Laserfiche WebLink
• topography tends to be relatively gentle. Vegetation in these areas consists of a variety of annual <br />and perennial exotic species, as well as remnant examples of the native plant populations. <br />Dominating the vegetation are large native and exotic shade trees, as well as ornamental and <br />exotic shrubs. A detailed survey for herbaceous species was not conducted in the farmstead <br />areas because of the numerous garden, ornamental, and other exotic species normally found in <br />these areas and the fact that these areas will be reclaimed as irrigated pasture. <br />Two abandoned orchards occur within the study The dominant species in these orchards is apple <br />(Malus sylvestris), with peach (Prunus persica) and apricot (Prunus armeniaca) also occasionally <br />present. The orchards were established by Johnson and Morgan mostly for family consumption <br />and are located adjacent to the farmsteads. The trees still yield fruit but are no longer managed <br />for fruit production. The understory is predominated by herbaceous species such as orchard <br />grass, smooth brome, Kentucky bluegrass, quackgrass, plantains, and dandelion. <br />Disturbed areas, a rather self descriptive term, included areas with heavy animal concentrations, <br />mechanical disturbance due to equipment operation, trash dumps, homestead coal mining, and <br />waste ground associated with various agricultural and support activities. <br />• Ponds and irrigation ditches of various capacities are scattered throughout the study area. A <br />large lateral ditch (West Lateral CC Ditch) runs through the study area, while several smaller <br />lateral ditches deliver water to the various irrigated fields, pastures and hay fields in the study and <br />permit area (see Section 2.04.7, Hydrology Description). The vegetation in or near these ditches <br />is dominated by many of the species that occur in the Swale and irrigation pasture vegetation <br />types. Cottonwoods, box elder, cattails, and willows are prominent components of the vegetation <br />associated with these ditches, while the dense cover of graminoid and occasional forb species <br />protect the banks of the ditches from erosion. A total of 9 ponds occur within the study area. <br />Ponds are maintained to catch irrigation and storm runoff water for livestock use. All operators <br />stated that the ponds were not associated with any irrigation systems or water storage for that <br />purpose. The vegetation around these ponds is similar to that found in the Swale type and along <br />the irrigation ditches. <br />• (REVISED 8115/DO) 2.04. t Q - 8f <br />