2008-04-15_PERMIT FILE - M2008013

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Site Type: Rangeland Loamy MLRA: 69 -Upper Arkansas Valley Rolling Plains R069XY006C0 Plant Community Narratives Following are the narratives for each of the described plant communities. These plant communities may not represent every possibility, but they probably are the most prevalent and repeatable plant communities. The plant composition table shown above has been developed from the best available knowledge at the time of this revision. As more data are collected, some of these plant communities may be revised or removed, and new ones may be added. None of these plant communities should necessarily be thought of as "Desired Plant Communities". According to the USDA NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook, Desired Plant Communities will be determined by the decision-makers and will meet minimum quality criteria established by the NRCS. The main purpose for including any description of a plant community here is to capture the current knowledge and experience at the time of this revision. Western Wheatgrass, Blue Grama, Galleta, Fourwing Saltbush Plant Community This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). This plant community evolved with grazing by large herbivores, is well suited for grazing by domestic livestock and can be found on areas that are properly managed with prescribed grazing that allows for adequate recovery periods following each grazing event. The potential vegetation is about 75-90% grasses and grass-like plants, 5-15% forts and 5-10% woody plants. The major grasses include. western wheatgrass, galleta and blue grama. Sub-dominant grasses and grass-likes include buffalograss, green needlegrass, sideoats grama, sand dropseed and sun sedge. Major forts and shrubs include American vetch, purple prairie clover, scarlet globemallow, dotted gayfeather, fourwing saltbush and winterfat. This plant community is diverse, stable, and productive. Litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is low. It is well suited to carbon sequestration, water yield, wildlife use by many species, livestock use and is esthetically pleasing. Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle and energy flow are functioning properly. This community is resistant to many disturbances except continuous grazing, long-term non-use, tillage and/or development into urban or other uses. Total annual production ranges from 350 to 1200 pounds of air-dry vegetation per acre across MLRA- 69 and will average 800 pounds during an average year. The following is the growth curve of this plant community expected during a normal year; Growth curve number: C06901 Growth curve name: Warm season/cool season co-dominant; MLRA-69; upland fine textured soils. JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 0 0 5 10 20 30 20 10 3 2 0 0 (monthly percentages of total annual growth) Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events will shift this plant community to the Increased Blue Grama, Buffalograss, Gal/eta; Cool Season Remnants Plant Community. • Non-use (rest) and lack of fire will move this plant community to the Low Plant Density, Excessive Litter Plant Community. • Prescribed Qrazinq that allows for adequate recovery opportunity following each grazing event and proper stocking will maintain the Western Wheatgrass, Blue Grama, Galleta, Fourwing Saltbush Plant Community (HCPC). Technical Guide USDA NRCS Section IIE 7 Rev. 3/04