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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 (Arte tridentate) . Common understory <br />species include: cheatgrass brorre (aromas tectortzn), redstem filaree (Ercdiu <br />cicutarium), Russianthistle (Salsola Rali), and tumbling hedgemustard <br />(Sisymbrium altissinum) . <br />Upland sagebrush sites sampled 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 type (4.4 %) (Mariah Asso- <br />ciates 2979). <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 cc nnon 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%. Weedy 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 />JUN la i i960 <br />