Laserfiche WebLink
• Baseline Technical <br />Report <br />ARCADIS <br />Report for Soils and <br />Biological Resources, <br />Cresson Mine Life Extension <br />Project Area <br />4.1.2 Mixed Montane Scrubland <br />The vegetation is typically dominated by gambels oak (Quercus gambelii) alone or <br />codominant with serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), big sagebrush (Artemisia <br />tridentata), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), bitterbrush (Purshia <br />tridentate), and shrubby cinquefoil (Pentaphylloides floribunda). Vegetation types in <br />this system may occur as sparse to dense shrublands composed of moderate to tall <br />shrubs. Occurrences may be multi-layered, with some short shrubby species <br />occurring in the understory of the dominant overstory species. Scattered trees are <br />occasionally present in stands and typically include species of Pinus or Juniperus. <br />Within the Study Area serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and shrubby cinquefoil <br />(Pentaphylloides floribunda) are dominant shrub species. <br />The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderately dense, ranging from 1 to 40 percent <br />cover. Perennial graminoids are the most abundant species, particularly Danthonia <br />parryi, Elymus elymoides, Elymus trachycaulus, Festuca arizonica, and Poa spp. <br />4.1.3 Open, Conifer-dominated Woodland (Subalpine Limber-Bristlecone Pine <br />Woodland) <br />The open tree canopy is often patchy and is strongly dominated by limber pine <br />(Pinus flexilis) or bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata). Other trees, such as juniper <br />(Juniperus spp.), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), ponderosa pine (Pinus <br />ponderosa), or Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), are occasionally present. <br />Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), curl-leaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus <br />ledifolius), common juniper (Juniperus communis), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentate), <br />wild gooseberry (gibes montigenum), or bilberry species (Vaccinium spp.) may form <br />an open shrub layer in some stands. The herbaceous layer, if present, is generally <br />sparse and composed of xeric graminoids, such as Arizona fescue (Festuca <br />arizonica), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), bluebunch wheatgrass <br />(Pseudoroegneria spicata), or alpine plants such as clover (Trifolium dasyphyllum). <br />This vegetation type is common at the higher elevations within the Study Area. <br />Proposed new disturbance areas adjacent to the current mine activity exhibit this <br />vegetation characteristic. <br />4.1.4 Dense, Conifer-dominated Woodland (Subalpine Spruce/Fir Woodland) <br />Englemann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and subalpine fir (Abies bifolia) dominate the <br />• canopy, either mixed or alone. Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) is common in many <br />CCV Final Technical Report (3-28-08).doc 10