Physiographic features

This site typically occurs in swales and shallow depressions on till plains; blowouts and shallow depressions on sand plains; and on lake beaches. Slopes typically are less than 3 percent, but range to 6 percent on blowout and beach areas; slope shape is concave.

Landform: swale, blowout, shallow depression, lake beach

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

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 of the MLRA. 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. Greening up of cool-season plants can occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Climate stations used

• (1) GARRISON [USW00094041], Garrison, ND

• (2) WILDROSE 3NW [USC00329400], Wildrose, ND

• (3) TIOGA 1E [USC00328737], Tioga, ND

• (4) POWERS LAKE 1N [USC00327281], Powers Lake, ND

• (5) ROSCOE [USC00397277], Roscoe, SD

• (6) LEOLA [USC00394891], Leola, SD

• (7) GACKLE [USC00323309], Gackle, ND

• (8) WILTON [USC00329455], Wilton, ND

Influencing water features

Under normal climatic conditions, this site typically does not have wetland functions other than contributing to the recharge of local groundwater. The soils in shallow depressions are occasionally ponded in April and May and rarely ponded in June. Ponding is less than 1/2 foot deep and of brief duration. Subirrigated sites can be closely associated with wetland sites, such as Wet Meadow. During prolonged wetter than normal periods, some wetland functions (a predominance of hydrophytic vegetation) may be evident where this site occurs in shallow depressions.

The Subirrigated site does receive additional water from a seasonal high-water table (endosaturation). During the growing season, water table depths typically are 1.5 to 3.5 feet during April through June. In mid-summer through autumn, the water table lowers a depth to 3 to 5 feet due to evapotranspiration and reduced precipitation. Surface infiltration ranges from medium to rapid. Permeability through the profile typically ranges from moderately slow to rapid, but it is very rapid in the substratum of some coarse-textured soils. Water loss is primarily through evapotranspiration. During mid-summer, particularly during drier than normal cycles, percolation below the root zone may also occur.

Due to the low relief landscape that typically surrounds this site, additional water received as runoff from adjacent uplands is not a major factor in the soil/hydrology/plant relationship. The exception is on till plains where adjacent uplands contribute additional water as runoff that results in brief ponding. Areas of the site on lake beaches may receive additional water as lateral flow through the substratum soil materials for prolonged periods of subirrigation.

Soil features

Soils associated with Subirrigated ES are in the Mollisol and Entisol orders. The Mollisols are classified further as Typic Endoaquolls. The Entisols are classified further as Typic Psammaquents. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed in glacial till, eolian deposits, or lake beach deposits.

The common features of soils in this site are a seasonal high-water table which contributes additional water for transpiration and surface and upper subsoil layers which are leached of calcium carbonates. The soils are somewhat poorly drained; redoximorphic features typically occur at a depth between 18 and 42 inches. Depth to a highly calcareous layer (strong or violent effervescence) is >16 inches. Since sub-surface hydrology is the primary factor used in identifying this site, all textures are included. Therefore, soil physical properties associated with texture vary widely.

Soil salinity is none or very slight (E.C. <4 dS/m) and sodicity is typically low (SAR <3) to a depth >24 inches. However, soils on lake beaches may have SAR values as high as 7. Both salinity and sodicity may increase in the substratum of some soils. Soil reaction typically is slightly acid to slightly alkaline (pH 6.1 to 7.8) to a depth >16 inches. At a depth below 16 inches, many soils increase to moderately alkaline due to a layer of calcium carbonate and/or sodium accumulation. The CaCO3 content in that layer may be as high as 25 percent.

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 the Subirrigated site are Bantry, Minnewasta, and Wyard.

Access Web Soil Survey (https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx) for specific local soils information.

Parent Material Kind: till, eolian deposits, beach deposits
Parent Material Origin: glacial till, glaciolacustrine, outwash

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

Landscape

The MLRA 53B landscape is characterized by nearly level to rolling till plains including kettle holes, kames, moraines, and small glacial lakes. The MLRA is located within the heart of the Prairie Pothole (Coteau) Region with temporary, seasonal, and semi-permanent wetlands throughout the MLRA. MLRA 53B has a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are common and characteristic of the MLRA. This area supports natural prairie vegetation characterized by western wheatgrass, needle and thread, green needlegrass, and big bluestem. Little bluestem is an important species on sloping and shallow soils. Prairie cordgrass, northern reedgrass, and sedges are important species on wet soils. Western snowberry, chokecherry, plum, stiff goldenrod, blacksamson echinacea, and prairie rose are commonly interspersed throughout the area.

Complex and intermingled ecological sites create diverse grass and shrub land habitats. Ecological sites are interspersed with moderate to high densities of depressional wetlands. MLRA 53B includes headwaters to tributaries of the Missouri River, including the Big Muddy River, White Earth River, Painted Woods Creek and Apple Creek in North Dakota and Spring Creek in South Dakota. Numerous unnamed creeks and drainageways drain into the James River in North and South Dakota which are in MLRA 55B. These habitats provide critical life-cycle components for many wildlife species including aquatic species.

Historic Communities/Conditions within MLRA 53B:

The northern mixed-grass prairie was a disturbance-driven ecosystem with fire, herbivory, and climate functioning as the primary ecological drivers (either singly or often in combination). The high density of wetland and associated native grassland historically supported an abundance of waterfowl and other marsh dependent birds. Many species of grassland birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and herds of roaming American bison, elk, and pronghorn were historically among the inhabitants adapted to this semi-arid region. Roaming herbivores, as well as several small mammal and insect species, were the primary consumers linking the grassland resources to large predators (such as the wolf and mountain lion) and smaller carnivores (such as the coyote, bobcat, red fox, and raptors). Extirpated species include free-ranging American bison, elk, black and grizzly bear, gray wolf, and peregrine falcon (breeding). Extinct from the region is the Rocky Mountain locust.

Present Communities/Conditions within MLRA 53B:

Following European influence, domestic livestock grazing, elimination of fire, energy development, and other anthropogenic factors influenced plant community composition and abundance. Approximately 34% of the native grassland in MLRA 53B remains intact but grassland continues to be converted to annual cropping systems. Annual cropping, wetland drainage, wind energy, woody encroachment, and transportation corridors are the main contributors to habitat fragmentation, which reduces habitat quality for area-sensitive species. The fragmented landscape reduced or eliminated ecological drivers (fire) and introduced exotic plant species including smooth brome, crested wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and leafy spurge - further impacting plant and animal communities. Loss of fire allowed woody species to expand onto historically grassland sites. The loss of these ecological drivers greatly influenced the remaining native plant communities and wildlife species presence, moving towards a more fragmented but diverse landscape; but in many cases a more homogeneous grassland dominated by cool-season exotic grass species develops.

The high density of wetlands provides habitat for large numbers and species of waterfowl and waterbirds. MLRA 53B is a major contributor to the annual production of waterfowl and waterbirds within the Central Flyway. Many wildlife species found in MLRA 53B are those that have adapted to annual crop production. Some wildlife species in this area are white-tailed deer, coyote, red fox, American badger, raccoon, beaver, striped skunk, American mink, white-tailed jackrabbit, Eastern turkey, sharp-tailed grouse, waterfowl, and numerous species of grassland-nesting birds and pollinating insects. Numerous fish species inhabit the lakes and creeks within the MLRA.

National wildlife refuges, waterfowl production areas, and state wildlife management areas along with North Dakota Department of Trust Lands and South Dakota State School Lands provide herbaceous and woody cover for wildlife. In addition, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) jointly manage one large manmade reservoir, Lake Audubon (16,612 acres), for waterfowl and fish production. The USFWS manages approximately 56,000 acres in National Wildlife Refuges and 59,000 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas including 5,526 acres of wilderness area within the Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge and 4,201 acres of wilderness area within the Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The NDGFD manages approximately 47,000 acres of Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks manages approximately 12,000 acres of Game Production Areas in the southern end of the MLRA.

Wildlife species presence is often determined by site characteristics including grass and forb species, hydrology, aspect, and other associated ecological sites. Home ranges of most species are larger than one ecological site or are dependent upon more than one ecological site for annual life requisites. Ecological sites offer different habitat elements as the annual life requisites change. Habitat improvement and creation must be conducted within the mobility limits of a known population for the species.

Insects play an important role providing ecological services for plant community development. Insects that are scavengers or aid in decomposition provide the food chain baseline sustaining the carnivorous insects feeding upon them. Many insects provide the ecological services necessary for pollination, keeping plant communities healthy and productive. Insects provide a protein food source for numerous species including grassland-nesting birds and their young.

Species of Concern within MLRA 53B:

The following is a list of species considered “species of conservation priority” in the North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2015) and South Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2014); and species listed as “threatened, endangered, or petitioned” under the Endangered Species Act within MLRA 53B at the time this section was developed:

Invertebrates: Dakota skipper, Dakota stonefly, Iowa skipper, monarch butterfly, northern sandy tiger beetle, Ottoe skipper, regal fritillary, yellow-banded bumble bee, and western bumble bee.

Birds: American avocet, American bittern, American kestrel, American white pelican, Baird’s sparrow, bald eagle, black-billed cuckoo, black tern, bobolink, burrowing owl, canvasback, chestnut-collared longspur, Dickcissel, ferruginous hawk, Franklin’s gull, grasshopper sparrow, greater prairie-chicken, horned grebe, horned lark, lark bunting, LeConte’s sparrow, lesser scaup, loggerhead shrike, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, Nelson’s sparrow, northern goshawk, northern harrier, northern pintail, peregrine falcon (migration), piping plover (migration), red knot (migration), sharp-tailed grouse, short-eared owl, Sprague’s pipet, Swainson’s hawk, trumpeter swan, upland sandpiper, western meadowlark, willet, Wilson’s phalarope, whooping crane (migration), and yellow rail.

Mammals: Arctic shrew, big and little brown bats, Franklin’s ground squirrel, plains pocket mouse, Richardson’s ground squirrel, silver-haired bat, and swift fox (historical range).

Amphibians and Reptiles: Canadian toad, false map turtle, plains hognose snake, smooth green snake, and snapping turtle.

Fish and Mussels: Blacknose shiner, blue sucker, burbot, fathead chub, fragile papershell, northern pearl dace, northern redbelly dace, pink papershell, sicklefin chub, sturgeon chub, and yellow sandshell.

Grassland Management for Wildlife in the MLRA 53B

Management activities within State and Transition models follow various community phase pathways. These management activities will impact wildlife, both positively and negatively, but are essential for maintenance of healthy grassland ecosystems. Community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways are keys to long-term management within each State and between States. Timing, intensity, and frequency of these inputs can have dramatic positive or negative effects on local wildlife species. Ranchers and other land managers must always consider the long-term beneficial management effects of grassland and woodland resources in comparison to typically short-term negative effects to the habitats of individual species.

Ecological sites occur as intermingled complexes on the landscape with gradual or sometimes abrupt transitions. Rarely do ecological sites exist in large enough acreage to manage independently for wildlife. A management regime for one ecological site may negatively impact an adjacent site (e.g., alteration of a grazing regime within a Loamy Overflow ecological site to encourage tall warm-season grass development may encourage exotic cool-season grasses to increase or dominate adjacent ecological sites).

Life requisites and habitat deficiencies are determined for targeted species, species guilds, or by land use. Deficiencies need to be addressed along community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways as presented in specific state-and-transition models. Ecological sites should be managed and restored within the site’s capabilities to provide sustainable habitat for targeted species or species guilds. Habitat fragmentation caused by the conversion to annual cropping, tree plantings, rural housing, and fragmentation due to transportation and electrical transmission corridors need to be considered when managing for target species.

With populations of many grassland-nesting birds in decline, it is important to maintain these ecological sites in a 1.0 Reference State (if found) or the 2.0 Native/Invaded State. Plant communities optimal for a guild of grassland species serve as a population source where the birth rate exceeds mortality. Species may use marginal plant communities; however, these sites may function as a population sink where mortality exceeds the birth rate.

Understanding preferred vegetative stature and sensitivity to woody encroachment is necessary to manage for the specific grassland species. Various grass heights may be used for breeding, nesting, or foraging habitat. While most species use varying heights, many have a preferred vegetative stature height. The following chart provides preferred vegetative stature heights and sensitivity to woody vegetation encroachment.

To see the chart, please use the hyperlink: https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/ND/53B_Subirrigated_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf

Subirrigated Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Subirrigated ecological sites are somewhat poorly drained and usually found on flats and swales on till plains, lake plains, and sand plains. This site has a persistent seasonal water table of 1.5 to 3.0 feet below the surface, strongly influencing vegetation production. The upper part of the subsoil immediately below the surface layer does not contain carbonates making the site very productive and dominated by tall warm-season grasses and forbs. Associated ecological sites include Limy Subirrigated, Loamy Overflow, Sands, and Wet Meadow.

Subirrigated habitat features, components, and associated ecological sites provide habitat for many edge-sensitive, grassland bird species preferring medium- to tall-statured vegetation. Insects rely on associated forbs and grasses for survival and serve as food sources for birds and their young and as forage for small and large herbivores.

Subirrigated ecological sites may be found in three plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Invaded State and 4.0 Go-back State) within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases exist within State 1.0 and 2.0. Today, these states occur primarily in response to drought, fire, grazing, non-use, and other anthropogenic disturbances.

Because there is no known restoration pathway from State 2.0 to State 1.0, it is important to intensively manage using tools in State 1.0 and State 2.0 Community Phase Pathways to prevent further plant community degradation along the T2 Transitional Pathway to State 3.0. Native wildlife generally benefits from the heterogeneous grasslands found in States 1.0 and 2.0 that include diverse grass and forb species of varying stature and density. As plant communities degrade within State 2.0, Kentucky bluegrass increases, while native forbs are reduced. When Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30%, the site transitions to 3.0 Invaded State. This transition results in reduced stature and increased plant community homogeneity. When adjacent and/or intermingled ecological sites undergo the same transition, the result can be an expansive, homogenous landscape.

Success along Restoration Pathway R3A from State 3.0 to State 2.0 is very difficult and is dependent upon presence of a remnant native grass population and intensive management. This concept also applies to wildlife, as the target species must either be present on adjacent State 1.0 or State 2.0 plant communities or ecological sites within the mobility limits of the species. Species with limited mobility, such as Dakota skippers, must exist near the plant community to utilize restored sites. Mobile species (such as grassland-nesting birds) can easily locate isolated, restored plant communities. In addition, a successful range planting using selected plant materials, herbicides, and management via R4A, can restore Go-back State 4.0 to Native/Invaded State 2.0.

Plant Community Phase 3.1 show dramatic increased homogeneity of exotic cool-season grasses, and further reduction in native forbs. Reduced forb diversity limits insect populations, negatively affecting foraging opportunities for grassland-nesting birds. Increased exotic grass litter can limit access to bare ground by nesting insects and can limit mobility by small chicks. A homogenous grassland landscape does not provide quality escape or winter cover. As a result, many species are not able to meet life requisites, especially over-wintering species.

Management along community phase, transition, or restoration pathways should focus upon attainable changes. Short- and long-term monetary costs must be evaluated against short- and long- term ecological services in creating and maintaining habitat of sufficient quality to support a sustainable population density.

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Big Bluestem-Switchgrass: This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wildlife; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This community phase retains high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing with adequate recovery period as well as prescribed fire. Prescribed fire maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. Predominance of grass species in this community favors grazers and mixed feeders (animals selecting grasses as well as forbs and shrubs). The structural diversity provides habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident birds.

Invertebrates: Insects play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, reptiles, and rodents. Ecological services, historically provided by bison, are simulated by domestic livestock. These services include putting plant material and dung in contact with mineral soil to be used by lower trophic level consumers (such as invertebrate decomposers, scavengers, shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal feeders).

Dakota skippers prefer this site due to host plants (such as little bluestem, big bluestem, and wood lily). Violet species are not common on this site, not supporting the needed habitat for the regal fritillary. Monarch butterfly may use flowering forbs on this site; milkweed species are found on this site to support caterpillar food. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs as a nectar source; however, bare ground and nesting sites are limited due to the dominance of sod-forming grasses. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods, as well as prescribed fire, (to maintain the 1.1 phase) will have long-term positive effects on ground dwelling insects.

Birds: This plant community provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by tallgrass-nesting birds. To limit litter accumulations, prescribed grazing and/or prescribed fire maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. This plant community does not provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites, but do provide quality nesting habitat, brood-rearing, and escape habitat. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, rodents, jackrabbits, and white-tailed deer. Tall- to mid-statured vegetation provides quality food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site can provide habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad since this site is frequently found adjacent to associated Wet Meadow ecological sites. These sites do not provide habitat for the northern prairie skink and plains hog-nosed snake.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site is not commonly located adjacent to streams, rivers, or water bodies. This site receives run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and provides hydrology to Wet Meadow ecological sites. Management on Subirrigated sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, will have an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit sediment and nutrient loading to the adjacent or nearby aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2 Wheatgrasses-Needlegrasses/Forbs: This plant community develops through Community Phase Pathway 1.1A due to long-term drought with or without heavy long-term grazing. This plant community phase has a vegetative structural change from warm-season, tall-dominated plant community to cool-season medium dominated plant community. Forb diversity remains high.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: A shift to mid-statured grasses favors grassland nesting birds that prefer mid-statured vegetation. This plant community can provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites and nesting, brood-rearing, and escape habitat. These sites provide good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: A loss of tall, warm-season grasses reduces thermal, escape, and parturition cover for deer. This plant community phase provides quality habitat for small mammals.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.3 Prairie Cordgrass-Switchgrass-Fowl Bluegrass: This plant community develops through Community Phase Pathway 1.1B due to above normal precipitation ponding water in shallow depressions and water table becoming closer to the surface, favoring prairie cordgrass. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance, structure, and function to the Plant Community 1.1; except the site is wetter reducing the diversity of forb species.

Invertebrates: Pollen and nectar availability become limited due to the reduction of forb diversity as the site becomes wetter. Upland forbs become limited, while forbs species that are tolerant to shallow ponding or a water table near the surface will increase. High water table and/or ponding eliminates ground nesting sites. However, ponding duration will not be long enough for aquatic invertebrates to inhabit this site.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. Ponding duration is usually not long enough for aquatic invertebrates to inhabit this site, except where this site is located adjacent to Wet Meadow ecological sites.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Big Bluestem-Switchgrass: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1A due to changes in management and the presence of exotic, cool-season grasses. The threshold between States 1.0 and 2.0 is crossed when Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, or other exotic species become established. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Reference State of Community 1.1, except it has a minor amount of cool-season exotic grasses and forbs. This phase functions at a high level for native wildlife; therefore, managers should consider the 2.0 community phase pathways to avoid transitioning to the Invaded State 3.0. There is no known Community Phase Pathway back to State 1.0 from State 2.0.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 2.2 Wheatgrasses-Needlegrasses/Forbs: Continuous heavy season-long grazing, without adequate recovery periods (along Community Phase Pathway 2.1A) favors mid-and short- statured grazing tolerant species, markedly reducing the amount of big bluestem and switchgrass in the plant composition. The reduction of vigor of warm-season grasses allows for the increase of exotic grasses (such as Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and quackgrass) unless prescribed grazing or burning is implemented via Community Phase Pathway 2.2A. This community phase is “at risk” of approaching the threshold to cross over to the invaded state and needs to be intensively managed to remain in State 2.0.

This community phase is often found in a mosaic in the pasture in an overgrazed/under grazed pattern typical of properly stocked pastures grazed season-long. Some areas will be impacted by heavy use while other areas will have a build-up of litter and a high amount of plant decadence. This mosaic of grazed and ungrazed areas provides a short to tall vegetative stature. Dependent upon the patch size of over-grazed vs. under-grazed, grassland nesting birds preferring short/mid-vegetative stature may prefer this plant community phase.

Invertebrates: Reduced litter amounts with slight increase in bare ground will favor ground nesting insects. Abundant forbs and shrubs provide for season-long pollen and nectar source for insects and slight increase in bare ground for ground-nesting insects.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2. However, dependent upon the amount of overgrazed vs. undergrazed area, vegetative stature could favor mid- to tall-grass bird species. This site still provides quality nesting, brooding, thermal, and escape cover.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2 with reduced cover for large ungulates.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

Community Phase 2.3 Prairie Cordgrass-Switchgrass-Fowl Bluegrass: This plant community develops through Community Phase Pathway 2.1B due to above normal precipitation ponding water in shallow depressions and the water table becoming closer to the surface, favoring prairie cordgrass. Heavy season-long grazing results in a noticeable decline in switchgrass. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance, structure, and function to the Plant Community 1.3, except the site has established exotic grasses (such as Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome or quackgrass).

Invertebrates: Pollen and nectar availability become limited due to the reduction of forb diversity due to increased wetness, heavy season-long grazing, and invasion of exotic grasses. Grazing tolerant forbs dominate; in addition, many upland forbs may not be able to tolerate increased soil moisture. Forb species that are tolerant to shallow ponding or a water table near the surface will increase. High water table and/or ponding eliminates ground nesting sites. However, ponding duration will not be long enough for aquatic invertebrates to inhabit this site.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 2.1. Ponding duration is usually not long enough for aquatic invertebrates to inhabit this site, except where this site is located adjacent to Wet Meadow ecological sites providing protein for water birds.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 2.1.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 2.1.

3.0 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1 Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: Community Phase Pathway T2A is characterized by non-use and elimination of fire when exotic cool-season grasses are present (as in Community Phase 2.0). This plant community phase is characterized by a dominance (>30%) of exotic cool-season grasses, such as smooth brome; native grasses represent less than 40% of the plant community. Restoration Pathway R3A, through prescribed burning and high levels of grazing management, requires remnant amounts of native warm- and cool-season grasses and forbs to be successful. The remnant native community needs frequent prescribed burns and high levels of grazing management targeting the exotic cool-season grasses to improve competitiveness and increase vigor and density. Without intensive management, the remnant native plants will not increase adequately to transition back to State 2.0. Managers need to evaluate impacts to wildlife while implementing these management practices. Intensified management along the R3A Pathway will have significant short-term negative impacts on wildlife habitat; however, this is necessary to restore long-term native habitat functions.

Invertebrates: Exotic grasses limit use by beneficial insects provided in States 1.0 and 2.0. However, western snowberry and prairie rose may provide early season pollen and nectar sources. Although forbs are a minor component in this community, they still offer mid- to late-season pollen and nectar opportunities. Increased litter and lack of grazing leads to limited contact between plant material and mineral soil resulting in a cooler microclimate, which is unfavorable to most insects. Lack of bare soil limits ground-nesting sites for native bees and other ground-nesting insects.

Birds: The homogeneous community phase, dominated by exotic plant species, provides limited habitat and life requisites for most obligate grassland-nesting birds. Lack of plant diversity and stature, along with increased litter and the tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome to lay down, limits use by many grassland-nesting birds. Sharp-tailed grouse may use this plant community for lek sites and nesting cover; western snowberry may provide winter cover, dependent upon density.

Mammals: Litter accumulation and exotic grass cover favors thermal, protective, and escape cover for small rodents.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 4.1 Annual/Pioneer Perennial/Exotics: Following cropland abandonment, these plant communities are dominated by early pioneer annual and perennial plant species. Plant species composition and production are highly variable. Weedy plants can provide pollinator habitat along with spring and summer cover for many mammals and birds, and their young. Dense weed cover can keep soils moist, increasing insect presence. Tall stature provided by some annual weeds offers thermal cover and seeds throughout winter for deer, small mammals, and over-wintering birds. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon plant community composition, vegetative stature, patch size, and management activities (such as prescribed grazing, burning, inter-seeding, haying, or noxious weed control).

Successful restoration of native species along Transition Pathway R4A can result in a native grass and forb community in State 2.0. Over time, with no management, the exotic cool-season perennial grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and/or quackgrass) generally become established and dominate the community. Failed native grass planting, via Transition Pathway R4B, can result in an invaded plant community Invaded State 3.0.

Animal Community – 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.

NRCS defines prescribed grazing as “managing the harvest of vegetation with grazing and/or browsing animals with the intent to achieve specific ecological, economic, and management objectives”. As used in this site description, the term ‘prescribed grazing’ is intended to include multiple grazing management systems (e.g., rotational grazing, twice-over grazing, conservation grazing, targeted grazing, etc.) provided that, whatever management system is implemented, it meets the intent of prescribed grazing definition.

The basic grazing prescription addresses balancing forage demand (quality and quantity) with available forage, varying grazing and deferment periods from year-to-year, matching recovery/deferment periods to growing conditions when pastures are grazed more than once in a growing season, implementation of a contingency (e.g., drought) plan, and a monitoring plan. When the management goal is to facilitate change from one plant community phase or state to another, then the prescription needs to be designed to shift the competitive advantage to favor the native grass and forb species.

Grazing levels are noted within the plant community narratives and pathways in reference to grazing management. “Degree of utilization” is defined as the proportion of the current years forage production that is consumed and/or destroyed by grazing animals (may refer to a single plant species or a portion or all the vegetation). “Grazing utilization” is classified as slight, moderate, full, close, and severe (see the following table for description of each grazing use category). The following utilization levels are also described in the Ranchers Guide to Grassland Management IV. Utilization levels are determined by using the landscape appearance method as outlined in the Interagency Technical Reference “Utilization Studies and Residual Measurements” 1734-3.

Utilization Level % Use Description
Slight (Light) 0-20 Appears practically undisturbed when viewed obliquely. Only choice areas and forage utilized.

Moderate 20-40 Almost all of accessible range shows grazing. Little or no use of poor forage. Little evidence of trailing to grazing.

Full 40-60 All fully accessible areas are grazed. The major sites have key forage species properly utilized (about half taken, half left). Points of concentration with overuse limited to 5 to 10 percent of accessible area.

Close (Heavy) 60-80 All accessible range plainly shows use and major sections closely cropped. Livestock forced to use less desirable forage, considering seasonal preference.

Severe > 80 Key forage species completely used. Low-value forages are dominant.

Hydrological functions

The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic groups B and C. Infiltration varies from medium to rapid; runoff potential varies from negligible too low for this site depending on soil hydrologic group, surface texture, slope 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

National wildlife refuges (NWR) (56,476 acres), waterfowl production areas (WPAs) (183,465 acres), state wildlife management areas (WMAs) (59,476 acres), Department of Trust Lands/State School Lands (284,695 acres), and the United State Army Corps of Engineers (65,619 acres) provide hunting, bird watching, hiking, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. Audubon WMA, North Dakota, is the largest state managed, wildlife area covering 6,716 acres. The largest refuges managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife service are Audubon NWR (14,735 acres); Lostwood NWR (26,747 acres with 5,526 acres designated as wilderness area); Chase Lake NWR (4,385 acres, of which 4,201 acres were designated a wilderness area); and Long Lake NWR (22,300 acres). United States Bureau of Reclamation manages approximately 2,215 acres for fish and wildlife habitat. The Bureau of Land Management manages 6,042 acres in small, scattered tracts across the MLRA.

Bird watching: Prairie-dependent and migratory birds provide quality birding opportunities within this MLRA. NWRs, WPAs, and WMAs provide essential habitat for prairie-dependent bird species (such as Sprague's pipit and Baird's sparrow) along with some of the larger, showy members of the upland prairie including marbled godwit, upland sandpipes, and willet. MLRA 53B is in the heart of spring and fall bird migratory routes.

Chase Lake NWR is home to one of the largest breeding colonies of American white pelicans and has been identified by the American Bird Conservancy as one of the top 100 Globally Important Bird Areas in the United States. Lostwood NWR is designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Birding Conservancy and the Audubon Society. Long Lake NWR consists of a 15,000-acre saline basin that is 18 miles long and is appropriately named "Long Lake". The refuge was listed as a top 10 birding site by Wild Bird Magazine. It was also recently designated as both a Globally Important Bird Area and a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site because of its importance as both a breeding and migratory stopover site for more than 20,000 shorebirds, annually.

Hunting/Fishing: MLRA 53B is a fall destination for thousands of waterfowl hunters. The density of prairie pothole wetlands, WPAs, state owned trust lands, and WMAs provide quality opportunities for waterfowl and upland game bird hunting. This MLRA also provides quality white-tailed deer hunting opportunities along with moose hunting opportunities.

Quality fishing (summer and winter fishing) opportunities are available in the MLRA. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks manages approximately 125 fishing lakes within the MLRA. Available species include yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, and small mouth bass. Lake Audubon is the largest fishing lake within the MLRA. A portion of Lake Audubon, within the National Wildlife refuge system, provides ice fishing access only; there is no open-water fishing on the refuge portion of Lake Audubon.

Camping: The Bureau of Reclamation manages the Brekken-Holmes Recreation Area in the Turtle Lake area. The recreation area consists of approximately 675 water surface acres, 620 land acres, and 10 miles of shoreline. The Garrison Conservancy District provides primitive camping along the chain of lakes connected by the McClusky Canal diverting water eastward into central North Dakota. Nine state parks are located within the MLRA totaling 1,340 acres. Fort Stevenson State Park is the only State Park in the MLRA that provides boating access to Lake Sakakawea. Other numerous camping (primitive and improved) sites are available in numerous city and county parks.

Hiking: The North Country Trail dissects the MLRA east to west following the 76-mile section of the McClusky Canal; in addition is has 12 miles of off-road trails through the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, a road walk from Coleharbor to Riverdale and across Garrison Dam, and a short, off-road segment leading to the Western Terminus within Lake Sakakawea State Park. Hiking is also permitted on other state and federally owned lands. In addition, the Lostwood NWR and the Audubon NWR have 7 and 8 miles, respectively, of self-guided auto tours.

Wood products

There are no appreciable wood products found on this site.

Other products

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

Other information

Site Development and Testing Plan
• Further investigation is needed on the wide range of soil textures and associated properties and their relationship to hydrology/plant dynamics.
• Further investigation is needed to document this site’s vegetative responses to wetter than normal climate cycles. Even though these soils are considered non-hydric based on soil properties, during wet climate cycles some wetland functions - including supporting hydrophytic plants - have been observed. The State and Transition Model needs review to see if these conditions are adequately represented.
• Further evaluation and refinement of the State-and-Transition model may be needed to identify disturbance driven dynamics. Additional states and/or phases may be required to address grazing response.
• Further documentation may be needed for plant communities in all states. Plant data has been collected in previous range-site investigations, including clipping data; however, this data needs review. If geo-referenced sites meeting Tier 3 standards for either vegetative or soil data are not available, representative sites will be selected for further investigation.
• Site concepts will be refined as the above noted investigations are completed.
• The long-term goal is to complete an approved, correlated Ecological Site Description as defined by the National Ecological Site Handbook.
• NASIS revisions needed:
o Three poorly drained components (1 major) of Koto need to be relinked from Subirrigated to Wet Meadow. All three occur in South Dakota only.
o During the recently completed Ecological Site Description update, Mauvais soil was reassigned from Subirrigated to Limy Subirrigated; all Mauvais components need to be relinked.

This ESD is the best available knowledge. The site concept and species composition table have been used in the field and tested for more than five years. It is expected that as additional information becomes available revisions may be required.

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS and other federal/state agency clipping and 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.

Other references

Bakker, K.K. 2003. The effect of woody vegetation on grassland nesting birds: an annotated bibliography. The Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 82:119-141.

Barker, W.T. and W. C. Whitman. 1988. Vegetation of the Northern Great Plains. Rangelands 10(6): 266-272. Bluemle. J.P. 2016. North Dakota’s geologic legacy. North Dakota State University Press. 382 pages.

Briske, D.D. (editor). 2017. Rangeland systems – processes, management, and challenges. Springer Series on Environmental Management. 661 pages.

Burgess, R.L. 1965. A study of plant succession in the sandhills of southeastern North Dakota. Proceedings ND Academy of Science 19:62-80

DeKeyser, E.S., G. Clambey, K. Krabbenhoft, and J. Ostendorf. 2009. Are changes in species composition on central North Dakota rangelands due to non-use management? Rangelands 31:16-19

Dix, R.L. and F.E. Smeins. 1967. The prairie, meadow, and marsh vegetation of Nelson County, North Dakota. Canadian Journal of Botany 45:21-57.

Dornbusch, M.J., R.F. Limb, and C.K. Gasch. 2018. Facilitation of an exotic grass through nitrogen enrichment by an exotic legume. Rangeland Ecology & Management 71:691-694.

Dyke, S.R., S.K. Johnson, and P.T. Isakson. 2015. North Dakota state wildlife action plan. North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Bismarck, ND. 468 pages.

Ehrenfeld, Joan G. 2002. Effects of exotic plant invasions on soil nutrient cycling processes. Ecosystems 6:503-523.

Ereth, C., J. Hendrickson, D. Kirby, E. DeKeyser, K. Sedevic, and M. West. Controlling Kentucky bluegrass with herbicide and burning is influenced by invasion level. Invasive Plant Science and Management 10: 80-89.

Ewing, J. 1924. Plant succession on the brush prairie in northwestern Minnesota. Journal of Ecology 12:228- 266.

Gilgert, W. and S. Zack. 2010. Integrating multiple ecosystem services into ecological site descriptions. Rangelands: 32:49-54.

Grant, T.A. and R.K. Murphy. 2005. Changes on woodland cover on prairie refuges in North Dakota, USA. Natural Areas Journal 25:359-368.

Heitschmidt, R. K., K. D. Klement, and M. R. Haferkamp. 2005. Interactive effects of drought and grazing on northern great plains rangelands. Rangeland Ecology and Management 58:11-19.

Hendrickson, J.R., P. S. Johnson, M. A. Liebig, K. K. Sedivec, and G. A. Halvorson. 2016. Use of ecological sites in managing wildlife and livestock: an example with prairie dogs. Rangelands

Hendrickson, J.R., S.L. Kronberg, and E.J. Scholljegerdes. 2020. Can targeted grazing reduce abundance of invasive perennial grass (Kentucky Bluegrass) on native mixed-grass prairie? Rangeland Ecology and Management, 73:547-551.

Higgins, K.F. 1984. Lightning fires in grasslands in North Dakota and in pine-savanna lands in nearby South Dakota and Montana. J. Range Manage. 37:100-103.

Higgins, K.F. 1986. Interpretation and compendium of historical fire accounts in the Northern Great Plains. United States Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Resource Publication 161. 39 pages.

Higgins, K.F., A.D. Kruse, and J.L. Piehl. 1989. Effects of fire in the Northern Great Plains. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Cooperative Extension Service South, Dakota State University. Extension Circular 761. 48 pages.

High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://hprcc.unl.edu)

Johnson, Sandra. 2015. Reptiles and amphibians of North Dakota. North Dakota Game and Fish Department. 64 pages.

Jordan, N. R., D.L. Larson, and S.C. Huerd. 2008. Soil modification by invasive plants: effects on native and invasive species of mixed-grass prairies. Biological Invasions 10:177-190.

Lura, C.L., W.T. Barker, and P.E. Nyren.1988. Range plant communities of the Central Grasslands Research Station in south central North Dakota. Prairie Naturalist 20:177-192.

Mader, E., M. Shepherd, M. Vaughan, and S.H. Black. 2011. Attracting native pollinators: protecting North America's bees and butterflies. Accessed at https://xerces.org, May 1, 2017.

North Dakota Division of Tourism, Accessed on February 25, 2019. Available at https://www.ndtourism.com/sports-recreation

North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, Accessed on February 25, 2019. Available at http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/recreationareas/recreationareas.html

Palit, R., G. and E.S. DeKeyser. 2022. Impacts and drivers of smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyes.) invasion in native ecosystems. Plants: 10,3390. http://https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/10/1340

Palit, R., G. Gramig, and E.S. DeKeyser. 2021. Kentucky bluegrass invasion in the Northern Great Plains and prospective management approaches to mitigate its spread. Plants: 10,817. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040817

Printz, J.L. and J.R. Hendrickson. 2015. Impacts of Kentucky bluegrass Invasion (Poa pratensis) on ecological processes in the Northern Great Plains. Rangelands 37(6):226-232.

Redmann, Robert E. 1975. Production ecology of grassland plant communities in western North Dakota. Ecological Monographs 45:83-106.

Reeves, J.L., J.D. Derner, M.A. Sanderson, J.R. Hendrickson, S.L. Kronberg, M.K. Petersen, and L.T. Vermeire. 2014. Seasonal weather influences on yearling beef steer production in C3-dominated Northern Great Plains rangeland. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 183:110-117.

Royer, R. A., 2003. Butterflies of North Dakota: an atlas and guide. Minot State University, Minot, ND.

Seabloom, R. 2020. Mammals of North Dakota. North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies, Fargo, ND. 470 pages.

Sedivec, K.D., J.L. Printz. 2014. Ranchers guide to grassland management IV. NDSU Extension Service publication R1707.

Severson, K. E. and C. Hull Sieg. 2006. The nature of eastern North Dakota: pre-1880 historical ecology. North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies.

South Dakota Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks. 2014. South Dakota Wildlife Action Plan. Wildlife Division Report 2014-03.

Spaeth, K.E., Hayek, M.A., Toledo, D., and Hendrickson, J. 2019. Cool season grass impacts on native mixedgrass prairie species in the Norther Great Plains. America’s Grassland Conference: Working Across Boundaries. The Fifth Biennial Conference on the Conservation of America’s Grasslands. Bismarck, ND. 20-22 August.

Tidwell, D., D.T. Fogarty, and J.R. Weir. 2021. Woody encroachment in grasslands, a guide for understanding risk and vulnerability. Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service publication E- 1054. 32 pages.

Toledo, D., M. Sanderson, K. Spaeth, J. Hendrickson, and J. Printz. 2014. Extent of Kentucky bluegrass and its effect on native plant species diversity and ecosystem services in the northern great plains of the United State. Invasive Plant Science and Management 7(4): 543-552.

USDA, NRCS. 2021. National range and pasture handbook, (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/landuse/rangepasture/?cid=stelprdb1043084)

USDA, NRCS. 2006. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.

USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, 100 Centennial Mall North, Room 152, Lincoln, NE 68508- 3866.
(https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/tools/?cid=nrcs142p2_053552)

USDA, NRCS. National Water & Climate Center, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Suite 802, Portland, OR 97232-1274. (https://www.wcc.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.

USDI BLM.1999. Utilization studies and residual measurements. Interagency Technical Reference 1734-3.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2015. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; designation of critical habitat for the Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling; Vol. 79 No. Final Rule October 1, 2015, 50 CFR Part 17.

Vinton, M.A. and E.M. Goergen. 2006. Plant-soil feedbacks contribute to the persistence of Bromus inermis in tallgrass prairie. Ecosystems 9: 967-976.

Whitman, W.H., H. Hanson, and R. Peterson. 1943. Relation of drought and grazing to North Dakota range lands. North Dakota Agricultural Experimentation Bulletin 340.

Contributors

Jeff Printz/Stan Boltz
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.
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;
ND NRCS: David Dewald, Jonathan Fettig, Alan Gulsvig, Mark Hayek, Chuck Lura, Jeff Printz, Steve Sieler, and Hal Weiser.

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 3/31/2025