Kahler Creek Butte

Kahler Creek Butte Proposed Research Natural Area (pRNA) was selected to represent habitat conditions found on mima mounds. The pRNA is comprised of upper and lower benches that are delineated by moderately to steeply sloping hillsides. There are two rocky flats with intermound gravels and basaltic bedrock. Scabland sagebrush (Artemisia rigida) shrubland dominates the upper bench of the pRNA. Stands of Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) are dominant on deeper mounded soils while patches of Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) are dominant on rocky substrates. Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and North Africa grass (Ventenata dubia) are also present on the southern end of the pRNA.