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EXHIBIT J-1 <br /> favor an increase in non-native grasses and forbs, especially annuals. Possible events include the presence of <br /> invasive species, improper livestock grazing,extended droughts,and fire combined with an available seed source <br /> of non-native species. <br /> State 2: Current Potential State <br /> This state is very similar to the reference state, except that non-native grasses and/or forbs are now present in all <br /> community phases.The current potential state may include introduced (seeded)or invasive nonnative species.The <br /> invasive plants are present in sparse amounts in this state. Natural disturbance are still drought, insects, and <br /> infrequent fires still influence the community shifts.The human caused disturbance drivers (i.e.domestic livestock <br /> grazing,vegetation manipulation, and recreational activities(i.e. OHV use))are now present.This shift in species <br /> composition could affect nutrient cycling, hydrology and soil stability.At this time there is no known way to <br /> effectively remove the non-native plants from the site once they have become established. State 2 is in jeopardy of <br /> moving to State 3(Pinyon-Juniper Invasive State)when remaining native understory plants are stressed and <br /> invasive species have increased till they are dominant. <br /> Community Phase 2.1: Pinyon-Juniper Woodland <br /> A well-developed understory with a canopy of younger Pinyon and Utah juniper.At this stage Utah juniper may be <br /> dominant over Pinyon. Pinyon trees are more susceptible to drought, insects, and disease than Utah Juniper trees. <br /> In fact, it is difficult to identify methods beside fire that naturally reduce Utah juniper.After long periods of drought <br /> weaken the Pinyon trees, beetle kills can become quite extensive, especially after the droughts. Drought periods <br /> can also weaken and reduce the understory. Plant establishment is mainly limited by the available moisture. <br /> Biological crusts can be highly developed and diversified in the large interspaces between trees. Sparse invasive <br /> introduced plants species would be present in this phase. <br /> Community Phase Pathway 2.1A <br /> This pathway occurs when events create a wetter climate cycle,favor Pinyon and perennial bunch grass <br /> establishment. Following several favorable precipitation years and lack of surface disturbances, native perennial <br /> bunch grasses and forbs will reestablish. <br /> Community Phase Pathway 2.1 B <br /> This pathway is very unlikely but can occur when a fire or vegetation manipulation happens to the trees.Two <br /> situations can make this occur: 1)a fire can carry in the understory after several wet years allow fine fuels to <br /> accumulate, or 2)as the woodland approaches the later stages of development where canopies become dense and <br /> crown sizes have increased,and thus community phase becomes susceptible to crown fires.Seeding after the tree <br /> removal may be necessary to help facilitate the return of understory species. Seeding depending on the species <br /> may take this community phase into state 4 (Seeded State). <br /> Community Phase 2.2: Mature Pinyon-Juniper Woodland <br /> Mature pinyon and Utah juniper woodland with a well-developed understory would characterized this community <br /> phase.This phase supports a diverse understory of grasses,forbs and shrubs. Depending on the timing of <br /> precipitation, cool season grasses,like Indian ricegrass or warm season grasses like galleta could be dominant. <br /> Interspaces supporting highly developed biological crusts are common. Sparse invasive introduced plants species <br /> would be present in this phase. <br /> Community Phase Pathway 2.2A <br /> This pathway occurs during and after events such as drought or beetle infestations. Droughts and insects can kill <br /> pinyon trees, increasing nutrient availability in the system. Due to the natural conditions of drought,grasses <br /> typically do not take up the extra nutrients in the long term. In the short term, grasses and forbs may increase for a <br /> few years until Juniper recover. Utah Juniper are more able to compete for these nutrients and became the <br /> dominant overstory tree over time. <br /> Community Phase Pathway 2.28 <br /> This pathway is very unlikely to occur naturally with fire. But,vegetation manipulation can be used to remove trees. <br /> Two situations occur naturally: 1)a fire can carry in the understory after several wet years allow fine fuels to <br /> accumulate, or 2)as the woodland approaches the later stages of development where canopies become dense and <br /> crown sizes have increased, and thus community phase becomes susceptible to crown fires. Seeding after the tree <br /> removal may be necessary to help facilitate the return of understory species. Seeding depending on the species <br /> may take this community phase into state 4(Seeded State). <br />