Cercocarpus Research Articles

Response of Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany to Pruning Treatments in Northern Utah

Production of curlknf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus Iedifoliur) within browsing height of big game on winter ranges was increased 500-900% when 90-99% of the canopy was pruned from mature trees. However, since ndventitioussproutingdidnot occur, numerous live twigs must he present in the browsing zone before treatment for any practical benefit to accrue. Pruning at less than 90% canopy removal and girdling showed positive but smaller vegetative responses, while 100% canopy removal and application of pruning paint to wound surfaces in an attempt to eliminate sap flow had no effect on forage production available to big game. Improvement of the forage resource on big game winter range is one method to compensate partially for past and present reductions in habitat caused by human encroachment. Improvement can be via range restoration through reductions of competing low-value vegetation and reseeding, or improvement of existing, on-site conditions through intensified management. Methods found to increase the forage yield of desirable range plants become potential management tools (Plummer et al. 1968). Curlleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) occurs throughout most of the Intermountain Area as part of the mountain brush zone. It is usually associated with true mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) at lower elevations and often grades into Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). When foliage is within the browsing reach of deer and elk, intensive utilization reduces available forage by shifting the competitive growth advantage to the upper unused portions. It has been shown to be high in nutritive value (Smith 1952; Bissell and Strong 1955), palatability (Smith 1950; Hoskins and Dalke 1955), digestibility (Smith 1957a), and dietary importance (Mitchell 1951; Smith and Hubbard 1954). Unfortunately, in many mature stands, most of the production is unavailable except through occasional snow or wind breakage of limbs. Thus a practical means of reducing canopy height while retaining productivity of these low trees could be highly beneficial to big game. Revegetation with curlleaf mountain mahogany is generally impractical because oflow seed viability(Younget al. 1978), poor seedling survival (Holmgren 1954) eve” with hand-planted nursery stock (Brown and Martinson 1959), and slow growth (Plummer et al. 1957). Likewise, bulldozing of mature trees has been unsuccessful due to high mortality (Dealy 197 I). Pruning has been found to stimulate vegetative growth in many shrubby species (Ferguson and Basil 1966; Plummer 1974), with variable success for curlleaf mountain mahogany (Smith 1957b; Phillips 1970); Thompson 1970). I” s”mmary, a successful methodology has not yet been defined, “or has the magnitude of change m available production been determined under various intensities and methods of treatment. These were the objectives of this study.

Mineral Concentrations in True Mountain Mahogany and Utah Juniper, and in Associated Soils

Mineral Concentrations in True Mountain Mahogany and Utah Juniper, and in Associated Soils

Stratigraphy, Structure, and Metamorphism in the Central Panamint Mountains (Telescope Peak Quadrangle), Death Valley Area, California

Research Article| March 01, 1980 Stratigraphy, Structure, and Metamorphism in the Central Panamint Mountains (Telescope Peak Quadrangle), Death Valley Area, California Theodore C. Labotka; Theodore C. Labotka 1Department of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125 Department of Earth and Space Sciences, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Arden L. Albee; Arden L. Albee 1Department of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Marvin A. Lanphere; Marvin A. Lanphere 2Branch of Isotope Geology, U.S. Geological Survey, 245 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, California 94025 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S. Douglas McDowell S. Douglas McDowell 3Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Michigan Technology University, Houghton, Michigan 49931 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1980) 91 (3_Part_II): 843–933. https://doi.org/10.1130/GSAB-P2-91-843 Article history received: 19 Mar 1979 rev-recd: 08 Oct 1979 accepted: 24 Oct 1979 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Theodore C. Labotka, Arden L. Albee, Marvin A. Lanphere, S. Douglas McDowell; Stratigraphy, Structure, and Metamorphism in the Central Panamint Mountains (Telescope Peak Quadrangle), Death Valley Area, California. GSA Bulletin 1980;; 91 (3_Part_II): 843–933. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/GSAB-P2-91-843 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The Telescope Peak quadrangle encompasses the central Panamint Mountains which form the western boundary of the central part of Death Valley, California (Fig. 1). The Panamint Mountains are a north-trending range with great relief. Telescope Peak, 11,049 ft about sea level, is the highest point, and it lies only about 25 km west of the lowest point in Death Valley, 282 ft below sea level. The lowest elevations within the quadrangle are in Panamint Valley about 1,040 ft above sea level. The topography is rugged along the east side of the range crest and along the western margin of the range. West-flowing streams are deeply incised near the western margin, but the canyons widen toward the divide, and the heads of many drainages occur in broad, high peaks.The climate in the Death Valley region is desert, and the vegetation at the lower elevations is sparse and is characterized by creosote, desert holly, and plants of the buckwheat family. The higher elevations of the Panamint Mountains receive substantial precipitation, and west-draining, spring-fed streams flow nearly year-round. Mesquite and willow grow in the canyons and near springs. At higher elevations, sagebrush, mountain mahogany, pinyon, juniper, limber pine, and bristle-cone pine grow. In general, the rugged topography, dry climate, and sparse vegetation allow good exposures of rock. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Chemical Scarification, Moist Prechilling, and Thiourea Effects on Germination of 18 Shrub Species

Establishment is a major problem of increasing palatable shrubs on rangeland; therefore the objective of this study was to determine the effects of chemical scarification, moist prechilling, and thiourea on seed germination in 18 different shrub species. Scarification for various periods in concentrated sulfuric acid, 10%S hydrogen peroxide, and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (clorox) produced unchanged or reduced germination, except for one hydrogen peroxide treatment of bitterbrush. Moist prechilling prior to germination was conducted on vermiculite moistened with distilled water or 0.2% potassium nitrate for periods up to 16 weeks. In general, prechilling yielded maximum germination, without respect to moistening agent. Seeds treated with thiourea were soaked for periods up to 1 hr in a 0.3% solution. Thiourea treatments were ineffective in increasing germination. On the basis of their germination response to prechilling treatments, bitterbrush, shadscale, big sagebrush, cliffrose, curileaf mountain mahogany, and golden currant are recommended for fall planting. Apache plume, shrubby cinquefoil and Morman tea could be planted in spring or fall, and winterfat, fourwing saitbush, and Jersey tea should be planted in spring. Constraints other than seed germination, not studied here, must also be considered in planting shrubs for range improvement. The importance of seasonal availability of palatable range shrubs and their adaptation and establishment on selected range sites has received little attention in other than the western range states. This area of range improvement is recognized in the western states (Cable 1972; Stevens et al. 1977) but direct seeding of desirable native shrubs has met with limited success. Poor stands are often attributed to poor seed germination. Seeds which do not germinate under favorable conditions, but may be induced to germinate, are considered dormant (Mayer and Poljakoff-Mayber 1975). Immature embryos, impermeability of seed coat to water or gases, mechanical causes, light and temperature requirements, or the presence of germination inhibitors are factors which may cause seed dormancy. Chemical and mechanical scarification, stratification, subjecting seeds to temperature extremes, soaking seeds in various concentrations of thiourea solutions, gibberellic acid, and combinations of one or more treatments have been used to break seed dormancy (Carlson 1974; Everett and Meeuwing 1975; Liacos and Nord 1961; McConnell 1960; McHemy and Authors are graduate research assistant; research agronomist, SEA-USDA: associate professor of range science; and associate professor of statistics, Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater 74074. This research is a contribution of the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station as Journal Article No. 3587. At present Stidham is environmental specialist, Shell Oil Company, Houston, Texas. Manuscript received January 5, 1979. Jensen 1967; Pearson 1957; Walters 1970). A hard seed-coat may be imperneable to water, gases, or may constrain the embryo. Scarification (seed coat abrasion/ erosion) treatments are used to erode the seed-coat to improve permeability (Amen 1963). Stratification (moist chilling) is believed to limit the effects of inhibitors while promoting growth stimulators such as gibberellic acid. Dilute solutions of potassium nitrate and gibberellic acid are growth stimulators and different concentrations have been used to promote gennination of certain species (Mayer and Paljakoff-Mayber 1975; Young et al. 1978). Mirov (1936) observed that stratification treatments increased germination of seeds from plants growing at elevations greater than 1,200 m, while scarification treatments, in some instances, increased germination for species growing at elevations less than 300 m. Considerable difficulty has been encountered by others in establishing palatable shrub species by direct seeding. With this in mind, the objective of our study was to deternine the effects of different pre-gennination treatments on germination of 18 shrub species, from diverse origins.

Ecological Relationships between Pinyon-Juniper and True Mountain Mahogany Stands in the Uintah Basin, Utah

Ecological Relationships between Pinyon-Juniper and True Mountain Mahogany Stands in the Uintah Basin, Utah

Growth Response and Deer Utilization of Fertilized Browse

A study was conducted on the Fort Stanton Cooperative Range Research Station in Lincoln County, New Mexico, to determine the response of hairy mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus breviflorus), wavyleaf oak (Quercus undulata), and fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) to nitrogen fertilization and to compare mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) use on wavyleaf oak range fertilized with urea and ammonium sulfate. Growth of leaders on nitrogen-fertilized mountain mahogany plants was significantly greater (P < 0.005) than that of control plants in 1970 but not in 1971. There was no significant response to nitrogen fertilizer by either wavyleaf oak or fourwing saltbush for either year. The crude protein content of fertilized wavyleaf oak leaves was significantly higher than that for unfertilized leaves. Oak range fertilized with urea exhibited greater use by mule deer than unfertilized oak range during the summer, fall, or winter. Plants fertilized with ammonium sulfate apparently did not attract deer. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 38(3):525-530 Intensive management of game animals and their habitat is necessary because man's encroachment on wildlands is steadily diminishing game ranges. Range fertilization offers opportunities for game habitat management. The benefits derived from fertilization of game range may include: increased cover for game animals, increased quantity and quality of browse (Gibbens and Pieper 1962, Wood and Lindsey 1967, Curlin 1962), increased reproductive levels in deer associated with higher quality range (Cheatum and Severinghaus 1950, Swank 1956), and increased palatability of certain browse species (Schultz et al. 1958). This study was undertaken to obtain more information on the effects of fertilizers applied to game ranges. The objectives

Mule Deer Numbers and Shrub Yield: Utilization on Winter Range

Counts of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fecal groups on 960, 100-ft2 circular plots located on three north-central Colorado winter range study areas of about 500 acres each, were related to mean forage yields in pounds (ovendry) per acre and mean utilization per plot (percentage weight) of true mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), and big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) sampled on those plots from 1962 to 196S. Scatter diagrams and regression analysis revealed no significant ( P > O.OS ) correlations between the indices of deer numbers and mean yield or utilization of true mountain mahogany and antelope bitterbrush. Mean yield and mean utilization were significantly (P<0.05) correlated (r=-0.90) for true mountain mahogany but not for antelope bitterbrush (r =-0.S4). Inadequate sample sizes precluded similar analysis of big sagebrush. Neff (1968) has reviewed the technique of counting fecal groups as commonly used to assess population levels and distribution of big game. Counts of fecal groups on sample plots have also been used to approximate the weights of air-dry browse consumed by deer on winter range (McCain 1948, Leopold et al. 1951:110, Richens 1967: 654) as well as total forage produced (Giles and Snyder 1970:40). McCain and Taylor (1956:440) suggested that the percentage consumption of key browse species may be used to estimate trends in deer numbers. Julander et al. (1963:108) stated thatResearch on the relation of pellet group density to forage utilization is needed to determine whether pellet group counts might measure range use more accurately than utilization estimates alone. The objective of the present paper is to report on the relationship of counts of mule deer fecal groups to yields and utilization of three major shrub species on winter ranges. \Ve thank the many individuals who pro1A contribution from Colorado Federal Aid Project NV-105-R. 2 Present address: U. S. Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Boise7 Idaho. vided field or office assistance, particularly T. E. Hakonson, W. E. Jones, Jr., O. D. Markham, L. Nelson, Jr., K. A. Porter, and D. F. Stearns. J. Kovner and M. Morris, Biometricians, U. S. Forest Service, advised on the procedures used to estimate and analyze browse yield and utilization. STUDY AREAS AND POPULAT10N Three study areas, about 500 surface acres each, were selected to characterize the vegetation of winter range at different elevations within the Cache la Poudre River drainage, Roosevelt National Forest, northcentral Colorado. Soils are derived from schist, schist-gneiss, and granitic rocks (Lovering and Goddard 1950). Steep to precipitous slopes, with massive granitic outcrops are characteristic of each area. As described by Costello ( 1954), the mountain shrub community ( designated as shrub habitat in this report) comprised about 60 percent of each area, whereas the ponderosa pine-Douglas fir ( Pinus ponderosa-Pseudotsuga menziesii ) and ponderosa pine communities ( designated as coniferous habitat) comprised about 23 (Study Area 1), 38 (Study Area 2), and 28 (Study Area 3) percent of each area. Minor communities

Some Comparisons of the Feeding Ecology of Four Owls in North-Central Colorado

Four species of owls (Great Homed Owl, Bubo virginianus; Long- eared Owl, Asio otus; Burrowing Owl, Speotyto cunicularia and Barn Owl, Tyto alba) which inhabit the same grassland habitats in northcentral Colorado were investigated to determine differences and similarities in feeding ecology. Consider- able overlap in prey species was found in the four owls. However, the average estimated prey weight was significantly different for each owl species. Differences in activity periods, foraging methods and predator-prey size relationships may all function in reducing interspecific competition among these owls. During 1967 observations were made on the feeding ecology of the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia) and Barn Owl (Tyto alba) on short-grass prairie or interspersed prairie and farmland in the eastern one-fifth of Larimer County, Colorado. Rock outcroppings, canyons and eroded ditches, all abundant in this area, provide nesting sites for Great Horned and Barn Owls. Small groups of trees along water- courses, wind breaks and orchards are utilized for nesting and roosting by Long-eared and Great Horned Owls. Both occupied and abandoned prairie dog towns attract Burrowing Owls during the nesting season. Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and buffalo grass (Buchloe dacty- loides) are dominant grasses. On rocky soils where rock outcroppings appear, mountain mahogany (Cerocarpus montanus) is abundant. Cottonwoods (Populus spp.) are the most abundant trees and occur mostly along watercourses. Only a small percentage of the land at most of the areas studied was under cultivation. Very little published literature exists on the food habits of these owls in north-central Colorado. Reed (1957) examined Barn Owl pellets from Larimer County and Hamilton (1941) made observations on the food habits of Burrowing Owls in Denver County. Nothing, apparently, has been published on the food habits of the Great Horned and Long- eared Owls for this locality.

Reproduction and Ecological Distribution of the Rockmouse, Peromyscus difficilis, in Northern Colorado

Breeding activity of female Peromyscus diflicilis in northern Colorado in 1966 occurred from April to August with peak activity in May-June. The average number of corpora lutea per ovulation was 4.19 ? .92, the average number of embryos 4.25 ? 1.38, and the average number of placental scars 4.24 ? .84. Embryonic loss during gestation of P. diflicilis averaged 3.5-6.0% of ova ovulated. A marked annual testicular cycle occurred in adult male P. diflicilis demonstrated by the criteria of testicular weight, length, and histology, and length of seminal vesicle. Males were in breeding condition during the period March-August, 1966. New records of occurrence of P. diflicilis revealed that its geographical range extends northward of the previous marginal record to near the Colorado-Wyoming state line. A total of 151 trap localities sampled for P. difficilis were characterized in terms of 10 habitat categories. The rockmouse was most abundant in and showed preference for the mountain mahogany, pinyon-juniper, and yellow pine-juniper communities exhibiting numerous rock outcroppings. The species was nearly absent in these same communities where large surface rocks and boulders were lacking. Within the mountain mahogany zone, P. diflicilis occurred with greater frequency on granite and limestone outcroppings (90-100% of localities sampled) than on sandstone and shale outcroppings (50-54% of localities sampled). It did not occur to any extent in sagebrush, grassland, or Douglas fir-yellow pine communities within its northern geographical range. The altitudinal range of P. difficilis in northern Colorado extended approximately 1675 to 2300 m elevation along the eastern flank of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Ecological Distributin of Mice in the Medicine Bow Mountains of Wyoming

The distribution of six species of native mice with regard to plant communities, vegetative ground cover, and proximity of water was studied in the Medicine Bow Range of Southern Wyoming. The eight types of plant communities sampled were: mountain mahogany, sagebrush, aspen, subalpine meadow, willow—alder bog, lodgepole pine, spruce—fir, and alpine tundra. The western jumping mounse (Zapus princeps) and long—tailed vole (Microtus longicaudus) both reached their greatest densities in three habitats: Willow—alder, aspen forest, and subalpine meadows. Both species preferred sites adjacent to water and having dense ground cover. The montane vole (Microtus montanus) was most abundant in meadow situations as exemplified by alpine tundra and subalpine forb—sedge meadows. This species preferred moderate to dry situations and dense to intermediate ground cover. The redbacked vole (Clethrionomys gapperi) was by far the most abundant species taken in lodgepole pine and spruce—fir communities. This species occurred commonly at a distance from water and was equally abundant in areas of dense, intermediate, or sparse vegetative ground cover. The heather vole (Phenacomys intermedius) was not trapped in great numbers at any locale but was most frequently taken in subalpine meadows, spruce—fir forest, and alpine tundra, indicating the species is primarily a high altitude form. Heather voles exhibited no preferences with regard to proximity of water or density of ground cover. The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) was the most widely distributed species studied, but displayed particularly high densities in mountain mahogany and sagebrush communities. The habitats yielding the highest overall mouse production were those located at lower elevations in the mountains, i.e. the sagebrush, mountain mahogany, aspen, and subalpine meadows; while those habitats yielding the lowest number of mice were at highest elevations, i.e. lodgepole pine, spruce—fir, and alpine tundra. The proximity of water seemed to have no clearcut effect on the overall production of mice, although areas of dense cover were on the average twice as productive as those with sparse cover.

Nitrogen Fixation by Root Nodules of Western Mountain Mahogany

Nitrogen Fixation by Root Nodules of Western Mountain Mahogany

Movements Made by Two Species of Pocket Gophers

Information is presented on dispersal movements made by valley pocket gophers, Thomomys bottae, and northern pocket gophers, T. talpoides, introduced into areas with which the animals were unfamiliar. Most long movements were made under snow cover. Thomomys talpoides dispersed from introduction sites more frequently and moved greater distances than did T. bottae. The mean distance moved by T. talpoides in one year was 785 feet, and the longest movement was 2590 feet. Comparable figures for T. bottae are 198 feet and 900 feet. The differences in dispersal abilities or tendencies between the species are probably basic behavioral distinctions which may be related to the differences in the environments occupied by the animals. Little information is available on movements made by pocket gophers under natural conditions. Bryant (1913), Howell (1922), and Imler (1945) reported on surface movements of pocket gophers, and Howard and Childs (1959) recorded distances 14 prebreeding individuals traveled. In the present study, distances moved by transplanted individuals of two closely related species of pocket gophers were recorded. On the basis of these records, the abilities or tendencies of the animals to disperse are compared and discussed. The study area was approximately six miles north of Cotopaxi, Fremont Co., Colorado, at roughly 7500 feet elevation. The locality is mountainous and rocky, and is characterized by pinyon pine, Pinus edulis, juniper, Juniperus scopulorum, ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, Gambel oak, Quercus gambellii, and mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus montanus. The ground cover of the areas occupied by pocket gophers is dominated by blue grama, Bouteloua gracilis, and sleepygrass, Stipa robusta. Other conspicuous plants are rabbitbrush, Chrysothamnus nauseosus, summer-cypress, Kochia scoparia, and western beeplant, Cleome serrulata. Acknowledgments.-Thisstudy was supported by National Science Foundation Grant G-9807. I would like to express my appreciation for critically reading the manuscript to Paul H. Baldwin, Department of Zoology, Colorado State University; Richard M. Hansen, Colorado State University, Agricultural Experiment Station; and Ronald A. Ryder, Department of Forest Recreation and Wildlife Management, Colorado State University. For assistance with field work I wish to thank Roger E. Baker, Keith E. Evans, LeMoyne B. Marlatt, Gary T. Myers, and Ronald L. Perry.

A Germination Inhibitor in Achenes of Cercocarpus montanus

True mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus montanus Raf., is a rosaceous shrub found throughout the Rocky Mountain region from South Dakota and Montana south to New Mexico and Arizona (Kearney and Peebles 1960). It attains a maximum height of approximately 6 feet and is frequently a dominant on well-drained soils of dry slopes in the oak-mountain mahogany zone described by Daubenmire (1943). The plant flowers in May and June, and the achenes, which ripen in August and September, bear long plumose styles which aid in wind dispersal (U. S. Forest Service 1948). True mountain mahogany serves as a browse plant for game animals and livestock and is useful in erosion control (U. S. Forest Service 1948, Kearney and Peebles 1960). Relatively little is known about the autecology of this and most other shrub species of the Rocky Mountain region, but the autecological importance of inhibitors, which are known to be produced by a large number of species, is now recognized. The topic of inhibitors has been reviewed by Billings (1957) and Evenari (1949, 1957). Bonner (1950) and Grfimmer (1961) have discussed the role of toxic substances in the interactions of higher plants. The term germination inhibitor usually refers to a substance produced by plants which inhibits or delays the of seeds of the same or other species (Evenari 1949). These substances may function to the advantage of the species producing them by: (1) prevention of premature germination; (2) extension of the period of of a seed crop; and (3) restriction of to favorable habitats. They may also prevent the establishment of other species in the immediate area (Evenari 1949, 1957). This paper reports that the achenes of true mountain mahogany contain a water-extractable substance which inhibits seed and seedling growth in a number of plant species.

Range Management in Relation to Mule Deer Habitat and Herd Productivity in Utah

atability to livestock but several of them are valuable to deer in winter (Julander, 1955). Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) has increased more than any other shrub in density and distribution on overgrazed livestock range. While not considered highly preferred by deer, it is their bread and butter plant and supplies a greater part of deer winter diet than any other species in Utah. It is especially important in midwinter. Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma), another woody plant, has increased widely on overgrazed range in the southern half of Utah. In many areas, its spread has been detrimental to depleted deer winter range because it has crowded out more desirable shrubs. Nevertheless, its increase has resulted in large volumes of emergency feed and effective winter cover for deer. Juniper has primary value as emergency feed and cover in severe winters and during periods of extreme cold. Various species of rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.) have increased widely on overgrazed foothill ranges. The more abundant species are not considered choice forage, but some are eaten readily-all are used when more palatable plants are not available. Two species preferred by deer but generally avoided by livestock appear to have increased locally on overgrazed livestock range. These are curlleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) and cliffrose (Cowania stansburiana). Good deer forage species that have been reduced or weakened 278 PASSEY AND HUGIE

Society Members Develop Grazing Plan

The 13,000-acre “One Slash One” ranch owned by Milton D. (Bud) Webb, ranch broker, long-time rancher, past-president of the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, and a member of the American Society of Range Management, is located 20 miles west of Prescott, Arizona, in Ferguson Valley near the old Tonto Springs Ranger Station. The vegetation is mostly turbinella oak brush intermingled with blue, hairy and sideoats grama grasses. There are scattering amounts of mountain mahogany and Apache plume browse in the higher hills, with some squirreltail and black grama grass. The flats support a small amount of shrubby buckwheat, along with three-awn and dropseed grasses. Late in 1957, Henry E. (Hank) Wall, Soil Conservation Service Range Conservationist and member of ASRM, began working with Webb, a cooperator of the Triangle Soil Conservation District, and his foreman, Fred Patton, to develop a range conservation. plan for the ranch. Wall helped Webb and Patton determine range sites and range conditions. Range sites are areas with similar kinds and amounts of vegetation. Condition indicates the degree to which’ the sites are producing to their maximum potentiality or capacity.

Physical Site Factors Influencing Annual Production of True Mountain Mahogany, Cercocarpus Montanus

True mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus niontanus Raf.) is a widely distributed browse species of major importance in the western United States. The palatability is good to excellent for all classes of livestock and it is onie of the most valuable winter foods for deer and other herbivorous big game animals. Fundamental knowledge of the ecology of this browse plant is extremely limited. Increasing emphasis on the miiaintenance and manipulation of browse ranges requires that basic information be obtained oni the plants providing the forage. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of physical site factors which inifluence the annual production of true moulntain imahiogalny. The investigation was designed to identify the physical site factors significantly infIluencilng the annual production of true mlouniitaini mahograny, and to assess the relative importance of these factors. Site factors are commonly grouped into two primary classifications: living and non-living. The non-living factors may be divided into the broad categories of climate and physiography. This study is concerned with the physiographic factors relating to soil and topographv. For invaluable counsel aind directioni (lurirlg the study the author wishes to thanklik the following individuals: Dr. Lee E. Yeager, Leader, Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research UTnit, Colorado State University; Dr. Harold WV. Steinihoff alnd Prof. Charles Terwilliger of the College of Forestry and Range Managemiienit, Colorado State University; Mr. E. H. Reid and Dr. Jacob L. Kovner, Clhief, Divisioni of Ra-nge Researchi alnd Mathematical Statistician, respectively, of the 1 Based on a thesis submitted to the Graduate School of Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. The investigation was sponsored, financed, and supervised by the Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit and the Colorado Game and Fish Department, Federal Aid Project W-101-R. Publication by permission of the Dean, Graduate School, Colorado State University. 2 Formerly graduate fellow, Colorado Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; the Colorado Game and Fish Department, the Colorado State University, the Wildlife Management Institute, Washington, D. C., and the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, cooperating. Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station; Dr. Elmer E. Remmenga, Director, Statistics Laboratory, Colorado State University; and Dr. John L. Retzer, Staff Assistant, Forest Soils, U. S. Forest Service, Washington, D. C.

Elementary Morphology of Grass Growth and How It Affects Utilization

of thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science int Range Management, Colorado A. and M. College, 1954. Attempts to restore browse cover on depleted big ga.me winter ranges by art.ificial reseeding have gen- erally failed. Successful reseeding of browse plants has been handicapped by a lack of information con- cerning methods of trea.ting browse seeds which will induce satisfactory germination. A study wa.s undertaken to compare the relative effeetiveness of two seed treatments, stratificat,ion and acid scarification, in inducing germina.tion of three shrubs: antelope bitte.rbrush (Purshia tridentata), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) and fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens). Potential germination of these seeds was also determined for comparative purposes by staining embryos wit.h tetra- zolium chloride by the topogra.phic method. Stratifieation was accomplished by placing seed in moist a.cid peat. at temperatures of 310 F. to 41? F. Samples were removed at weekly intervals to deter- mine t.he optimum period of stratification. Acid searifieation was accomplished by placing seed in a copper-sereen basket and suspending in concen- trated sulfuric acid for ten minute intervals up to 90 minutes. The seed were then washed and planted in flats of vermiculite. in four replications of 50 seeds each for germination a,t temperatures of 620 to 770 F. The best period of stratification for bitterbrush was 49 t.o 70 days. After 49 days in stratifieation a few of the seeds began to sprout. The germination of seed stratified for 70 days was 82.5 percent, while non-t.reated seed germinated 1 percent. Acid treat- ment of bitterbrush for a, period of 50 minutes re- sulted in a germinat.ion of 83.5 percent. The best period of stratification for mounta.in ma.- hogany was four weeks or longer. At the end of nine weeks stra.tification, however, a large portion of the seed began to sprout. The germination of seed stratified for 70 days was 71 percent, while non- treated seed germinated 1 percent. Mountain mahogany seed soaked in acid for 60 minutes ha,d the highest germination, 51.5 percent. This figure is significantly higher than the control, but is also significantly lower than t,he germina.tion resulting from stratification. Nevertheless, a.cid seari- fication removes the hairy styles from the seed which would permit the seed to pass readily through a seed drill for more rapid and effective planting. Fourwing saltbush seed does not require stratifica- t.ion so only a.cid treatment was used on these seeds. The germination of seed soaked for 60 minutes was 15.5 pereent, while the control lot germinated 10.5 percent. Staining of the embryos by use of 2,3,5-triphenyl- tetra.zolium chloride proved inconclusive in indicating germination capacity for hitterbrush and mounta,in mahogany. Fourwing saltbush, however, reacted fa- vorably to the stain. The average potential germi- nation of fourwing saltbush as indicated by staining was 41 percent, while the average germination of acid treated seed was 14.75 percent. These' studies show that acid searification of bitter- brush is as effective as stratifica.tion in inducing bet- ter germina,tion. Acid scarification may be accom- plished in less time than stratification, and the treat- ment is advantageous in instances where seed must be treated and planted in a minimum of time. While stratification induces better germination of mounta,in mahogany than acid sea,rification, the latter treatment removed the hairy styles so that seed ma,y he planted with drills. In view of the known advan- tages of drilling in plant.ing seed more uniformly in the soil, acid searification of mountain mahogany seed is to be prefei-red wherever drilling of seed may be effective. Acid scarification removes the wings of fourving salthush seed so that it may be drilled.-Raymond Johk Boyd, 2090 Leyden Street, Denver, Colorado. This content downloaded from 40.77.167.2 on Sun, 18 Sep 2016 06:31:48 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

A Record of Sorex merriami from Northeastern Colorado

The shrew Sorex merriami is so uncommon in the eastern part of its range that the capture of a specimen from northeastern Colorado is of especial interest. On October 15, 1953, Richard G. Van Gelder obtained an adult Sorex merriami at Owl Canyon, Larimer County, Colorado (specimen no. 7661, Univ. Illinois). It was taken on an east-sloping hogback, which is covered with piñon, juniper, mountain mahogany, yucca, and grasses. Piñons predominate and form an isolated island of pinon-juniper far north of any similar habitat. Although mammals have been trapped for many years on this area, no shrews have previously been taken. Captured with the shrew were Peromyscus maniculatus and Peromyscus nasutus. Owl Canyon is not far from the locality near Laramie in southeastern Wyoming where another specimen of this shrew has been taken (Mickey and Steele, Jour. Mamm., 28: 294, 1947). The specimen from Wyoming has been referred to S. m. merriami. The one from northeastern Colorado is quite similar to four specimens of S. m. leucogenys from Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, and differs from these (and approaches S. m. merriami) only in being slightly shorter in length than the average of the four and in having a narrower cranium. On a geographical basis, one would not expect the specimen from Owl Canyon to be referable to S. m. leucogenys, although the flora of the region is reportedly more similar to that of southern Colorado than that of Wyoming. Until additional specimens of S. merriami from northeastern Colorado are available, the subspecific determination is questionable.

Feeding Deer on Browse Species during Winter

T HE encroachment of civilization has resulted in restriction of deer ranges throughout the west. Nowhere is this more serious than in Utah. The problem presented by the scarcity of deer range has many facets. Among these, the food habits of mule deer and knowledge of the value of plants used by them in winter are of great importance. The investigation reported herein was undertaken to supply information upon these subjects, and is part of cooperative study involving the U. S. Forest Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Utah State Fish and Game Commission. Funds were made available for the study by the latter agency. During the winter months of 1948, two mature deer were held captive near Logan, Utah and fed native browse plants. The deer were nearly two years old. The feeding period began on January 2 and closed March 9, 1948. A total of 17 species of forage plants were included in the diet. These included all the plants common on deer winter range which were available near Logan. Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata typica), Utah juniper (Juniperus utahensis), and Rocky MIountain red juniper (J. scopulorum) were, except for the first few days, kept before the animals at all times. Two additional plants were offered each day in such sequence that all possible combinations of plants were included except that the hybrid mountain mahogany and black sage (Artemisia tridentata nova) were not so rotated. The first is uncommon, the second infrequently present on deer winter ranges. All the material offered was weighed before being placed before the deer and reweighed as it was removed. Bundles of forage unavailable to the deer were exposed in a manner similar to those fed to the deer to provide a correction factor where changes of weight occurred from causes other than eating by the deer. Such weight changes were insignificant except when storms occurred. Periodically samples of vegetation were dried to provide a basis for converting all figures to air dry weights.

Endemic Birds of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, California

The Little San Bernardino Mountains which bound the Coachella Valley of California to the northeastward attain heights of somewhat over 5000 feet. Barren in aspect on their southern face, they nonetheless support along their crests and on their northern slopes large tracts of pifion-juniper woodland and open chaparral growth of scrub oak, mountain mahogany, and manzanita. These plant associations mark an Upper Sonoran belt which extends 40 miles southeastward from Morongo Pass. A small area of woodland and chaparral occurs still farther eastward on Eagle Mountain, separated by a gap of at least 20 miles from the area in the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Northwardly the woodland occurs scatteringly over a plateau, which is the heart of the Joshua Tree National Monument, to the mountains immediately south and west of Twentynine Palms, San Bernardino County. The Upper Sonoran area lies between the Colorado and Mohave deserts and adjoins similar areas of coastal southern California only to the westward where, at the eastern flank of the great San Bernardino Mountain mass, there is a narrow connection across Morongo Pass with the chaparral and woodlands of western Riverside and San Bernardino counties. This peninsula of the Upper Sonoran Zone, seemingly because of its constricted base, its length, and the arid, open aspect of its plant growth influenced by desert climate and surrounding desert lowlands, has developed and conserved in partial isolation distinctive races of some permanently resident types of birds. Their degree of distinctness is surprisingly great in view of the imperfect westward barrier to the transfer of individuals between coastal populations and those of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Three endemic forms, a Mountain Quail, a Plain Titmouse, and a Bush-tit, are herewith described. Further details of their ranges will doubtless be forthcoming as additional biological exploration in the area is conducted. I am indebted to the National Park Service, and particularly to Mr. James Cole, Custodian of Joshua Tree National Monument, for the opportunity to investigate the vertebrate fauna of the Monument area which embraces the ranges of these new subspecies.