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VEGE?AT!GN :NFGRrAiIDY are approached and along the more moist outwashes from the gullies, the shrub cover is dominated by Skunkbush Sumac. In the interconnecting valleys between the • gravel hills, this is the dominant species. Therefore, these gullies and this shrub tend to form an ecotonal area between the lower grasslands and the dry grasslands of the hillsides. GRASSLAND = UPPER ELEVATIONS: The upper elevation grasslands are quite similar to the lower elevation grasslands. This grassland type actually divides into two types. One type constitutes the grasslands which occur where the gravels are near the surface. This type is indicated by the presence of large quantities of yucca (Yucca glauca). The second type occurs in the vicinity of the western boundary of the permit area. Yucca is practically non-existent in area. The vegetation is composed of a fairly dense sad dominated by Blue Grams with a small amount of wheatgrass. The grass is much smaller due to the rather dense clay loam soil in these areas. • Cover in both types is similar and averages around 60~. In some places the cover can be a minimum of about 30~ while other small areas exhibit cover values of nearly 90~. Generally, the amount of cover is related to the available water capacity of the soil. The heavier soils, however, tend to have a more uniform cover than locations where the gravel is near the surface. Species composition of the vegetation on gravel outcrops is highly similar to the slope vegetation and somewhat similar to the lower elevation grasslands. The species composition of the clay loam areas exhibit a much lower diversity and a high degree of uniformity with Blue Grams being a major dominant. GRASSLAND = SLOPES: The slope grasslands tend to exhibit the lowest cover values. Maximum cover may reach 75$, but most of it is considerably less. The average is about 30$ to 50~. Much of the ground is covered with gravels and large • page 3 of 6 Ekhibit J