HABITAT DESCRIPTION Clause Samples

HABITAT DESCRIPTION. There are approximately 593,000 total acres of occupied sage-grouse habitat in the Gunnison Basin. Elevation within occupied habitat ranges from 7,500 to over 9,500 feet. Precipitation levels range from 7 to 16 inches depending on geographic area and elevation. The majority of sage-grouse habitat within the Basin receives less than 12 inches of precipitation a year. Typical sagebrush types include ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ sagebrush, Wyoming big sagebrush, and black sage. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ sagebrush occurs at higher elevations and at lower elevations containing moist sites. Wyoming big sagebrush is typically found at lower elevations and on drier sites. There is a hybrid of Wyoming and mountain in transition areas between the two. Black sage is also found on the dry gravel soils in lower elevations. Aspect is also an important factor influencing soil moisture content and the distribution of big sagebrush, with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ sagebrush often occurring on more northerly slopes and Wyoming big sagebrush occurring on more southerly slopes. There are many perennial and ephemeral streams within the sagebrush- steppe habitat that provide important brood rearing habitat throughout the Basin. Many of these streams have sagebrush encroachment as a result of downcutting and entrenchment of the stream channel, leading to contraction of the riparian zone (RCP 2005).