Red Desert

1967

2005

Description:

Plate 1167X. Red Desert 1967 – 2005 Viewed south along line one of the Parker Three-Step Transect in the Red Desert. The meadow has not been treated and is mostly Stipa spp., Festuca spp., Poa spp., and squirreltail, with scattered silver sage. The area had not been grazed by livestock in 2005. In the distance, spruce and white fir have increased, while aspen has declined. Some aspen regenerated 30 years ago when mule deer numbers were low, but not before or since due to repeated ungulate browsing (Kay and Bartos 2000). Those saplings have now all been highlined by elk, deer, and cattle.

Photo Information:

U.S. Forest Service photograph (unnumbered) taken by Jerry Green on August 25, 1967; retake by Charles E. Kay on September 27, 2005 - - Photo No. 5583-9. 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:

Dry Meadow, Sagebrush, Conifer, Aspen

Location:

South West: The steel post that marks the start of the transect is at the corner of Sections 3 and 4, Range 8 West, Township 37 South; UTM 346650 E, 4166200 N; elevation 9,630 ft.

January 2018