Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Ecological site R053BY005ND

Loamy Overflow

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

Home / Esd catalog / MLRA 053B / Ecological site R053BY005ND

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

R053BY001ND	Clayey
R053BY004ND	Limy Subirrigated
R053BY008ND	Sandy
R053BY011ND	Loamy
R053BY012ND	Subirrigated
R053BY019ND	Wet Meadow

Similar sites

R053BY012ND	Subirrigated [Some what poorly drained soils with no evidence of lime or salts. Water table found at a depth of1.5 to 4’ from the soil surface at some point during the growing season. Found upslope from Wet Meadow sites and downslope of Loamy Overflow sites; can be in micro low or high positions within the listed associated sites. Indicator species are big bluestem intermixed with switchgrass and American licorice with shrubs like western snowberry. The site has more switchgrass, prairie cordgrass, less green needlegrass; higher production]

R053BY012ND

Subirrigated

[Some what poorly drained soils with no evidence of lime or salts. Water table found at a depth of1.5 to 4’ from the soil surface at some point during the growing season. Found upslope from Wet Meadow sites and downslope of Loamy Overflow sites; can be in micro low or high positions within the listed associated sites. Indicator species are big bluestem intermixed with switchgrass and American licorice with shrubs like western snowberry. The site has more switchgrass, prairie cordgrass, less green needlegrass; higher production]

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Andropogon gerardii

Download full description

Physiographic features

This site occurs on areas that receive additional water from overflow of intermittent streams or runoff from adjacent slopes.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Till plain (2) Swale (3) Flood plain
Flooding duration	Brief (2 to 7 days)
Flooding frequency	None to frequent
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	488 – 610 m
Slope	0 – 3%
Water table depth	91 – 203 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 deep and very deep, moderately well and well drained, moderately coarse to fine textured soils. Saturated hydraulic conductivity is moderate to slow and available water capacity is moderate to high. Salinity is none to very slight and sodicity is none. This site is in swale positions that regularly receive additional run-on from surrounding uplands or flooding. These soils occur on swales, terraces and footslopes on lake plains, residual uplands, till plains, and frequently flooded stream terraces and flood plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 3 percent. This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas or pedestalled plants. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance or discontinuous. The soil surface is stable and intact.
These soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases where vegetative cover is not adequate. Loss of the soil surface layer can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.

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 (3) Silty clay loam
Family particle size	(1) Loamy
Drainage class	Moderately well drained to well drained
Permeability class	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)	15.24 – 20.32 cm
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm)	0 – 20%
Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm)	0 – 4 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm)	0 – 2
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm)	6.1 – 8.4
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 30%
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 very stable. Under continued adverse impacts, a slow decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments the site can quickly 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.
Continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods following each grazing occurrence over several years causes this site to depart from the HCPC. Species such as western wheatgrass and blue grama will initially increase. Big bluestem, green needlegrass, and sideoats grama will decrease in frequency and production. In time, heavy continuous grazing will likely cause blue grama to dominate the site and then this plant community is relatively stable and the competitive advantage prevents other species from establishing. This plant community is less productive than the HCPC. Runoff increases and infiltration will decrease. Soil erosion will be minimal.

Extended periods of non-use and/or lack of fire will result in a plant community having high litter levels, which favors an increase in Kentucky bluegrass and/or smooth bromegrass. In time, shrubs such as western snowberry and chokecherry will likely increase and then dominate the site.

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
Big Bluestem/Needlegrass (HCPC)

Community 1.1
Big Bluestem/Needlegrass (HCPC)

This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). This community evolved with grazing by large herbivores and occasional prairie fire. It is well suited for grazing by domestic livestock and can be found on areas that are properly managed with prescribed grazing that allows for adequate recovery periods following each grazing event. The potential vegetation is about 78% grasses and grass-like plants, 10% forbs, 10% shrubs, and 2% trees. Major grasses include big bluestem, green needlegrass, switchgrass and western wheatgrass. Other grasses occurring on this community include blue grama, Canada wildrye, and porcupine grass. Major forbs and shrubs include American vetch, purple prairie clover, and western snowberry. Scattered green ash and American elm may occur. This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle and energy flow are functioning properly. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. The diversity in plant species allows for high drought tolerance. Run-off from adjacent sites and moderate or high available water capacity provides a favorable soil-water-plant relationship.

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	2724	3276	3895
Shrub/Vine	191	294	420
Forb	191	294	420
Tree	34	59	84
Total	3140	3923	4819

Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5304, Missouri Coteau, warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant.. Warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant..

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	1	5	20	38	25	8	3	0	0	0

State 2
Western Wheatgrass/Kentucky Bluegrass/Blue Grama

Community 2.1
Western Wheatgrass/Kentucky Bluegrass/Blue Grama

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. Western wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass and blue grama are the dominant species. Big bluestem and green needlegrass are greatly reduced. Sideoats grama has been removed. Forb species include western yarrow, asters, prairie coneflower, silverleaf scurfpea and western ragweed. Shrub species would tend to be heavily browsed or damaged due to trampling. This plant community is relatively stable and less productive than the HCPC. Reduction of litter and reduced plant vigor result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, increased runoff and high evapo-transpiration rates. This plant community can occur throughout the site, on spot grazed areas, and around water sources where season-long grazing patterns occur. Soil erosion will be minimal due to the sod forming habit of Kentucky bluegrass and blue grama.

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	1861	2423	2959
Forb	135	280	448
Shrub/Vine	22	84	146
Tree	–	15	34
Total	2018	2802	3587

Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5302, Missouri Coteau, cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant..

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	7	23	42	15	5	4	1	0	0

State 3
Blue Grama/Kentucky Bluegrass Sod

Community 3.1
Blue Grama/Kentucky Bluegrass Sod

This plant community developed with heavy continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events. Blue grama and Kentucky bluegrass dominate the community and can develop into a “sodbound” appearance. Low vigor western wheatgrass can be found scattered throughout the community. Green needlegrass has been removed. Big bluestem may persist in minor amounts, greatly reduced in vigor and not readily seen. Rose pussytoes, western yarrow, silverleaf scurfpea, curlycup gumweed and goldenrod have increased and/or invaded. 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 and blue grama. A significant amount of production and diversity has been lost when compared to the HCPC. Loss of cool season grasses, tall warm season grasses, shrub component and nitrogen fixing forbs 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" blue grama and/or Kentucky bluegrass. Soil loss may be accelerated where concentrated flows occur. 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	1233	1745	2225
Forb	95	202	336
Shrub/Vine	17	61	106
Tree	–	10	22
Total	1345	2018	2689

Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5303, Missouri Coteau, cool-season/warm-season co-dominant.. Cool-season, warm-season co-dominant..

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	6	21	40	20	6	4	1	0	0

State 4
Kentucky Bluegrass/Western Snowberry

Community 4.1
Kentucky Bluegrass/Western Snowberry

This plant community develops after an extended period (10 to 20 years or more) of non-use and exclusion of fire. Eventually litter levels become high enough to reduce native grass vigor, diversity and density. Kentucky bluegrass and/or smooth bromegrass dominate this plant community. Common forbs include American licorice, cudweed sagewort, and silverleaf scurfpea. Shrubs such as western snowberry and chokecherry will increase in density and cover. This plant community is resistant to change without prescribed grazing and/or fire. The combination of both grazing and fire is most effective in moving this plant community toward the HCPC. Soil erosion is low. Runoff is similar to the HCPC. Once the advanced stage of this plant community is reached, time and external resources will be needed to see recovery in the diversity of the site.

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	2068	2322	2567
Shrub/Vine	247	471	673
Forb	151	314	504
Tree	–	31	67
Total	2466	3138	3811

Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5301, Missouri Coteau, cool-season dominant.. Cool-season dominant..

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	8	24	45	10	3	5	2	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 Warm-Season			981–1373
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	785–1177	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	196–392	–
	Indiangrass	SONU2	Sorghastrum nutans	39–78	–
2	Needlegrass			392–588
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	78–392	–
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	78–392	–
3	Wheatgrass			314–471
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	196–392	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	39–78	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTRS	Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus	39–78	–
4	Mid Warm-Season			78–196
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	39–196	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	39–196	–
5	Other Native Grasses			78–235
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	39–157	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	39–118	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	39–78	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	39–78	–
	marsh muhly	MURA	Muhlenbergia racemosa	39–78	–
	dropseed	SPORO	Sporobolus	39–78	–
6	Grass-Likes			78–196
	Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	78–196	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	39–118	–
	shortbeak sedge	CABR10	Carex brevior	39–78	–
Forb
8	Forbs			196–392
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	39–118	–
	downy gentian	GEPU5	Gentiana puberulenta	39–118	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	39–78	–
	Maximilian sunflower	HEMA2	Helianthus maximiliani	39–78	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–78	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	39–78	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	39–78	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	39–78	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	39–78	–
	purple prairie clover	DAPU5	Dalea purpurea	39–78	–
	streamside fleabane	ERGLP	Erigeron glabellus var. pubescens	39–78	–
	Indianhemp	APCA	Apocynum cannabinum	39–78	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	0–39	–
	meadow zizia	ZIAP	Zizia aptera	0–39	–
	Canadian anemone	ANCA8	Anemone canadensis	0–39	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	0–39	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	0–39	–
Shrub/Vine
9	Shrubs			196–392
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	78–196	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–118	–
	Saskatoon serviceberry	AMAL2	Amelanchier alnifolia	39–78	–
	leadplant	AMCA6	Amorpha canescens	0–78	–
	hawthorn	CRATA	Crataegus	39–78	–
	American plum	PRAM	Prunus americana	39–78	–
	chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	39–78	–
	golden currant	RIAU	Ribes aureum	39–78	–
	prairie rose	ROAR3	Rosa arkansana	39–78	–
Tree
10	Trees			39–78
	Tree	2TREE	Tree	0–78	–
	green ash	FRPE	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	39–78	–
	American elm	ULAM	Ulmus americana	0–39	–
	boxelder	ACNE2	Acer negundo	0–39	–
	common hackberry	CEOC	Celtis occidentalis	0–39	–

Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Tall Warm-Season			56–140
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	56–140	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	0–28	–
2	Needlegrass			28–84
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	28–84	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	0–28	–
3	Wheatgrass			140–560
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	140–560	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	0–280	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTRS	Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus	0–280	–
4	Mid Warm-Season			0–56
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	0–56	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–28	–
5	Other Native Grasses			280–701
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	140–560	–
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	28–280	–
	dropseed	SPORO	Sporobolus	0–140	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–140	–
	marsh muhly	MURA	Muhlenbergia racemosa	0–28	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	0–28	–
6	Grass-Likes			28–112
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–84	–
	Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	28–84	–
	shortbeak sedge	CABR10	Carex brevior	0–56	–
7	Non-Native Grasses			140–560
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	140–560	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	56–420	–
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	28–280	–
Forb
8	Forbs			140–420
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–140	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–140	–
	Canada thistle	CIAR4	Cirsium arvense	0–140	–
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	0–140	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	28–140	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	28–112	–
	common dandelion	TAOF	Taraxacum officinale	28–84	–
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–84	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	0–84	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	28–84	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	28–84	–
	Indianhemp	APCA	Apocynum cannabinum	28–84	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	0–56	–
	purple prairie clover	DAPU5	Dalea purpurea	28–56	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	0–56	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	0–56	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	0–56	–
	cocklebur	XANTH2	Xanthium	0–56	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	0–28	–
	streamside fleabane	ERGLP	Erigeron glabellus var. pubescens	0–28	–
Shrub/Vine
9	Shrubs			28–140
	prairie rose	ROAR3	Rosa arkansana	28–112	–
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	28–112	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–84	–
	American plum	PRAM	Prunus americana	28–56	–
	chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	0–28	–
	Saskatoon serviceberry	AMAL2	Amelanchier alnifolia	0–28	–
	hawthorn	CRATA	Crataegus	0–28	–
Tree
10	Trees			0–28
	Tree	2TREE	Tree	0–28	–
	boxelder	ACNE2	Acer negundo	0–28	–
	common hackberry	CEOC	Celtis occidentalis	0–28	–
	green ash	FRPE	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	0–28	–
	American elm	ULAM	Ulmus americana	0–28	–

Table 11. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Tall Warm-Season			0–40
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	0–40	–
2	Needlegrass			0–40
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–40	–
3	Wheatgrass			101–303
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	40–303	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	0–202	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTRS	Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus	0–202	–
4	Mid Warm-Season			0–40
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	0–40	–
5	Other Native Grasses			303–605
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	303–605	–
	dropseed	SPORO	Sporobolus	0–101	–
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	0–61	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–61	–
6	Grass-Likes			20–61
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–61	–
	Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	20–61	–
	shortbeak sedge	CABR10	Carex brevior	0–20	–
7	Non-Native Grasses			202–504
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	101–504	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	40–303	–
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	0–101	–
Forb
8	Forbs			101–303
	Canada thistle	CIAR4	Cirsium arvense	0–161	–
	cocklebur	XANTH2	Xanthium	0–161	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–101	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–101	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	20–101	–
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	0–101	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	20–101	–
	common dandelion	TAOF	Taraxacum officinale	20–101	–
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–61	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	0–61	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	20–61	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	0–61	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	20–61	–
	Indianhemp	APCA	Apocynum cannabinum	20–61	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	0–61	–
	purple prairie clover	DAPU5	Dalea purpurea	20–40	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	0–20	–
Shrub/Vine
9	Shrubs			20–101
	prairie rose	ROAR3	Rosa arkansana	20–101	–
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	20–61	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–61	–
	American plum	PRAM	Prunus americana	0–40	–
	hawthorn	CRATA	Crataegus	0–20	–
Tree
10	Trees			0–20
	Tree	2TREE	Tree	0–20	–
	boxelder	ACNE2	Acer negundo	0–20	–
	common hackberry	CEOC	Celtis occidentalis	0–20	–
	green ash	FRPE	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	0–20	–
	American elm	ULAM	Ulmus americana	0–20	–

Table 12. Community 4.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Tall Warm-Season			0–157
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	0–157	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	0–31	–
2	Needlegrass			31–157
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	31–157	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	0–94	–
3	Wheatgrass			63–314
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	0–314	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTRS	Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus	0–314	–
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	31–157	–
5	Other Native Grasses			31–157
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–157	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	0–157	–
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	0–157	–
	dropseed	SPORO	Sporobolus	0–157	–
	marsh muhly	MURA	Muhlenbergia racemosa	0–94	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	0–94	–
6	Grass-Likes			31–94
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–94	–
	shortbeak sedge	CABR10	Carex brevior	0–94	–
	Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	31–94	–
7	Non-Native Grasses			471–1098
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	157–1098	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	63–628	–
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	0–251	–
Forb
8	Forbs			157–471
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	0–314	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–157	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–157	–
	Canada thistle	CIAR4	Cirsium arvense	0–157	–
	common dandelion	TAOF	Taraxacum officinale	31–157	–
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	31–157	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	31–126	–
	Indianhemp	APCA	Apocynum cannabinum	31–126	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	31–126	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	0–94	–
	cocklebur	XANTH2	Xanthium	0–94	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	31–63	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	31–63	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	0–63	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	0–63	–
	Maximilian sunflower	HEMA2	Helianthus maximiliani	0–63	–
	Canadian anemone	ANCA8	Anemone canadensis	0–31	–
	purple prairie clover	DAPU5	Dalea purpurea	0–31	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	0–31	–
	downy gentian	GEPU5	Gentiana puberulenta	0–31	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	0–31	–
	meadow zizia	ZIAP	Zizia aptera	0–31	–
Shrub/Vine
9	Shrubs			314–628
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	63–628	–
	American plum	PRAM	Prunus americana	0–314	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–157	–
	prairie rose	ROAR3	Rosa arkansana	31–157	–
	chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	0–94	–
	hawthorn	CRATA	Crataegus	0–94	–
	golden currant	RIAU	Ribes aureum	0–63	–
	Saskatoon serviceberry	AMAL2	Amelanchier alnifolia	0–63	–
	leadplant	AMCA6	Amorpha canescens	0–31	–
Tree
10	Trees			0–63
	Tree	2TREE	Tree	0–63	–
	boxelder	ACNE2	Acer negundo	0–63	–
	common hackberry	CEOC	Celtis occidentalis	0–63	–
	green ash	FRPE	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	0–63	–
	American elm	ULAM	Ulmus americana	0–63	–

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

Water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B, with localized areas in hydrologic group 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	01/17/2012
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):
Less than 5%.
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None.
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. Limited deposition may be visible following major rainfall events.
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):
Soil aggregate stability ratings should typically be 5 to 6, normally 6. 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:
Tall, warm-season rhizomatous grasses > >

Sub-dominant:
Mid, cool-season bunchgrasses > mid, cool-season rhizomatous grasses >

Other:
Forbs = shrubs > grass-likes = mid warm-season grasses > trees > 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):
None.
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
In contact with soil surface.
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Representative value = 3500 lbs/ac air dry with a range of 2800 to 4300 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, Siberian elm
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 R053BY005ND

Loamy Overflow

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