2022-04-04_PERMIT FILE - M2022013 (32)

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tailed grouse. 1.3 Low Plan Density,Increased Litter Plant Community:Blue Grama,Warm-Season Tallgrasses,Low Plant Density,Increased Standing Dead Canopy,Increased Litter and Decadence The same species found in the At-Risk Plant Community are expected to be found in the Low Plant Density Plant Community. 2.1 Warm-Season Shortgrass Plant Community:Blue Grama Many of the Reference Plant Community species are expected in the Warm-Season Shortgrass plant community,however,the loss of some of the vegetative structural diversity in this community may make it less attractive to lesser prairie chicken,greater prairie chicken,as well as for scaled quail.Swift fox will increase in this community. 3.1 Increased Bare Ground Plant Community:Fendler Threeawn,Sand Dropseed,Herbaceous Invasive and Increased Bare Ground Although not likely abundant,mountain plover,black-tailed prairie dog,and burrowing owl are expected on these communities where soils are loamier.Rodents will likely decrease because of less cover.Scaled quail may use these sites when adequate cover is available due to increased annual forb abundance compared to other plant communities.Grasshoppers will be the common insect,although some pollinators searching out the nectar from the annual flowers may still be found.Prairie rattlesnake and other reptiles using the Reference Plant Community will still be found here.Swainson's hawks will continue to be found here because it will be easy to spot prey in this community. 4.1 Go-Back Plant Community:Fendler Threeawn,Sand Dropseed and Annual Grasses/Forbs The wildlife found here will be similar to the Increased Bare Ground Plant Community. 4.2 Seeded Plant Community:Adapted Seed Mixes Wildlife use of tilled and replanted fields is dependent on the plant species used in the planted seed mix.Many of these sites currently support plains sharp-tailed grouse,lesser prairie chicken,greater prairie chicken,ring-necked pheasant,and grasshopper sparrow.Purpose of the seeding(i.e.reclamation,soil erosion control,livestock grazing,targeted wildlife species,etc.)would affect the usability for wildlife.If wildlife use is a primary concern,then formulate a seed mix accordingly. GRAZING INTERPRETATIONS: The following table lists suggested initial stocking rates for an animal unit(1000 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%harvest efficiency divided by 912.5 pounds of ingested air-dry vegetation for an animal unit per month. Plant Community(PC)Production(lbs./acre)and Stocking Rate(AUM/acre) Reference PC-(1650)(0.45) At-Risk PC-(900)(0.25) Warm-Season Shortgrass PC-(700)(0.19) Low Plant Density,Increased Litter PC- Increased Bare Ground PC-(')(') Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income-producing industries in the area.Rangeland in this area may provide yearlong forage under prescribed grazing for cattle,sheep,horses and other herbivores. Highly variable;stocking rate needs to be determined on site. Plant Preference by Animal Kind Animal kind:Sheep,Deer,antelope Common name Scientific name Plant part J F M A_ M J J A_ S O N D Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides Entire plant D D D P P P D D D D D D Cuman ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya Entire plant U U U D D D U U U U U U sand bluestem Andropogon hallii Entire plant U U U D D D U U U U U U tarragon Artemisia dracunculus Leaves U U U U U U U U U U U U sand sagebrush Artemisia filifolia Leaves U U U N N N N N N U U U 10 of 18