Laserfiche WebLink
Ecological Site R06BY045CO: <br /> Section II: Ecological Site <br /> Interpretations <br /> Animal Community <br /> WILDLIFE INTERPRETATIONS: <br /> Alkali Sacaton,Western Wheatgrass,Blue Grama,Sideoats Grama, Fourwing Saltbush <br /> Plant Community(HCPC): <br /> Common bird species expected on this community include Cassin's sparrow,chestnut <br /> collared longspur,lark bunting,western meadowlark,and ferruginous and Swainson's <br /> hawks.White-tailed and black-tailed jackrabbit, badger, pronghom,coyote,swift fox, <br /> plains popket gopher, long-tailed weasel,and several species of mice are mammals that <br /> commonly use this plant community.Reptiles using this community include western- <br /> rattlesnake,butlsnake, plains garter snake(if water is in home range),western hognose <br /> snake, racer,western box turtle,and six-lined racerunner. <br /> Increased Blue Grama with Remnant Mid Warm/Cool Season Grasses and Shrubs Plant <br /> Community: <br /> All HCPC species are expected in this plant community,however,the loss of some of the <br /> vegetative structural diversity in this plant community make it less attractive to the HCPC <br /> species. <br /> Blue Grama Dominated, Excessive Litter,Low Plant Density;Red Threeawn,Sand <br /> Dropseed, Ring Muhly,Annuals and Increased Bare Ground;and Go-back Land Plant <br /> Communities: <br /> The habitat conditions associated with these communities favor the long-billed curlew, <br /> McCown's longspur,burrowing owl,mountain plover,killdeer,and horned lark. <br /> Ferruginous and Swainson's hawks are frequent users of these communities.The loss of <br /> shrubs and taller grasses in these plant communities results in a shift of bird species <br /> away from the HCPC birds. Lark bunting,chestnut-collared longspur,and western <br /> meadowlark use declines and Cassin's sparrow stop using the communfies altogether. <br /> Most mammals will be the same as in the HCPC, however jackrabbit,black-tailed prairie <br /> dog,desert cottontail,and thirteen-lined ground squirrel use will increase because of the <br /> changing plant community. Reptiles using these communities are the same as in the <br /> HCPC. <br /> (a) Significant wildlife resources on the affected land: <br /> There are no known significant wildlife resources on the areas which could be affected by <br /> the proposed amendment. <br /> (b) Seasonal use of the area: <br /> There is no known significant seasonal use of the proposed amendment area, since the <br /> site is presently an active mine site. <br /> 48 <br />