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For adequate livestock performance (lactation, gestation, and daily gains) on rangeland, a • <br />balanced forage diet is necessary. The herbaceous component will provide the majority of <br />forage and adequate nutrient quality (digestible protein, energy, phosphorous and <br />carotene) during the grazing season (Cook, et aL., 1977). For ranges that are dominated <br />by woody species, the amount and availability of nutritious and palatable herbaceous <br />species is significantly reduced, affecting the forage available to livestock. The <br />grazing season at Seneca lI runs from late spring to fall and during this period <br />herbaceous species are selected by both sheep and tattle. <br />The species selected for inclusion in the permanent seed mixes were not only selected for <br />establishment of a predominantly native, diverse, productive, self-sustaining community, <br />but also to diversify dietary intake and meet the nutrient requirements of livestock and <br />wildlife during spring and summer (Cook, et al. 1977). Yildl ife can benefit from early <br />green-up of herbaceous species or use standing forage from these species as an energy <br />source when available in the winter (as evidenced 6y large elk herds on reclaimed areas in <br />winter). Inclusion of fortis and shrubs in reclaimed areeis and reatlily available adjacent <br />undisturbed native vegetation wilt provide ample opportunities for well-balanced diets for <br />both livestock and wildlife. Availability of lands with .3 palatable herbaceous forage may <br />aid in reducing wildlife impacts to regional agricultu r.al fields, particularly haylands <br />and stackyards. Likewise, livestock will concentrate on the open reclaimed areas reducing <br />pressure on adjacent native habitat. <br />As detailed in the following plan, selected areas will raceive supplemental shrub seeding <br />or will have shrubs and Crees planted. These areas will not be extensive, but will be <br />oriented to enhance habitat and vegetative diversity, mitigate the loss of cover in the <br />larger mining blocks, provide edge in the reclaimed habitat, provide a source of browse <br />far wildlife, and establish areas where woody plenty may r<~generate or spread. Shrub and <br />tree plantings ere arranged to provide [ravel corridors for wildlife where possible. <br />The reclaimed plant communities, with a high composition of herbaceous species, will <br />enhance the forage diversity and habitat for wildlife by increasing the availability of <br />succulent forages. Succulent forages ere high in diges[ibl~e protein and digestible energy <br />and may remain palatable and nutritious even after they h.3 ve completed their annual growth <br />(Cook et al., 1977). Also, animal performance is rela[e~i to the amount of digestible <br />energy and digestible protein in forages. This is especially true for livestock end big • <br />game nearing the end of the gestation cycle (spring), and during lactation (spring through <br />summer). The succulent herbaceous forage in the reclaimed plant communities will provide <br />13-6 Revised 01/15/93 <br />