Animal community

Wildlife Interpretations
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

This wet meadow ecological site provides diverse habitat for wetland and upland wildlife species. The long duration hydrology results in abundant forage and seasonal water attracting invertebrate and vertebrate animals to the ecological site. Important seasonal habitat is provided for over 80% of adjacent rangeland resident and migratory animals including western toad, western rattlesnake, shrews, bats, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, mice, coyote, red fox, badger, sage-grouse, Ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, horned lark, and western meadowlark. Large herbivore use of this ecological site includes mule deer, elk, and moose . Native reptiles and amphibians are reliant on these meadow sites throughout the year. Loss of site hydrology significantly reduces the habitat value of the adjacent ecological sites. Open water is seasonal being provided by runoff, ponding, flooding, seasonal high water table, and natural springs.

State 1 Phase 1.1 –Northwest Sedge/ Beaked Sedge/ Sedges/ Rushes Reference Plant Community (RPC): The RPC provides a diversity of sedges, rushes, and forbs used by native insect communities who assist in pollination of the plant community. The insects are food for the many predator species utilizing the site. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by leopard lizard, western skink, rubber boa, western rattlesnake, western toad, long-toed salamander, boreal chorus frog, and northern leopard frog. A diverse amphibian population is a key indicator of good ecological health on this site. Loss of hydrology will limit or exclude amphibians from this ecological site. Sage-grouse utilize the meadows as summer and fall brood-rearing habitat. Isolated patches of woody vegetation add horizontal and vertical structure for nesting and roosting sites for resident and migratory avian species. Bird species can include warbling vireo, black-capped chickadee, MacGillivray’s warbler, fox sparrow, song sparrow, common snipe, long-billed curlew, and a variety of waterfowl that utilize the plant community for breeding and nesting cover. The plant community supports limited summer and fall forage needs of large mammals (antelope, mule deer, elk, and moose). The dominant plant community is not preferred forage for mule deer and antelope. Limited thermal cover for ungulates is provided with isolated patches of woody vegetation within the plant community. Small mammal populations include deer mouse, montane vole, and western jumping mouse.

State 1 Phase 1.2- Nebraska Sedge/ Baltic Rush/ Forbs Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management. Insect diversity and populations would be similar to Phase 1.1. With hydrologic conditions similar to Phase 1.1, amphibian use would still occur and prey species would be available. Improper grazing management would reduce the habitat cover value for reptiles and amphibians. The plant community provides summer and fall brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse when sagebrush cover is nearby. Bird species can include warbling vireo, black-capped chickadee, MacGillivray’s warbler, fox sparrow, song sparrow, common snipe, and long-billed curlew. Limited thermal cover for ungulates is provided by isolated patches of woody vegetation. The dominant plant community is preferred forage for deer and elk but improper grazing management would reduce the amount of available forage in the summer and fall. Small mammal populations and diversity would be reduced under an improper grazing management scenario that reduces vertical structure and increases vulnerability to predators.

State 2 – Sedges/ Baltic Rush/ Kentucky Bluegrass/ Forbs Plant Community: This state has developed due to a permanent lowering of the water table and improper grazing management. Loss of historic hydrology has reduced the habitat value for many animals present in State 1. The vigor and diversity of forbs would support a very limited diversity and population of pollinators. The loss of historic hydrology will limit or exclude use of the site by amphibians and many reptiles. Suitable habitat cover for the northern leopard frog, a species of concern, would not be provided. With continued improper grazing management the loss of vertical and horizontal structure would reduce diversity and populations of birds identified in State 1. The site would be more suitable for killdeer, western meadowlark, and horned lark. Birds of prey (northern harrier and Cooper’s hawk) may range throughout this area looking for prey species. With improper grazing management forage for ungulates would be available for a shorter duration in the summer and fall. Small mammal diversity would shift to grass seed eating species (deer mouse) due to increased grass species in the plant community. Predation on small mammals would increase due to poor quality cover habitat.


Grazing Interpretations
This site is best suited for livestock grazing in the summer and fall. Wet soils can limit grazing opportunities, particularly in the late spring. Avoid heavy, continuous, season-long grazing as this can cause soil damage.

Estimated initial stocking rate will be determined with the landowner or decision-maker. They will be based on the inventory, past use history and type, condition of vegetation, production, season of use and seasonal preference. Calculations used to determine estimated initial stocking rate will be based on forage preference ratings.

Hydrological functions

Soils in this site are generally grouped in hydrologic group D. When hydrologic condition of the vegetative cover is good, natural erosion hazard is slight.

Recreational uses

This site presents an aesthetically pleasing view of lush vegetation consisting primarily of grass-like plants. When livestock or big game are grazing or browsing on the site it presents a pleasant pastoral panorama. Hikers and fisherman often traverse the edges of this site. Picnickers and campers frequent the site in late summer and early fall as sometimes adjacent shaded wooded areas become less pleasant on cool days. Vehicular use can be very detrimental to this site with high water table conditions.

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 Dan Ogle, Plant Materials Specialist, NRCS, Idaho Chris Hoag, Wetland Plant Ecologist, NRCS, Idaho Brendan Brazee, State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Idaho Lee Brooks, Range Management Specialist, IASCD

Other references

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

USDA, NRCS. 1992. Major Land Resource Area, Owyhee High Plateau, Range Site Descriptions. Reno, Nevada.

USDA, NRCS. Major Land Resource Area, Owyhee High Plateau, Range Site Descriptions. Portland, Oregon.

USDA, Forest Service. 2004. (www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants).

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

DF

Approval

Kendra Moseley, 9/22/2020

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