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area (Appendix IOF, Table 10174). In the drainage bottom sites, virtually all growth factors for <br />herbaceous species are favorable; high moisture, low woody plant competition (except in the narrowest <br />woody draws), high nutrients from livestock utilization, and deep soils of moderate texture. <br />Consequently, the production levels observed were very high. <br />In the Mesic Drainage vegetation type affected area, shrub density averaged 1.238 stems per acre <br />(Appendix IOF, Table IOF-5). Important species in this total were gooseberry, Woods' rose, Drummond <br />willow, other willows, as well as the ubiquitous mountain snowberry, which made up over one-third of <br />the total. In the extended reference area, shrub density averaged 1,886 stems per acre (Appendix IOF, <br />Table lOF-6). Important species in this area were black chokecherry, Woods' rose, silver sagebrush, <br />and mountain snowberry, which comprised over half the total. <br />Plant Species Composition <br />Native Annual and Biennial Forbs — 24 species <br />Introduced Annual and Biennial Forbs — 22 species <br />Introduced Annual Grasses — 2 species <br />Native perennial Forbs — 157 species <br />Introduced Perennial Forbs — 7 species <br />Native Perennial Cool Season Grasses and Grasslikes — 61 species <br />Introduced Perennial Cool Season Grasses and Grasslikes — 11 species <br />Native Shrubs — 29 species <br />Native Trees — 1 species <br />Succulents — 2 species <br />Ferns and Other Non -Vascular Cryptograms — 7 species <br />It should be noted that since observations on the site began in the latter half of July 1997, spring/early <br />summer species were probably not fully observed, so Table 10.2-3 should be considered a partial list. <br />Rare Species <br />The only rare plant species with Federal status that would likely occur in this part of Colorado is Ute <br />Ladies' Tresses orchid (Spiranthes divuvialis), listed as threatened by the USFWS. In western Routt <br />County, the only suitable elevations and habitat for this species are found in the vicinity of the Yampa <br />River along the floodplain. Since the lowest elevation of the Seneca IIW South Extension Area is about <br />7,150 feet, and well removed to the south of the Yampa River, there would seem to be little potential <br />habitat. Nonetheless, since sampling of the Mesic Drainage vegetation type (which includes the <br />herbaceous wetlands in which this species would occur) occurred during the flowering period of this <br />species (late July and August), it was specifically sought. No Ute Ladies' Tresses plants were observed. <br />60 12/07/16 <br />