Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Ecological site R053BY004ND

Limy Subirrigated

Last updated: 1/11/2024
Accessed: 11/23/2024

Home / Esd catalog / MLRA 053B / Ecological site R053BY004ND

USC

Metric

General information

Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.

Click to explore map

Figure 1. Mapped extent

Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.

Classification relationships

Level IV Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States: 42a – Missouri Coteau; 42b – Collapsed Glacial Outwash; 42c – Missouri Coteau Slope; 42d – Northern Missouri Coteau; 42f – Southern Missouri Coteau Slope; 42g – Ponca Plains; and 42h – Southern River Breaks.

Associated sites

R053BY006ND	Saline Lowland
R053BY011ND	Loamy
R053BY012ND	Subirrigated
R053BY015ND	Thin Loamy
R053BY018ND	Linear Meadow
R053BY019ND	Wet Meadow

Similar sites

R053BY012ND	Subirrigated [Less little bluestem; higher production.]

R053BY012ND

Subirrigated

[Less little bluestem; higher production.]

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Schizachyrium scoparium (2) Andropogon hallii

Download full description

Physiographic features

This site occurs on level, nearly level and slight rises on till plains and lake plains, and on slightly convex slopes adjacent to shallow depressions.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Lake plain (2) Till plain (3) Outwash plain
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	488 – 610 m
Slope	0 – 6%
Water table depth	46 – 107 cm
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

MLRA 53B is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are characteristic. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains. The air masses move unobstructed across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.
Annual precipitation ranges from 15 to 20 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 41° F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 4° F (Powers Lake, ND) to about 10° F (Pollock, SD). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 67° F (Powers Lake, ND) to about 72° F (Pollock, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 62° F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this MLRA's climate. Winds average about 11 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 13 miles per hour during the spring to about 10 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.

Growth of native cool-season plants begins in late March and continues to early to mid July. Native warm-season plants begin growth in mid May and continue to the end of August. Green up of cool-season plants can occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (average)	135 days
Freeze-free period (average)	156 days
Precipitation total (average)	508 mm

Bar

Line

Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

Bar

Line

Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Soil features

These are very deep, somewhat poorly drained, coarse to medium textured soils. These soils have a calcareous subsoil. Saturated hydraulic conductivity is moderately rapid to moderately slow and available water capacity is low to high. Salinity is none to very slight. Soils on this site are moderately to highly susceptible to wind erosion. This site is on flats and swales on lake plains, outwash plains, and till plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 6 percent. This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas or pedestalled plants. No water flow paths are seen on this site. The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers are non-restrictive to water movement and root penetration.

Major soil series correlated to this ecological site can be found in Section II of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office Technical Guide or the following web sites:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/efotg/

Table 4. Representative soil features

Surface texture	(1) Loam (2) Silt loam
Family particle size	(1) Loamy
Drainage class	Somewhat poorly drained
Permeability class	Moderately slow to moderately rapid
Soil depth	203 cm
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0 – 10%
Surface fragment cover >3"	0 – 5%
Available water capacity (0-101.6cm)	12.7 – 20.32 cm
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm)	0 – 45%
Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm)	0 – 16 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm)	0 – 3
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm)	6.6 – 8.4
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 25%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 5%

Ecological dynamics

The site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, and included natural influence of large herbivores and occasional fire. Changes will occur in the plant communities due to climatic conditions and/or management actions. Due to the nature of the soils, the site is considered moderately resilient. Under continued adverse impacts, a slow decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments the site can readily return to the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC).

The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Historic Climax Plant Community. The HCPC has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance, and areas under long-term rotational grazing regimes. Trends in plant community dynamics ranging from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts also have been considered. Subclimax plant communities, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds have been determined through similar studies and experience

Heavy continuous grazing and/or continuous seasonal (spring) grazing, without adequate recovery periods following each grazing occurrence causes this site to depart from the HCPC. Kentucky bluegrass will invade and increase in frequency and density. Kentucky bluegrass may eventually form into a dense sod under heavy continuous grazing. Grasses such as little bluestem, big bluestem, switchgrass and Indiangrass will decrease in frequency and production and can eventually be removed from the site. Non-use (rest) or lack of fire will cause litter levels and plant decadence/mortality to increase.

The following is a diagram that illustrates the common plant communities that can occur on the site and the transition pathways between communities. The ecological processes will be discussed in more detail in the plant community descriptions following the diagram.

State and transition model

Custom diagram

Standard diagram

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

State 1
Little Bluestem/Big Bluestem (HCPC)

Community 1.1
Little Bluestem/Big Bluestem (HCPC)

This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). This plant community evolved with grazing by large herbivores and is well suited for grazing by domestic livestock and can be found on areas that are grazed and where the grazed plants receive adequate periods of rest during the growing season in order to recover. Historically, fires occurred infrequently. The potential vegetation is about 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs, and 5% shrubs. Mid and tall warm season grasses dominate this community. The major grasses include little bluestem and big bluestem. Other secondary grasses and grass-likes occurring on the community include western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, switchgrass, Indiangrass, Canada wildrye, sedges and Baltic rush. Key forbs and shrubs include American licorice, sunflower, aster, goldenrod and western snowberry. This plant community is diverse, stable, productive and is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains. The high water table supplies much of the moisture for plant growth. Plant litter is properly distributed with little movement and natural plant mortality is very low. This is a sustainable plant community in terms of soil stability, watershed function and biologic integrity.

Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 5. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (kg/hectare)	Representative value (kg/hectare)	High (kg/hectare)
Grass/Grasslike	2864	3591	4304
Forb	196	303	420
Shrub/Vine	78	141	207
Total	3138	4035	4931

Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5310, Missouri Coteau, lowland warm-season dominant.. Warm-season dominant, lowland..

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
0	0	0	1	28	31	25	10	3	2	0	0

State 2
Little Bluestem/Kentucky Bluegrass

Community 2.1
Little Bluestem/Kentucky Bluegrass

This plant community results from continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between each grazing event during the growing season. Recognition of this plant community will enable the land user to implement key management decisions before a significant ecological threshold is crossed. Little bluestem and Kentucky bluegrass are the dominant species. Little bluestem is reduced in frequency and production compared to the HCPC, but still remains as a prominent species. Big bluestem, switchgrass, Indiangrass, green needlegrass and Canada wildrye are greatly reduced. Forb species that have increased include asters, goldenrod and cinquefoil. Native plant production and frequency have been reduced. The water cycle, nutrient cycle and energy flow is slightly reduced but continues to adequately function.

Figure 6. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 6. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (kg/hectare)	Representative value (kg/hectare)	High (kg/hectare)
Grass/Grasslike	1491	2488	3026
Forb	504	161	280
Shrub/Vine	22	40	56
Total	2017	2689	3362

Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5308, Missouri Coteau, lowland cool-season/warm-season co-dominant.. Cool-season, warm-season co-dominant, lowland..

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
0	0	0	3	35	35	15	5	5	2	0	0

State 3
Kentucky Bluegrass Sod, Forbs

Community 3.1
Kentucky Bluegrass Sod, Forbs

This plant community developed with heavy continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events. Kentucky bluegrass dominates the community and can eventually develop into a thick sod. Baltic rush will most likely increase also. Big bluestem, switchgrass, Indiangrass, and green needlegrass have been removed. Western wheatgrass may persist in trace amounts, greatly reduced in vigor and not readily seen. Western yarrow and goldenrod have increased. Key shrubs have been severely reduced in vigor or removed completely. This plant community is resistant to change due to grazing tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass. A significant amount of production and diversity has been lost when compared to the HCPC. Loss or reduction of cool season grasses, tall warm season grasses, shrub component have negatively impacted energy flow and nutrient cycling. Water infiltration is reduced significantly due to the massive shallow root system “root pan”, characteristic of sodbound Kentucky bluegrass. It will take a very long time to restore this plant community back to the HCPC with improved management. Renovation would be very costly.

Figure 8. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 7. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (kg/hectare)	Representative value (kg/hectare)	High (kg/hectare)
Grass/Grasslike	1334	1861	2365
Forb	219	336	476
Shrub/Vine	17	45	73
Total	1570	2242	2914

Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5306, Missouri Coteau, lowland cool-season dominant.. Cool-season dominant, lowland..

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
0	0	3	10	37	35	5	2	8	0	0	0

State 4
Kentucky Bluegrass/Decadent Bluestem, Excessive Litter

Community 4.1
Kentucky Bluegrass/Decadent Bluestem, Excessive Litter

Figure 10. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 8. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (kg/hectare)	Representative value (kg/hectare)	High (kg/hectare)
Grass/Grasslike	2359	2860	3329
Forb	157	244	364
Shrub/Vine	62	146	230
Total	2578	3250	3923

Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5307, Missouri Coteau, cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant, lowland..

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
0	0	2	7	36	35	10	3	6	1	0	0

Additional community tables

Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Tall & Mid Warm-Season			1614–2219
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	1009–1412	–
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	404–807	–
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	81–404	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	0–202	–
	Indiangrass	SONU2	Sorghastrum nutans	0–202	–
2	Mid Cool-Season			202–605
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	81–404	–
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	81–404	–
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	81–404	–
3	Other Native Grasses			121–202
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	40–202	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	40–202	–
	fowl bluegrass	POPA2	Poa palustris	40–81	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	40–81	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–81	–
4	Grass-Likes			202–404
	sedge	CAREX	Carex	202–404	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	40–161	–
Forb
6	Forbs			202–404
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–121	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	0–81	–
	dogbane	APOCY	Apocynum	40–81	–
	aster	ASTER	Aster	40–81	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	40–81	–
	Maximilian sunflower	HEMA2	Helianthus maximiliani	40–81	–
	stiff sunflower	HEPA19	Helianthus pauciflorus	40–81	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	40–81	–
	wood lily	LIPH	Lilium philadelphicum	0–40	–
	mint	MENTH	Mentha	0–40	–
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	0–40	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	0–40	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	0–40	–
	anemone	ANEMO	Anemone	0–40	–
Shrub/Vine
7	Shrubs			81–202
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	40–121	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–81	–
	redosier dogwood	COSE16	Cornus sericea	40–81	–
	chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	0–81	–

Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Tall & Mid Warm-Season			673–942
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	673–942	–
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	0–81	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	0–27	–
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	0–27	–
2	Mid Cool-Season			27–135
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	27–135	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	0–54	–
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	27–54	–
3	Other Native Grasses			54–215
	fowl bluegrass	POPA2	Poa palustris	54–215	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	27–135	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–54	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	0–54	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	0–27	–
4	Grass-Likes			135–269
	sedge	CAREX	Carex	54–215	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–54	–
5	Non-Native Grasses			404–807
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	269–807	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	0–404	–
	quackgrass	ELRE4	Elymus repens	0–404	–
Forb
6	Forbs			54–269
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	0–215	–
	Canada thistle	CIAR4	Cirsium arvense	0–215	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–81	–
	Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like)	2FORB	Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like)	0–81	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–81	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	27–81	–
	dogbane	APOCY	Apocynum	0–81	–
	aster	ASTER	Aster	27–81	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	27–81	–
	common dandelion	TAOF	Taraxacum officinale	27–54	–
	cocklebur	XANTH2	Xanthium	0–54	–
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	0–54	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	0–54	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	0–54	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	27–54	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	0–27	–
	mint	MENTH	Mentha	0–27	–
Shrub/Vine
7	Shrubs			27–54
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–54	–
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	27–54	–
	chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	0–27	–

Table 11. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Tall & Mid Warm-Season			0–112
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–112	–
2	Mid Cool-Season			22–112
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	22–112	–
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–22	–
3	Other Native Grasses			67–269
	fowl bluegrass	POPA2	Poa palustris	45–224	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	22–112	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–90	–
4	Grass-Likes			112–336
	sedge	CAREX	Carex	112–336	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–112	–
5	Non-Native Grasses			448–897
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	336–785	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	112–448	–
	quackgrass	ELRE4	Elymus repens	0–336	–
Forb
6	Forbs			224–448
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	45–224	–
	Canada thistle	CIAR4	Cirsium arvense	45–224	–
	aster	ASTER	Aster	45–112	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–112	–
	Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like)	2FORB	Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like)	0–112	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–112	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	22–112	–
	cocklebur	XANTH2	Xanthium	0–112	–
	common dandelion	TAOF	Taraxacum officinale	45–90	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	22–90	–
	dogbane	APOCY	Apocynum	22–67	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	22–67	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	0–67	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	0–45	–
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	0–45	–
Shrub/Vine
7	Shrubs			22–67
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–67	–
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	22–67	–

Table 12. Community 4.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Tall & Mid Warm-Season			163–488
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	163–488	–
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	0–98	–
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	0–98	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	0–98	–
	Indiangrass	SONU2	Sorghastrum nutans	0–65	–
2	Mid Cool-Season			33–163
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	33–163	–
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	33–163	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	0–98	–
3	Other Native Grasses			65–260
	fowl bluegrass	POPA2	Poa palustris	33–260	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–163	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	0–98	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	33–98	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	33–65	–
4	Grass-Likes			163–488
	sedge	CAREX	Carex	98–325	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–163	–
5	Non-Native Grasses			650–1300
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	488–1300	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	163–975	–
	quackgrass	ELRE4	Elymus repens	65–488	–
Forb
6	Forbs			163–325
	Canada thistle	CIAR4	Cirsium arvense	0–228	–
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	33–228	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	33–163	–
	dogbane	APOCY	Apocynum	33–130	–
	common dandelion	TAOF	Taraxacum officinale	33–98	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	33–98	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–65	–
	Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like)	2FORB	Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like)	0–65	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–65	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	0–65	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	33–65	–
	mint	MENTH	Mentha	0–65	–
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	33–65	–
	aster	ASTER	Aster	33–65	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	0–65	–
	Maximilian sunflower	HEMA2	Helianthus maximiliani	0–33	–
	stiff sunflower	HEPA19	Helianthus pauciflorus	0–33	–
	cocklebur	XANTH2	Xanthium	0–33	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	0–33	–
	anemone	ANEMO	Anemone	0–33	–
Shrub/Vine
7	Shrubs			65–228
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	65–228	–
	redosier dogwood	COSE16	Cornus sericea	33–98	–
	chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	33–98	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–33	–

Interpretations

Animal community

Wildlife Interpretations:
Under development.

Grazing Interpretations:
This site is well adapted to managed grazing by domestic livestock. The predominance of herbaceous plants across all plant community phases best lends these sites to grazing by cattle but other domestic grazers with differing diet preferences may also be a consideration depending upon management objectives. Often, the current plant community does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in the ecological site description). Because of this, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. Proper interpretation of this inventory data will permit the establishment of a safe, initial stocking rate for the type and class of animals and level of grazing management. More accurate stocking rate estimates should eventually be calculated using actual stocking rate information and monitoring data.

Hydrological functions

The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic groups B and C. Infiltration and runoff potential for this site varies from negligible to moderate depending on soil hydrologic group and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception would be where shortgrasses form a dense sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).

Recreational uses

This site provides hunting opportunities for upland game species. The wide variety of plants which bloom from spring until fall have an esthetic value that appeals to visitors.

Wood products

No appreciable wood products are present on the site.

Other products

Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping and other inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. All descriptions were peer reviewed and/or field-tested by various private, state and federal agency specialists. Those involved in developing this site description include: Stan Boltz, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Michael D. Brand, State Land Dept., Director Surface Management; David Dewald, NRCS State Biologist; Paul Drayton, NRCS District Conservationist; Jody Forman, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Dennis Froemke, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Jeff Printz, NRCS State Range Management Specialist; Josh Saunders, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Kevin Sedivec, Extension Rangeland Management Specialist; Darrell Vanderbusch, NRCS Resource Soil Scientist; and Lee Voigt, NRCS Range Management Specialist.

Other references

High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://hprcc.unl.edu)
USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, 101 SW Main, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204-3224. (http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. National Range and Pasture Handbook, September 1997
USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
USDA, NRCS, Various Published Soil Surveys.

Contributors

Jeff Printz
Jeff Printz/Stan Boltz

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 1/11/2024

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)	Jeff Printz, Stan Boltz, Lee Voigt, Jody Forman
Contact for lead author	Jeff.printz@nd.usda.gov 701-530-2080
Date	03/01/2012
Approved by	Suzanne Mayne-Kinney
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
None.
Presence of water flow patterns:
None.
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None.
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground is < 5%. Patch size is < 2 inches in diameter.
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None.
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None.
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
None.
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Average 6 stability rating. Soil surface fragments will typically retain structure indefinitely when dipped in distilled water.
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Use soil series description for depth, color and structure of A horizon/surface layer.
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Combination of shallow and deep rooted species (mid & tall rhizomatous and tufted perennial cool- and warm-season grasses) with fine and coarse roots positively influences infiltration.
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None.
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:
Mid, warm-season grasses > tall, warm-season grasses >

Sub-dominant:
Mid, cool-season grasses >

Other:
Grass-likes = forbs > shrubs = short, warm-season grasses

Additional:
Due to differing root structure and distribution, Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass do not fit into reference plant community F/S groups.
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Little to no plant mortality or decadence.
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Plant litter is in contact with soil surface.
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Representative value = 3600 lbs/ac air dry with a range of 2800 lbs/ac air dry to 4400 lbs./acre air dry depending upon growing conditions.
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
State and local noxious weeds, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass, Russian olive
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species exhibit high vigor relative to climatic conditions. Do not rate based solely on seed production. Perennial grasses should have vigorous rhizomes or tillers.

Download reference sheet

Search

Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site R053BY004ND

Limy Subirrigated

Last updated: 1/11/2024 Accessed: 11/23/2024

General information

Figure 1. Mapped extent

Classification relationships

Associated sites

Similar sites

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Ecosystem states

State 1 submodel, plant communities

State 2 submodel, plant communities

State 3 submodel, plant communities

State 4 submodel, plant communities

Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Last updated: 1/11/2024
Accessed: 11/23/2024