, Montana Supplement. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. May 2013.

41 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

———. 2015a. Web Soil Survey. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Available at: http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm. Accessed May 15, 2015.

———. 2015b. Ecological Site Description System for Rangeland and Forestland. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Available at: https://esis.sc.egov.usda.gov/Welcome/pgESDWelcome.aspx. Accessed:October 15, 2015.

———. 2015c. The PLANTS Database. Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Available at: http://plants.usda.gov. Accessed June 15, 2015.

Soil Conservation Service (SCS). 1977. Soil Survey of Big Horn County Area, Montana. December 1977. Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Stringham. T.K., W.C. Krueger, and P.L. Shaver. 2013. State and Transition Modeling: An Ecological Process Approach. Journal of Range Management 56: 106113.

SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA). 2015a. Draft Decker Coal Company Northeast Extension Amendment Area Vegetation and Land Use Plan of Study. Sheridan, Wyoming: SWCA Environmental Consultants.

———. 2015b. Draft Decker Coal Company Northeast Extension Amendment Area Vegetation and Land Use Plan of Study, Revision 1.0. Sheridan, Wyoming: SWCA Environmental Consultants.

———. 2016. Aquatic Resources Inventory Report for the East Decker Northeast Extension, Big Horn County, Montana. Sheridan, Wyoming: SWCA Environmental Consultants.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2015. Endangered, Threatened, Proposed, and Candidate Species Montana Counties, Endangered Species Act. Helena, Montana: Ecological Services, Montana Field Office.

U.S. Forest Service. 2005. Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plants Survey Field Guide. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rangeland Management Staff.

U.S. Government. 1862. Homestead Act. General Records of the United States Government, National Archives. Act of May 20, 1862 (Homestead Act), Public Law 37-64, 05/20/1862; Record Group 11.

42 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

APPENDIX A Vegetation Sampling Transect Classifications East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana Land Use Transect IDs Vegetation Community Transect IDs Grazing Big sagebrush ‐ Black greasewood / Western wheatgrass 12345671011121314 104 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Big sagebrush / Blue grama 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 38 39 40 17 48 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 51 52 53 Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass 54 55 56 58 96 104 106 108 110 111 112 113 21 26 27 106 108 110 115 114 115 Big sagebrush / Needle and threadgrass Pasture 13 14 22 25 34 35 36 96 111 112 8 9 29 57 60 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 Big sagebrush / Sideoats grama 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 19 92 113 114 81 82 83 Big sagebrush / Western wheatgrass Wildlife 15 16 20 23 24 28 32 47 49 51 52 53 37 50 59 61 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 55 56 92 93 94 95 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 105 Bluebunch wheatgrass / Needle and threadgrass 107 109 6718 Needle and threadgrass / Prairie sandreed 50 51 Needle and threadgrass / Sideoats grama Ecological Site Transect IDs 1252 Loamy 58A 10‐14 inch p.z Ponderosa pine ‐ Rocky Mountain juniper / Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass 3 1016202324293536465556 84878889909293979899101103 62 63 64 66 68 69 70 71 79 81 82 Rocky Mountain juniper / Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass Loamy Argillic 58A 10‐14 inch p.z 50 85 86 91 94 95 100 102 105 107 2 7 8 30 31 32 33 59 60 61 65 73 Silver sagebrush / Sideoats grama 75 13 Overflow 58A 10‐14 inch p.z Silver sagebrush / Western wheatgrass 11 44 80 11 12 Riparian Subirrigated 58A 10‐14 inch p.z Skunkbush sumac / Bluebunch wheatgrass 57 67 37 Riparian Wet Meadow 58A 10‐14 inch p.z Tame Pasture 109 8 9 29 57 60 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 Saline Subirrigated 58A 10‐14 inch p.z 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 76 77 78 83 81 82 83 Sandy 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. Western wheatgrass / Needle and threadgrass 9 34 38 45 51 54 72 74 3 4 5 10 30 31 33 46 54 58 41 44 Shallow Droughty 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. 45 1 5 6 37 39 41 40 42 49 58 86 87 Western wheatgrass / Prickly pear cactus 88 89 90 92 93 95 97 98 99 59 61 Thin Breaks 58A 11‐14 inch p.z. Wetlands 13 14 19 21 22 25 26 27 43 47 50 52 109 84 85 91 94 96 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 110 111 112 113 114 115 Thin Hilly 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. 4 12151718284853100

East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

APPENDIX B Plant Functional Group Summary Statistics East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana Functional Group Summary Tree Shrub Native Perennial Introduced Perennial Native Perennial Introduced Perennial Native Annual Introduced Annual Introduced Annual Total Cover Cover Graminoid Cover Graminoid Cover Forb Cover Forb Cover Forb Cover Forb Cover Graminoid Cover Cover (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Land Use Grazing 0.45 4.69 20.65 0.75 3.52 0.32 0.06 1.77 3.63 35.85 Pasture ‐‐ 0.30 5.63 24.52 0.44 0.11 0.15 4.30 1.33 36.78 Wildlife 19.65 2.96 14.43 0.22 3.52 0.17 0.04 1.91 2.30 45.22 Ecological Site Loamy 58A 10‐14 inch p.z ‐‐ 3.00 13.33 14.67 1.96 0.29 ‐‐ 1.79 3.67 38.71 Loamy Argillic 58A 10‐14 inch p.z ‐‐ 1.15 14.15 7.92 1.77 0.38 0.23 2.46 4.08 32.15 Overflow 58A 10‐14 inch p.z ‐‐ 0.67 17.67 0.33 2.67 1.00 ‐‐ 19.33 4.33 46.00 Riparian Subirrigated 58A 10‐14 inch p.z ‐‐ 1.50 8.50 21.00 ‐‐ 0.50 0.50 0.50 6.00 38.50 Riparian Wet Meadow 58A 10‐14 inch p.z ‐‐ ‐‐ 18.00 1.00 ‐‐ 2.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ 36.00 57.00 Saline Subirrigated 58A 10‐14 inch p.z ‐‐ ‐‐ 3.50 34.25 0.25 ‐‐ 0.50 1.00 ‐‐ 39.50 Sandy 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. ‐‐ 0.63 20.75 9.25 3.25 0.38 ‐‐ 0.75 1.75 36.75 Shallow Droughty 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. 12.00 3.24 14.38 0.24 4.10 0.05 0.05 0.48 1.81 36.33 Thin Breaks 58A 11‐14 inch p.z. 5.77 5.35 18.61 0.03 3.45 0.13 0.06 2.39 1.10 36.90 Thin Hilly 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. 6.25 6.25 21.88 ‐‐ 3.00 0.25 ‐‐ 5.88 4.63 48.13 Vegetation Community Big sagebrush ‐ Black greasewood / 23.00 Western wheatgrass 3.00 10.00 7.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.00 1.00 Big sagebrush / Blue grama ‐‐ 5.50 24.50 ‐‐ 5.00 0.50 ‐‐ 7.00 1.50 44.00 Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass 2.57 8.57 16.14 ‐‐ 2.00 0.14 ‐‐ 1.00 0.57 31.00 Big sagebrush / Needle and threadgrass 0.40 6.10 20.80 0.10 3.80 0.10 0.10 1.70 2.70 35.80 Big sagebrush / Sideoats grama ‐‐ 5.33 25.33 ‐‐ 4.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.67 ‐‐ 35.33 Big sagebrush / Western wheatgrass 0.21 7.50 22.07 1.64 4.00 0.71 ‐‐ 1.86 4.00 42.00 Bluebunch wheatgrass / Needle and threadgrass ‐‐ 2.33 19.33 1.67 7.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.67 1.67 32.67 Needle and threadgrass / Prairie sandreed ‐‐ 0.50 20.00 ‐‐ 6.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 1.50 28.50 Needle and threadgrass / Sideoats grama 0.33 0.33 24.67 1.67 5.67 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.67 1.33 34.33 Ponderosa pine ‐ Rocky Mountain juniper / 24.83 3.67 13.08 0.33 3.17 0.08 ‐‐ 0.58 0.83 46.58 Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass Rocky Mountain juniper / Big sagebrush / 15.40 2.40 15.70 ‐‐ 4.30 0.10 0.10 3.70 0.70 42.40 Bluebunch wheatgrass Silver sagebrush / Sideoats grama ‐‐ 6.00 19.00 ‐‐ 13.00 ‐‐ 1.00 ‐‐ 5.00 44.00 Silver sagebrush / Western wheatgrass ‐‐ 2.50 21.50 ‐‐ 2.00 1.50 ‐‐ 12.50 5.00 45.00 Skunkbush sumac / Bluebunch wheatgrass ‐‐ 10.00 15.00 ‐‐ 3.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 4.00 32.00 Tame Pasture ‐‐ 0.30 5.63 24.52 0.44 0.11 0.15 4.30 1.33 36.78 Western wheatgrass / Needle and threadgrass ‐‐ 0.86 22.07 1.07 2.00 0.36 0.07 1.00 7.93 35.36 Western wheatgrass / Prickly pear cactus ‐‐ 0.50 11.00 ‐‐ 0.50 ‐‐ 0.50 1.50 1.50 15.50 Wetlands ‐‐ ‐‐ 18.00 1.00 ‐‐ 2.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ 36.00 57.00

East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

APPENDIX C Land Use Vegetation Sampling Data East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana Grazing Pasture Wildlife n=62 n=27 n=26 Land Use Cover Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

Soil Soil Surface 90.58 ‐‐ 90.96 0 93.62 ‐‐ Bedrock 1.10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.77 ‐‐ Boulder (>250mm) ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.08 ‐‐ Cobble (76‐250mm) 2.31 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 3.92 ‐‐ Gravel (5‐76mm) 3.74 ‐‐ 0.04 0 8.19 ‐‐ Rock Fragment (2‐5mm) 2.24 ‐‐ 0.11 0 4.62 ‐‐ Soil (<2mm) 81.19 ‐‐ 90.81 0 75.04 ‐‐ Soil Surface Cover 68.45 ‐‐ 81.48 0 67.58 ‐‐ Litter 60.39 ‐‐ 72.44 0 61.19 ‐‐ Basal Cover 1.65 ‐‐ 0.22 0 1.31 ‐‐ Lichen Crust 6.03 ‐‐ 8.78 0 4.27 ‐‐ Moss 0.39 ‐‐ 0.04 0 0.81 ‐‐ Vegetation Native Tree 0.47 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 17.38 ‐‐ Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper 0.42 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ 11.50 77 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine 0.05 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ 5.81 65 Prunus virginiana chokecherry ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.08 4 Native Shrub 4.63 ‐‐ 0.11 ‐‐ 2.92 ‐‐ Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 0.21 11 0.07 4 0.27 8 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 4.11 63 0.04 4 1.88 54 Atriplex confertifolia shadscale saltbush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 0.06 5 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat 0.03 2 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 0.03 2 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.42 12 Ribes aureum golden currant ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood 0.08 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.15 4 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 0.10 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Perennial Graminoid 21.05 ‐‐ 5.63 ‐‐ 14.19 ‐‐ Achnatherum hymenoides Indian ricegrass 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Aristida purpurea purple threeawn 0.45 18 1.00 11 ‐‐ ‐‐ Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama 2.11 45 ‐‐ ‐‐ 3.23 65 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama 1.94 65 0.44 15 0.92 42 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed 0.19 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.15 8 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge 1.23 55 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.54 23 Eleocharis palustris common spikerush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.19 4 Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass 0.02 2 0.04 4 0.12 12 Festuca idahoensis Idaho fescue 0.02 2 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Hesperostipa comata needle and thread 4.47 81 0.33 15 1.15 35 Hordeum jubatum foxtail barley ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 0.15 4 Juncus arcticus arctic rush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.08 4 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass 0.34 24 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.27 19 Nassella viridula green needlegrass 1.00 44 0.11 7 0.62 31 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass 6.34 79 3.67 63 1.88 38 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass 0.15 11 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.23 12 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass 2.53 68 ‐‐ ‐‐ 4.15 85 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem 0.24 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.46 12 Sporobolus cryptandrus sand dropseed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Native Perennial Forb 3.65 ‐‐ 0.56 ‐‐ 3.35 ‐‐ Achillea millefolium common yarrow 0.24 13 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.27 19 Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed 0.39 18 0.04 4 ‐‐ ‐‐ Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes 0.19 13 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort 0.34 24 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.42 31 Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush 0.10 6 0.11 4 0.12 12 Astragalus milkvetch 0.05 5 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.31 23 Astragalus hyalinus summer milkvetch 0.02 2 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Balsamorhiza sagittata arrowleaf balsamroot ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.12 4 Brickellia eupatorioides false boneset 0.05 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Cerastium arvense field chickweed 0.13 6 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 38 Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle 0.16 11 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Grazing Pasture Wildlife n=62 n=27 n=26 Land Use Cover Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy (cont.) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.08 8 Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover 0.03 3 0.04 4 0.04 4 Eriogonum pauciflorum fewflower buckwheat 0.05 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Gaura parviflora velvetweed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Glycyrrhiza lepidota American licorice ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed 0.18 13 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.15 15 Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster 0.11 11 0.11 4 0.08 8 Lupinus argenteus silvery lupine ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.12 4 Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear 0.15 11 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot 0.66 37 0.19 7 0.38 15 Pediomelum esculentum large Indian breadroot 0.02 2 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Phlox hoodii spiny phlox 0.58 29 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 35 Sedum lanceolatum spearleaf stonecrop 0.02 2 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 0.12 4 Symphyotrichum ericoides white heath aster 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Verbena sp. vervain 0.03 2 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Vicia americana American vetch 0.10 6 0.04 4 ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Annual Forb 0.05 ‐‐ 0.15 ‐‐ 0.08 ‐‐ Cleome seriola spiderflower ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Grindelia squarrosa curlycup gumweed ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 ‐‐ ‐‐ Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed 0.03 3 0.04 4 0.04 4 Potentilla paradoxa Paradox cinquefoil 0.02 2 0.07 7 ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Perennial Graminoid 0.79 ‐‐ 24.52 ‐‐ 0.19 ‐‐ Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass 0.66 18 23.78 100 0.04 4 Bromus inermis smooth brome ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.67 7 ‐‐ ‐‐ Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 0.13 3 0.07 4 0.15 4 Introduced Annual Graminoid 3.69 ‐‐ 1.33 ‐‐ 2.31 ‐‐ Bromus arvensis field brome 1.97 61 1.26 33 0.46 38 Bromus hordeaceus soft brome 0.47 18 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Bromus tectorum cheatgrass 1.26 32 0.07 7 0.46 27 Digitaria sanguinalis hairy crabgrass ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.38 4 Introduced Perennial Forb 0.34 ‐‐ 0.11 ‐‐ 0.15 ‐‐ Cirsium arvense Canada thistle ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Rumex crispus curly dock ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Taraxacum officinale common dandelion 0.34 24 0.11 11 0.08 8 Introduced Annual Forb 1.90 ‐‐ 4.37 ‐‐ 1.92 ‐‐ Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort 0.10 6 0.11 11 0.19 12 Bassia scoparia burningbush 0.02 2 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed 0.21 8 0.07 7 ‐‐ ‐‐ Lepidium perfoliatum clasping pepperweed 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Medicago sativa alfalfa ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.85 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ Melilotus officinalis sweetclover 1.21 21 3.15 22 1.50 27 Plantago patagonica woolly plantain 0.02 2 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Salsola tragus prickly Russian thistle ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard 0.11 8 0.15 11 0.11 4 Thlaspi arvense pennycress ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 ‐‐ ‐‐ Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify 0.19 18 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.08 8 Trifolium arvense rabbitfoot clover 0.02 2 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Grand Total 36.56 ‐‐ 36.78 ‐‐ 42.50 ‐‐ Land Use Woody Density Seedling Mature Decadent Total Constancy (plants/acre) Grazing (n=62) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 94 81 2 177 18 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 167 1054 140 1362 68 Atriplex canescens fourwing saltbush ‐‐ 1 ‐‐ 12 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus yellow rabbitbrush 12‐‐ 22 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 227‐‐ 29 9 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat 438‐‐ 42 14 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 11 32 ‐‐ 43 6 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 88 ‐‐ 88 11 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood ‐‐ 9 ‐‐ 93 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 1 20 2 23 15 Total 280 1352 144 1776 ‐‐ Pasture (n=27) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 55 45 1 102 19 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush ‐‐ 6 6 12 15 Atriplex gardneri Gardnerʹs saltbush ‐‐ 3 ‐‐ 34 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 169 ‐‐ 169 4 Total 55 223 7 286 ‐‐ Wildlife (n=26) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 49 91 25 165 22 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 138 740 116 995 87 Atriplex canescens fourwing saltbush ‐‐ ‐‐ 224 Atriplex confertifolia shadscale saltbush ‐‐ 10 ‐‐ 10 4 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus yellow rabbitbrush ‐‐ 34 ‐‐ 34 4 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 2 35 2 39 26 Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper ‐‐ 3 ‐‐ 39 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat ‐‐ 8 ‐‐ 84 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine ‐‐ 4 ‐‐ 478 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper ‐‐ 34 ‐‐ 34 91 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 17 44 ‐‐ 61 39 Ribes americanum American black currant ‐‐ 3 ‐‐ 34 Ribes aureum golden currant ‐‐ 12 ‐‐ 12 4 Ribes cereum wax currant ‐‐ 3 ‐‐ 34 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 140 ‐‐ 140 26 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood ‐‐ 8 ‐‐ 89 Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry 93 216 ‐‐ 309 9 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 17 24 2 42 26 Total 315 1411 147 1873 ‐‐

East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

APPENDIX D Vegetation Community Vegetation Sampling Data East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana Big sagebrush ‐ Black greasewood / Big sagebrush / Big sagebrush / Cover for Big sagebrush ‐ Black greasewood / Western Western wheatgrass Blue grama Bluebunch wheatgrass wheatgrass, Big sagebrush / Blue grama, and Big n=1 n=2 n=7 sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass Vegetation Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Communities (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

Soil ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Soil Surface 100.00 ‐‐ 90.50 ‐‐ 90.57 ‐‐ Bedrock 1.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.29 43 Cobble (76‐250mm) 4.00 100 1.00 50 4.00 86 Gravel (5‐76mm) ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 50 5.14 71 Rock Fragment (2‐5mm) ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.29 57 Soil (<2mm) 95.00 100 88.50 100 77.86 100 Soil Surface Cover 34.00 ‐‐ 69.50 ‐‐ 53.57 ‐‐ Litter 34.00 ‐‐ 60.00 ‐‐ 44.14 ‐‐ Basal Cover ‐‐ ‐‐ 7.00 ‐‐ 5.57 ‐‐ Lichen Crust ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.50 ‐‐ 3.86 ‐‐ Vegetation ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Tree 3.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.57 ‐‐ Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper 3.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.29 29 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.29 14 Native Shrub 30.00 ‐‐ 82.50 ‐‐ 48.14 ‐‐ Artemisia tridentata Nutt. Wyoming big sagebrush ssp. wyomingensis 6.00 100 5.00 100 8.00 100 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.43 29 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood 4.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.14 14 Native Perennial Graminoid 7.00 ‐‐ 24.50 ‐‐ 16.14 ‐‐ Achnatherum hymenoides Indian ricegrass ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.29 29 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 2.00 71 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama ‐‐ ‐‐ 10.00 100 1.43 43 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.50 100 2.29 71 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.00 50 1.00 57 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.43 14 Nassella viridula green needlegrass ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.50 100 0.43 29 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass 6.00 100 6.00 100 2.00 71 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.14 14 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass 1.00 100 1.00 50 5.43 100 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.71 14 Native Perennial Forb ‐‐ ‐‐ 5.00 ‐‐ 2.00 ‐‐ Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.50 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.29 29 Astragalus milkvetch ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.14 14 Brickellia eupatorioides false boneset ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.29 14 Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Eriogonum pauciflorum fewflower buckwheat ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.43 29 Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.43 29 Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 0.14 14 Phlox hoodii spiny phlox ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 0.29 14 Sedum lanceolatum spearleaf stonecrop ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Vicia americana American vetch ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Annual Graminoid 1.00 ‐‐ 1.50 ‐‐ 0.57 ‐‐ Bromus arvensis field brome 1.00 100 1.00 50 0.57 29 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Perennial Forb ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 ‐‐ 0.14 ‐‐ Taraxacum officinale common dandelion ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 0.14 14 Introduced Annual Forb 2.00 ‐‐ 7.00 ‐‐ 1.00 ‐‐ Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Melilotus officinalis sweetclover 2.00 100 6.50 100 0.86 14 Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.14 14 Vegetation Total 23.00 ‐‐ 44.00 ‐‐ 31.00 ‐‐ Big sagebrush / Big sagebrush / Big sagebrush / Cover for Big sagebrush / Needle and threadgrass, Needle and threadgrass Sideoats grama Western wheatgrass Big sagebrush / Sideoats grama, and Big sagebrush / n=10 n=4 n=14 Western wheatgrass Vegetation Communities Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

Soil ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Soil Surface 92.30 ‐‐ 92.00 ‐‐ 91.07 ‐‐ Bedrock 1.50 20 1.33 50 0.07 7 Cobble (76‐250mm) 2.40 20 7.00 75 0.71 29 Gravel (5‐76mm) 5.20 90 8.33 75 0.93 36 Rock Fragment (2‐5mm) 2.50 80 3.33 75 0.64 36 Soil (<2mm) 80.70 100 72.00 100 88.71 100 Soil Surface Cover 63.10 ‐‐ 53.00 ‐‐ 75.00 ‐‐ Litter 55.40 ‐‐ 45.00 ‐‐ 66.07 ‐‐ Basal Cover 5.90 ‐‐ 8.00 ‐‐ 5.64 ‐‐ Lichen Crust 1.60 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 3.00 ‐‐ Moss 0.20 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.29 ‐‐ Vegetation ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Tree 0.40 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.21 ‐‐ Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper 0.40 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.21 7 Native Shrub 6.10 ‐‐ 5.00 ‐‐ 7.43 ‐‐ Artemisia cana silver sagebrush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 7 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 6.00 90 4.33 100 7.14 93 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 25 ‐‐ ‐‐ Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.14 7 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 0.10 10 0.33 25 0.07 7 Native Perennial Graminoid 20.80 ‐‐ 25.33 ‐‐ 22.07 ‐‐ Aristida purpurea purple threeawn 0.90 20 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.14 7 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama 2.70 60 11.67 100 0.36 21 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama 1.50 70 2.67 75 2.36 79 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed 0.60 40 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge 2.00 90 2.00 75 0.71 50 Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 7 Festuca idahoensis Idaho fescue 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Hesperostipa comata needle and thread 6.60 100 1.00 50 2.71 86 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass 0.40 40 1.67 75 0.36 29 Nassella viridula green needlegrass 0.70 30 2.00 50 1.86 79 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass 1.20 50 1.33 100 10.64 100 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass 0.20 20 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.36 21 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass 3.60 100 2.67 100 2.50 64 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem 0.30 10 0.33 25 ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Perennial Forb 3.80 ‐‐ 4.33 ‐‐ 4.07 ‐‐ Achillea millefolium common yarrow ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.36 14 Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed 0.60 30 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.43 21 Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort 0.30 30 0.33 50 0.07 7 Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 50 0.21 14 Astragalus milkvetch ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.14 14 Astragalus hyalinus summer milkvetch 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Brickellia eupatorioides false boneset ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 7 Cerastium arvense field chickweed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.29 21 Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster 0.10 10 0.67 50 0.14 14 Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Eriogonum pauciflorum fewflower buckwheat ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.14 7 Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed 0.10 10 0.33 50 0.29 21 Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear 0.30 20 0.33 25 ‐‐ ‐‐ Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot 1.10 60 0.67 50 0.71 29 Phlox hoodii spiny phlox 0.90 50 1.00 50 1.07 43 Symphyotrichum ericoides white heath aster ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 7 Vicia americana American vetch ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.67 25 0.07 7 Native Annual Forb 0.10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Perennial Graminoid 0.10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.64 ‐‐ Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.64 29 Introduced Annual Graminoid 2.70 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 4.00 ‐‐ Bromus arvensis field brome 1.60 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.64 79 Bromus hordeaceus soft brome 0.20 20 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.86 29 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass 0.90 30 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 21 Introduced Perennial Forb 0.10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.71 ‐‐ Taraxacum officinale common dandelion 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.71 50 Big sagebrush / Big sagebrush / Big sagebrush / Cover for Big sagebrush / Needle and threadgrass, Needle and threadgrass Sideoats grama Western wheatgrass Big sagebrush / Sideoats grama, and Big n=10 n=4 n=14 sagebrush / Western wheatgrass Vegetation Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Communities (continued) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Introduced Annual Forb 1.70 ‐‐ 0.67 ‐‐ 1.86 ‐‐ Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 7 Bassia scoparia burningbush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 7 Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.71 14 Melilotus officinalis sweetclover 1.50 20 0.67 50 0.71 21 Plantago patagonica woolly plantain ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 7 Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.14 7 Trifolium arvense rabbitfoot clover ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 7 Vegetation Total 35.80 ‐‐ 35.33 ‐‐ 42.00 ‐‐ Bluebunch wheatgrass / Needle and threadgrass / Needle and threadgrass / Cover for Bluebunch wheatgrass / Needle and Needle and threadgrass Prairie sandreed Sideoats grama threadgrass, Needle and threadgrass / Prairie sandreed, n=3 n=2 n=3 and Needle and threadgrass / Sideoats grama Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Vegetation Communities (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

Soil ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Soil Surface 94.00 ‐‐ 92.00 ‐‐ 91.33 ‐‐ Bedrock 1.00 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Cobble (76‐250mm) 2.33 67 ‐‐ ‐‐ 3.67 67 Gravel (5‐76mm) 7.00 100 3.00 50 7.00 100 Rock Fragment (2‐5mm) 14.00 100 1.00 100 3.33 67 Soil (<2mm) 69.67 100 88.00 100 77.33 100 Soil Surface Cover 64.33 ‐‐ 82.50 ‐‐ 65.00 ‐‐ Litter 58.33 ‐‐ 74.50 ‐‐ 56.33 ‐‐ Basal Cover 5.67 ‐‐ 8.00 ‐‐ 7.33 ‐‐ Lichen Crust 0.33 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 ‐‐ Moss ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 ‐‐ Vegetation ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Tree ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 ‐‐ Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 33 Native Shrub 2.00 ‐‐ 0.50 ‐‐ 0.33 ‐‐ Artemisia cana silver sagebrush ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 2.00 67 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Yucca glauca soapweed yucca ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 33 Native Perennial Graminoid 19.33 ‐‐ 20.00 ‐‐ 24.67 ‐‐ Aristida purpurea purple threeawn ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.33 33 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 5.00 100 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama 1.33 67 2.00 100 0.67 67 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge 3.00 67 1.50 100 0.67 33 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread 6.33 100 10.00 100 12.67 100 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 33 Nassella viridula green needlegrass 0.33 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.67 33 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass 3.33 100 3.00 50 1.33 33 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass 5.00 100 1.00 50 1.33 67 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.67 33 Native Perennial Forb 7.00 ‐‐ 6.00 ‐‐ 5.33 ‐‐ Achillea millefolium common yarrow ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.67 67 Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed 1.33 67 2.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 33 Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort 0.33 33 1.00 100 2.00 67 Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle 1.67 100 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover 0.33 33 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed 0.67 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 33 Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot 1.33 33 1.50 50 1.33 100 Phlox hoodii spiny phlox 1.00 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.67 33 Vicia americana American vetch 0.33 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Perennial Graminoid 1.67 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.67 ‐‐ Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass 1.67 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.67 33 Introduced Annual Graminoid 1.67 ‐‐ 1.50 ‐‐ 1.33 ‐‐ Bromus arvensis field brome 0.67 67 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Bromus hordeaceus soft brome ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 33 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass 1.00 33 1.00 50 1.00 33 Introduced Annual Forb 0.67 ‐‐ 0.50 ‐‐ 0.67 ‐‐ Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort 0.67 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 33 Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard 0.33 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 50 0.33 33 Vegetation Total 32.67 ‐‐ 28.50 ‐‐ 34.33 ‐‐ Cover for Ponderosa pine ‐ Rocky Mountain juniper / Ponderosa pine ‐ Rocky Mountain juniper / Rocky Mountain juniper / Big sagebrush / Silver sagebrush / Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass Bluebunch wheatgrass Sideoats grama Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass, Rocky n=12 n=10 n=1 Mountain juniper / Big sagebrush / Bluebunch Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy wheatgrass, and Silver sagebrush / Sideoats grama (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Vegetation Communities

Soil ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Soil Surface 93.08 ‐‐ 94.90 ‐‐ 94.00 ‐‐ Bedrock 2.08 58 1.60 50 8.00 100 Boulder (>250mm) 0.17 17 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Cobble (76‐250mm) 5.17 83 3.30 80 5.00 100 Gravel (5‐76mm) 8.92 92 8.70 90 20.00 100 Rock Fragment (2‐5mm) 3.50 83 6.50 80 7.00 100 Soil (<2mm) 73.25 100 74.80 100 54.00 100 Soil Surface Cover 73.92 ‐‐ 61.10 ‐‐ 65.00 ‐‐ Litter 67.00 ‐‐ 56.00 ‐‐ 59.00 ‐‐ Basal Cover 3.75 ‐‐ 4.30 ‐‐ 6.00 ‐‐ Lichen Crust 2.17 ‐‐ 0.70 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Moss 1.00 ‐‐ 0.10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Vegetation ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Tree 24.83 ‐‐ 15.40 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper 14.33 83 12.70 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine 10.33 100 2.70 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Prunus virginiana chokecherry 0.17 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Shrub 3.50 ‐‐ 2.40 ‐‐ 7.00 ‐‐ Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 0.33 8 0.30 10 3.00 100 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 2.33 75 2.10 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Atriplex confertifolia shadscale saltbush 0.08 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 0.08 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 0.17 17 ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.00 100 Ribes aureum golden currant 0.08 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood 0.08 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry 0.33 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Yucca glauca soapweed yucca ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.00 100 Native Perennial Graminoid 13.08 ‐‐ 15.70 ‐‐ 19.00 ‐‐ Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama 3.92 75 3.70 80 8.00 100 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama 0.83 42 0.70 40 2.00 100 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed 0.08 8 0.30 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge 0.75 33 0.50 20 ‐‐ ‐‐ Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass 0.17 17 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Hesperostipa comata needle and thread 1.67 42 0.70 30 3.00 100 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass 0.25 17 0.30 20 ‐‐ ‐‐ Nassella viridula green needlegrass 0.50 25 1.00 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass 0.17 17 2.10 40 ‐‐ ‐‐ Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass 0.17 8 0.40 20 ‐‐ ‐‐ Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass 3.67 92 5.80 100 6.00 100 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem 0.92 17 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Sporobolus cryptandrus sand dropseed ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Perennial Forb 3.25 ‐‐ 4.30 ‐‐ 12.00 ‐‐ Achillea millefolium common yarrow 0.50 33 0.10 10 1.00 100 Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort 0.33 33 0.60 30 1.00 100 Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush 0.25 25 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Astragalus milkvetch ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.80 60 ‐‐ ‐‐ Balsamorhiza sagittata arrowleaf balsamroot ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.30 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Cerastium arvense field chickweed 0.75 50 0.30 30 4.00 100 Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster 0.08 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.00 100 Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax 0.17 17 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Gaura parviflora velvetweed ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Glycyrrhiza lepidota American licorice ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed 0.17 17 0.20 20 ‐‐ ‐‐ Lupinus argenteus silvery lupine ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.30 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot 0.67 25 0.20 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Pediomelum esculentum large Indian breadroot ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 Phlox hoodii spiny phlox 0.33 25 0.90 60 1.00 100 Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.30 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Annual Forb ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.10 ‐‐ 1.00 ‐‐ Cleome seriola spiderflower ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Potentilla paradoxa Paradox cinquefoil ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 Introduced Perennial Graminoid 0.33 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 0.33 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Annual Graminoid 0.83 ‐‐ 0.70 ‐‐ 5.00 ‐‐ Bromus arvensis field brome 0.33 33 0.60 50 5.00 100 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass 0.50 25 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Perennial Forb 0.08 ‐‐ 0.10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Cover for Ponderosa pine ‐ Rocky Mountain juniper / Ponderosa pine ‐ Rocky Mountain juniper / Rocky Mountain juniper / Big sagebrush / Silver sagebrush / Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass Bluebunch wheatgrass Sideoats grama Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass, Rocky n=12 n=10 n=1 Mountain juniper / Big sagebrush / Bluebunch Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy wheatgrass, and Silver sagebrush / Sideoats grama (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Vegetation Communities (continued) Taraxacum officinale common dandelion 0.08 8 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Annual Forb 0.58 ‐‐ 3.70 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort 0.08 8 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Melilotus officinalis sweetclover 0.42 17 3.40 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Salsola tragus prickly Russian thistle ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify 0.08 8 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Vegetation Total 46.58 ‐‐ 42.40 ‐‐ 44.00 ‐‐ Silver sagebrush / Skunkbush sumac / Tame Cover for Silver sagebrush / Western wheatgrass, Western wheatgrass Bluebunch wheatgrass Pasture Skunkbush sumac / Bluebunch wheatgrass, and n=2 n=1 n=27 Tame Pasture Vegetation Communities Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

Soil ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Soil Surface 95.00 ‐‐ 85.00 ‐‐ 90.96 ‐‐ Cobble (76‐250mm) ‐‐ ‐‐ 7.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Gravel (5‐76mm) ‐‐ ‐‐ 19.00 100 0.04 4 Rock Fragment (2‐5mm) ‐‐ ‐‐ 13.00 100 0.11 4 Soil (<2mm) 95.00 100 41.00 100.00 90.81 100 Soil Surface Cover 86.00 ‐‐ 67.00 ‐‐ 81.48 ‐‐ Litter 81.00 ‐‐ 52.00 ‐‐ 72.44 ‐‐ Basal Cover 4.00 ‐‐ 6.00 ‐‐ 8.78 ‐‐ Lichen Crust ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 ‐‐ 0.22 ‐‐ Moss 1.00 ‐‐ 8.00 ‐‐ 0.04 ‐‐ Vegetation ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Shrub 2.50 ‐‐ 9.00 ‐‐ 0.11 ‐‐ Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 2.50 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 4 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac ‐‐ ‐‐ 9.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Perennial Graminoid 21.50 ‐‐ 15.00 ‐‐ 5.63 ‐‐ Aristida purpurea purple threeawn ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 11 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama 0.50 50 3.00 100 0.44 15 Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 0.04 4 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread ‐‐ ‐‐ 3.00 100 0.33 15 Hordeum jubatum foxtail barley ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Nassella viridula green needlegrass 1.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.11 7 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass 19.50 100 1.00 100 3.67 63 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass ‐‐ ‐‐ 6.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Perennial Forb 2.00 ‐‐ 4.00 ‐‐ 0.56 ‐‐ Achillea millefolium common yarrow 2.00 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.11 4 Cerastium arvense field chickweed ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 0.11 4 Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.19 7 Pediomelum esculentum large Indian breadroot ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Vicia americana American vetch ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Native Annual Forb ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.15 ‐‐ Grindelia squarrosa curlycup gumweed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Potentilla paradoxa Paradox cinquefoil ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 7 Introduced Perennial Graminoid ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 24.52 ‐‐ Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 23.78 100 Bromus inermis smooth brome ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.67 7 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 4 Introduced Annual Graminoid 5.00 ‐‐ 4.00 ‐‐ 1.33 ‐‐ Bromus arvensis field brome 4.00 100 2.00 100 1.26 33 Bromus hordeaceus soft brome 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Bromus tectorum cheatgrass 0.50 50 2.00 100 0.07 7 Introduced Perennial Forb 1.50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.11 ‐‐ Taraxacum officinale common dandelion 1.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.11 11 Introduced Annual Forb 12.50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 4.37 ‐‐ Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.11 11 Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.07 7 Medicago sativa alfalfa ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.85 15 Melilotus officinalis sweetclover 12.00 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ 3.15 22 Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.15 11 Thlaspi arvense pennycress ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.04 4 Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Vegetation Total 45.00 ‐‐ 32.00 ‐‐ 36.78 ‐‐ Western wheatgrass / Western wheatgrass / Wetlands Cover for Western wheatgrass / Needle and Needle and threadgrass Prickly pear cactus n=1 threadgrass, Western wheatgrass / Prickly pear cactus, n=13 n=2 and Wetlands Vegetation Communities Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

Soil ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Soil Surface 91.93 ‐‐ 96.50 ‐‐ 90.00 ‐‐ Bedrock 1.93 14 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Cobble (76‐250mm) 2.36 36 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Gravel (5‐76mm) 3.00 36 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Rock Fragment (2‐5mm) 1.36 36 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Soil (<2mm) 83.29 100 96.50 100 90.00 100.00 Soil Surface Cover 79.50 ‐‐ 69.50 ‐‐ 53.00 ‐‐ Litter 71.43 ‐‐ 66.00 ‐‐ 43.00 ‐‐ Basal Cover 6.43 ‐‐ 3.50 ‐‐ 10.00 ‐‐ Lichen Crust 0.57 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Moss 1.07 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Vegetation ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Shrub 0.50 ‐‐ 0.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 0.21 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 0.29 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Perennial Graminoid 22.07 ‐‐ 11.00 ‐‐ 18.00 ‐‐ Aristida purpurea purple threeawn 0.93 54 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama 1.86 46 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Bouteloua gracilis blue grama 1.50 54 2.00 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed 0.07 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge 0.36 31 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Eleocharis palustris common spikerush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 5.00 100.00 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread 5.64 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Hordeum jubatum foxtail barley ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 4.00 100.00 Juncus arcticus arctic rush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.00 100.00 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass 0.21 23 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Nassella viridula green needlegrass 0.64 31 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass 9.79 92 9.00 100 7.00 100.00 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass 0.07 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass 0.71 31 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem 0.29 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Perennial Forb 2.07 ‐‐ 0.50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Achillea millefolium common yarrow 0.21 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed 0.43 23 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes 0.29 23 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort 0.29 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush 0.14 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle 0.07 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster 0.07 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot 0.36 31 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Symphyotrichum ericoides white heath aster 0.07 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Verbena sp. vervain 0.14 8 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Annual Forb 0.07 ‐‐ 0.50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed 0.07 8 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Perennial Graminoid 1.07 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 ‐‐ Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass 0.50 31 ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100.00 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 0.57 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Annual Graminoid 7.93 ‐‐ 1.50 ‐‐ 36.00 ‐‐ Bromus arvensis field brome 3.29 92 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Bromus hordeaceus soft brome 0.93 23 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Bromus tectorum cheatgrass 3.71 69 1.50 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Digitaria sanguinalis hairy crabgrass ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 36.00 100.00 Introduced Perennial Forb 0.36 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.00 ‐‐ Cirsium arvense Canada thistle ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100.00 Rumex crispus curly dock ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100.00 Taraxacum officinale common dandelion 0.36 31 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Annual Forb 1.29 ‐‐ 2.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort 0.14 8 1.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed 0.07 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Lepidium perfoliatum clasping pepperweed 0.14 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Melilotus officinalis sweetclover 0.21 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard 0.36 19 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify 0.36 38 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Vegetation Total 35.36 ‐‐ 15.50 ‐‐ 57.00 ‐‐ Vegetation Community Woody Density Seedling Mature Decadent Total Constancy (plants/acre) (%) Big sagebrush ‐ Black greasewood / Western wheatgrass (n=1) Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush 405 1619 162 2185 100 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush ‐‐ 162 ‐‐ 162 100 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood ‐‐ 526 ‐‐ 526 100 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca ‐‐ 121 ‐‐ 121 100 Total 405 2428 162 2995 ‐‐ Big sagebrush / Blue grama (n=2) Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 223 1720 61 2003 100 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat ‐‐ 142 ‐‐ 142 50 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 101 ‐‐ 101 50 Total 223 1963 61 2246 ‐‐ Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass (n=7) Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 457 4388 624 5469 100 Atriplex canescens fourwing saltbush ‐‐ 12 ‐‐ 12 14 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus yellow rabbitbrush 12 35 ‐‐ 46 14 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 23 382 ‐‐ 405 57 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat ‐‐ 6 ‐‐ 614 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac ‐‐ 12 ‐‐ 12 14 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 69 ‐‐ 69 29 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood ‐‐ 6 ‐‐ 614 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca ‐‐ 17 12 29 29 Total 491 4926 636 6053 ‐‐ Big sagebrush / Needle and threadgrass (n=10) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush ‐‐ 32 ‐‐ 32 10 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush ‐‐ 1817 206 2432 100 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca ‐‐ 3284010 Total 409 1882 214 2505 ‐‐ Big sagebrush / Sideoats grama (n=4) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 41 71 ‐‐ 111 25 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 229 1713 108 2050 100 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush ‐‐ 27 ‐‐ 27 25 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac ‐‐ 13 ‐‐ 13 25 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 1969 ‐‐ 1969 25 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca ‐‐ 108 ‐‐ 108 25 Total 270 3902 108 4280 ‐‐ Big sagebrush / Western wheatgrass (n=14) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 14 29 ‐‐ 43 14 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 220 1717 275 2211 100 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat 20 147 ‐‐ 168 36 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 26 ‐‐ 26 7 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca ‐‐ 6397 Total 254 1925 277 2457 ‐‐ Bluebunch wheatgrass / Needle and threadgrass (n=3) Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 216 162 162 540 67 Total 216 162 162 540 ‐‐ Needle and threadgrass / Prairie sandreed (n=2) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 1922 101 ‐‐ 2023 50 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca ‐‐ ‐‐ 20 20 50 Total 1922 101 20 2044 ‐‐ Needle and threadgrass / Sideoats grama (n=3) Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush ‐‐ 189 ‐‐ 189 33 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca ‐‐ 13 ‐‐ 13 33 Total ‐‐ 202 ‐‐ 202 ‐‐ Ponderosa pine ‐ Rocky Mountain juniper / Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass (n=12) Tree Density ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper ‐‐ 34.9 ‐‐ 34.9 100 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine ‐‐ 6.6 ‐‐ 6.6 100 Total ‐‐ 41.5 ‐‐ 41.5 ‐‐ Vegetation Community Woody Density Seedling Mature Decadent Total Constancy (plants/acre) (%) Ponderosa pine ‐ Rocky Mountain juniper / Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass (n=12) (cont.) Shrub Density ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 78 128 44 250 25 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 155 573 105 833 83 Atriplex confertifolia shadscale saltbush ‐‐ 20 ‐‐ 20 8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus yellow rabbitbrush ‐‐ 67 ‐‐ 67 8 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush ‐‐ 54 ‐‐ 61 25 Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper ‐‐ 7 ‐‐ 717 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat ‐‐ 17 ‐‐ 17 8 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac ‐‐ 71 ‐‐ 105 50 Ribes americanum American black currant ‐‐ 7 ‐‐ 78 Ribes aureum golden currant ‐‐ 24 ‐‐ 24 8 Ribes cereum wax currant ‐‐ 7 ‐‐ 78 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 115 ‐‐ 115 25 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood ‐‐ 3 ‐‐ 38 Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry 185 425 ‐‐ 610 8 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 24 ‐‐ ‐‐ 24 17 Total 442 1518 148 2148 ‐‐ Rocky Mountain juniper / Big sagebrush / Bluebunch wheatgrass (n=10) Tree Density ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper ‐‐ 33.5 ‐‐ 33.5 100 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine ‐‐ 1.0 ‐‐ 1.0 67 Total ‐‐ 34.5 ‐‐ 34.5 ‐‐ Shrub Density ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 27 67 9 103 11 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 148 1120 153 1421 100 Atriplex canescens fourwing saltbush ‐‐ ‐‐ 4411 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush ‐‐ 22 ‐‐ 22 33 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac ‐‐ 22 ‐‐ 22 33 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 220 ‐‐ 220 33 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood ‐‐ 18 ‐‐ 18 11 Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry ‐‐ 9 ‐‐ 911 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 13 58 4 76 33 Total 189 1573 171 1933 ‐‐ Silver sagebrush / Sideoats grama (n=1) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 324 971 ‐‐ 1295 100 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 405 890 ‐‐ 1295 100 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 40 607 ‐‐ 647 100 Total 769 2469 ‐‐ 3237 ‐‐ Silver sagebrush / Western wheatgrass (n=2) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 384 405 61 850 100 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush ‐‐ 20 ‐‐ 20 50 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat ‐‐ 20 ‐‐ 20 50 Total 384 445 61 890 ‐‐ Skunkbush sumac / Bluebunch wheatgrass (n=1) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 486 121 ‐‐ 607 100 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 324 1093 ‐‐ 1416 100 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 202 ‐‐ 202 100 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca ‐‐ 40 ‐‐ 40 100 Total 809 1457 ‐‐ 2266 ‐‐ Tame Pasture (n=27) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 55 45 1 102 19 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush ‐‐ 6 6 12 15 Atriplex gardneri Gardnerʹs saltbush ‐‐ 3 ‐‐ 34 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 169 ‐‐ 169 4 Total 55 223 7 286 ‐‐ Western wheatgrass / Needle and threadgrass (n=13) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 35 185 ‐‐ 220 31 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 14 104 ‐‐ 119 21 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat ‐‐ 3 ‐‐ 37 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 124 ‐‐ 124 7 Total 49 416 ‐‐ 465 ‐‐ Wetlands (n=1) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush ‐‐ 80 ‐‐ 80 100 Total ‐‐ 80 ‐‐ 80 ‐‐ East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

APPENDIX E Ecological Site Vegetation Sampling Data East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana Loamy Loamy Argillic Overflow Sandy 58A 10‐14 inch p.z 58A 10‐14 inch p.z 58A 10‐14 inch p.z 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. Cover for Loamy, Loamy Argillic, Overflow, and n=23 n=13 n=3 n=8

Sandy Ecological Sites Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Soil ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Soil Surface 90.17 ‐‐ 92.69 ‐‐ 93.67 ‐‐ 91.50 ‐‐ Cobble (76‐250mm) 0.26 9 0.31 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Gravel (5‐76mm) 0.74 26 0.92 23 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.13 13 Rock Fragment (2‐5mm) 0.78 22 1.31 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.38 25 Soil (<2mm) 88.17 100 90.15 100 93.67 100 91.00 100 Soil Surface Cover 77.00 ‐‐ 74.46 ‐‐ 92.67 ‐‐ 83.50 ‐‐ Litter 67.74 100.00 67.15 100.00 86.33 100.00 75.00 100.00 Basal Cover 8.00 96 6.85 100 3.00 67 7.13 100 Lichen Crust 1.39 43.48 0.46 30.77 2.00 33.33 0.13 12.50 Moss 0.35 17 ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.33 67 1.25 38 Vegetation ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Shrub 2.78 ‐‐ 1.00 ‐‐ 0.67 ‐‐ 0.13 ‐‐ Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 0.04 4 0.15 8 0.67 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 2.74 30 0.85 31 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.13 13 Atriplex confertifolia shadscale saltbush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Perennial Graminoid 13.33 ‐‐ 14.15 ‐‐ 17.67 ‐‐ 20.75 ‐‐ Aristida purpurea purple threeawn 0.48 13 0.62 23 1.00 33 3.75 50 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama 0.26 22 0.62 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.75 38 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama 1.17 35 0.62 31 1.00 67 1.50 75 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.75 25 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge 0.26 13 0.08 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.75 63 Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass 0.09 9 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Hesperostipa comata needle and thread 1.87 39 3.62 62 2.00 33 6.00 63 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass 0.17 17 0.08 8 0.33 33 0.13 13 Nassella viridula green needlegrass 1.04 35 0.77 46 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.25 13 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass 6.48 78 6.69 77 13.33 100 6.13 75 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass 0.13 9 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass 0.87 17 1.08 23 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.63 25 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.13 13 Native Perennial Forb 1.82 ‐‐ 1.77 ‐‐ 2.67 ‐‐ 3.75 ‐‐ Achillea millefolium common yarrow 0.22 9 0.23 15 1.67 67 ‐‐ ‐‐ Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed 0.13 4 0.31 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 38 Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes 0.13 9 0.08 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.38 25 Loamy Loamy Argillic Overflow Sandy Cover for Loamy, Loamy Argillic, Overflow, and Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Sandy Ecological Sites (cont.) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.25 25 Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush 0.04 4 0.15 8 1.00 33 0.25 13 Cerastium arvense field chickweed 0.04 4 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle 0.08 4 0.15 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.13 13 Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax 0.04 4 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.08 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.25 25 Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 25 Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed 0.04 4 0.15 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear 0.09 4 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot 0.48 17 0.46 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.88 50 Phlox hoodii spiny phlox 0.43 13 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Symphyotrichum ericoides white heath aster ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.08 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.13 13 Verbena sp. vervain ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.08 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Vicia americana American vetch 0.09 9 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Annual Forb ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.23 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.15 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Potentilla paradoxa Paradox cinquefoil ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.08 8 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Perennial Graminoid 14.67 ‐‐ 7.92 ‐‐ 0.33 ‐‐ 9.25 ‐‐ Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass 15.26 74 7.92 62 0.33 33 8.38 50 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 0.04 4 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.88 13 Introduced Annual Graminoid 3.67 ‐‐ 4.08 ‐‐ 4.33 ‐‐ 1.75 ‐‐ Bromus arvensis field brome 1.61 52 1.69 54 3.00 67 1.00 50 Bromus hordeaceus soft brome 0.61 22 1.00 31 0.33 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ Bromus tectorum cheatgrass 1.43 22 1.38 54 1.00 33 0.75 25 Introduced Perennial Forb 0.29 ‐‐ 0.38 ‐‐ 1.00 ‐‐ 0.38 ‐‐ Taraxacum officinale common dandelion 0.30 22 0.38 31 1.00 33 0.38 25 Introduced Annual Forb 1.96 ‐‐ 2.46 ‐‐ 19.33 ‐‐ 0.75 ‐‐ Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort 0.13 13 0.31 15 0.67 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed 0.09 9 0.15 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.13 13 Lepidium perfoliatum clasping pepperweed 0.04 4 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ Medicago sativa alfalfa 1.00 17 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Melilotus officinalis sweetclover 0.43 9 1.77 31 18.33 33 ‐‐ ‐‐ Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard 0.17 13 0.23 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify 0.04 4 0.15 15 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.63 50 Trifolium arvense rabbitfoot clover 0.04 4 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Vegetation Total 38.52 ‐‐ 32.15 ‐‐ 46.00 ‐‐ 36.75 ‐‐ Riparian Subirrigated Riparian Wet Meadow Saline Subirrigated 58A 10‐14 inch p.z 58A 10‐14 inch p.z 58A 10‐14 inch p.z Cover for Riparian Subirrigated, Riparian Wet n=2 n=1 n=4

Meadow, and Saline Subirrigated Ecological Sites Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Soil ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Soil Surface 88.00 ‐‐ 90.00 ‐‐ 92.25 ‐‐ Soil (<2mm) 88.00 100 90.00 100 92.25 100 Soil Surface Cover 93.00 ‐‐ 53.00 ‐‐ 87.75 ‐‐ Litter 81.00 100.00 43.00 100.00 80.00 100.00 Basal Cover 12.00 100 10.00 100 7.75 100 Vegetation ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Shrub 1.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 1.00 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Perennial Graminoid 8.50 ‐‐ 18.00 ‐‐ 3.50 ‐‐ Eleocharis palustris common spikerush ‐‐ ‐‐ 5.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Hesperostipa comata needle and thread 3.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Hordeum jubatum foxtail barley ‐‐ ‐‐ 4.00 100 0.25 25 Juncus arcticus arctic rush ‐‐ ‐‐ 2.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass 5.50 100 7.00 100 3.25 50 Native Perennial Forb ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.25 ‐‐ Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.25 25 Native Annual Forb 0.50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 ‐‐ Grindelia squarrosa curlycup gumweed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.25 25 Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.25 25 Potentilla paradoxa Paradox cinquefoil 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Perennial Graminoid 21.00 ‐‐ 1.00 ‐‐ 34.25 ‐‐ Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass 21.00 100 1.00 100 29.25 100 Bromus inermis smooth brome ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 4.50 50 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 25 Introduced Annual Graminoid 6.00 ‐‐ 36.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Bromus arvensis field brome 5.50 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Bromus tectorum cheatgrass 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Digitaria sanguinalis hairy crabgrass ‐‐ ‐‐ 36.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Perennial Forb 0.50 ‐‐ 2.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Cirsium arvense Canada thistle ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Rumex crispus curly dock ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 100 ‐‐ ‐‐ Taraxacum officinale common dandelion 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Annual Forb 1.00 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 1.00 ‐‐ Melilotus officinalis sweetclover 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.25 25 Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard 0.50 50 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.50 25 Thlaspi arvense pennycress ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.25 25 Vegetation Total 38.50 ‐‐ 57.00 ‐‐ 39.50 ‐‐ Shallow Droughty Thin Breaks Thin Hilly Cover for Shallow Droughty, Thin Breaks, and 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. 58A 11‐14 inch p.z. 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. n=21 n=31 n=9 Thin Hilly Ecological Sites Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Soil ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Soil Surface 93.24 ‐‐ 92.32 ‐‐ 94.22 ‐‐ Bedrock 2.38 43 2.03 52 0.11 11 Boulder (>250mm) 0.05 5 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Cobble (76‐250mm) 4.95 81 3.90 71 1.33 44 Gravel (5‐76mm) 10.43 100 6.03 77 1.78 33 Rock Fragment (2‐5mm) 7.00 90 1.81 68 2.44 44 Soil (<2mm) 68.43 100 78.52 100 88.56 100 Soil Surface Cover 69.43 ‐‐ 58.48 ‐‐ 76.00 ‐‐ Litter 62.67 100.00 50.81 100.00 70.22 100.00 Basal Cover 4.76 100 5.39 94 4.89 100 Lichen Crust 1.05 42.86 2.16 61.29 0.89 22.22 Moss 0.95 29 0.13 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Vegetation ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Tree 12.00 ‐‐ 5.77 ‐‐ 5.56 ‐‐ Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper 7.33 48 4.35 42 4.00 22 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine 4.57 57 1.42 19 1.56 11 Prunus virginiana chokecherry 0.10 5 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Shrub 3.14 ‐‐ 5.35 ‐‐ 5.78 ‐‐ Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 0.43 19 0.10 3 0.33 11 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 1.52 38 4.81 90 5.44 67 Atriplex confertifolia shadscale saltbush ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.16 13 ‐‐ ‐‐ Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper 0.05 5 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat 0.10 5 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 0.62 19 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Ribes aureum golden currant 0.05 5 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.19 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry 0.19 5 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 0.19 14 0.06 6 ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Perennial Graminoid 14.38 ‐‐ 18.61 ‐‐ 22.22 ‐‐ Achnatherum hymenoides Indian ricegrass ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.06 6 ‐‐ ‐‐ Aristida purpurea purple threeawn ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.06 6 0.11 11 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama 3.33 67 3.97 61 0.22 22 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama 1.62 62 1.42 52 3.11 67 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed 0.05 5 0.29 16 ‐‐ ‐‐ Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge 0.62 29 1.52 58 1.89 78 Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass 0.14 14 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Festuca idahoensis Idaho fescue ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Hesperostipa comata needle and thread 3.48 67 2.10 58 3.11 67 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass 0.10 10 0.58 32 0.11 11 Nassella viridula green needlegrass 0.29 14 0.87 42 1.33 67 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass 1.43 33 2.26 58 9.44 100 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass 0.14 10 0.26 16 0.11 11 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass 3.00 90 4.45 100 2.78 56 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem 0.19 10 0.71 19 ‐‐ ‐‐ Sporobolus cryptandrus sand dropseed ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Native Perennial Forb 4.14 ‐‐ 3.45 ‐‐ 3.56 ‐‐ Achillea millefolium common yarrow 0.29 19 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed 0.14 10 0.03 3 0.67 33 Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.10 6 0.22 11 Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort 0.71 48 0.42 29 0.22 22 Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush 0.14 14 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Astragalus milkvetch ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.32 26 0.11 11 Astragalus hyalinus summer milkvetch ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Balsamorhiza sagittata arrowleaf balsamroot ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.10 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Brickellia eupatorioides false boneset ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.10 6 ‐‐ ‐‐ Cerastium arvense field chickweed 0.62 38 0.10 6 0.44 33 Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle 0.19 10 0.03 3 0.22 11 Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax 0.05 5 0.03 3 0.11 11 Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Eriogonum pauciflorum fewflower buckwheat ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.06 3 0.11 11 Cover for Shallow Droughty, Thin Breaks, and Shallow Droughty Thin Breaks Thin Hilly Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Cover Constancy Thin Hilly Ecological Sites (cont.) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) Gaura parviflora velvetweed ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Glycyrrhiza lepidota American licorice ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed 0.10 10 0.29 23 0.11 11 Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster 0.24 24 0.06 6 0.11 11 Lupinus argenteus silvery lupine ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.33 11 Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear 0.10 10 0.16 13 ‐‐ ‐‐ Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot 0.76 38 0.45 29 0.22 22 Pediomelum esculentum large Indian breadroot 0.10 10 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Phlox hoodii spiny phlox 0.62 33 0.77 48 0.22 22 Sedum lanceolatum spearleaf stonecrop ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.11 11 Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.10 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Verbena sp. vervain 0.10 5 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Vicia americana American vetch ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.06 3 0.33 22 Native Annual Forb 0.05 ‐‐ 0.06 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Cleome seriola spiderflower ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Potentilla paradoxa Paradox cinquefoil 0.05 5 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Perennial Graminoid 0.24 ‐‐ 0.03 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass 0.05 5 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 0.19 5 ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ Introduced Annual Graminoid 1.81 ‐‐ 1.10 ‐‐ 4.56 ‐‐ Bromus arvensis field brome 0.86 57 0.87 35 4.00 78 Bromus hordeaceus soft brome ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Bromus tectorum cheatgrass 0.95 33 0.19 10 0.56 33 Introduced Perennial Forb 0.05 ‐‐ 0.13 ‐‐ 0.22 ‐‐ Taraxacum officinale common dandelion 0.05 5 0.13 13 0.22 22 Introduced Annual Forb 0.52 ‐‐ 2.39 ‐‐ 5.56 ‐‐ Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort 0.05 5 0.03 3 0.33 22 Bassia scoparia burningbush ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.11 11 Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.16 3 0.56 11 Melilotus officinalis sweetclover 0.38 10 2.06 39 4.11 33 Plantago patagonica woolly plantain ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.11 11 Salsola tragus prickly Russian thistle ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.03 3 ‐‐ ‐‐ Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard 0.05 5 ‐‐ ‐‐ 0.11 11 Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify 0.05 5 0.10 10 0.22 22 Vegetation Total 36.33 ‐‐ 36.90 ‐‐ 41.89 ‐‐ Ecological Site Woody Density Seedling Mature Decadent Total Constancy (plants/acre) Loamy 58A 10‐14 inch p.z (n=23) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 15 13 ‐‐ 28 17 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 89 735 92 916 48 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat 610‐‐ 16 9 Total 110 758 92 960 Loamy Argillic 58A 10‐14 inch p.z (n=13) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush ‐‐ 44 3 47 23 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 16 137 81 233 46 Atriplex gardneri Gardnerʹs saltbush ‐‐ 6 ‐‐ 68 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat ‐‐ 34 ‐‐ 34 8 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 28 ‐‐ 28 8 Total 16 249 84 349 Overflow 58A 10‐14 inch p.z (n=3) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 256 81 40 378 33 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush ‐‐ 13 ‐‐ 13 33 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat ‐‐ 13 ‐‐ 13 33 Total 256 108 40 405 Riparian Subirrigated 58A 10‐14 inch p.z (n=2) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 567 465 ‐‐ 1032 50 Total 567 465 ‐‐ 1032 Riparian Wet Meadow 58A 10‐14 inch p.z (n=1) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush ‐‐ 40 ‐‐ 40 100 Total ‐‐ 40 ‐‐ 40 Sandy 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. (n=8) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 25 46 ‐‐ 71 13 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush ‐‐ 111 5 116 38 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 789 ‐‐ 789 25 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca ‐‐ ‐‐ 5513 Total 25 946 10 981 Shallow Droughty 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. (n=21) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 281 218 25 524 33 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 71 403 64 538 52 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 242810 Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper ‐‐ 4 ‐‐ 410 Juniperus scopulorum* Rocky Mountain juniper ‐‐ 33 ‐‐ 33 33 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat 664‐‐ 69 5 Pinus ponderosa* ponderosa pine ‐‐ 6 ‐‐ 633 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 54 137 ‐‐ 191 43 Ribes americanum American black currant ‐‐ 4 ‐‐ 45 Ribes aureum golden currant ‐‐ 13 ‐‐ 13 5 Ribes cereum wax currant ‐‐ 4 ‐‐ 45 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 98 ‐‐ 98 24 Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry 106 243 ‐‐ 349 5 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 15 37 2 54 29 Total 536 1267 92 1895 Thin Breaks 58A 11‐14 inch p.z. (n=31) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 13 34 3 50 10 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 287 1583 200 2070 100 Atriplex canescens fourwing saltbush ‐‐ 1136 Atriplex confertifolia shadscale saltbush ‐‐ 8 ‐‐ 83 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus yellow rabbitbrush 130‐‐ 31 6 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 482‐‐ 86 32 Juniperus scopulorum* Rocky Mountain juniper ‐‐ 30 ‐‐ 30 13 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat ‐‐ 10 ‐‐ 10 13 Pinus ponderosa* ponderosa pine ‐‐ 2 ‐‐ 213 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac ‐‐ 4 ‐‐ 410 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 153 ‐‐ 153 16 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood ‐‐ 25 ‐‐ 25 13 Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry ‐‐ 3 ‐‐ 33 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 4 35 4 43 29 Total 309 2001 208 2518 Thin Hilly 58A 10‐14 inch p.z. (n=9) Artemisia cana silver sagebrush ‐‐ 63 ‐‐ 63 11 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 190 1144 150 1484 67 Juniperus scopulorum* Rocky Mountain juniper ‐‐ 46 ‐‐ 46 12 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat ‐‐ 31 ‐‐ 31 11 Pinus ponderosa* ponderosa pine ‐‐ 3 ‐‐ 312 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac ‐‐ 13 ‐‐ 13 11 Rosa woodsii Woodsʹ rose ‐‐ 22 ‐‐ 22 11 Total 190 1323 150 1662 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

APPENDIX F Transect Vegetation Sampling Data East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana Table 1. Ground Cover for Transect 001

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 91 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 5 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 14 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 7 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 65 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 57 -- -- Litter 48 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- Lichen Crust 2 -- -- Moss 1 -- --

VEGETATION -- 25 6

Native Tree -- 1 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 1 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 15 6 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 5 3 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 7 2 Native Perennial Forb -- 9 -- Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 1 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 5 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 2 --

Table 2. Woody Density for Transect 001

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 567 - 567 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 567 - 567

F-1 Table 3. Ground Cover for Transect 002

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 92 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 2 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 90 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 69 -- -- Litter 61 -- -- Basal Cover 7 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- --

VEGETATION -- 43 7

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 31 6 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 2 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 16 3 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 -- Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 4 2 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 3 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 4 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 1 -- Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 5 1 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 5 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus hordeaceus soft brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 2 -- Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed -- 1 -- Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 --

F-2 Table 4. Ground Cover for Transect 003

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 96 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 96 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 84 -- -- Litter 80 -- -- Basal Cover 4 -- --

VEGETATION -- 41 4

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 24 2 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 7 -- Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 -- Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 14 2 Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 2 -- Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 4 1 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 4 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 9 1 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 2 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 7 1 Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 --

F-3 Table 5. Ground Cover for Transect 004

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 96 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 96 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 92 -- -- Litter 88 -- -- Basal Cover 4 -- --

VEGETATION -- 42 4

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 24 4 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 7 3 Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 16 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 16 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 16 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 --

F-4 Table 6. Ground Cover for Transect 005

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 92 -- -- Bedrock 18 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 14 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 9 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 2 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 49 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 63 -- -- Litter 55 -- -- Basal Cover 8 -- --

VEGETATION -- 23 8

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 12 6 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 5 3 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 5 2 Native Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 9 2 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 8 2 Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 --

F-5 Table 7. Ground Cover for Transect 006

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 94 -- -- Bedrock 3 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 2 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 7 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 10 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 72 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 72 -- -- Litter 66 -- -- Basal Cover 6 ------28 6 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 22 5 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 9 2 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 3 2 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 5 1 Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 3 -- Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle -- 2 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 --

F-6 Table 8. Ground Cover for Transect 007

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 7 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 16 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 70 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 55 -- -- Litter 48 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- --

VEGETATION -- 27 6

Native Shrub -- 2 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 2 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 11 4 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 9 3 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 9 -- Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 2 -- Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 1 -- Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 4 -- Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 5 2 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 5 2

Table 9. Woody Density for Transect 007

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 243 445 688 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 243 445 688

F-7 Table 10. Ground Cover for Transect 008

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 95 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 95 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 76 -- -- Litter 71 -- -- Basal Cover 4 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- --

VEGETATION -- 28 4

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 8 3 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 1 -- Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 4 1 Native Annual Forb -- 1 -- Potentilla paradoxa Paradox cinquefoil -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 6 1 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 6 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 4 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 4 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 9 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 9 --

Table 11. Woody Density for Transect 008

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Atriplex gardneri Gardner's saltbush - 81 - 81 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 40 - 40 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 121 - 121

F-8 Table 12. Ground Cover for Transect 009

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 97 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 97 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 89 -- -- Litter 86 -- -- Basal Cover 3 ------41 3 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 17 2 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 -- Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 11 2 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 5 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 23 1 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 23 1

F-9 Table 13. Ground Cover for Transect 010

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 93 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 92 -- -- Litter 85 -- -- Basal Cover 7 ------38 6 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 14 3 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 4 2 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 4 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 19 2 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 12 1 Bromus hordeaceus soft brome -- 7 1 Introduced Annual Forb -- 5 1 Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed -- 1 -- Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard -- 3 -- Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 1

Table 14. Woody Density for Transect 010

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat - 40 - 40 Total - 40 - 40

F-10 Table 15. Ground Cover for Transect 011

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 93 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 87 -- -- Litter 80 -- -- Basal Cover 5 -- -- Moss 2 ------38 5 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 2 -- Artemisia cana silver sagebrush -- 2 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 22 5 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 21 4 Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 4 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 7 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 6 -- Bromus hordeaceus soft brome -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 3 --

Table 16. Woody Density for Transect 011

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 769 243 121 1133 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat - 40 - 40 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 40 - 40 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 769 324 121 1214

F-11 Table 17. Ground Cover for Transect 012

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 97 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 97 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 85 -- -- Litter 82 -- -- Basal Cover 3 ------52 3 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 3 -- Artemisia cana silver sagebrush -- 3 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 21 3 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 3 2 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 18 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 3 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 25 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 24 -- Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 --

Table 18. Woody Density for Transect 012

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush - 567 - 567 Total - 567 - 567

F-12 Table 19. Ground Cover for Transect 013

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 98 -- -- Bedrock 14 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 23 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 18 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 5 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 38 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 44 -- -- Litter 42 -- -- Basal Cover 2 ------28 2 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 2 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 2 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 7 2 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 2 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 2 -- Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 1 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 1 -- Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 3 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 3 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 14 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 14 --

Table 20. Woody Density for Transect 013

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 121 40 162 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 121 40 162

F-13 Table 21. Ground Cover for Transect 014

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 92 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 2 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 89 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 42 -- -- Litter 34 -- -- Basal Cover 4 -- -- Lichen Crust 4 ------25 4 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 14 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 14 1 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 7 3 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 1 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 4 2 Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 4 --

Table 22. Woody Density for Transect 014

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 445 3,399 324 4168 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 445 3,399 324 4168

F-14 Table 23. Ground Cover for Transect 015

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 97 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 96 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 78 -- -- Litter 75 -- -- Basal Cover 3 -- --

VEGETATION -- 41 3

Native Shrub -- 2 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 2 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 27 1 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 -- Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 2 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 2 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 20 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 10 1 Bromus arvensis field brome -- 10 1 Introduced Annual Forb -- 2 1 Bassia scoparia burningbush -- 1 1 Plantago patagonica woolly plantain -- 1 --

Table 24. Woody Density for Transect 015

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 486 688 243 1416 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 486 688 243 1416

F-15 Table 25. Ground Cover for Transect 016

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 76 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 75 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 82 -- -- Litter 58 -- -- Basal Cover 5 -- -- Lichen Crust 18 -- -- Moss 1 ------38 5 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 7 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 7 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 28 5 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 3 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 7 -- Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 1 Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 2 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 2 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 8 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 3 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 3 --

Table 26. Woody Density for Transect 016

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 1,376 283 1659 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 1,376 283 1659

F-16 Table 27. Ground Cover for Transect 017

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 94 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 2 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 2 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 90 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 63 -- -- Litter 57 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- VEGETATION -- 45 6 Native Shrub -- 7 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 7 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 25 6 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 7 4 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 2 -- Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 3 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 4 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 2 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 8 -- Vicia americana American vetch -- 2 -- Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax -- 1 -- Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 1 -- Eriogonum pauciflorum fewflower buckwheat -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Sedum lanceolatum spearleaf stonecrop -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 5 -- Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort -- 1 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 4 --

Table 28. Woody Density for Transect 017

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre) Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Rosa woodsii Woods' rose - 202 - 202 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 445 3,116 - 3561 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 445 3,318 - 3764

F-17 Table 29. Ground Cover for Transect 018

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 95 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 5 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 7 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 16 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 67 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 66 -- -- Litter 61 -- -- Basal Cover 5 -- --

VEGETATION -- 42 5

Native Shrub -- 4 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 4 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 25 5 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 3 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 2 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 9 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 6 2 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 3 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 7 -- Vicia americana American vetch -- 1 -- Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 3 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 4 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 3 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 2 -- Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort -- 2 --

Table 30. Woody Density for Transect 018

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 647 243 40 931 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 647 243 40 931

F-18 Table 31. Ground Cover for Transect 019

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 93 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 1 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 1 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 3 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 88 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 64 -- -- Litter 57 -- -- Basal Cover 7 -- --

VEGETATION -- 40 7

Native Shrub -- 4 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 4 1 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 30 6 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 7 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 1 -- Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 2 1 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 3 1 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 2 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 8 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 5 2 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Vicia americana American vetch -- 2 -- Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 2 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 2 --

Table 32. Woody Density for Transect 019

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 971 - 971 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 971 - 971

F-19 Table 33. Ground Cover for Transect 020

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 95 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 95 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 87 -- -- Litter 82 -- -- Basal Cover 5 ------52 5 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 15 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 15 1 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 26 4 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 5 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 1 1 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass -- 2 -- Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 15 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 9 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 4 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Bromus hordeaceus soft brome -- 3 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 --

Table 34. Woody Density for Transect 020

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 2,185 - 2185 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 2,185 - 2185

F-20 Table 35. Ground Cover for Transect 021

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 77 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 77 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 76 -- -- Litter 53 -- -- Basal Cover 7 -- -- Lichen Crust 16 ------37 7 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 12 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 12 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 19 7 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 5 3 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 -- Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 2 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 2 1 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 3 2 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 3 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear -- 1 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 3 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 3 --

Table 36. Woody Density for Transect 021

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 688 3,845 - 4532 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 688 3,845 - 4532

F-21 Table 37. Ground Cover for Transect 022

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 93 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 92 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 72 -- -- Litter 65 -- -- Basal Cover 5 -- -- Lichen Crust 2 -- --

VEGETATION -- 43 5

Native Shrub -- 5 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 5 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 20 4 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 6 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 7 2 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 -- Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed -- 2 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 7 -- Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 1 -- Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear -- 1 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 2 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 9 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 9 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 1 Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 1

Table 38. Woody Density for Transect 022

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 2,064 890 81 3035 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 2,064 890 81 3035

F-22 Table 39. Ground Cover for Transect 023

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 93 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 81 -- -- Litter 74 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- Moss 1 ------37 6 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 1 -- Artemisia cana silver sagebrush -- 1 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 18 2 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 17 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 3 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 8 2 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 8 2 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 4 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 2 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 2 1 Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 2 1 Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 1 Trifolium arvense rabbitfoot clover -- 1 1

Table 40. Woody Density for Transect 023

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush - 40 - 40 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - - 121 121 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 40 121 162

F-23 Table 41. Ground Cover for Transect 024

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 89 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 5 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 4 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 79 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 56 -- -- Litter 45 -- -- Basal Cover 7 -- -- Lichen Crust 2 -- -- Moss 2 ------40 7 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 7 2 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 7 2 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 17 2 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 4 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 13 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 6 -- Vicia americana American vetch -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 5 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 8 2 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 8 2 Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 1 Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 1 1

Table 42. Woody Density for Transect 024

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 567 2,873 202 3642 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 567 2,873 202 3642

F-24 Table 43. Ground Cover for Transect 025

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 86 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 5 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 81 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 84 -- -- Litter 70 -- -- Basal Cover 11 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- -- Moss 2 ------35 11 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 4 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 4 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 27 11 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 3 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 4 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 8 2 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 1 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed -- 1 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 3 2 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 3 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 2 -- Bromus hordeaceus soft brome -- 1 --

Table 44. Woody Density for Transect 025

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 283 1,619 607 2509 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 283 1,619 607 2509

F-25 Table 45. Ground Cover for Transect 026

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 94 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 3 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 4 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 4 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 83 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 73 -- -- Litter 67 -- -- Basal Cover 6 ------35 6 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 11 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 11 1 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 24 5 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 4 2 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 6 2 Achnatherum hymenoides Indian ricegrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 9 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 2 --

Table 46. Woody Density for Transect 026

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat - 40 - 40 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 324 2,104 405 2833 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 324 2,145 405 2873

F-26 Table 47. Ground Cover for Transect 027

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 84 -- -- Bedrock 3 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 4 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 4 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 73 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 39 -- -- Litter 23 -- -- Basal Cover 8 -- -- Lichen Crust 8 -- --

VEGETATION -- 29 8

Native Tree -- 2 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 2 -- Native Shrub -- 8 -- Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood -- 1 -- Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush -- 1 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 6 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 16 8 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 6 2 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 2 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 4 3 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 2 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 1 -- Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear -- 2 --

Table 48. Woody Density for Transect 027

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood - 40 - 40 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 81 486 - 567 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca - 40 - 40 Rosa woodsii Woods' rose - 81 - 81 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 243 2,428 243 2914 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 324 3,076 243 3642

F-27 Table 49. Ground Cover for Transect 028

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 92 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 92 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 87 -- -- Litter 79 -- -- Basal Cover 5 -- -- Lichen Crust 3 ------51 5 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 22 2 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 22 2 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 19 3 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 6 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 3 1 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass -- 1 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 7 2 Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 2 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 5 -- Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed -- 5 --

Table 50. Woody Density for Transect 028

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 40 3,804 769 4613 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 40 3,804 769 4613

F-28 Table 51. Ground Cover for Transect 029

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 88 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 1 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 3 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 84 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 56 -- -- Litter 44 -- -- Basal Cover 9 -- -- Lichen Crust 3 ------22 9 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 9 6 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 7 6 Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 3 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 10 3 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 10 3

Table 52. Woody Density for Transect 029

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - - 162 162 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - - 162 162

F-29 Table 53. Ground Cover for Transect 030

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 95 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 95 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 89 -- -- Litter 84 -- -- Basal Cover 5 -- --

VEGETATION -- 51 5

Native Shrub -- 1 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 1 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 24 5 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 3 2 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 20 2 Native Perennial Forb -- 7 -- Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 3 -- Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle -- 1 -- Symphyotrichum ericoides white heath aster -- 1 -- Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush -- 2 -- Native Annual Forb -- 1 -- Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 12 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 9 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 3 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 4 -- Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard -- 1 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 2 -- Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard -- 1 --

Table 54. Woody Density for Transect 030

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 40 - 40 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 40 - 40

F-30 Table 55. Ground Cover for Transect 031

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 89 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 4 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 3 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 81 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 69 -- -- Litter 58 -- -- Basal Cover 11 ------42 11 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 2 -- Artemisia cana silver sagebrush -- 2 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 30 10 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 12 5 Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 3 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 5 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 5 1 Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 1 -- Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 9 1 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 3 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Bromus hordeaceus soft brome -- 5 1

Table 56. Woody Density for Transect 031

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush - 486 - 486 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 81 81 - 162 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 81 567 - 647

F-31 Table 57. Ground Cover for Transect 032

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 94 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 94 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 76 -- -- Litter 70 -- -- Basal Cover 3 -- -- Lichen Crust 3 ------32 3 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 7 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 7 1 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 12 2 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 2 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 2 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 3 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 5 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 9 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Bromus hordeaceus soft brome -- 6 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 2 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 2 --

Table 58. Woody Density for Transect 032

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat - 445 - 445 Rosa woodsii Woods' rose - 364 - 364 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 121 1,295 607 2023 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 121 2,104 607 2833

F-32 Table 59. Ground Cover for Transect 033

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 94 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 94 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 87 -- -- Litter 81 -- -- Basal Cover 6 ------41 6 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 29 6 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 -- Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 3 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 9 4 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 16 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 10 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 8 -- Bromus hordeaceus soft brome -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 --

Table 60. Woody Density for Transect 033

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush - 81 - 81 Total - 81 - 81

F-33 Table 61. Ground Cover for Transect 034

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 92 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 1 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 2 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 89 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 69 -- -- Litter 61 -- -- Basal Cover 7 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- --

VEGETATION -- 40 7

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 26 7 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 15 4 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 3 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 5 -- Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 2 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Heterotheca villosa Hairy false goldenaster -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 1 -- Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 7 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 4 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 3 --

Table 62. Woody Density for Transect 034

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - - 40 40 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - - 40 40

F-34 Table 63. Ground Cover for Transect 035

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 89 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 1 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 5 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 83 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 67 -- -- Litter 56 -- -- Basal Cover 9 -- -- Lichen Crust 2 -- --

VEGETATION -- 49 9

Native Shrub -- 13 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 13 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 27 7 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 6 2 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 9 1 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 -- Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 8 3 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 5 2 Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax -- 1 -- Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear -- 2 2 Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 3 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Bromus hordeaceus soft brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed -- 1 --

Table 64. Woody Density for Transect 035

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 81 2,388 202 2671 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 81 2,388 202 2671

F-35 Table 65. Ground Cover for Transect 036

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 92 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 9 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 6 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 77 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 74 -- -- Litter 66 -- -- Basal Cover 7 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 ------33 7 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 7 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 7 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 22 7 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 2 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 2 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 9 -- Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass -- 1 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 3 2 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 3 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 --

Table 66. Woody Density for Transect 036

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 931 202 1133 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 931 202 1133

F-36 Table 67. Ground Cover for Transect 037

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 85 -- -- Bedrock 5 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 7 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 19 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 13 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 41 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 67 -- -- Litter 52 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- -- Moss 8 -- -- VEGETATION -- 32 6 Native Shrub -- 9 -- Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac -- 9 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 15 6 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 3 3 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 6 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 3 1 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 -- Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 1 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 -- Pediomelum esculentum large Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 4 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 2 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 --

Table 68. Woody Density for Transect 037

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre) Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 486 121 - 607 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 324 1,093 - 1416 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca - 40 - 40 Rosa woodsii Woods' rose - 202 - 202 Total 809 1,457 - 2266

F-37 Table 69. Ground Cover for Transect 038

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 91 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 90 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 92 -- -- Litter 83 -- -- Basal Cover 9 ------33 9 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 22 8 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 15 7 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed -- 5 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 8 1 Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 5 1 Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover -- 1 -- Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 2 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 --

Table 70. Woody Density for Transect 038

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Yucca glauca soapweed yucca - - 40 40 Total - - 40 40

F-38 Table 71. Ground Cover for Transect 039

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 6 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 86 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 73 -- -- Litter 66 -- -- Basal Cover 7 ------24 7 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 1 -- Artemisia cana silver sagebrush -- 1 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 18 7 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 3 2 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 2 2 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 5 2 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 2 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 3 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 --

Table 72. Woody Density for Transect 039

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 3,845 202 - 4047 Total 3,845 202 - 4047

F-39 Table 73. Ground Cover for Transect 040

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 91 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 6 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 5 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 3 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 77 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 69 -- -- Litter 60 -- -- Basal Cover 9 ------35 9 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 1 -- Yucca glauca soapweed yucca -- 1 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 28 9 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 1 -- Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem -- 2 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 17 5 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 5 2 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 2 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear -- 1 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 3 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 3 --

Table 74. Woody Density for Transect 040

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Yucca glauca soapweed yucca - 40 - 40 Total - 40 - 40

F-40 Table 75. Ground Cover for Transect 041

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 97 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 6 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 12 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 8 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 71 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 58 -- -- Litter 55 -- -- Basal Cover 3 ------21 3 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 14 2 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 5 1 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 5 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 -- Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 1 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Verbena sp. vervain -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 2 1 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 1 1 Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 --

F-41 Table 76. Ground Cover for Transect 042

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 94 -- -- Bedrock 8 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 5 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 20 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 7 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 54 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 65 -- -- Litter 59 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- VEGETATION -- 44 6 Native Shrub -- 7 -- Artemisia cana silver sagebrush -- 3 -- Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac -- 2 -- Yucca glauca soapweed yucca -- 2 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 19 6 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 6 2 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 3 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 8 3 Native Perennial Forb -- 12 -- Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 1 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 4 -- Pediomelum esculentum large Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear -- 1 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle -- 2 -- Native Annual Forb -- 1 -- Potentilla paradoxa Paradox cinquefoil -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 5 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 5 --

Table 77. Woody Density for Transect 042

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre) Seedling Mature Decadent Total Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 324 971 - 1295 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 405 890 - 1295 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 40 607 - 647 Total 769 2,469 - 3237

F-42 Table 78. Ground Cover for Transect 043

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 91 -- -- Bedrock 2 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 18 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 16 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 6 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 49 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 53 -- -- Litter 44 -- -- Basal Cover 9 ------37 9 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 7 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 6 1 & Young Yucca glauca soapweed yucca -- 1 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 25 8 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 21 7 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 2 --

Table 79. Woody Density for Transect 043

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac - 40 - 40 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 121 1,012 81 1214 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 121 1,052 81 1255

F-43 Table 80. Ground Cover for Transect 044

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%) ------SOIL

Soil Surface 88 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 88 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 94 -- -- Litter 82 -- -- Basal Cover 4 -- -- Lichen Crust 6 -- -- Moss 2 ------38 4 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 28 4 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 6 1 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 1 Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 3 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 16 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 6 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 3 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 3 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 3 -- Lepidium perfoliatum clasping pepperweed -- 1 -- Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort -- 2 --

F-44 Table 81. Ground Cover for Transect 045

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 88 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 88 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 95 -- -- Litter 83 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- Moss 6 ------31 5 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 18 4 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 7 -- Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 1 Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 3 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 2 Native Perennial Forb -- 2 1 Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes -- 2 1 Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 7 -- Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass -- 7 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 2 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 --

F-45 Table 82. Ground Cover for Transect 046

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 88 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 87 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 90 -- -- Litter 78 -- -- Basal Cover 7 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- -- Moss 4 ------38 7 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 22 6 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 4 2 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 4 3 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 2 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 12 1 Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 1 -- Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 14 1 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 13 1 Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Lepidium perfoliatum clasping pepperweed -- 1 --

F-46 Table 83. Ground Cover for Transect 047

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 84 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 2 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 6 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 75 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 63 -- -- Litter 47 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- Lichen Crust 10 -- --

VEGETATION -- 34 6

Native Shrub -- 5 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 5 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 19 5 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 5 2 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 3 -- Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 2 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 4 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 9 1 Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 2 -- Brickellia eupatorioides false boneset -- 1 -- Eriogonum pauciflorum fewflower buckwheat -- 2 -- Astragalus milkvetch -- 1 1 Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 2 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 --

Table 84. Woody Density for Transect 047

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat - 40 - 40 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 364 1,093 283 1740 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 364 1,133 283 1781

F-47 Table 85. Ground Cover for Transect 048

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 87 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 87 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 76 -- -- Litter 63 -- -- Basal Cover 8 -- -- Lichen Crust 5 ------43 8 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 3 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 3 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 24 8 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 13 5 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 2 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 3 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 2 Native Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 3 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 10 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 9 -- Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard -- 1 --

Table 86. Woody Density for Transect 048

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat - 283 - 283 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 324 121 445 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 607 121 728

F-48 Table 87. Ground Cover for Transect 049

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 95 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 2 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 92 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 67 -- -- Litter 62 -- -- Basal Cover 4 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- --

VEGETATION -- 33 4

Native Shrub -- 9 -- Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat -- 2 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 6 -- & Young Yucca glauca soapweed yucca -- 1 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 13 3 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 2 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 2 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 5 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 4 1 Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 3 1 Introduced Annual Forb -- 7 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 7 --

Table 88. Woody Density for Transect 049

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Yucca glauca soapweed yucca - 81 40 121 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat 121 1,335 - 1457 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 121 1,578 121 1821 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 243 2,995 162 3399

F-49 Table 89. Ground Cover for Transect 050

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 90 -- -- Bedrock 6 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 2 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 81 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 74 -- -- Litter 64 -- -- Basal Cover 8 -- -- Lichen Crust 2 -- --

VEGETATION -- 47 8

Native Tree -- 5 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 5 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 35 8 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 17 5 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 4 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 8 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 4 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 6 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 3 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 2 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 --

Table 90. Woody Density for Transect 050

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 1 na 1 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 28 na 28 Total na 29 na 29

F-50 Table 91. Ground Cover for Transect 051

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 93 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 93 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 77 -- -- Litter 70 -- -- Basal Cover 7 -- --

VEGETATION -- 49 7

Native Shrub -- 1 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 1 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 37 7 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 6 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 1 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 2 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 5 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 3 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 19 2 Native Perennial Forb -- 5 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 2 -- Symphyotrichum ericoides white heath aster -- 1 -- Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 2 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 2 -- Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 2 --

Table 92. Woody Density for Transect 051

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 202 364 - 567 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 850 - 850 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 202 1,214 - 1416

F-51 Table 93. Ground Cover for Transect 052

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 94 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 94 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 77 -- -- Litter 71 -- -- Basal Cover 4 -- -- Lichen Crust 2 ------45 4 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 3 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 3 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 28 3 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 8 2 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass -- 2 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 13 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Astragalus milkvetch -- 1 -- Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 6 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 6 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 5 1 Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed -- 5 1

Table 94. Woody Density for Transect 052

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat - 40 - 40 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 40 243 121 405 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 40 283 121 445

F-52 Table 95. Ground Cover for Transect 053

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 92 -- -- Bedrock 1 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 1 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 3 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 87 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 75 -- -- Litter 67 -- -- Basal Cover 8 -- --

VEGETATION -- 50 8 Native Tree -- 3 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 3 -- Native Shrub -- 11 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 11 1 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 26 6 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 2 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 8 2 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 2 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 3 1 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 2 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 8 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 6 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 -- Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 1 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 1 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 4 1 Bromus arvensis field brome -- 4 1

Table 96. Woody Density for Transect 053

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 486 2,064 202 2752 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 486 2,064 202 2752

F-53 Table 97. Ground Cover for Transect 054

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 89 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 89 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 85 -- -- Litter 74 -- -- Basal Cover 8 -- -- Moss 3 ------31 8 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 28 7 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 6 3 Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 2 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 2 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 15 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 1 Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 1

Table 98. Woody Density for Transect 054

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Rosa woodsii Woods' rose - 1,740 - 1740 Total - 1,740 - 1740

Table 99. Ground Cover for Transect 055

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 92 -- --

F-54 Table 99. Ground Cover for Transect 055

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

Gravel (5-76mm) 1 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 3 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 88 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 64 -- -- Litter 56 -- -- Basal Cover 7 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- --

VEGETATION -- 31 7

Native Shrub -- 6 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 6 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 10 3 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 1 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 5 1 Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 3 1 Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 5 3 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 5 3 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 4 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Bromus hordeaceus soft brome -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort -- 1 --

Table 100. Woody Density for Transect 055

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 728 3,237 405 4371 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 728 3,237 405 4371

F-55 Table 101. Ground Cover for Transect 056

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 89 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 89 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 80 -- -- Litter 69 -- -- Basal Cover 9 -- -- Lichen Crust 2 -- --

VEGETATION -- 55 9

Native Shrub -- 8 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 8 1 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 29 8 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 6 3 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 7 2 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 6 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 9 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 10 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 1 -- Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes -- 2 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 5 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 2 -- Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 4 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 3 -- Bromus hordeaceus soft brome -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 2 --

Table 102. Woody Density for Transect 056

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat 162 202 - 364 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 121 2,752 486 3359 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 283 2,954 486 3723

F-56 Table 103. Ground Cover for Transect 057

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 88 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 88 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 92 -- -- Litter 80 -- -- Basal Cover 12 ------43 12 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 5 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 4 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 33 12 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 33 12 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 4 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 4 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 1 --

F-57 Table 104. Ground Cover for Transect 058

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 89 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 4 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 3 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 82 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 68 -- -- Litter 57 -- -- Basal Cover 11 ------31 11 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 1 -- Artemisia cana silver sagebrush -- 1 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 23 10 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 10 7 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 2 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 4 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 5 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed -- 2 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 1 1 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 1 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 2 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 --

Table 105. Woody Density for Transect 058

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 324 1,740 - 2064 Total 324 1,740 - 2064

F-58 Table 106. Ground Cover for Transect 059

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 96 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 96 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 58 -- -- Litter 54 -- -- Basal Cover 4 ------13 4 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 6 4 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 4 3 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 2 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Verbena sp. vervain -- 1 -- Native Annual Forb -- 1 -- Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 2 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 4 -- Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort -- 3 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 --

F-59 Table 107. Ground Cover for Transect 060

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 88 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 88 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 65 -- -- Litter 53 -- -- Basal Cover 12 ------23 12 VEGETATION

Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 22 12 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 22 12 Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 --

Table 108. Ground Cover for Transect 061

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 97 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 97 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 81 -- -- Litter 78 -- -- Basal Cover 3 ------17 3 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 16 3 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 16 3 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 1 --

F-60 Table 109. Ground Cover for Transect 062

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 84 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 84 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 86 -- -- Litter 70 -- -- Basal Cover 16 ------46 16 VEGETATION

Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 46 16 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 46 16

Table 110. Ground Cover for Transect 063

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 83 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 83 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 92 -- -- Litter 75 -- -- Basal Cover 17 ------45 17 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 3 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 3 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 42 17 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 42 17

F-61 Table 111. Ground Cover for Transect 064

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 85 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 85 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 96 -- -- Litter 81 -- -- Basal Cover 15 ------35 15 VEGETATION

Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 35 15 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 35 15

Table 112. Ground Cover for Transect 065

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 87 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 87 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 81 -- -- Litter 68 -- -- Basal Cover 13 ------34 13 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 16 4 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 2 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 14 3 Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 14 9 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 14 9 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 2 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort -- 1 --

F-62

Table 113. Ground Cover for Transect 066

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 88 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 88 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 89 -- -- Litter 77 -- -- Basal Cover 12 ------41 12 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 8 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 2 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Vicia americana American vetch -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 20 8 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 20 8 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 11 3 Bromus arvensis field brome -- 11 3 Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 --

Table 114. Woody Density for Transect 066

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 121 40 - 162 Total 121 40 - 162

F-63 Table 115. Ground Cover for Transect 067

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 88 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 88 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 94 -- -- Litter 82 -- -- Basal Cover 12 ------34 12 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 2 1 Artemisia cana silver sagebrush -- 2 1 Native Perennial Graminoid -- 12 3 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 5 2 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 7 1 Native Annual Forb -- 1 -- Potentilla paradoxa Paradox cinquefoil -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 9 5 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 9 5 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 8 3 Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 7 3 Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 --

Table 116. Woody Density for Transect 067

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 1,133 931 - 2064 Total 1,133 931 - 2064

F-64 Table 117. Ground Cover for Transect 068

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 88 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 88 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 88 -- -- Litter 76 -- -- Basal Cover 12 ------44 12 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 42 12 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 42 12 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 --

Table 118. Ground Cover for Transect 069

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 93 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 80 -- -- Litter 73 -- -- Basal Cover 7 ------43 7 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 24 5 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 24 5 Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 4 2 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 4 2 Introduced Annual Forb -- 15 -- Medicago sativa alfalfa -- 14 -- Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort -- 1 --

F-65 Table 119. Ground Cover for Transect 070

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 93 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 58 -- -- Litter 51 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 ------27 6 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 25 6 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 25 6 Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Medicago sativa alfalfa -- 1 --

Table 120. Woody Density for Transect 070

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 81 - - 81 Total 81 - - 81

F-66 Table 121. Ground Cover for Transect 071

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 92 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 92 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 57 -- -- Litter 49 -- -- Basal Cover 8 ------40 8 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 2 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 31 7 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 31 7 Introduced Annual Forb -- 7 1 Medicago sativa alfalfa -- 7 1

F-67 Table 122. Ground Cover for Transect 072

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 89 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 89 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 80 -- -- Litter 69 -- -- Basal Cover 11 ------30 11 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 2 1 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 1 Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 28 10 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 28 10

Table 123. Woody Density for Transect 072

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 40 - 40 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 40 - 40

F-68 Table 124. Ground Cover for Transect 073

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 92 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 92 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 77 -- -- Litter 69 -- -- Basal Cover 8 ------29 8 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 1 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 1 -- & Young Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 27 8 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 27 8 Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed -- 1 --

Table 125. Woody Density for Transect 073

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush - 81 - 81 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total - 81 - 81

F-69 Table 126. Ground Cover for Transect 074

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 93 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 81 -- -- Litter 74 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- Moss 1 ------39 6 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 16 3 Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 15 3 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 6 -- Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover -- 1 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 3 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 15 3 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 15 3 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed -- 1 --

Table 127. Woody Density for Transect 074

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Rosa woodsii Woods' rose - 4,573 - 4573 Total - 4,573 - 4573

F-70 Table 128. Ground Cover for Transect 075

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 93 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 85 -- -- Litter 78 -- -- Basal Cover 7 ------37 7 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 1 -- Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 23 7 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 23 7 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 3 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 10 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 10 --

Table 129. Woody Density for Transect 075

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush - - 40 40 Total - - 40 40

F-71 Table 130. Ground Cover for Transect 076

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 91 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 91 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 96 -- -- Litter 87 -- -- Basal Cover 9 -- --

VEGETATION -- 45 9

Native Annual Forb -- 1 -- Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 44 9 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 41 9 Bromus inermis smooth brome -- 3 --

Table 131. Ground Cover for Transect 077

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 94 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 94 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 85 -- -- Litter 79 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- VEGETATION -- 42 6

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 9 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 9 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 30 6 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 13 5 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass -- 2 -- Bromus inermis smooth brome -- 15 1 Introduced Annual Forb -- 2 -- Thlaspi arvense pennycress -- 1 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 1 --

F-72

Table 132. Ground Cover for Transect 078

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 89 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 89 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 75 -- -- Litter 64 -- -- Basal Cover 11 -- --

VEGETATION -- 30 11

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 5 2 Hordeum jubatum foxtail barley -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 4 1 Native Annual Forb -- 1 -- Grindelia squarrosa curlycup gumweed -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 22 9 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 22 9 Introduced Annual Forb -- 2 -- Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard -- 2 --

F-73 Table 133. Ground Cover for Transect 079

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 94 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 94 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 94 -- -- Litter 88 -- -- Basal Cover 6 ------34 6 VEGETATION

Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 34 6 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 34 6

Table 134. Woody Density for Transect 079

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 162 243 - 405 Total 162 243 - 405

F-74 Table 135. Ground Cover for Transect 080

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 100 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 100 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 97 -- -- Litter 97 ------62 -- VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 3 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 3 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush -- 3 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 1 -- Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 55 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 55 --

Table 136. Ground Cover for Transect 081

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 93 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 66 -- -- Litter 59 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 ------26 6 VEGETATION

Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 24 6 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 24 6 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 2 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 --

F-75 Table 137. Ground Cover for Transect 082

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 96 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 96 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 70 -- -- Litter 66 -- -- Basal Cover 4 ------32 4 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 10 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 10 1 Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 11 3 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 11 3 Introduced Annual Forb -- 11 -- Medicago sativa alfalfa -- 1 -- Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort -- 1 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 9 --

Table 138. Ground Cover for Transect 083

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 95 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 95 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 95 -- -- Litter 90 -- -- Basal Cover 5 ------41 5 VEGETATION

Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 41 5 Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 41 5

F-76 Table 139. Ground Cover for Transect 084

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 91 -- -- Bedrock 2 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 89 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 93 -- -- Litter 84 -- -- Basal Cover 8 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- --

VEGETATION -- 59 8

Native Tree -- 30 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 17 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 13 -- Native Shrub -- 1 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 1 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 23 8 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 7 3 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem -- 9 3 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 4 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 3 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 1 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 2 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 --

Table 140. Woody Density for Transect 084

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 16 na 16 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 6 na 6 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 202 688 890 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 202 710 na 912

F-77 Table 141. Ground Cover for Transect 085

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 88 -- -- Bedrock 3 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 4 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 8 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 73 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 48 -- -- Litter 36 -- -- Basal Cover 9 -- -- Lichen Crust 3 -- -- VEGETATION -- 32 9 Native Tree -- 8 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 5 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 3 -- Native Shrub -- 3 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 3 1 Native Perennial Graminoid -- 17 7 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 2 -- Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem -- 1 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 1 -- Sporobolus cryptandrus sand dropseed -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 7 4 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 4 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 1 1 Astragalus milkvetch -- 1 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 2 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 1 --

Table 142. Woody Density for Transect 085

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre) Seedling Mature Decadent Total Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 931 81 1012 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Atriplex canescens fourwing saltbush 40 40 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 81 81 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper 45 45 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine 1 1 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood 162 162 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 121 364 40 526 Total 121 1584 161 1867

F-78 Table 143. Ground Cover for Transect 086

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 99 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 19 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 33 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 47 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 45 -- -- Litter 44 -- -- Basal Cover 1 -- --

VEGETATION -- 19 1

Native Tree -- 7 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 1 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 6 -- Native Shrub -- 3 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 3 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 5 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 5 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 1 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 1 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 --

Table 144. Woody Density for Transect 086

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 121 1578 121 1821 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper 35 35 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine 2 2 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 40 40 Rosa woodsii Woods' rose 486 486 Total 121 2141 121 2384

F-79 Table 145. Ground Cover for Transect 087

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 97 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 1 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 11 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 16 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 69 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 66 -- -- Litter 63 -- -- Basal Cover 3 ------40 3 VEGETATION

Native Tree -- 23 1 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 12 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 11 1 Native Perennial Graminoid -- 13 2 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 9 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 1 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort -- 1 --

Table 146. Woody Density for Transect 087

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 61 na 61 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 9 na 9 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 81 na 81 Total 81 70 na 151

F-80 Table 147. Ground Cover for Transect 088

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 94 -- -- Bedrock 8 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 9 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 5 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 5 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 67 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 70 -- -- Litter 64 -- -- Basal Cover 3 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- -- Moss 2 -- --

VEGETATION -- 53 2

Native Tree -- 20 -- Prunus virginiana chokecherry -- 2 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 1 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 17 -- Native Shrub -- 6 -- Ribes aureum golden currant -- 1 -- Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac -- 1 -- Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry -- 4 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 10 2 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 -- Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 3 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 3 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 8 -- Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 3 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 3 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush -- 1 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 4 -- Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass -- 4 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 4 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 4 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 --

F-81 Table 148. Woody Density for Transect 088

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 283 486 769 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper 9 9 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine 61 61 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 162 647 809 Ribes aureum golden currant 283 283 Ribes cereum wax currant 81 81 Rosa woodsii Woods' rose 567 567 Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry 2226 5099 7325 Total 2671 7233 na 9904

F-82 Table 149. Ground Cover for Transect 089

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 94 -- -- Bedrock 1 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 14 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 32 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 3 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 44 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 55 -- -- Litter 49 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- --

VEGETATION -- 37 6

Native Tree -- 12 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 3 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 9 -- Native Shrub -- 7 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 7 1 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 16 5 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 2 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 2 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 2 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 7 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 2 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 1 --

Table 150. Woody Density for Transect 089

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 647 1133 607 2388 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper 10 10

Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine 25 25 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 243 243 Total 890 1168 607 2665

F-83 Table 151. Ground Cover for Transect 090

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 96 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 6 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 6 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 84 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 76 -- -- Litter 72 -- -- Basal Cover 2 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- -- Moss 1 -- -- VEGETATION -- 44 2 Native Tree -- 22 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 12 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 10 -- Native Shrub -- 4 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 4 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 14 2 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 3 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 1 1 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed -- 1 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 5 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax -- 1 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 2 --

Table 152. Woody Density for Transect 090

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre) Seedling Mature Decadent Total Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 202 243 445 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 526 202 728 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 40 40 Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper 40 40 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper 10 10 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine 25 25 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 40 40 81 Rosa woodsii Woods' rose 728 728 Total 243 1613 243 2099

F-84 Table 153. Ground Cover for Transect 091

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 3 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 7 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 83 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 66 -- -- Litter 59 -- -- Basal Cover 7 ------46 7 VEGETATION

Native Tree -- 17 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 17 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 19 6 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 7 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 1 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 2 1 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed -- 3 -- Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass -- 3 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 3 2 Native Perennial Forb -- 7 1 Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 1 -- Astragalus milkvetch -- 3 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 3 1 Native Annual Forb -- 1 -- Cleome seriola spiderflower -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 2 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 2 --

Table 154. Woody Density for Transect 091

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 27 na 27 Total na 27 na 27

F-85 Table 155. Ground Cover for Transect 092

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 93 -- -- Boulder (>250mm) 1 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 6 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 16 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 2 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 68 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 78 -- -- Litter 71 -- -- Basal Cover 5 -- -- Lichen Crust 2 -- -- VEGETATION -- 45 5

Native Tree -- 16 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 5 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 11 -- Native Shrub -- 6 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 6 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 17 5 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 3 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 2 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem -- 2 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 6 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 2 1 Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 5 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 4 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 --

Table 156. Woody Density for Transect 092

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 81 1012 40 1133 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 18 na 18 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 34 na 34 Yucca glauca Nutt. soapweed yucca 40 0 0 40 Total 121 1064 40 1226

F-86 Table 157. Ground Cover for Transect 093

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 96 -- -- Bedrock 2 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 4 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 10 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 80 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 84 -- -- Litter 80 -- -- Basal Cover 1 -- -- Moss 3 -- --

VEGETATION -- 60 1

Native Tree -- 52 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 19 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 33 -- Native Shrub -- 1 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 1 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 4 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus tectorum cheatgrass -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 1 --

Table 158. Woody Density for Transect 093

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush na 162 na 162 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 3 na 3 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 21 na 21 Ribes americanum Mill. American black currant na 81 na 81 Total na 267 na 267

F-87 Table 159. Ground Cover for Transect 094

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 94 -- -- Bedrock 1 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 1 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 7 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 3 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 82 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 67 -- -- Litter 61 -- -- Basal Cover 4 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- -- Moss 1 -- -- VEGETATION -- 47 4 Native Tree -- 23 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 23 -- Native Shrub -- 4 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 4 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 12 4 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 5 3 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 5 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 1 -- Astragalus milkvetch -- 1 -- Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 2 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 2 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 2 --

Table 160. Woody Density for Transect 094

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre) Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 121 3116 202 3440 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 0 40 0 40 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 28 na 28 Yucca glauca Nutt. soapweed yucca 0 121 0 121 Total na 28 na 28

F-88 Table 161. Ground Cover for Transect 095

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 97 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 1 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 13 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 20 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 63 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 69 -- -- Litter 66 -- -- Basal Cover 3 ------28 3 VEGETATION

Native Tree -- 17 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 4 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 13 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 10 3 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 2 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 6 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 --

Table 162. Woody Density for Transect 095

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush na 607 na 607 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 2 na 2 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 17 na 17 Total na 626 na 626

F-89 Table 163. Ground Cover for Transect 096

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 95 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 12 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 4 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 79 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 69 -- -- Litter 64 -- -- Basal Cover 5 -- -- VEGETATION -- 47 5

Native Tree -- 4 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 4 -- Native Shrub -- 8 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 8 1 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 30 4 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 5 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 1 Festuca idahoensis Idaho fescue -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 9 2 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 6 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 4 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 2 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Native Annual Forb -- 1 -- Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 1 --

Table 164. Woody Density for Transect 096

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 162 2,064 283 2509 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 162 2,064 283 2509

F-90 Table 165. Ground Cover for Transect 097

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Bedrock 1 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 8 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 5 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 78 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 83 -- -- Litter 76 -- -- Basal Cover 3 -- -- Lichen Crust 4 -- --

VEGETATION -- 40 3

Native Tree -- 29 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 9 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 20 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 9 3 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 2 1 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 6 2 Native Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 --

Table 166. Woody Density for Transect 097

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 243 162 202 607 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 40 81 0 121 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 40 0 0 40 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 37 na 37 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 47 na 47 Total 324 327 202 853

F-91 Table 167. Ground Cover for Transect 098

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 88 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 8 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 6 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 73 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 88 -- -- Litter 76 -- -- Basal Cover 1 -- -- Lichen Crust 6 -- -- Moss 5 -- --

VEGETATION -- 50 1

Native Tree -- 43 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 18 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 25 -- Native Shrub -- 1 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 1 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 3 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 2 -- Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 3 1 Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush -- 1 1

Table 168. Woody Density for Transect 098

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 283 486 40 809 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper 0 40 0 40 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 40 0 0 40 Rosa woodsii Woods' rose 0 81 0 81 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 37 na 37 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 47 na 47 Total 324 691 40 1055

F-92 Table 169. Ground Cover for Transect 099

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 90 -- -- Bedrock 4 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 4 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 5 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 2 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 75 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 85 -- -- Litter 75 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- Lichen Crust 4 -- -- VEGETATION -- 50 6 Native Tree -- 11 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 11 -- Native Shrub -- 9 1 Artemisia cana silver sagebrush -- 4 1 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac -- 1 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 4 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 22 4 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 5 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 7 1 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass -- 2 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 4 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 3 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 6 1 Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 1 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 1 Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 3 -- Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 --

Table 170. Woody Density for Transect 099

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre) Seedling Mature Decadent Total Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 445 809 526 1781 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush 0 647 0 647 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 40 162 0 202 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 19 na 19 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 10 na 10 Total 486 1648 526 2659

F-93 Table 171. Ground Cover for Transect 100

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 98 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 4 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 7 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 2 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 85 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 62 -- -- Litter 60 -- -- Basal Cover 2 ------61 2 VEGETATION

Native Tree -- 47 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 14 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 33 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 9 2 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 6 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 5 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 1 -- Astragalus milkvetch -- 1 -- Lupinus argenteus silvery lupine -- 3 --

Table 172. Woody Density for Transect 100

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 0 202 0 202 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac 0 121 0 121 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 3 na 3 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 46 na 46 Total na 373 na 373

F-94 Table 173. Ground Cover for Transect 101

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 94 -- -- Bedrock 7 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 3 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 7 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 76 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 49 -- -- Litter 43 -- -- Basal Cover 2 -- -- Lichen Crust 3 -- -- Moss 1 -- -- VEGETATION -- 51 2 Native Tree -- 36 1 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 12 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 24 1 Native Shrub -- 3 -- Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush -- 1 -- Atriplex confertifolia shadscale saltbush -- 1 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 1 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 7 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 7 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 4 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 4 --

Table 174. Woody Density for Transect 101

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 202 1012 0 1214 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Atriplex confertifolia shadscale saltbush 0 243 0 243 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus yellow rabbitbrush 0 809 0 809 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 0 567 0 567 Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat 0 202 0 202 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 45 na 45 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 8 na 8 Total 202 2886 na 3088

F-95 Table 175. Ground Cover for Transect 102

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 100 -- -- Bedrock 4 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 7 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 5 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 83 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 45 -- -- Litter 45 -- -- VEGETATION -- 41 -- Native Tree -- 4 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 3 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 1 -- Native Shrub -- 9 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 9 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 20 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 -- Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 3 -- Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 11 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 5 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 2 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 2 -- Gaura parviflora velvetweed -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 3 -- Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort -- 1 -- Salsola tragus prickly Russian thistle -- 1 -- Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 --

Table 176. Woody Density for Transect 102

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre) Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 486 1862 324 2671 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Rosa woodsii Woods' rose 0 1335 0 1335 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca 0 40 0 40 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 1 na 1 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 12 na 12 Total 486 3250 324 4060

F-96 Table 177. Ground Cover for Transect 103

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 91 -- -- Boulder (>250mm) 1 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 3 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 10 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 76 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 60 -- -- Litter 51 -- -- Basal Cover 5 -- -- Lichen Crust 4 -- -- VEGETATION -- 30 5 Native Tree -- 5 -- Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine -- 5 -- Native Shrub -- 4 1 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood -- 1 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 3 1 Native Perennial Graminoid -- 19 4 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 -- Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 2 -- Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 2 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 9 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 1 -- Achillea millefolium common yarrow -- 1 --

Table 178. Woody Density for Transect 103

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 202 1052 162 1416 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood 0 40 0 40 Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine na 36 na 36 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 6 na 6 Total 202 1135 162 1499

F-97 Table 179. Ground Cover for Transect 104

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 100 -- -- Bedrock 1 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 4 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 95 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 34 -- -- Litter 34 ------23 -- VEGETATION

Native Tree -- 3 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 3 -- Native Shrub -- 10 -- Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood -- 4 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 6 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 7 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 2 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 2 --

Table 180. Woody Density for Transect 104

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 405 1,619 162 2185 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush - 162 - 162 Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood - 526 - 526 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca - 121 - 121 Total 405 2,428 162 2995

F-98 Table 181. Ground Cover for Transect 105

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 93 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 4 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 88 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 66 -- -- Litter 59 -- -- Basal Cover 7 -- -- VEGETATION -- 44 7 Native Tree -- 3 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 3 -- Native Shrub -- 5 1 Artemisia cana silver sagebrush -- 3 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 2 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 25 5 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 4 3 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 4 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 2 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 6 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 5 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 9 1 Glycyrrhiza lepidota American licorice -- 1 -- Balsamorhiza sagittata arrowleaf balsamroot -- 3 -- Astragalus milkvetch -- 1 -- Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod -- 3 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 1 Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 1 --

Table 182. Woody Density for Transect 105

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre) Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 243 607 81 931 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 445 1052 283 1781 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 688 1659 364 2711

F-99 Table 183. Ground Cover for Transect 106

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 93 -- -- Bedrock 2 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 1 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 89 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 42 -- -- Litter 35 -- -- Basal Cover 5 -- -- Lichen Crust 2 -- -- VEGETATION -- 29 5 Native Tree -- 1 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 1 -- Native Shrub -- 16 1 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush -- 2 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 14 1 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 11 4 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 2 Achnatherum hymenoides Indian ricegrass -- 1 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 2 -- Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 -- Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 1 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 --

Table 184. Woody Density for Transect 106

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Atriplex canescens fourwing saltbush - 40 - 40 Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush 40 971 - 1012 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca - 40 40 81 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 364 3,925 243 4532 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Total 405 4,978 283 5666

F-100 Table 185. Ground Cover for Transect 107

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 97 -- -- Bedrock 2 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 11 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 17 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 4 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 63 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 69 -- -- Litter 66 -- -- Basal Cover 2 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 ------59 2 VEGETATION

Native Tree -- 23 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 23 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 5 2 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 1 Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass -- 1 1 Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Cerastium arvense field chickweed -- 1 -- Astragalus milkvetch -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 28 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 28 --

Table 186. Woody Density for Transect 107

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 121 445 0 567 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper na 43 na 43 Total 121 488 na 610

F-101 Table 187. Ground Cover for Transect 108

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 98 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 4 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 93 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 74 -- -- Litter 72 -- -- Basal Cover 1 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- --

VEGETATION -- 44 1 Native Tree -- 15 -- Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper -- 15 -- Native Shrub -- 7 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 7 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 12 1 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 5 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 1 -- Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 6 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Astragalus milkvetch -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 1 -- Taraxacum officinale common dandelion -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 6 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 6 --

Table 188. Woody Density for Transect 108

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Rosa woodsii Woods' rose - 202 - 202 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush 324 3,440 1,538 5301 wyomingensis Beetle & Young Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus yellow rabbitbrush 40 121 - 162 Total 364 3,764 1,538 5666

F-102 Table 189. Ground Cover for Transect 109

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 90 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 90 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 53 -- -- Litter 43 -- -- Basal Cover 10 ------57 5 VEGETATION

Native Perennial Graminoid -- 18 5 Juncus arcticus arctic rush -- 2 -- Eleocharis palustris common spikerush -- 5 3 Hordeum jubatum foxtail barley -- 4 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 7 1 Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 1 -- Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 36 -- Digitaria sanguinalis hairy crabgrass -- 36 -- Introduced Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Cirsium arvense Canada thistle -- 1 -- Rumex crispus curly dock -- 1 --

Table 190. Woody Density for Transect 109

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush - 40 - 40 Total - 40 - 40

F-103 Table 191. Ground Cover for Transect 110

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 1 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 6 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 85 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 50 -- -- Litter 43 -- -- Basal Cover 7 -- --

VEGETATION -- 31 7

Native Shrub -- 4 1 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 4 1 & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 21 5 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 1 -- Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 8 2 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 7 2 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 2 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 3 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 4 1 Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 2 1 Brickellia eupatorioides false boneset -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify -- 1 --

Table 192. Woody Density for Transect 110

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush - 81 - 81 Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac - 40 - 40 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 243 3,359 - 3602 Beetle & Young Total 243 3,480 - 3723

F-104 Table 193. Ground Cover for Transect 111

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 1 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 1 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 90 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 61 -- -- Litter 54 -- -- Basal Cover 4 -- -- Lichen Crust 3 ------30 4 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 4 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 4 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 21 4 Bouteloua gracilis blue grama -- 4 3 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 -- Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 2 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 10 1 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 2 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 4 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 1 -- Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 2 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 --

Table 194. Woody Density for Transect 111

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 445 1,538 - 1983 Beetle & Young Total 445 1,538 - 1983

F-105 Table 195. Ground Cover for Transect 112

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------

Soil Surface 93 -- -- Bedrock 1 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 3 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 89 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 49 -- -- Litter 42 -- -- Basal Cover 5 -- -- Lichen Crust 2 -- --

VEGETATION -- 28 5

Native Shrub -- 4 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 3 -- & Young Yucca glauca soapweed yucca -- 1 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 21 5 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 2 -- Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem -- 3 1 Hesperostipa comata needle and thread -- 4 2 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 1 -- Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed -- 2 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 8 2 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 3 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Astragalus hyalinus summer milkvetch -- 1 --

Table 196. Woody Density for Transect 112

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush - 162 - 162 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca - 162 40 202 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush - 809 - 809 Beetle & Young Total - 1,133 40 1174

F-106 Table 197. Ground Cover for Transect 113

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover (%) Cover (%) Cover (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 92 -- -- Bedrock 2 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 2 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 8 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 1 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 79 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 42 -- -- Litter 34 -- -- Basal Cover 8 -- --

VEGETATION -- 29 8 Native Shrub -- 4 -- Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush -- 1 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush -- 3 -- Native Perennial Graminoid -- 20 8 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 4 1 Nassella viridula green needlegrass -- 4 1 Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass -- 3 1 Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 6 4 Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge -- 1 1 Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass -- 2 -- Native Perennial Forb -- 5 -- Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed -- 1 -- Heterotheca villosa hairy false goldenaster -- 1 -- Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot -- 1 -- Phlox hoodii spiny phlox -- 1 -- Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush -- 1 --

Table 198. Woody Density for Transect 113

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush - 40 - 40 Yucca glauca soapweed yucca - 162 - 162 Rosa woodsii Woods' rose - 2,954 - 2954 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 283 1,578 121 1983 Beetle & Young Total 283 4,735 121 5140

F-107 Table 199. Ground Cover for Transect 114

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

SOIL ------Soil Surface 93 -- -- Bedrock 9 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 8 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 14 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 5 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 57 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 47 -- -- Litter 40 -- -- Basal Cover 6 -- -- Lichen Crust 1 -- --

VEGETATION -- 27 6 Native Shrub -- 3 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 3 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 19 6 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 3 1 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem -- 3 2 Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed -- 1 -- Aristida purpurea purple threeawn -- 1 -- Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama -- 11 3 Native Perennial Forb -- 2 -- Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort -- 2 -- Introduced Perennial Graminoid -- 1 -- Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Graminoid -- 1 -- Bromus arvensis field brome -- 1 -- Introduced Annual Forb -- 1 -- Melilotus officinalis sweetclover -- 1 --

Table 200. Woody Density for Transect 114

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Artemisia cana silver sagebrush 162 283 - 445 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 121 1,335 - 1457 Beetle & Young Total 283 1,619 - 1902

F-108 Table 201. Ground Cover for Transect 115

Scientific Name Common Name Ground Canopy Basal Cover Cover Cover (%) (%) (%)

------SOIL

Soil Surface 95 -- -- Bedrock 4 -- -- Cobble (76-250mm) 15 -- -- Gravel (5-76mm) 21 -- -- Rock Fragment (2-5mm) 10 -- -- Soil (<2mm) 45 -- -- Soil Surface Cover 21 -- -- Litter 16 -- -- Basal Cover 5 ------12 5 VEGETATION

Native Shrub -- 2 -- Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle Wyoming big sagebrush -- 2 -- & Young Native Perennial Graminoid -- 10 5 Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass -- 5 1 Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem -- 5 4

Table 202. Woody Density for Transect 115

Scientific Name Common Name Woody Density (plants/acre)

Seedling Mature Decadent Total

Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush - 40 - 40 Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Wyoming big sagebrush 40 445 81 567 Beetle & Young Total 40 486 81 607

F-109 This page intentionally blank

F-110 East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

APPENDIX G Species List East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana Scientific Common Vegetation Transect Field Name Name Occurrence Observation Native Tree Acer negundo boxelder x Fraxinus pennsylvanica green ash x Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper x Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine x Populus deltoides plains cottonwood x Prunus virginiana chokecherry x Native Shrub Artemisia cana silver sagebrush x Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. Wyoming big sagebrush wyomingensis x Atriplex canescens fourwing saltbush x Atriplex confertifolia shadscale saltbush x Atriplex gardneri Gardner's saltbush x Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus yellow rabbitbrush x Ericameria nauseosa rubber rabbitbrush x Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper x Krascheninnikovia lanata winterfat x Rhus trilobata skunkbush sumac x Ribes americanum American black currant x Ribes aureum golden currant x Ribes cereum wax currant x Rosa arkansana prairie rose x Rosa woodsii Wood's rose x Sarcobatus vermiculatus greasewood x Symphoricarpos albus common snowberry x Symphoricarpos occidentalis western snowberry x Yucca glauca soapweed yucca x Native Perennial Graminoid Achnatherum hymenoides Indian ricegrass x Andropogon gerardii big bluestem x Aristida purpurea purple threeawn x Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats grama x Bouteloua gracilis blue grama x Calamovilfa longifolia prairie sandreed x Carex duriuscula needleleaf sedge x Carex filifolia threadleaf sedge x Eleocharis palustris common spikerush x Elymus elymoides squirreltail x Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass x Festuca idahoensis Idaho fescue x Scientific Common Vegetation Transect Field Name Name Occurrence Observation Hesperostipa comata needle and thread x Hordeum jubatum foxtail barley x Juncus arcticus arctic rush x Juncus arcticus mountain rush x Juncus torreyi Torrey's rush x Koeleria macrantha prairie Junegrass x Muhlenbergia cuspidata plains muhly x Nassella viridula green needlegrass x Pascopyrum smithii western wheatgrass x Poa secunda Sandberg bluegrass x Pseudoroegneria spicata bluebunch wheatgrass x Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem x Schoenoplectus pungens common threesquare x Spartina gracilis alkali cordgrass x Spartina pectinata prairie cordgrass x Sporobolus airoides alkali sacaton x Sporobolus cryptandrus sand dropseed x Introduced Perennial Graminoid Agropyron cristatum crested wheatgrass x Bromus inermis smooth brome x Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass x Native Perennial Forb Achillea millefolium common yarrow x Allium textile textile onion x Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman ragweed x Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes x Apocynum cannabinum Indianhemp x Artemisia frigida prairie sagewort x Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush x Astragalus sp. milkvetch x Astragalus hyalinus summer milkvetch x Balsamorhiza sagittata arrowleaf balsamroot x Brickellia eupatorioides false boneset x Cerastium arvense field chickweed x Cirsium undulatum wavyleaf thistle x Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax x Dalea candida white prairie clover x Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover x Echinacea angustifolia blacksamson echinacea x Eriogonum pauciflorum fewflower buckwheat x Scientific Common Vegetation Transect Field Name Name Occurrence Observation Gaura parviflora velvetweed x Geum macrophyllum largeleaf avens x Glycyrrhiza lepidota American licorice x Gutierrezia sarothrae broom snakeweed x Iris missouriensis Rocky Mountain iris x Liatris punctata dotted blazing star x Linum lewisii Lewis flax x Lupinus argenteus silvery lupine x Musineon divaricatum leafy wildparsley x Opuntia fragilis brittle prickly pear x Opuntia polyacantha plains pricklypear x Pediomelum argophyllum silverleaf Indian breadroot x Pediomelum esculentum large Indian breadroot x Phlox hoodii spiny phlox x Plantago major common plantain x Potentilla gracilis slender cinquefoil x Sedum lanceolatum spearleaf stonecrop x Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod x Symphyotrichum ericoides white heath aster x Symphyotrichum lanceolatum white panicle aster x Thermopsis rhombifolia prairie thermopsis x Verbena sp. vervain x Vicia americana American vetch x Zigadenus venenosus deathcamas x Native Annual Forb Cleome seriola spiderflower x Descurainia pinnata western tansymustard x Erigeron canadensis Canadian horseweed x Grindelia squarrosa curlycup gumweed x Lappula cenchrusoides Great Plains stickseed x Lygodesmia juncea rush skeletonplant x Polygonum ramosissimum bushy knotweed x Potentilla paradoxa Paradox cinquefoil x Verbena bracteata bigbract verbena x Introduced Annual Graminoid Bromus arvensis field brome x Bromus hordeaceus soft brome x Bromus tectorum cheatgrass x Digitaria sanguinalis hairy crabgrass x Introduced Perennial Forb Scientific Common Vegetation Transect Field Name Name Occurrence Observation Cirsium arvense Canada thistle x Euphorbia esula leafy spurge x Rumex crispus curly dock x Taraxacum officinale common dandelion x Veronica agrestis green field speedwell x Introduced Annual Forb Alyssum alyssoides pale madwort x Bassia scoparia burningbush x Chenopodium album lambsquarters x Gnaphalium palustre western marsh cudweed x Lepidium perfoliatum clasping pepperweed x Medicago sativa alfalfa x Melilotus officinalis sweetclover x Plantago patagonica woolly plantain x Salsola tragus prickly Russian thistle x Sisymbrium altissimum tall tumblemustard x Thlaspi arvense pennycress x Tragopogon dubius yellow salsify x Trifolium arvense rabbitfoot clover x East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana

APPENDIX H Ecological Site Description Reports East Decker Northeast Extension Vegetation and Land Use Inventory Big Horn County, Montana ESD Printable Report Page 1 of 16

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Description Section l: Ecological Site Characteristics Ecological Site Identification and Concept

Site stage: Provisional

Provisional: an ESD at the provisional status represents the lowest tier of documentation that is releasable to the public. It contains a grouping of soil units that respond similarly to ecological processes. The ESD contains 1) enough information to distinguish it from similar and associated ecological sites and 2) a draft state and transition model capturing the ecological processes and vegetative states and community phases as they are currently conceptualized. The provisional ESD has undergone both quality control and quality assurance protocols. It is expected that the provisional ESD will continue refinement towards an approved status.

Site name: Thin Breaks (TB) RRU 58A-C 11-14" p.z. Site type: Rangeland Site ID: R058AC616MT Major land resource area (MLRA): 058A-Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part

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Physiographic Features This site is typically a complex of several ecological sites, primarily Shallow and Very Shallow. It occurs on steep to very steep slopes, usually in excess of 25 percent. Outcroppings of hard bedrock and soft sedimentary beds are major features. Slope aspect can be any direction and can be significant.

Landform: (1) Escarpment (2) Bluff (3) Ridge

Minimum Maximum Elevation (feet): 2250 4500 Slope (percent): 25 Water table depth (inches): 60 Ponding Runoff class: High Very high Aspect: South East West

Climatic Features Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 58AC in Montana is considered to have a continental climate characterized by cold winters, hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are typical. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains and the winds move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature. Seasonal precipitation is often limiting for plant growth. Annual fluctuations in species composition and total production are typical depending on the amount and timing of rainfall. Temperatures can be very extreme in this part of Montana. Summer daytime temperatures are typically quite warm, generally averaging in the mid to upper 80º’s F for July and August. Summertime temperatures will typically reach in the 100º’s F at some point during the summer, and can reach 90º F any month between May and September. Conversely, winter temperatures can be cold, averaging in the mid teens to mid 20º’s F for December and January. There will typically be several days of below zero temperatures each winter. It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 30–40º F below zero, or even colder, most any winter. Spring can be windy throughout this MLRA, with winds averaging over 10 mph about 15 percent of the time. Speeds of 50 mph or stronger can occasionally occur as a weather system crosses this part of Montana. The majority of the rangeland in MLRA 58AC is within the 11 to 14 inch Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) range. During an average year, 70 to 75 percent of the annual

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precipitation falls between April and September, which are the primary growing season months. Snowfall is not heavy in the area, averaging 28 total inches in the Yellowstone Valley. Heavy snowfall occurs infrequently, usually late in the winter or early spring. Snow cover is typically 1 to 3 inches. The frost-free (32º F.) season averages about 105 to 145 days each year in the uplands, to nearly 170 days along the Yellowstone River Valley. For local climate station information, refer to http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/state.pl? state=mt.

Averaged Frost-free period (days): 107 Freeze-free period (days): 132 Mean annual precipitation (inches): 14.00

Monthly Precipitation (Inches): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Low 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Monthly Temperature (°F): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Low 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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Influencing Water Features

Representative Soil Features The soils associated with this ecological site are highly variable. They will range from very shallow to deep, depending on landform and presence of ledges, etc. where pockets of deeper soils can accumulate. More detailed and specific information is available by using the ecological site description for the component of this site being investigated (e.g., Shallow).

Surface texture: (1)Gravelly Sand (2)Flaggy Loam Minimum Maximum Surface fragments <=3" (% cover): 15 20 Drainage class: Well drained to excessively drained Minimum Maximum Depth (inches): 10 40 Available water capacity (inches): 0.00 5.00 Soil reaction (1:1 water): 6.6 8.4

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Plant Communities Ecological Dynamics of the Site The following are descriptions of several plant communities that may occupy this site:

State-and-Transition Diagram

2 °F

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs, Shrubs

The physical aspect of this site in Historical Climax is that of mixed grass/ shrub land dominated by cool-season bunch grasses and a mixture of shrubs. Approximately 65-75% of the annual production is from grasses and sedges, 5-10% from forbs, and 15-30% is from trees, shrubs and half-shrubs. Canopy cover of shrubs is typically 10 to 35%.

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Ponderosa pine may occur on this site. The following are descriptions of several plant communities that may occupy this site:

It contains a high diversity of tall grasses (bluebunch wheatgrass, prairie sandreed, Indian ricegrass, and green needlegrass), short grasses and sedges (threadleaf sedge, prairie junegrass, plains reedgrass, and sand dropseed), and shrubs (skunkbush sumac, winterfat, Wyoming big sagebrush, and Rocky Mountain juniper). There are also abundant forbs, and half-shrubs which occur in small percentages. Ponderosa pine or limber pine trees are often a component of this plant community.

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs, Shrubs Plant Species Composition Annual Production Grass/Grasslike (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 1 -Native grasses 370 527 Achnatherum Indian ricegrass ACHY 040 hymenoides Calamovilfa prairie sandreed CALO 0122 longifolia tufted wheatgrass ELMA7 Elymus macrourus 85 202 Hesperostipa needle and thread HECOC8 comata subsp. 28 81 comata Muhlenbergia plains muhly MUCU3 081 cuspidata green needlegrass NAVI4 Nassella viridula 040 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 85 202 bluebunch Pseudoroegneria PSSP6 171 567 wheatgrass spicata

2 -Native grasses and sedges 0 81 Grass, perennial 2GP 0 40 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 040 needleleaf sedge CADU6 Carex duriuscula 040 threadleaf sedge CAFI Carex filifolia 040 Calamagrostis plains reedgrass CAMO 040 montanensis prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 040 Sporobolus sand dropseed SPCR 040 cryptandrus

3 -Native grasses 0 1 Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 01

4 -Native grasses 0 1 Aristida purpurea Fendler threeawn ARPUL 01 var. longiseta

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squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 01

Annual Production Forb (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 5 -Native forbs 28 81 Forb, perennial 2FP 0 40 common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 040 Artemisia tarragon ARDR4 040 dracunculus Comandra bastard toadflax COUM 040 umbellata miner's candle CRVI4 Cryptantha virgata 040 white prairie clover DACA7 Dalea candida 040 purple prairie clover DAPU5 Dalea purpurea 040 buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 040 dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 040 desertparsley LOMAT Lomatium 040 rush skeletonplant LYJU Lygodesmia juncea 040 beardtongue PENST Penstemon 040 spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 040 scurfpea PSORA2 Psoralidium 040 Solidago Missouri goldenrod SOMI2 040 missouriensis Sphaeralcea scarlet globemallow SPCO 040 coccinea American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 040

6 -Native forbs 1 2 Grindelia squarrosa curlycup gumweed GRSQS2 12 var. squarrosa

Annual Production Shrub/Vine (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 7 -Native shrubs, half-shrubs and trees 85 243 Shrub, broadleaf 2SB 28 81 silver sagebrush ARCA13 Artemisia cana 28 81 prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 28 81 Artemisia tridentata Wyoming big ARTRW8 subsp. 28 81 sagebrush wyomingensis shadscale saltbush ATCO Atriplex confertifolia 28 81 Nuttall's saltbush ATNU2 Atriplex nuttallii 28 81 Ericameria rubber rabbitbrush ERNAN5 nauseosa var. 28 81 nauseosa Juniperus creeping juniper JUHO2 28 81 horizontalis Rocky Mountain Juniperus JUSC2 28 81 juniper scopulorum Krascheninnikovia winterfat KRLA2 28 81 lanata

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limber pine PIFL2 Pinus flexilis 28 81 ponderosa pine PIPO Pinus ponderosa 28 81 skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 28 202 soapweed yucca YUGL Yucca glauca 28 81

8 -Native shrubs and half-shrubs 0 1 Gutierrezia broom snakeweed GUSA2 01 sarothrae Opuntia plains pricklypear OPPO 01 polyacantha

Annual Production by Plant Type Annual Production (lbs/ac) Representative Plant type Low value High Forb 40 50 60 Grass/Grasslike 400 480 570 Shrub/Vine 130 160 180

Total: 570 690 810

Structure and Cover: Soil Surface Cover (%)

Basal Cover Surface Non- Fragments Surface Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grass/Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 3 to 12 1 to 1 to 0 to 1 to 3 30 to 15 to 20 30 to 4 10 1 60 60

Ground Cover (%) Vegetative Cover Non-Vegetative Cover

Surface Non- Fragments Surface Grass/ Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 20 to 50 5 to 5 to 0 to 0 to 1 10 20 10

Structure of Canopy Cover (%) Grasses/Grasslike Forbs Shrubs/Vines Trees <=0.5 feet 5 to 10 > 0.5 - < 1 feet < 1 - >= 2 feet 20 to 50 5 to 20 > 2 - < 4.5 feet < 4.5 - >= 13 feet > 13 - < 40 feet 0 to 10

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Plant Community 2: Medium and Short Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs and Half-Shrubs

Slight disturbances and degradation to the HCPC will result in a plant community dominated by needleandthread, western or thickspike wheatgrass, threadleaf sedge, prairie junegrass, blue grama, various forbs, Wyoming big sagebrush and fringed sagewort. The tall, more palatable grasses (bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, green needlegrass, prairie sandreed) will be present in smaller percentages. The tree component, if present, may also increase.

Grass biomass production and litter become reduced on the site as the taller grasses disappear, increasing evaporation and reducing moisture retention. Additional open space in the community can result in undesirable invader species. This plant community provides for moderate soil stability.

Plant Community 3: Shrubs/ Short Grasses/ Annual Grasses/ Invasive Forbs

With continued heavy disturbance the site will become dominated by shrubs such as big or silver sagebrush, fringed sagewort, rubber rabbitbrush, and Rocky Mountain juniper. Short grasses and sedges increase, such as threadleaf sedge, prairie junegrass, sand dropseed, and blue grama. Needleandthread and western or thickspike wheatgrass will still be present in small amounts. Palatable shrubs and forbs will be mostly absent. Red threeawn, annual grasses (cheatgrass and Japanese brome), invasive forbs such as curlycup gumweed, and broom snakeweed begin to invade the site.

This plant community is less productive than Plant Community 1 or 2 (< 200 pounds per acre). The lack of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evapotranspiration, which gives short sod grasses and annuals a competitive advantage over the cool season tall and medium grasses. This community has lost many of the attributes of a healthy rangeland, including good infiltration, minimal erosion and runoff, nutrient cycling and energy flow.

There are severe limitations to using seeding and/or mechanical treatment on this site because of the very steep slopes, preponderance of shallow and very shallow soils, and amount of rock outcrop.

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Plant Community 4: Shrubs/ Invader and Annual Grasses/ Short Grasses

With continual heavy disturbance over several years the community will change to one dominated primarily by big or silver sagebrush, fringed sagewort, rubber rabbitbrush, and Rocky Mountain juniper, red threeawn, fringed sagewort, annual grasses, invasive forbs, broom snakeweed and plains pricklypear.

This community has extremely reduced productivity of perennial grasses (< 25 pounds per acre). Significant economic inputs and time would be required to move this plant community toward a higher successional stage and a more productive plant community.

Section ll: Ecological Site Interpretations Animal Community

Livestock Grazing Interpretations:

Managed livestock grazing is suitable on this site as it has the potential to produce a limited amount of high quality forage. Forage production is limited by steep slopes and shallow soils, and the potential for runoff, which reduces the effectiveness of the precipitation received for plant growth. The steeper slopes and rock outcrop also limit livestock travel and result in poor grazing distribution, especially in areas away from water. Management objectives should include maintenance or improvement of the plant community. Shorter grazing periods and adequate re-growth after grazing are recommended for plant maintenance and recovery. Heavy stocking and season long use of this site can be detrimental and will alter the plant community composition and production over time.

Whenever Plant Community 2 (medium and short grasses) occurs, grazing management strategies need to be implemented to avoid further deterioration. This community is still stable, productive, and healthy provided it receives proper management. This community will respond fairly quickly to improved grazing management including increased growing season rest of key forage plants. Grazing management alone can usually move this community back to one more similar to potential if a good seed source of the taller grasses still exists.

Plant Communities 3 and 4 have significantly reduced forage production (< 150 lbs./acre). Once this site is occupied by either Plant Community 3 or 4, it will be more difficult to restore it to a community that resembles the potential with grazing

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management alone. Additional growing season rest is often necessary for re- establishment of the desired species and to restore the stability and health of the site.

The potential for using seeding and/or mechanical treatment to improve site health is not feasible due to steep slopes, shallow soils and the amount of exposed rock outcrop.

Wildlife Interpretations:

The Thin Breaks ecological site, with its complex topography and vegetative structure, provides diverse habitat structure for a variety of wildlife species. Historically, mule deer, pronghorn, a variety of seed-eating small mammals and raptors were probably the most conspicuous wildlife species, as they still are. The general area provides thermal and escape cover for big game animals as well as a variety of other wildlife species. Shrub availability on steep, south slopes often provides important winter range for mule deer and elk. Abundant prey and perch sites (on rock outcrops and scattered trees) attract a variety of raptors. The steep, rocky topography provides habitat for interesting songbird species such as rock wrens, canyon wrens and white-throated swifts. Golden eagles and prairie falcons commonly hunt small mammals within this site. Scattered junipers and pines host field sparrows and chipping sparrows. The interface of sandy and shale geologic substrates often results in seeps forming on side-hills and toe slopes. These are an important water source for wildlife as well as a source of biodiversity.

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs (HCPC):

The diversity of forbs, half-shrubs and shrubs provides feeding substrate for a variety of pollinating insects, which are prey for many birds, reptiles and small mammals. Springs and seeps are habitat for amphibians such as tiger salamanders. The short-horned lizard is a representative reptile. The diversity of plant species and life forms, in combination with topographic variation, provides high quality bird habitat. Lark sparrows, green-tailed towhees, mountain bluebirds and golden eagles are examples of birds using this community. Sharp-tailed grouse and sage grouse may use this community for lek sites on ridge tops and fairly level topography. The diversity of forbs and shrubs favors browsers and selective feeders such as mule deer and pronghorn. Large animal nutrition levels are relatively high yearlong because of plant species and life form diversity. Winter range value is often high for big game species when topographic diversity provides south exposures and browse plants such as skunkbush sumac and winterfat are available. Small mammal diversity may be fairly high. Example species include the kangaroo rat, deer mouse, olive-backed pocket mouse and desert cottontail.

Plant Community 2: Medium & Short Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs & Half-Shrubs:

Insect diversity may decline with a partial loss of forb variety. The reduction of taller grasses and some desirable shrubs degrades habitat value for many birds, small mammals and big game. Potential increases in half-shrubs and shrubs may maintain big game winter range feeding value, although thermal cover is reduced. Small mammal species diversity declines with the reduction of vegetative diversity and litter cover.

Plant Community 3: Shrubs/ Short Grasses/ Annual Grasses/ Invasive Forbs:

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Insects may be abundant at the height of population cycles but species diversity is reduced significantly. Springs and seeps are very degraded which results in poor amphibian habitat. Sparse vegetation and increased bare ground may provide suitable habitat for a few species (i.e. horned larks) but the lack of complex vegetative structure and residual cover makes this community poor habitat in general for most ground- nesting birds and relatively poor big game habitat. Pronghorn and mule deer may forage in this type throughout the year. However, nutritional levels for big game are greatly reduced and are available for a much shorter period as compared to the HCPC.

Plant Community 4: Shrubs/ Invader and Annual Grasses/ Short Grasses:

General wildlife habitat value is very poor in this community. Insect diversity and abundance is considerably reduced which decreases feeding opportunity for amphibians, birds and some small mammals. The lack of complex vegetative structural diversity, a shortened period of active plant growth and loss of ground cover make the habitat inhospitable for many birds and most small mammals. Wyoming big sagebrush and fringed sagewort provide some valuable big game winter forage, w here present. Thermal cover values are very limited with the loss of skunkbush sumac and other shrubs as well as herbaceous cover. Small mammal diversity is very low. The seed- eating deer mouse may be fairly well represented.

Hydrology Functions The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Group D. The infiltration rates for these soils are variable, depending on surface texture. The runoff potential for this site is high to very high, depending on slope and ground cover/health. Runoff curve numbers generally range from 85 to 94.

Other Information The following is an example of how to calculate the recommended stocking rate. This example does not use production estimates from this specific ecological site. You will need to adjust the annual production values and run the calculations using total annual production values from the ecological sites encountered on each individual ranch/pasture. Before making specific recommendations, an on-site evaluation must be made.

Example of total annual production amounts by type of year: Favorable years = 2200 lbs/acre Normal years = 1480 lbs/acre Unfavorable years = 1200 lbs/acre

It is recommended that on slopes of 30% or less, stocking rate should be derived from the total annual production pounds minus 500 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. On slopes over 30%, stocking rate is derived from total annual production pounds minus 800 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest

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efficiency. Refer to the NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook for a list of Animal Unit Equivalents.

Sample Calculations using Favorable Year production amounts:

< 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-500)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.46 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.46AUM/AC) = 2.2 AC/AUM

> 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-800)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.38 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.38 AUM/AC) = 2.6 AC/AUM

NOTE: 915 lbs/month for one Animal Unit is used as the baseline for maintenance requirements. This equates to 30 lbs/day of air-dry forage (1200 lb cow at 2.5% of body weight).

Supporting Information Associated Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Silty-Steep (SiStp) R058AC049MT Shallow (Sw) R058AC057MT Very Shallow (VSw) R058AC058MT

State Correlation This site has been correlated with the following states: MT

Inventory Data References NRCS-Production & Composition Record for Native Grazing Lands (Range-417): 2

BLM-Soil & Vegetation Inventory Method (SVIM) Data: 8

NRCS-Range Condition Record (ECS-2): 2

NRCS-Range/Soil Correlation Observations & Soil 232 notes: 5

Other References Field Offices where this site occurs within the state:

Big Sandy Big Timber Billings Chinook

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Columbus Crow Agency Fort Belknap Hardin Harlowton Joliet Lewistown Malta Roundup Stanford White Sulphur Springs Winnett

Site Authors MJR, REL, RSN, POH RSN

Quality Assurance Provisional Status Verified in Legacy System

Reference Sheet Author(s)/participant(s):

Contact for lead author:

Date: MLRA: 058A Ecological Site: Thin Breaks (TB) RRU 58A-C 11-14" p.z. R058AC616MT This must be verified based on soils and climate (see Ecological Site Description). Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Composition (indicators 10 and 12) based on: Annual Production, Foliar Cover, Biomass

Indicators. For each indicator, describe the potential for the site. Where possible, (1) use numbers, (2) include expected range of values for above- and below-average years for each community and natural distrurbance regimes within the reference state, when appropriate and (3) cite data. Continue descriptions on separate sheet.

1. Number and extent of rills:

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2. Presence of water flow patterns:

3. Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:

4. Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, standing dead, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):

5. Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:

6. Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:

7. Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):

8. Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):

9. Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type and strength of structure, and A-horizon color and thickness):

10. Effect on plant community composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:

11. Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):

12. Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground weight using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to) with dominants and sub-dominants and "others" on separate lines: Dominant: Sub-dominant:

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Other: Additional:

13. Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):

14. Average percent litter cover (%) and depth (inches):

15. Expected annual production (this is TOTAL above-ground production, not just forage production):

16. Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List Species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicator, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:

17. Perennial plant reproductive capability:

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United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Description Section l: Ecological Site Characteristics Ecological Site Identification and Concept

Site stage: Provisional

Provisional: an ESD at the provisional status represents the lowest tier of documentation that is releasable to the public. It contains a grouping of soil units that respond similarly to ecological processes. The ESD contains 1) enough information to distinguish it from similar and associated ecological sites and 2) a draft state and transition model capturing the ecological processes and vegetative states and community phases as they are currently conceptualized. The provisional ESD has undergone both quality control and quality assurance protocols. It is expected that the provisional ESD will continue refinement towards an approved status.

Site name: Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) RRU 58A-C 11-14" p.z. / Salix boothii - Salix lutea / Deschampsia caespitosa - Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa ( / Booth's willow - yellow willow - northern reedgrass) Site type: Rangeland Site ID: R058AC617MT Major land resource area (MLRA): 058A-Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part

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58AC Map

Physiographic Features This site occurs within the floodplain adjacent to perennial streams and adjacent to flowing springs. Slopes are mainly 1-4%, but can range up to 15%. This site is also known as a "Lotic" (running water) riparian area. This site has a permanent water table within approximately 3.5 feet of the surface. In addition, this site will receive additional surface moisture from stream overflow. Surfaces above the water table will typically not remian flooded or saturated for prolonged periods of time.

Landform: (1) Flood plain

Minimum Maximum Elevation (feet): 4000 6500 Slope (percent): 1 15 Water table depth (inches): 36 42 Flooding Frequency: Frequent Frequent Duration: Long Long Ponding Depth (inches): 0 0 Frequency: None None Runoff class: Low Low Aspect: No Influence on this site

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Climatic Features Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 58AC in Montana is considered to have a continental climate characterized by cold winters, hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are typical. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains and the winds move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature. Seasonal precipitation is often limiting for plant growth. Annual fluctuations in species composition and total production are typical depending on the amount and timing of rainfall. Temperatures can be very extreme in this part of Montana. Summer daytime temperatures are typically quite warm, generally averaging in the mid to upper 80º’s F for July and August. Summertime temperatures will typically reach in the 100º’s F at some point during the summer, and can reach 90º F any month between May and September. Conversely, winter temperatures can be cold, averaging in the mid teens to mid 20º’s F for December and January. There will typically be several days of below zero temperatures each winter. It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 30–40º F below zero, or even colder, most any winter. Spring can be windy throughout this MLRA, with winds averaging over 10 mph about 15 percent of the time. Speeds of 50 mph or stronger can occasionally occur as a weather system crosses this part of Montana. The majority of the rangeland in MLRA 58AC is within the 11 to 14 inch Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) range. During an average year, 70 to 75 percent of the annual precipitation falls between April and September, which are the primary growing season months. Snowfall is not heavy in the area, averaging 28 total inches in the Yellowstone Valley. Heavy snowfall occurs infrequently, usually late in the winter or early spring. Snow cover is typically 1 to 3 inches. The frost-free (32º F.) season averages about 105 to 145 days each year in the uplands, to nearly 170 days along the Yellowstone River Valley. For local climate station information, refer to http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/state.pl? state=mt.

Averaged Frost-free period (days): 107 Freeze-free period (days): 132 Mean annual precipitation (inches): 14.00

Monthly Precipitation (Inches): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Low 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

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Monthly Temperature (°F): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Low 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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0 inches Influencing Water Features Typically, these sites occur along streams of moderate energy as indicated by the presence of riffles. The floodplain/riparian area has a cross-section and profile which limits surface ponding. The upper part of the soil profile will begin to drain soon after an over-bank flow event has receded.

Stream Type: mainly B4, B5, B6, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, DA3, DA4, DA5, DA6. (Rosgen Classification System)

Representative Soil Features These soils are hydric due to frequent flooding. The soils associated with this site are mainly deep or very deep (>60 inches). They tend to be medium (loamy or silty) to lighter (sandy) textured. They are generally in the aquic moisture regime or aquic intergrade and somewhat poorly or poorly drained. They generally have a very gravelly layer and permanent water table within 3.5 feet of the surface. This ground water is normally available to the plants throughout the growing season.

Redoxomorphic features (mottles) in the soil profile indicate that the level of the seasonal water table will tend to fluctuate during the year. The seasonal water table is mainly because of the site’s hydrologic connection with the stream, as well as the result of flooding events, and is generally present for only a relatively short period of time. These soils are non-saline and non-sodic. They are non-calcareous or only slightly calcareous in the upper part.

Surface texture: (1)Mucky Loam (2)Gravelly Silt (3)Cobbly Sand Minimum Maximum Surface fragments <=3" (% cover): 0 1 Drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained to poorly drained Permeability class: Moderate to moderately slow Minimum Maximum Depth (inches): 40 72 Soil reaction (1:1 water): 6.6 7.8

Plant Communities Ecological Dynamics of the Site

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The physical aspect of this site is a mixed shrub land. The plant community is typically dominated by a multi-layered structure of shrubs, grasses, sedges, rushes, and forbs. Willows and occasionally other shrubs such as Wood’s rose, and currants/ gooseberries are conspicuous components of the site. Approximately 45 – 50% of the annual production is from grasses and grass-likes, 5 –10% is from forbs, and 40 - 45% is from willows and other shrubs.

Disturbances to this site, including non-prescribed grazing, will result in the decrease of the taller, more palatable species such as the beaked, Nebraska, and water sedges, mannagrasses, prairie cordgrass, wheatgrasses and reedgrasses. These plants will be replaced by smaller sedges, Baltic rush, meadow barley, and forbs.

Plants not a part of the potential natural community that are most likely to invade include Kentucky, fowl, and Canada bluegrass, timothy, smooth brome, redtop, quackgrass, Canada thistle, dandelion, non-native clovers, leafy spurge, knapweeds, sulfur cinquefoil, annuals and other weed species. Russian olive and salt cedar are common invader shrubs.

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State-and-Transition Diagram

Obligate and Facultative Wetland Shrubs, Tall and Medium Grasses and Sedges, Forbs (HCPC)

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58AC Riparian Subirrigated 11-14" MAP Plant Commun

This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC) for this site. This plant community contains a high diversity of willows (Bebb, Booth, Yellow, Sandbar), tall sedges (beaked, Nebraska, and water), and grasses (tufted hairgrass, American and fowl mannagrass, Northern and bluejoint reedgrass). There are several other grasses, sedges, and rushes (bearded wheatgrass, meadow barley, American sloughgrass, and Baltic rush), along with a variety of forbs. Slight variations in climate and elevation may cause some minor shifting of the willow species, but the general proportions should remain somewhat constant.

This site is considered highly resilient to disturbance as it has minimal soil limitations for plant growth, plus a permanent water table within rooting depth. Changes may occur to the Historic Climax Plant Community due to management actions and/or climatic conditions. Under continued adverse impacts, a moderate decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments, this site can more readily return to the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC).

Streams and their associated riparian areas are highly dynamic systems and are subject to events that other rangeland ecological sites are not, such as flooding. Major changes to the stream’s geomorphology as a result of a significant flood event (e.g., a 100 year event) can be potentially catastrophic. Should the change to the geomorphology be severe enough (e.g., be changed from a C type to a D or G type), this site will cease to exist in that reach of stream until the channel progresses through several stages in its recovery, usually taking several years. Maintaining good vegetative cover, especially the willow component, is critical to maintaining the integrity, function and stability of this site.

Obligate and Facultative Wetland Shrubs, Tall and Medium Grasses and Sedges, Forbs (HCPC) Plant Species Composition

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Annual Production Grass/Grasslike (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 1 -Native grasses, sedges and rushes 1980 2115 American Beckmannia BESY 44 235 sloughgrass syzigachne water whorlgrass CAAQ3 Catabrosa aquatica 0235 Carex aquatilis var. water sedge CAAQA 220 470 aquatilis Calamagrostis bluejoint CACA4 220 470 canadensis woollyfruit sedge CALA11 Carex lasiocarpa 0470 Nebraska sedge CANE2 Carex nebrascensis 220 470 woolly sedge CAPE42 Carex pellita 0470 beaked sedge CARO6 Carex rostrata 220 470 Calamagrostis northern reedgrass CASTI3 stricta subsp. 220 705 inexpansa Deschampsia DECA18 440 705 caespitosa Elymus slender wheatgrass ELTR7 220 470 trachycaulus American GLGR Glyceria grandis 220 470 mannagrass fowl mannagrass GLST Glyceria striata 220 470 swordleaf rush JUEN Juncus ensifolius 0235 Torrey's rush JUTO Juncus torreyi 0235 Pseudoroegneria beardless PSSPI spicata subsp. 220 470 wheatgrass inermis

2 -Native grasses, sedges and rushes 0 235 Grass-like (not a 2GL 0 235 true grass) Grass, perennial 2GP 0 235 smallwing sedge CAMI7 Carex microptera 0235 Hordeum meadow barley HOBR2 0235 brachyantherum JUBA Juncus balticus 0235

Annual Production Forb (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 3 -Native forbs 220 470 Forb, perennial 2FP 0 235 silverweed ARAN7 Argentina anserina 0235 cinquefoil willowherb EPILO Epilobium 0235 Geum largeleaf avens GEMA4 0235 macrophyllum Rocky Mountain iris IRMI Iris missouriensis 0235 wild mint MEAR4 Mentha arvensis 0235 slender cinquefoil POGR9 Potentilla gracilis 0235

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alpine leafybract SYFOF Symphyotrichum 0235 aster foliaceum var. foliaceum goldenbanner THERM Thermopsis 0235

Annual Production Shrub/Vine (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 4 -Native shrubs and trees 1760 2115 Shrub, broadleaf 2SB 0 235 Alnus viridis subsp. mountain alder ALVIC 01 crispa water birch BEOC2 Betula occidentalis 01 redosier dogwood COSE16 Cornus sericea 01 Missouri gooseberry RIMI Ribes missouriense 44 235 Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 44 235 Bebb willow SABE2 Salix bebbiana 0235 Booth's willow SABO2 Salix boothii 440 940 Salix Drummond's willow SADR 0235 drummondiana Geyer willow SAGE2 Salix geyeriana 0470 sandbar willow SAIN3 Salix interior 220 470 yellow willow SALU2 Salix lutea 220 470 Salix lucida subsp. Pacific willow SALUL 0235 lasiandra

Annual Production by Plant Type Annual Production (lbs/ac) Representative Plant type Low value High Forb 330 345 352 Grass/Grasslike 2200 2270 2350 Shrub/Vine 1870 1935 1998

Total: 4400 4550 4700

Structure and Cover: Soil Surface Cover (%)

Basal Cover Surface Non- Fragments Surface Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grass/Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 15 to 25 1 to 10 to 0 to 0 to 5 55 to 0 to 1 1 to 5 5 20 2 75

Ground Cover (%) Vegetative Cover Non-Vegetative Cover Grass/ Forb Shrub/ Tree Biological Litter Surface Bedrock Water Bare Grasslike Vine Crust Fragments Ground

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Non- > 1/4 & <= Surface Vascular 3" Fragments Plants > 3" 50 to 60 1 to 50 to 0 to 5 10 60

Structure of Canopy Cover (%) Grasses/Grasslike Forbs Shrubs/Vines Trees <=0.5 feet > 0.5 - < 1 feet 1 to 10 < 1 - >= 2 feet 50 to 60 > 2 - < 4.5 feet < 4.5 - >= 13 feet 50 to 60 > 13 - < 40 feet 0 to 5

Facultative Wetland Mdeium and Short Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes, Forbs

Slight disturbances and degradation to the HCPC typically results in a community dominated primarily of smallwing sedge, Baltic rush, meadow barley, along with forbs such as silverweed cinquefoil. Shrubs, such as Wood’s rose and gooseberry often increase in this situation. Non-native grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and redtop tend to become more abundant.

Plant biomass production and litter become reduced on the site as the taller grasses and some of the larger willows disappear, increasing evaporation and reducing moisture retention. Additional open space in the community can result in undesirable invader species. This plant community provides for moderate soil stability.

Facultative and Facultative Upland, Non-Native Grasses, Forbs

The plant community can experience some dramatic shifts with changes to the water table or flood frequency. As the permanent water table becomes lower as the result of a disturbance, the understory vegetation will begin to reflect the change with a reduction in the amounts of sedges, rushes, mannagrasses, and reedgrasses. These species are often replaced by such non-native grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, timothy, quackgrass, and redtop. Species with a wider tolerance of wetness, such as Baltic rush, may persist with even limited available ground water.

Dandelion, iris, Canada thistle, and other weed species also tend to increase under these conditions. The willows should persist provided the water table is still within their rooting zone.

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This plant community is less productive than Plant Community 1 or 2 (< 1300 pounds per acre). The lack of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evapotranspiration, which gives plants like Kentucky bluegrass, redtop, and Baltic rush a competitive advantage over the deeper rooted cool season tall and medium sedges and grasses. This community has lost many of the attributes of a healthy rangeland, including good infiltration, minimal erosion and runoff, nutrient cycling and energy flow.

There are limitations to using seeding on this site because of the location of this site and the frequency of flooding. Brush control is not recommended as the willows and other shrubs are critical for the stability and function of this site.

Early Seral Species

After a major disturbance to the stream, there will be a period of time when the riparian plant community will be composed of pioneer or disturbance induced species as it begins to re-establish and stabilize. Species such as sandbar (coyote) willow, yellow willow, creeping spikerush, brookgrass, American sloughgrass and some forbs such as willowherbs are typically some of the first species to colonize a site.

"New" site

If disturbance to Community 3 continues, the potential for excessive lateral streambank erosion or stream incisement increases. Plants like Kentucky bluegrass do not possess the root mass necessary to protect the streambanks and riparian area from the erosive forces of the stream. With this lack of protection, the usual progression is for the stream to become braided and no longer have a functioning flood plain (e.g., becomes a Rosgen D channel type). (These can also sometimes degrade to a F or G channel type if the channel is not vertically stable.) The area may again stabilize after a period of time (often several years). The result is that the area that had been the Riparian Subirrigated no longer possesses the hydrology needed to support the Historic Climax or Potential Plant Community. A new riparian area is established at a lower elevation, typically having a plant community similar to 5 initially.

On sites that no longer frequently flood, the age class of willows will shift over time towards being predominately mature, provided there is still a permanent water table within their root zone. The sedges and rushes tend to be replaced by increasing amounts of Kentucky bluegrass, redtop, timothy, and smooth brome, as well as some native species such as meadow barley and mat muhly. Baltic rush often remains as a significant component. These sites will often become a Stream Terrace ecological site, which is typically located on low stream terraces in river systems. The willows will tend to be

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replaced by increasing amounts of rose, gooseberry, or other shrubs as the site tends to become drier. Tree species such as cottonwood and Rocky Mountain juniper often begin to occupy or dominate the site, eventually converting it to a forested site.

Section ll: Ecological Site Interpretations Animal Community

Livestock Grazing Interpretations:

Managed livestock grazing is suitable on this site as it has the potential to produce a large amount of high quality forage. This site is sensitive to inappropriate grazing management. Management objectives should include maintenance or improvement of the plant community that is specific to this riparian/wetland area. Heavy stocking and season long use of this site is detrimental and will alter the plant community composition resulting in potential stream and riparian area degradation over time.

Vegetation is important for this site to maintain its proper function and stability. A plant community having a strong, healthy root system is important for maintaining this ecological site and the integrity of the associated streambank. Vegetation also acts as a filter for sediment and nutrients that may be carried by surface runoff from the adjacent uplands to the stream.

Soil compaction and/or streambank shearing can occur because of the wet soils often associated with this ecological site. Grazing should occur after soils have dried unless the amount of time the livestock spend on this site can be managed. Plant communities 1 and 2 will shift back and forth with variations in weather/climate, frequency and duration of flooding, depth to water table, and soils, as well as grazing use.

These communities can be maintained or improved by: providing occasional rest during the growing period, grazing for a shorter period of time, limiting duration of use during the hot season. Grazing when the upland vegetation is green and high quality can help reduce livestock use of this site. Strategically locating livestock supplements, such as low moisture block, can help attract livestock away from riparian areas. Several studies as well as experience have shown that providing off-stream stock water can significantly reduce the amount of time livestock will spend at this site.

Recommended grazing periods for the hot season (generally July 1 through September 15) is generally no more than 14 days. During the other times of the grazing season, the recommended grazing period can be up to 28 days. A switch to browse use can indicate the need to move livestock from this site to maintain or improve the shrub community.

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When Plant Community 2 occurs as a result of non-prescribed grazing, management strategies need to be implemented soon to avoid further deterioration. This community is still stable, productive, and healthy provided it receives proper management. Improved grazing management alone can usually move this community back to one more similar to potential fairly quickly, or at least prevent any further degradation. However, continuation of non-prescribed grazing will eventually cause the community to cross a threshold whereby returning to a community similar to either 1 or 2 becomes more difficult.

Plant Community 3 is the result of long-term, continuous season long grazing; annual, early spring seasonal grazing; repeated long duration hot season use; a lowering of the water table; or a combination of these.

This community is typically comprised of non-native grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass or redtop. Additional rest is a recommended treatment as it often helps facilitate replacement of these with desired native obligate species. Extra rest is intended to maintain more above ground production and help restore some of the stability and natural hydrology of the site. This growth helps trap sediment during flood events. Over time, the trapped sediment begins to restore the stream banks. The stream’s cross section often becomes narrower and deeper as a result. This often leads to the water column/water table in the system raising. Restored natural hydrology will cause a shift back to the native species of the site.

Sites having mainly over-mature and decadent willows need a treatment strategy that will allow for establishment of younger plants. Often, depending on the site and situation, treatments in addition to grazing management may be necessary, such as temporary fencing to restrict access to the riparian area.

Plant Community 3 has significantly reduced forage production. It will respond positively to improved grazing management but prescribed grazing management alone is seldom enough to return it to one resembling either Community 1 or 2 once it has degraded to this point. Additional rest is often necessary for re-establishment of the desired species and to restore the stability and health of the site. Prescribed grazing usually needs to be coupled with other practices which generally require sizeable economic inputs, such as temporary fencing, along with a significant amount of time, usually many years.

There are sometimes situations where the stream has become braided or incised and there is minimal potential for restoring original hydrology, yet there is still a significant component of willows and other woody species that are desirable to maintain. Rest should be included in the management plan to aid with the maintenance of the woody species that are present and to establish multiple age classes. Without frequent flooding providing habitat for new seedling establishment, these plants will depend on vegetative means for reproduction. Rest allows that to happen. The rest period needs to be long enough (often 3-5 years or more, depending on their growth rate) to allow the new sprouts to grow out of reach of the grazing/browsing animal. These areas can often be safely utilized at a time of year when the herbaceous component is lush. Consider techniques to either help attract the animals out of these areas or restrict their access.

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A site dominated by an early seral plant community (community 4) will also need rest annually sometime during the growing season until the site has stabilized and the plant community begins to move towards mid or late seral. Mid to late seral species on this ecological site are predominantly obligate and facultative-wet.

Riparian ecological sites need to be managed as part of a plan for all grazing lands and not treated as a separate entity. Otherwise, some component of the ecosystem will not be properly managed.

Wildlife Interpretations:

The Riparian Subirrigated Ecological Site is among the most important wildlife habitats in Montana. In fact, the wildlife value of this site is far greater than its limited occurrence the landscape (5% at the most) would indicate. Somewhere around 75% of all of our wildlife species use this site at some point in their life cycle. The winding, linear nature of stream corridors provides travel corridors and connectivity between numerous upland habitats and the seasonal ranges of many wildlife species. The combination of succulent green forage, complex habitat structure and water make this site exceptionally attractive to both resident and migratory wildlife. Riparian shrub lands provide migration stop-over habitat for Neotropical migratory birds as they travel between northern breeding ranges and winter habitats as far south as Central and South America. Other species, moose, for example, use riparian habitat year-round. Invasive weeds often degrade this ecological site. Notable weeds include Canada thistle, leafy spurge, hound’s tongue, poison hemlock, burdock and Russian olive. Uncontrolled livestock grazing has degraded many miles of Riparian Subirrigated and contributed to the spread of noxious weeds. On the other hand, long-term non-use may also result in noxious weed infestation. The condition of riparian subirrigated habitat often determines the health of fisheries in associated streams.

Plant Community 1: Obligate and Facultative Wetland Shrubs, Tall and Medium Grasses & Sedges, Forbs: The diversity of succulent forbs along with grass and shrub variety provides substrate for numerous insect, and other invertebrate species. Streams associated with this ecological site support native salmonids and other fish species, which depend on overhead cover, overhanging banks, and insects - all produced by woody and herbaceous plants growing in this community. Three species of garter snakes frequent the moist habitat available here, along with the racer, a bluish-tinged snake. Numerous breeding and migratory birds use the complex habitat in this willow-sedge community. Examples include common yellowthroats, MacGillivray’s warbler and gray catbirds. Sage grouse broods forage for insects and succulent forbs in this type. Moose, elk and deer make significant use of this community as a forage source and travel corridor. Representative small mammals include the mountain cottontail and western jumping mouse.

Plant Community 2: Facultative Wetland Medium and Short Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes, Forbs: Insect diversity declines with the reduction in forb and shrub variety. Native fish habitat suffers from a reduction in bank cover and, often, a somewhat higher width-depth ratio in the stream. Breeding bird diversity declines as the taller shrub component is lost. Cover values for big game species and small mammals decreases

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for the same reason.

Plant Community 3: Facultative and Facultative Upland, Non-Native Grasses, Forbs: Wildlife habitat values are considerably reduced in this low successional plant community. A lowered water table follows the loss of root mass in the soil and, in some cases, a down-cut stream surface. The resulting loss of plant diversity supports fewer insect species. Cover and food supplies are significantly reduced for most wildlife. Fish habitat is poor following removal of bank cover and development of a wider, shallower stream. Mature willows may still provide some cover but shrub reproduction is insignificant.

Plant Community 4: Early Seral Species: This community is much less diverse than the HCPC. However, recovery of willows and native herbaceous species provides more habitat diversity than Community 3, above. Fish habitat is poor because stream habitat features such as deep pools and overhanging banks are not yet available. Breeding birds and a wide variety of mammals find improving cover with the development of pioneer plant species.

Plant Community 5: "New" site: Down cutting of the stream dries out the site. Resulting habitat values for species depending on riparian habitat largely disappear. Over time, a new HCPC community may develop adjacent to the down-cut stream but will be significantly narrower than the original community. Fish habitat is very poor; bank cover and pool-riffle complexes are limited. Terrestrial wildlife species find little cover and food in this community.

Hydrology Functions The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Group B. The infiltration rates for these soils will normally be moderate. The runoff potential for this site is low. Runoff curve numbers generally range from 61 to 79. This ecological site typically receives and generates runoff. The site is typically wet, receiving the majority of its moisture by its hydrologic connection with stream flow and water table fluctuations.

Runoff is characterized by frequent surface flooding from over bank flows. On site precipitation is generally considered a minor source of runoff from this site. As the stream flow subsides, runoff typically becomes subsurface return flows.

Any condition that would cause an increased instantaneous runoff peak (e.g., poorly designed clear cutting in the upper watershed) could degrade the channel causing either lateral instability or head cutting. A braided (Rosgen D type) or an incised stream (G or F type) is typically the result.

Down cutting (incisement) would be a catastrophic event to this ecosystem. Channel down cutting will increase subsurface drainage, lower the seasonal water table, reduce frequency of over bank flow, and reduce duration of near surface saturation. Bank erosion will increase.

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The stream, in time, will adjust to a lower base elevation. However, the result of down cutting will be a new floodplain at a lower elevation, lower water table elevation, less flood prone width, and less adjacent riparian/wetland area. The dominant vegetation in the previous riparian/wetland area will change (i.e., from Obligate and Facultative-wet to Facultative, etc.). Given enough time, these conditions will eventually result in this site becoming either a Stream Terrace, or upland site, depending on resulting depth to the water table

The vegetative community can also be changed for other reasons, such as if the water table drops during the growing season due to a lowering of base elevation of adjacent streams, or several years of drought conditions.

Other Information The following is an example of how to calculate the recommended stocking rate. This example does not use production estimates from this specific ecological site. You will need to adjust the annual production values and run the calculations using total annual production values from the ecological sites encountered on each individual ranch/pasture. Before making specific recommendations, an on-site evaluation must be made.

Example of total annual production amounts by type of year: Favorable years = 2200 lbs/acre Normal years = 1480 lbs/acre Unfavorable years = 1200 lbs/acre

It is recommended that on slopes of 30% or less, stocking rate should be derived from the total annual production pounds minus 500 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. On slopes over 30%, stocking rate is derived from total annual production pounds minus 800 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. Refer to the NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook for a list of Animal Unit Equivalents.

Sample Calculations using Favorable Year production amounts:

< 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-500)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.46 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.46AUM/AC) = 2.2 AC/AUM

> 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-800)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.38 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.38 AUM/AC) = 2.6 AC/AUM

NOTE: 915 lbs/month for one Animal Unit is used as the baseline for maintenance requirements. This equates to 30 lbs/day of air-dry forage (1200 lb cow at 2.5% of body weight).

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Supporting Information Associated Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Subirrigated (Sb) R058AC044MT

Similar Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Subirrigated (Sb) R058AC044MT The Subirrigated site differs mainly by not being saturated to the surface and not being in the flood-prone area.

State Correlation This site has been correlated with the following states: MT

Inventory Data References Supporting Data for Site Development:

NRCS Production & Composition Record for Native Grazing Lands (Range-417): 2

BLM Soil & Vegetation Inventory Method (SVIM) Data: 0

NRCS Range Condition Record (ECS-2): 7

NRCS Range/Soil Correlation Observations & Soil 232 notes: 12

Field Offices where this site occurs within the state:

Big Sandy Big Timber Billings Chinook Columbus Crow Agency Fort Belknap Hardin Harlowton Joliet Lewistown Malta Roundup Stanford White Sulphur Springs Winnett

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Other References Authors: Robert E. Leiland, Rhonda Sue Noggles, Peter O. Husby, 2003

Site Authors REL, RSN, POH

Quality Assurance Provisional Status Verified in Legacy System

Reference Sheet Author(s)/participant(s):

Contact for lead author:

Date: MLRA: 058A Ecological Site: Riparian Subirrigated (RSb) RRU 58A-C 11-14" p.z. R058AC617MT This must be verified based on soils and climate (see Ecological Site Description). Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Composition (indicators 10 and 12) based on: Annual Production, Foliar Cover, Biomass

Indicators. For each indicator, describe the potential for the site. Where possible, (1) use numbers, (2) include expected range of values for above- and below-average years for each community and natural distrurbance regimes within the reference state, when appropriate and (3) cite data. Continue descriptions on separate sheet.

1. Number and extent of rills:

2. Presence of water flow patterns:

3. Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:

4. Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, standing dead, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):

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5. Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:

6. Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:

7. Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):

8. Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):

9. Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type and strength of structure, and A-horizon color and thickness):

10. Effect on plant community composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:

11. Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):

12. Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground weight using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to) with dominants and sub-dominants and "others" on separate lines: Dominant: Sub-dominant: Other: Additional:

13. Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):

14. Average percent litter cover (%) and depth (inches):

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15. Expected annual production (this is TOTAL above-ground production, not just forage production):

16. Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List Species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicator, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:

17. Perennial plant reproductive capability:

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United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Description Section l: Ecological Site Characteristics Ecological Site Identification and Concept

Site stage: Provisional

Provisional: an ESD at the provisional status represents the lowest tier of documentation that is releasable to the public. It contains a grouping of soil units that respond similarly to ecological processes. The ESD contains 1) enough information to distinguish it from similar and associated ecological sites and 2) a draft state and transition model capturing the ecological processes and vegetative states and community phases as they are currently conceptualized. The provisional ESD has undergone both quality control and quality assurance protocols. It is expected that the provisional ESD will continue refinement towards an approved status.

Site name: Silty (Si) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. Site type: Rangeland Site ID: R058AE001MT Major land resource area (MLRA): 058A-Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part

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Physiographic Features This ecological site occurs on nearly level to strongly sloping sedimentary plains, hills, terraces, and fans. The slopes range from 0-15%, but are mainly less than 8%. This site occurs on all exposures. Aspect is not significant.

Landform: (1) Plain (2) Alluvial fan (3) Terrace

Minimum Maximum Elevation (feet): 1900 3500 Slope (percent): 0 15 Water table depth (inches): 60 60 Flooding Frequency: None Ponding Frequency: None Aspect: No Influence on this site

Climatic Features Most of the area averages 12 to 14 inches of total precipitation annually. Typically, 80 percent occurs during the April to September growing season. Snowfall is not heavy, averaging about 28 inches annually in the Yellowstone River valley, with slightly heavier amounts in the uplands, particularly south of the Yellowstone River. Heavy snowfall occurs infrequently, usually in late winter or early spring. Sunshine prevails 70 to 80 percent of the summer, with interruptions mostly during the afternoons from occasional rain showers and thunderstorms. Spring is usually the windiest time of the year with winds averaging over 20 miles per hour about 15 percent of the time. Speeds of 50 miles per hour or stronger occasionally occur as a weather system crosses the state during the summer accompanying a thunderstorm, fall and winter. The growing season (freeze free) averages about 120 to 160 days in the uplands to nearly 180 days in the Yellowstone River valley. Temperatures are extreme in this MLRA, ranging from an average of approximately 45 degrees (F) below zero to an average high of nearly 110 degrees (F). Temperatures can reach 90 degrees F. or more any month between May and September. Winters are cold, with several days of below zero temperatures each year.

Averaged Frost-free period (days): 125 Freeze-free period (days): 147 Mean annual precipitation (inches): 14.00

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Monthly Precipitation (Inches): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 1.58 1.22 1.75 3.71 5.54 6.63 6.64 4.10 4.91 3.72 1.48 1.56 Low 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.06 0.30 0.38 0.07 0.04 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01

Monthly Temperature (°F): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 28.1 35.3 45.3 58.9 69.8 79.2 87.9 87.3 74.7 61.9 44.1 32.7 Low 3.9 10.6 19.8 31.0 41.5 50.4 55.7 53.8 42.5 31.9 19.3 8.7

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Climate stations: (1) 241169, Brockway 3 WSW. Period of record 1959-2000 (2) 241758 Circle Period of Record 1963-2000 (3) 241875 Cohagen Period of Record 1950-2000 (4) 243098 Forsyth Period of Record 1975-2000 (5) 243099 Forsyth, 2 E Period of Record 1948-1975 (6) 243581 Glendive Period of Record 1893-2000 (7) 244007 Haxby 18 SW Period of Record 1950-1991 (8) 244358 Hysham Period of Record 1948-2000 (9) 244386 Ingomar 11 NE Period of Record 1953-2000 (10) 244522 Jordan Period of Record 1905-2000 (11) 244527 Jordan 22 E Van Norman Period of Record 1965-1986 (12) 244530 Jordan 23 ENE Period of Record 1988-2000 (13) 245666 Mildred Period of Record 1909-1978 (14) 245668 Mildred 5 N Period of Record 1979-2000 (15) 245685 Miles City Period of Record 1893-1982 (16) 245690 Miles City FAA Airport Period of Record 1937-2000 (17) 245872 Mosby 2 ENE Period of Record 1959-2000 (18) 245873 Mosby 18 N Period of Record 1955-1983 (19) 246601 Plevna Period of Record 1910-2000 (20) 246691 Powderville 8 NNE Period of Record 1964-2000 (21) 246697 Powderville Period of Record 1949-1964 (22) 247136 Rock Springs Period of Record 1951-2000 (23) 248165 Terry Period of Record 1949-2000

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Influencing Water Features None

Representative Soil Features These soils are loams, silt loams, or very fine sandy loams more than 20 inches deep. They include soils that have 2 inches or more of one of these textures over clayey (argillic) subsoils. There are no significant limitations to plant growth.

Surface texture: (1) Loam (2) Silt loam (3) Very fine sandy loam Subsurface texture group: Loamy Minimum Maximum Drainage class: Well drained Permeability class: Moderate Minimum Maximum Depth (inches): 20 60 Available water capacity (inches): 5.00 10.00 113 °F Electrical conductivity (mmhos/cm): 0 0 Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 0 Calcium carbonate equivalent (percent): 0 10 Soil reaction (1:1 water): 7.4 8.4

Plant Communities Ecological Dynamics of the Site The physical aspect of this site in Historical Climax is that of a level to undulating grassland dominated by cool and warm season grasses, with forbs and shrubs occurring in smaller percentages. Approximately 75-80% of the annual production by weight is from grasses and sedges, 5–15% is from forbs, and 1–5% is from shrubs, half-shrubs, and cacti. Canopy cover of shrubs is typically 1-5%. Trees are not significant on this site.

This site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, which included the natural influence of large herbivores and occasional fire. The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). This community is described as a reference to understand the original potential of this site, and is not always considered to be the management goal for every acre of rangeland. The following descriptions should enable the landowner or manager to better understand which plant communities occupy their land, and assist with setting goals for vegetation

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management. It can also be useful to understand the environmental and economic values of each plant community.

This site is considered highly resilient to disturbance as it has very few soil limitations for plant growth. Changes may occur to the Historic Climax Plant Community due to management actions and/or climatic conditions. Under continued adverse impacts, a moderate to extreme decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments this site can more readily return to the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). Continual adverse impacts to the site over a period of years results in a departure from the HCPC, with a decrease of the taller, more palatable species such as green needlegrass, little bluestem, and bluebunch wheatgrass. These plants will typically be replaced by a mixture of medium and short grasses and sedges, including western wheatgrass, needleandthread, Sandberg bluegrass, blue grama, threadleaf sedge, several species of non-palatable forbs, and Wyoming big sagebrush. Greasewood may replace Wyoming big sagebrush in MLRA 60B, Pierre Shales. Continued deterioration to the community results in an abundance of short grasses such as blue grama, red threeawn, annual grasses, annual forbs, broom snakeweed, and cacti. Plants that are not a part of the Historic Climax Plant Community that are most likely to invade are annual grasses (cheatgrass, Japanese brome), and annual and biennial forbs. Leafy spurge and knapweeds are potential noxious weed invaders on this site. Long-term non-use (>3 years) combined with the absence of fire will result in excessive litter and decadent plants in the bunchgrass communities at higher precipitation zones, 12?14 inches.

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State-and-Transition Diagram

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs

This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC) for this site. This plant community contains a high diversity of tall and medium height, cool and warm season grasses (green needlegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass (western portion of RRU), western wheatgrass, needleandthread, little bluestem, sideoats grama), and short grasses and sedges (Sandberg bluegrass, plains

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muhly, prairie junegrass, threadleaf sedge and blue grama). There are abundant forbs, shrubs, and half-shrubs which occur in small percentages, including dotted gayfeather, black samson, purple and white prairieclover, winterfat, Nuttall’s saltbush, and silver or Wyoming big sagebrush. This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species and the presence of tall, deep rooted perennial grasses allows for high drought tolerance. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Plants on this site have strong, healthy root systems that allow production to increase significantly with favorable precipitation. Abundant plant litter is available for soil building and moisture retention. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. Run-off from adjacent sites and high available water capacity provides a favorable soil-water-plant relationship. This plant community provides for high soil stability and a functioning hydrologic cycle.

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs Plant Species Composition Annual Production Grass/Grasslike (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 1 -Native grasses 830 1540 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii 0110 Bouteloua sideoats grama BOCU 0110 curtipendula tufted wheatgrass ELMA7 Elymus macrourus 105 440 Hesperostipa needle and thread HECOC8 comata subsp. 105 330 comata Muhlenbergia plains muhly MUCU3 0110 cuspidata green needlegrass NAVI4 Nassella viridula 105 440 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 105 440 bluebunch Pseudoroegneria PSSP6 105 880 wheatgrass spicata Schizachyrium little bluestem SCSCS scoparium var. 53 220 scoparium

2 -Native grasses and sedges 11 220 Grass, perennial 2GP 11 110 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 11 110 BUDA Buchloe dactyloides 11 110 needleleaf sedge CADU6 Carex duriuscula 11 110 threadleaf sedge CAFI Carex filifolia 11 110 Calamagrostis plains reedgrass CAMO 11 110 montanensis squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 11 110 prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 11 110

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Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 11 110 Sporobolus sand dropseed SPCR 11 110 cryptandrus

3 -Native grasses 1 2 Aristida purpurea Fendler's threeawn ARPUF 12 var. fendleriana Aristida purpurea Fendler threeawn ARPUL 12 var. longiseta

Annual Production Forb (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 4 -Native forbs 11 330 Forb, perennial 2FP 11 110 common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 11 110 onion ALLIU Allium 11 110 pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 11 110 Artemisia tarragon ARDR4 11 110 dracunculus aster ASTER Aster 11 110 milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 11 110 white prairie clover DACA7 Dalea candida 11 110 purple prairie clover DAPU5 Dalea purpurea 11 110 blacksamson Echinacea ECAN2 11 110 echinacea angustifolia buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 11 110 blanketflower GAAR Gaillardia aristata 11 110 hairy false HEVI4 Heterotheca villosa 11 110 goldenaster Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 11 110 dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 11 110 Lithospermum western stoneseed LIRU4 11 110 ruderale desertparsley LOMAT Lomatium 11 110 Musineon leafy wildparsley MUDI 11 110 divaricatum beardtongue PENST Penstemon 11 110 spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 11 110 scurfpea PSORA2 Psoralidium 11 110 upright prairie Ratibida RACO3 11 110 coneflower columnifera Solidago Missouri goldenrod SOMI2 11 110 missouriensis Sphaeralcea scarlet globemallow SPCO 11 110 coccinea Thermopsis prairie thermopsis THRH 11 110 rhombifolia American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 11 110

5 -Native forbs (toxic properties) 1 2 twogrooved Astragalus ASBI2 12 milkvetch bisulcatus

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larkspur DELPH Delphinium 12 white locoweed OXSE Oxytropis sericea 12 deathcamas ZIGAD Zigadenus 12

Annual Production Shrub/Vine (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 6 -Native shrubs and half-shrubs 53 110 Shrub, broadleaf 2SB 10 60 silver sagebrush ARCA13 Artemisia cana 10 60 prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 10 60 Artemisia tridentata Wyoming big ARTRW8 subsp. 10 60 sagebrush wyomingensis Nuttall's saltbush ATNU2 Atriplex nuttallii 10 60 Chrysothamnus yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 10 60 viscidiflorus Ericameria rubber rabbitbrush ERNAN5 nauseosa var. 10 60 nauseosa Krascheninnikovia winterfat KRLA2 10 60 lanata skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 10 60 prairie rose ROAR3 Rosa arkansana 10 60 Sarcobatus greasewood SAVE4 10 60 vermiculatus snowberry SYMPH Symphoricarpos 10 60

7 -Native shrubs and half-shrubs 1 2 Gutierrezia broom snakeweed GUSA2 12 sarothrae Opuntia plains pricklypear OPPO 12 polyacantha soapweed yucca YUGL Yucca glauca 12

Annual Production by Plant Type Annual Production (lbs/ac) Representative Plant type Low value High Forb 158 210 330 Grass/Grasslike 840 1120 1760 Shrub/Vine 52 70 110

Total: 1050 1400 2200

Structure and Cover: Soil Surface Cover (%) Basal Cover Non- Biological Litter Surface Surface Bedrock Water Bare Grass/Grasslike Forb Shrub/ Tree Vascular Crust Fragments Fragments Ground Vine Plants > 3"

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> 1/4 & <= 3" 10 to 15 1 to 0 to 1 0 to 1 50 to 0 to 1 15 to 3 60 20

Ground Cover (%) Vegetative Cover Non-Vegetative Cover

Surface Non- Fragments Surface Grass/ Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 60 to 85 1 to 5 0 to 1 0 to 1

Structure of Canopy Cover (%) Grasses/Grasslike Forbs Shrubs/Vines Trees <=0.5 feet > 0.5 - < 1 feet < 1 - >= 2 feet 60 to 85 1 to 5 0 to 1

Plant Community 2a: Medium and Short Grasses/ Half-shrubs

: Where this site occurs on soils in the coarse loamy or coarse silty families, slight disturbances and degradation to the HCPC will result in a plant community dominated by medium and short grasses, such as western wheatgrass, needleandthread, Sandberg bluegrass, prairie junegrass, blue grama, and threadleaf sedge. The tall, more palatable grasses (green needlegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, little bluestem) will be present in smaller percentages. Fringed sagewort typically increases on the site.

This community is similar to 2b, but generally has less of a shrub component. There will be some shifting of the amount of sagebrush between Communities 2a and 2b, depending on the occurrence and frequency of fire, and which species of sagebrush is present. A lack of fire in Community 2a tends to favor Wyoming big sagebrush. The presence of fire in a big sagebrush stand will generally reduce the density of plants, making the community similar to 2a. Fire will often increase the amount of silver sagebrush, however, as it will sprout from the roots after being burned.

Plant Community 2b: Medium and Short Grasses/ Shrubs

Where this site occurs on soils in the fine loamy or fine silty families, slight disturbances and degradation to the HCPC will result in a plant community dominated by cool season medium and short grasses, warm season short grasses, shrubs and half-shrubs. Species that tend to dominate include western wheatgrass, needleandthread, Sandberg bluegrass,

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Wyoming big or silver sagebrush, and fringed sagewort. Silver sagebrush tends to become more prevalent on old stream terraces.

Grass biomass production and litter become reduced on communities 2a and 2b as the taller grasses become less prevalent, increasing evaporation and reducing moisture retention. Additional open space in the community can result in undesirable invader species. This plant community provides for moderate soil stability.

Plant Community 3: Medium and Short Grasses/ Shrubs and Half-shrubs

With continued heavy disturbance on Community 2B, the plant community tends to become dominated by medium and short grasses, such as needleandthread, western wheatgrass, blue grama, Sandberg bluegrass, prairie junegrass and threadleaf sedge, plus Wyoming big sagebrush or silver sagebrush, and fringed sagewort. The taller grasses will occur only occasionally. Palatable and nutritious forbs will be replaced by less desirable and more aggressive species. Greasewood may take the place of sagebrush in MLRA 60B. There is also often an increase in the amount of plains pricklypear.

The amount of Wyoming big sagebrush in Community 3 may be the result of a lack of fire in Community 4. Periodic fire tends to reduce the amount of big sagebrush that is present. Silver sagebrush, however, will react just the opposite, as it will tend to increase after a fire due to root sprouting.

Plant Community 4: Short and Medium Grasses/ Half-shrubs/ Annuals

As Community 2A deteriorates due to continued disturbance, it becomes dominated by short and medium grasses such as blue grama, Sandberg bluegrass, prairie junegrass, and western wheatgrass. Fringed sagewort, cheatgrass, and broom snakeweed increase on the site. This community will often occur due to fire on Community 2A, which causes it to lose the brush component. Annual grasses will be present for a period of time after fire. Green needlegrass will often respond if it was present under the sagebrush canopy prior to the fire.

Plant Communities 3 and 4 are much less productive than Plant Communities 1, 2a, or 2b, and have lost many of the attributes of a healthy rangeland. The loss of deep perennial root systems reduces total available moisture for plant growth. Reduction of plant litter will result in higher surface soil temperatures and increased evaporation losses. Annual species are often aggressive and competitive with seedlings of perennial plants. This community can respond positively to improved grazing management but it will take

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additional inputs to move it towards a community similar in production and composition to that of Plant Community 1 or 2.

Plant Community 5: Short Grasses/ Shrubs & Half-shrubs/ Annuals/ Cacti

Further disturbance and deterioration of Community 3 or 4 leads to a plant community dominated by short grasses such as blue grama, threadleaf sedge, and red threeawn. Shrubs, half-shrubs, and cacti may become prevalent, including fringed sagewort, Wyoming big sagebrush, and plains pricklypear. Invader species become significant components, including broom snakeweed, Japanese brome, cheatgrass, six-weeks fescue, false buffalograss, tumblegrass, curlycup gumweed, and annual forbs.

Plant Community 5 may be associated with prairie dog towns. Prairie dog towns generally occur on this site when the soils are slightly heavier textures, particularly those having an argillic horizon. The resultant plant community is comprised mainly of fringed sagewort, plains pricklypear, and annuals.

This plant community is highly unproductive (< 600 lbs./acre). The lack of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evaporation, which gives blue grama a competitive advantage over the cool season tall and medium grasses. This community has lost many of the attributes of a healthy rangeland, including good infiltration, minimal erosion and runoff, nutrient cycling and energy flow. Significant economic inputs and time would be required to move this plant community toward a higher successional stage and a more productive plant community.

Section ll: Ecological Site Interpretations Animal Community

Livestock Grazing Interpretations:

Managed livestock grazing is suitable on this site as it has the potential to produce a high amount of high quality forage. This is often a preferred site for grazing by livestock, and animals tend to congregate in these areas. In order to maintain the productivity of this site, stocking rates must be managed carefully on adjoining sites with less

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production to be sure livestock drift onto the Silty site is not excessive. Management objectives should include maintenance or improvement of the plant community. Shorter grazing periods and adequate re-growth after grazing are recommended for plant maintenance and recovery. Heavy stocking and season-long use of this site can be detrimental and will alter the plant community composition and production over time.

Whenever Plant Communities 2a or 2b (medium and short grasses) occur, grazing management strategies need to be implemented to avoid further deterioration. These communities are still stable, productive, and healthy provided they receive proper management. These communities will respond fairly quickly to improved grazing management, including increased growing season rest of key forage plants. Grazing management alone can usually move these communities back towards the potential community.

Plant Communities 3 and 4 have substantially reduced forage production, and a high percentage of aggressive, non-palatable species. Once these plant communities become established, it will be much more difficult to restore the site to a community that resembles the potential with grazing management alone. Additional growing season rest is often necessary for re-establishment of the desired species and to restore the stability and health of the site. Brush management and/or mechanical treatment are often needed to restore tall perennial grasses onto this site.

Plant Community 5 has extremely limited forage production (< 300 pounds per acre), and a high percentage of non-preferred species for cattle and sheep. Seeding may be necessary to restore desirable native perennial species.

Wildlife Interpretations:

The following is a description of habitat values for the different plant communities that may occupy the site:

Plant Community 1: Tall & Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs (HCPC):

The predominance of grasses plus a diversity of forbs, shrubs and half-shrubs in this community favors grazers and mixed feeders such as bison, pronghorn and elk. Suitable thermal and escape cover for mule deer is limited because of low shrub cover. Large animal nutrition levels are relatively high year-long because of the diversity of plant life forms and seasonality. When this plant community is adjacent to large blocks of sagebrush-grassland, it can provide quality sage grouse lek sites and brood habitat. Complex plant structural diversity and litter cover provide habitat for a wide array of small mammals (both seed-eaters, i.e., deer mice and herbivores, i.e., voles and jackrabbits) and neotropical migratory birds. Diverse prey populations are available for raptors such as golden eagle, redtail, ferruginous and Swainson’s hawks. The diversity of grass stature and life forms, along with scattered shrubs and a variety of forbs, provides habitat for many bird species including the upland sandpiper, sharp-tailed grouse, loggerhead shrike, Baird’s/grasshopper/savanna sparrow, chestnut-collared longspur and western meadowlark. This community is especially favorable for ground- nesting birds because of the abundant residual plant material and litter available for

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nesting, escape and thermal cover.

Plant Community 2a: Medium and Short Grasses/ Half-shrubs:

The partial loss of structural diversity makes this plant community somewhat less attractive to the variety of wildlife species using the HPCP. A decrease in residual plant material and litter cover is usually associated with degradation of the HCPC, which makes this community less attractive for ground-nesting birds. Pronghorn make considerable use of this type because of forb and half-shrub availability in the generally open landscape.

Plant Community 2b: Medium and Short Grasses/ Shrubs:

Wyoming big sagebrush, with canopy cover of 15-30 percent, and an understory of grasses and forbs, is excellent nesting, winter, brood-rearing and foraging habitat for sage grouse. Other obligate sagebrush-grassland species, notably Brewer’s sparrow, also benefit from an increase in sagebrush cover. When residual grass and litter cover decrease in this community, ground nesting bird habitat values decline. This community often provides important winter range for mule deer and pronghorn. The sagebrush crowns break up hard crusted snow and provide about 15% protein and 40-60% digestibility for ungulates.

Plant Community 3: Medium and Short Grasses/ Shrubs and Half-shrubs:

Heavy stands of big sagebrush can provide winter cover and foraging habitat for mule deer, elk, pronghorn and sage grouse. However, a decline in herbaceous cover and litter reduces overall wildlife species diversity and habitat value for ground-nesting birds. When this seral stage is dominated by forbs and fringed sagewort, it may provide lek sites for sage grouse and habitat for birds such as horned larks, McCown’s longspurs, mountain plovers and long-billed curlews. Prairie dogs will have an easier time establishing and expanding towns in this community to the benefit of burrowing owls, mountain plovers and black-footed ferrets.

Plant Community 4: Short and Medium Grasses/ Half-shrubs/ Annuals:

Sparse vegetation and greater amounts of bare ground provide suitable habitat for mountain plovers, prairie dogs, horned larks and McCown’s longspurs. However, a lack of complex vegetation structure and residual cover makes this community poor habitat in general for most ground-nesting birds and relatively poor big game habitat. Pronghorn may forage in this community spring though fall.

Plant Community 5: Short Grasses/ Shrubs & Half-shrubs/ Annuals/ Cacti:

This community has low habitat value for most wildlife species except when it occurs in prairie dog towns. It may be important in providing lek sites for sage grouse when adjacent to sagebrush stands and provides forage for pronghorn seasonally. Pronghorn forage on fringed sagewort and forbs.

Prairie dog towns are significant sources of biodiversity and provide a source of

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palatable, high protein forage for ungulates during part of the year. Black-footed ferrets, an endangered species, and burrowing owls are dependent on the subterranean habitat provided by prairie dog burrow systems. Mountain plovers often nest and raise broods in prairie dog towns. Golden eagles and ferruginous hawks commonly hunt in these areas. Researchers have found that bird species diversity and rodent abundance are greater on prairie dog towns than on adjacent mixed prairie.

Hydrology Functions The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Group B. The infiltration rates for these soils will normally be moderate. The runoff potential for this site is moderate, depending on slope and ground cover/health. Runoff curve numbers generally range from 64 to 82.

Good hydrologic conditions exist on rangelands if plant cover (grass, litter, and brush canopy) is greater than 70%. Fair conditions exist when cover is between 30% and 70%, and poor conditions exist when cover is less than 30%. Sites in high similarity to HCPC (Plant Communities 1 and 2) generally have enough plant cover and litter to optimize infiltration, minimize runoff and erosion, and have a good hydrologic condition. The deep root systems of the potential vegetation help maintain or increase infiltration rates and reduce runoff. Sites in low similarity (Plant Communities 3, 4 and 5) are generally considered to be in poor hydrologic condition as a majority of the plant cover is from shallow-rooted species such as blue grama and annual grasses.

Erosion is minor for sites in high similarity. Rills and gullies should not be present. Water flow patterns, if present, will be barely observable. Plant pedestals are essentially non- existent. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosion. Soil surfaces should not be compacted or crusted. Plant cover and litter helps retain soil moisture for use by the plants. Maintaining a healthy stand of perennial vegetation will optimize the amount of precipitation that is received. (Reference: Engineering Field Manual, Chapter 2 and Montana Supplement 4).

Recreational Uses This site provides recreational opportunities for big game and upland bird hunting, and hiking. The forbs have flowers that appeal to photographers. This site provides valuable open space and visual aesthetics.

Other Information The following is an example of how to calculate the recommended stocking rate. This example does not use production estimates from this specific ecological site. You will need to adjust the annual production values and run the calculations using total annual production values from the ecological sites encountered on each individual

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ranch/pasture. Before making specific recommendations, an on-site evaluation must be made.

Example of total annual production amounts by type of year: Favorable years = 2200 lbs/acre Normal years = 1480 lbs/acre Unfavorable years = 1200 lbs/acre

It is recommended that on slopes of 30% or less, stocking rate should be derived from the total annual production pounds minus 500 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. On slopes over 30%, stocking rate is derived from total annual production pounds minus 800 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. Refer to the NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook for a list of Animal Unit Equivalents.

Sample Calculations using Favorable Year production amounts:

< 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-500)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.46 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.46AUM/AC) = 2.2 AC/AUM

> 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-800)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.38 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.38 AUM/AC) = 2.6 AC/AUM

NOTE: 915 lbs/month for one Animal Unit is used as the baseline for maintenance requirements. This equates to 30 lbs/day of air-dry forage (1200 lb cow at 2.5% of body weight).

Supporting Information Associated Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Clayey (Cy) R058AE002MT Sandy (Sy) R058AE003MT Silty-Steep (SiStp) R058AE004MT Shallow (Sw) R058AE019MT

Similar Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Clayey (Cy) R058AE002MT The Clayey and Sandy sites occupy the same landscape positions. The primary difference is soil texture and plant community. Sandy (Sy) R058AE003MT The Clayey and Sandy sites occupy the same landscape positions. The primary difference is soil texture and plant community.

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Silty-Steep (SiStp) R058AE004MT The Silty-Steep differs mainly by being on slopes greater than 15% and having lower production. Sands (Sa) R058AE018MT The Shallow site differs by being 20 inches or less to a restrictive layer or bedrock. Silty-Saline (SiS) R058AE193MT The Silty-Saline site will differ by having a significant component of a salt tolerant plant species, soils that are salty in the lower parts of the profile, and lower production.

State Correlation This site has been correlated with the following states: MT

Inventory Data References NRCS-Production & Composition Record for Native Grazing Lands (Range-417): 42

BLM-Soil & Vegetation Inventory Method (SVIM) Data: 25

NRCS-Range Condition Record (ECS-2): 55

NRCS-Range/Soil Correlation Observations & Soil 232 notes: 180

Site Authors Bob Leinard JVF, REL, RSN, MJR, SKW, SVF, POH

Quality Assurance Provisional Status Verified in Legacy System

Reference Sheet Author(s)/participant(s): T. DeCock;R Kilian

Contact for lead author: Tammy DeCock

Date: 6/11/2014 MLRA: 058A Ecological Site: Silty (Si) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. R058AE001MT This must be verified based on soils and climate (see Ecological Site Description). Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Composition (indicators 10 and 12) based on: X Annual Production, Foliar Cover, Biomass

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Indicators. For each indicator, describe the potential for the site. Where possible, (1) use numbers, (2) include expected range of values for above- and below-average years for each community and natural distrurbance regimes within the reference state, when appropriate and (3) cite data. Continue descriptions on separate sheet.

1. Number and extent of rills: None.

2. Presence of water flow patterns: None.

3. Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes: None.

4. Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, standing dead, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground): Bare ground is < 20%. Bare ground will occur as small areas less than 2 inches in diameter.

5. Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies: Active gullies should not be present. Existing gullies should be “healed” with a good vegetative cover.

6. Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas: None.

7. Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel): Little to no plant litter movement. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosional forces.

8. Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values): Surface Soil Aggregate Stability under plant canopy should typically be 5 or greater. Surface Soil Aggregate Stability not under plant canopy should typically be 5 or slightly less.

9. Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type and strength of structure, and A-horizon color and thickness): Use soil survey series description.

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10. Effect on plant community composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff: High grass canopy and basal cover and small gaps between plants should reduce raindrop impact and slow overland flow, providing increased time for infiltration to occur. A combination of shallow and deep rooted species has a positive effect on infiltration.

11. Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site): No compaction layer or soil surface crusting should be evident.

12. Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground weight using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to) with dominants and sub-dominants and "others" on separate lines: Dominant: Cool season, mid-stature, bunch grasses Sub-dominant: Cool Season, mid-stature Rhizomatous grasses >> Warm season, mid-stature, bunch grasses = forbs > Cool season, short stature bunch grasses and sedges Other: Minor components: Shrubs = Short - stature warm season rhizomatous grasses, warm season tall-stature rhizomatous grasses, warm season mid-stature rhizomatous grasses, cool season, short-stature rhizomatous sedges Additional: (Blue grama should be grouped with warm season, short-stature, rhizomatous grasses due to its growth form)

13. Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence): Very low.

14. Average percent litter cover (40 to 60 %) and depth (inches): Litter cover is in contact with soil surface

15. Expected annual production (this is TOTAL above-ground production, not just forage production): 1800 to 2200 #/acre (13 to 14 inch precip. Zone) 1050 to 1400 #/ac (10 to 12 inch precip. Zone).

16. Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List Species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management

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interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicator, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site: Sulphur cinquefoil, common tansy, oxeye daisy, Leafy spurge, knapweeds, whitetop, Dalmatian toadflax, yellow toadflax, St. Johnswort, perennial pepperweed. Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome can be invasive on the eastern boarder of Montana for these MLRAs.

17. Perennial plant reproductive capability: All species are capable of reproducing.

Reference Sheet Approval Approval Date Jon Siddoway 1/12/2015

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United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Description Section l: Ecological Site Characteristics Ecological Site Identification and Concept

Site stage: Provisional

Provisional: an ESD at the provisional status represents the lowest tier of documentation that is releasable to the public. It contains a grouping of soil units that respond similarly to ecological processes. The ESD contains 1) enough information to distinguish it from similar and associated ecological sites and 2) a draft state and transition model capturing the ecological processes and vegetative states and community phases as they are currently conceptualized. The provisional ESD has undergone both quality control and quality assurance protocols. It is expected that the provisional ESD will continue refinement towards an approved status.

Site name: Clayey (Cy) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. Site type: Rangeland Site ID: R058AE002MT Major land resource area (MLRA): 058A-Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part

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Physiographic Features This ecological site occurs on nearly level to strongly sloping sedimentary plains, hills, terraces, and fans. The slopes range from 0-15%, but are mainly less than 8%. This site occurs on all exposures. Aspect is not significant

Landform: (1) Plain (2) Alluvial fan (3) Terrace

Minimum Maximum Elevation (feet): 1900 3500 Slope (percent): 0 15 Water table depth (inches): 60 60 Flooding Frequency: None Ponding Frequency: None Aspect: No Influence on this site

Climatic Features MLRAs 58A and 60B are considered to have a continental climate characterized by cold winters, hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are typical. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains and the winds move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature. Seasonal precipitation is often limiting for plant growth. Annual fluctuations in species composition and total production are typical depending on the amount and timing of rainfall. Temperatures can be very extreme in this part of Montana. Summer daytime temperatures are typically quite warm, generally averaging in the mid to upper 80º’s F for July and August. Summertime temperatures will typically reach in the 100º’s F at some point during the summer, and can reach 90º F any month between May and September. Conversely, winter temperatures can be cold, averaging in the mid teens to mid 20º’s F for December and January. There will typically be several days of below zero temperatures each winter. It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 30–40º F below zero, or even colder, most any winter. Spring can be windy throughout these MLRA’s, with winds averaging over 10 mph about 15 percent of the time. Speeds of 50 mph or stronger can occasionally occur as a weather system crosses this part of Montana. MLRAs 58AE and 60BE have been divided into two distinct precipitation zones for the purpose of developing ecological site descriptions: 10–14” Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) and 15–19” MAP. 10–14 inch zone: The majority of the rangeland in these areas falls within the 11 to 13 inch range. During an average year, 70 to 75 percent of the annual precipitation falls between April and September, which are the primary growing season months. Snowfall is not heavy in the area, averaging 28 total inches in the 10-14 inch MAP (Yellowstone

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Valley). Heavy snowfall occurs infrequently, usually late in the winter or early spring. Snow cover is typically 1 to 3 inches. The frost free (32º F.) season averages about 105 to 145 days each year in the uplands, to nearly 170 days along the Yellowstone River Valley. For local climate station information, refer to http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/state.pl?state=mt.

Averaged Frost-free period (days): 125 Freeze-free period (days): 147 Mean annual precipitation (inches): 14.00

Monthly Precipitation (Inches): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Low 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Monthly Temperature (°F): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Low 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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Influencing Water Features None

Representative Soil Features These soils are granular clay loams, silty clay loams, silty clays, sandy clays, or clays more than 20 inches deep. Effective rooting depth is greater than 20 inches. There are no significant limitations to plant growth.

Surface texture: (1) Clay loam (2) Silty clay loam (3) Silty clay Subsurface texture group: Clayey Minimum Maximum Drainage class: Well drained Permeability class: Moderate to slow Minimum Maximum Depth (inches): 20 60 Available water capacity (inches): 5.00 10.00 Electrical conductivity (mmhos/cm): 0 4

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Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 4 Calcium carbonate equivalent (percent): 1 5 Soil reaction (1:1 water): 7.4 8.4

Plant Communities Ecological Dynamics of the Site This site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, which included the natural influence of large herbivores and occasional fire. The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). This community is described as a reference to understand the original potential of this site, and is not always considered to be the management goal for every acre of rangeland. The following descriptions should enable the landowner or manager to better understand which plant communities occupy their land, and assist with setting goals for vegetation management. It can also be useful to understand the environmental and economic values of each plant community. This site is considered highly resilient to disturbance as it has only minor soil limitations for plant growth. Changes may occur to the Historic Climax Plant Community due to management actions and/or climatic conditions. Under continued adverse impacts, a moderate to extreme decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments, this site can more readily return to a community resembling the Historic Climax Plant Community. Continual adverse impacts to the site over a period of years results in a departure from the HCPC, with a decrease of the taller, more palatable species such as green needlegrass,2 °F bluebunch wheatgrass, and western wheatgrass. These plants will be replaced by Sandberg bluegrass, blue grama, buffalograss, several species of non- palatable forbs, and Wyoming big and silver sagebrush. Greasewood may replace Wyoming big sagebrush in MLRA 60B, Pierre Shales. Continued deterioration results in mats of short grasses, annual grasses and forbs, and cactus. Plants that are not a part of the climax community that are most likely to invade are cheatgrass and Japanese brome, annual and biennial forbs, and broom snakeweed. Long-term non-use (>3 years) combined with the absence of fire will result in excessive litter and decadent plants in the bunchgrass communities at higher precipitation zones, 12-14 inches.

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State-and-Transition Diagram

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs

This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC) for this site. This plant community is dominated by tall and medium cool season grasses (green needlegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, and western wheatgrass) and a diverse group of short grasses and sedges (Sandberg bluegrass, prairie junegrass, blue grama, and buffalograss). An abundance of forbs, shrubs, and half- shrubs in small percentages, including dotted gayfeather, winterfat, Nuttall’s saltbush, and silver or Wyoming big sagebrush.

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This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species and the presence of tall, deep rooted perennial grasses allows for high drought tolerance. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Plants on this site have strong, healthy root systems that allow production to increase significantly with favorable precipitation. Abundant plant litter is available for soil building and moisture retention. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. This plant community provides for high soil stability and a functioning hydrologic cycle.

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs Plant Species Composition Annual Production Grass/Grasslike (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 1 -Native grasses 550 1400 Montana ELAL7 Elymus albicans 0100 wheatgrass tufted wheatgrass ELMA7 Elymus macrourus 35 200 Muhlenbergia plains muhly MUCU3 0100 cuspidata green needlegrass NAVI4 Nassella viridula 140 600 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 105 500 bluebunch Pseudoroegneria PSSP6 35 800 wheatgrass spicata

2 -Native grasses and sedges 7 200 Grass, perennial 2GP 7 100 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 7100 BUDA Buchloe dactyloides 7100 needleleaf sedge CADU6 Carex duriuscula 7100 threadleaf sedge CAFI Carex filifolia 7100 Calamagrostis plains reedgrass CAMO 7100 montanensis Hesperostipa needle and thread HECOC8 comata subsp. 7100 comata prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 7100 Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 7100 alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 7100

3 -Native grasses 1 2 Schedonnardus tumblegrass SCPA 12 paniculatus

Annual Production Forb (pounds per acre) Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High

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Group name 4 -Native forbs 70 200 Forb, perennial 2FP 7 100 onion ALLIU Allium 7100 pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 7100 Artemisia tarragon ARDR4 7100 dracunculus milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 7100 white prairie clover DACA7 Dalea candida 7100 purple prairie clover DAPU5 Dalea purpurea 7100 blacksamson Echinacea ECAN2 7100 echinacea angustifolia dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 7100 Musineon leafy wildparsley MUDI 7100 divaricatum spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 7100 scurfpea PSORA2 Psoralidium 7100 upright prairie Ratibida RACO3 7100 coneflower columnifera Sphaeralcea scarlet globemallow SPCO 7100 coccinea American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 7100

5 -Native forbs (toxic properties) 1 2 twogrooved Astragalus ASBI2 12 milkvetch bisulcatus larkspur DELPH Delphinium 12 white locoweed OXSE Oxytropis sericea 12 deathcamas ZIGAD Zigadenus 12

Annual Production Shrub/Vine (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 6 -Native shrubs and half-shrubs 70 200 Shrub, broadleaf 2SB 7 45 silver sagebrush ARCA13 Artemisia cana 745 prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 745 Artemisia tridentata Wyoming big ARTRW8 subsp. 745 sagebrush wyomingensis Nuttall's saltbush ATNU2 Atriplex nuttallii 745 Chrysothamnus yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 745 viscidiflorus Ericameria rubber rabbitbrush ERNAN5 nauseosa var. 745 nauseosa Krascheninnikovia winterfat KRLA2 745 lanata Sarcobatus greasewood SAVE4 745 vermiculatus

7 -Native shrubs and half-shrubs 1 2 broom snakeweed GUSA2 1 2

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Gutierrezia sarothrae Opuntia plains pricklypear OPPO 12 polyacantha

Annual Production by Plant Type Annual Production (lbs/ac) Representative Plant type Low value High Forb 70 130 200 Grass/Grasslike 560 1040 1600 Shrub/Vine 70 130 200

Total: 700 1300 2000

Structure and Cover: Soil Surface Cover (%)

Basal Cover Surface Non- Fragments Surface Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grass/Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 5 to 15 1 to 1 to 2 1 to 2 35 to 0 to 4 5 to 15 4 60

Ground Cover (%) Vegetative Cover Non-Vegetative Cover

Surface Non- Fragments Surface Grass/ Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 55 to 85 5 to 1 to 5 1 to 2 10

Structure of Canopy Cover (%) Grasses/Grasslike Forbs Shrubs/Vines Trees <=0.5 feet > 0.5 - < 1 feet < 1 - >= 2 feet 55 to 85 5 to 10 1 to 5

Plant Community 2a: Medium and Short Grasses/ Medium Shrubs

Slight variations in the historical climax plant community result in a community where western wheatgrass increases slightly, green needlegrass decreases slightly, and short

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grasses and forbs may increase. Species that tend to dominate include western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, Sandberg bluegrass, Wyoming big sagebrush, blue grama, and buffalograss. The blue grama and buffalograss will be scattered throughout this community.

Plant Community 2b: Medium and Short Grasses and Sedges

Slight variation in the historical climax plant community can also occur which results in a plant community that is typically dominated by cool and warm season medium and short grasses and sedges. This plant community is similar to 2a except there is no shrub component. This community is dominated by western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, Sandberg bluegrass, blue grama, and buffalograss. This community often results from fire on Communities 1 or 2a.

Grass biomass production and litter become reduced on Plant Communities 2a and 2b as the taller grasses disappear, increasing evaporation and reducing moisture retention. Additional open space in the community can result in undesirable invader species. This plant community provides for moderate soil stability.

Plant Community 3: Short Grasses/ Shrubs and Half-shrubs

With continued heavy disturbance on community 2a, it tends to shift to one dominated by short grasses (blue grama, buffalograss, and Sandberg bluegrass), native perennial forbs, fringed sagewort, and Wyoming big sagebrush. Blue grama and buffalograss tend to occur more in thick mats, with greater than 50% canopy cover. Plains pricklypear and broom snakeweed may become more common. Green needlegrass is reduced to a minor component, if present at all.

Plant Community 4: Short Grasses/ Half-shrubs/ Biennial and Annual Forbs

With continued heavy disturbance on community 2b, it tends to shift to one dominated by species such as blue grama and buffalograss (in thick mats greater than 50% cover), Sandberg bluegrass, fringed sagewort, curlycup gumweed, plains pricklypear, broom snakeweed, and annual bromes and forbs.

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Plant Communities 3 and 4 are much less productive than Plant Communities 1, 2a, or 2b, and have lost many of the attributes of a healthy rangeland. The loss of deep perennial root systems reduces total available moisture for plant growth. Reduction of plant litter will result in higher surface soil temperatures and increased evaporation losses. Annual species are often aggressive and competitive with seedlings of perennial plants. This community can respond positively to improved grazing management but it may take additional inputs, such as brush management, mechanical treatment, combined with prescribed grazing to move it towards a community similar in production and composition to that of Plant Community 1, 2a, or 2b.

Plant Community 5: Short Grasses/ Annuals/ Cacti

Further disturbance and deterioration of Community 3 or 4 leads to a plant community that has excessive loss of topsoil and an increase of bare ground. The community will change to one dominated primarily by plains pricklypear, Japanese brome, cheatgrass, and blue grama/buffalograss. The blue grama and buffalograss tend to become matted. This plant community has extremely reduced productivity (< 300 lbs./acre), and low species diversity. The lack of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evaporation, which gives blue grama a competitive advantage over the cool season tall and medium grasses. This community has lost many of the attributes of a healthy rangeland, including good infiltration, minimal erosion and runoff, nutrient cycling and energy flow. Significant economic inputs and time would be required to move this plant community toward a higher successional stage and a more productive plant community. The most practical way to restore this community is through mechanical treatment and/or seeding.

Section ll: Ecological Site Interpretations Animal Community

Livestock Grazing Interpretations:

Managed livestock grazing is suitable on this site as it has the potential to produce a high amount of high quality forage. This is often a preferred site for grazing by livestock, and animals tend to congregate in these areas due to the flat slopes and high forage quality. In order to maintain the productivity of this site, stocking rates must be managed

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carefully on adjoining sites with less production to be sure livestock drift onto the Clayey site is not excessive. Management objectives should include maintenance or improvement of the plant community. Shorter grazing periods and adequate re-growth after grazing are recommended for plant maintenance and recovery. Heavy stocking and season-long use of this site can be detrimental and will alter the plant community composition and production over time.

Whenever Plant Community 2a or 2b occurs (medium and short grasses), grazing management strategies need to be implemented to avoid further deterioration. These communities are still stable, productive, and healthy provided they receive proper management. This community will respond fairly quickly to improved grazing management including increased growing season rest of key forage plants. Grazing management alone can usually move these communities back towards the potential community.

Communities 3, 4, and 5 have lost many of the attributes of a healthy rangeland, including good infiltration, minimal erosion and runoff, nutrient cycling and energy use. Once this site is occupied by these communities it will be more difficult to restore it to a community that resembles the potential with grazing management alone. Additional growing season rest combined with accelerated practices (e.g. range seeding, chiseling) are often necessary for re-establishment of the desired species and to restore the stability and health of the site.

Wildlife Interpretations:

The following is a description of habitat values for the different plant communities that may occupy the site:

Plant Community 1: Tall Grasses/Forbs/Shrubs (HCPC):

The predominance of grasses plus high diversity of forbs, shrubs and half-shrubs in this community favors grazers and mixed feeders such as bison, pronghorn and elk. Suitable thermal and escape cover for mule deer is limited because of low shrub cover. Large animal nutrition levels are relatively high year-long with the diversity of grasses, sedges, forbs and shrubs. When this plant community is adjacent to large blocks of sagebrush- grassland, it can provide quality sage grouse lek sites and brood habitat. The complex plant structural diversity provides habitat for a wide array of small mammals and neotropical migratory birds. Diverse prey populations are available for raptors such as ferruginous and Swainson’s hawks. The mix of grass stature and life forms along with scattered shrubs and a variety of forbs provides habitat for many bird species including the upland sandpiper, sharp-tailed grouse, loggerhead shrike, Baird’s, grasshopper and savanna sparrow, chestnut-collared longspur and western meadowlark. This community is especially favorable for ground-nesting birds because of the abundant residual spring cover and litter cover available for nesting, escape and thermal cover.

Plant Community 2a: Medium and Short Grasses/ Medium Shrubs:

Wyoming big sagebrush, with canopy cover of 15-30%, and an understory of grasses and forbs, is excellent nesting, winter, brood-rearing and foraging habitat for sage

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grouse. Other obligate sagebrush-grassland species, notably Brewer’s sparrow, also benefit from an increase in sagebrush cover. Baird’s and grasshopper sparrows, on the other hand, will decrease as shrub cover becomes denser. When residual grass and litter cover decrease in this community, ground nesting bird habitat values decline. This community often provides important winter range for mule deer and pronghorn. The sagebrush crowns break up hard crusted snow and provide about 15% protein and 40-60% digestibility for ungulates.

Plant Community 2b: Medium and Short Grasses/ Forbs:

The partial loss of structural diversity makes this plant community somewhat less attractive to the diversity of wildlife species using the HCPC. A decrease in residual plant material and litter cover is usually associated with degradation of the HCPC, which makes this community less attractive for ground-nesting birds. Pronghorn make considerable use of this type because of forb availability in the generally open landscape.

Plant Community 3: Short Grasses/ Shrubs and Half-shrubs:

This community may represent important sage grouse winter habitat when big sagebrush makes up over 20% canopy cover. However, nesting habitat quality for all ground-nesting birds declines significantly as residual grass cover and mid-grasses disappear. Succulent forbs such as salsify, dandelion, curlycup gumweed and prickly lettuce are selected by sage grouse broods. Sage grouse will use openings as lek sites. Brewer’s sparrow will benefit from an increase in big sagebrush cover.

Plant Community 4: Short Grasses/ Half-shrubs/ Biennial and Annual Forbs:

This community has relatively low habitat value for most wildlife species except when it occurs in prairie dog towns. It may provide lek sites for sage grouse when it is found adjacent to stands of big sagebrush and is used by foraging pronghorn seasonally. Mountain plovers and horned larks may nest in this community.

Plant Community 5: Short Grasses/ Annuals/ Cacti:

This community has very low wildlife habitat value because of the lack of plant species diversity and complex vegetative structure. Pronghorn forage on forbs and shrubs.

Hydrology Functions The runoff potential for this site is low to moderate, depending on slope and ground cover/health. Runoff curve numbers generally range from 78 to 90. The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Group C. Soils have a slow infiltration rate when thoroughly wetted and consist chiefly of soils with moderately fine to fine textures.

Good hydrologic conditions exist on rangelands if plant cover (grass, litter, and brush

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canopy) is greater than 70%. Fair conditions exist when cover is between 30 and 70%, and poor conditions exist when cover is less than 30%. Sites in high similarity to HCPC (Plant Communities 1, 2a and 2b) generally have enough plant cover and litter to optimize infiltration, minimize runoff and erosion, and have a good hydrologic condition. The deep root systems of the potential vegetation help maintain or increase infiltration rates and reduce runoff.

Sites in low similarity (Plant Communities 3, 4, and 5) are generally considered to be in poor hydrologic condition as the majority of plant cover is from shallow-rooted species such as blue grama and annual grasses.

Erosion is minor for sites in high similarity. Rills and gullies should not be present. Water flow patterns, if present, will be barely observable. Plant pedestals are essentially non- existent. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosion. Soil surfaces should not be compacted or crusted. Plant cover and litter helps retain soil moisture for use by the plants. Maintaining a healthy stand of perennial vegetation will optimize the amount of precipitation that is received. (Reference: Engineering Field Manual, Chapter 2 and Montana Supplement 4).

Recreational Uses This site provides some recreational opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, big game and upland bird hunting. The forbs have flowers that appeal to photographers. This site provides valuable open space and visual aesthetics. Caution should be used during wet weather periods.

Other Information The following is an example of how to calculate the recommended stocking rate. This example does not use production estimates from this specific ecological site. You will need to adjust the annual production values and run the calculations using total annual production values from the ecological sites encountered on each individual ranch/pasture. Before making specific recommendations, an on-site evaluation must be made.

Example of total annual production amounts by type of year: Favorable years = 2200 lbs/acre Normal years = 1480 lbs/acre Unfavorable years = 1200 lbs/acre

It is recommended that on slopes of 30% or less, stocking rate should be derived from the total annual production pounds minus 500 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. On slopes over 30%, stocking rate is derived from total annual production pounds minus 800 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. Refer to the NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook for a list of Animal Unit Equivalents.

Sample Calculations using Favorable Year production amounts:

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< 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-500)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.46 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.46AUM/AC) = 2.2 AC/AUM

> 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-800)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.38 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.38 AUM/AC) = 2.6 AC/AUM

NOTE: 915 lbs/month for one Animal Unit is used as the baseline for maintenance requirements. This equates to 30 lbs/day of air-dry forage (1200 lb cow at 2.5% of body weight).

Supporting Information Associated Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Silty (Si) R058AE001MT Clayey-Steep (CyStp) R058AE005MT Claypan (Cp) R058AE013MT Shallow Clay (SwC) R058AE199MT

Similar Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Silty (Si) R058AE001MT The Silty site differs mainly by soil texture. Clayey-Steep (CyStp) R058AE005MT The Clayey-Steep differs mainly by being on slopes greater than 15% and having lower production. Claypan (Cp) R058AE013MT The Claypan site differs mainly by having a thinner surface over a hard argillic horizon, being sodium affected, and having lower production.

State Correlation This site has been correlated with the following states: MT

Inventory Data References NRCS-Production & Composition Record for Native Grazing Lands (Range-417): 13

BLM-Soil & Vegetation Inventory Method (SVIM) Data: 6

NRCS-Range Condition Record (ECS-2): 302

NRCS-Range/Soil Correlation Observations & Soil 232 notes: 46

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Site Authors Bob Leinard JVF, REL, RSN, MJR, SKW, SVF, POH

Quality Assurance Provisional Status Verified in Legacy System

Reference Sheet Author(s)/participant(s): T. DeCock;R Kilian

Contact for lead author: Tammy DeCock

Date: 6/11/2014 MLRA: 058A Ecological Site: Clayey (Cy) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. R058AE002MT This must be verified based on soils and climate (see Ecological Site Description). Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Composition (indicators 10 and 12) based on: X Annual Production, Foliar Cover, Biomass

Indicators. For each indicator, describe the potential for the site. Where possible, (1) use numbers, (2) include expected range of values for above- and below-average years for each community and natural distrurbance regimes within the reference state, when appropriate and (3) cite data. Continue descriptions on separate sheet.

1. Number and extent of rills: Rills should not be present.

2. Presence of water flow patterns: Barely observable.

3. Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes: Essentially non- existent

4. Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, standing dead, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground): Bare ground is < 20%. Bare ground will occur as small areas less than 2 inches in diameter

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5. Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies: Active gullies should not be present. Existing gullies should be “healed” with a good vegetative cover.

6. Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas: None.

7. Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel): Little to no plant litter movement. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosional forces.

8. Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values): Surface Soil Aggregate Stability under plant canopy should typically be 5 or greater. Surface Soil Aggregate Stability not under plant canopy should typically be 5 or slightly less.

9. Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type and strength of structure, and A-horizon color and thickness): Use soil survey series description.

10. Effect on plant community composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff: High grass canopy and basal cover and small gaps between plants should reduce raindrop impact and slow overland flow, providing increased time for infiltration to occur. A combination of shallow and deep rooted species has a positive effect on infiltration.

11. Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site): No compaction layer or soil surface crusting should be evident.

12. Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground weight using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to) with dominants and sub-dominants and "others" on separate lines: Dominant: Cool season, mid-stature rhizomatous grasses > Cool season, mid- stature, bunch grasses Sub-dominant: Cool season short-stature bunch grasses and sedges = forbs = shrubs and half shrubs

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Other: Minor components: Warm season, short - stature rhizomatous grasses > Warm season, mid-stature bunch grasses > Warm season short- stature bunch grasses Additional: (Blue grama should be grouped with warm season, short-stature, rhizomatous grasses due to its growth form)

13. Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence): Very low.

14. Average percent litter cover (35 to 60 %) and depth (inches): Litter cover is in contact with soil surface

15. Expected annual production (this is TOTAL above-ground production, not just forage production): 1600 to 2000 #/acre (13 to 14 inch precip. Zone) 700 to 1300 #/ac (10 to 12 inch precip. Zone).

16. Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List Species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicator, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site: Sulphur cinquefoil, common tansy, oxeye daisy, Leafy spurge, knapweeds, whitetop, Dalmatian toadflax, yellow toadflax, St. Johnswort, perennial pepperweed. Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome can be invasive on the eastern boarder of Montana for these MLRAs.

17. Perennial plant reproductive capability: All species are capable of reproducing.

Reference Sheet Approval Approval Date Jon Siddoway 1/12/2015

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United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Description Section l: Ecological Site Characteristics Ecological Site Identification and Concept

Site stage: Provisional

Provisional: an ESD at the provisional status represents the lowest tier of documentation that is releasable to the public. It contains a grouping of soil units that respond similarly to ecological processes. The ESD contains 1) enough information to distinguish it from similar and associated ecological sites and 2) a draft state and transition model capturing the ecological processes and vegetative states and community phases as they are currently conceptualized. The provisional ESD has undergone both quality control and quality assurance protocols. It is expected that the provisional ESD will continue refinement towards an approved status.

Site name: Sandy (Sy) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. Site type: Rangeland Site ID: R058AE003MT Major land resource area (MLRA): 058A-Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part

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Physiographic Features This ecological site occurs on nearly level to strongly sloping sedimentary plains, hills, terraces, and fans. The slopes range from 0-15%, but are mainly less than 8%. This site occurs on all exposures. Aspect is not significant

Landform: (1) Plain (2) Alluvial fan (3) Terrace

Minimum Maximum Elevation (feet): 1900 3500 Slope (percent): 0 15 Water table depth (inches): 60 60 Flooding Frequency: None Ponding Frequency: None Aspect: No Influence on this site

Climatic Features MLRAs 58A and 60B are considered to have a continental climate characterized by cold winters, hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are typical. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains and the winds move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature. Seasonal precipitation is often limiting for plant growth. Annual fluctuations in species composition and total production are typical depending on the amount and timing of rainfall. Temperatures can be very extreme in this part of Montana. Summer daytime temperatures are typically quite warm, generally averaging in the mid to upper 80º’s F for July and August. Summertime temperatures will typically reach in the 100º’s F at some point during the summer, and can reach 90º F any month between May and September. Conversely, winter temperatures can be cold, averaging in the mid teens to mid 20º’s F for December and January. There will typically be several days of below zero temperatures each winter. It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 30–40º F below zero, or even colder, most any winter. Spring can be windy throughout these MLRA’s, with winds averaging over 10 mph about 15 percent of the time. Speeds of 50 mph or stronger can occasionally occur as a weather system crosses this part of Montana. MLRAs 58AE and 60BE have been divided into two distinct precipitation zones for the purpose of developing ecological site descriptions: 10–14” Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) and 15–19” MAP. 10–14 inch zone: The majority of the rangeland in these areas falls within the 11 to 13 inch range. During an average year, 70 to 75 percent of the annual precipitation falls between April and September, which are the primary growing season months. Snowfall is not heavy in the area, averaging 28 total inches in the 10-14 inch MAP (Yellowstone

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Valley). Heavy snowfall occurs infrequently, usually late in the winter or early spring. Snow cover is typically 1 to 3 inches. The frost free (32º F.) season averages about 105 to 145 days each year in the uplands, to nearly 170 days along the Yellowstone River Valley. For local climate station information, refer to http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/state.pl?state=mt.

Averaged Frost-free period (days): 125 Freeze-free period (days): 147 Mean annual precipitation (inches): 14.00

Monthly Precipitation (Inches): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Low 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Monthly Temperature (°F): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Low 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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Influencing Water Features None

Representative Soil Features These soils are coarse to fine sandy loams over 20 inches deep. Effective rooting depth is greater than 20 inches. There are no significant limitations to plant growth. These soils are very susceptible to wind erosion. Water erosion is typically a minor limitation.

Surface texture: (1) Sandy loam (2) Fine sandy loam (3) Coarse sandy loam Subsurface texture group: Sandy Minimum Maximum Drainage class: Well drained Permeability class: Moderately rapid to rapid Minimum Maximum Depth (inches): 20 60 Available water capacity (inches): 5.00 8.00 Electrical conductivity (mmhos/cm): 0 2

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Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 4 Calcium carbonate equivalent (percent): 0 5 Soil reaction (1:1 water): 7.4 8.4

Plant Communities Ecological Dynamics of the Site This site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, which included the natural influence of large herbivores and occasional fire. The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). This community is given as a reference to understand the original potential of this site, and is not always considered to be the management goal for every acre of rangeland. The following descriptions should enable the landowner or manager to better understand which plant communities occupy their land, and assist with setting goals for vegetation management. It can also be useful to understand the environmental and economic values of each plant community.

This site is considered highly resilient to disturbance as it has only minor soil limitations for plant growth. Changes may occur to the Historic Climax Plant Community due to management actions and/or climatic conditions. Under continued adverse impacts, a moderate decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments the site can more readily return to the Historic Climax Plant Community.

Continual2 °F adverse impacts to this site over a period of years will result in the decrease of the taller, more palatable species such as prairie sandreed and little bluestem. These plants will be replaced by needleandthread, sand dropseed, threadleaf sedge, blue grama, non-palatable forbs, and yucca. Continued deterioration results in increased amounts of red threeawn, green and fringed sagewort, and cactus.

Plants that are not a part of the climax community that are most likely to invade are cheatgrass, Japanese brome, six-weeks fescue, false buffalograss, broom snakeweed, thistles, leafy spurge, and knapweeds.

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State-and-Transition Diagram

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs

This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC) for this site. This plant community contains a high diversity of tall and medium height grasses (prairie sandreed, little bluestem, big bluestem, bluebunch wheatgrass (western part of RRU), needleandthread, and Indian ricegrass), and short grasses and sedges (sand dropseed, plains muhly, sun sedge, prairie junegrass, threadleaf sedge, and blue grama). There are abundant forbs, shrubs, and half-shrubs which occur in small percentages.

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This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species and the presence of tall, deep-rooted perennial grasses allows for high drought tolerance. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Plants on this site have strong, healthy root systems that allow production to increase significantly with favorable precipitation. Abundant plant litter is available for soil building and moisture retention. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. This plant community provides for soil stability and a functioning hydrologic cycle.

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs Plant Species Composition Annual Production Grass/Grasslike (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 1 -Native grasses and sedges 790 1610 Achnatherum Indian ricegrass ACHY 0115 hymenoides big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii 0230 threadleaf sedge CAFI Carex filifolia 50 230 Carex inops subsp. sun sedge CAINH2 0230 heliophila Calamovilfa prairie sandreed CALO 200 805 longifolia tufted wheatgrass ELMA7 Elymus macrourus 10 115 Hesperostipa needle and thread HECOC8 comata subsp. 100 460 comata Muhlenbergia plains muhly MUCU3 10 115 cuspidata western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 10 115 bluebunch Pseudoroegneria PSSP6 50 1380 wheatgrass spicata Schizachyrium little bluestem SCSCS scoparium var. 150 574 scoparium Sporobolus sand dropseed SPCR 0115 cryptandrus

2 -Native grasses and sedges 10 230 Grass, perennial 2GP 10 115 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 10 115 needleleaf sedge CADU6 Carex duriuscula 10 115 prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 10 115 green needlegrass NAVI4 Nassella viridula 10 115 Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 10 115

3 -Native grasses 1 2

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Aristida purpurea Fendler threeawn ARPUL 12 var. longiseta

Annual Production Forb (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 4 -Native forbs 150 345 Forb, perennial 2FP 10 115 common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 10 115 Artemisia tarragon ARDR4 10 115 dracunculus aster ASTER Aster 10 115 purple prairie clover DAPU5 Dalea purpurea 10 115 blacksamson Echinacea ECAN2 10 115 echinacea angustifolia Erysimum capitatum sanddune wallflower ERCAC 10 115 var. capitatum buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 10 115 Helianthus stiff sunflower HEPA19 10 115 pauciflorus hairy false HEVI4 Heterotheca villosa 10 115 goldenaster dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 10 115 spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 10 115 white milkwort POAL4 Polygala alba 10 115 scurfpea PSORA2 Psoralidium 10 115 upright prairie Ratibida RACO3 10 115 coneflower columnifera Solidago Missouri goldenrod SOMI2 10 115 missouriensis Sphaeralcea scarlet globemallow SPCO 10 115 coccinea Thermopsis prairie thermopsis THRH 10 115 rhombifolia

5 -Native forbs (toxic properties) 1 2 deathcamas ZIGAD Zigadenus 12

Annual Production Shrub/Vine (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 6 -Native shrubs and half-shrubs 50 115 Shrub, broadleaf 2SB 10 40 silver sagebrush ARCA13 Artemisia cana 10 40 prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 10 40 Artemisia tridentata Wyoming big ARTRW8 subsp. 10 40 sagebrush wyomingensis Krascheninnikovia winterfat KRLA2 10 40 lanata skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 10 40 prairie rose ROAR3 Rosa arkansana 10 40 soapweed yucca YUGL Yucca glauca 10 40

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7 -Native shrubs and half-shrubs 1 46 Gutierrezia broom snakeweed GUSA2 146 sarothrae brittle pricklypear OPFR Opuntia fragilis 146 Opuntia plains pricklypear OPPO 146 polyacantha

Annual Production by Plant Type Annual Production (lbs/ac) Representative Plant type Low value High Forb 150 240 345 Grass/Grasslike 800 1280 1840 Shrub/Vine 50 80 115

Total: 1000 1600 2300

Structure and Cover: Soil Surface Cover (%)

Basal Cover Surface Non- Fragments Surface Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grass/Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 10 to 15 1 to 1 to 2 1 to 2 40 to 0 to 4 20 to 4 50 25

Ground Cover (%) Vegetative Cover Non-Vegetative Cover

Surface Non- Fragments Surface Grass/ Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 70 to 85 5 to 1 to 5 0 to 1 10

Structure of Canopy Cover (%) Grasses/Grasslike Forbs Shrubs/Vines Trees <=0.5 feet > 0.5 - < 1 feet < 1 - >= 2 feet 70 to 85 5 to 10 1 to 5

Plant Community 2: Medium and Short Grasses/ Shrubs and Half-shrubs

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Slight disturbances, minor climate shifts or slight variations in soils and/or topography can produce a plant community where prairie sandreed and needleandthread are co- dominant. Medium height grasses, short grasses and non-palatable forbs tend to become a slightly larger part of the plant community. Some of these other species include thickspike or wheatgrass, threadleaf sedge, sand dropseed, and fringed and green sagewort. Yucca and Wyoming big sagebrush can become slightly more prevalent.

Grass biomass production and litter become reduced on the site as the taller grasses disappear, increasing evaporation and reducing moisture retention. Additional open space in the community can result in undesirable invader species. This plant community provides for moderate soil stability.

Plant Community 3: Medium and Short Grasses/ Half-shrubs

With continued heavy disturbance the plant community tends to become dominated by needleandthread and short grasses such as threadleaf sedge, sand dropseed and blue grama. Forbs and half-shrubs, including fringed and green sagewort, tend to make up a larger part of the plant community. Less desirable species such as red threeawn, plains pricklypear, brittle cactus, and yucca begin to become common.

Plant Community 3 is less productive than Plant Community 1 or 2. The reduction in plant litter and shorter plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evapotranspiration. This community can respond positively to improved grazing management but it will take additional inputs to move it towards a community similar in production and composition to that of Plant Community 1 or 2.

Plant Community 4: Short Grasses/ Half-shrubs/ Annuals and Biennials

This community is primarily composed of short grasses and sedges such as threadleaf sedge and blue grama. Red threeawn and green and fringed sagewort typically become major components of the community. A remnant of the potential plant community may remain, especially needleandthread, but in much smaller proportions. Species such as cheatgrass, six-weeks fescue, false buffalograss, annual and biennial forbs, broom snakeweed, plains pricklypear, and brittle cactus also become a common part of the community.

Plant Community 4 is substantially less productive than Plant Community 1 or 2. The lack of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evaporation, which gives threadleaf sedge or blue grama a competitive

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advantage over the cool season tall and medium grasses. This community has lost many of the attributes of a healthy rangeland, including good infiltration, minimal erosion and runoff, nutrient cycling and energy flow. Annual species are often aggressive and competitive with seedlings of perennial plants.

Significant economic inputs and time would be required to move this community toward a higher successional stage and a more productive plant community. Seeding is necessary to restore desirable native perennial species.

Section ll: Ecological Site Interpretations Animal Community

Livestock Grazing Interpretations:

Managed livestock grazing is suitable on this site as it has the potential to produce an abundance of high quality forage. This is often a preferred site for grazing by livestock, and animals tend to congregate in these areas. In order to maintain the productivity of this site, stocking rates must be managed carefully on adjoining sites with less production to be sure livestock drift onto the Sandy site is not excessive. Management objectives should include maintenance or improvement of the plant community. Shorter grazing periods and adequate re-growth after grazing are recommended for plant maintenance and recovery. Heavy stocking and season-long use of this site can be detrimental and will alter the plant community composition and production over time.

Whenever Plant Community 2 occurs (medium and short grasses, shrubs and half- shrubs), grazing management strategies need to be implemented to avoid further deterioration. This community is still stable, productive, and healthy provided it receives proper management. This community will respond fairly quickly to improved grazing management including increased growing season rest of key forage plants. Grazing management alone can usually move this community back to one more similar to potential if a good seed source of the taller grasses still exists.

Plant Communities 3 and 4 have substantially reduced forage production, and a high percentage of aggressive, non-palatable species. Once these plant communities become established, it will be much more difficult to restore the site to a community that resembles the potential with grazing management alone. Additional growing season rest is often necessary for re-establishment of the desired species and to restore the stability and health of the site. Brush management and/or seeding will be necessary to restore

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desirable native perennial species back into Community 4.

Wildlife Interpretations:

The following is a description of habitat values for the different plant communities that may occupy the site:

Plant Community 1: Tall & Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs (HCPC):

The predominance of grasses and diversity of forbs, shrubs and half-shrubs in this community favors grazers and mixed feeders such as bison, pronghorn and elk. Suitable thermal and escape cover for mule deer is limited because of low shrub cover. Large animal nutrition levels are relatively high year-long with the diversity of plant life forms and seasonality. When this plant community is adjacent to large blocks of sagebrush- grassland, it can provide quality sage grouse lek sites and brood habitat. The complex plant structural diversity provides habitat for a wide array of small mammals and neotropical migratory birds. Diverse prey populations are available for raptors such as short-eared owls and American kestrels. The mix of grass stature and life forms along with scattered shrubs and a variety of forbs provides habitat for many bird species including the upland sandpiper, sharp-tailed grouse, loggerhead shrike, Baird’s, grasshopper and savanna sparrow, chestnut-collared longspur and western meadowlark. This community is especially favorable for ground-nesting birds because of the abundant residual spring cover and litter cover available for nesting, escape and thermal cover.

Plant Community 2: Medium and Short Grasses/ Shrubs and Half-shrubs:

The partial loss of structural diversity makes this plant community somewhat less attractive to the variety of wildlife species using the HCPC. A decrease in residual plant material and litter cover is usually associated with degradation of the HCPC, which makes this community less attractive for ground-nesting birds. The predominance of mixed grass species plus scattered shrubs can be attractive habitat for Baird’s and grasshopper sparrows. Pronghorn may make considerable use of this type because of forb availability in the generally open landscape.

Plant Community 3: Medium and Short Grasses/ Half-shrubs:

Sparser vegetation and greater coverage of bare ground provides suitable habitat for mountain plovers, horned larks and McCown’s longspurs. However, a lack of complex vegetation structure and residual cover makes this community poor habitat in general for most ground-nesting birds and relatively poor big game habitat. Pronghorn may forage in this community spring though fall.

Plant Community 4: Short Grasses/ Half-shrubs/ Annuals and Biennials:

This community has low habitat value for most wildlife species. It may be important in providing lek sites for sage grouse when adjacent to sagebrush stands and provides forage for pronghorn seasonally. Ground-nesting birds favoring sparse vegetation, such as the long-billed curlew and mountain plover, may use this community.

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Hydrology Functions The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Group B. The infiltration rates for these soils will normally be moderate to moderately rapid. The runoff potential for this site is low, depending on slope and ground cover/health. Runoff curve numbers generally range from 65 to 83.

Good hydrologic conditions exist on rangelands if plant cover (grass, litter, and brush canopy) is greater than 70%. Fair conditions exist when cover is between 30 and 70%, and poor conditions exist when cover is less than 30%. Sites in high similarity to HCPC (Plant Communities 1 and 2) generally have enough plant cover and litter to optimize infiltration, minimize runoff and erosion, and have a good hydrologic condition. The deep root systems of the potential vegetation help maintain or increase infiltration rates and reduce runoff.

Sites in low similarity (Plant Communities 3 and 4) are generally considered to be in poor hydrologic condition as the majority of plant cover is from shallow-rooted species such as threadleaf sedge, annuals, and half-shrubs. Erosion is minor for sites in high similarity. Rills and gullies should not be present. Water flow patterns, if present, will be barely observable. Plant pedestals are essentially non- existent. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosion. Soil surfaces should not be compacted or crusted. Plant cover and litter helps retain soil moisture for use by the plants. Maintaining a healthy stand of perennial vegetation will optimize the amount of precipitation that is received. (Reference: Engineering Field Manual, Chapter 2 and Montana Supplement 4).

Recreational Uses This site provides recreational opportunities for big game and upland bird hunting, and hiking. The forbs have flowers that appeal to photographers. This site provides valuable open space and visual aesthetics.

Other Information The following is an example of how to calculate the recommended stocking rate. This example does not use production estimates from this specific ecological site. You will need to adjust the annual production values and run the calculations using total annual production values from the ecological sites encountered on each individual ranch/pasture. Before making specific recommendations, an on-site evaluation must be made.

Example of total annual production amounts by type of year: Favorable years = 2200 lbs/acre Normal years = 1480 lbs/acre Unfavorable years = 1200 lbs/acre

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It is recommended that on slopes of 30% or less, stocking rate should be derived from the total annual production pounds minus 500 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. On slopes over 30%, stocking rate is derived from total annual production pounds minus 800 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. Refer to the NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook for a list of Animal Unit Equivalents.

Sample Calculations using Favorable Year production amounts:

< 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-500)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.46 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.46AUM/AC) = 2.2 AC/AUM

> 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-800)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.38 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.38 AUM/AC) = 2.6 AC/AUM

NOTE: 915 lbs/month for one Animal Unit is used as the baseline for maintenance requirements. This equates to 30 lbs/day of air-dry forage (1200 lb cow at 2.5% of body weight).

Supporting Information Associated Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Silty (Si) R058AE001MT Sandy-Steep (SyStp) R058AE006MT Sands (Sa) R058AE018MT

Similar Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Silty (Si) R058AE001MT The Sand and Silty sites occupy similar landscape positions, differing mainly by texture. Sandy-Steep (SyStp) R058AE006MT The Sandy-Steep site differs mainly by being on steeper slopes (>15%). Sands (Sa) R058AE018MT The Sand and Silty sites occupy similar landscape positions, differing mainly by texture.

State Correlation This site has been correlated with the following states: MT

Site Authors Bob Leinard JVF, REL, RSN, MJR, SKW, SVF, POH

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Quality Assurance Provisional Status Verified in Legacy System

Reference Sheet Author(s)/participant(s): T. DeCock;R Kilian

Contact for lead author: Tammy DeCock

Date: 6/11/2014 MLRA: 058A Ecological Site: Sandy (Sy) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. R058AE003MT This must be verified based on soils and climate (see Ecological Site Description). Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Composition (indicators 10 and 12) based on: X Annual Production, Foliar Cover, Biomass

Indicators. For each indicator, describe the potential for the site. Where possible, (1) use numbers, (2) include expected range of values for above- and below-average years for each community and natural distrurbance regimes within the reference state, when appropriate and (3) cite data. Continue descriptions on separate sheet.

1. Number and extent of rills: None.

2. Presence of water flow patterns: None.

3. Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes: None.

4. Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, standing dead, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground): Bare ground is < 20%. Bare ground will occur as small areas less than 2 inches in diameter.

5. Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies: Active gullies should not be present. Existing gullies should be “healed” with a good vegetative cover.

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6. Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas: None. Historic blowouts should be “healed” with a good vegetative cover.

7. Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel): Little to no plant litter movement. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosional forces.

8. Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values): Surface Soil Aggregate Stability under plant canopy should typically be 5 or greater. Surface Soil Aggregate Stability not under plant canopy should typically be 5 or slightly less.

9. Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type and strength of structure, and A-horizon color and thickness): Use soil survey series description.

10. Effect on plant community composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff: High grass canopy and basal cover and small gaps between plants should reduce raindrop impact and slow overland flow, providing increased time for infiltration to occur. A combination of shallow and deep rooted species has a positive effect on infiltration.

11. Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site): No compaction layer or soil surface crusting should be evident.

12. Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground weight using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to) with dominants and sub-dominants and "others" on separate lines: Dominant: Warm season, mid-stature, bunchgrasses > Warm season, Tall- stature, rhizomatous grasses Sub-dominant: Cool season, mid-stature, bunch grasses >Cool season, short- stature, bunch grasses and sedges = Cools season, short-stature, rhizomatous grasses and sedges = forbs Other: Minor components: shrubs = Cool season, mid-stature, rhizomatous grasses

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Additional: (Blue grama should be grouped with warm season, short-stature, rhizomatous grasses due to its growth form)

13. Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence): Very low.

14. Average percent litter cover (40 to 65%) and depth (inches): Litter cover is in contact with soil surface.

15. Expected annual production (this is TOTAL above-ground production, not just forage production): 1950 to 2300 #/acre (13 to 14 inch precip. Zone) 1000 to 1600 #/ac (10 to 12 inch precip. Zone).

16. Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List Species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicator, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site: Sulphur cinquefoil, common tansy, oxeye daisy, Leafy spurge, knapweeds, whitetop, Dalmatian toadflax, yellow toadflax, St. Johnswort, perennial pepperweed. Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome can be invasive on the eastern boarder of Montana for these MLRAs.

17. Perennial plant reproductive capability: All species are capable of reproducing.

Reference Sheet Approval Approval Date Jon Siddoway 1/12/2015

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United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Description Section l: Ecological Site Characteristics Ecological Site Identification and Concept

Site stage: Provisional

Provisional: an ESD at the provisional status represents the lowest tier of documentation that is releasable to the public. It contains a grouping of soil units that respond similarly to ecological processes. The ESD contains 1) enough information to distinguish it from similar and associated ecological sites and 2) a draft state and transition model capturing the ecological processes and vegetative states and community phases as they are currently conceptualized. The provisional ESD has undergone both quality control and quality assurance protocols. It is expected that the provisional ESD will continue refinement towards an approved status.

Site name: Overflow (Ov) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. Site type: Rangeland Site ID: R058AE007MT Major land resource area (MLRA): 058A-Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part

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Physiographic Features This ecological site occurs in concave positions, such as swales, where it receives extra moisture from run in from adjacent areas. The streams associated with this site are ephemeral (i.e., flow only in response to a precipitation event or from snow melt).

Landform: (1) Swale (2) Drainageway

Minimum Maximum Elevation (feet): 1900 3500 Slope (percent): 0 5 Water table depth (inches): 60 60 Flooding Frequency: Rare Ponding Frequency: None Aspect: No Influence on this site

Climatic Features MLRAs 58A and 60B are considered to have a continental climate characterized by cold winters, hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are typical. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains and the winds move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature. Seasonal precipitation is often limiting for plant growth. Annual fluctuations in species composition and total production are typical depending on the amount and timing of rainfall. Temperatures can be very extreme in this part of Montana. Summer daytime temperatures are typically quite warm, generally averaging in the mid to upper 80º’s F for July and August. Summertime temperatures will typically reach in the 100º’s F at some point during the summer, and can reach 90º F any month between May and September. Conversely, winter temperatures can be cold, averaging in the mid teens to mid 20º’s F for December and January. There will typically be several days of below zero temperatures each winter. It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 30–40º F below zero, or even colder, most any winter. Spring can be windy throughout these MLRA’s, with winds averaging over 10 mph about 15 percent of the time. Speeds of 50 mph or stronger can occasionally occur as a weather system crosses this part of Montana. MLRAs 58AE and 60BE have been divided into two distinct precipitation zones for the purpose of developing ecological site descriptions: 10–14” Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) and 15–19” MAP. 10–14 inch zone: The majority of the rangeland in these areas falls within the 11 to 13 inch range. During an average year, 70 to 75 percent of the annual precipitation falls between April and September, which are the primary growing season months. Snowfall is not heavy in the area, averaging 28 total inches in the 10-14 inch MAP (Yellowstone Valley). Heavy snowfall occurs infrequently, usually late in the winter or early spring.

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Snow cover is typically 1 to 3 inches. The frost free (32º F.) season averages about 105 to 145 days each year in the uplands, to nearly 170 days along the Yellowstone River Valley. For local climate station information, refer to http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/state.pl?state=mt.

Averaged Frost-free period (days): 125 Freeze-free period (days): 147 Mean annual precipitation (inches): 14.00

Monthly Precipitation (Inches): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Low 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Monthly Temperature (°F): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Low 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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Influencing Water Features This site is associated with ephemeral stream systems. Ephemeral strams flow less than 30 consecutive days. The bottom of the channel is above the water table at all times.

Representative Soil Features The soils associated with this site are moderately deep to very deep. Textures vary since these soils typically result from water deposition. Permeability is mainly moderate, but will vary because of the different textures that can occur.

Surface texture: (1) Loam (2) Clay loam (3) Sandy loam Subsurface texture group: Loamy Minimum Maximum Drainage class: Well drained Permeability class: Moderate Minimum Maximum Depth (inches): 40 60 Available water capacity (inches): 6.00 10.00

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Electrical conductivity (mmhos/cm): 0 2 Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 0 Calcium carbonate equivalent (percent): 5 10 Soil reaction (1:1 water): 6.6 8.4

Plant Communities Ecological Dynamics of the Site This site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, which included the natural influence of large herbivores and occasional fire. The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). This community is given as a reference to understand the original potential of this site, and is not always considered to be the management goal for every acre of rangeland. The following descriptions should enable the landowner or manager to better understand which plant communities occupy their land, and assist with setting goals for vegetation management. It can also be useful to understand the environmental and economic values of each plant community.

This site is considered highly resilient to disturbance as it has essentially no limitations for plant growth, except for growing season. Changes may occur to the Historic Climax Plant Community due to management actions and/or climatic conditions, such as prolonged drought. Under continued adverse impacts, a moderate decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments the site can readily return to the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC).

Continual2 °F adverse impacts to the site over a period of years results in a departure from the HCPC, with a decrease of the taller, more palatable species such as green needlegrass, big bluestem, little bluestem, and switchgrass. Prairie sandreed will be common on sites that are predominately sandy textured. These plants will be replaced by a mixture of medium and short grasses, including needleandthread, western wheatgrass, prairie junegrass, Sandberg bluegrass, buffalograss, and blue grama as well as several species of non-palatable forbs. Shrubs such as Wood’s rose and snowberry also increase.

Continued deterioration results in an abundance of short grasses and forbs, and annuals. Plants that are not a part of the Historic Climax Plant Community that are most likely to invade include quackgrass, Kentucky and fowl bluegrass, foxtail barley, annual bromes, other annual grasses, curlycup gumweed, cocklebur, thistles, dandelion, leafy spurge, annual forbs, and other weedy species.

Long-term non-use (>3 years) combined with the absence of fire will result in excessive litter and decadent plants.

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State-and-Transition Diagram

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs

This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC) for this site. This plant community contains a high diversity of tall and medium height, cool and warm season grasses and sedges (green needlegrass, big bluestem, prairie sandreed, little bluestem, western wheatgrass, switchgrass, and needleandthread), and short grasses (Sandberg bluegrass, prairie junegrass). There are abundant forbs which occur in smaller percentages. Shrubs such as snowberry and rose are common. Less common are shrubs such as chokecherry, silver buffaloberry, and currant.

This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species and presence of tall, deep rooted perennial grasses allows for drought tolerance. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and runoff events, and temperature). Plants

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on this site have strong, healthy root systems that allow production to increase significantly with favorable moisture conditions. Abundant plant litter is available for soil building and moisture retention. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low.

The location of this site in the landscape plus the influence of extra water in the early part of the growing season provides a very favorable soil-water-plant relationship. This plant community provides for soil stability and a functioning hydrologic cycle.

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs Plant Species Composition Annual Production Grass/Grasslike (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 1 -Native grasses 1110 2275 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii 225 875 Calamovilfa prairie sandreed CALO 0700 longifolia Canada wildrye ELCA4 Elymus canadensis 15 350 Elymus slender wheatgrass ELTR7 15 350 trachycaulus Hesperostipa needle and thread HECOC8 comata subsp. 75 350 comata green needlegrass NAVI4 Nassella viridula 75 525 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 75 525 switchgrass PAVI2 Panicum virgatum 75 350 Pseudoroegneria beardless PSSPI spicata subsp. 0175 wheatgrass inermis Schizachyrium little bluestem SCSCS scoparium var. 15 350 scoparium prairie cordgrass SPPE Spartina pectinata 15 175

2 -Native grasses, sedges, and rushes 15 350 Grass, perennial 2GP 15 175 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 15 175 BUDA Buchloe dactyloides 15 175 sedge CAREX Carex 15 175 JUBA Juncus balticus 15 175 rush JUNCU Juncus 15 175 prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 15 175 Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 15 175

Annual Production Forb (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High

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3 -Native forbs 150 350 Forb, perennial 2FP 15 175 Artemisia white sagebrush ARLU 15 175 ludoviciana American licorice GLLE3 Glycyrrhiza lepidota 15 175 Maximilian Helianthus HEMA2 15 175 sunflower maximiliani Helianthus stiff sunflower HEPA19 15 175 pauciflorus wild bergamot MOFI Monarda fistulosa 15 175 scurfpea PSORA2 Psoralidium 15 175 upright prairie Ratibida RACO3 15 175 coneflower columnifera Solidago Canada goldenrod SOCA6 15 175 canadensis Solidago Missouri goldenrod SOMI2 15 175 missouriensis

Annual Production Shrub/Vine (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 4 -Native shrubs and half-shrubs 225 525 Shrub, broadleaf 2SB 15 175 silver sagebrush ARCA13 Artemisia cana 15 175 chokecherry PRVI Prunus virginiana 15 175 golden currant RIAU Ribes aureum 15 175 Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 15 175 Shepherdia silver buffaloberry SHAR 15 175 argentea Symphoricarpos common snowberry SYAL 15 175 albus

Annual Production by Plant Type Annual Production (lbs/ac) Representative Plant type Low value High Forb 150 250 350 Grass/Grasslike 1125 1875 2625 Shrub/Vine 225 375 525

Total: 1500 2500 3500

Structure and Cover: Soil Surface Cover (%)

Basal Cover Surface Non- Fragments Surface Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grass/Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 30 to 40 1 to 1 to 5 0 to 1 50 to 0 to 1 0 to 1 3 60

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Ground Cover (%) Vegetative Cover Non-Vegetative Cover

Surface Non- Fragments Surface Grass/ Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 55 to 70 1 to 5 5 to 0 to 1 10

Structure of Canopy Cover (%) Grasses/Grasslike Forbs Shrubs/Vines Trees <=0.5 feet > 0.5 - < 1 feet 1 to 5 < 1 - >= 2 feet 55 to 70 5 to 10

Plant Community 2: Medium and Short Grasses/ Medium Shrubs

With slight disturbance, the HCPC/PPC will tend to change to a community dominated by medium and short grasses such as western wheatgrass, needleandthread, prairie junegrass, Sandberg bluegrass, blue grama, and buffalograss. Most of the taller, more palatable grasses (green needlegrass, big bluestem, prairie sandreed, little bluestem, and switchgrass) will be present in smaller percentages. There may be an increase in the amount of snowberry, rose or other shrubs. Palatable and nutritious forbs will be replaced by less desirable and more aggressive species.

Biomass production and litter become reduced on the site as the taller grasses disappear, increasing evaporation and reducing moisture retention. Additional open space in the community can result in undesirable invader species. This plant community provides for moderate soil stability.

Plant Community 3: Shrubs/ Short Grasses/ Forbs

With continued heavy disturbance the site will become dominated by shrubs, short grasses, and unpalatable forbs such as snowberry, rose, prairie junegrass, Sandberg bluegrass, blue grama, buffalograss, and cudweed sagewort. The taller grasses will occur only occasionally. Palatable forbs will be mostly absent.

This plant community is less productive than Plant Community 1 or 2. The lack of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and

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higher evaporation, thus eventually favoring species that are more adapted to drier conditions. This community has lost many of the attributes of a healthy rangeland, including good infiltration, minimal erosion and runoff, nutrient cycling and energy flow.

This community will respond positively to improved grazing management, but significant economic inputs and time are usually required to move this plant community toward a higher successional stage and a more productive plant community.

Plant Community 4: Shrubs/ Annuals/ Weedy Forbs

As continued heavy disturbance continues, the plant community deteriorates to one dominated by dense patches of shrubs such as snowberry and rose, along with annual bromes, other annual grasses (e.g., tumblegrass), weedy forbs such as thistles, cudweed sagewort, and curlycup gumweed. Non-native species such as Kentucky and fowl bluegrass and quackgrass often invade this site.

This community can respond positively to improved grazing management but it will take additional inputs to move it towards a community similar in production and composition to that of Plant Community 1 or 2.

Section ll: Ecological Site Interpretations Animal Community

Livestock Grazing Interpretations: Managed livestock grazing is suitable on this site as it has the potential to produce an abundance of high quality forage. This is often a preferred site for grazing by livestock due to the succulent forage, and animals tend to congregate in these areas. In order to maintain the productivity of this site, stocking rates must be managed carefully on adjoining sites with less production to be sure livestock drift onto the Overflow site is not excessive. Management objectives should include maintenance or improvement of the plant community. Shorter grazing periods and adequate re-growth after grazing are recommended for plant maintenance and recovery. Heavy stocking and season-long use of this site can be detrimental and will alter the plant community composition and production over time.

Grazing this site early when the upper part of the soil may be wet can sometimes cause

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compaction. Hummocking (frost heaving) is often a common feature of this site. The hummocking can be exacerbated if grazing impact becomes excessive.

Whenever Plant Community 2 (medium and short grasses and shrubs) occurs, grazing management strategies need to be implemented to avoid further deterioration. This community is still stable, productive, and healthy provided it receives proper management. This community will respond fairly quickly to improved grazing management including increased growing season rest of key forage plants. Grazing management alone can usually move this community back to one more similar to potential since a good seed source of the taller grasses should still exist.

Plant Communities 3 and 4 have severely reduced forage production, and contain a high percentage of non-palatable species. Once this site is occupied by these communities, it will be significantly more difficult to restore it to a community that resembles the potential with grazing management alone. Snowberry and/or rose often develop dense thickets that are stable and can be very difficult to remove or reduce.

The potential for using seeding and/or mechanical treatment to improve site health may be limited, due mainly because of the landscape position and potential for increased soil erosion from streamflow events.

Wildlife Interpretations:

This ecological site is a “hotspot” of biodiversity as a result of extra moisture availability in ephemeral drainageways. The run-in moisture provides more wildlife habitat complexity because of greater plant species and structural diversity compared to surrounding semi-arid uplands. The linear, meandering drainage pattern common to this site connects a wide variety of upland types and provides secure travel corridors for big game and many other wildlife species as they move between required seasonal habitats. Moisture availability and resulting habitat structural diversity provide for the food, cover and nesting needs of resident and transitory neotropical migratory birds. Invasive plant species are common on this site under non-use as well as season-long livestock and big game grazing. Canada thistle, leafy spurge, houndstongue and burdock are often found here. Prescribed grazing strategies can keep native vegetation more competitive with these invasive weeds. Wildlife habitat diversity is often degraded on this site under season-long grazing strategies because livestock are attracted to the green forage, particularly during the dry season. Seeps and springs common in association with this site provide drinking water for many wildlife species as well as habitat for less common invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, birds and small mammals.

The following is a description of habitat values for the different plant communities that may occupy the site:

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs (HCPC):

This moist site supports a variety of grasses and succulent forbs which provide feeding substrate for many pollinating insects and other invertebrates. The insect food source, in combination with available moisture and habitat complexity, supports amphibians and

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reptiles such as Woodhouses’s toad and the common garter snake. Amphibians can be considered a “keystone species” because of their susceptibility to environmental degradation and resulting indicator value. The combination of tall and medium grasses, forbs and shrub patches provides high value nesting and escape cover for many breeding bird species. Gray catbirds, brown thrashers and spotted towhees rely on chokecherry, silver buffaloberry and rose/snowberry patches. Northern harriers hunt over, and nest within, low shrub and mesic grassland habitats. Sage grouse broods depend on invertebrate foods and succulent forbs available in overflow areas and associated springs and seeps. Sharp-tailed grouse use shrub patches for winter cover and feeding. Habitat complexity extra moisture provide habitat for a variety of small mammals including herbivorous meadow voles and seed-eating western harvest mice. The diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs supports grazers and mixed feeders such as bison and elk as well as selective feeders such as mule deer and white-tailed deer.

Plant Community 2: Medium and Short Grasses/ Medium Shrubs:

Invertebrate abundance and species diversity declines with the reduction in forbs, which reduces the attractiveness of this site to a variety of insectivorous wildlife species. Amphibian and reptile habitat value declines with the reduction in ground cover and invertebrate diversity. Breeding bird habitat value declines along with plant species diversity. Sage grouse still find critical foods in the form of succulent forbs (i.e. dandelion and salsify), and insects. Cover value for small mammals and big game declines with the loss of taller grasses and forbs, although the potential increase in snowberry and rose compensates somewhat. An increase in invasive weeds often simplifies habitat structure even more.

Plant Community 3: Shrubs/ Short Grasses/ Forbs:

Long-term continuous grazing simplifies the plant community significantly so the site provides fewer wildlife habitat niches as compared to Plant Communities 1 and 2, above. Insect populations are less diverse and productive. Ground level temperature rises and soil moisture levels decrease with loss of litter cover to the detriment of amphibian and reptile populations. Breeding and migratory birds find less cover and food resources; species favoring drier sites may increase although bird species diversity decreases significantly. Sage grouse broods still find some succulent forbs (dandelions, salsify) but sharp-tailed grouse winter habitat is all but eliminated. Small mammal diversity declines and big game species suffer loss of cover, food and travel corridor quality. Springs and seeps may partially dry up as less water is stored in the soil following loss of ground cover.

Plant Community 4: Shrubs/ Annuals/ Weedy Forbs:

Wildlife habitat quality is very low in this greatly simplified community characterized by annual grasses, Kentucky bluegrass, dense patches of low shrubs and invasive weeds. Insect populations (grasshoppers) may be abundant in some years but no longer represent a reliable, diverse food resource for insectivorous wildlife. Amphibian habitat quality is very low as the site has dried out significantly. Reptiles are now represented by dry site tolerant species. Bird habitat is suitable for only a handful of species such as horned

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larks and longspurs. Big game find little cover and food in this potential travel corridor. Small mammal diversity is very low. Deer mice and pocket gophers may be fairly abundant.

Hydrology Functions The runoff potential for this site is moderate. Runoff curve numbers generally range from 64 to 89. The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Group B or C. The infiltration rates for these soils will normally be moderate.

Good hydrologic conditions exist on rangelands if plant cover (grass, forb, and shrub, and litter) is greater than 70%. Fair conditions exist when cover is between 30 and 70%, and poor conditions exist when cover is less than 30%. Sites in high similarity to HCPC (Plant Communities 1 and 2) generally have enough plant cover and litter to optimize infiltration, minimize runoff and erosion, and have a good hydrologic condition. The deep root systems of the potential vegetation help maintain or increase infiltration rates and reduce runoff.

Sites in low similarity (Plant Communities 3 and 4) are generally considered to be in poor hydrologic condition and are susceptible to excessive erosion from stream overflow.

Erosion is minor for sites in high similarity. Rills and gullies should not be present. Water flow patterns, if present, will be barely observable. Plant pedestals are essentially non- existent. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosion. Soil surfaces should not be compacted or crusted. Plant cover and litter helps retain soil moisture for use by the plants. Maintaining a healthy stand of perennial vegetation will optimize the amount of precipitation that is received. (Reference: Engineering Field Manual, Chapter 2 and Montana Supplement 4).

Recreational Uses This site provides recreational opportunities for big game and upland bird hunting, and hiking. The forbs have flowers that appeal to photographers. This site provides valuable open space and visual aesthetics.

Other Information The following is an example of how to calculate the recommended stocking rate. This example does not use production estimates from this specific ecological site. You will need to adjust the annual production values and run the calculations using total annual production values from the ecological sites encountered on each individual ranch/pasture. Before making specific recommendations, an on-site evaluation must be made.

Example of total annual production amounts by type of year:

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Favorable years = 2200 lbs/acre Normal years = 1480 lbs/acre Unfavorable years = 1200 lbs/acre

It is recommended that on slopes of 30% or less, stocking rate should be derived from the total annual production pounds minus 500 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. On slopes over 30%, stocking rate is derived from total annual production pounds minus 800 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. Refer to the NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook for a list of Animal Unit Equivalents.

Sample Calculations using Favorable Year production amounts:

< 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-500)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.46 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.46AUM/AC) = 2.2 AC/AUM

> 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-800)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.38 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.38 AUM/AC) = 2.6 AC/AUM

NOTE: 915 lbs/month for one Animal Unit is used as the baseline for maintenance requirements. This equates to 30 lbs/day of air-dry forage (1200 lb cow at 2.5% of body weight).

Supporting Information Associated Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Silty (Si) R058AE001MT Clayey (Cy) R058AE002MT Sandy (Sy) R058AE003MT Silty-Steep (SiStp) R058AE004MT Clayey-Steep (CyStp) R058AE005MT Sandy-Steep (SyStp) R058AE006MT Subirrigated (Sb) R058AE008MT Wet Meadow (WM) R058AE009MT Sands (Sa) R058AE018MT

Similar Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Wet Meadow (WM) R058AE009MT The Wet Meadow site differs mainly by being wet at or near the surface for most of the growing season. Saline Lowland (SL) R058AE012MT The Saline Lowland site differs mainly by being salt affected.

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State Correlation This site has been correlated with the following states: MT

Site Authors Bob Leinard JVF, REL, RSN, MJR, SKW, SVF, POH

Quality Assurance Provisional Status Verified in Legacy System

Reference Sheet Author(s)/participant(s): T. DeCock;R Kilian

Contact for lead author: Tammy DeCock

Date: 6/11/2014 MLRA: 058A Ecological Site: Overflow (Ov) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. R058AE007MT This must be verified based on soils and climate (see Ecological Site Description). Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Composition (indicators 10 and 12) based on: X Annual Production, Foliar Cover, Biomass

Indicators. For each indicator, describe the potential for the site. Where possible, (1) use numbers, (2) include expected range of values for above- and below-average years for each community and natural distrurbance regimes within the reference state, when appropriate and (3) cite data. Continue descriptions on separate sheet.

1. Number and extent of rills: Rills should not be present.

2. Presence of water flow patterns: Barely observable

3. Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes: Essentially non- existent.

4.

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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, standing dead, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground): Bare ground is < 5%.

5. Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies: Active gullies should not be present. Existing gullies should be “healed” with a good vegetative cover.

6. Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas: None.

7. Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel): Little to no plant litter movement. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosional forces.

8. Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values): Surface Soil Aggregate Stability under plant canopy should typically be 5 or greater. Surface Soil Aggregate Stability not under plant canopy should typically be 5 or slightly less.

9. Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type and strength of structure, and A-horizon color and thickness): Use soil survey series description.

10. Effect on plant community composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff: High grass canopy and basal cover and small gaps between plants should reduce raindrop impact and slow overland flow, providing increased time for infiltration to occur. A combination of shallow and deep rooted species has a positive effect on infiltration.

11. Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site): No compaction layer or soil surface crusting should be evident

12. Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground weight using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to) with dominants and sub-dominants and "others"

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on separate lines: Dominant: Cool season, mid-stature, bunch grasses Sub-dominant: Cool season, mid-stature, rhizomatous grasses > warm season, tall-stature, rhizomatous grasses = shrubs and half shrubs = cool season sedges and rushes = forbs Other: Minor components: Warm season, mid stature, bunch grasses, Warm season, short-stature, rhizomatous grasses; cool season, short-stature, bunch grasses Additional: (Blue grama should be grouped with warm season, short-stature, rhizomatous grasses due to its growth form)

13. Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence): Very low.

14. Average percent litter cover (50 to 60 %) and depth (inches): Litter cover is in contact with soil surface.

15. Expected annual production (this is TOTAL above-ground production, not just forage production): 3000 to 3500 #/acre (13 to 14 inch precip. Zone) 1500 to 2500 #/ac (10 to 12 inch precip. Zone).

16. Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List Species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicator, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site: Sulphur cinquefoil, common tansy, oxeye daisy, Leafy spurge, knapweeds, whitetop, Dalmatian toadflax, yellow toadflax, St. Johnswort, perennial pepperweed, Reed canarygrass. Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and Canada thistle can be invasive. Overflow sites along streams and rivers are susceptible to invasion by Russian olive and salt cedar.

17. Perennial plant reproductive capability: All species are capable of reproducing.

Reference Sheet Approval Approval Date

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Jon Siddoway 1/12/2015

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United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Description Section l: Ecological Site Characteristics Ecological Site Identification and Concept

Site stage: Provisional

Provisional: an ESD at the provisional status represents the lowest tier of documentation that is releasable to the public. It contains a grouping of soil units that respond similarly to ecological processes. The ESD contains 1) enough information to distinguish it from similar and associated ecological sites and 2) a draft state and transition model capturing the ecological processes and vegetative states and community phases as they are currently conceptualized. The provisional ESD has undergone both quality control and quality assurance protocols. It is expected that the provisional ESD will continue refinement towards an approved status.

Site name: Wet Meadow (WM) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. Site type: Rangeland Site ID: R058AE009MT Major land resource area (MLRA): 058A-Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part

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Physiographic Features This ecological site typically occurs on nearly level to slightly concave areas that have free water at or near the surface throughout the growing season. It can also occur around the margins of ponds. Slopes are mainly 1 percent or less. This site is too wet and poorly aerated (anaerobic) for most plants and cultivated crops, but not wet enough for true aquatics such as cattails.

Landform: (1) Fen (2) Marsh (3) Bog

Minimum Maximum Elevation (feet): 1900 3500 Slope (percent): 0 1 Water table depth (inches): 0 6 Flooding Frequency: None Ponding Frequency: None Aspect: No Influence on this site

Climatic Features MLRAs 58A and 60B are considered to have a continental climate characterized by cold winters, hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are typical. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains and the winds move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature. Seasonal precipitation is often limiting for plant growth. Annual fluctuations in species composition and total production are typical depending on the amount and timing of rainfall. Temperatures can be very extreme in this part of Montana. Summer daytime temperatures are typically quite warm, generally averaging in the mid to upper 80º’s F for July and August. Summertime temperatures will typically reach in the 100º’s F at some point during the summer, and can reach 90º F any month between May and September. Conversely, winter temperatures can be cold, averaging in the mid teens to mid 20º’s F for December and January. There will typically be several days of below zero temperatures each winter. It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 30–40º F below zero, or even colder, most any winter. Spring can be windy throughout these MLRA’s, with winds averaging over 10 mph about 15 percent of the time. Speeds of 50 mph or stronger can occasionally occur as a weather system crosses this part of Montana. MLRAs 58AE and 60BE have been divided into two distinct precipitation zones for the purpose of developing ecological site descriptions: 10–14” Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) and 15–19” MAP. 10–14 inch zone: The majority of the rangeland in these areas falls within the 11 to 13 inch range. During an average year, 70 to 75 percent of the annual precipitation falls

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between April and September, which are the primary growing season months. Snowfall is not heavy in the area, averaging 28 total inches in the 10-14 inch MAP (Yellowstone Valley). Heavy snowfall occurs infrequently, usually late in the winter or early spring. Snow cover is typically 1 to 3 inches. The frost free (32º F.) season averages about 105 to 145 days each year in the uplands, to nearly 170 days along the Yellowstone River Valley. For local climate station information, refer to http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/state.pl?state=mt.

Averaged Frost-free period (days): 125 Freeze-free period (days): 147 Mean annual precipitation (inches): 14.00

Monthly Precipitation (Inches): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Low 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Monthly Temperature (°F): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Low 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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Influencing Water Features Free water is at or near the surface for most, or all of the growing season. The water source is mainly ground water, but there can also be run in from surrounding areas.

Wetland Description (Cowardin System) System Subsystem Class Lacustrine Littoral Unconsolidated Shore Palustrine N/A Emergent Wetland

Representative Soil Features These soils are hydric. They often have organic surfaces or organic (Histic) profiles. They are mainly deep or very deep. Textures vary and are not significant. The textures are mainly medium (loamy) to fine (clayey). Organic soils are mainly mucky textured. A water table is within 2 feet of the surface keeping the upper part of the soil very moist or saturated for all, or at least most of the growing season. These soils are non saline and non sodic, but can be calcareous or acid.

Surface texture: (1) Loam

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(2) Clay loam (3) Silt loam Subsurface texture group: Loamy Minimum Maximum Drainage class: Poorly drained Permeability class: Moderate Minimum Maximum Depth (inches): 40 60 Available water capacity (inches): 15.99 15.99 Electrical conductivity (mmhos/cm): 0 0 Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 0 Calcium carbonate equivalent (percent): 0 5

Soil reaction (0.01M CaCl2): 6.1 7.8

Plant Communities Ecological Dynamics of the Site This site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, which included the natural influence of large herbivores and occasional fire. The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). This 2 °F community is described as a reference to understand the original potential of this site, and is not always considered to be the management goal for every acre of rangeland. The following descriptions should enable the landowner or manager to better understand which plant communities occupy their land, and assist with setting goals for vegetation management. It can also be useful to understand the environmental and economic values of each plant community.

This site is considered highly resilient to disturbance as it has essentially no limitations for plant growth, except for growing season. Changes may occur to the Historic Climax Plant Community due to management actions and/or climatic conditions, such as a drop in water table level due to prolonged drought conditions. Under continued adverse impacts, a moderate decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments, this site can readily return to the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC).

Continual adverse impacts to the site over a period of years, including a change in the hydrology, will result in a departure from the HCPC. A decrease of the tall and medium, palatable species such as prairie cordgrass, American and fowl mannagrass, tufted hairgrass, bluejoint and slimstem reedgrass, and beaked, Nebraska, woolly, and brevior sedges will occur. These plants will be replaced by a mixture of short sedges, rushes, and grasses, including Baltic rush, western wheatgrass, meadow barley, mat muhly, smallwing, and clustered field sedges as well as several species of non-palatable forbs. Baltic rush often becomes dominant on this site provided that the water table remains at or near its historic levels.

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Continued deterioration results in an abundance of short grasses and short sedges, non- native grasses and forbs, and annuals. Plants that are not a part of the Historic Climax Plant Community that are most likely to invade are foxtail barley, Kentucky, Canada, and fowl bluegrass, smooth brome, redtop, Canada thistle, dandelion, leafy spurge, sulfur cinquefoil, curly dock, annuals, and other weedy species. These species often occur when the water table is deeper than its historic levels. Purple loosestrife is potentially a serious invader on this site.

State-and-Transition Diagram

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Sedges and Grasses

This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC) for this site. This plant community contains a high diversity of tall and medium height, cool and warm season sedges, rushes, and grasses (beaked sedge,

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Nebraska sedge, brevior sedge, and woolly/ woollyfruit sedge, prairie cordgrass, American and fowl mannagrass, bluejoint reedgrass, slimstem reedgrass), and short grasses, sedges, and rushes (mat muhly, smallwing and clustered field sedges, and Baltic rush). There are abundant forbs which occur in small percentages.

This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions as well as the presence of a permanent water table. The presence of available water throughout the growing season provides a very favorable soil-water-plant relationship. The diversity in plant species allows for resistance to fluctuation in the depth to the water table. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation, depth to the water table, and temperature). Plants on this site have strong, healthy root systems that allow production to increase significantly with favorable moisture conditions. Abundant plant litter is available for soil building and moisture retention. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. This plant community provides for soil stability and a functioning hydrologic cycle.

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Sedges and Grasses Plant Species Composition Annual Production Grass/Grasslike (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 1 -Native grasses 2420 2600 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii 0325 American Beckmannia BESY 275 650 sloughgrass syzigachne Calamagrostis bluejoint CACA4 55 975 canadensis Calamagrostis slimstem reedgrass CASTS5 55 650 stricta subsp. stricta Deschampsia DECA18 275 650 caespitosa Elymus slender wheatgrass ELTR7 55 325 trachycaulus American GLGR Glyceria grandis 275 975 mannagrass fowl mannagrass GLST Glyceria striata 275 650 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 0325 switchgrass PAVI2 Panicum virgatum 0325 Pseudoroegneria beardless PSSPI spicata subsp. 55 325 wheatgrass inermis prairie cordgrass SPPE Spartina pectinata 825 1625

2 -Native grasses 55 325 Grass, perennial 2GP 55 325 Hordeum meadow barley HOBR2 55 325 brachyantherum

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mat muhly MURI Muhlenbergia 55 325 richardsonis

3 -Native grasses 0 1 foxtail barley HOJU Hordeum jubatum 01

4 -Native sedges 990 1170 Nebraska sedge CANE2 Carex nebrascensis 275 975 clustered field CAPR5 Carex praegracilis 55 325 sedge beaked sedge CARO6 Carex rostrata 550 1300

5 -Native sedges 865 1025 shortbeak sedge CABR10 Carex brevior 55 325 woollyfruit sedge CALA11 Carex lasiocarpa 275 650 smallwing sedge CAMI7 Carex microptera 55 325 woolly sedge CAPE42 Carex pellita 275 650 sedge CAREX Carex 0325

6 -Native rushes 620 730 JUBA Juncus balticus 55 325 rush JUNCU Juncus 0325 knotted rush JUNO2 Juncus nodosus 0325 poverty rush JUTE Juncus tenuis 0325 Torrey's rush JUTO Juncus torreyi 0325

Annual Production Forb (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 7 -Native forbs 55 650 Forb, perennial 2FP 55 325 silverweed ARAN7 Argentina anserina 55 325 cinquefoil Lactuca tatarica var. blue lettuce LATAP 55 325 pulchella wild mint MEAR4 Mentha arvensis 55 325 wild bergamot MOFI Monarda fistulosa 55 325 slender cinquefoil POGR9 Potentilla gracilis 55 325 mountain blue-eyed Sisyrinchium SISA4 55 325 grass sarmentosum Symphyotrichum alpine leafybract SYFOF foliaceum var. 55 325 aster foliaceum

Annual Production Shrub/Vine (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 8 -Native shrubs 0 1 Shrub, broadleaf 2SB 0 1 rose ROSA5 Rosa 01 willow SALIX Salix 01

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silver buffaloberry SHAR Shepherdia 01 argentea

Annual Production by Plant Type Annual Production (lbs/ac) Representative Plant type Low value High Forb 550 600 650 Grass/Grasslike 4950 5400 5850 Shrub/Vine 0 1 1

Total: 5500 6001 6501

Structure and Cover: Soil Surface Cover (%)

Basal Cover Surface Non- Fragments Surface Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grass/Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 40 to 50 1 to 0 to 1 0 to 1 40 to 0 to 1 0 to 1 3 50

Ground Cover (%) Vegetative Cover Non-Vegetative Cover

Surface Non- Fragments Surface Grass/ Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 70 to 90 1 to 5 0 to 1 0 to 1

Structure of Canopy Cover (%) Grasses/Grasslike Forbs Shrubs/Vines Trees <=0.5 feet > 0.5 - < 1 feet < 1 - >= 2 feet 70 to 90 1 to 5 0 to 1

Plant Community 2: Medium Sedges, Grasses & Rushes/ Forbs

With slight disturbances to the site, the HCPC will tend to change to a community dominated by medium grasses, sedges, and forbs, such as slimstem reedgrass, tufted hairgrass, smallwing sedge, clustered field sedge, Baltic rush and silverweed cinquefoil. Most of the taller, more palatable sedges and grasses (beaked sedge, Nebraska sedge,

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brevior sedge, and woolly sedge, prairie cordgrass, American and fowl mannagrass, bluejoint reedgrass) will be present in smaller percentages. Palatable and nutritious forbs will be replaced by less desirable and more aggressive species.

Biomass production and litter become reduced on the site as the taller sedges and grasses are replaced by shorter plants, increasing evaporation and reducing moisture retention. Additional open space can result in undesirable invader species. This plant community provides for moderate soil stability. This site can be susceptible to excessive hummocking, further altering the site’s hydrology and stability.

Plant Community 3: Medium & Short Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes

With continued heavy disturbance the site will become dominated by short, less palatable grasses and sedges such as Baltic rush, western wheatgrass, mat muhly, meadow barley, and foxtail barley. Non-native species such as Kentucky, Canada, or fowl bluegrass, smooth brome, redtop, Canada thistle, and dandelion become more abundant, especially if the water table has lowered. The taller grasses and sedges will occur only occasionally. However, Nebraska sedge often remains since it can be somewhat resistant to grazing pressure because of its robust system of roots and rhizomes. Palatable forbs will be mostly absent.

This plant community is less productive than Plant Community 1 or 2. The lack of litter and shorter plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and higher evaporation, thus eventually favoring species that are more adapted to drier conditions. This community has lost many of the attributes of a healthy rangeland, including good infiltration, minimal erosion and runoff, nutrient cycling and energy flow.

This community will respond positively to improved grazing management, but significant economic inputs and time would be required to move this plant community toward a higher successional stage and a more productive plant community.

Plant Community 4: Short Grasses/ Rushes/ Non-Native Grasses & Forbs

Continued disturbance to this site generally results in a plant community comprised mainly of short grasses and rushes, with a predominance of non-native grass and forb species. Dominant species include Baltic rush, mat muhly, meadow barley, foxtail barley, Kentucky bluegrass, redtop, reed canarygrass, Canada thistle, and dandelion. This community is

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also often a result of a lower water table.

This community can respond positively to improved grazing management but it will take additional inputs to move it towards a community similar in production and composition to that of either Plant Community 1 or 2.

Section ll: Ecological Site Interpretations Animal Community

Livestock Grazing Interpretations:

Managed livestock grazing is suitable on this site as it has the potential to produce an abundance of high quality forage. This is often a preferred site for grazing by livestock due to the succulent forage, and animals tend to congregate in these areas. In order to maintain the productivity of this site, stocking rates must be managed carefully on adjoining sites with less production to be sure livestock drift onto the Wet Meadow site is not excessive. Management objectives should include maintenance or improvement of the plant community. Shorter grazing periods and adequate re-growth after grazing are recommended for plant maintenance and recovery. Heavy stocking and season-long use of this site can be detrimental and will alter the plant community composition and production over time.

Grazing this site when the upper part of the soil is wet can cause compaction. Hummocking (frost heaving) is often a common feature of this site. Hummocking can be exacerbated if grazing impacts becomes excessive.

Whenever Plant Community 2 (medium grasses and sedges) occurs, grazing management strategies need to be implemented to avoid further deterioration. This community is still stable, productive, and healthy provided it receives proper management. This community will respond fairly quickly to improved grazing management including increased growing season rest of key forage plants. Grazing management alone can usually move this community back to one more similar to potential since a good seed source of the taller sedges and grasses should still exist.

Plant Communities 3 and 4 have severely reduced forage production, and contain a high percentage of non-palatable species. Once this site is occupied by these communities, it will be significantly more difficult to restore it to a community that resembles the potential with grazing management alone. Additional growing season rest is often necessary for re-establishment of the desired species and to restore the stability and health of the site.

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Once established, plants such as Kentucky bluegrass, redtop, reed canarygrass, and Canada thistle are very difficult to remove by grazing alone. The potential for using mechanical treatment to improve site health can be limited, depending on the depth to the water table.

Wildlife Interpretations:

The wet meadow ecological site provides wildlife habitat benefits out of proportion to its minor occurrence on the overall landscape. Saturated soil conditions throughout much of the growing season support at least three times the vegetative production found on adjacent semi-arid uplands. The resulting structural diversity, cover value, food supply, and moist environment support a wide variety of wildlife species including animals restricted to the wet meadow environment and mobile species using a complex of habitats throughout the year. Historically, this site was used by large herds of migratory ungulates, waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species. Since livestock are attracted to this ecological site due to abundant green forage, the HCPC has often been altered by continuous grazing practices to more simplified, less productive plant communities which support fewer wildlife species. Kentucky bluegrass, redtop and Canada thistle are common invasive species which now dominate many wet meadow sites and reduce biodiversity.

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Sedges and Grasses (HCPC):

The moist environment and abundance of forbs support a diverse assemblage of insects and other invertebrates which feed a wide variety of wildlife species. Amphibians, a “keystone species” group because of their value as indicators of environmental disturbance, are represented by species such as the northern leopard frog and Woodhouse’s toad. Three species of garter snakes and, in the northeast corner of the state, the smooth green snake, are representative reptiles. The dense herbaceous cover attracts a number of breeding birds including the upland sandpiper, common snipe, savanna sparrow and LeConte’s sparrow. Sage grouse find succulent forbs and insects when surface water is not present. Northern harriers and short-eared owls hunt this site for meadow voles and other small mammals including the western jumping mouse and common shrew. The predominance of grasses and sedges favors grazers and mixed feeders like bison and elk.

Plant Community 2: Medium Sedges, Grasses, Rushes/ Forbs:

Structural habitat diversity declines with the reduction/elimination of tall grasses and sedges. Insects and other invertebrates may still be abundant but less diverse. Amphibians preferring tall, dense vegetation, such as the northern leopard frog, are less common than in the HCPC. Nesting birds are more susceptible to predation as the plant canopy opens up. Small mammals are also more vulnerable to predators and species diversity declines. Cover and forage value for big game animals declines with the loss of tall, warm and cool season grasses and sedges.

Plant Community 3: Medium and Short Grasses, Sedges, & Rushes:

At this stage, wildlife habitat values have significantly declined. The loss of native forbs

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reduces insect species diversity considerably, although dandelion, Canada thistle and other forbs still host some species. Loss of ground cover and warmer surface temperatures inhibit amphibians. This community is still used for feeding by a number of bird species but nesting cover quality is very poor for all but a few. Killdeer, for example, will nest in this community. Small mammal species diversity declines significantly with the loss of plant and litter cover. The seed-eating deer mouse may increase. Big game habitat quality is poor because palatable, nutritious grass and sedge species have been removed and the green feed period has been shortened.

Plant Community 4: Short Grasses/ Rushes/ Non-native Grasses and Forbs:

This community has very limited value for all but a few wildlife species. Insect and other invertebrate populations are much less diverse compared to later successional stages. Amphibians are represented by fewer individuals and species. Leopard frogs are probably absent. Disturbance-tolerant breeding birds are more numerous, including the killdeer and, possibly, the piping plover (especially if the site is somewhat saline). Sage grouse may continue to seek insects and succulent forbs (i.e., dandelion) here but cover value is low and predators may take a heavy toll. Small mammal populations are less diverse, shifting to more seed-eating species compared to a predominance of herbaceous voles present in higher seral stages. Big game cover value is almost non- existent and forage value is limited and shorter in duration.

Hydrology Functions The runoff potential for this site is high. Runoff curve numbers generally range from 79 to 88. The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Group D. The infiltration rates for these soils will normally be moderate.

A drop in the water table elevation, such as a result of several years of drought conditions will result in a change in the plant community to more dryland species, particularly non-native species such as Kentucky bluegrass, redtop, and Canada thistle.

Good hydrologic conditions exist on rangelands if plant cover (grass, sedge, and litter) is greater than 70%. Fair conditions exist when cover is between 30 and 70%, and poor conditions exist when cover is less than 30%. Sites in high similarity to HCPC (Plant Communities 1 and 2) generally have enough plant cover and litter to optimize infiltration, minimize runoff and erosion, and have a good hydrologic condition. The deep root systems of the potential vegetation help maintain or increase infiltration rates and reduce runoff.

Sites in low similarity (Plant Community 4) are generally considered to be in poor hydrologic condition as the majority of plant cover is from shallow-rooted species such as Kentucky bluegrass.

Erosion is minor for sites in high similarity. Rills and gullies should not be present. Water flow patterns, if present, will be barely observable. Plant pedestals are essentially non- existent. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosion. Soil surfaces should not be compacted or crusted. Plant cover and litter helps retain soil moisture for use by

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the plants. Maintaining a healthy stand of perennial vegetation will optimize the amount of precipitation that is received. (Reference: Engineering Field Manual, Chapter 2 and Montana Supplement 4).

Recreational Uses This site provides recreational opportunities for big game and upland bird hunting, and hiking. The forbs have flowers that appeal to photographers. This site provides valuable open space and visual aesthetics.

Other Information The following is an example of how to calculate the recommended stocking rate. This example does not use production estimates from this specific ecological site. You will need to adjust the annual production values and run the calculations using total annual production values from the ecological sites encountered on each individual ranch/pasture. Before making specific recommendations, an on-site evaluation must be made.

Example of total annual production amounts by type of year: Favorable years = 2200 lbs/acre Normal years = 1480 lbs/acre Unfavorable years = 1200 lbs/acre

It is recommended that on slopes of 30% or less, stocking rate should be derived from the total annual production pounds minus 500 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. On slopes over 30%, stocking rate is derived from total annual production pounds minus 800 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. Refer to the NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook for a list of Animal Unit Equivalents.

Sample Calculations using Favorable Year production amounts:

< 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-500)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.46 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.46AUM/AC) = 2.2 AC/AUM

> 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-800)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.38 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.38 AUM/AC) = 2.6 AC/AUM

NOTE: 915 lbs/month for one Animal Unit is used as the baseline for maintenance requirements. This equates to 30 lbs/day of air-dry forage (1200 lb cow at 2.5% of body weight).

Supporting Information Associated Sites

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Site name Site ID Site narrative Silty (Si) R058AE001MT Clayey (Cy) R058AE002MT Silty-Steep (SiStp) R058AE004MT Clayey-Steep (CyStp) R058AE005MT Overflow (Ov) R058AE007MT Subirrigated (Sb) R058AE008MT

Similar Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Overflow (Ov) R058AE007MT The Overflow site differs mainly by being associated with ephemeral streams and having no permanent water table. Subirrigated (Sb) R058AE008MT The Subirrigated site differs mainly by having a permanent water table at about 3 feet of depth for most of the growing season (i.e., it is usually not wet to the surface, except occasionally for short periods of time during runoff or after a high intensity storm). Saline Lowland (SL) R058AE012MT The Saline Lowland site differs mainly by being salt affected.

State Correlation This site has been correlated with the following states: MT

Inventory Data References NRCS-Production & Composition Record for Native Grazing Lands (Range-417): 1

BLM-Soil & Vegetation Inventory Method (SVIM) Data: 3

NRCS-Range Condition Record (ECS-2): 10

NRCS-Range/Soil Correlation Observations & Soil 232 notes: 5

Site Authors Bob Leinard JVF, REL, RSN, MJR, SKW, SVF, POH

Quality Assurance Provisional Status Verified in Legacy System

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Reference Sheet Author(s)/participant(s): T. DeCock; R Kilian

Contact for lead author: Tammy DeCock

Date: 6/11/2014 MLRA: 058A Ecological Site: Wet Meadow (WM) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. R058AE009MT This must be verified based on soils and climate (see Ecological Site Description). Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Composition (indicators 10 and 12) based on: X Annual Production, Foliar Cover, Biomass

Indicators. For each indicator, describe the potential for the site. Where possible, (1) use numbers, (2) include expected range of values for above- and below-average years for each community and natural distrurbance regimes within the reference state, when appropriate and (3) cite data. Continue descriptions on separate sheet.

1. Number and extent of rills: Rills should not be present.

2. Presence of water flow patterns: Barely observable.

3. Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes: Essentially non- existent.

4. Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, standing dead, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground): Bare ground is < 5%. Bare ground will occur as small areas less than 2 inches in diameter.

5. Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies: Active gullies should not be present. Existing gullies should be “healed” with a good vegetative cover.

6. Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas: None.

7.

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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel): Plant little to no litter movement. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosional forces.

8. Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values): Surface Soil Aggregate Stability should typically be 6 with or without plant canopy.

9. Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type and strength of structure, and A-horizon color and thickness): Use soil survey series description.

10. Effect on plant community composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff: High grass canopy and basal cover and small gaps between plants should reduce raindrop impact and slow overland flow, providing increased time for infiltration to occur. Healthy, deep rooted native grasses and grass likes enhance infiltration and reduce runoff.

11. Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site): No compaction layer should be evident.

12. Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground weight using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to) with dominants and sub-dominants and "others" on separate lines: Dominant: sedges and rushes = Cool season, tall-stature, rhizomatous grasses Sub-dominant: Warm season, tall-stature, rhizomatous grasses = Cool season, mid-stature, bunch grasses Other: Minor Components: Cool season, mid-stature, bunch grasses; Cool season, mid-stature, rhizomatous grasses; warm season, mid-stature, bunch grasses; forbs; shrubs Additional:

13. Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence): Very low.

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14. Average percent litter cover (40 to 50 %) and depth (inches): Litter cover is in contact with soil surface.

15. Expected annual production (this is TOTAL above-ground production, not just forage production): 6250 to 6500 #/acre (13 to 14 inch precip. Zone) 5500 to 6000 #/ac (10 to 12 inch precip. Zone).

16. Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List Species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicator, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site: Purple loosestrife, common tansy, oxeye daisy, Reed canarygrass.

17. Perennial plant reproductive capability: All species are capable of reproducing.

Reference Sheet Approval Approval Date Jon Siddoway 1/12/2015

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United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Description Section l: Ecological Site Characteristics Ecological Site Identification and Concept

Site stage: Provisional

Provisional: an ESD at the provisional status represents the lowest tier of documentation that is releasable to the public. It contains a grouping of soil units that respond similarly to ecological processes. The ESD contains 1) enough information to distinguish it from similar and associated ecological sites and 2) a draft state and transition model capturing the ecological processes and vegetative states and community phases as they are currently conceptualized. The provisional ESD has undergone both quality control and quality assurance protocols. It is expected that the provisional ESD will continue refinement towards an approved status.

Site name: Saline Lowland (SL) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. Site type: Rangeland Site ID: R058AE012MT Major land resource area (MLRA): 058A-Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part

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Physiographic Features This ecological site occurs on subirrigated or overflow areas where salt and/or alkali accumulations are apparent and salt tolerant plants dominate the vegetative component. Slopes are mainly less than 4 percent, and aspect is not significant.

Landform: (1) Depression (2) Drainageway (3) Stream terrace

Minimum Maximum Elevation (feet): 1900 3500 Slope (percent): 0 4 Water table depth (inches): 36 60 Flooding Frequency: Occasional None Ponding Depth (inches): 0 4 Frequency: Occasional Duration: Brief Aspect: No Influence on this site

Climatic Features MLRAs 58A and 60B are considered to have a continental climate characterized by cold winters, hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are typical. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains and the winds move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature. Seasonal precipitation is often limiting for plant growth. Annual fluctuations in species composition and total production are typical depending on the amount and timing of rainfall. Temperatures can be very extreme in this part of Montana. Summer daytime temperatures are typically quite warm, generally averaging in the mid to upper 80º’s F for July and August. Summertime temperatures will typically reach in the 100º’s F at some point during the summer, and can reach 90º F any month between May and September. Conversely, winter temperatures can be cold, averaging in the mid teens to mid 20º’s F for December and January. There will typically be several days of below zero temperatures each winter. It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 30–40º F below zero, or even colder, most any winter. Spring can be windy throughout these MLRA’s, with winds averaging over 10 mph about 15 percent of the time. Speeds of 50 mph or stronger can occasionally occur as a weather system crosses this part of Montana. MLRAs 58AE and 60BE have been divided into two distinct precipitation zones for the purpose of developing ecological site descriptions: 10–14” Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) and 15–19” MAP. 10–14 inch zone: The majority of the rangeland in these areas falls within the 11 to 13

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inch range. During an average year, 70 to 75 percent of the annual precipitation falls between April and September, which are the primary growing season months. Snowfall is not heavy in the area, averaging 28 total inches in the 10-14 inch MAP (Yellowstone Valley). Heavy snowfall occurs infrequently, usually late in the winter or early spring. Snow cover is typically 1 to 3 inches. The frost free (32º F.) season averages about 105 to 145 days each year in the uplands, to nearly 170 days along the Yellowstone River Valley. For local climate station information, refer to http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/state.pl?state=mt.

Averaged Frost-free period (days): 125 Freeze-free period (days): 147 Mean annual precipitation (inches): 14.00

Monthly Precipitation (Inches): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Low 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Monthly Temperature (°F): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Low 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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Influencing Water Features Where this site is influenced by overflow, the associated stream is ephemeral (i.e., flows only in response to a precipitation event or snow melt). A water table within approximately 30 to 36 inches of the surface may be present.

Wetland Description (Cowardin System) System Subsystem Class Palustrine N/A Emergent Wetland

Representative Soil Features These soils are moderately to strongly saline or sodic. Salt and/or sodium accumulations are apparent on the soil surface. Soil depth and texture are not determining factors for this site. Permeability is variable, depending somewhat on surface texture, crusting, and the amount of salt and/or sodium present.

Surface texture: (1) Loam (2) Clay loam (3) Silty clay loam

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Subsurface texture group: Loamy Minimum Maximum Drainage class: Well drained to somewhat poorly drained Permeability class: Moderate Minimum Maximum Depth (inches): 40 60 Available water capacity (inches): 4.00 10.00 Electrical conductivity (mmhos/cm): 8 24 Sodium adsorption ratio: 15 40 Calcium carbonate equivalent (percent): 5 10 Soil reaction (1:1 water): 7.9 9.6

Plant Communities Ecological Dynamics of the Site This site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, which included the natural influence of large herbivores and occasional fire. The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). This community is described as a reference to understand the original potential of this site, 2and °F is not always considered to be the management goal for every acre of rangeland. The following descriptions should enable the landowner or manager to better understand which plant communities occupy their land, and assist with setting goals for vegetation management. It can also be useful to understand the environmental and economic values of each plant community. This site is considered moderately resilient to disturbance as it has moderate soil limitations for plant growth. Changes may occur to the Historic Climax Plant Community due to management actions and/or climatic conditions. Under continued adverse impacts, a moderate decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments, this site can more readily return to a community that resembles the Historic Climax Plant Community. Continual adverse impacts to the site over a period of years results in a departure from the HCPC, with a decrease of the taller, more palatable species such as alkali cordgrass, alkali sacaton, alkali bluegrass, Nuttall’s alkaligrass, western wheatgrass, and Nuttall’s saltbush. These plants will be replaced by inland saltgrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, other less palatable grasses, sedges, forbs, and greasewood.

Plants that are not a part of the climax community that are most likely to invade are foxtail barley, annual grasses, and annual and biennial forbs: red glasswort, Pursh seepweed, lambsquarter, kochia and Russian thistle.

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State-and-Transition Diagram

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs

This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC) for this site. This plant community is a mixture of cool and warm season grasses, including alkali sacaton, alkali cordgrass, Nuttall’s alkaligrass, alkali bluegrass, western wheatgrass, and Nuttall’s saltbush. There are also several short grasses and sedges, and forbs in small percentages. This is a very highly productive site due to the extra moisture it receives from run-in or a water table.

This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species and the presence of tall, deep-rooted perennial grasses allows for moderately high drought tolerance. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Plants on this site have strong, healthy root systems that allow production to increase

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significantly with favorable precipitation. Abundant plant litter is available for soil building and moisture retention. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. This plant community provides for soil stability and a functioning hydrologic cycle.

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs Plant Species Composition Annual Production Grass/Grasslike (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 1 -Native grasses 1110 2275 saltgrass DISP Distichlis spicata 75 350 Elymus slender wheatgrass ELTR7 0175 trachycaulus western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 150 525 Puccinellia Nuttall's alkaligrass PUNU2 75 350 nuttalliana alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 225 700 alkali cordgrass SPGR Spartina gracilis 150 875

2 -Native grasses, sedge, and rushes 15 350 Grass, perennial 2GP 15 175 clustered field CAPR5 Carex praegracilis 15 175 sedge sedge CAREX Carex 15 175 squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 15 175 JUBA Juncus balticus 15 175 rush JUNCU Juncus 15 175 Muhlenbergia mat muhly MURI 15 175 richardsonis Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 15 175

3 -Native grasses 1 2 foxtail barley HOJU Hordeum jubatum 12

Annual Production Forb (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 4 -Native forbs 75 175 Forb, perennial 2FP 15 30 buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 15 30 povertyweed IVAX Iva axillaris 15 30 knotweed POLYG4 Polygonum 15 30 red swampfire SARU Salicornia rubra 15 30 Suaeda Pursh seepweed SUCA2 15 30 calceoliformis

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Shrub/Vine Annual Production (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 5 -Native shrubs and half-shrubs 300 700 Shrub, broadleaf 2SB 15 350 Nuttall's saltbush ATNU2 Atriplex nuttallii 15 350 Gutierrezia broom snakeweed GUSA2 15 350 sarothrae Sarcobatus greasewood SAVE4 15 350 vermiculatus

Annual Production by Plant Type Annual Production (lbs/ac) Representative Plant type Low value High Forb 75 125 175 Grass/Grasslike 1125 1875 2625 Shrub/Vine 300 500 700

Total: 1500 2500 3500

Structure and Cover: Soil Surface Cover (%)

Basal Cover Surface Non- Fragments Surface Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grass/Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 8 to 13 1 to 1 to 5 0 to 1 15 to 0 to 1 55 to 2 25 75

Ground Cover (%) Vegetative Cover Non-Vegetative Cover

Surface Non- Fragments Surface Grass/ Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 40 to 70 1 to 5 5 to 0 to 1 20

Structure of Canopy Cover (%) Grasses/Grasslike Forbs Shrubs/Vines Trees <=0.5 feet > 0.5 - < 1 feet < 1 - >= 2 feet 40 to 70 1 to 5 5 to 20

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Plant Community 2: Medium and Short Grasses/ Tall Shrubs

Slight variations affecting the Historic Climax or Potential Plant Community can result in a community that is dominated more by the medium and short grass components, such as the Nuttall’s alkaligrass and alkali bluegrass. Inland saltgrass and greasewood may also take on more of a dominance.

Grass biomass production and litter become reduced on the site as the taller grasses disappear, increasing evaporation and reducing moisture retention. Additional open space in the community can result in undesirable invader species. This plant community provides for moderate soil stability.

Plant Community 3: Short Grasses

With continued heavy disturbance the site will become dominated by short grasses, such as inland saltgrass, western wheatgrass, and Sandberg bluegrass. Foxtail barley also becomes prevalent on the site. This plant community is still highly productive due to the extra moisture it receives, but the taller grasses are generally absent. Undesirable weeds often begin to invade onto the site.

Plant Community 4: Tall Shrubs/ Short Grasses/ Annual forbs

With prolonged disturbance on this site, excessive soil erosion occurs, and the plant community consists of large areas of bare ground (with exposed salts) between the plants. This site is less productive, and is dominated by inland saltgrass and greasewood, along with undesirable forbs such as seepweed, kochia, and Russian thistle, and annual grasses.

Plant Communities 3 and 4 have lost many of the attributes of a healthy rangeland, including good infiltration, minimal erosion and runoff, nutrient cycling and energy use.

Section ll: Ecological Site Interpretations

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Animal Community

Livestock Grazing Interpretations:

Managed livestock grazing is suitable on this site as it has the potential to produce an abundance of high quality forage. This is often a preferred site for grazing by livestock due to the extra moisture, and animals tend to congregate in these areas. In order to maintain the productivity of this site, stocking rates must be managed carefully on adjoining sites with less production to be sure livestock drift onto the Saline Lowland site is not excessive. Management objectives should include maintenance or improvement of the plant community. Shorter grazing periods and adequate re-growth after grazing are recommended for plant maintenance and recovery. Heavy stocking and season-long use of this site can be detrimental and will alter the plant community composition and production over time.

Whenever Plant Community 2 (medium and short grasses) occurs, grazing management strategies need to be implemented to avoid further deterioration. This community is still stable, productive, and healthy provided it receives proper management. This community will respond fairly quickly to improved grazing management, including increased growing season rest of key forage plants. Improved grazing management alone can usually move this community back towards one resembling the potential community.

Plant Community 3 may still produce an abundance of forage due to the extra moisture, but the forage quality is not nearly as high as that in Community 1 or 2.

Plant Community 4 has extremely reduced forage value, as many of the dominant species are unpalatable to livestock.

Once this site is occupied by Plant Community 3 or 4, it will be more difficult to restore it to a community that resembles the potential with grazing management alone. Additional growing season rest is often necessary for re-establishment of the desired species and to restore the stability and health of the site. Brush management and range seeding may be necessary to restore native grasses.

WILDLIFE INTERPRETATIONS:

The following is a description of habitat values for the different plant communities that may occupy the site:

Plant Community 1: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs (HCPC):

The diverse mixture of warm and cool season grasses and shrubs, combined with relatively high productivity, provides habitat for numerous wildlife species. Grazers and mixed feeders find good nutrition levels over a long time period. Big game animals have thermal and escape cover (shrubs) interspersed with feeding areas. Nuttall’s saltbush and other shrubs provide winter browsing for mule deer and pronghorn. Litter cover and residual grasses provide good habitat for ground-nesting birds and a variety of small mammals. Lark buntings, Brewer’s sparrow, meadowlarks and dabbling ducks, such as

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mallards and blue-winged teal, may nest in this community. Raptors, particularly the northern harrier, find abundant prey here. Example small mammals include seeders like the harvest mouse, olive-backed pocket mouse and deer mouse as well as herbivores like the prairie vole. Raccoons may search for ground nests in this type.

Plant Community 2: Medium and Short Grasses/ Tall Shrubs:

Loss of warm season grasses (alkali sacaton, cordgrass) shortens the period of high nutrition for grazers and mixed feeders. A reduction in plant species and life form diversity generally results in less overall wildlife species richness. A decline in litter cover reduces habitat value for ground-nesting birds. Small mammal species composition shifts toward seed eaters like the deer mouse. Brewer’s sparrows and lark buntings are examples of breeding birds that may use this ecological stage.

Plant Community 3 and 4: Tall Shrubs/ Short Grasses/ Annuals:

Wildlife habitat values are generally quite low. Ring-necked pheasants may feed on annual weed seeds when this community occurs near cropland. Ground-nesting bird habitat is very poor. Small mammal populations consist mainly of deer mice, which make use of abundant seed production.

Hydrology Functions The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Group C. The infiltration rates for these soils will generally be moderate. The runoff potential for this site is low. Runoff curve numbers generally range from 64 to 89.

Good hydrologic conditions exist on rangelands if plant cover (grass, litter, and brush canopy) is greater than 70 percent. Fair conditions exist when cover is between 30 and 70 percent, and poor conditions exist when cover is less than 30 percent. Sites in high similarity to HCPC (Plant Communities 1 and 2) generally have enough plant cover and litter to optimize infiltration, minimize runoff and erosion, and have a good hydrologic condition. The deep root systems of the potential vegetation help maintain or increase infiltration rates and reduce runoff.

Sites in low similarity (Plant Communities 3 and 4) are generally considered to be in poor hydrologic condition as the majority of plant cover is from more shallow-rooted species and shrubs.

Erosion is minor for sites in high similarity. Rills and gullies should not be present. Water flow patterns, if present, will be barely observable. Plant pedestals are essentially non- existent. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosion. Soil surfaces should not be compacted or crusted. Plant cover and litter helps retain soil moisture for use by the plants. Maintaining a healthy stand of perennial vegetation will optimize the amount of precipitation that is received. (Reference: Engineering Field Manual, Chapter 2 and Montana Supplement 4).

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Recreational Uses This site provides recreational opportunities for big game and upland bird hunting, and hiking. The forbs have flowers that appeal to photographers. This site provides valuable open space and visual aesthetics.

Other Information The following is an example of how to calculate the recommended stocking rate. This example does not use production estimates from this specific ecological site. You will need to adjust the annual production values and run the calculations using total annual production values from the ecological sites encountered on each individual ranch/pasture. Before making specific recommendations, an on-site evaluation must be made.

Example of total annual production amounts by type of year: Favorable years = 2200 lbs/acre Normal years = 1480 lbs/acre Unfavorable years = 1200 lbs/acre

It is recommended that on slopes of 30% or less, stocking rate should be derived from the total annual production pounds minus 500 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. On slopes over 30%, stocking rate is derived from total annual production pounds minus 800 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. Refer to the NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook for a list of Animal Unit Equivalents.

Sample Calculations using Favorable Year production amounts:

< 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-500)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.46 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.46AUM/AC) = 2.2 AC/AUM

> 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-800)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.38 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.38 AUM/AC) = 2.6 AC/AUM

NOTE: 915 lbs/month for one Animal Unit is used as the baseline for maintenance requirements. This equates to 30 lbs/day of air-dry forage (1200 lb cow at 2.5% of body weight).

Supporting Information Similar Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Saline Upland (SU) R058AE011MT The Saline Upland site may have similar plants, but is much more sparse and low producing.

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Dense Clay (DC) R058AE014MT The Dense Clay site will be more similar to a Saline Upland in that the production is much lower and the plant community is very sparse. Silty-Saline (SiS) R058AE193MT The Silty-Saline site will have more non-salt tolerant plants present.

State Correlation This site has been correlated with the following states: MT

Inventory Data References NRCS-Production & Composition Record for Native Grazing Lands (Range-417): 3

BLM-Soil & Vegetation Inventory Method (SVIM) Data: 6

NRCS-Range Condition Record (ECS-2): 30

NRCS-Range/Soil Correlation Observations & Soil 232 notes: 15

Site Authors Bob Leinard JVF, REL, RSN, MJR, SKW, SVF, POH

Quality Assurance Provisional Status Verified in Legacy System

Reference Sheet Author(s)/participant(s): T. DeCock; R Kilian

Contact for lead author: Tammy DeCock

Date: 6/11/2014 MLRA: 058A Ecological Site: Saline Lowland (SL) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. R058AE012MT This must be verified based on soils and climate (see Ecological Site Description). Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Composition (indicators 10 and 12) based on: X Annual Production, Foliar Cover, Biomass

Indicators. For each indicator, describe the potential for the site. Where possible, (1) use numbers, (2) include expected range of values for above- and below-average years

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for each community and natural distrurbance regimes within the reference state, when appropriate and (3) cite data. Continue descriptions on separate sheet.

1. Number and extent of rills: Rills should not be present.

2. Presence of water flow patterns: Barely observable.

3. Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes: Essentially non- existent.

4. Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, standing dead, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground): Bare ground is < 5 %. Bare ground will occur as small areas less than 2 inches in diameter.

5. Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies: Active gullies should not be present. Existing gullies should be “healed” with a good vegetative cover.

6. Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas: None.

7. Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel): Little to no plant litter movement. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosional forces.

8. Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values): Surface Soil Aggregate Stability under plant canopy should typically be 3. Surface Soil Aggregate Stability not under plant canopy should typically be 2 or slightly less.

9. Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type and strength of structure, and A-horizon color and thickness): Use soil survey series description.

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10. Effect on plant community composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff: High grass canopy and basal cover and small gaps between plants should reduce raindrop impact and slow overland flow, providing increased time for infiltration to occur. A combination of shallow and deep rooted species has a positive effect on infiltration.

11. Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site): No compaction layer; slight soil surface crusting may be present.

12. Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground weight using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to) with dominants and sub-dominants and "others" on separate lines: Dominant: Warm season, mid-stature, bunch grasses = Warm season, tall- stature, rhizomatous grasses Sub-dominant: Shrubs > Cool season, mid-stature, rhizomatous grasses = Warm season, mid- stature, rhizomatous grasses Other: Minor components: sedges, rushes, forbs, cool season, short- stature, bunch grasses Additional:

13. Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence): Very low.

14. Average percent litter cover (25 to 70 %) and depth (inches): Litter cover is in contact with soil surface.

15. Expected annual production (this is TOTAL above-ground production, not just forage production): 3000 – 3500 lbs/ac (13 to 14 inch precip.) 1500 – 2500 lbs/ac (10 to 12 inch precip.)

16. Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List Species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note

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that unlike other indicator, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site: Halogeton, Sulphur cinquefoil, common tansy, oxeye daisy, Leafy spurge, knapweeds, whitetop, Dalmatian toadflax, yellow toadflax, St. Johnswort, perennial pepperweed , foxtail barley, Russian olive, salt cedar.

17. Perennial plant reproductive capability: All species are capable of reproducing.

Reference Sheet Approval Approval Date Jon Siddoway 1/12/2015

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United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Description Section l: Ecological Site Characteristics Ecological Site Identification and Concept

Site stage: Provisional

Provisional: an ESD at the provisional status represents the lowest tier of documentation that is releasable to the public. It contains a grouping of soil units that respond similarly to ecological processes. The ESD contains 1) enough information to distinguish it from similar and associated ecological sites and 2) a draft state and transition model capturing the ecological processes and vegetative states and community phases as they are currently conceptualized. The provisional ESD has undergone both quality control and quality assurance protocols. It is expected that the provisional ESD will continue refinement towards an approved status.

Site name: Shallow (Sw) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. Site type: Rangeland Site ID: R058AE019MT Major land resource area (MLRA): 058A-Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part

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Physiographic Features This ecological site occurs mainly on hills, ridgetops and upper sideslopes. It often occurs in complex with other ecological sites. It occurs on all slopes and exposures. Aspect can become significant, especially on steep and very steep slopes. Slight variations in plant community composition and production can result due to aspect. Runoff and potential for water erosion are important features of this site. The amount of exposed rock outcrops tend to increase as slopes increase.

Landform: (1) Ridge (2) Escarpment (3) Hill

Minimum Maximum Elevation (feet): 1900 3500 Slope (percent): 0 60 Water table depth (inches): 60 60 Flooding Frequency: None Ponding Frequency: None Runoff class: Low Medium Climatic Features MLRAs 58A and 60B are considered to have a continental climate characterized by cold winters, hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are typical. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains and the winds move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature. Seasonal precipitation is often limiting for plant growth. Annual fluctuations in species composition and total production are typical depending on the amount and timing of rainfall. Temperatures can be very extreme in this part of Montana. Summer daytime temperatures are typically quite warm, generally averaging in the mid to upper 80º’s F for July and August. Summertime temperatures will typically reach in the 100º’s F at some point during the summer, and can reach 90º F any month between May and September. Conversely, winter temperatures can be cold, averaging in the mid teens to mid 20º’s F for December and January. There will typically be several days of below zero temperatures each winter. It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 30–40º F below zero, or even colder, most any winter. Spring can be windy throughout these MLRA’s, with winds averaging over 10 mph about 15 percent of the time. Speeds of 50 mph or stronger can occasionally occur as a weather system crosses this part of Montana. MLRAs 58AE and 60BE have been divided into two distinct precipitation zones for the purpose of developing ecological site descriptions: 10–14” Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) and 15–19” MAP. 10–14 inch zone: The majority of the rangeland in these areas falls within the 11 to 13

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inch range. During an average year, 70 to 75 percent of the annual precipitation falls between April and September, which are the primary growing season months. Snowfall is not heavy in the area, averaging 28 total inches in the 10-14 inch MAP (Yellowstone Valley). Heavy snowfall occurs infrequently, usually late in the winter or early spring. Snow cover is typically 1 to 3 inches. The frost free (32º F.) season averages about 105 to 145 days each year in the uplands, to nearly 170 days along the Yellowstone River Valley. For local climate station information, refer to http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/state.pl?state=mt.

Averaged Frost-free period (days): 125 Freeze-free period (days): 147 Mean annual precipitation (inches): 14.00

Monthly Precipitation (Inches): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Low 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Monthly Temperature (°F): Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec High 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Low 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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Influencing Water Features

Representative Soil Features These soils are mainly loamy textures that are 10 to 20 inches deep to hard rock or soft beds of decomposed siltstone or sandstone. Few plant roots can penetrate deeper than 20 inches. They are generally silt loams, loams, sandy loams, fine sandy loams, and very fine sandy loams

Surface texture: (1) Loam (2) Silt loam (3) Sandy loam Subsurface texture group: Loamy Minimum Maximum Drainage class: Well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class: Moderate to moderately rapid Minimum Maximum Depth (inches): 10 20 Available water capacity (inches): 2.00 4.00 Electrical conductivity (mmhos/cm): 0 2

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Sodium adsorption ratio: 0 0 Calcium carbonate equivalent (percent): 1 10 Soil reaction (1:1 water): 7.4 8.4

Plant Communities Ecological Dynamics of the Site This site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, which included the natural influence of large herbivores and occasional fire. The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). This community is described as a reference to understand the original potential of this site, and is not always considered to be the management goal for every acre of rangeland. The following descriptions should enable the landowner or manager to better understand which plant communities occupy their land, and assist with setting goals for vegetation management. It can also be useful to understand the environmental and economic values of each plant community. This site is considered moderately resilient to disturbance as it has only moderate soil limitations for plant growth. Changes may occur to the Historic Climax Plant Community due to management actions and/or climatic conditions. Under continued adverse impacts, a moderate decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments the site can more readily return to the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). Continual2 °F adverse impacts to the site over a period of years results in a departure from the HCPC, with a decrease of the taller, more palatable species such as bluebunch wheatgrass, prairie sandreed, little bluestem, plains muhly, sideoats grama, black samson, purple and white prairieclover, dotted gayfeather, winterfat, and skunkbush sumac. These plants will be replaced by needleandthread, sand dropseed, threadleaf sedge, blue grama, increaser forbs, yucca, rose, creeping juniper, and Wyoming big sagebrush. Continued deterioration results in increased amounts of red threeawn, fringed and green sagewort and plains pricklypear. Plants that are not a part of the climax community that are most likely to invade are cheatgrass and Japanese bromes, six-weeks fescue, false buffalograss, broom snakeweed, and thistles.

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State-and-Transition Diagram

Plant Community 1A, 1B, 1C: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs

These are the interpretive plant communities and are considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC) for this site. The variations between 1A, 1B, and 1C result from slight differences in soils and aspect, which alter the amount of effective moisture that plants receive for growth.

These plant communities contain a high diversity of tall grasses (prairie sandreed, little bluestem, big bluestem, needleandthread, Indian ricegrass, and bluebunch wheatgrass),

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short grasses and sedges (sand dropseed, plains muhly, prairie junegrass, threadleaf sedge and blue grama), and shrubs (skunkbush sumac and winterfat). There are also abundant forbs, and half-shrubs which occur in small percentages.

1A. Warm Season Dominated: This plant community occurs primarily on cooler eastern and north aspects, or on flat slopes that receive additional moisture. The dominant grasses are little bluestem, plains muhly, sideoats grama, western wheatgrass, and short grasses such as threadleaf sedge, prairie junegrass, and Sandberg bluegrass. Creeping juniper is often common on this aspect.

1B. Coarse Textured Soils: This plant community occurs on more coarse textured sandy soils, and the dominant grasses are prairie sandreed, little bluestem, sideoats grama, needleandthread, and short grasses such as threadleaf sedge, prairie junegrass, and Sandberg bluegrass. Yucca is often common on this aspect.

1C. Cool Season Dominated: This plant community occurs primarily on warmer south and west aspects. Due to the droughty nature of this aspect, bluebunch wheatgrass tends to be more dominant. It will grow in association with plains muhly, needleandthread, and western or thickspike wheatgrass. This aspect is likely to have skunkbush sumac and yucca present.

These plant communities are well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species and the presence of tall, deep-rooted perennial grasses allows for moderately high drought tolerance, considering the limited available water holding capacity of the site. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Plants on this site have strong, healthy root systems that allow production to increase significantly with favorable precipitation. Abundant plant litter is available for soil building and moisture retention. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. This plant community provides for soil stability and a functioning hydrologic cycle.

Plant Community 1A, 1B, 1C: Tall and Medium Grasses/ Forbs/ Shrubs Plant Species Composition Annual Production Grass/Grasslike (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 1 -Native grasses 345 780 Bouteloua sideoats grama BOCU 25 130 curtipendula Calamovilfa prairie sandreed CALO 50 260 longifolia Hesperostipa needle and thread HECOC8 comata subsp. 25 130 comata Muhlenbergia plains muhly MUCU3 25 195 cuspidata

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western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 25 195 bluebunch Pseudoroegneria PSSP6 100 650 wheatgrass spicata Schizachyrium little bluestem SCSCS scoparium var. 50 390 scoparium

2 -Native grasses and sedges 5 130 Grass, perennial 2GP 5 65 Achnatherum Indian ricegrass ACHY 565 hymenoides blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 565 BUDA Buchloe dactyloides 565 threadleaf sedge CAFI Carex filifolia 565 Calamagrostis plains reedgrass CAMO 565 montanensis squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 565 prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 565 green needlegrass NAVI4 Nassella viridula 565 Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 565 Sporobolus sand dropseed SPCR 565 cryptandrus

3 -Native grasses 1 2 Aristida purpurea Fendler threeawn ARPUL 12 var. longiseta

Annual Production Forb (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 4 -Native forbs 50 130 Forb, perennial 2FP 5 65 common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 565 pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 565 Artemisia tarragon ARDR4 565 dracunculus Barr's milkvetch ASBA Astragalus barrii 565 Astragalus tufted milkvetch ASSP6 565 spatulatus milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 565 miner's candle CRVI4 Cryptantha virgata 565 white prairie clover DACA7 Dalea candida 565 purple prairie clover DAPU5 Dalea purpurea 565 blacksamson Echinacea ECAN2 565 echinacea angustifolia buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 565 hairy false HEVI4 Heterotheca villosa 565 goldenaster dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 565 evening primrose OENOT Oenothera 565 beardtongue PENST Penstemon 565 spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 565 scurfpea PSORA2 Psoralidium 565

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upright prairie RACO3 Ratibida 565 coneflower columnifera American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 565

Annual Production Shrub/Vine (pounds per acre) Group Group name Common name Symbol Scientific name Low High 5 -Native shrubs and half-shrubs 100 260 Shrub, broadleaf 2SB 5 65 prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 565 Artemisia tridentata Wyoming big ARTRW8 subsp. 565 sagebrush wyomingensis Chrysothamnus yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 565 viscidiflorus Ericameria rubber rabbitbrush ERNAN5 nauseosa var. 565 nauseosa Gutierrezia broom snakeweed GUSA2 12 sarothrae Juniperus creeping juniper JUHO2 565 horizontalis Rocky Mountain Juniperus JUSC2 565 juniper scopulorum Krascheninnikovia winterfat KRLA2 565 lanata Opuntia plains pricklypear OPPO 12 polyacantha skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 25 130 prairie rose ROAR3 Rosa arkansana 565 soapweed yucca YUGL Yucca glauca 565

Annual Production by Plant Type Annual Production (lbs/ac) Representative Plant type Low value High Forb 50 90 130 Grass/Grasslike 350 630 910 Shrub/Vine 100 180 260

Total: 500 900 1300

Structure and Cover: Soil Surface Cover (%)

Basal Cover Surface Non- Fragments Surface Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grass/Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 5 to 10 1 to 1 to 5 1 to 2 15 to 0 to 5 30 to 4 25 50

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Ground Cover (%) Vegetative Cover Non-Vegetative Cover

Surface Non- Fragments Surface Grass/ Shrub/ Vascular Biological > 1/4 & <= Fragments Bare Grasslike Forb Vine Tree Plants Crust Litter 3" > 3" Bedrock Water Ground 20 to 30 1 to 5 10 to 0 to 1 15

Structure of Canopy Cover (%) Grasses/Grasslike Forbs Shrubs/Vines Trees <=0.5 feet > 0.5 - < 1 feet < 1 - >= 2 feet 20 to 30 1 to 5 10 to 15

Plant Community 2: Medium and Short Grasses/ Medium Shrubs and Half-shrubs

Slight disturbances and degradation to the HCPC will result in a plant community dominated by needleandthread, western wheatgrass, threadleaf sedge, fringed and green sagewort, hairy goldenaster, prairie rose, and Wyoming big sagebrush. The tall, more palatable grasses (little bluestem, bluebunch wheatgrass) will be present in smaller percentages. Creeping juniper and yucca may also increase.

Grass biomass production and litter become reduced on the site as the taller grasses disappear, increasing evaporation and reducing moisture retention. Additional open space in the community can result in undesirable invader species. This plant community provides for moderate soil stability.

Plant Community 3: Short Grasses/ Shrubs and Half-shrubs

With continued heavy disturbance the site will become dominated by short grasses, such as blue grama, prairie junegrass and threadleaf sedge. Needleandthread will still be present in low amounts. Palatable shrubs and forbs will be mostly absent. Much of the production is from green and fringed sagewort and broom snakeweed. Annual grasses and forbs begin to invade the site.

This plant community is less productive than Plant Community 1 or 2 (< 750 pounds per acre). The lack of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evapotranspiration, which gives blue grama a competitive advantage over the cool season tall and medium grasses. This community has lost many

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of the attributes of a healthy rangeland, including good infiltration, minimal erosion and runoff, nutrient cycling and energy flow.

There are limitations to using mechanical treatment on this site due to the shallow soils.

Plant Community 4: Half-shrubs/ Short Grasses and Sedges/ Cacti/ Annuals

With continual heavy disturbance over several years, this site will experience a loss of topsoil and an increase of bare ground. The community will change to one dominated primarily by fringed sagewort, broom snakeweed, red threeawn, short grasses, and annual grasses and forbs. Plains prickly pear expands onto the site.

This community has extremely reduced productivity of perennial grasses (< 300 pounds per acre). Significant economic inputs and time would be required to move this plant community toward a higher successional stage and a more productive plant community.

Section ll: Ecological Site Interpretations Animal Community

Livestock Grazing Interpretations:

Managed livestock grazing is suitable on this site as it has the potential to produce a moderate amount of high quality forage. Forage production is somewhat limited by steep slopes and shallow soils, and the potential for runoff, which reduces the effectiveness of the precipitation received for plant growth. The steeper slopes may also limit livestock travel and result in poor grazing distribution, especially in areas away from water. Management objectives should include maintenance or improvement of the plant community. Shorter grazing periods and adequate re-growth after grazing are recommended for plant maintenance and recovery. Heavy stocking and season long use of this site can be detrimental and will alter the plant community composition and production over time.

Whenever Plant Community 2 (medium and short grasses) occurs, grazing management strategies need to be implemented to avoid further deterioration. This community is still stable, productive, and healthy provided it receives proper

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management. This community will respond fairly quickly to improved grazing management including increased growing season rest of key forage plants. Grazing management alone can usually move this community back to one more similar to potential if a good seed source of the taller grasses still exists. Plant Communities 3 and 4 have significantly reduced forage production (200-600 lbs./acre). Once this site is occupied by either Plant Community 3 or 4, it will be more difficult to restore it to a community that resembles the potential with grazing management alone. Additional growing season rest is often necessary for re- establishment of the desired species and to restore the stability and health of the site.

Some practices such as seeding and mechanical treatment are typically not recommended on shallow soils, such as those associated with this ecological site. However, in this MLRA/MLRU, this ecological site is often a minor component of larger map units containing deeper soils. In these situations, treating the shallow site is often only incidental to treating the larger area of deeper soils. Also, to avoid the shallow component of these areas often becomes impractical. In some locations, shallow soils have been cultivated as part of a field composed of mainly deeper soils. Reseeding is generally feasible and practical in these situations.

Wildlife Interpretations:

The following is a description of habitat values for the different plant communities that may occupy the site:

Plant Community 1: Tall Grasses/Forbs/Shrubs (HCPC): The complex topography and vegetative structure of this site, along with the tendency to occur in a mosaic with other ecological sites, results in diverse wildlife habitat. The abundance and diversity of forbs and shrubs favor browsers and selective feeders such and mule deer and pronghorn. Warm season grasses (1a. and 1b.) extend the availability of nutritious forage for grazers and mixed feeders including bison and elk. Large animal nutrition levels are relatively high yearlong because of the diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs. The general area often provides thermal and escape cover for big game animals. Shrub availability on steep, south slopes, provides important winter range for mule deer and elk (1c.). The majority of small mammals found on this site are seed-eaters such as deer mice and kangaroo rats. Abundant prey and perch sites (on rock outcrops and scattered trees) attract a variety of raptors. Sites having steeper, rocky topography provide habitat for interesting songbird species such as rock wrens, canyon wrens and spotted towhees. Scattered Rocky Mountain juniper and Ponderosa pine host field sparrows and chipping sparrows.

Plant Community 2: Medium and Short Grasses/ Medium Shrubs and Half-shrubs: The loss of warm season grasses shortens the green feed period for grazers and mixed feeders such as bison and elk. Loss of vegetative structural diversity reduces habitat value for big game, small mammals and birds. Pronghorn and deer habitat suffers from a loss of forb diversity. Potential increases in big sagebrush and rabbitbrush cover may provide sage grouse nesting and winter habitat and browse for deer and pronghorn. Sagebrush/ grassland obligates such as Brewer’s and sage sparrows may also benefit. However, the reduction in residual grass and litter cover reduces habitat value for ground-nesting birds.

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Plant Community 3: Short Grasses/ Medium Shrubs and Half-shrubs: The period of high nutrition levels for grazers and mixed feeders is shortened considerably with the loss of grass and forb diversity. Small mammal populations are dominated by deer mice as annual plants increase. Breeding bird habitat value declines with loss of residual plant material and litter.

Plant Community 4: Half-shrubs/ Short Grasses/ Cacti/ Annual Grasses & Forbs: Sparse vegetation and greater coverage of bare ground may provide suitable habitat for mountain plovers, horned larks and McCown’s longspurs. However, a lack of complex vegetation structure and residual cover makes this community poor habitat in general for most ground-nesting birds and relatively poor big game habitat. Pronghorn and mule deer may forage in this community spring through fall.

Hydrology Functions The runoff potential for this site is low to moderate, depending on slope and ground cover/health. Runoff curve numbers generally range from 78 to 90. The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Group C. The infiltration rates for these soils will normally be moderate to moderately rapid. Good hydrologic conditions exist on rangelands if plant cover (grass, litter, and brush canopy) is greater than 70%. Fair conditions exist when cover is between 30 and 70%, and poor conditions exist when cover is less than 30%. Sites in high similarity to HCPC (Plant Communities 1a, 1b, 1c, and 2) generally have enough plant cover and litter to optimize infiltration, minimize runoff and erosion, and have a good hydrologic condition. The deep root systems of the potential vegetation help maintain or increase infiltration rates and reduce runoff.

Sites in low similarity (Plant Communities 3 and 4) are generally considered to be in poor hydrologic condition as the majority of plant cover is from shallow-rooted species such as blue grama, annual grasses, and shrubs.

Erosion is minor for sites in high similarity. Rills and gullies should not be present. Water flow patterns, if present, will be barely observable. Plant pedestals are essentially non- existent. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosion. Soil surfaces should not be compacted or crusted. Plant cover and litter helps retain soil moisture for use by the plants. Maintaining a healthy stand of perennial vegetation will optimize the amount of precipitation that is received. (Reference: Engineering Field Manual, Chapter 2 and Montana Supplement 4).

Recreational Uses This site provides recreational opportunities for big game and upland bird hunting, and hiking. The forbs have flowers that appeal to photographers. This site provides valuable open space and visual aesthetics.

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Other Information The following is an example of how to calculate the recommended stocking rate. This example does not use production estimates from this specific ecological site. You will need to adjust the annual production values and run the calculations using total annual production values from the ecological sites encountered on each individual ranch/pasture. Before making specific recommendations, an on-site evaluation must be made.

Example of total annual production amounts by type of year: Favorable years = 2200 lbs/acre Normal years = 1480 lbs/acre Unfavorable years = 1200 lbs/acre

It is recommended that on slopes of 30% or less, stocking rate should be derived from the total annual production pounds minus 500 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. On slopes over 30%, stocking rate is derived from total annual production pounds minus 800 pounds for residual dry matter and 25% harvest efficiency. Refer to the NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook for a list of Animal Unit Equivalents.

Sample Calculations using Favorable Year production amounts:

< 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-500)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.46 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.46AUM/AC) = 2.2 AC/AUM

> 30% slopes: AUM/AC = [(2200-800)(0.25)]/915 lbs/month for one AU = 0.38 AUM/AC AC/AUM = (1.0 AU)/(0.38 AUM/AC) = 2.6 AC/AUM

NOTE: 915 lbs/month for one Animal Unit is used as the baseline for maintenance requirements. This equates to 30 lbs/day of air-dry forage (1200 lb cow at 2.5% of body weight).

Supporting Information Associated Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative Silty (Si) R058AE001MT Sandy (Sy) R058AE003MT Silty-Steep (SiStp) R058AE004MT Sandy-Steep (SyStp) R058AE006MT Very Shallow (VSw) R058AE017MT

Similar Sites Site name Site ID Site narrative

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Silty (Si) R058AE001MT The Sandy and Silty sites vary by being over 20 inches deep and on slopes less than 15%. Sandy (Sy) R058AE003MT The Sandy and Silty sites vary by being over 20 inches deep and on slopes less than 15%. Silty-Steep (SiStp) R058AE004MT The Silty-Steep site has soils greater than 20 inches deep and occurs on slopes greater than 15%. Very Shallow (VSw) R058AE017MT The Very Shallow site is less than 10 inches deep, or has a water holding capacity of 2 inches or less. Shallow Clay (SwC) R058AE199MT The Shallow Clay site varies by texture.

State Correlation This site has been correlated with the following states: MT

Inventory Data References NRCS-Production & Composition Record for Native Grazing Lands (Range-417): 9

BLM-Soil & Vegetation Inventory Method (SVIM) Data: 6

NRCS-Range Condition Record (ECS-2): 62

NRCS-Range/Soil Correlation Observations & Soil 232 notes: 30

Site Authors Bob Leinard JVF, REL, RSN, MJR, SKW, SVF, POH

Quality Assurance Provisional Status Verified in Legacy System

Reference Sheet Author(s)/participant(s): T. DeCock; R Kilian

Contact for lead author: Tammy DeCock

Date: 6/11/2014 MLRA: 058A Ecological Site: Shallow (Sw) RRU 58A-E 10-14" p.z. R058AE019MT This must be verified based on soils and climate (see Ecological Site Description). Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

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Composition (indicators 10 and 12) based on: X Annual Production, Foliar Cover, Biomass

Indicators. For each indicator, describe the potential for the site. Where possible, (1) use numbers, (2) include expected range of values for above- and below-average years for each community and natural distrurbance regimes within the reference state, when appropriate and (3) cite data. Continue descriptions on separate sheet.

1. Number and extent of rills: None.

2. Presence of water flow patterns: None on slopes < 15%. Water flow patterns < 2 feet long may occur on slopes > 15%.

3. Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes: None.

4. Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, standing dead, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground): Bare ground is < 30%. Bare ground will occur as small irregular shaped areas less than 5 inches in diameter.

5. Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies: Active gullies should not be present. Existing gullies should be “healed” with a good vegetative cover.

6. Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas: None.

7. Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel): Little to no plant litter movement occurs on slopes < 15%. Small herbaceous litter may move up to 4 inches on slopes > 15%.

8. Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values): Surface Soil Aggregate Stability under plant canopy should typically be 5. Surface Soil Aggregate Stability not under plant canopy should typically be 4 or slightly less.

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9. Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type and strength of structure, and A-horizon color and thickness): Use soil series description.

10. Effect on plant community composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff: High grass canopy and basal cover and small gaps between plants should reduce raindrop impact and slow overland flow, providing increased time for infiltration to occur. A combination of shallow and deep rooted species has a positive effect on infiltration.

11. Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site): No compaction layer or soil surface crusting should be evident.

12. Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground weight using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to) with dominants and sub-dominants and "others" on separate lines: Dominant: Cool season, Mid-stature, bunch grasses = Warm season, mid- stature, bunch grasses Sub-dominant: Warm season, tall-stature, rhizomatous grasses = shrubs and half shrubs > Cool season, mid-stature, rhizomatous grasses > forbs = Warm season, mid-stature, rhizomatous grasses = Cool season, bunch grasses and sedge Other: Minor components: Warm season, short stature, rhizomatous grasses Additional: (Blue grama should be grouped with warm season, short-stature, rhizomatous grasses due to its growth form)

13. Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence): Very low.

14. Average percent litter cover (15 to 40 %) and depth (inches): Litter cover is in contact with soil surface.

15. Expected annual production (this is TOTAL above-ground production, not just forage production): 1100 to 1300 #/acre (13 to 14 inch precip. Zone) 500 to 900 #/ac (10 to 12 inch precip. Zone).

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16. Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List Species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicator, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site: Sulphur cinquefoil, common tansy, oxeye daisy, Leafy spurge, knapweeds, whitetop, Dalmatian toadflax, yellow toadflax, St. Johnswort, perennial pepperweed. Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome can be invasive on the eastern boarder of Montana for these MLRAs.

17. Perennial plant reproductive capability: All species are capable of reproducing.

Reference Sheet Approval Approval Date Jon Siddoway 1/12/2015

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