2023-10-06_PERMIT FILE - M2023036

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rusn sKeietonpiant LYJU Lygooesmia juncea U-1 t - tenpetal blazingstar MEDE2 Mentzelia decapetala 0-17 — crownleaf evening OECO2 Oenothera coronopifolia 0-17 — primrose winged buckwheat ERAL4 Eriogonum alatum 0-17 — shaggy dwarf morning- EVNU Evolvulus nuttal/ianus 0-17 — glory hairy false goldenaster HEVI4 Heterotheca villosa 0-17 — Cuman ragweed AMPS Ambrosia psilostachya 0-17 — tarragon ARDR4 Artemisia dracunculus 0-17 — white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 0-17 — woolly locoweed ASM07 Astragalus mollissimus 0-17 — Texas croton CRTE4 Croton texensis 0-17 — Shrub/Vine 3 3 83-248 Shrub(>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub(>.5m) 17-83 — leadplant AMCA6 Amorpha canescens 0-50 — western sandcherry PRPUB Prunus pumila var. besseyi 0-50 — fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0-33 — spreading buckwheat EREF Eriogonum effusum 17-33 — sand sagebrush ARF12 Artemisia filifolia 0-33 — prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 0-17 — spinystar ESVIV Escobaria vivipara var. vivipara 0-17 — broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0-17 — plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 0-17 — soapweed yucca YUGL Yucca glauca 0-17 — Animal community WILDLIFE INTERPRETATIONS: The combination of grasses,forbs and shrubs found on the ecological site provide habitat for numerous wildlife species. Historic large grazers that influenced these communities were bison, elk, mule deer, and pronghorn. Herbivory and soil disturbance by black-tailed prairie dogs influenced ecological processes, supporting unique wildlife species. Bison are no longer widely distributed in their historic range. Prairie dogs occupy a small fraction of their historic range. Pronghorn are the most abundant ungulates using this ecological site,followed by mule deer. Domestic grazers share these habitats with wildlife.The grassland communities of eastern Colorado are home to many bird species. Changes in the composition of the plant community when moving from the Reference Community to other communities on this ecological site may result in species shifts in bird species.The occasional wetland or spring found on this site provides essential seasonal water needed for reproductive habitat by some reptiles and amphibians. Because of a lack of permanent water,fish are not common. 1.1 Reference Plant Community: Blue Grama, Prairie Sandreed, Sand Bluestem Plant Community The structural diversity found on the Reference Plant Community is attractive to a number of wildlife species. Common grassland bird species expected on the Reference community include Cassin's and Brewer's sparrow, chestnut collared longspur, lark bunting,western meadowlark,ferruginous hawk and Swainson's hawk.The combination of mid-tall grasses and shrubs provides habitat for lesser prairie chicken in the southeastern parts of this site. Greater prairie chicken and sharp-tailed grouse use this site in the northern portion of the MLRA. Scaled quail may also use this community in the southern half of the MLRA.White-tailed jackrabbit, badger, pronghorn, coyote, plains pocket gopher, long-tailed weasel, and several species of mice are mammals that commonly use this plant community. Reptiles using this community include western hognose snake, and ornate box turtle.