2022-04-04_PERMIT FILE - M2022013 (37)

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Pathway 1.2 to 1.1 Community 1.2 to 1.1 Grazing that allows for adequate recovery opportunity between grazing events, and proper stocking, will shift the At- Risk Plant community back toward the Reference Plant Community. Pathway 1.3 to 1.1 Community 1.3 to 1.1 The return of grazing with adequate recovery opportunity and/or normal fire frequency will cause a community pathway back toward the Reference Plant Community. This change can occur in a relatively short time frame with the return of these disturbances. State 2 Warm-Season Shortgrass State This state is characterized by the Warm-Season Shortgrass Plant Community. An ecological threshold has been crossed and a significant amount of production and diversity has been lost when compared to the Reference State. Significant biotic and edaphic (soil characteristics) changes have negatively impacted energy flow and nutrient and hydrologic cycles. This is a very stable state, resistant to change due to the high tolerance of inland saltgrass to grazing, the development of a shallow root system (aka root pan), and subsequent changes in hydrology and nutrient cycling. The loss of functional/structural groups such as warm-season mid/tallgrass, and cool/warm-season rhizomatous grass reduces the biodiversity and productivity of this site. Community 2.1 Warm-Season Shortgrass Plant Community This plant community develops under continuous grazing without adequate recovery opportunity between grazing events. The plant community exhibits a dense sod made up of primarily inland saltgrass. Remnant amounts of western wheatgrass and/or alkali sacaton may still be present. Tall grasses (prairie cordgrass, big bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass) as well as little bluestem, Nebraska sedge and fourwing saltbush have been removed. Scratchgrass (alkali muhly), foxtail barley, Baltic rush, and Kentucky bluegrass may be increasing or invading. This community remains stable but has lost much of its production and diversity. This plant community is extremely resistant to change because of the aggressive rhizomatous growth habit of inland saltgrass. Nutrient cycle is impaired due to the loss of tallgrass species, deep-rooted forbs (legumes and others) and shrubs. Desertification is advanced. Total annual production, during a normal year, ranges from 800 to 1,500 pounds per acre air-dry weight and will average 950 pounds. Figure 10.Plant community growth curve(percent production by month). CO6718,Warm-Season Dominant; MLRA-6713;lowland water-influenced soils. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 0 0 0 5 15 40 23 12 3 12 0 10 State 3 Increased Bare Ground State The Increased Bare Ground State develops with heavy continuous grazing, or excessive defoliation. An ecological threshold has been crossed. Erosion and loss of organic matter/carbon reserves are concerns. Nutrient and water cycles and energy flow are impaired.