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Io <br />a <br /> Occurring across the project area over a variety of elevations and aspects is the Aspen <br /> Vegetation Type. This type inhabits less steep slopes overall than the other tree- <br />a dominated vegetation types on site, though its presence on somewhat steeper slopes <br /> under the proper soil conditions is not uncommon. It intergrades with most of the other <br /> vegetation types on site, excepting the Pinyon/Juniper, and characteristically has a more <br /> open, highly productive understory. 'fhe dominant tree species is aspen. Common <br /> understory species include Woods rose (Rosa woodsii), mountain brome (Bromus <br />(~ marginatus), elk sedge (Carex geyeri), white- flowered peavine, Fendler meadow-rue <br />1J ('1'halictrum fendleri), and American vetch (Nitta americans) (Johnston, 1997). Wetter <br /> expressions of this type, in depressions or adjacent to seeps and springs, often form <br />(~ <br />I <br />L transition wetland vegetation communities. <br />, The Pinyon/Juniper Vegetation Community occurs on steep west- and southwest-facing <br /> slopes at elevations typically below 7,000 feet. Dominant species include Utah juniper <br /> (Juniperus osteosperma) and Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) in the tree <br /> stratum. Pinyon pine (Pinus edulus) is also present. Dominant understory species include <br />e Gambel oak, mountain snowberry, Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), and annual <br /> grasses (Western Resource Development Corporation, 1982). Rock outcrops aze a major <br />C component of this unit. The soils are typically shallow and droughty compared to the <br />soils supporting the other tree dominated vegetation communities <br /> . <br /> Steep to very steep canyon walls along Hubbard and Beaz Creeks and their tributaries <br />~ <br />J support the Spruce/Fir Vegetation Community. In addition, drainage bottoms of Hubbazd, <br /> Bear, Elk and Sanborn Creeks and Coal Gulch support stringers and patches of <br /> Spruce/fir, which is frequently intermixed with the Douglas-fir and Cottonwood <br /> Vegetation Communities. Elevations nominally range from 6,800 to 8,000+ feet. This <br /> community tends to be comparatively dense and supported by soils reflecting more mesic <br /> conditions. Dominant tree species include Englemann spruce (Picea engelmannii), <br /> Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) at higher <br /> elevations. Dominant understory species include bearberry (Arctostaphylas uva-ursi) and <br />' a variety of other shrubs and herbaceous species common to the Oak Vegetation <br /> Community, but at lower densities. As with other vegetation communities dominating <br /> drainages, a comparatively narrow riparian zone including a small channel and associated <br /> wetland fringe is typically present. Rubble land is also common within this vegetation <br /> community. <br />The Douglas-fir Vegetation Community is found, primarily on steep slopes, along the <br />Hubbazd, Beaz, Elk, Sanborn and Coal Gulch drainages at elevations around 7,000 feet or <br />less where the narrow canyon drainages and rapid runoff potentials preclude the <br />establishment of the Cottonwood Vegetation Community discussed below. This <br />community may also be found growing on north-facing ridge slopes bordering the <br />aforementioned drainages. The dominant tree species is Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga <br />menzesii). Common understory species include servicebeny, snowberry, Oregon-grape <br />(Mahonia repens), and heart-leaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia). This community can <br />occasionally form broad transition canes, or ecotones, with the Spruce/Fir and Aspen <br />6 <br />