THE ECOLOGY OF THE BADLANDS 27 



The mammal most frequently seen is the chipmunk (Euta- 

 mais). Mounds of the pocket gopher (Thomomys), are plentiful; 

 signs of the gnawing of porcupines are seen on many young pine 

 trees. In the various small caves of Cave Hills many pack rats 

 (Xeotoma) and bats (Corynorhinus) make their homes. 



5. BADLANDS 



The badland areas include a large percentage of those 

 marked as "rough land" on the general and soil maps of this 

 area. The finest badland areas are near Reva Gap in the Slim 

 Buttes and on the northeast side of the East Short Pines, and 

 along the "jump off" but many small areas occur (see general 

 map). The common custom is to call any area having slopes 

 nearly bare of soil and vegetation ''badlands." 



(a) Conditions: In regard to precipitation these areas doubt- 

 less fare approximately as does the adjacent plain. Their average 

 temperature is probably somewhat greater, as is also the intensity 

 of light, at least in badlands in the light colored formations. The 

 relative absence of vegetation is seemingly due to two factors 

 (i) because of the steep slopes with its consequent rapid run off, 

 as well as the somewhat peculiar nature of the clay of most of 

 the badlands, water is not absorbed to any great extent. Hence 

 any vegetation which starts has an insufficient supply. The other 

 factor is that the rapid erosion undercuts and soon destroys a con- 

 siderable proportion of the seedlings which obtain a start. Con- 

 sequently most of the vegetation of badland areas is at the foot of 

 the steeper slopes, in the valleys. 



(b) Some conspicuous plants and animals of the badland 

 areas are: The rabbit bush (Chrysothamnus*), Gutierrezia, Gold 

 den Aster (Chysopsis), False boneset (Kuhnia), Mentzelia, 

 Senecio, Machaeranthera, Thermopsia, Cheno podium Watsoni, 

 Saltbush (Atriplex), the gumbo lily (Pachlophus), and several 

 sages (Artemesia). Occasionally forming thickets: the buffalo 

 berry ( Shepherdia) and the cedar (Juniperus). 



Birds that may be expected to be found nesting in Harding 

 County badlands are the Rock Wren, Say's Phoebe, Prairie Fal- 

 con, and Cliff Swallows. Western Horned Owls and White 



For full scientific names see technical lists which follow the 

 Ecological Section. 



