70
Shrub density was 2.71 shrubs/m
2
or 10,949.16 shrubs/acre. Western snowberry contributed
1.18 shrubs/m
2
and kinnikinnik (
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
) contributed 0.42 shrubs/m
2
. Tree
density was 0.45 trees/m
2
or 1,804.96 trees/acre. Ponderosa pine contributed 0.23 trees/m
2
and
quaking aspen contributed 0.14 trees/m
2
.
A total of 14 lifeforms composed of 113 plant species were observed within this community.
Perennial forbs were the most common lifeform encountered, with 50 species observed. Full-,
half-, and sub-shrubs were the second most common lifeform encountered, with 25 species
observed. Fourteen perennial grasses, 12 annual/biennial forbs, six native trees, five native
grasslikes, and one annual grass species were encountered.
Hardwood Forest.
Twenty, 50-meter transects were sampled within the Hardwood Forest
vegetation community. Absolute total vegetation cover was 93.90 percent. Absolute total
perennial grass cover was 4.90 percent, and total perennial forb cover was 10.50 percent.
Absolute total shrub cover was 11.60 percent, and absolute cover of native trees was 66.40
percent. Absolute bare ground and litter/rock cover were 0.40 percent and 5.70 percent,
respectively. Absolute total cover was 99.60 percent. Dominant species within this vegetation
community included quaking aspen, ponderosa pine, and western brackenfern (
Pteridium
aquilinum
).
Shrub density was 1.36 shrubs/m
2
or 5,512.01 shrubs/acre. Western snowberry contributed
0.99 shrubs/m
2
. Tree density was 0.85 trees/m
2
or 3,433.88 trees/acre. Quaking aspen
contributed 0.67 trees/m
2
.
A total of 12 lifeforms composed of 84 plant species were observed within this community.
Perennial forbs were the most common lifeform encountered, with 41 species observed. Full-,
half-, and sub-shrubs were the second most common lifeform encountered, with 16 species
observed. Thirteen perennial grasses, six annual/biennial forbs, four native trees, two native
grasslikes, and one annual grass species were encountered.
Montane Grassland.
Twenty-five, 50-meter transects were sampled within Montane Grassland
vegetation community. Absolute total vegetation cover was 74.96 percent. Absolute total
perennial grass cover was 33.20 percent, and total perennial forb cover was 27.04 percent.
Absolute total shrub cover was 12.96 percent, and absolute cover of native tree cover was 0.32
percent. Absolute bare ground and litter/rock cover were 2.24 percent and 22.64 percent,
respectively. Absolute total cover was 97.76 percent. Dominant species within this vegetation
community included sandberg bluegrass (
Poa secunda
), timothy, and western yarrow (
Achillea
millefolium
).
Shrub density was 0.23 shrubs/m
2
or 930.81 shrubs/acre. Western snowberry contributed 0.14
shrubs/m
2
. Tree density was 0.02 trees/m
2
or 71.23 trees/acre. Bur oak (
Quercus macrocarpa
)
contributed 0.01 trees/m
2
.
A total of 13 lifeforms composed of 79 plant species were observed within this community.
Perennial forbs were the most common lifeform encountered, with 33 species observed. Full-,
half-, and sub-shrubs were the second most common lifeform encountered, with 16 species
observed. Thirteen perennial grasses, six native grasslikes, six annual/biennial forbs, three
native trees, and two annual grass species were encountered.
5.13.3 Design Features/Environmental Protection Measures
RER has identified the following design features/environmental protection measures to reduce
potential impacts to vegetation:
Native vegetation will be retained to the maximum extent possible during
construction.
