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2012 Steep Mountain Brush Reference Area <br />(Photographs 35 through 38) <br />COVER <br />(Table A -11) <br />Native shrubs were the predominant lifeform observed in the Steep Mountain Brush Reference Area, <br />contributing 20.9 percent all -hit vegetation cover. Of this, big sagebrush contributed 6.6 percent and <br />Gambel's oak contributed 3.9 percent. Native perennial cool season grasses also made a strong <br />contribution to all -hit cover, with 10.3 percent — Montana wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus fm. albicans) <br />contributed 5.1 percent. <br />Also observed in the area was the noxious weeds hound's tongue (Cynoglossum officinale, 0.3 percent <br />cover). <br />Total average vegetation cover for first hits was 33.5 percent. Allowable all -hit herbaceous vegetation <br />cover was 14.9 percent (C -1). Cover by standing dead, litter, bare soil and rock averaged 3.0, 25.6, 27.9 <br />and 10.0 percent, respectively (first hit). Average species density was 24.1 species per 100 sq. m. <br />PRODUCTION <br />(Table A -12) <br />Total herbaceous production in 2012 was 323.0 pounds per acre. Of this, 248.0 pounds were native <br />perennial cool season grasses, 76.7 were native perennial forbs and introduced annual grasses were <br />only present in traceable amounts. No other lifeforms were present. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Climatic Conditions <br />The years preceding 2012 sampling were characterized by a very wet fall and winter 2010 (precipitation <br />in December of 2010 totaled a record 2.98 inches), continuing in early spring 2011 with a very wet April <br />and May (Figure C -7b). June 2011 precipitation was below average with a return to above average <br />17 <br />