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12 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1. Sago Pondweed and Horned Pondweed Marsh (Figure 6) - The long- duration standing water areas are dominated by submerged aquatic plants, including sago pondweed (Potamoqeton pectinatus), horned pondweed (Zanichellia palustris) and green alga (Chara ~). This is a common and productive community type which provides organic matter for the aquatic food chain, oxygen and shade for the water column and cover from predators. 2. Bulrush and cattail Marsh (Figure 7) - In areas with standing water from a few decimeters to one meter in depth, productive stands of hardstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus) and broad-leaf cattail (Tvpha latifolia) occur. These communities are moderately productive and provide important cover and nesting areas. 3. Alkali Bulrush Marsh - Areas with shallow standing water support extensive stands of alkali bulrush (Bolboschoenus maritimus ssp. paludosus). These are dense and productive and support a wide array of wildlife. This species (as its common name indicates) prefers more alkaline waters and is common only where high salts occur. 4. Alpine Rush Meadow - Rushes (Juncus arcto-alpinus) dominate seeps and seasonally wet soils along the wetland margins. This is an open community with some bare ground exposed and is relatively low in productivity. 5. Salt Cedar Thickets (Figure 8) - Salt cedar (Tamarix ramosissimum) and tall whitetop (Lepidium latifolium) dominate dry portions of the site. This community covers approximately 1/2 of the site in nearly impenetrable thickets. Both of the dominate species are introduced Eurasian natives. Their predominance can be explained by an irrigation-induced increase in soil salinity which precludes most native woody plant species. The change in the natural flooding regime of the river has also likely contributed to the increase of these species. 6. Fremont Cottonwood Forests (Figure 9) - Some decadent and a few young Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) forests occur on the site. The older trees remain from more extensive forests that existed prior to 1950. The younger trees have become established following extensive flooding of the Green River that occurred in 1984. Cqttonwoods only occur along the wetland margins as they are intolerant of anaerobic soils. Cottonwood forests may be important areas of invertebrate production within flooded bottomlands (Cooper and Severn 1994d). The establishment or enhancement of these forests at Escalante Ranch should be included as an objective within the alternatives of this plan. The upland portions of the site are characterized by agricultural development. Vegetation consists primarily of agricul~ral crops including alfalfa, corn and small grains. Vegetation in