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• (Populus tremu[oides) forest, with coniferous forest being very limited even at the highest <br />elevations. Elevation on the expansion area ranges from 7200 to approximately 8300 feet <br />ASL. Topography on the area is sloping to steeply sloping. A high ridge dominates the east <br />side of the area. From that ridge, the land slopes west and south down to Hubberson Gulch <br />and associated drainages. East of the ridge, the terrain falls away very steeply into tributary <br />draws of Sage Creek. Both Hubberson Gulch and Sage Creek eventually drain to the Yampa <br />River. <br />Mountain brush is the most prevalent habitat on the expansion area. It is found on <br />moderate to steep slopes throughout the area, often in large, contiguous blocks. Tall <br />deciduous shrubs including Gambel oak (Quercus gambeli), serviceberry (Amelanchier <br />alnifolia), chokecherry (Padus virginiana), and mountain snowberry (Symphoricarpos <br />rotundifolius) dominate the habitat. <br />Aspen forest is more limited, with stands typically occurring in drainages and on north- <br />and east-facing slopes. However, one sizeable stand in S'/z Section 26 occupies a west-facing <br />slope. Quaking aspen is the dominant tree in this habitat. In some areas, aspen habitat has a <br />• dense herbaceous and shrub understory, including servicebetry, chokecherry, Gambel oak, <br />and snowberry. <br />Western wheatgrass/alkalai sagebtvsh is found principally in areas with heavy, deep <br />soils. As implied by the name, western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) and alkalai <br />sagebrush (Seriphidium arbuscu[um) are the dominant species in this habitat. Occasional <br />mountain big sagebtush (Seriphidium vaseyanum) and snowberry occur, but seldom at notable <br />density. In some places, forbs such as mule's ear (Wyethia amplexicaulis) grow thickly, <br />nearly eclipsing other species. <br />Sagebrush snowberry habitat is a low shrubland that occurs within the expansion area. <br />Mountain big sagebrush and mountain snowberry are the visually dominant species in this <br />habitat, although a number of perennial grasses and forbs are also present. Sagebrush/ <br />snowberry is generally found in relatively small patches interspersed within mountain brush or <br />western wheatgrass/alkalai sagebrush. <br />Bottomland is a minor habitat on the expansion area. This habitat includes a mix of <br />. types: stream channels, beaver ponds, and a few man-made stockponds. A number of beaver <br />Seneca II-W South Expansion <br />1999 Boreal Toad Survey Page 3 <br />