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identify listed species. Habitat for most listed species is essentially lacking throughout the <br />project area. Any habitat with conditions that could potentially support any of listed <br />species was intensively checked. <br />Opportunistic observations of species not observed during specific surveys, while going <br />' in and out of the project area and while traveling in the project area were recorded by <br />species, habitat type and condition. <br />1 VEGETATION <br />Four upland vegetation types were mapped at the reconnaissance level within the project <br />' area. (See Figure 1) These types range from tree-dominated communities to those <br />dominated by grass and forb species. Riparian and wetland areas are very limited and <br />show only as small corridors on the map. A "Bare" designation was also included. Bare <br />areas are primarily found in the upper reaches of the Deep Creek drainage where there is <br />a large slump area. <br />Upland Plant Communities <br />The Oak Vegetation Community is essentially ubiquitous across the project area <br />t occurring on ridge slopes, along ephemeral drainages, and over level to moderately <br />rolling mountain meadows. Near pure stands of Gambel oak (Quercus gambehi) <br />dominate drier ridge slopes. Where the community occurs in larger meadows and along <br />drainages, it is more of a mixed shrub community composed of a wide variety of shrub <br />species. This is a reflection of more mesic site conditions and wetter soil moisture <br />regimes. The dominant shrub species is Gambel oak. Other shrubs which can be co- or <br />sub-dominant depending upon growing conditions include snowberry (Symphoricarpos <br />oreophilus or S. rotundifolius) and serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia). Herbaceous <br />species such as lupine (Lupinus argenteus), white-flowered peavine (Lathyrus <br />leucanthus), and various upland sedge (Carex) species are common in the understory <br />(Johnston, 1997). Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) is also a common community <br />' component while small, sub-dominant aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands may become <br />established in wetter areas where this community borders the aspen community. Late <br />frosts in May of 2007 resulted in large expanses of oak dominated mountain shrub <br />' communities not leafing out. Most of these stands were found at lower elevations in the <br />project area. When compared to stands at higher elevation that were not affected by the <br />freeze nesting bird activity was higher. <br />4