following descriptions summarize the extent of occurrence, 

 general physiographic relationships, and more important 

 vegetational characteristics of each. Frequencies of 

 occurrence of important shrub species, total grasses, and 

 total forbs in 6 types covering 91% of the study area are 

 listed in Table 3.2. The relative abundance of forbs eaten by 

 deer in those types during May, July, and September is shown 

 in Table 3.3. 



Sagebrush-grassland (Artemisia-Agropyron) covers 



approximately 38% of the area and is usually restricted to 

 level or gently rolling ridgetops and plains. Big sagebrush 

 (Artemisia tridentata) , which averages about 0-20% canopy 

 coverage, is the principal shrub. Minor shrubs include 

 greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) , Arkansas rose (Rosa 

 arkansana) , and rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) . 

 Western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) and bluebunch 

 wheatgrass (A. spicatum) predominate among grasses, which 

 provide the greatest amount of ground cover (40-80% canopy 

 coverage) . The forb component varies widely by season and 

 year, with mean canopy coverage of 5-20%. 



The pine- juniper-grass (Pinus-Juniperus- Agropyron) type 

 covers approximately 19% of the study area, occurring on sites 

 ranging from slight slopes bordering sagebrush-grassland to 

 moderately steep slopes. Stands on slight slopes often have 

 low densities of pine and good grass cover (Table 3.2). Those 

 on steeper sites with north, east, and west exposures usually 

 have greater coverage of pine, less grass, and a 

 well-developed understory of juniper. Overall, grass coverage 

 is less and shrub coverage greater than on the 

 sagebrush-grassland type. Snowberry (Symporocarpus spp.), 

 rose (Rosa spp.), fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) , and Rocky 

 Mountain juniper (J. scopulorum) are major shrubs. Forbs are 

 abundant and include a greater variety of species than any 

 other type on the area. 



The pine- juniper-shale (Pinus-Juniperus-Shale) type is 

 largely limited to shale outcroppings on steeper south-facing 

 slopes covering about 15% of the study area. It occurs 

 primarily as scattered and open density stands of ponderosa 

 pine with an understory of Rocky Mountain juniper. Most other 

 shrubs as well as grasses and forbs occur in very minor 

 amounts . 



The Douglas fir- juniper (Psuedotsuga-Juniperus) type 

 covers north-facing slopes and other cool, moist sites 

 comprising about 13% of the area. The best developed and most 

 extensive stands occur within the Sand Creek drainage. 

 Douglas fir dominates the typically open to medium-density 

 overstory. The shrub layer is well developed and dominated by 

 Rocky Mountain juniper, although snowberry, rose, chokecherry 



54 



