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2014 Sagebrush Extended Reference Area <br />(Photographs 62 through 76) <br />COVER <br />(Table A -4) <br />Native shrubs were the predominant lifeform observed in the Sagebrush Reference Area, contributing <br />52.6 percent all -hit vegetation cover. Of this, big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) contributed 12.5 percent <br />and mountain snowberry (Symphoricarpos rotundifolius) contributed 37.5 percent. Native perennial cool <br />season grasses also made a strong contribution to all -hit cover, with 12.9 percent. Native perennial forbs <br />were present with 18.9 percent cover, the largest contributors to which were western yarrow (Achillea <br />millefolium), nettleleaf gianthyssop (Agastache urticifolia), showy goldeneye (Heliomeris multiflora), silver <br />lupine (Lupinus argenteus), and common yampa (Perideridia gairdneri ssp. Borealis). Also observed in <br />the area was the noxious weed hound's tongue. <br />Total average vegetation cover for first hits was 72.3 percent. Allowable all -hit herbaceous vegetation <br />cover was 33.1 percent (Table F -4). Cover by standing dead, litter, bare soil and rock averaged 1.3, 19.8, <br />6.7 and 0 percent, respectively (first hit). Average species density was 22.9 species per 100 sq. m. <br />2014 Steep Mountain Brush Extended Reference Area <br />(Photographs 77 through 91) <br />r..nvFR <br />(Table A -5) <br />Native shrubs were the predominant lifeform observed in the Steep Mountain Brush Reference Area, <br />contributing 49.5 percent all -hit vegetation cover — of which the major contributors were Gambel's oak, <br />mountain snowberry, Saskatoon serviceberry and big sagebrush. Native perennial cools season grasses <br />also made a strong contribution to all -hit cover, with 15.9 percent. Of this, Montana wheatgrass (Elymus <br />lanceolatus var. albicans), elk sedge, and Agassiz bluegrass were the main contributors. Also observed in <br />the area were the noxious weeds hound's tongue and Canada thistle. <br />14 <br />