Animal community

Wildlife Interpretations.

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

This rangeland ecological site provides diverse habitat for many native wildlife species. Large herbivore use of this ecological site is dominated by mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and elk. Important seasonal habitat is provided for resident and migratory animals including western toad, sagebrush lizard, western rattlesnake, shrews, bats, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, mice, coyote, red fox, badger, sage-grouse, Ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, horned lark and western meadowlark. Changes in the plant community composition can reduce the numbers and diversity of wildlife species in the area. With reduced shrub cover shrub obligate avian and mammal species become rare including sage-grouse, brewer’s sparrow, sage thrasher and pygmy rabbits. Encroachment of noxious and invasive plant species (cheatgrass, Medusahead) replace native plant species which provide critical feed, brood-rearing and nesting cover for a variety of native wildlife. The loss of herbaceous understory vegetation has a negative impact on ground nesting birds, while the loss of shrub cover negatively affects both ground and shrub nesting avians. Water is limited, being provided only by seasonal runoff, artificial water catchments and spring sites. This rangeland ecological site is commonly associated with pre-historic lava flows which provide unique cave habitats for several sensitive animal species, including the Blind Cave Leiodid Beetle, Cave Obligate Mite, Bats and Cave Obligate Harvestman.

State 1 Phase 1.1 - Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Idaho Fescue/ Bluebunch Reference Plant Community (RPC): This plant community provides a diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs used by native insect communities that assist in pollination. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by leopard lizard, desert horned lizard, short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard, western skink, western rattlesnake, western toad, boreal chorus frog, and northern leopard frog. The reference plant community provides habitat for prey species, and cover for the resident reptile species. Shrub-steppe obligate avian species include the Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage-grouse. Critical habitat (lek sites, nesting areas, winter cover and food) for sage-grouse are provided by this diverse plant community. The plant community supports seasonal needs of large mammals (mule deer, antelope, and elk) providing food and cover on a seasonal basis. Mountain big sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush are preferred browse for wild ungulates. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks and yellow-bellied marmots utilize this plant community. Deer mouse is the primary vector for planting bitterbrush seed.

State 1 Phase 1.2 – Mountain Big Sagebrush/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management. An increase in canopy cover of sagebrush contributes to a sparse herbaceous understory. Grasses, forbs and shrubs, are used by native insects that assist in pollination but the reduced herbaceous understory results in lower diversity and numbers of insects. The reptile and amphibian community would decline in diversity and population due to a decline in cover and prey species. Reduced herbaceous understory is a key factor in limiting the use of this plant community by avian species. Key shrub-steppe avian obligates include Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher and sage- grouse. Critical habitat (lek sites, nesting areas, winter cover and food) for sage-grouse is limited due to a less diverse herbaceous plant community. The plant community supports seasonal needs of large mammals (mule deer, antelope, and elk) providing food and cover on a seasonal basis. Mountain big sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush are preferred browse for wild ungulates. A diverse small mammal population including golden-mantled ground squirrels, chipmunks, deer mouse and yellow-bellied marmots would utilize the habitat. Deer mouse is the primary vector for planting bitterbrush seed.

State 1 Phase 1.3 - Bluebunch Wheatgrass/ Idaho Fescue/ Bottlebrush Squirreltail Plant Community: This plant community is the result of frequent fire. The plant community, dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little or no sagebrush provides less vertical structure and limits use by shrub obligate species. Insect diversity would be lowered but a diverse native forb plant community would still support select pollinators. Cave dwelling insects and mammals from adjacent habitats would be supported by this plant community. Reptile use, including short horned lizard, sagebrush lizard and western rattlesnakes, would be limited or excluded due to the absence of sagebrush. The dominance of herbaceous vegetation with little sagebrush canopy cover would prevent use of these areas for nesting by Brewer’s sparrow, sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage-grouse. This plant community provides limited brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse if sagebrush habitat is adjacent to the site. Sage-grouse would not use the area for wintering habitat. The dominant herbaceous vegetation improves habitat for grassland avian species (horned lark and western meadowlark). Large mammal (mule deer, antelope, and elk) use for food would be seasonal but would offer little thermal cover and young of year cover. Small mammal diversity would be reduced and the plant community would not provide suitable habitat for pygmy rabbits.

State 2 – Cheatgrass/ Bulbous Bluegrass and Annual Plant Community: This plant community is the result of continued improper grazing management and/or frequent fire. The loss of the native shrub and herbaceous plant community would not support a diverse insect community. The reduced forb component in the plant community would support a very limited population of pollinators. Most native reptilian species are not supported with food, water or cover. This plant community does not support the habitat requirements for sage-grouse, sage thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow or sage sparrow. Diversity of grassland avian species is reduced due to poor cover and food conditions. Birds of prey including hawks and falcons may range throughout these areas looking for prey species. Large mammals may utilize the herbaceous vegetation in the early part of the year when the invasive annuals cheatgrass and bulbous bluegrass are more palatable. At other times of the year large mammals would not regularly utilize these areas due to poor food and cover conditions. The reduction of insect populations and diversity would reduce suitability of this site for bats. The diversity and populations of small mammals would be dominated by open grassland species like the Columbian ground squirrel.

State 3 - Range Seeding Plant Community: The seeding mixture (native or non-native) determines the animal species that utilize this site. A diverse seed mixture of grasses and forbs would provide similar habitat conditions as in the herbaceous plant community described in State 1 phase 1.3. A diverse seed mixture of grasses, forbs and shrubs would provide similar habitat conditions as described in State 1 phase 1.1 or 1.2. A monoculture of non-native grass species would not support diverse populations of insects, reptiles, avian, mammals or sagebrush obligate species. Grassland animal species that prefer uniform vertical strata and large expanses of uniform cover would persist. Birds of prey including hawks and falcons may range throughout this community looking for prey species.


Grazing Interpretations:

This site is best suited for grazing in the late spring, summer, and fall. If water is available, the site is easily grazed due to gentle slopes. This site is often used as a key grazing area.
Estimated initial stocking rate will be determined with the landowner or decision-maker. They will be based on the inventory which includes species, composition, similarity index, production, past use history, season of use and seasonal preference.

Hydrological functions

The hydrologic condition of rangelands is the result of complex interrelationships of soil, vegetation, topography and climate. The hydrology of this site is characterized by low intensity frontal storms from October through April, and occasional high intensity thunderstorms during summer and early fall. About 60 to 70 percent of the precipitation falls as snow, and the site has snow cover during most of the winter. Productive mountain big sagebrush sites at elevations ranging from 4,500 to 6,500 feet generate most runoff from snowmelt. The site is typically protected by vegetation when snowmelt and runoff occur, from mid spring through summer. Shallow subsurface flow to drainages, especially on steeper slopes, is common. Runoff averages about 15% of the annual water budget, but this is quite variable from year to year. Ponding and flooding generally do not occur on this site. Run-on from adjacent sites normally does not occur.


State 1, Phase 1.1 Reference Plant Community.
In the Reference Plant Community, especially on less steep slopes, the majority of rainfall and snowmelt infiltrates into the soil profile and the erosion potential is very low. Shrub canopy zones (coppices) generally have higher rates of infiltration than shrub interspaces because of differences in soil morphology, organic matter and surface litter cover. Moss and lichens dominate most coppices as ground cover. Interspaces between shrubs have sufficient aerial and ground cover in the Reference Plant Community to protect the site from runoff and erosion. Moss in the sagebrush understory is a good indicator of proper hydrologic function. Dominance of bunchgrasses (bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue) in the stand is also an indicator of good hydrologic condition. When soil surface condition is dry, and undecomposed litter biomass is great, water repellency can develop on lighter textured soils. The bulk of runoff occurs in late spring and early summer and is associated with snowmelt. Event-based runoff increases the potential for soil loss, and modeling indicates that the largest erosion losses will typically occur in early fall. Higher runoff volumes are positively correlated with increasing bare ground and steepness of slope, but some studies have also shown reduced runoff on steeper slopes due to increased component of subsurface flow. Differences in runoff potential will be dependent on the interaction of site characteristics (soils, slopes, vegetation, aspect, and microtopography). Little sediment is delivered off-site, even with higher runoff volumes. Rill erosion is the dominant process on steeper slopes where erosion is more likely, but sediment is usually deposited on lower slopes and does not reach area streams. Deep percolation (9% of water budget) occurs in late spring, and is dependent on winter snow cover. Good grazing management that addresses frequency, duration, and intensity of grazing can keep fine fuels from developing, maintain normal levels of litter, and promote the production and vigor of existing native bunchgrasses. Trampling and overgrazing can result in rapid and possibly permanent loss of the cryptogam cover, which can increase the potential for wind erosion, and open crusts are a microenvironment for the establishment of winter annual aliens.

State 1, Phase 1.2 Mountain Big Sagebrush - Bottlebrush Squirreltail.
Increasing sagebrush and bitterbrush density and cover, due to the lack of fire or improper grazing management, can be associated with deteriorating hydrologic condition. Increasing water repellency and subsequently higher runoff rates are associated with litter buildup in decadent bitterbrush and Mountain big sagebrush coppice microsites. Repellency typically increases during dry conditions, so that runoff and erosion are more likely to occur from smaller and/or less intense storm events. Studies show increasing cover of sagebrush is typically correlated with greater sediment/runoff ratios when runoff does occur. The loss of vigorous deep-rooted bunchgrasses in conjunction with invading annual grasses will typically increase the seasonal variability of infiltration and runoff as compared to the Reference Plant Community. Increasing shrub cover, including taller shrubs, may impact snow hydrology. Greater shrub cover increases the chance of interception loss, but may also increase potential snow accumulation and reduce snowmelt rate. The preponderance of small, low intensity events coupled with greater shrub cover reduces the effective precipitation during the growing season, since the interception loss can be a significant proportion (> 30%) of seasonal precipitation. Brush management (chemical or prescribed burn) should have minimal impact on sagebrush hydrology if other factors remain undisturbed (coppice characteristics remain intact, with little impact on litter cover), and will invigorate native bunchgrasses if managed properly.

State 1, Phase 1.3 Bluebunch Wheatgrass - Idaho Fescue - Bottlebrush Squirreltail.
Fire can reduce infiltration, subsurface water recharge and increase runoff and erosion causing reduced site productivity and contributing to water quality impacts in the short term. Runoff can be generated more quickly and in greater volume after fire, leading to erosion and flooding concerns. Fire reduces random roughness and significantly reduces plant cover, litter biomass, and organic matter in the soil surface. The effects of fire on the risk of runoff and erosion will be significant on steeper sites until ground and canopy cover recover. Amount of runoff and erosion will depend on the weather pattern during the recovery period. After fire, water repellency occurs on the soil surface, with burned coppices being most impacted. Mosaic burn patterns on a pre-fire HCPC site will somewhat mitigate erosion and runoff effects. Repellency is typically gone after two seasons following fire, and hydrologic function improves significantly as vegetation cover increases. Recovered sites with bluebunch wheatgrass dominating the understory have good hydrologic function. Gradual increases in sagebrush and bitterbrush, along with fine fuels management, will reduce fire frequency over time.

State 2 - Cheatgrass - Bulbous Bluegrass - Annuals
Litter cover can be reduced by 50% or more, and bare ground can increase significantly immediately following fire. Repeated fires significantly reduce site productivity. Dominance of annual grass and forbs is typical, and is associated with unstable hydrologic conditions. Due to diffuse basal characteristics, annual grasses do not have the capacity to catch and hold sediment like bunchgrass clumps. Heavy stands of annual grasses may contribute to increased infiltration in spring and early summer, but will not have sufficient cover during other times to protect the site. These sites will demonstrate significant variability in infiltration and runoff due to seasonal changes in cover. Snow accumulation may be reduced since there are insufficient shrubs to prevent drifting, and earlier meltoff is probable without shrub cover. Likewise, there is no shrub cover to mitigate the impact of rainfall on soil, which leads to increased soil detachment and availability for transport during high intensity events. Fire risk can be high, especially when conditions are dry. More frequent fires result in increased bare ground conditions which are highly susceptible to water and wind erosion. Repeated cycles of annual grass regeneration and repeated fire can result in severe depletion of the surface soil horizon and organic matter. Reductions in organic matter lead to reduced aggregate stability, reducing infiltration and plant available water, and increasing the risks of runoff and soil loss. Reduced cover and reduced random roughness due to repeated burns provide interconnected flow paths for runoff and associated erosion. Sediment yields increase as rill erosion processes become dominant, even on lower slopes. With improper grazing management, trail areas become compacted, leading to further rilling and gully creation.


State 3 Seeded
Seeding is not likely to reduce runoff or erosion in the year following a burn. However, seeding of native or desired species, if successful, will help stabilize the erosion process and improve hydrologic conditions over time. As sagebrush and other shrubs establish, hydrologic function of this state will approach the Reference Plant Community if significant soil loss has not occurred prior to seeding. Where shrubs successfully establish or increase naturally into the seeding, snow accumulation increases resulting in improved infiltration, deep percolation and reduced erosion. Seeding and restoration of the site will be dependent on how far the site productivity and hydrologic condition has diminished before management.

Recreational uses

This site provides opportunities for big game hunting, hiking, and horseback riding. Flowering forbs in the spring offers opportunities for photography. ATV’s use the site due to the gentle slopes.

Wood products

None

Other products

None

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping and other inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. Those involved in developing this site description include: Dave Franzen, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC Jacy Gibbs, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC Jim Cornwell, Range Management Specialist, IASCD Brendan Brazee, State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Idaho Lee Brooks, Range Management Specialist, IASCD Frank Fink, State Biologist, NRCS, Idaho Dee Carlson,Water Quality Specialist, NRCS, Idaho Jerry Korol, GIS Specialist, NRCS, Idaho

References

• . 2004. Restoring Western Ranges and Wildlands. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-136 Vols 1-3. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.

Other references

Hironaka, M., M.A. Fosberg, A. H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush- Grass Habitat Types of Southern Idaho. University of Idaho. Moscow, Idaho. Bulletin Number 35

USDA, NRCS.2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov.). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA

USDA, Forest Service, Fire Effects Information Database. 2004. www.fs.fed.us/database/feis

USDI Bureau of Land Management, US Geological Survey; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agricultural Research Service; Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health. Technical Reference 1734-6; version 4-2005.

Contributors

Brendan Brazee
DLF

Approval

Kirt Walstad, 4/01/2025

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