
          -18-

Typical views of the highland rangelands are shown in
photos 1,2,3.  Individual species of the forage plants
often show outstanding characteristics, as the ability of Poa
bulbosa to survive close grazing.  Hordeum kurdistanicum is
usually unpalatable, but some colonies were composed of scattered
individuals closely browsed, side by side with those which were not
eaten.  This suggests that there may be a segregating palatable
strain in a species generally kept unpalatable by long over-grazing.
As it has high survival and soil pioneering capacities in an arid
climate with poor soils, the added character of palatability would
make it highly suitable for trial introductions.  Notable also is
the xerophytic Arrhenatherum elatis bulbosum with bulbous offsets.
which appeared to be well-liked by the cattle.  The most valuable
existing forage group through the central plateau area, however,
appeared to be the perennial bromes.  These are composed of rather
many varieties in several species.  In nearly all of them the soft
rather succulent leaves were liked by stock.  Their ability to seed
quickly and endure recurrent drought have enabled them to survive
where other palatable species have failed.  Among the Stipas and
Festucas are many species just as hardy and persistent, but they do
not produce as much nor as palatable forage as the bromes.

The plateau range lands generally receive from 8 to 15 inches
of precipitation annually, part of which falls as snow.  The better
pasture areas are above 7,000 feet elevation and where lack of stock
water has always limited animal grazing. Some of the latter appear
to have a natural vegetation only moderately affected by grazing and
        