Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Ecological site R053BY012ND

Subirrigated

Last updated: 1/11/2024
Accessed: 12/22/2024

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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.

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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

R053BY005ND	Loamy Overflow
R053BY006ND	Saline Lowland
R053BY018ND	Linear Meadow
R053BY019ND	Wet Meadow

Similar sites

R053BY005ND	Loamy Overflow [Moderately well drained soils in intermittent drainage ways, swales and areas that frequently receive additional moisture throughout the growing season, with no apparent water table. Indicator species: big bluestem with western wheatgrass and green needlegrass, American licorice, and western snowberry. The site has no switchgrass or prairie cordgrass, less big bluestem, more green needlegrass and western wheatgrass; less production, no water table.]

R053BY005ND

Loamy Overflow

[Moderately well drained soils in intermittent drainage ways, swales and areas that frequently receive additional moisture throughout the growing season, with no apparent water table. Indicator species: big bluestem with western wheatgrass and green needlegrass, American licorice, and western snowberry. The site has no switchgrass or prairie cordgrass, less big bluestem, more green needlegrass and western wheatgrass; less production, no water table.]

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Andropogon gerardii (2) Panicum virgatum

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Physiographic features

This site occurs on nearly level, slightly concave and gently undulating lowlands.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Till plain (2) Lake plain
Flooding duration	Very brief (4 to 48 hours)
Flooding frequency	None to occasional
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	488 – 610 m
Slope	0 – 3%
Water table depth	46 – 107 cm
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

MLRA 53B is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are characteristic. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains. The air masses move unobstructed across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.

Annual precipitation ranges from 15 to 20 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 41° F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 4° F (Powers Lake, ND) to about 10° F (Pollock, SD). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 67° F (Powers Lake, ND) to about 72° F (Pollock, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 62° F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this MLRA's climate. Winds average about 11 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 13 miles per hour during the spring to about 10 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.

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

Table 3. Representative climatic features

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

Bar

Line

Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

Bar

Line

Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Soil features

These are very deep, somewhat poorly drained, coarse to moderately fine textured soils. Saturated hydraulic conductivity is moderate to moderately slow and available water capacity is low to high. Salinity is none to very slight and sodicity is none. These soils have a high water table (1.5 to 3.5 feet from the surface) which keeps the rooting zone moist for most of the growing season. This site is on flats and swales on alluvial plains, lake plains and till plains. Slope ranges from 0 to 3 percent. This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas or pedestalled plants. No water flow paths are seen on this site. The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers are non-restrictive to water movement and root penetration.

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

Table 4. Representative soil features

Surface texture	(1) Loam (2) Silt loam (3) Silty clay loam
Family particle size	(1) Loamy
Drainage class	Somewhat poorly drained
Permeability class	Moderately slow to moderate
Soil depth	203 cm
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0%
Surface fragment cover >3"	0%
Available water capacity (0-101.6cm)	10.16 – 17.78 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
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm)	5.1 – 8.4
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 20%
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 along with the high productivity of the subirrigated plants, this site is considered 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.

As changes occur from continuous grazing without adequate recovery opportunities between grazing events, species such as Kentucky bluegrass, western wheatgrass and Baltic rush will invade or increase. Kentucky bluegrass may eventually form a dense sod. Grasses such as big bluestem, prairie cordgrass, and switchgrass will decrease in frequency and production and can be removed from the site. Non-use and lack of fire will cause litter levels and plant decadence or mortality to increase. Under extended periods of non-use and/or lack of fire, both invading grass and forb species such as Kentucky bluegrass, fowl bluegrass, sweetclover and possibly Canada thistle will dominate the site along with a heavy increase of shrubs and trees including invading trees such as Russian olive. This will eventually result in a wooded plant community.

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

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Standard diagram

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State 1
Big Bluestem/Switchgrass (HCPC)

Community 1.1
Big Bluestem/Switchgrass (HCPC)

This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). This plant community evolved with grazing by large herbivores and is well suited for grazing by domestic livestock and can be found on areas that are grazed and where the grazed plants receive adequate periods of rest during the growing season in order to recover. Historically, fires occurred infrequently but were a very important natural effect on this site. The potential vegetation is about 70% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs, 10% shrubs and 10% trees of the total air-dry weight. Tall warm season grasses dominate this community. The major grasses include big bluestem, switchgrass, Indiangrass, prairie cordgrass and little bluestem. Other grasses and grass-likes occurring on the community include western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, northern reedgrass, Canada wildrye, sedges and rush species. Key forbs include American licorice, sunflower, aster, goldenrod and mint. Shrubs and tree species that recover quickly after fire events are juneberry, western snowberry, willows, boxelder, hawthorn, chokecherry and cottonwood. This plant community is diverse, stable, productive and is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains. The high water table supplies much of the moisture for plant growth. 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 a high tolerance to a fluctuating water table. 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	3744	4343	4876
Shrub/Vine	247	420	616
Tree	247	420	616
Forb	247	420	616
Total	4485	5603	6724

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
Kentucky Bluegrass/Spikerush/Rush

Community 2.1
Kentucky Bluegrass/Spikerush/Rush

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 actions before a significant ecological threshold is crossed. Kentucky bluegrass and western wheatgrass are the dominant species. Big bluestem, green needlegrass, switchgrass and Indiangrass are greatly reduced. Forb species would include asters, goldenrod, cudweed sagewort, heath aster, wavyleaf thistle and western yarrow. Invasive forbs are sweetclover, dandelion, and possibly Canada thistle. Shrub and tree regeneration have completely disappeared leaving little to no shrub understory beneath scattered large trees, when present. Plant diversity and production have been reduced. The soil remains stable. Water cycle, nutrient cycle and energy flow is slightly reduced but continues to adequately function. Water table tends to rise closer to the surface, which favors an increase of Baltic rush and common spikerush.

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	2275	2925	3547
Forb	163	252	364
Shrub/Vine	28	101	174
Tree	–	84	174
Total	2466	3362	4259

Figure 7. 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

State 3
Kentucky Bluegrass Sod/Baltic Rush/Forbs

Community 3.1
Kentucky Bluegrass Sod/Baltic Rush/Forbs

This plant community developed with heavy continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events. Kentucky bluegrass and Baltic rush, along with fowl bluegrass and common spikerush dominate the community. Kentucky bluegrass can develop into a thick sod. Prairie cordgrass, little bluestem, Indiangrass, green needlegrass, northern reedgrass and porcupine grass have been removed. Big bluestem, switchgrass, and western wheatgrass may persist in trace amounts, greatly reduced in vigor, and in some instances, not readily seen. Western yarrow, dandelion and goldenrod have increased. Key shrubs have been severely reduced in vigor or removed completely. A few scattered old decadent trees may remain. This plant community is resistant to change due to grazing tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass. Production and diversity is significantly reduced when compared to the HCPC. Loss or reduction of cool season grasses, tall warm season grasses, and shrub component have negatively impacted energy flow and nutrient cycling. Water infiltration is reduced significantly due to the massive shallow root system “root pan”, characteristic of sodbound Kentucky bluegrass. The water table has risen closer to the surface that greatly favors the rush species. 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	1648	2127	2561
Forb	123	323	560
Shrub/Vine	22	77	135
Tree	–	52	106
Total	1793	2579	3362

Figure 9. 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

State 4
Kentucky Bluegrass/Western Snowberry, Excessive Litter

Community 4.1
Kentucky Bluegrass/Western Snowberry, Excessive Litter

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 flourishes in this environment and may dominate this plant community. Common forbs include Canada goldenrod, American licorice, cudweed sagewort, and dogbane. Invading forbs are Canada thistle, sweetclover and dandelion. Shrubs such as western snowberry, willow, juneberry, rose, and chokecherry will increase in density and cover. Trees species such as green ash, boxelder, cottonwood, peachleaf willow and others may produce a dense canopy cover in some areas, shading out the grass understory. This plant community is resistant to change without prescribed grazing and fire. The combination of both grazing and fire is most effective in moving this plant community towards the HCPC. Soil erosion is low. Runoff is similar to the HCPC. Once this plant community is reached, time and external resources will be needed to see any immediate recovery.

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	2841	3094	3419
Tree	84	493	953
Forb	219	448	729
Shrub/Vine	219	448	729
Total	3363	4483	5830

Figure 11. 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

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	Warm-Season Grasses			2242–2802
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	1401–2522	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	280–1121	–
	Indiangrass	SONU2	Sorghastrum nutans	280–841	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–560	–
	prairie cordgrass	SPPE	Spartina pectinata	0–280	–
2	Mid Cool-Season Grasses			280–560
	northern reedgrass	CASTI3	Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa	168–280	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	0–168	–
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–168	–
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	112–168	–
3	Other Native Grasses			168–280
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–280	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	56–112	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	56–112	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTRS	Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus	56–112	–
4	Grass-Likes			168–280
	Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	112–168	–
	common spikerush	ELPA3	Eleocharis palustris	56–112	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	56–112	–
	shortbeak sedge	CABR10	Carex brevior	56–112	–
	woolly sedge	CAPE42	Carex pellita	56–112	–
Forb
6	Forbs			280–560
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–168	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	56–112	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	56–112	–
	Maximilian sunflower	HEMA2	Helianthus maximiliani	56–112	–
	mint	MENTH	Mentha	56–112	–
	Canada goldenrod	SOCA6	Solidago canadensis	56–112	–
	white prairie aster	SYFA	Symphyotrichum falcatum	56–112	–
	meadow zizia	ZIAP	Zizia aptera	56–112	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	0–56	–
	catnip	NECA2	Nepeta cataria	0–56	–
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	0–56	–
	wood lily	LIPH	Lilium philadelphicum	0–56	–
	anemone	ANEMO	Anemone	0–56	–
	dogbane	APOCY	Apocynum	0–56	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	0–56	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	0–56	–
	downy gentian	GEPU5	Gentiana puberulenta	0–56	–
Shrub/Vine
7	Shrubs			280–560
	willow	SALIX	Salix	112–280	–
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	112–280	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–280	–
	Saskatoon serviceberry	AMAL2	Amelanchier alnifolia	56–168	–
	chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	56–168	–
	Missouri gooseberry	RIMI	Ribes missouriense	56–112	–
	prairie rose	ROAR3	Rosa arkansana	56–112	–
	false indigo bush	AMFR	Amorpha fruticosa	56–112	–
	redosier dogwood	COSE16	Cornus sericea	56–112	–
	American plum	PRAM	Prunus americana	0–56	–
Tree
8	Trees			280–560
	Tree	2TREE	Tree	0–168	–
	green ash	FRPE	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	56–168	–
	plains cottonwood	PODEM	Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera	0–168	–
	peachleaf willow	SAAM2	Salix amygdaloides	56–168	–
	American elm	ULAM	Ulmus americana	0–56	–
	boxelder	ACNE2	Acer negundo	0–56	–

Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Warm-Season Grasses			101–269
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–168	–
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	67–168	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	34–101	–
	prairie cordgrass	SPPE	Spartina pectinata	0–101	–
2	Mid Cool-Season Grasses			101–471
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	67–336	–
	northern reedgrass	CASTI3	Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa	34–101	–
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–67	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	0–34	–
3	Other Native Grasses			101–269
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	34–135	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTRS	Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus	34–135	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–101	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	34–101	–
4	Grass-Likes			504–841
	common spikerush	ELPA3	Eleocharis palustris	168–504	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	34–135	–
	Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	34–135	–
	shortbeak sedge	CABR10	Carex brevior	34–101	–
	woolly sedge	CAPE42	Carex pellita	34–101	–
5	Non-Native Grasses			336–841
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	168–841	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	0–504	–
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	0–168	–
Forb
6	Forbs			168–336
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–168	–
	Canada thistle	CIAR4	Cirsium arvense	0–168	–
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	0–168	–
	Canada goldenrod	SOCA6	Solidago canadensis	34–101	–
	common dandelion	TAOF	Taraxacum officinale	34–101	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–101	–
	dogbane	APOCY	Apocynum	34–101	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	34–67	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	0–67	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	0–67	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	0–67	–
	Maximilian sunflower	HEMA2	Helianthus maximiliani	34–67	–
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–67	–
	cocklebur	XANTH2	Xanthium	0–67	–
	white prairie aster	SYFA	Symphyotrichum falcatum	34–67	–
	black medick	MELU	Medicago lupulina	0–67	–
	mint	MENTH	Mentha	0–34	–
	catnip	NECA2	Nepeta cataria	0–34	–
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	0–34	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	0–34	–
	anemone	ANEMO	Anemone	0–34	–
Shrub/Vine
7	Shrubs			34–168
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	0–135	–
	prairie rose	ROAR3	Rosa arkansana	34–101	–
	willow	SALIX	Salix	0–67	–
	American plum	PRAM	Prunus americana	0–67	–
	Missouri gooseberry	RIMI	Ribes missouriense	0–67	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–34	–
	Saskatoon serviceberry	AMAL2	Amelanchier alnifolia	0–34	–
Tree
8	Trees			0–168
	Tree	2TREE	Tree	0–101	–
	green ash	FRPE	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	0–101	–
	plains cottonwood	PODEM	Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera	0–101	–
	peachleaf willow	SAAM2	Salix amygdaloides	0–67	–
	American elm	ULAM	Ulmus americana	0–34	–
	boxelder	ACNE2	Acer negundo	0–34	–

Table 11. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Warm-Season Grasses			0–77
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	0–77	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	0–52	–
2	Mid Cool-Season Grasses			26–129
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	26–129	–
3	Other Native Grasses			0–77
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–77	–
4	Grass-Likes			77–516
	common spikerush	ELPA3	Eleocharis palustris	26–258	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–129	–
	shortbeak sedge	CABR10	Carex brevior	0–26	–
5	Non-Native Grasses			516–1031
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	258–902	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	0–644	–
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	0–129	–
Forb
6	Forbs			129–516
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	26–258	–
	Canada thistle	CIAR4	Cirsium arvense	0–258	–
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	0–258	–
	cocklebur	XANTH2	Xanthium	0–206	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	26–129	–
	Canada goldenrod	SOCA6	Solidago canadensis	26–129	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	26–129	–
	dogbane	APOCY	Apocynum	26–103	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	26–103	–
	common dandelion	TAOF	Taraxacum officinale	26–103	–
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–77	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	0–77	–
	white prairie aster	SYFA	Symphyotrichum falcatum	26–52	–
	black medick	MELU	Medicago lupulina	0–52	–
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	0–52	–
Shrub/Vine
7	Shrubs			26–129
	prairie rose	ROAR3	Rosa arkansana	26–77	–
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	0–77	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–26	–
	Missouri gooseberry	RIMI	Ribes missouriense	0–26	–
Tree
8	Trees			0–103
	Tree	2TREE	Tree	0–103	–
	boxelder	ACNE2	Acer negundo	0–26	–
	green ash	FRPE	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	0–26	–
	plains cottonwood	PODEM	Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera	0–26	–
	peachleaf willow	SAAM2	Salix amygdaloides	0–26	–
	American elm	ULAM	Ulmus americana	0–26	–

Table 12. Community 4.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Warm-Season Grasses			45–179
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	45–179	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–90	–
	prairie cordgrass	SPPE	Spartina pectinata	0–45	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	0–45	–
2	Mid Cool-Season Grasses			45–224
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	45–224	–
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–135	–
	northern reedgrass	CASTI3	Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa	0–45	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	0–45	–
3	Other Native Grasses			0–179
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	0–135	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	0–90	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTRS	Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus	0–90	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–90	–
4	Grass-Likes			90–314
	Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	0–224	–
	common spikerush	ELPA3	Eleocharis palustris	45–179	–
	shortbeak sedge	CABR10	Carex brevior	0–135	–
	woolly sedge	CAPE42	Carex pellita	0–90	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–90	–
5	Non-Native Grasses			673–1345
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	224–1345	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	0–897	–
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	0–224	–
Forb
6	Forbs			224–673
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	0–448	–
	Canada thistle	CIAR4	Cirsium arvense	0–314	–
	Canada goldenrod	SOCA6	Solidago canadensis	45–224	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	45–179	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	45–179	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	45–179	–
	white prairie aster	SYFA	Symphyotrichum falcatum	45–135	–
	common dandelion	TAOF	Taraxacum officinale	45–135	–
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	45–135	–
	dogbane	APOCY	Apocynum	45–135	–
	Maximilian sunflower	HEMA2	Helianthus maximiliani	45–135	–
	sleepydaisy	XANTH	Xanthisma	0–90	–
	black medick	MELU	Medicago lupulina	0–90	–
	mint	MENTH	Mentha	45–90	–
	catnip	NECA2	Nepeta cataria	0–90	–
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	45–90	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	45–90	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	45–90	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	45–90	–
	downy gentian	GEPU5	Gentiana puberulenta	0–45	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	0–45	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	0–45	–
	meadow zizia	ZIAP	Zizia aptera	0–45	–
	wood lily	LIPH	Lilium philadelphicum	0–45	–
Shrub/Vine
7	Shrubs			224–673
	willow	SALIX	Salix	0–448	–
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	90–448	–
	American plum	PRAM	Prunus americana	45–269	–
	prairie rose	ROAR3	Rosa arkansana	45–224	–
	Missouri gooseberry	RIMI	Ribes missouriense	0–179	–
	chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	45–135	–
	false indigo bush	AMFR	Amorpha fruticosa	0–135	–
	redosier dogwood	COSE16	Cornus sericea	0–135	–
	Saskatoon serviceberry	AMAL2	Amelanchier alnifolia	0–90	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–45	–
Tree
8	Trees			90–897
	green ash	FRPE	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	90–448	–
	plains cottonwood	PODEM	Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera	45–448	–
	peachleaf willow	SAAM2	Salix amygdaloides	45–224	–
	Tree	2TREE	Tree	0–224	–
	boxelder	ACNE2	Acer negundo	0–224	–
	American elm	ULAM	Ulmus americana	0–90	–

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 not a principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic groups C and D, with localized areas in groups A and B. Infiltration varies from slow to moderate, and runoff potential varies from negligible to medium 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 short grasses 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

This site has potential for wood products from trees and shrubs.

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):
5% or less.
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None.
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None.
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
None.
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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 grasses >

Other:
Mid warm-season bunchgrasses = forbs = shrubs = trees > grass-likes

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):
Plant litter is in contact with soil surface.
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Representative value = 5000 lbs./ac air dry with a range of 4000 to 6000 lbs./ac 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, 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.

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Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site R053BY012ND

Subirrigated

Last updated: 1/11/2024 Accessed: 12/22/2024

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: 12/22/2024