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12/9/2019 ESD Printable Report
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<br /> Section II: Ecological Site Interpretations
<br /> Animal Community
<br /> WILDLIFE INTERPRETATIONS:
<br /> The variety of grasses,(orbs,and shrubs found on this ecological site in the various plant communities provides habitat for a wide range of
<br /> wildlife species.Historic large grazers that influenced these plant communities were bison,elk,and pronghorn.Changes over time have
<br /> resulted in the loss of bison,the reduction in elk numbers,and pronghorn population swings.Domestic grazers now share these habitats
<br /> with wildlife.The grassland communities of eastern Colorado are home to many bird species.Changes in the composition of the plant
<br /> community when moving from the Reference Plant Community to other communities on this ecological site may result in dramatic species
<br /> shifts in the bird community.The occasional wetland found on this ecological site provides essential seasonal water needed for reproductive
<br /> habitat by amphibians.Because of a lack of permanent water,fish are not commonly expected on this ecological site.Mule and white-tailed
<br /> deer may use this ecological site,however the shrub cover is too low to expect more than occasional use.The gray wolf,black-footed ferret,
<br /> and wild bison used this ecological site in historic times.The wolf and ferret are thought to be extirpated from Eastern Colorado.Bison are
<br /> currently found only as domestic livestock.
<br /> Sideoats Grama,Little Bluestem,Blue Grama and Shrubs Plant Community:
<br /> The grasses,(orbs,and shrubs in this plant community provide habitat for reptiles such as western rattlesnake and bullsnake. If water is
<br /> available for breeding,spadafoot toads may be found here.The structural diversity in the plant community on this site provides habitat for
<br /> Cassin's and Brewer's sparrow,lark bunting,scaled quail.Ferruginous and Swainson's hawks are commonly seen on this site.The
<br /> combination of mid-tall grasses and shrubs provides habitat for lesser prairie chicken in the eastern part of this ecological site.Small
<br /> mammals such as white-tailed jackrabbit,badger,swift fox,and several species of mice are common in this plant community.Pronghorn is a
<br /> typical ungulate found in this community.
<br /> Blue Grama with Decreased Mid/Tall Grasses and Shrubs Plant Community:
<br /> All wildlife species found in the Reference Plant Community are expected in this plant community.However,the loss of some of the
<br /> vegetative structural diversity in this plant community makes it less attractive to the Reference Plant Community species.
<br /> Low Plant Density, Excessive Litter;Blue Grama Sod with Remnant Sideoats/Little Bluestem and Shrubs;and Bare Ground,Sand
<br /> Dropseed, Red Threeawn,Annuals Plant Communities:
<br /> As these communities develop into an open landscape the wildlife species will shift away from Reference Plant Community species and
<br /> toward the species that prefer unvegetated areas and short plants.Texas short-lizard,six-lined racerunner,and black-tailed jackrabbit
<br /> would be expected more frequently here than in the Reference Plant Community.In addition,mountain plover,black-tailed prairie dog,and
<br /> burrowing owl might use these communities where slopes are less than 5%and vision is unobstructed.
<br /> Oneseed Juniper Plant Community:
<br /> Because of the increased shrub cover in this community,use by some of the grassland reptiles and birds will decline,being replaced by
<br /> species that need woody cover.Although the western rattlesnake and coachwhip will continue to use this community as the vegetation
<br /> changes to shrubs,other reptiles such as the collared lizard may begin using this community because of the increase in juniper.Birds such
<br /> as flickers,chickadees,robins,and blue jays will be expected in this community.Mule and white-tailed deer are expected to increase on this
<br /> plant community because of the improved cover adjacent to grassland.Desert cottontails may take advantage of the edge created by this
<br /> community.
<br /> GRAZING INTERPRETATIONS:
<br /> The following table lists suggested initial stocking rates for an animal unit(1000 pound beef cow)under continuous grazing(year long
<br /> grazing or growing season long grazing)based on normal growing conditions. However,continuous grazing is not recommended.These
<br /> estimates should only be used as preliminary guidelines in the initial stages of the conservation planning process. Often,the existing plant
<br /> composition does not entirely match any particular plant community described in this ecological site description.Therefore,field inventories
<br /> are always recommended to document plant composition,total production,and palatable forage production.Carrying capacity estimates
<br /> that reflect on-site conditions should be calculated using field inventories.
<br /> If the following production estimates are used,they should be adjusted based on animal kind/class and on the specific palatability of the
<br /> forage plants in the various plant community descriptions.Under a properly stocked,properly applied,prescribed grazing management
<br /> system that provides adequate recovery periods following each grazing event,improved harvest efficiencies will eventually result in
<br /> increased carrying capacity.See USDA-NRCS Colorado Prescribed Grazing Standard and Specification Guide(528).
<br /> The stocking rate calculations are based on the total annual forage production in a normal year multiplied by 25%harvest efficiency divided
<br /> by 912.5 pounds of ingested air-dry vegetation for an animal unit per month.
<br /> Plant Community Production(lbs./acre)and Stocking Rate(AUM/acre)
<br /> Sideoats Grama,Little Bluestem,Blue Grama,Shrubs Plant Community(HCPC)-(1000)(0.27)
<br /> hftps://esis.sc.egov.usda.gov/ESDReporUfsReportPrt.aspx?id=R069XY053CO&rptLevel=all&approved=yes&repType=regular&scrns=&Gomm= 11/19
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