Assay Bench Exclosure

Description:

Plate 963X. 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 963x is viewed east along the Parker Three-Step Transect inside the livestock exclusion part of the exclosure; i.e., where deer and elk have access but cattle do not - - see Plate 959x. Mountain big sage and bitterbrush have increased, as has ponderosa pine. The taller shrubs are Utah serviceberry. Currants are also present, as are needle and thread, Stipa spp., and Poa spp. The Forest Service has installed a weather station and small grazing cage inside the exclosure (photo right-center). Part of the mountain on the left was overrun by the Unita Flats Wildfire in 1989. Elk and deer use was evident inside the exclosure.

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. 5490-15A. 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:

Sagebrush, Mountain Brush, Conifer

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