State 1
Nebraska Sedge/ Tuffed Hairgrass/ Willow

Community 1.1
Nebraska Sedge/ Tuffed Hairgrass/ Willow

The interpretive plant community for this site is the Historic Climax Plant Community. This state evolved with grazing by large herbivores, a water table, and periodic wildfires. Potential vegetation is about 75% grasses or grass-like plants, 5% forbs, and 20% woody plants. The major grasses/grass-likes include Nebraska sedge, tufted hairgrass, and slough sedge. Grasses/grass-likes of lesser importance are Baltic rush, bluejoint reedgrass, and a variety of other sedges. Willows are the dominant shrub, but a variety of shrubs and forbs also occurs in this state and plant diversity is high (see Plant Composition Table). The total annual production (air-dry weight) of this state is about 5400 pounds per acre, but it can range from about 4500 lbs./acre in unfavorable years to about 6500 lbs./acre in above average years. The state is well adapted to the Northern Intermountain Desertic Basins climate. It is a critical state providing water and habitat for the surrounding area. The diversity in plant species provides a variety of habitats for wildlife. It is resistant to drought due to a dependable water supply. This is a sustainable plant community (site/soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity). Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Moderate, continuous season-long grazing will convert this plant community to the Mid-sedge/Willow Plant Community. Prolonged drought will exacerbate this change.

State 2
Mid-Sedge/Willow

Community 2.1
Mid-Sedge/Willow

Historically, this plant community evolved under moderate grazing by large ungulates and low fire frequency. Currently, this site is normally found under moderate, season-long grazing, a relatively normal hydrologic regime, and in the absence of fire or brush control. Prolonged drought can also play an important role and will exacerbate these conditions. Flood tolerant perennial plants make up the dominant species in this plant community. The dominant grasses and grasslikes include Nebraska and slough sedges, tufted hairgrass, bluejoint reedgrass, and Baltic rush. Willows comprise the majority of the shrubs, but water birch can also be found near the dryer edges of this state. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include blue-eyed grass, smooth horsetail, seaside arrowgrass, buttercup, and common plaintain. Some annuals as well as cattails may have invaded the site, but are in isolated pockets. When compared to the Historical Climax Plant Community, Nebraska sedge and tufted hairgrass have decreased. Low-growing sedges and Baltic rush have increased. Total production shows only minimal reduction as willows offset the reduction in some perennial species. The total annual production (air-dry weight) of this state is about 5400 pounds per acre, but it can range from about 4200 lbs./acre in unfavorable years to about 6200 lbs./acre in above average years. The state is reasonably stable but certain weedy species can quickly invade with minimal disturbance. This site is protected from excessive erosion and the biotic integrity of this plant community is intact. The watershed is functioning. Transitional pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Prescribed grazing over the long-term will result in a plant community very similar to the Historic Climax Plant Community. Return of a normal fire regime will also aide in this transition. • Frequent and Severe grazing plus no encroachment by cattails, saltcedar or Russian olive will convert this plant community to the Low-Sedge/Baltic Rush Plant Community. • Encroachment on more saline soils will convert this plant community to the Mixed Sedge/Saltcedar and/or Russian Olive Plant Community. Frequent and severe or moderate season long grazing may increase the likelihood of this occurring but is not necessary for this to occur. • Seasonal ponding plus encroachment on less saline soils will convert this plant community to the Mixed Sedge/Cattail Plant Community. Frequent and severe grazing or moderate season long grazing may increase the likelihood of this occurring. Drought will exacerbate this occurrence.

State 3
Low-Sedge/ Baltic Rush

Community 3.1
Low-Sedge/ Baltic Rush

This plant community is the result of long-term improper grazing use. Baltic rush and bluegrasses as well as low growing sedges plus a host of forbs dominate the herbaceous plants. These forbs include both native and introduced. Willows have been significantly reduced due to heavy browsing. The main grasses or grass-like plants are Baltic rush, bluegrasses, low growing sedges, bulrush, and rushes. Forbs are pervasive and include both native and introduced species. The kind of forb species present depends on the available seed source and the soluble salt content of the soil. Native forb species can include American licorice, wild iris, seaside arrowgrass, smooth horsetail, and silverweed cinquefoil. Introduced forb species include curly dock and smartweed. Cattails are likely on the site but are not becoming a dominant species. This is especially true on less saline soils. If a seed source is available, recruits of Russian olive may begin establishing on the more saline sites. Plant diversity is moderate to poor. When compared to the Historic Climax Plant Community, the mid-sedges and tall and medium grasses and willows are significantly reduced or absent. Forbs and weedy annuals have significantly increased. Production has decreased and bare ground has increased. The total annual production (air-dry weight) of this state is about 4500 pounds per acre, but it can range from about 3600 lbs./acre in unfavorable years to about 5000 lbs./acre in above average years. This plant community is susceptible to change and species composition can be altered through long-term overgrazing and encroachment by weedy species. The herbaceous component is unstable and plant vigor and replacement capabilities may or may not be sufficient. The biotic community may or may not be intact as some of the mid sedges may be absent. Plant diversity is moderate to low. Soils are mostly stabilized and soil loss is minimal. Incidence of pedestalling is evident. The watershed may or may not be functional. Transitional pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Prescribed Grazing over the long-term and possibly re-seeding will return this state to near Historic Climax Plant Community. If a seed source for Russian olive, cattails are available or plants exist on adjacent lands or in small patches, vigilante treatment to reduce the likelihood of colonization of the site is required. • Encroachment plus seasonal ponding on less saline soils will convert this plant community to the Cattail/Low-Sedge Plant Community. Frequent and severe or moderate long-term grazing may increase the likelihood of this occurring. • Encroachment plus frequent and severe grazing plus no fire on more saline soils will convert this plant community to the Saltcedar and/or Russian Olive Stand/Annuals Plant Community. Frequent and severe or moderate long-term grazing may increase the likelihood of this occurring.

State 4
Cattail/Low-Sedge

Community 4.1
Cattail/Low-Sedge

This plant community occurs where cattails encroach into the Low-Sedge Baltic Rush Plant Community and become established. This encroachment occurs on less saline soils and is exacerbated by seasonal ponding or fluctuating water levels. Encroachment occurs with or without grazing and is the result of conditions conducive to the colonization by this plant. Increase in bare ground is likely to increase the potential for colonization. However, areas that have been deferred or removed from grazing and had a relatively healthy stand of sedges can be invaded. Flood tolerant plants make up the dominant understory species in this plant community. The dominant grasses and grass-like plants include cattails, mid and/or low sedges, reedgrasses, and Baltic rush. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include alkali seepweed, silverweed, American licorice, seaside arrowgrass, and smooth horsetail. Willows comprise the majority of the woody species and make up less than 35% of the annual production. When compared to the Historical Climax Plant Community, the mid-sedges have been reduced or are absent. Low growing sedges, and forbs have increased. Willows have probably increased. Cattails have invaded. Total production is lower as the mid sedges have decreased but the increase in cattails compensates for some of the loss. The total annual production (air-dry weight) of this state is about 4500 pounds per acre, but it can range from about 4000 lbs./acre in unfavorable years to about 5000 lbs./acre in above average years. This plant community is mostly resistant to change, but species composition will be altered through semi-ponding and flooding but can be exacerbated by drought and improper grazing. The herbaceous component may or may not be stable and plant vigor and replacement capabilities may or may not be sufficient. The biotic community is not intact due to the encroachment of these invasive species. Plant diversity is moderate. The state is stable and protected from excessive erosion as cattails are good soil stabilizers. Only minimal occurrences of water flow patterns and litter movement is evident. Incidence of pedestalling is minimal. Soils are mostly stable and the surface shows minimum soil loss. The watershed may or may not be functional. Transitional pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Semi-permanent ponding at less 3 feet deep plus cattail control (chemical control, seeding) plus prescribed grazing will convert the plant community to a Mixed Sedge/Cattail Plant Community. Control of cattails is the key to this occurring and may require continuous treatments to reduce the stand and to allow other wetland plants to become established. • Recovery to near Historic Climax Plant Community condition is impractical and continued suppression or containment of cattails is optimal. Any methods of control should be followed by revegetation to reduce regeneration of cattails and other weeds.

State 5
Mixed Sedge/Cattail

Community 5.1
Mixed Sedge/Cattail

This plant community occurs where control of cattails has been successful in the Cattail Low-Sedge Plant community or encroachment occurs in the Mid-sedge/Willow Plant Community due to seasonal ponding or fluctuating flooding events. The cattails are confined to localized patches and tend to dominate these areas. Mid-sedges and other perennial grasses are now reestablished and prominent. Flood tolerant plants make up the dominant understory species in this plant community. The dominant grasses and grass-like plants include mid and low sedges, tufted hairgrass, reedgrasses, and Baltic rush. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include blue-eyed grass, alkali seepweed, silverweed, American licorice, seaside arrowgrass, and smooth horsetail. Willows comprise the majority of the woody species and make up less than 35% of the annual production. When compared to the Historical Climax Plant Community, the production of mid-sedges and perennial grasses are less. Low growing sedges, willows, and forbs have increased. Cattails have invaded. Total production is lower as mid-sedges are not as abundant but the production is offset by the increase in cattails and willows. The total annual production (air-dry weight) of this state is about 5200 pounds per acre, but it can range from about 4200 lbs./acre in unfavorable years to about 5800 lbs./acre in above average years. This plant community is mostly resistant to change, but species composition can be altered through a change in water levels and improper grazing. The herbaceous component is stable, but does not comprise the composition of HCPC. Plant vigor and replacement capabilities are sufficient. The biotic community is not intact because of the cattail infestation. Plant diversity is moderate. Soils are mostly stable and recent soil loss is minimal. Water flow patterns and litter movement is stable. Incidence of pedestalling is improving. The watershed may or may not be functioning Transitional pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Moderate continued season long grazing plus encroachment will convert this plant community to the Cattail/Low-Sedge Plant Community. Drought will exacerbate this conversion. • Recovery to near Historic Climax Plant Community condition is impractical and continued suppression or containment of cattails is optimal. Any methods of control should be followed by revegetation to reduce regeneration of these two species and other weeds.

State 6
Mixed Sedge/ Saltcedar and/ or Russian Olive

Community 6.1
Mixed Sedge/ Saltcedar and/ or Russian Olive

This plant community occurs on sites where Saltcedar and/or Russian olive encroaches into a wetland site and becomes established. This encroachment occurs mostly on mildly to moderately saline soil. Encroachment occurs with or without grazing and is the result of conditions conducive to the colonization of these two plants. Increase in bare ground is likely to increase the potential for colonization. However, areas that have been deferred or removed from grazing and had a healthy stand of sedges can be infested. Flood tolerant and mild to moderately saline perennial plants make up the dominant understory species in this plant community. The dominant grasses and grass-like plants include mid and/or low sedges, alkali cordgrass, bulrush, reedgrasses, and Baltic rush. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include alkali seepweed, silverweed, American licorice, seaside arrowgrass, and smooth horsetail. Saltcedar and/or Russian olive comprise the majority of the woody species and make up less than 35% of the annual production. Invasion of saltcedar and /or Russian olive should be considered serious and should be controlled. Weedy herbaceous species are likely present. When compared to the Historical Climax Plant Community, the mid-sedges have been reduced as saltcedar and Russian olive can compete furiously for water and nutrients. Low growing sedges and forbs have increased. Saltcedar and Russian olive have invaded. Willows have been replaced. Total production is slightly lower as the mid sedges have decreased but the woody species have increased. The total annual production (air-dry weight) of this state is about 5000 pounds per acre, but it can range from about 4600 lbs./acre in unfavorable years to about 5400 lbs./acre in above average years. This plant community is mostly resistant to change, but species composition will be altered through further encroachment by saltcedar and/or Russian olive and long-term overgrazing can exacerbate this occurrence. The herbaceous component is or is not stable and plant vigor and replacement capabilities may or may not be sufficient. The biotic community is not intact due to the encroachment of these invasive species. Plant diversity is moderate. Soils are mostly stabilized. Only minimal occurrences of water flow patterns and litter movement is evident. Incidence of pedestalling is minimal. Soils are mostly stable and the surface shows minimum soil loss. The watershed may or may not be functional. Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Encroachment plus frequent and severe grazing plus no fire will convert the plant community to the Saltcedar and/or Russian Olive/Annuals Plant Community. • Recovery to near Historic Climax Plant Community condition is impractical. Any methods of control should be followed by revegetation to reduce regeneration of saltcedar, Russian olive, and other weeds.

State 7
Saltcedar and/or Russian Olive stands/ Annuals

Community 7.1
Saltcedar and/or Russian Olive stands/ Annuals

This plant community evolved under frequent and severe grazing with the absence of fire and encroachment of saltcedar and/or Russian olive. Saltcedar and/or Russian olive trees dominate this plant community. Most of the tall and medium grasses are eliminated and an understory of weedy herbaceous plants is prevalent. The interspaces between the woody plants have expanded, leaving the amount of bare ground more typical and more soil surface exposed to erosive elements or invaders. The weedy plants, such as foxtail barley, curly dock, kochia, halogeton, swainsonpea, and Russian knapweed, make up the dominant understory. Total annual production is mostly from shrubs and these weedy plants. Saltcedar and/or Russian olives make up greater than 35% of the total annual production. When compared with the HCPC, the annual production is slightly less due to the removal of the perennial grasses and sedges and the amount of bare ground. The increase in woody species, however, compensates for some of this loss. The total annual production (air-dry weight) of this state is about 4000 pounds per acre, but it can range from about 3500 lbs./acre in unfavorable years to about 4800 lbs./acre in above average years. This plant community is resistant to change as the stand becomes more decadent. These areas may actually be more resistant to fire as less fine fuels are available and the bare ground between the shrubs is increased. Continued frequent and severe grazing or the removal of grazing does not seem to affect the plant composition or structure of the plant community. Saltcedar and /or Russian olive, annual grasses, weedy species and bare ground compromise the biotic integrity. Plant diversity is poor and the potential for native grasses to reproduce is absent. The shift in the vegetative structure and function is extreme and the biotic integrity is lost. The soil of this state is not protected as erosion has accelerated because of increased bare ground. Water flow patterns and pedestalling are obvious. Infiltration is reduced and runoff is increased. Rill channels may be noticeable in the interspaces and gullies may be establishing where rills have concentrated. The watershed is not functional due to excessive runoff, erosion and bare ground. Transitional pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Semi-permanent ponding or Brush management and prescribed grazing will result in a Mixed Sedge/Saltcedar and/or Russian Olive Plant Community. Controlling both saltcedar and Russian olive is a priority if these species have invaded. • Recovery to near Historic Climax Plant Community condition is impractical. Any methods of control should be followed by revegetation to reduce regeneration of saltcedar and Russian olive.