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PWS 215 > Exam III > Flashcards

Exam III Flashcards

1
Q

How do you measure plant utilization?

A

You can throw out caged plots before grazing. You can use exclosures as a long-term version of a caged plot.
You can also use plant stubble height, but it is not preferred.

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2
Q

Percent utilization vs percent relative use

A

utilization = weight removed (g) / total production of the entire year
Relative use = weight removed (g) / production up to the point of clipping

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3
Q

How might coyote control inadvertently effect forage production?

A

The less coyotes you have, the more rabbits you have, which will decrease the amount of available forage for cattle and other wildlife

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4
Q

How can plant stubble height be used to measure utilization?

A

Stubble height is measured compared to the height of an ungrazed plant without the use of cages. The stubble and ungrazed plants are clipped, dried and weighed.

50% of the weight of the plant is usually very near the base (ex. in the last 4 of 23.5 inches)

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5
Q

What is the difference between inventory, monitoring and assessment?

A

Inventory- Amount of resources available at a given point in time
Monitoring- The change of resources over time
Assessment- Not detailed, quick, rapid assessment technique to evaluate rangeland health holistically, generally bringing a team from many different groups together

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6
Q

Name at least four things to consider when evaluating rills

A
  1. Length of rill
  2. Size of rills
  3. Number of rills present
  4. Potential for rills to connect
  5. Are they increasing in size or healing
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7
Q

Name at least five indicators that provide evidence of overland flow

A
  1. Litter movement
  2. Soil redistribution
  3. Gravel redistribution
  4. Pedestalling
  5. Terracettes
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8
Q

Name four things that will aid in water infiltration

A
  1. Litter
  2. Interception by plants
  3. Biologicl soil crust
  4. Rock
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9
Q

Pedestals definition

A

Pedestals are rocks or plants that appear elevated as a result of soil loss by wind or water erosion

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10
Q

Terracettes definition

A

Benches of soil deposition behind obstacles caused by water movement (not wind)

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11
Q

Name two things to consider when evaluating bare ground

A
  1. Amount of bare ground

2. Size of patches

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12
Q

Name two things to consider when evaluating gullies

A
  1. Number of gullies
  2. Size of gullies
  3. Are they healing or getting worse?
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13
Q

Name two things to consider when evaluating litter movement

A
  1. Amount of litter build-up
  2. Size of litter
  3. The distance that the litter has travelled
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14
Q

Name four soil cover types that will decrease soil loss from wind erosion

A
  1. Litter on the ground
  2. Plant cover
  3. Biological soil crust
  4. Armored sites (rocks on the surface)
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15
Q

Saltation definition

A

As wind velocity increases, soil particles begin bouncing against each other in a process called saltation. This abrasion leads to suspension of fine particles into the wind stream where they may be transported off the site

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16
Q

Define eolian deposits

A

The soil removed from wind-scoured areas is redistributed to accumulation areas (eg eolian deposits), which increase in size and area of coverage as the degree of wind erosion increases

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17
Q

What is the name of the test where soil surface fragments are placed in water to see how fast they will dissociate?

A

Aggregate Stability Test

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18
Q

Name a visual indicator that may show soil surface loss?

A

Erosive features (things you can see), the color of the soil (absence of dark organic soil)

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19
Q

What functional group will create the highest inflitration rates?

A

Grasses

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20
Q

How does plant distribution influence inflitration and runoff?

A

Bare ground causes soil pores to be destroyed by rain drop impact, causing water to run off.

If you have a lot of trees and shrubs you are more likely to have more bare ground than grasses and forbs

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21
Q

Name two indicators of soil compaction

A
  1. L shaped routs that move to avoid compacted ground

2. Digging up some ground to see if you can find a compacted layer

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22
Q

What can cause a compaction layer in rangelands?

A

Cattle, foot traffic, heavy equipment

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23
Q

Name five different functional/structural groups

A
  1. Biological soil crusts
  2. Perennial grasses
  3. Annual grasses
  4. Forbs
  5. Legumes
  6. Shrubs
  7. Trees
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24
Q

What problems can occur if recruitment is not occurring?

A

Without enough recruitment, there may be loss of a species as individuals die off, allowing a weed to fill the niche

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25
Q

What is litter?

A

Plant material that is detached from the living plant

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26
Q

Name four benefits litter provides

A

Gets water in the ground
Promotes microbial breakdown
Shields the ground
Decreases evaporation rates

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27
Q

Describe the procedures for estimating annual production

A

Annual production of the evaluation area is compared to the site potential (total annual production) as described in the Reference Sheet. Comparisons to the Reference Sheet are based on peak above ground standing crop, no matter when the site is assessed. If utilization of vegetation has occurred or plants are in early stages of growth, the evaluator(s) is required to estimate the annual production removed or expected and include this amount when making the total site production estimate. Do not include standing dead vegetation (produced in previous years) or live tissue (woody stems) not produced in the current year as annual production.

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28
Q

What is the definition of invasive plants

A

Includes both native and non-native plants that have the potential to become a dominant species on the site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions.

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29
Q

Reproductive capability of perennial plants

A

Presences of seedstalks/ and or number of seeds per seed stalk. Seed production is a measure of plant vigor.

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30
Q

Little bluestem, Big bluestem, Yellow indiangrass, Switchgrass

- 20–39 inches (spring, summer and fall 	-  Deep fertile soils; grazing tolerant; only small relics left - Periodic drought; frequent burning favors tree mortality
A

Tallgrass prairie

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31
Q

Buffalo grass, 3 awn, Sideoats grama, Silver bluestem

- 12–28 inches (spring, summer)
 	- Grazing tolerant system - Largest amount of livestock production in the US - Overgrazing cause mesquite invasion
A

Southern mixed prairie

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32
Q

Bluebunch wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, Little bluestem, sideoats grama, blue grama, Sage, snowberry, 4-wing saltbush - 12–28 inches (spring, summer)

- Grazing tolerant; 2nd most important for livestock production

  • Drought & severe winters are a concern
A

Northern mixed prairie

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33
Q
  • Blue grama, Buffalo grass, Western wheatgrass, Winterfat
    • 12–20 inches (75% in summer)
      - Cultivation requires irrigation so best for grazing
  • Allows for grazing year round
  • Evolved under grazing (Bison)
  • 3rd most important for grazing
A

Shortgrass prairie

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34
Q

Soft brome, ripgut brome, foxtail brome, red-stem filaree, scrub oak, Chamise, manzanita
Mediterranean; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
-Highly variable forage production & quality
- Supplements required in dormant period.
- Grazing has less of an impact because it is an annual dominated system

A

California annual grassland

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35
Q

Bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, Sandberg bluegrass
Ponderosa, sagebrush, hawthorne - Mild winters, warm summers

- Wind deposited soils, rolling hills; mainly grain production; 90% gone - Grazing intolerant bunchgrass
A

Palouse Prairie and Intermountain Grassland

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36
Q

Three awn, black/blue grama, hilaria, mesquite, creosote, broom snakeweed.
– warm; winter and summer precip Warm season bunchgrasses; overgrazing, fire suppression, climate change may be culprits for woody plant encroachment

A

Hot desert- Sonoran

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37
Q

Three awn, black/blue grama, hilaria, mesquite, creosote, broom snakeweed.
– cooler; more summer precip Warm season bunchgrasses; overgrazing, fire suppression, climate change may be culprits for woody plant encroachment

A

Hot desert- Chihuahuan

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38
Q

Three awn, black/blue grama, hilaria, mesquite, creosote, broom snakeweed.
– warm; driest of the hot deserts year round
Warm season bunchgrasses; overgrazing, fire suppression, climate change may be culprits for woody plant encroachment

A

Hot desert- Mojave

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39
Q

Shadscale, winterfat, sacaton, saltgrass, greasewood (these species are tolerant of high salt content) Cold wet winters; warm dry summers; semi-arid

- Overgrazing has decreased desirable vegetation in many areas and increased invasives - Useful for winter grazing - Overgrazing has increased the amount halogeton.  Hologeton is toxic to sheep. They can tolerate halogeton if they eat it slowly with other forages
A

Salt desert

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40
Q

Bluebunch wheatgrass, needlegrasses, sandberb bluegrass Cold wet winters; warm dry summers; semi-arid

- Important winter range for big game  - Early rangeland reclamation work converted sagebrush step to exotic wheatgrass communities (e.g. crested wheatgrass)
A

Sagebrush Steppe

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41
Q

Cold wet winters; warm dry summers; semi-arid

- Recovery from overgrazing is considered to be slow to non-existent in most areas without the control of trees - Partial removal of tress can greatly increase forage for both livestock and wildlife
A

Pinyon-Juniper Woodland

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42
Q

Bitterbrush, big sagebrush (Vasey), Mtn. mahongony, gambel’s oak, buckbrush
- Cold wet winters; warm dry summers
Important winter browse for deer and other wildlife; some areas fire prone (chaparral)

A

Mountain Browse

43
Q

Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, varying understory
Most precipitation as snow in the north and rain in the south -Fire important for maintaining aspen stands and wildlife habitat.
-Main cause of grazing capacity loss is from regrowth of timber after fires and logging, which shade out understory species

A

Western Conifer Forest

44
Q

Longleaf pine, shortleaf pine, loblolly pine -Fall period is dry, while precipitation distribution is fairly even during the rest of the year

- Timber and grazing occur  - Most important of all eastern US range types for livestock production - grazing can be limited by nutrients leaching from soil
A

Southern Pine Forest

45
Q

Maples, birches, oaks, hickories, beeches, basswood

  • Bluestem, fescue, timothy, bluegrass, brome, ryegrass, and orchardgrass Annual precipitation uniformly distributed throughout the year
  • snow and frost common in winter - Traditionally impacted by farming and logging.
  • Rotational grazing schemes have generally been superior to continuous grazing in maximizing livestock production per unit area.
  • Because of high precipitation, seedlings of introduced forage grasses are widely used
A

Eastern Deciduous Forest

46
Q 
Varies with location:
Shinnery = S.E. New Mexico, Texas	 
Gambel = Central and S. Rockies
Tree oaks = California, Texas 
Post oaks = Texas, Oklahoma 	Variable depending on location	-  Important for wildlife cover/structure but limited value for livestock
-  Wildfire danger in urban interface
A

Oak Woodland

47
Q

Sedges, bluegrasses, buckwheats

- Short cool summers, long cold winters
- Dominated by low growing herbaceous and shrub species - Sheep grazing or wilderness areas - High elev. gold & molybdenum mining necessitates reveg. - Important for water production
A

Alpine Tundra

48
Q

Rangeland classification high grazing resistance (3-10 year recovery)

A

Tallgrass prairie, shortgrass prairie, N. Mixed prairie, S. Mixed prairie

49
Q

Rangeland classification moderate grazing resistance (10-30 year recovery)

A

Mountain shrubland, oak woodland, Palouse prairie, Cal. annual grassland

50
Q

Range land classification low grazing resistance (>30 yr recovery)

A

P/J woodland, cold desert, hot desert, alpine tundra

51
Q

Name in order the top three range regions in the United States, with respect to importance for grazing

A

Southern mixed grass prairie, Northern mixed prairie, short grass prairie

52
Q

Why are the regions listed above less sensitive to grazing than other regions such as the Palouse prairie?

A

They species in those areas evolved with the heavy grazing of bison heards. They also have more precipitation in the growing seasons

53
Q

Name two reasons discussed in our lecture that explain why prairie regions are dominated by grasses?

A
  1. Frequent presence of fire keeps out woody vegetation

2. Their are generally in areas not suited for farming

54
Q

How did the mixed grass prairie get its name?

A

Its named for its mix of tall-, mid-, and short grass species

55
Q

Discuss major events that resulted in the creation of the California annual grassland?

A

Long history of livestock grazing (16th and 17th centuries), introduction of annual species by European settlement

56
Q

How does grazing help vernal pools in the California annual grassland?

A

Grazing supports rare plant and animals species, because cattle prefer to eat the annual invasive grasses

57
Q

How is fire or the lack of fire influencing hot deserts of North America, give a specific answer for each of the three desert types

A

Sonoran- As fire levels have decreased, a shift from grassland to woody plants has been observed

Mohave- Increase in fire frequency has caused a positive feedback cycle of invasive annuals

Chihuahuan- As fire levels decreased, shift from grassland to woody plants (brushland)

58
Q

Of the hot deserts, what desert is most suited for grazing by domestic livestock and why?

A

Chihuahuan desert. Because of its relatively high precip in the growing season

59
Q

Name two reasons why the salt desert is not as productive as the sagebrush steppe?

A
  1. It has poor, salty aridisols.

2. It experiences lower rainfall during the growing season

60
Q

How can we keep halogeton from being toxic to sheep?

A

By not resting hungry sheep after trailing in areas that have high levels of halogeton. Making sure there is adequate levels of high-quality forage available

61
Q

What benefits does a greenstrip provide?

A

Greenstrips introduce firebreaks to control the size of wildfires. When a fire does occur, it gives a safe zone for firefighters to fight the fire from

62
Q

Your discussion question for this lecture is to briefly discuss why each of these categories differ in response to grazing resistance based on such factors as precipitation amount and timing, temperature, historic grazing, and vegetation. Please review the slides in this presentation to see if you can come up with some answers to this question.

A

On the test, I will give you a description of the region and you need to write down which region the description is talking about. Besides having a table similar to the one attached in this email, I will also ask questions similar to what I asked in the discussion questions.

63
Q
  1. Why you would want to maintain pinyon- junper woodlands (at least at historic levels)?
A

They can be beneficial for wildlife, providing thermal cover for mule deer and other wildlife. The pinyon jay also benefits from them by feeding on their seeds

64
Q
  1. Discuss how grazing can both be detrimental and beneficial to wildlife in the mountain browse zone?
A

Grazing can kep shrubs from growing out of the reach of browsing animals. Grazing too heavily at the end of the growins season can leave minimal browse for the wildlife to sustain them through the winter

65
Q
  1. What are ladder fuels?
A

Fuels that allow surface fires to climb turn into crown fires, such as branches on a tree that extend from surface to crown

66
Q
  1. Discuss fire and shade influences on aspen vs conifer trees?
A

Aspen thrive in the sun and conifers thrive in the shade. Fires support the growth of aspens by clearing ground and allowing the sun to get down onto the ground. Suppressed fire may lead to the overgrowth of conifer trees and causing destructive crown fires.

67
Q

How does the location of water influence livestock distribution?

A

Livestock are drawn to water in the hotter months and avoid water in the winter months

68
Q

What are some methods to improve water distribution on rangelands?

A

Adding additional watering locations, such as developing seeps and springs, solar wells and troughts, piping water to new locations, changing access to different watering points

69
Q

What government organization assists private ranchers in the development of their water sources?

A

NRCS

70
Q

How does salt influence livestock distribution and how should it be placed in relationship to water?

A

Livestock are attracted to salt licks. It should be placed further away from riparian areas to entice cattle away from water. Desired grazing area should be between salt lick and water

71
Q

How might overgrazing in riparian areas influence the time ranchers have on their allotments?

A

If the national forest service determines that riparian areas have been overused, ranchers may be orced to remove cattle from their allotment early

72
Q

How do low moisture blocks help with decreasing grazing pressure in riparian areas?

A

It attracts cattle to them, causing them to graze areas adjacent to the blocks and decreasing the grazing pressure in other preferred areas

73
Q

Name five different ways to improve livestock distribution

A
  1. Herding
  2. Fencing
  3. Improving water distribution
  4. Distributing salt licks/low moisture blocks
  5. Prescribed fires
74
Q

How does forage digestion differ between a ruminant and a hind-gut fermenter?

A

Ruminants- their symbiotic microbes break down the food and the cows digest the dead microbes

Hind-gut fermenters: Cecum houses microbes that break down cellulose. Forage passes faster, but they can’t extract as much nutrients. Can do better on low-quality forage

75
Q

What do you get when you mix horse apples with cow pies?

A

Crappy apple pie

76
Q

Name at least two ways water influences animal performance?

A
  1. Serves as a medium for chemical reactions
  2. Enzymatic digestion and cellular metabolism
  3. Regulating body temp
77
Q

Approximately how much water would you need per day for a herd with 80 mother cows?

A

Cattle and horses need 12-15 gal/day
Sheep and goats need 1-1.5 gal every 1-2 days
Storage tanks should hold 2 days worth of water

78
Q

Name at least 3 factors that increase water consumption in cattle?

A
  1. Dry forage
  2. High temp
  3. Humidity low
  4. Salt being supplemented
79
Q

Name at least 3 factors that decrease water consumption in cattle

A
  1. Lush forage
  2. Low temp
  3. High humidity
  4. Dew
  5. Snow
80
Q

What do carbohydrates provide to the animal?

A

They are the main source of energy. The animal uses them for maintenance, growth, reproduction and production

81
Q

There are two distinct kinds of carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis. What are they and how do they differ in digestability?

A

Non-Structural CHOs- digestable

Structural CHOs- not easily digestable

82
Q

What type of forage provides the highest amount of energy?

A

Grasses

83
Q

Where does the energy come from in dormant grasses?

A

From the structural CHO

84
Q

How does digestable energy content change from spring, summer fall and winter in the western US>

A

it spikes in the spring and early summer, and decreases in fall and winter

85
Q

Are energy requirements typically limited for ruminate animals on winter pastures with adequate availability of grass? Why?

A

No. Structural CHOs persist even through the winter that the animals can use

86
Q

What plant parts have the highest nutritive value? Why?

A

Leaves. They have the least structural CHOs

87
Q

How does protein content change between grasses and shrubs over the year?

A

Protein content spikes in the summer (around July). The protein content leeches out of the grasses quickly in the summer

88
Q

What functional group typically have the highest amount of protein content in the spring and summer?

A

Grasses and forbs

89
Q

How does nutrient quality change with plant age for shrubs in comparison to grasses and forbs?

A

Shrubs maintain their protein quantity better throughout the winter while grasses and forbs lose their protein quantity much more quickly

90
Q
  1. Why are shrubs important for winter forage of wildlife and livestock?
A

To provide them with enough Protein to get them through the winter

91
Q
  1. How much crude protein is required for the maintenance of a cow over the winter period? Why will profitable ranches minimize the amount of protein supplemented over the winter period?
A

Cows 6-8% crude protein
Cows lactating need more (9-12%)

Protein is the most expensive dietary supplement for cattle

92
Q

Describe issues with vitamin A deficiency in grazing animals

A

When animals feed on dormant grasses for over 120 days they become vitamin A deficient. They can get night-blindness, which causes the animal to become stressed and decreases the animals body condition

93
Q

Where is the vitamin A found

A

Green plants

94
Q

Where is the vitamin A stored?

A

It is fat soluble and is found in the body tissue of the animal

95
Q

How does vitamin A become deficient

A

When animals consume dormant grasses for over 120 days

96
Q

Why is vitamin K, B, C and D rarely deficient?

A

Bacteria in digestive tract synthesize B, C and K. D is produced from sunlight

97
Q

What is the difference between micro and macro minerals?

A

Macro minerals- present in the body at levels greater than 100 ppm. (Mg, Ca, P, Na, Cl, K, S)

Micro minerals- Present in the body at levels generally less than 100 ppm (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, Se F)

98
Q

List five toxic/poisonous plants common in the western United States and describe a health concern associated with the plants.

A
  1. Death camas- neurological effects, coma
  2. Lupine- Crooked calf syndrome
  3. Larkspurs- bloating
  4. Horse brush- Causes swelling of head and ears, sloughing of skin when exposed to sun
  5. Broom snakeweed- Causes abortions in cattle
99
Q

List 5 management practices to minimize livestock poisoning

A
  1. Animals must have adequate supply of good quality forage
  2. Adequate supply of salt and other minerals
  3. Avoid trailing hungry animals through, or holding animals on dense stands of poisonous plants
  4. Graze at time of year to avoid plants when they are toxic
  5. Train animals
100
Q

Complete the table below

A 
\+/+ - Mutualism
\+/0 - commensalism
0/0 - neutralism
\+/- - Antagonism
-/- - Competition
101
Q

List 4 basic elements of habitat

A

Food, water, cover, space

102
Q

Livestock influence on habitat is controlled by?

A
  1. Type of livestock
  2. Stocking rate
  3. Distribution of livestock
  4. Season of grazing
103
Q

Describe 4 ways livestock/ranching can improve wildlife habitat?

A
  1. Increase the nutritive quality of the forage (wildlife follow grazers)
  2. Increase productivity of selected species (think grass vs bitterbrush for cattle and deer)
104
Q

Describe 3 ways poor grazing practices can harm wildlife

A
  1. Overgrazing riparian areas can degrade streams and stream banks
  2. Grazing late in the year with sheep can remove winter browse for deer
  3. Overgrazing can remove hiding cover for a variety of grassland birds, amphibians, reptiles, small and large mammals

PWS 215 (3 decks)

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