24. Ward Canyon
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 12S R 30E Sections 19, 20 Power County
Forest Division: Sublette
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Aspen-Conifer
Impacts: A trough is present in Ward Canyon. Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have been severe at this location. Severe understory removal in the aspen and conifer habitat has occurred. Loss of groundcover and loss of cryptogamic soil crusts has led to exposure of bare soils in the area. Aspen and conifer regeneration in the adjacent habitat has been severely impacted. Heavy utilization has impacted adjacent shrub communities. Loss of cover and understory is limiting to wildlife species particularly birds.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location until substantial recovery and regeneration of tree species has been achieved. It will require 3-6 years or more for substantial aspen recovery and regeneration. Saplings need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more in order to withstand short duration grazing impacts.
List of Figures:
1. Severe utilization impacts to tree regeneration, loss of understory.
2. Severe utilization impacts to understory, loss of aspen regeneration.
