**DRAFT**
August 27, 1990
GRASSLAND AND SHRUBLAND COMMUNITIES ON USDI BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT LANDS IN MONTANA
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A Proposal by
Robert L. DeVelice Montana Natural Heritage Program 1515 East 6th Avenue, Helena, MT 59620 406-444-3009
MISSION STATEMENT
Thepnposed Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP) grasslands/ehrubkmds ecological classification project (GSCP) on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands is a working component of The Nature Conseruancy’s ecology program in the western United States. The Nature Conservancy program provides key information on plant communities to be used for conservation planning, management, research, and monitoring. Although grasslands and shrublands cover over 75% of the Montana landscape, an exhaustive review of existing information (MTNHP 1990) showed that they are the least documented vegetation types of the state. Therefore, the GSCP is designed to complete the classification over the whole ecological space and to conduct regional correlations of exisHng classifications. The information provided by theproject will be the basis for programs to model the effects of management, global changes, and other variables on the vegetation types and diversity patterns, and their implications for further management and conservation planning. The GSCP reflects general conservation planning, management, and research issues. Theproject will continue to focus on strong collaborative work with the various state and federal agencUs (BLM, VSFS, BIA, DOD) and other
institutions (eg. Montana universities) in order to contribute to the development of a tightly integrated state-wide classification system.
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SUMMARY
**DRAFT** August 27, 1990
The proposed research would develop a classification of plant communities (primarily grasslands and shrublands) on BLM lands throughout Montana. Such a classification will be useful in identifying sensitive communities and natural areas where environmental impact from resource manipulations (e.g., domestic grazing; mining) would be minimized. Additionally, the classification would provide a reference system for baseline monitoring of environmental impacts and vegetation recovery and would provide an ecological basis for categorizing environmental variation. The
classification would be based on the integration and synthesis of both existing data and newly sampled plots.
INTRODUCTION
A more complete assessment of sensitive plant species and communities would complement the BLM’s existing range site characterization process. The proposed work would provide a classification of Montana grassland and shrubland communities on
BLM lands that could be used to assess ecosystem sensitivities and potential responses to perturbation.
In addition to the environmental impact assessment applications, the proposed work represents a step towards developing a comprehensive classification of Montana plant communities that wiU provide land managers and scientists a state-wide perspective of community variation. Such a perspective is invaluable towards making
2.
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August 27, 1990
sound management prescriptions and predictions, designing and interpreting experiments, and identifying areas of critical importance for conservation.
PREVIOUS RESEARCH
Grasslands and shrublands cover over 75 percent of the Montana landscape yet are the most poorly described vegetation types of the state. In contrast, the classification of the forest types of Montana is largely complete. Figure 1 highlights both the vast expanse of Montana grasslands and the sparseness of available detailed community characterizations, particularly in the eastern half of the state. Filling this gap constitutes the primaiy goal of the proposed project. It is a major and necessaiy step towards developing a comprehensive classification of ^ Montana plant communities.
To date, studies characterizing grassland and shrubland communities of Montana have been of limited geographical and ecological scope. The most extensive existing studies include Mueggler and Stewart’s (1980) in western Montana, Jorgensen’s (1979) and Harvey s (1982) studies in east-central Montana, and Hansen and Hoffman’s (1985) work in southeastern Montana. A dissertation describing grassland commuiiities of
south-central Montana is currently being completed (by Steve Harvey, Montana State University, Bozeman).
The MTNHP conducted fieldwork (largely on BLM lands) in northcentral and northeastern Montana during the summer of 1990. Vegetation and site data were coUected from 124 sites representing a wide-range of grassland/shrubland environments
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and species assemblages. These data are currently being analyzed and a report descnbing the communities and their environmental relations will be completed by November 1990. At present, 22 grassland/shrubland community types have been tentatively identified based on the 1990 data (Table 1).
Relevant grassland/shrubland classifications from adjacent states and provinces include: Coupland (1950; 1961), Girard et al. (1989), Hansen et al. (1984), Whitman and Hanson (1939), and Jones (1989).
The classification of Montana’s upland forest plant associations provided by Pfister et al. (1977) has been refined and completed by the work of Cooper and Pfister (1981; 1985), Hansen and Hoffman (1985), Hoffman and Hansen (1981), and Roberts (1980). Classifications of Montana riparian sites (including forested, shrub dominated, and herb dominated communities) are nearing completion (personal communication, Paul Hansen, Montana Riparian Association, School of Forestry, University of Montana, Missoula).
SCOPE OF PROPOSED RESEARCH Objectives
The proposed research would provide the following;
1) A classification of grassland and shrubland communities on BLM lands in Montana. In addition, undescribed or poorly-known forest and woodland communities will be sampled and classified as good examples are found.
S
**DRAFT** August 27, 1990
Table 1. Community types preliminarily identified i Montana based on 1990 MTNHP fieldwork.
Sbrublands
Artemisia cana/Agrop5rron smithii
Artemisia longifolia
Artemisia tridentata/Agropyron smithii Artemisia tridentata/Agropyron spicatum Artemisia tridentata-Atriplex confertifolia
Atriplex gardneri
Juniperun horizontalis/Andropogon scoparius
Rhus aromatica/Agrop3T'on spicatum
Sarcobatus vermiculatus/Agropyron smithii Sarcobatus vermiculatus-Artemisia tridentata
Grasslands
Agropyron smithii
Agropyron smithii-Bouteloua gracilis Agropyron smithii-Carex filifolia Agropyron smithii-Stipa viridula
Agropyron spicatum-Agropyron smithii spicatum-Bouteloua gracilis Agropyron spicatum-Carex filifolia Agropyron spicatum-Poa sandbergii
Andropogon scoparius-Muhlenbergia cuspidata
Calamovilfa longifolia-Agropyron smithii
Stipa comata-Bouteloua gracilis Stipa comata-Carex filifolia
northeastem/northcentral
**DRAFT**
August 21 , 1990
2) Descriptions of the floristic, geographic, and physiographic features of each community.
3) Relevant information regarding such features as successional trends, site productivity potential, and potential sensitivities to a range of perturbations.
4) Descriptions of the location and characteristics of high priority communities and sites for conservation.
Expected Significance
The BLM would find a classification of grassland and shrubland commumties useful in stratifying vegetation/environmental valuation to assess management options and results. AdditionaUy, the classification wiU assist in minimizing impacts from intensive management by identifying sensitive plant communities.
One function of the MTNHP is the development of a statewide database of plant community occurrences. A m^'or limitation is the current lack of a comprehensive grassland/shrubland community classification. The proposed work would be a significant step towards achieving such a comprehensive classification.
1
**draft**
August 27, 1990 Relation to Longer-Term Goals
The BLM would find a state-wide grassland/shrubland community classification useful as a reference ^stem for baseline monitoring of ecological impacts and assessing vegetation recovery following disturbance. Additionally, the classification would be useful as a tool for predicting long-term vegetation responses to management activities.
One of the functions of the MTNHP is to provide information to The Nature Conservancy regarding communities and sites for conservation. A statewide classification of Montana vegetation (including grasslands/shrublands) is necessaiy to define and identify key elements and sites for potential long-term preservation. Similarly, the BLM could use the classification for the identification and design of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC’s). For example, by using vegetation community as a data theme within a Geographic Information System (GIS), preserves could be efficiently designed to contain the range of community/environmental patterns of an area. Such capability is invaluable towards global biodiversity preservation.
Relation to Present State of Knowledge
Existing classifications and data inadequately describe the grassland and shrubland communities of Montana. M^or additional field
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**DRAFT**
August 27, 1990
sampling (as proposed here) is necessaiy before a comprehensive grassland/shrubland community classification can be developed.
METHODS
Prior to initiating field sampling, data from previous research and range site data will be used to develop a preliminary classification of Montana’s grassland/shrubland communities. A preliminaiy listing of grassland and shnibland communities for all of eastern Montana has already been compiled by the MTNHP (Table 2). This list will be refined and reevaluated in reference to aU of Montana to provide an initial perspective of community species composition and diversity.
To maximize the efficiency in sampling the range of vegetation and environ¬ mental variation, field samples will be subjectively selected using the "gradsect" method described and evaluated by GiUison and Brewer (1985) and applied by Austin and Heyligers (1989). The method involves preferential sampling along local transects Mowing the maximum perceived environmental gradients. Representation of the
range of moisture, temperature, radiation, and soil nutrient regimes on BLM lands in Montana will be emphasized.
In the office, a regular grid with O.OP (approximately 0.3 mi*) spacing in both longitudinal and latitudinal directions will be overlayed on 7.5 minute USGS topographic maps covering BLM lands. Land-use maps will be used to determine which grid cells fall on farmed and urban/industrial areas and these cells will not be examined further. The Mowing wiU be recorded for each of the remaining grid cells:
9
Table %. (continued)
communities are not included. classifications. Riparian and tundra
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a) predominant surface geology map unit
b) predominant soil map unit
c) altitude (at center of grid cell)
d) estimated mean annual rainfall
e) estimated solar radiation
Grid cells representing the range of these characteristics within BLM lands will be selected for field sampling to ensure representation of the total environmental variation present. Each sample wiU consist of one to five plots chosen from different topographic
positions and where subjective judgement indicates a marked change in vegetation composition.
To minimize the confounding nature of heavy disturbance on vegetation occurrence, areas severely overgrazed, herbicide treated, mechanically disturbed, artificially seeded, or irrigated will not be sampled. Plots will be established within
portions of stands that appear to be relatively uniform in topography and vegetation structure.
Complete taxonomic lists of vascular plants will be recorded within each 375 m*
circular study plot. Canopy cover classes of each species will be estimated. The data
gathered will include completing a Natural Heritage Program Community Survey Form for each plot.
Analysis will focus on using a combination of classification to determine community types, and gradient analyses to describe general patterns of communities/species in relation to environmental factors. Classification will initially
**DRAFT**
August 27, 1990
be achieved using the objective TWo-way INdicator SPecies ANalysis (TWINSPAN: Hill 1979a) procedure and cluster analysis (CA: Lance and Williams 1967). The final classification will be based on a combination of the objective analyses, subjective ecological judgement, and consideration of the gradient analysis results.
The gradient analyses will utilize a combination of objective procedures, including DEtrended CORrespondence ANAlysis (DECORANA: Hill 1979b) and Nonmetric MultiDimensional Scaling (NMDS: Ludwig and Reynolds 1988), and subjective graphic descriptions of community/environmental patterns (Whittaker 1967). CANOnical correspondence analysis (CANOCO: Ter Braak 1986) and Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA: Ludwig and Reynolds 1988) wiU be used to statistically test the degree the species and communities are related to supplied enviroiunental variables.
OUTPUTS
Date A 05/91
B 06/91
C 12/91
Content
Preliminary classification of grassland/shrubland communities on BLM lands in Montana based on existing data and literature.
Descriptions and maps of grid cells selected for sampling in 1991.
Refined preliminary classification of Montana grassland and shrubland communities on BLM lands based on 1991 fieldwork.
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D 06/92
E 04/93
F 07/93
August 27, 1990
Descriptions and maps of grid cells selected for sampling in 1992.
"Final" classification of Montana grassland and shrubland communities on BLM lands including discussion of sensitivities and potential responses to perturbation, and identification of high priority communities and sites for
conservation.
Following critical review of Output E by the BLM, the classification will be published. Also, a journal article will be
submitted that describes grassland-shrubland community /environmental patterns in Montana.
CURRENT AND POTENTIAL SUPPORT
The Nature Conservancy currently provides salaiy and limited field-work support for R. DeVehce. A project of the magnitude proposed wiU require additional personnel for field and office assistance and an expanded travel budget.
**DRAFT** August 27, 1990
ESTIMATED BUDGET Project Duration: April 1, 1991 - April 30, 1993 Direct Coste
Salaries and Wages
Robert L. DeVelice, Ph.D.
|
1991-92, 12 mos., 0.1 FTE |
$3000 |
|
1992-93, 12 mos., 0.1 FTE |
3500 |
|
field assistant |
|
|
1991, 3 mos., 1.0 FTE |
5000 |
|
1992, 3 mos., 1.0 FTE |
5500 |
|
office assistant |
|
|
1991, 1 mo., 1.0 FTE |
1000 |
|
1992, 1 mo., 1.0 FTE |
1000 |
|
Total Salaries and Wages |
$19000 |
|
Fringe Benefits (approx. 15% Sal. & Wages) |
$2500 |
|
Materials and Supplies |
|
|
topographic maps |
$300 |
|
miscellaneous |
500 |
|
Total Materials and Supplies |
$ 800 |
n
Travel
**DRAFT** August 21 , 1990
|
fieldwork (5000 mis. @ $0.27/mi.) |
$1350 |
|
"Per diem" (20 days @ $25/day) |
500 |
|
Total Travel |
$ 1850 |
|
Total Direct Costs (TDC) |
$24150 |
|
Total Indirect Costs (circa 30% of TDC) |
$5850 |
|
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS |
$30,000 |
**DRAFT**
August 27, 1990
UTERATURE CITED
Anderson, N.L. 1973. The vegetation of rangeland sites associated with some grasshopper studies in Montana. Montana Agriculture Experiment Station Bulletin No. 668. Montana State University, Bozeman.
Austin, M.P. and P.C. Heyligers. 1989. Vegetation survey design for conservation: gradsect sampling of forests in north-eastern New South Wales. Biological Conservation 60:13-32.
Boggs, KW. 1984. Succession in riparian communities of the lower Yellowstone River, Montana. Unpublished M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman.
Brown, R.W. 1971. Distribution of plant communities in southeastern Montana badlands. American Midland Naturalist 85:458-477.
Cooper, S.V. and R.D. Pfister. 1981. Forest habitat types of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Review draft, 5/21/81, for Bureau of Indian Affairs, Wind River Agency, Fort Washakie, Wyoming.
Cooper, S.V. and R.D. Pfister. 1985. Forest habitat types of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations. Termination report to Bureau of Indian Affairs, Billings Area Office (draft). USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, Utah.
Coupland, R.T. 1950. Ecology of mixed prairie in Canada. Ecological Monographs
Coupland, R.T. 1961. A reconsideration of grassland classification in the northern Great Plains of North America. Journal of Ecology 49:135-167.
Culwell, L.rh and Scow, KL. 1982. Terrestrial vegetation inventory: Dominy project area, Custer County, MT 1979-1980. Unpublished Technical Report for Western Energy Company by Westech. Helena, Montana.
Culwe^ UD., ^ow, K-L., and Larsen, LA. 1985. Vegetation baseline inventory, Peabody Coal Company, Big Sky Mine Area B, Rosebud County, Montana. Westech. Helena, Montana.
Culwell, L.D.,^ Scow, KLL., and Larsen, LA. 1986. A preliminary evaluation of the vegetation of the Makoshika State Park area, Dawson County, Montana (draft). Unpublished report for Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Westech, Helena, Montana.
**DRAFT**
August 2.1 , 1990
‘bif habitat, northcentral Montana. Unpublished M.S. thesis, Montana State Univer-sity, Bozeman.
GiUison, A.N. and KR.W Brewer. 1985. The use of gradient directed transects or lo^h03-12'r resource surveys. Journal of Environmental Management
Girard, M.M., H. Goetz, ^d A.J. Bjugsted. 1989. Native woodland habitat types of southwestern North Dakota. USDA Forest Service Research Paper RM-281.
Hansen, P.L. 1985. An ecological study of the vegetation of the Grand River/Cedar
n ^ ^ 04.^’ ^d Ashland Districts of the Custer National Forest, Ph.D., South Dakota State University.
Hoffman 1985. An ecological study of the vegetation of the Grand Eiver/Cedar River, Sioux, and Ashland districts of the Custer National Forest: a habitat type classification. USDA Forest Service Cooperative Agreement No. RM-80-131-CA.
Hanse^ P L., G.R. Hoffm^, and A.J. Bjugstad. 1984. The vegetation of Theodore
Forps^q ^ National P^^ North Dakota: a habitat type classification. USDA Forest Service General Techmeal Report RM-113.
Harvey, 1982. Vegetation of MusselsheU and Petroleum Counties, Mootan. Unpublished report to the Soil Conservation Service, Roundup, Montana.
™TRAN program for arranging multivariate data m an ordered two-way table by classification of the individuals and attributes. Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
“l®- ^®.™’’-P®°.OHANA: A FORTRAN program for detrended correspondence
averaging. Ecology and Systematics, ComeU University,
Jorgei^n, M. 1979 Ve^tation of the Yellow Water Triangle, Montana. Montana
Jo
August 27, 1990
Lance, G.N. W.T. Williams. 1967. A general theoiy for classificatoiy sorting strategies. 1. merarchical systems. CJomputer Journal 10:271-276.
Ludwig, J A ^d J.F. Reynolds. 1988. Statistical ecology: a primar on methods and computmg. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Mackie, R.J. 1970. Range ecology and relations of mule deer, elk, and cattle in the Missouri River breaks, Montana. Wildlife Monographs 20:1-79.
MTNIff . 1990. Guide to the natural vegetation of Montana (draft). Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena.
Mueggler, W.F. and W.L. Stewart. 1980. Grassland and shrubland habitat types of western Montana. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report INT-66.
Omernik, J.M. 1987. Ecoregions of the conterminous United States. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 77:118-125.
Pfister R.D., B.L. Kov^chik, S.F. Arno, and R.C. Presby. 1977. Forest habitat types of Montana. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report INT-34.
Progere, R. 1978. Circle West vegetation baseline study: final report. Circle West
Techmcal Rep<^ No. 1. Energy Division, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena.
Roberto, D.W. 1980. Forest habitat types of the Bear’s Paw Moimtains and Little Rocky Moimtains, Montana. Unpublished M.S. thesis, University of Montana, Missoula.
Ross, R.L., MiOTay, E.P., and Haigh, J.G. 1973. Soil and vegetation inventoiy of
Montana. USDA SoU Conservation Service, Bozeman,
Hokt, T.L. 1976. Grass and shrub plant community classification.
Ter Braak, C. J F. 1986. Canonical correspondence analysis: a new eigenvector technique lor multivariate direct gradient analysis. Ecology 67:1167-1179.
H.C. Hanson. 1939. Vegetation on scoria and clay buttes in western North Dakota. Ecology 20:455-457.
Whittaker, R.H. 1967. Gradient analysis of vegetation. Biological Review 42:207-264.