-5- 



Figure 3. Grassland vegetation type. 



and threadleaf sedge (Carex f Hi folia) . Hood's phlox (Phlox hoodii) and 

 scarlet globemallow {Sphaeraloea cooainia) are the most abundant forbs found 

 in the grassland type. The grassland areas are generally devoid of shrubs 

 although scattered silver sage is found on more mesic sites, and creeping 

 juniper (Junipems horizontalis) on broken zeric areas. Grazing pressure is 

 moderate to heavy in this type. 



Major Creek Vegetation Type 



The major creek vegetation type (hereafter known as the creek type) occurred 

 on 9 percent of the study area (Fig. 4). The intermittent nature of water- 

 flows in this vegetation type results in a poorly developed riparian habitat. 

 It is characterized by a dense growth of silver sagebrush with scattered plains 

 Cottonwood (Populus dettoides) . Cottonwood trees are generally confined to 

 the lower reaches of major drainages. Western wheatgrass, needle and thread and 

 saltgrass (Distiohlis striata) are the common grasses in this type and major 

 forb species are gaura {Gaura Goooinea) , golden aster (Chrysopsis villosa) and 

 yellow sweetclover (Melitotus officinale) . As a result of the general avail- 

 ability of water sources in the form of stock reservoirs this type receives 

 some of the heaviest grazing pressure occurring on the study area. 



Sage-Grassland Vegetation Type 



This type, occurring on 19 percent of the study area, is generally confined 

 to the southern and central portions on level and moderately broken areas 



