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:~ .. <br />., ~ -- •~ <br />Sr i + <br />l.'.. <br />UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE <br />~' Soll Conservation Servlee, Coiorado __ _ <br />Teehnlcel Guide <br />Section II E <br />RANGL SIT}. ,JJ. i •~. - - <br />Fiefu ~ :. , <br />August 19J5 <br />- - RANGE SITE DESCRIPTION <br />for <br />-. <br />CLAYPAN <br />_` .. <br />• Land Resource Area: !Southern Rocky Mo~,~: <br />A. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS <br />1. Physloyraphlc Features <br />Topography of this site blends 'In with adjacent ;Ir~S which <br />have nearly level to steep slopes. Slopes ran;e r ••: o <br />- 65i. The site msy cover an extremely small area. S~~e <br />de{{nlations are usually very exact forming a definite Iinc <br />between this and another site. Elevation for the site ranges <br />from 6000 feet to 8500 'feet above sea level. <br />' 2. Climatic Features <br />!`J Although the average annusl precipitation is between 12 and <br />18 Incfias, effective precipitation is limited by the low water <br />- Intake rate of the soil. Fifty percent of the precipitation <br />falls In the form of snow. Optimum growing season for native <br />plants Is mid-April to the firat.of July. Winters are cold <br />with deep snow cover. Native .plants are favored by spring <br />moisture from accumulated snow. July and August are normally <br />dry months during the growing season. <br />3• Nstive (potential) Vegetation <br />The aspect of this site Is that of s very abrupt and obvious <br />boundarled low appearing shrub dominated community. Alkali <br />sagebrush Is the dominate shrub species, Vasey rabbltbrush is <br />often present. 6n drier areas of this site, Gardner's and mat <br />saitbush are present. Prsirie Junegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, <br />muttongrass, squirrel tall, Nevada bluegrass and western wheat- <br />grass are the principal grass species. Important fortis species <br />Include low phlox, daisy, western: yarrow, buckwheat, pussytoes, <br />fringed sage and onions. Other plants present on this site in <br />different localities Include big .sagebrush, pine needlegrass, <br />thickspike wheetgrass, streembank wheatgrass, stonecrop, native <br />clovers, herbaceous congttu.ifoil, asters and bluebells. <br />.~. r.. .. <br />`f <br />'. 1 <br />i <br />