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Custom Soil Resource Report <br /> Characteristic vegetation (the grasses, forbs, and shrubs that make up most of the <br /> potential natural plant community on each soil) is listed by common name. Under <br /> rangeland composition, the expected percentage of the total annual production is <br /> given for each species making up the characteristic vegetation. The amount that can <br /> be used as forage depends on the kinds of grazing animals and on the grazing season. <br /> Range management requires knowledge of the kinds of soil and of the potential natural <br /> plant community. It also requires an evaluation of the present range similarity index <br /> and rangeland trend. Range similarity index is determined by comparing the present <br /> plant community with the potential natural plant community on a particular rangeland <br /> ecological site. The more closely the existing community resembles the potential <br /> community, the higher the range similarity index. Rangeland trend is defined as the <br /> direction of change in an existing plant community relative to the potential natural plant <br /> community. Further information about the range similarity index and rangeland trend <br /> is available in the"National Range and Pasture Handbook,"which is available in local <br /> offices of NRCS or on the Internet. <br /> The objective in range management is to control grazing so that the plants growing <br /> on a site are about the same in kind and amount as the potential natural plant <br /> community for that site. Such management generally results in the optimum <br /> production of vegetation, control of undesirable brush species, conservation of water, <br /> and control of erosion. Sometimes, however, an area with a range similarity index <br /> somewhat below the potential meets grazing needs, provides wildlife habitat, and <br /> protects soil and water resources. <br /> Reference: <br /> United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, <br /> National range and pasture handbook. <br /> 58 <br />