Physiographic features

This site typically occurs in depressions and low-lying flats on uplands – till plains, lake plains, collapsed ice- walled lakebeds, outwash plains, and sand plains; it also occurs in drainageways, on concave areas of flood plains, and on lake beaches. The parent materials vary widely. Slope is 3 percent or less.

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

This site is poorly drained. Many areas of this site receive additional water as surface runoff from adjacent uplands. Under average climatic conditions, the soils in depressions are frequently ponded in April and May and occasionally ponded in June. Depth of ponding typically is less than 1.5 feet during these months. In mid and late summer, ponded water commonly is not evident except after heavy rains. Ponding, commonly, is rare on flats but if adjacent to depressions, it may be occasional. Where present, ponding is less than 1/2 foot deep and of brief duration. Soils in this site occurring on flood plains have rare, brief to frequent, long flooding. On lake beaches, periodic inundation occurs with fluctuating lake levels.

When not ponded, a seasonal high-water table typically fluctuates with precipitation events between the surface and a depth of 1.5 feet during the months of April through June. In most soils, it is within a depth 3.5 feet through the remainder of the growing season; however, in a few soils it may be as deep as 5 feet in mid- summer. Some of the soils in this site have endosaturation (apparent water table) and some have episaturation (perched water table above a subsoil layer with slow to moderately slow saturated permeability).

Wetlands receive water from different sources including ground water movement. Recharge wetlands (Wet Meadow) have groundwater flow predominantly away from the wetland moving toward or into a discharge wetland basin. Flowthrough wetlands have groundwater flowing away from the wetland basin but is balanced with water flowing into the basin.

Due to the potential high rate of surface evaporation, areas of this site without frequent ponding are at risk of becoming saline (Saline Lowland) if vegetative cover is reduced or removed.

Water loss is primarily through evapotranspiration and lateral movement into (and evaporation from) adjacent soils. During periods of drought or extreme wetness, water table fluctuations will also have an impact on depth of ponding, especially in sandy soils. During periods of drawdown (e.g., prolonged drought), soil and water chemistry may significantly impact the soil/water/vegetation dynamics of the site (see Site Development and Testing Plan).

Fluctuations in specific conductance are less pronounced during average or normal water conditions than during periods of excessive water depth or extreme drought. The approximate normal and extreme range in specific conductance (micromhos/cm3) of surface water in plant communities that are indicators of differences in average salinity are as follows:

Plant Community Normal Range (micromhos/cm3) Electroconductivity (dS/m)
Fresh <40 - 500 0.5
Slightly brackish 500 - 2,000 0.5 to 2.0
Moderately brackish 2,000 - 5,000 2.1 to 5.0
Brackish 5,000 - 15,000 5.1 to 15.0
Sub-saline 15,000 - 45,000 15.1 to 45.0
Saline 45,000 -100,000 > 45.0

These depressions are considered temporary wetlands; however, during wetter than normal climate cycles, these soils may have seasonal ponding.

Wetland description

Wetland Description: System Subsystem Class Sub-class Water Regime
Cowardin, et. al., 1979 Palustrine N/A Emergent Persistent Temporary/Saturated

Soil features

Soils associated with Wet Meadow ES are in the Mollisol, Entisol, and Vertisol orders. The Mollisols are classified further as Argiaquic Argialbolls, Typic Calciaquolls, Typic Endoaquolls, and Cumulic Endoaquolls. The Entisols are classified further as Vertic Fluvaquents and Typic Psammaquents. The Vertisols are further classified as Typic Calciaquerts, Typic Endoaquerts, and Typic Epiaquerts. These soils were developed under wetland vegetation. They formed in till, glaciolacustrine sediments, glaciofluvial deposits, eolian deposits, local alluvium from till, or in flood plain alluvium; some formed in beach deposits.

The common feature of soils in this site are inundation or near-surface saturation in the early part of the growing season. The soils are very deep and poorly drained. Some are in depressions and potholes that are ponded in April and May; some are on low-flying flats which have prolonged saturation in the spring; and some are on flood plains with frequent, brief or long flooding. The ecological site includes poorly drained soils on lake beaches. Since hydrology (surface and sub-surface) 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 to slight (E.C. <8 dS/m) to a depth of >20 inches; in many soils it increases to moderate (E.C. 8-16 dS/m) in the lower subsoil and substratum. Sodicity is none or slight in the upper part of the soil (SAR <5); it is none to moderate in the substratum (SAR <7). Soil reaction typically is slightly acid to moderately alkaline (pH 6.1 to 8.4). The calcium carbonate content is none to high.

The soil surface is stable and intact. In some soils, sub-surface layers are non-restrictive to water movement; in other soils a layer of clay accumulation slows water movement and prolongs surface ponding. The soil/water/plant relationship is strongly influenced by ponded/and or saturated conditions.

Major soil series correlated to the Wet Meadow site are Arveson, Borup, Colvin, Fargo, Fossum, Grano, Hegne, Lowe, Ludden, Marysland, Minnewaukan, Regan, Tiffany, Tonka, and Vallers. Also included in areas of reclaimed coal mines is the Dragline series.

Access Web Soil Survey (https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/) for specific local soils information.

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 positive and negative, 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, click on the hyperlink:
https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/ND/53B_Wet_Meadow_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf

Wet Meadow Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Wet Meadow ecological sites are poorly drained soils located primarily in depressions and on floodplains. Associated ecological sites include Clayey, Closed Depression, Limy Subirrigated, Loamy Overflow, Saline Lowland, Loamy, and Shallow Marsh. This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge-sensitive grassland bird species preferring short- to tall-statured vegetation.

Wet Meadow habitat features and components commonly support grassland-nesting birds, notably birds utilizing wetland vegetation habitats (such as Nelson’s and LeConte’s sparrow) and sedge wren. Sharp-tailed grouse use this site for wintering and escape cover. 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. When dominated by trees such as Plains cottonwood or quaking aspen, these sites provide quality food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for white-tailed deer, elk, and moose.

Wet Meadow ecological sites may be found in seven plant community states within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases exist within this ecological site dependent upon water levels, saturation, water and soil chemistry, and management. Today, these states occur primarily in response to precipitation (extended periods of above normal precipitation or drought), water chemistry, fire, grazing, non-use (lack of management), 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 Transitional Pathways to invaded plant communities of other States. Native wildlife, dependent upon shallow wetlands as found in the Wet Meadow ecological site, generally benefit from the heterogeneous grasslands/graminoids found in Community Phases in States 1.0 and 2.0. Plant communities within State 2.0 are dependent upon long-term changes in precipitation (compounded by grazing intensity and frequency). The transition to wetter or drier conditions results in a plant community that is either taller in stature (wetter conditions), such as Plant Community Phase 2.1 Sedges/Prairie Cordgrass, or shorter in stature (drier conditions), such as 2.3 Foxtail Barley/Mountain Rush-Spikerushes/Bare Ground.

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.

Hydrological manipulation (surface or tile drainage, pumping, surface water diversion, etc.) modifies this ecological site’s functions, having a significant negative impact to wetland dependent wildlife (such as invertebrates, amphibians, and water birds). Without restoring hydrologic function (which may include range planting), managers need to reference state and transition models within those sites. Hydrology will need to be fully restored in Wet Meadow and Shallow Marsh ecological sites for these sites to properly function. It is recommended that managers review the appropriate State and Transition Models prior to wetland restoration.

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Sedges/Prairie Cordgrass: This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wetland wildlife; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This 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 wetland bird species sensitive to woody vegetation.

Invertebrates: Insects play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, wetland birds, and rodents. This plant community contains a variety of forbs providing season-long pollen and nectar. However, due to wet soils, ground nesting pollinator species do not prefer this site. Dakota skippers, regal fritillaries, or monarch butterflies will use this site when swamp milkweed, New England aster, or goldenrods occupy this site.

Wet Meadow ecological sites provide habitat for a diverse suite of aquatic invertebrates providing an important trophic link between macrophytes and vertebrates that depend upon them as food. Rapid warming during spring snowmelt allows the invertebrate population to flourish. The vegetative structure provided by shallow; vegetated wetlands increase the abundance of aquatic invertebrates compared to less vegetated sites.

Birds: This plant community provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by mid- to tallgrass-nesting birds especially those species preferring wetter (hydric) habitats (such as Nelson’s sparrow, black tern, northern harrier, sedge wren, American avocet, Wilson’s phalarope, etc.). This site provides waterfowl pair bonding sites, early season invertebrate food sources, and early season shorebird habitat. The rapid warming during spring snowmelt provides water birds an abundant invertebrate protein source for egg laying. 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 or nesting habitat. However, it does provide winter cover and escape habitat, as well as brood-rearing habitat. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors, especially northern harrier.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including arctic and pygmy shrew, rodents, jackrabbits, white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. Tall- to mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores. In addition, it provides foraging opportunities for raccoon, skunks, coyotes and other mammals that use wetlands and wetland edges for food resources.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site can provide habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad. Dependent upon the duration of surface water, this site may provide breeding habitat. Successful egg-laying and tadpole development habitat is dependent upon depth and duration of ponded water.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site can be directly associated with streams, rivers, or water bodies. This site receives run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and provides hydrology to shallow ground water and other surface waterbodies. Management on Wet Meadow sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-off sites, will have a direct effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Wet Meadow sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to the adjacent aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2 Fowl Bluegrass/Spikerushes-Mountain Rush/Forbs: This plant community phase occurs during periods of below normal precipitation, lowering the water table. The lower water table allows the plant community to shift towards upland species (such as switchgrass and mid- statured grass-likes, mountain rush, and spike rushes). The forb community remains robust favoring pollinator insects. This plant community provides a quality food source for grassland nesting birds.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, drying of the soil during periods of prolonged, below normal precipitation allows for an increase in forbs, providing increased pollen and nectar sources and increased bare ground for ground-nesting insects. The diverse suite of aquatic invertebrates found in Community Phase 1.1 is reduced and may only be found in spring during periods of snowmelt runoff.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, decreased surface water reduces invertebrate production and use by waterfowl and shorebirds. The drying of the soil during periods of prolonged, below normal precipitation provides additional opportunities for grassland nesting birds that use mid-to tall-statured herbaceous vegetation found in a mesic vs. hydric habitats.

Mammals: A mix of wetland and tall-statured vegetation provides quality thermal, protective, escape, and winter habitat for a big game animals and other small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Drying of the soil during periods of prolonged, below normal precipitation removes saturated soil and/or ponded water. Use by northern leopard frog and Canadian toad will decrease. This plant community may provide foraging but breeding habitat will be lost for egg-laying and tadpole development without ponded water.

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

2.0 Native Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Sedges/Prairie Cordgrass: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1 due to changes in management and the presence of non-native species (such as reed canarygrass, redtop, Kentucky bluegrass, field sowthistle, and Canada thistle). This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Plant Community 1.1 with a wide array of forbs providing nectar and pollen sources for pollinating species. Managers should consider management within the State 2.0 Community Phase Pathways to avoid transitioning to other states within this ecological site.

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.

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

Community Phase 2.2 Fowl Bluegrass/Spikerushes-Mountain Rush/Forbs: This plant community phase occurs with heavy season-long grazing coupled with periods of below normal precipitation lowering the water table. Grazing tolerant rush and spikerush species increase while prairie cordgrass and sedges decline.

Invertebrates: Heavy season-long grazing does not allow flowering plants to recover, limiting pollen and nectar resources for bees and other pollinating insects. In addition, a shift from perennial to annual forbs reduces season-long pollen and nectar sources for pollinating insect species.

Prolonged periods of reduced precipitation favor ground nesting pollinators; however, increased compaction from mechanical impacts or increased livestock presence negatively impacts ground nesting pollinator opportunities. This shift to drier soil conditions reduces or eliminates aquatic invertebrates.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2. In addition, the drying of the soil during periods of prolonged, below normal precipitation provides additional opportunities for grassland nesting birds that use mid-to short-statured herbaceous vegetation found in a mesic vs. hydric habitats.

Mammals: A shift to mid- to short-grass species and drier soil conditions reduces habitat for large mammals, such as white-tailed deer, while still providing vegetative cover for small mammals. Thermal, escape, and winter cover becomes limited for larger ungulates.

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

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

2.3 Foxtail Barley/Mountain Rush-Spikerushes/Bare Ground: This plant community phase occurs with heavy season-long grazing, coupled with periods of below normal precipitation, lowering the water table with increasing salinity. Grazing tolerant foxtail barley begins to dominate the site. Grazing tolerant rush and spikerush species increase along with bare ground.

Invertebrates: Pollinator friendly forbs decrease as salinity and foxtail barley increase, limiting pollen and nectar availability. Bare ground increases but few ground nesting species, if any within MLRA 53B, use saline soils for nesting sites. This shift to drier soil conditions reduces or eliminates aquatic invertebrates.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. In addition, the drying of the soil during periods of prolonged, below normal precipitation provides additional opportunities for grassland nesting birds that use short-statured herbaceous vegetation found in a mesic vs. hydric habitats.

Mammals: A shift to short-grass species and drier soil conditions reduces habitat for large mammals, such as white-tailed deer, while still providing vegetative cover for small mammals. Thermal, escape, and winter cover is no longer provided for larger ungulates
.
Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

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

3.0 Wooded State

Community Phase 3.1 Trees/Shrubs: The elimination of fire or mechanical disturbance, via Transitional Pathway T2A, allow for sandbar and Bebb willow species to dominate this site. Shade tolerant sedges and rushes dominate the shrub understory. Trees, such as Plains cottonwood or quaking aspen, may also occupy the site - particularly as a ring of trees at the margins of wetlands. Restoration to State 2.0 via Restoration Pathway R3A requires a combination of mechanical and herbicide application coupled with repeated prescribed burns.

Invertebrates: The invasion of woody vegetation reduces habitat for pollinator insects within MLRA 53B. Season-long pollen and nectar availability is limited on this site due to an understory of sedges and rushes. However, willow species provide an early season pollen source for native and honeybees. Overall, pollinator plant diversity is low, limiting season-long nectar and pollen production.

Birds: Dependent upon degree of invasion by willow and trees, grassland nesting birds sensitive to woody vegetation encroachment will discontinue use of this community phase. Shrub tolerant grassland birds may continue to use this site. Willow and quaking aspen species provide thermal and escape cover for year-long residents. Willow thickets provide habitat for brown-headed cowbirds, increasing nest parasitism on adjacent grassland nesting bird communities.

Mammals: Shrubs/trees will provide increased year-round cover for white-tailed deer, moose, and elk. Mammals, such as porcupines, that prefer woody habitat will use this site.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Willow species should not impact use of this ecological site by the Canadian Toad.

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

4.0 Invaded Saline State

Community Phase 4.1 Foxtail Barley/Exotic Grasses/Exotic Forbs: This plant community phase occurs during periods of below normal precipitation lowering the water table and increasing salinity. Coupled with increased animal impact, disturbance-tolerant non-native species (such as foxtail barley, quackgrass, Canada thistle, and field sowthistle) dominate this plant community phase. Foxtail barley will dominate with increased salinity. Extended periods of above normal precipitation along Restoration Pathway R4A can move this plant community back to State 2.0.

Invertebrates: Canada thistle and field sowthistle provide mid- to late-season pollen. This plant community has a low diversity with limited early- to mid-season forbs. Bare ground increases but few ground nesting species, if any within MLRA 53B, use saline soils for nesting sites. This shift to drier soil conditions reduces or eliminates aquatic invertebrates.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 2.3. Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 2.2.

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

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

5.0 Invaded/Fresh Water State

Community Phase 5.1 Exotic Grasses/Exotic Forbs/Sedges/Rushes: This plant community phase occurs during periods of below normal precipitation lowering the water table with water chemistry remaining fresh. Coupled with increased animal impact, disturbance-tolerant non-native species (such as quackgrass, Canada thistle, and field sowthistle) dominate this plant community phase. Foxtail barley will not dominate the site unless water chemistry increases in salinity. Extended periods of above normal precipitation along Restoration Pathway R5A can move this plant community back to State 2.0.

Invertebrates: Canada thistle and field sowthistle provide mid- to late-season pollen. This plant community has a low diversity with limited early- to mid-season forbs. Bare ground increases for ground nesting species. This shift to drier soil conditions reduces or eliminates aquatic invertebrates.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 2.2. Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 2.2.

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

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

6.0 Invaded/Eutrophication State

Community Phase 6.1 Hybrid Cattail or Reed Canarygrass: Eutrophication and sedimentation of the site, often due to tillage on or adjacent to the site, transitions this plant community to one dominated by hybrid cattails or exotic strains/hybrids of reed canarygrass. Hybrid cattail or reed canary grass generally develop into monotypic stands (out-competing other grasses), graminoids or forbs. Extended periods of above normal precipitation along with mechanical treatment, sediment removal, prescribed burning, and reseeding via Restoration Pathway R6A can move this plant community back to State 2.0.

Invertebrates: Saturated to ponded soils favor aquatic invertebrates. Monotypic stands of hybrid cattail or reed canarygrass limit forb species, providing a decrease in pollen and nectar sources for insects. Restoration efforts, including prescribed grazing, can reduce hybrid cattail and reed canarygrass while increasing forb diversity. The initial flush of forbs may be Canada thistle and field sowthistle resulting from restoration efforts, especially prescribed grazing.

Birds: Monotypic stands of hybrid cattail or reed canarygrass reduce water bird use. LeConte’s and Nelson’s sparrow and yellow rail favor this plant community. American bittern may use this site. Restoration efforts, including prescribed grazing, can reduce hybrid cattail and reed canary grass; this increases open water which provides foraging and breeding habitat for dabbling ducks and shore birds including a quality food source of aquatic invertebrates.

Mammals: Monotypic stands of hybrid cattail or reed canarygrass provide winter cover for large herbivores including white-tailed deer and moose. Depending on degree of ponding or saturation, this plant community may provide season-long escape cover for white-tailed deer. This plant community provides foraging opportunities for raccoon, skunks, coyotes and other mammals that use wetlands and wetland edges for food resources. Tall- to mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores.

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

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

7.0 Go-Back State

Community Phase 7.1 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, but will consist of Canada thistle, field sowthistle, other annual weeds (dock, smartweed, barnyard grass, etc.), quackgrass, foxtail barley, slough grass, and pioneering spikerush species. Weedy plants can provide pollinator habitat along with spring and summer cover for many mammals, birds, and their young. Dense weed cover can keep soils moist, increasing insect presence. Tall stature provided by some weeds offers thermal cover and seeds throughout winter. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon plant community composition, vegetative stature, patch size, and management activities (such as wetland restoration, sediment removal, prescribed grazing, burning, inter-seeding, haying, or noxious weed control).

Successful wetland restoration and planting of native species along Transition Pathway R7A can result in a native grass and forb community in State 2.0. Management activities within State 2.0 are needed to avoid a transition out of State 2.0. Unsuccessful wetland restoration or unsuccessful native forb and grass planting may lead to States 4.0, 5.0 or 6.0 dependent upon site hydrological modifications and restoration, salinity, and other site related issues.

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 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 the 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 year’s 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

Under unaltered hydrologic conditions, the site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group D; where significantly impacted by drainage practices, these soils are in group A/D, B/D, or C/D depending upon soil texture. Infiltration varies from slow to rapid; runoff potential varies from negligible to medium for this site depending on surface and subsoil texture, slope shape, 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).

Hydrological manipulation (surface or tile drainage, pumping, surface water diversion, etc.) modifies this ecological site. Under natural conditions, this ecological site includes a wide range of soil textures; after hydrologic manipulation, soil texture often becomes a more significant factor in vegetative response. If the degree of manipulation allows soil texture to influence the plant community or if altered soil properties (i.e., salinization or the addition of sediment or fill material) results in vegetation change, a transition to a completely different ecological site may have occurred. The transition to an altogether different ecological site will depend upon severity of altered hydrology, soil properties, and corresponding vegetation. Due to the many variables (e.g., hydrology, success and type of drainage, etc.), impacts to the ecological site will be site-specific. As a result, each situation will require field investigation to determine what, if any, change in ecological site designation is necessary and proceed accordingly.

Without restoring hydrologic function (which may include range planting), managers need to reference state and transition models within those sites. Hydrology will need to be fully restored in Wet Meadow and Shallow Marsh ecological sites for these sites to properly function. It is recommended that managers review the appropriate State and Transition Models prior to wetland restoration.

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 include 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 landforms and soil textures (and associated properties) and their relationship to hydrology/plant dynamics.
• 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, most of this data is from areas of Typic Calciaquolls; a unique, provisional ESD (Limy Wet Meadow) has been proposed for these highly calcareous soils. Vegetative data for non-calcareous soils in Wet Meadow needs review and more data likely needs to be collected. 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.
• Further investigation is needed on areas of this site associated with flood plains. Ludden soils occur on flood plains of the rivers. Lowe soils occur in upland drainageways. The impact of occasional or frequent flooding on these areas needs evaluation. MLRA map units needing investigation are:
 Ludden silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded (map unit 2q77b)
 Lowe loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded (map unit 2qyg5)
• Further investigation of areas of this site occurs on lake beaches. Minnewaukan soils are periodically inundated for extended periods. The MLRA map unit needing investigation is:
 Minnewaukan-Stirum complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes (map unit 2q4x9)
• Further evaluation is recommended on soils in areas of reclaimed coal mines that are assigned to the Wet Meadow ecological site. This soil series is Dragline. Since this soil is reclaimed, range plantings should be periodically revisited to see what species establish and become dominant. The MLRA map unit needing investigation is:
 Dragline loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes (map unit 2xfnq)
• 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.
• 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 There are 10 components currently linked to Linear Meadow; this ES has been discontinued for use in MLRA 53B. Soil series include Arveson, Colvin, Dimmick, and Dovray; these need review and relinking. Some should be Wet Meadow and some Shallow Marsh.
o Five minor components of Lowe, frequently ponded (very poorly drained) need to be relinked from Wet Meadow to Shallow Marsh.
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 One minor component of Lallie in a channeled unit should probably be relinked from Wet Meadow to Riparian Complex.
o Five minor components of Lowe, very poorly drained, frequently ponded need to be relinked from Wet Meadow to Shallow Marsh.
o Five components (2 major) of Regan, very poorly drained need to be relinked from Wet Meadow to Shallow Marsh.

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.

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Contributors

Jeff Printz/Stan Boltz
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.
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