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<br />L <br />The native vegetation in most areas used as rangeland is mainly big <br />sagebrush, western wheatgrass, pinyon pine and Rocky Mountain juniper. <br />Other important plants that characterize this unit are Indian ricegrass, <br />blue grams, mut[ongrass, junegrass, needleandthread, Gambel oak and <br />serviceberry. The production of vegetation suitable for livestock grazing <br />is limited by low rainfall in the summer. <br />Proper grazing use and planned grazing systems are the most important <br />practices to maintain quality and quantity of desirable rangeland <br />vegetation. Mechanical or chemical brush control followed by reseeding to <br />adapted grasses will improve areas that have dense stands of sagebrush. <br />Range reseeding will speed up revegetation of areas depleted by heavy <br />grazing, cultivation, and other disturbances. <br />If the range is overgrazed, the proportion of preferred forage plants <br />decreases and the proportion of less preferred forage plants increases. <br />Therefore, livestock grazing should be managed so Chat the desired balance <br />of species is maintained in [he plant community. The combinations of <br />stockwater development, fencing, and deferred grazing will help to improve <br />grazing distribution and maintain range condition. Contour furrowing and <br />pitting are practices that improve water infiltration and reduce runoff and <br />are especially effective on rangeland areas in poor and fair condition. <br />This unit generally is suited to windbreaks and environmental <br />plantings: It is limited mainly by lack of adequate rainfall in summer. <br />Supplemental irrigation may be needed when planting and during the early <br />stages of growth. Cultivation to reduce plant competition usually is <br />necessary, particularly while the plantings are young. Among the trees that <br />are suitable for planting are Ponderosa pine, Russian olive, Colorado blue <br />~~ spruce, and Eastern red cedar. Among the shrubs are caragana, lilac, <br />honeysuckle, and sumac. <br />3 <br />