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