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

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Riparian corridors generally represent areas of increased biodiversity compared to adjacent upland sites, and these sites often occur in those riparian systems. Salt meadows provide habitat components for white-tailed and mule deer, wild turkey and bobwhite quail. These areas can also have increased diversity of herpetile species. 1. Reference Plant Community The Reference Plant Community provides important habitat components for white-tailed and mule deer, including foraging, bedding and fawning areas, especially when a healthy shrub component of snowberry is present. Wild turkey hens will use shrubs in this community for nesting and brood-rearing, but turkey use these sites incidentally the rest of the year. The taller grasses, especially switchgrass and prairie cordgrass, provide important nesting habitats for northern bobwhite quail, and snowberry provides the highest quality loafing and escape habitat for this species on this site. Plains and common garter snakes may be found in this plant community, especially if low areas with seasonal water are present. 2. At-Risk Plant Community The At-Risk Plant Community has reduced tall grasses and shrubs which degrade the overall quality of the site for wildlife. White-tailed and mule deer may move through this community and feed to some extent, but with reduced cover the value for bedding and fawning is also reduced. Northern bobwhite quail use of this community is reduced as well as the tall grass and shrub component declines. Quail will be absent from sites where these components are entirely absent. 3. Excessive Litter Plant Community The excessive plant litter community has greatly reduced value for wildlife due to the loss of tall grasses, reduced abundance of shrubs. White-tailed and mule deer may move through this community and feed to some extent, but with reduced cover the value for bedding and fawning is also reduced. Northern bobwhite quail use of this community is reduced as the tall grass and shrub component declines and because the litter layer is too thick and dense for quail to walk through. 4. Warm-Season Shortgrass Community The Warm-Season Shortgrass Community on this site represents the lowest amount of wildlife diversity as well. White-tailed and mule deer may move through this community but spend little time feeding or bedding. Wild turkey may use the edges of these meadows in the spring for breeding displays but nesting and brood-rearing value has been lost. If this plant community is adequately grazed during the summer and the pasture is of sufficient size, Canada geese and snow geese will graze on the new inland saltgrass regrowth during the spring, fall and winter. 5. Increased Bare Ground Community Due to the greatly reduced plant diversity of this site and impairment to nutrient cycling and water infiltration processes, the wildlife community that uses this site is also greatly reduced. GRAZING INTERPRETATIONS: The following table lists suggested initial stocking rates for an animal unit (1,000 pound beef cow) under continuous grazing (year-long grazing or growing season long grazing) based on normal growing conditions. However, continuous grazing is not recommended. These estimates should only be used as preliminary guidelines in the initial stages of the conservation planning process. Often, the existing plant composition does not entirely match any particular plant community described in this ecological site description. Therefore, field inventories are always recommended to document plant composition, total production, and palatable forage production. Carrying capacity estimates that reflect on-site conditions should be calculated using field inventories. If the following production estimates are used, they should be adjusted based on animal kind/class and on the specific palatability of the forage plants in the various plant community descriptions. Under a properly stocked, properly applied, prescribed grazing management system that provides adequate recovery periods following each grazing event, improved harvest efficiencies will eventually result in increased carrying capacity. See USDA-NRCS Colorado Prescribed Grazing Standard and Specification Guide (528). The stocking rate calculations are based on the total annual forage production in a normal year multiplied by 25%