Assay Bench Exclosure

1961

2005

Description:

Plate 964X. Assay Bench Exclosure 1961 – 2005 The Assay Bench exclosure is located just to the south of Assay Knoll. The exclosure was built in 1960 and is of a three-part design. One part is fenced to exclude livestock but to allow access by wildlife, primarily mule deer and elk, while a second part is fenced to exclude both livestock and wildlife. A third, unfenced part, is grazed by both livestock, deer, and elk. By measuring vegetation in the three-parts of the exclosure, grazing impacts from livestock can be separated from those of wildlife (Kay and Bartos 2000). Plate 964x is viewed east along the Parker Three-Step Transect inside the total exclusion part of the exclosure; i.e., ungulates have not grazed inside this exclosure for 44 years - - see Plate 960x. Juniper and ponderosa pine have increased, as have mountain big sage, Utah serviceberry, bitterbrush, snowberry, currant, and green rabbitbrush. That is to say with protection from grazing and fire, woody species have increased, while native grasses and other forage plants have declined.

Photo Information:

U.S. Forest Service photograph (unnumbered) taken by R. Thomson on May 25, 1961; retake by Charles E. Kay on July 30, 2005 - - Photo No. 5490-22A. Original photographs, negatives, and narrative reports held in the range files on the Cedar City Ranger District, Dixie National Forest, Cedar City, UT.

Vegetative Community:

Juniper, Conifer, Sagebrush, Mountain Brush

Location:

South West: Section 31, Range 6 West, Township 37 South; UTM of the exclosure 361800 E, 4156600 N; elevation 7,920 ft.

January 2018