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• coarse fragment percentage may be present as a result of weathered sandstone or hard shale <br />Lenses. On a regional scale this type is closely associated with the big sagebrush <br />community with the ecotone between the two types sometimes extensive. Alkali sagebrush is <br />the dominant shrub; big sagebrush (Artemi sia tridentata) and Douglas rabbitbrush <br />(Chrysothammus viscidiflorus) are present in varying numbers. Grasses in the type are <br />similar to those found in the alkali sagebrush/greasewood type but also include bluebunch <br />wheatgrass (Agroovron soicatum), sheep fescue (Festuca ovina ), native bluegrass (Poo <br />acassixensis) end letterman needlegrass (Stioa lettermanii). Apparent fortis include <br />Pacific ester (Aster chilensis), weedy miLkvetch (AStracalus miser), onion (Album sp.) and <br />microseris (Mitroseris nutans). <br />SB - Bic Sagebrush. The 3.6 acre big sagebrush type occurs on gently to steeply rolling <br />upland topography in association with the alkali sagebrush type. The type also occurs on <br />slightly elevated topography in the Dry Creek drainage where soil characteristics or soil <br />moisture are more beneficial to big sagebrush. The shale drived soils associated with this <br />type tend to be less alkaline, lighter in texture end deeper than the soils essotiated with <br />the alkali sagebrush type. Big sagebrush is the most commonly occurring species through <br />alkali sagebrush, and to a lesser extent mountain snowberry (SVmohoncaroos oreoohilus), may <br />• be present. The more common herbaceous species observed include native bluegrass, <br />Letterman needle grass, western wheatgras s, slender wheatgras s, yarrow, errowleaf <br />balsamroot (Balsamo rhiza sacittata), weedy milkvetch, lupine (LUOi nus sp.) and showy <br />fleabane (Ericeron soeciosus ). <br />Crazing pressure in the alkali sagebrush and big sagebrush types was heavy during the 7992 <br />growing season, continuing en historic pattern similar to that found in the alkali <br />sagebrush/greasewood type. Though these types have a diverse grass and forb component, <br />poorer soils and drier conditions contribute to potential forage production that is less <br />than that found in similar types in the higher elevations to the south. <br />RSS - Rabbi thrush/Silver Sagebrush. Second terrace alluvial areas associated with Dry <br />Creek are dominated by this type (6.4 acres). Rubber rabbitbrush (Chrvsothemnus nauseos us> <br />is generally the dominant species, though the commonly occurring silver sagebrush <br />(Ar[emisia cane) may be codominant in the stand. This type is also characterized by a <br />dense understory of herbaceous species, many common to the alkali meadow type found on the <br />adjacent first terrace Dry Creek alluvium. The presence of these species indicates that <br />subirrigetion may occur during at least part of the year. Common graminoids observed <br />3 <br />