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Seeded Plant Community <br /> This plant community can vary considerably depending on how eroded the soil was,the species seeded,the quality of the stand that was <br /> established and how long ago the stand was established.The management of the stand since establishment will significantly affect the <br /> species composition and annual production. <br /> Low Plant Density, Increased Litter Plant Community <br /> Most of the species occurring in the Reference Plant Community are present in this plant community but are reduced in abundance and <br /> production.Much of the nutrients are tied up in excessive litter and standing dead canopy.The semiarid environment and the absence of <br /> animal traffic to break down litter slow nutrient recycling.Aboveground litter also limits sunlight from reaching plant crowns.Many plants, <br /> especially bunchgrasses die off.Accumulation of litter and absence of grazing or fire reduce seed germination and establishment. <br /> This plant community is at risk of losing many key species and if left ungrazed or ungrazed without fire can go to a vegetative state <br /> resembling the Increased Bare Ground Plant Community.This plant community will change rapidly if plant manipulation is allowed to occur <br /> (grazing by domestic livestock or possibly fire).In advanced stages,plant mortality can increase and erosion potential increases as bare <br /> areas increase. <br /> Production can vary from 300 to 1500 pounds of air-dry vegetation per acre per year depending on weather conditions and the plants that are <br /> present. <br /> Plant Growth Curve <br /> Growth curve number c06711 <br /> Growth Curve name: Warm season dominant,cool season sub-dominant,excess litter,MLRA-6713;upland coarse texture soil. <br /> Growth curve description: <br /> Percent Production by Month <br /> Jan Feb Mar Air May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec <br /> 0 0 2 8 20 35 17 10 5 3 0 0 <br /> "' G,Nn C.— <br /> % 31 <br /> P 28 <br /> r 24 <br /> 0 21 <br /> d <br /> u 77 <br /> 0 14 <br /> t <br /> i 10 <br /> 0 7 <br /> n 3 <br /> 0 Jm Feh M. AV May Jm Jed Ag Sc -_ <br /> Section II: Ecological Site Interpretations <br /> Animal Community <br /> WILDLIFE INTERPRETATIONS: <br /> The combination of grasses,(orbs and shrubs found on the ecological site provide habitat for numerous wildlife species.Historic large <br /> grazers that influenced these communities were bison,elk,mule deer,and pronghorn.Herbivory and soil disturbance by black-tailed prairie <br /> dogs influenced ecological processes,supporting unique wildlife species.Bison are no longer widely distributed in their historic range. <br /> Prairie dogs occupy a small fraction of their historic range.Pronghorn are the most abundant ungulates using this ecological site,followed <br /> by mule deer.Domestic grazers share these habitats with wildlife.The grassland communities of eastern Colorado are home to many bird <br /> species.Changes in the composition of the plant community when moving from the Reference Community to other communities on this <br /> ecological site may result in species shifts in bird species.The occasional wetland or spring found on this site provides essential seasonal <br /> water needed for reproductive habitat by some reptiles and amphibians.Because of a lack of permanent water,fish are not common. <br /> 1.1 Reference Plant Community:Blue Grama,Prairie Sandreed,Sand Bluestem Plant Community <br /> The structural diversity found on the Reference Plant Community is attractive to a number of wildlife species.Common grassland bird <br /> species expected on the Reference community include Cassin's and Brewer's sparrow,chestnut collared longspur,lark bunting,western <br /> meadowlark,ferruginous hawk and Swainson's hawk.The combination of mid-tall grasses and shrubs provides habitat for lesser prairie <br /> chicken in the southeastern parts of this site.Greater prairie chicken and sharp-tailed grouse use this site in the northern portion of the <br /> MLRA.Scaled quail may also use this community in the southern half of the MLRA.White-tailed jackrabbit,badger,pronghorn,coyote, <br /> plains pocket gopher,long-tailed weasel,and several species of mice are mammals that commonly use this plant community.Reptiles using <br /> this community include western hognose snake,and ornate box turtle. <br /> 1.2 At-Risk Plant Community:Increased Blue Grama,Decreased Prairie Sandreed,Decreased Sand Bluestem Plant Community <br /> All Reference Plant Community species are expected to be found in this community.However,the loss of some of the vegetative structural <br /> diversity may make it less attractive to some of the Reference species such as lesser prairie chicken,greater prairie chicken,and sharp- <br /> 9 of 18 <br />