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INDIAN RICEGRASS COMMUNITY <br />• The Indian Ricegrass Community, characterized by Oryzopsis hymen- <br />oides, is open, with considerable bare ground. Organic matter <br />is lacking and much of the soil surface is made up of crumbly <br />rock fragments derived from a light-covered shale parent material <br />which is at or near the surface. <br />Indian Ricegrass, a bunchgrass, is widely dispersed. Low shrubs <br />such as Big Sagebrush, Snowberry, and Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus <br />montanus) are sometimes found in high numbers and with high cover, <br />but the plants display low vigor characteristics. A total of <br />ten herbaceous species were found in the sampling plots. Percent <br />frequency, percent cover, density, and height are listed in Table <br />J16 for species of the Indian Ricegrass community type. <br />Although game trails are evident through the community, little <br />evidence of use is apparent. No indications of fire are present. <br /> <br />SPARSELY VEGETATED ROCK <br />Two species of Ocean-spray, Holodiscus dumosus and Holodiscus <br />microphyllus, occur in the Sparsely Vegetated Rock vegetation <br />type. This type is especially common on loose shale scree slopes. <br />Shrubs grow in a few cracks or depressions where enough soil <br />and water accumulate to support vegetation. <br />AGRICULTURAL AREA <br />Areas within this mapping unit are either pasture land or crop- <br />lands. Current management of pasture lands consists of grazing <br />about 10-15 animals through several pastures on a year-round <br />basis. Croplands produce between 400 and 2000 pounds per acre <br />of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), depending on the amount of irri- <br />gation water and fertilizer applied. <br />n <br />J-9 <br />