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The growth form of this community is characterized by an overstory <br />of shrubs ranging in height from two to twelve feet. Typically, <br />serviceberry and Gambel's oak are the predominate overstory <br />throughout the community. Serviceberry can be found in open to <br />dense stands while Gambel's oak tend to be found in dense stands. <br />on north facing slopes and in drainages where soils are deeper with <br />higher soil moisture conditions, moderately dense to dense stands <br />of chokecherry are found. Throughout the mountain shrub community, <br />snowberry is the most common associated shrub found in open to <br />dense stands. <br />Numerous forbs and grasses occur in varied densities throughout <br />this diverse community. The most abundant grasses are Kentucky <br />bluegrass (Poa pratensis), western wheatgrass and needle and thread <br />grass (Stipa comata). The most abundant forbs are lupine, yarrow, <br />bedstraw (Gallium spp.), and American vetch (Vicia americana). For <br />1980 and 1988 the total herbaceous cover for the community was <br />determined to be 41.9$ and 56.67$ respectively. For specific cover <br />values for individual species refer to Table 2, 1980 Herbaceous <br />Cover by Species and Table 2A, 1988 Herbaceous Cover by Species. <br />• For 1980 and 1988, the total herbaceous production for the mountain <br />shrub community was determined to be 569.0 and 933 pounds per acre <br />respectively. According to these production figures, the carrying <br />capacity in AUM's, assuming 1,000 pounds of air dry forage per AUM <br />at 50% utilization, would be .28 and .47 AUM's per acre. <br />Based on the determination by the Bureau of Land Management of an <br />average production of .18 AUM's per acre for the mountain shrub <br />type in this area it is evident that the condition of the mountain <br />shrub community within the permit area is good. <br />Grazing has been eliminated from the initial lease area since 1977 <br />and will also be eliminated in the future, so it is anticipated <br />that the condition of the mountain shrub community will remain <br />stable or improve. Grazing on the permit area addition should be <br />discontinued in 1991. <br />The mountain shrub community is typically found in the areas of <br />higher soil moisture and deep, medium to fine textured soils on all <br /> <br />2.04.10-13 <br />