Site Type: Rangeland Sandy Bottomland
<br />MLRA: 67B -Central Higb Plains, Southern Pazt R067BY031CO
<br />Ecological Site Interpretations
<br />Animal Community -Wildlife Interpretations
<br />Sand Bluestem, Prairie Sandreed, Switchgrass, Indiangrass Plant Community (HCPC)
<br />The structural diversity in the plant community found on the HCPC is attractive to a number of wildlife
<br />species. Common bird species expected on the HCPC include Cassin's and Brewer's sparrow,
<br />chestnut collared longspur, lark bunting, western meadowlark, and ferruginous and Swainson's
<br />hawks. The combination of mid-tall grasses and shrubs provides habitat for greater and lesser prairie
<br />chicken in the eastern reaches of the MLRA. Scaled quail may also use this community.
<br />White-tailed and black-tailed jackrabbit, badger, pronghorn, coyote, swift fox, plains pocket gopher,
<br />long-tailed weasel, and several species of mice are mammals that commonly use this plant
<br />community. Reptiles using this community include western rattlesnake, bullsnake, plains garter snake
<br />western hognose snake, racer, western box turtle, and six-lined racerunner.
<br />Blue Grama, Sand Sagebrush Plant Community
<br />All HCPC species are expected in this plant community, however, the loss of some of the vegetative
<br />structural diversity in this plant community make it less attractive to many HCPC species.
<br />Low Plant Density, Excessive Litter Plant Community
<br />All HCPC species are expected in this plant community, however, the wildlife species are shifting
<br />toward the typical shortgrass prairie species such as horned lark, killdeer, long-billed curlew,
<br />McCown's longspur, and ferruginous hawk. In addition, mountain plover, black-tailed prairie dog, and
<br />burrowing owl might use this community where slopes are less than 5%.
<br />Sand Sagebrush Plant Community
<br />Species typically associated with sand sagebrush communities are pronghorn, scaled quail, lesser
<br />and greater prairie chicken, mule deer, and Eastern fence lizard.
<br />Grass Dominant Plant Community
<br />This plant community can be quite variable. The wildlife species expected here would be those listed
<br />for the plant community most similar to this community.
<br />Early Perennials, Annuals and Bare Ground Plant Community
<br />The presence of tall species such as kochia, pigweed, sunflower, Russian thistle, and others in this
<br />community limit use by mountain plover, prairie dogs, and other species requiring unobstructed visual
<br />distances. Most HCPC species are not expected here in large numbers because of the changes in
<br />plant community.
<br />Other Potential Species
<br />The plains spadefoot is the only common species of frog or toad inhabiting grasslands in Eastern
<br />Colorado. This species requires water for breeding. Tiger salamanders may be found on grassland
<br />sites, but require a water body for breeding. Either of these species may be found in any plant
<br />community if seasonal water requirements are met. Mule and white-tailed deer may use this
<br />ecological site for feeding, however the shrub cover is too low to provide escape or hiding cover. On
<br />ecological site locations near riparian areas, deer will use the vegetation for feeding. Big brown bats
<br />will use any plant community on this ecological site if a building site is in the area. The gray wolf,
<br />black-footed ferret, and wild bison used this ecological site in historic times. The wolf and ferret are
<br />thought to be extirpated from Eastern Colorado. Bison are currently found only as domestic livestock.
<br />Technical Guide USDA NRCS
<br />Section IIE 11 Rev. 3/04
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