Physiographic features

This site typically occurs in deep depressions on uplands – primarily till plains and moraines. A few occur on outwash plains. Parent materials are local alluvium or glaciofluvial deposits. Slope is less than 1 percent.

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 very poorly drained. Under average climatic conditions, it is inundated for very long periods (>30 days) during the growing season. Some soils in this site have endosaturation (apparent water table) and others have episaturation (perched water table above a subsoil layer with low or moderately low saturated hydraulic conductivity). Water tables in endosaturated soils typically range from 1.5 feet above to 6 inches below the surface during most of the growing season. The depth of ponding on episaturated soils, typically, is less than 3 feet in the spring and less than 1.5 feet in late summer. Surface water may not be evident in late summer; but saturation is generally within a depth of 18 inches during this time.

Water on the site is typically received from upland runoff; however, where organic soils occur, subsurface water flow sustains near-surface saturated conditions throughout the growing season. Surface infiltration ranges from very slow to very rapid. Permeability ranges from very slow to very rapid. These typically are flowthrough wetlands but can also be recharge wetlands. See Site Development and Testing plan for discussion of discharge wetlands.

Wetlands receive water from different sources including ground water movement. Recharge wetlands have groundwater flow predominantly away from the wetland moving toward or into a flowthrough or discharge wetland basin. Flowthrough wetlands have groundwater flowing away from the wetland basin but is balanced with water flowing into the basin. Surface and groundwater movement in Shallow Marsh ESDs can be influenced by various management practices.

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. 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 seasonal wetlands; however, during wetter than average climate cycles, these soils may have continuous, deep ponding throughout the growing season (or through multiple growing seasons).

Wetland description

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

Soil features

Soils associated with Shallow Marsh ES are primarily in the Mollisol order; however, a few Entisols and Histosols are also included. The Mollisols are classified further as Vertic Argiaquolls or Histic Endoaquolls. The Entisols (reclaimed mine lands) are classified further as Mollic Endoaquents and the Histosols are classified further as Terric Haplosaprists. These soils were developed under wetland vegetation associated with very long periods of inundation. They formed in local alluvium from till or glaciofluvial deposits. A few inches of organic materials are common on the surface of mineral soils that have never been cultivated. Histosols (soils with organic materials ranging from 8 inches to more than 3 feet thick) are not extensive.

The common feature of soils in this site is frequent seasonal inundation (typically extends into mid-summer or longer). They are in deep depressions that are ponded through most of the growing season. The soils are very deep and very poorly drained. The most common surface textures are silty clay loam, silt loam, and loam on the mineral soils and muck on the organic soils. However, since hydrology (surface and sub-surface) is the primary factor used in identifying this site, all textures are allowable in the site. Therefore, soil physical properties associated with texture may vary widely. Typically, the dark-colored surface soil is more than 7 inches thick and generally more than 20 inches thick.

Soil salinity is typically none to very slight (E.C. <4 dS/m). Sodicity is typically none or very low (SAR <1); but in reclaimed mine land soils, the SAR may be as high as 5 within a depth of 40 inches and significantly increase below that depth. Soil reaction typically is slightly acid to moderately alkaline (pH 6.1 to 8.4). The calcium carbonate content ranges from 0 to 15 percent.

The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers are non-restrictive to root penetration, but in some soils water movement downward is slowed. These soils are not susceptible to water erosion. Ponded water conditions strongly influence the soil/water/plant relationship.

The major soil series correlated to the Shallow Marsh site is Parnell. Also included are Markey and Eramosh soils which have surface organic materials greater than 8 inches thick and Dragline soils which are occur in areas of reclaimed coal mines.

Access Web Soil Survey (https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx) 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_Shallow_Marsh_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf

Shallow Marsh Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Shallow Marsh ecological sites are very poorly drained soils located in depressions and on floodplains (Riparian Complex ESDs). Associated ecological sites include Limy Subirrigated, Loamy Overflow, Saline Lowland, Loamy, Thin Loamy, and Wet Meadow. Shallow Marsh habitat features and components commonly support grassland-nesting birds, notably birds utilizing wetland vegetation habitats (such as Nelson’s and LeConte’s sparrow, sedge wren, and water and wading birds using uplands for nesting). 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. Shallow Marsh ecological sites support a diversity of invertebrates important in the diet of water birds.

Shallow Marsh ecological sites may be found in four 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 average precipitation or drought), water chemistry, fire, grazing, non-use, and other anthropogenic disturbances.

Restoration pathway from State 2.0 back to State 1.0 may occur. The dominant ecological driver for Restoration Pathway R2A is increased water levels above plant height causing plant mortality, downing out exotic forbs and grasses. However, maintenance and/or restoration of adjacent upland ecological sites is critical for full restoration of the Shallow Marsh ecological site to Reference.

Non-anthropogenic Community Phase, Transition, and Restoration Pathways rely predominantly on water regime, either increasing or decreasing water depth with associated saturation. While tillage is the main anthropogenic impact to Shallow Marsh ecological sites within MLRA 53B, heavy season- long grazing during a drawdown phase can cause saline soils, especially on discharge or flow- through sites. Degree of tillage and the length of time the site is tilled will have a significant impact on the ability of the site to follow Restoration Pathways R2A, R3A, R4A, and R4B. The longer the wetland is tilled, the fewer native wetland plant propagules are available to recolonize the wetland. Increased salinity due to tillage will also negatively impact restoration.

Native wildlife, dependent upon shallow wetlands found in the Shallow Marsh ecological site, generally benefit from the heterogeneous grasslands/graminoids found in Community Phases in States 1.0 and 2.0. Plant communities within States 1.0 and 2.0 are dependent upon long-term changes in precipitation and impacted by grazing intensity and frequency. 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.

State 1 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Normal Emergent Phase: Grasses/Sedges-Spikerushes-Bulrushes: This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wetland-associated wildlife; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase in State 1.0. Water level is the main ecological driver maintaining this plant community. However, this phase retains high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing with adequate recovery period as well as prescribed burning.

Invertebrates: Shallow Marsh 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. The structure provided by vegetated wetlands increases the abundance of aquatic invertebrates compared to less vegetated sites. Maximum invertebrate production occurs when emergent and submergent vegetation are interspersed.

Insects play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, wetland birds, and rodents. Early season pollinator plants are limited; however, a variety of forbs provide mid- to late-season pollen and nectar. Wet soil does not provide habitat for ground nesting pollinator species. This site does not provide habitat for Dakota skippers, regal fritillaries, or monarch butterflies. Depending on forb species composition, this site may be visited for nectar.

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, waterfowl, and other water birds). This site provides waterfowl pair bonding sites, excellent invertebrate food source for egg-laying water bird hens and water bird brood habitat. This plant community provides winter cover and escape for many upland birds. 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. In addition, it 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: This ecological site can provide habitat for the northern leopard frog, Canadian toad, and tiger salamander. Duration of surface water provides for successful egg laying and tadpole development.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site is directly associated with streams, rivers, or water bodies. As a seasonal wetland, it ponds water into mid-summer or longer. This site receives run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and provides hydrology to shallow ground water and other surface waterbodies. Management on Shallow Marsh sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-off sites, will have a direct effect on aquatic species within the site and in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Shallow Marsh sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to the adjacent aquatic ecosystems from State 1.0.

Community Phase 1.2 Open Water Phase: Submergent Vegetation-Buttercups: This plant community phase occurs during periods of increased water depth, usually associated with prolonged periods of above average precipitation. The increased ponded water depth favors submerged vegetation and may create a mosaic of vegetation in conjunction with Plant Community Phase 1.1 and 1.3. The forb community is limited to submerged vegetation with flowers borne just above the water surface.

Invertebrates: Invertebrate abundance and diversity will increase with submerged vegetation, while pollen and nectar sources for bees and butterflies is limited to mid- to late-season when flowers are borne on submerged vegetation above the water surface.

Birds: Dominated by submerged vegetation, this site provides high protein source for egg laying waterfowl hens. Dependent upon the duration of ponding into the growing season, the site will provide a quality protein source for waterfowl broods with escape cover when associated with Plant Community Phase 1.1. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors, especially northern harrier.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, this Plant Community Phase no longer provides thermal, protective, escape, and winter habitat for a big game animals and other small 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.

Community Phase 1.3 Drawdown Phase, Fresh: Grasses/Sedges-Spikerushes: This plant community occurs during the drawdown phase associated with prolonged periods of below average precipitation. The plant community is dominated by short- to mid-statured vegetation. This phase retains high functionality and, with average or above average precipitation via Community Phase Pathway 1.3A, will revert to Plant Community Phase 1.1.

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.

A diverse suite of aquatic invertebrates still occurs in this plant community phase; however, abundance is reduced due to loss of emergent vegetation. Rapid warming during spring snowmelt allows the invertebrate population to flourish.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, a shorter statured plant community favors bird species that prefer short- to mid-statured vegetation.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, the shorter statured vegetation limits thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, the lack of surface water does not provide the opportunity for successful egg-laying and tadpole development habitat.

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

Community Phase 1.4 Drawdown Phase, Brackish: Foxtail Barley/Spikerushes/Docks-Goosefoots: This plant community phase occurs during the drawdown phase caused by long-term, below average precipitation coupled with season-long grazing. Increased salinity occurs allowing grazing tolerant foxtail barley to become one of the dominant species in this plant community. Grazing tolerant spikerush species increase along with weedy native forbs (goosefoot/dock).

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: This plant community phase does not provide waterfowl brood habitat. Depending on spring moisture conditions, waterfowl may find abundant invertebrate populations during the breeding season. As the site draws down, wading bird habitat increases as shallow water increases and as taller vegetation is replaced with increasing amount of bare ground. Invertebrates remain abundant early in the growing season unless prolonged below average precipitation persists drying of the soil, reducing invertebrate abundance and diversity.

Mammals: A shift to short-grass species, drier soil conditions, and increased salinity 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. Foraging opportunities for raccoon, skunks, coyotes, and other mammals becomes limited.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Loss of surface water and increased salinity reduces habitat for amphibians and reptiles. Tiger salamander habitat is lost while saline soils are not favored by frogs and toad species.

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

State 2 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.: Normal Emergent Phase: Grasses/Sedges-Spikerushes-Bulrushes/Exotics: This transition from the State 1: Reference State to State 2: Native/Invaded State results from the colonization and establishment of exotic plants, often exotic strains/hybrids of reed canarygrass. Exotic forbs that may occur include the hybrid cattail (cross between narrowleaf and broadleaf cattail), Canada thistle, and purple loosestrife.

Heavy season-long grazing, prolonged periods of no use and no fire, and a decrease in the water regime of the site are often involved with this transition. Excessive litter accumulation provides conditions favorable to exotic strains and/or hybrids of reed canarygrass and/or cattails which can quickly spread to form virtual monocultures. As a result, the transition to State 3: Invaded State can be expected. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Plant Community 1.1. Managers should consider management within the State 2.0 Community Phase Pathways to avoid transitioning to State 3.0.

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.

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

Community Phase 2.2 Drawdown Phase, Brackish: Foxtail Barley/Spikerushes/Exotics: This plant community phase occurs with heavy season-long grazing combined with a drawdown phase and increased salinity. Grazing- and salt- tolerant foxtail barley and assorted forbs dominate the site while wheat sedge and other native grasses decline.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.4. Heavy season-long grazing and saline soils do 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. These annual forbs do not provide pollen and nectar resources at the same high level as native forbs provide. 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 1.4. Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.4.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.4.

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

Community Phase 2.3 Drawdown Phase, Fresh: Spikerushes/Hybrid Cattail: This plant community phase occurs with heavy season-long grazing combined with a drawdown phase. This combination favors spikerushes and annual forbs.

Invertebrates: Heavy season-long grazing, coupled with reduced to no ponding, favors annual forbs and spikerushes limiting pollen and nectar resources for bees and other pollinating insects. These annual forbs do not provide pollen and nectar resources at the same high level as native forbs provide. 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 until the site is inundated again.

Birds: This shorter, drier plant community reduces or eliminates nesting, brooding, or feeding opportunities for waterfowl and other water birds.

Mammals: Short spikerushes and annual forbs provide limited resources for mammals of all sizes.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3.

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

State 3 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1 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. Monotypic stands of hybrid cattail generally develop and out-compete other grasses, graminoids or forbs. Mechanical treatment, sediment removal, prescribed burning, reseeding, and buffer reestablishment may all be needed to restore this site to State 1.0 (via Restoration Pathway R3A) or State 2.0 via Restoration Pathway R3B. Extended periods of above average precipitation along with mechanical treatment, sediment removal, prescribed burning, and reseeding (via Restoration Pathway R3A or R3B) can move this plant community back to State 1.0 or 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, marsh wren, and yellow rail favor this plant community. American bittern may use this site. Yellow-headed and red-winged black birds use cattail dominated wetlands for roosting, especially in late summer and early fall prior to migration. This plant community can provide winter cover for ring-necked pheasants when located near a winter food source. Restoration efforts, including prescribed grazing, can reduce hybrid cattail and reed canary grass - increasing open water and providing 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. 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.

State 4 Go-Back State

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 and dependent upon water depth and length of time the wetland has been in crop production contributing to eutrophication and sedimentation of wetland basin. Hybrid cattail, Canada thistle, field sowthistle, other annual weeds (dock, smartweed, barnyard grass, etc.), quackgrass, foxtail barley, slough grass, and pioneering spikerush species are typical pioneer species. 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 weeds offers thermal cover and seeds throughout winter. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon ponded water depth, 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 restoration of native species along Transition Pathway R4A 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 along Transition Pathway R4B will result in State 3.0.

Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations
Note: When interpreting plant production regarding stocking rate, several things must be taken into consideration. Annual production is highly variable and subject to wide fluctuations, palatability is generally low, seasonally quite variable, and access to the forage can be limited due to water levels. As a result, caution must be exercised so that the stocking rate is realistic based on an inventory or a reasonable estimate of usable forage. 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 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 accessable range shows grazing. Little or no use of poor forage. Little evidence of trailing to grazing.

Full 40-60 All fully accessable 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 groups A/D, B/D, or C/D depending upon soil texture. Infiltration varies from very slow to very rapid; runoff potential for this site is none to negligible.

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 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 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

No appreciable wood products are 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 range of landforms and soil textures (and associated properties) and their relationship to hydrology/plant dynamics.
• Further investigation may be needed on areas of this site associated with drainageways and flood plains (Rauville soils, etc). Linear Meadow, an ecological site, used in South Dakota may need further investigation, as well.
• Further investigation is needed on soils formed in organic materials. Two Histosols are currently included in the Shallow Marsh. Due to the uniqueness of organic soils and associated plants in the prairie pothole region, a separate ecological site should be considered for these soils (even though they are not extensive). MLRA map units needing investigation are:
 Markey muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes (map unit 2pwf4)
• Further investigation is needed on the influence of water chemistry on the soil/water/plant dynamics of this site. Currently wetlands with fresh water and those with brackish water are both included in the Shallow Marsh site. During the drawdown phase, in particular, the chemistry of both water and soil will likely significantly impact the plant community. Extensive cultivation of the surrounding uplands contributes to more runoff into these wetlands now than under prairie conditions. In addition, periodic cultivation of the wetland soils likely has altered soil structure significantly – slowing infiltration. A separate ecological site may be needed to adequately address the brackish water/discharge wetland areas included in this site.
• Further investigation is needed on soils with nearly continuous, deep ponding (Southam series). The hydrology and plant community on this site is likely not well-represented by the Shallow Marsh site. A Deep Marsh ecological site may need to be developed.
• 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 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 There are 3 components (1 major) of Southam and 1 major component each of Markey and Southam that are currently Not assigned; these need to be relinked to Shallow Marsh.
o Five minor components of Lowe, frequently ponded (very poorly drained) need to be relinked from Wet Meadow to Shallow Marsh.
o Two components of Manfred, frequently ponded (very poorly drained) need to be relinked from Saline Lowland to Shallow Marsh.
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

Stan Boltz/Jeff Printz
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;
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;
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