Laserfiche WebLink
• 3.2.4 Riparian Woodland <br />Habitats mapped as Riparian Woodland include the forest and <br />shrubby vegetation surrounding the Roaring Fork River. See Figure 3.2.4-1 <br />There is a great deal of variability in the presence end cover of plant <br />species in this community. This is due to the variable habitat conditions <br />along the river. The presence and cover of many riparian species is <br />directly influenced by moisture conditions of the habitat. <br />The vegetation immediately surrounding the river includes a <br />dense growth of narrow-leaved cottonwood pvpu.Gti angu.~.ti_~v.Cia end numerous <br />shrubs , i nc I ud i ng w i I I ows Sa,Cix en#ucva, S. ex,i,~a, S. .LiQu.Li~v.Cia, a I der <br />A.buc~ #enrc~,Cv.Lia, skunkbrush, chokecherry Piuuru.~ viitp.i~u;arta, Woods rose, <br />and golden currant 2ibe~ cf. au~ceim. Ponderosa pine pinup pvndezv~a occurs <br />es isolatetl individuals at higher elevations on the river bank. An occa- <br />sional Douglas fir p~attdvt~uga mvn~ie.~a,i is also present in the drier <br />habitats. <br />Herbaceous understory species present include: false Solomon's <br />sea l Smi,Cacina ~#e.Ua#a, dandelion i mtaxacum o~~cina.Le, Canada th i st l e <br />Li.2~.iym artv¢n~e, Kentucky bluegrass Pva pza#enai~, and orchard grass ~acty.li.~ <br />jyCvmena#a. V i r g i n' s bower C.Lema,Li.~ c f. hi,~~utiaaima, a v i ne forms a <br />tangled web in shrubs and trees. <br />• The river islands ere a dense growth of elder and coyote willow <br />Salix ex.igcca. Understory vegetation was not apparent at the time of the <br />field reconnaissance. <br />Total vegetation cover is estimated to range from 80 to 100 <br />percent. Litter cover is high lestimated 20 to 30 percent), rock cover <br />moderate lestimated 5 to 10 percent), ane soil cover low lestimated 5 to <br />10 percents. <br />No data is available on production for this vegetation type. <br />3.2.5 Meadow Grassland <br />Small meadows occur on the floodplain of the Roaring Fork River. <br />This grassland community resulted from the clearing of riparian vegetation <br />and the introduction of native end exotic pasture and hey grasses. The <br />meadow is used for livestock grazing today. See photograph Figure 3.2.5-1. <br />Grasses dominate the meadow vegetation. Major species present <br />include: smooth brome, orchard grass, western wheatgress, Kentucky blue- <br />grass, alkali-grass pucc.ine.LLi_a aiitvide~, end inland saltgrass Oa.~#ich.li.~ <br />4pica#a. Nebraska sedge Caaex nebaa~hertei.~ occurs in moist habitats. <br />Conspicuous forbs present include: asparagus A~paieageti o~/a-cin2Li.~, <br />c I asp i ng pepper grass Lepiditnrt pe~c~v.L.i.atum, and Canada th i st I e. <br /> <br />-14- <br />