1. Bull Spring
Land Manager: BLM, Burley FieId Office
Legal Location: T 15S R 17E Section 32 Twin Falls County
Allotment Location: Shoshone Basin
Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Grass
Impacts: The cumulative livestock impacts at this location have altered the physical features of the spring location and drainage course. There is no riparian structure present. Livestock grazing has led to severe impacts to shrubs and loss of shrub understory. Trampling has caused loss of soil crusts and exposure of bare mineral soil around the troughs and in adjacent habitat. Upland utilization levels have been moderate to heavy, depending on location. Heaviest impacts are concentrated in the drainage bottom and immediately adjacent to the spring. A tiny exclosure protects only a small portion of the original spring and a weather station.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be rested from this location. The shrubs, shrub understory, and cryptogamic community cannot achieve substantial levels of recovery without temporary withdrawal. Cumulative impacts have already been compounded by 2000 grazing season use. Without at least temporary withdrawal; this site will continue to deteriorate. Loss of cover and understory are limiting to wildlife, particularly to migratory songbirds.
List of Figures:
1. Utilization impacts to soil, shrubs, and understory.
2. Loss vegetation, trampling and utilization impacts.
