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on well- drained slopes that because of shallow soils have not been converted <br />to agricultural production. Eighteen species were encountered in cover quadrats <br />during 1979 vegetation studies (Mariah Associates 1979) . The type is charac- <br />terized by Basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate) . Common understory <br />species include: cheatgrass brome (Bromus Lector m) , redstem filaree CErodtan <br />cicutarium) , Russianthistle (Salsola kali) , and tumbling hedgemustard <br />(Sisymbrium altissimum). <br />Upland sagebrush sites sailed on the Nucla study area during 1979 exhibited <br />a total vegetative basal cover of 13.4%. Basin big sagebrush evidenced the <br />highest percent basal cover of any species on this ty (4.4%) (Mariah Asso- <br />ciates 1979). <br />Grassland pasture vegetation type. The grassland pasture vegetation type within <br />the study area occupies 24.69 acres or 23.3% of the total study area. Grassland <br />is the most predominant vegetation type on lands not currently disturbed or <br />subjected to agricultural production. However, type is an abandoned hay <br />pasture as evidenced by the many vegetation species indicative of its past <br />agricultural use and present disturbed nature. Interviews with local ranchers <br />and Nucla Mine personnel indicate that much of the area now in grassland on the <br />Nucla permit was abandoned in 1978. Prior to abandonment, these areas were <br />planted alfalfa fields. Weedy, undesirable species such as field bindweed <br />(Convolvulus arvensis), and Ccxu:un Russianthistle (Salsola kali) are common <br />on this type. <br />Total vegetative basal cover for the grassland vegetation type in 1979 was <br />estimated at 9.7%. Seedy species accounted for over 37% of the total rover <br />(Mariah Associates 1979). <br />Total 1979 vegetative production at grassland sites' was 815.1 lbs /acre. Much <br />of the total production was attributed to unidentified perennial grasses and <br />annual forbs (Mariah Associates 1979). <br />Agricultural vegetation type. Agricultural lands comprise the largest type <br />on the study area accounting for 44.59 acres. These lands were planted <br />-17- <br />4Ua 1 1984 <br />