Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R054XY027ND
Sandy Claypan
Accessed: 12/21/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
Classification relationships
Level IV Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States: 43a – Missouri Plateau.
Associated sites
| R054XY025ND |
Sands |
|---|---|
| R054XY026ND |
Sandy |
| R054XY033ND |
Thin Claypan |
Similar sites
| R054XY025ND |
Sands [Does not receive additional moisture. Found on dry uplands, upslope from sandy terraces or loamy overflow sites, down slope from limy sands or shallow sandy sites. Similar landscape position as loamy, sandy, and clayey sites. Won’t form a ribbon; indicator species are sand bluestem and prairie sandreed evenly mixed, some Canada wildrye, penstemon, and leadplant and western snowberry. This site doesn’t have dense sodic subsoil below 6 inches with salts below 16 inches, far less western wheatgrass, blue grama, more prairie sandreed, and sand bluestem, more production.] |
|---|---|
| R054XY021ND |
Claypan [Well drained soils on uplands or terraces that don’t receive extra moisture with a dense sodic subsoil below 6 inches with salts below 16 inches. Indicator species are western wheatgrass with an understory of blue grama, heath aster, and western yarrow along with a few shrubs of fringed sagewort and Nuttall’s Saltbush. This site has less production, no prairie sandreed and little threadleaf sedge, more blue grama and Sandberg’s bluegrass, soil texture is finer but with similar sodic subsoils layer.] |
| R054XY042ND |
Sandy Terrace [Well drained soils on a river or stream terrace in a position that will flood occasionally (once in ten years) with no apparent water table. Indicator species are prairie sandreed evenly mixed with sand bluestem, some Canada wildrye, penstemon, and leadplant and/or western snowberry, and with possible trees. This site doesn’t have dense sodic subsoil below 6 inches with salts below 16 inches, far less western wheatgrass, blue grama, more prairie sandreed, and sand bluestem, with more silver sagebrush and/or western snowberry and sporadic trees, more production.] |
| R054XY026ND |
Sandy [Does not receive additional moisture. Found on dry uplands upslope from sandy terraces or loamy overflow sites, down slope from limy sands or shallow sandy sites. Similar landscape position as loamy, sands, clayey sites; will ribbon up to 1 inches. Indicator species are prairie sandreed with western wheatgrass and green needlegrass intermixed. This site doesn’t have dense sodic subsoil below 6 inches with salts below 16 inches, far less western wheatgrass, blue grama, more prairie sandreed, and sand bluestem, more production.] |
| R054XY043ND |
Shallow Sandy [Some what excessively well drained soils more than 10 less than 20 inches to sedimentary sandstone bedrock and/or gravels that restricts root penetration. Surface layer will ribbon less than 1 inch unless above gravels than more than 1 but less than 2 inches. Upslope from thin loamy, limy sands, sands or sandy sites and some times down slope form very shallow ecological sites. Indicator species: little bluestem, prairie sandreed, sand bluestem, and needle grasses, with dotted gayfeather, pasqueflower, purple coneflower and purple prairie clover, and shrubs like prairie rose and yucca. This site has less production, a limiting layer above 20 inches without a dense sodic subsoil below 6 inches with salts below 16 inches more little bluestem, plains muhly, sideoats grama, less western wheatgrass, usually different landscape positions.] |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pascopyrum smithii |
Physiographic features
This site occurs on nearly level to rolling sedimentary uplands.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Terrace
(2) Alluvial fan (3) Hill |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 1,600 – 3,600 ft |
| Slope | 9% |
| Water table depth | 48 – 72 in |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
MLRA 54 is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are characteristic. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains. The air masses move unobstructed across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.
Annual precipitation ranges from 14 to 18 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 42° F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 13° F (Beach, ND) to about 16° F (Bison, SD). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 69° F (Beach, ND) to about 72° F (Timber Lake, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 57° F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this MLRA's climate. Hourly winds are estimated to average about 11 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 13 miles per hour during the spring to about 10 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.
Growth of native cool-season plants begins in late March and continues to early to mid July. Native warm-season plants begin growth in mid May and continue to the end of August. Green up of cool-season plants can occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 136 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 157 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 18 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
No significant water features influence this site.
Soil features
The common features of soils in this site are the sandy loam to fine sandy loam textured subsoils and slopes of 0 to 9 percent. The soils in this site are moderately well to well drained and formed in soft sandstone or alluvium. The loamy fine sand to fine sandy loam surface layer is 5 to 13 inches thick. The soils have a moderate infiltration rate. This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas or pedestalled plants. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance or discontinuous with numerous debris dams or vegetative barriers. The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers are restrictive to water movement and root penetration.
These soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases on slopes greater than about 6 percent. Loss of the soil surface layer can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.
Major soil series correlated to this ecological site can be found in Section II of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office Technical Guide or the following web sites:
North Dakota http://www.nd.nrcs.usda.gov/
South Dakota http://www.sd.nrcs.usda.gov/
Montana http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Fine sandy loam (2) Loamy fine sand (3) Sandy loam |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Moderately well drained to well drained |
| Permeability class | Slow to moderately slow |
| Soil depth | 6 – 20 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
2 – 5 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
10% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
8 – 12 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
4 – 25 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.1 – 9 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
10% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
5% |
Ecological dynamics
The site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, and included natural influence of large herbivores and occasional fire. Changes will occur in the plant communities due to climatic conditions and/or management actions. Due to the nature of the soils, the site is considered quite fragile. Under continued adverse impacts, a rapid decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments the site can slowly return to the Reference Plant Community.
The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Reference Plant Community. The Reference Plant Community has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance, and areas under long-term rotational grazing regimes. Trends in plant community dynamics ranging from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts also have been used. Subclimax plant communities, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds have been determined through similar studies and experience.
Continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods following each grazing occurrence over several years causes this site to depart from the Reference Plant Community. Species such as western wheatgrass, blue grama, sedges, cudweed sagewort, hairy golden aster, prairie coneflower, scurfpea and fringed sagewort will initially increase. Prairie sandreed, sand bluestem green needlegrass, false gromwell, vetch, penstemon and leadplant will decrease in frequency and production. In time, heavy continuous grazing will likely cause upland sedges and blue grama to dominate and pioneer perennials, annuals, and club moss (in its range) to increase. This plant community is relatively stable and the competitive advantage prevents other species from establishing. This plant community is less productive than the Reference Plant Community. Runoff increases and infiltration will decrease. Soil erosion will be minimal.
Extended periods of non-use and/or lack of fire will result in a plant community having high litter levels, which favors an increase in Kentucky bluegrass and/or smooth bromegrass, and in time, shrubs such as western snowberry and silver sagebrush will increase.
Due to a general invasion of exotic species (such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass) across the MLRA within this site, returning to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass/Tall Warm-Season Plant Community Phase may not be possible. Today, the 2.1 Blue Grama/Sedge/Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase most resembles the 1.1 Reference Plant Community Phase in appearance and function.
Following the state and transition diagram are narratives for each of the described states and community phases. These may not represent every possibility, but they are the most prevalent and repeatable states/community phases. The plant composition tables shown below have been developed from the best available knowledge at the time of this revision. As more data are collected, some of these community phases and/or states may be revised or removed, and new ones may be added. The main purpose for including the descriptions here is to capture the current knowledge and experience at the time of this revision.
State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
Ecosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference
The State narrative is under development.
Community 1.1
Western Wheatgrass/Tall Warm-Season
This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Reference Plant Community. This community evolved with grazing by large herbivores and occasional prairie fire. It is well suited for grazing by domestic livestock and can be found on areas that are properly managed with prescribed grazing that allows for proper utilization, changes in season of use and adequate recovery periods following each grazing event. The potential vegetation is about 82% grasses or grass-like plants, 10% forbs, and 8% shrubs. Cool-season and tall warm-season grasses dominate the plant community. The co-dominant grasses include western wheatgrass and prairie sandreed. Other grasses and grass-like plants occurring on the site include needleandthread, green needlegrass, blue grama, prairie junegrass and sedges. Significant forbs include stiff sunflower, false gromwell, silverleaf scurfpea, western yarrow and goldenrod. In many areas western snowberry is the principle shrub and occurs in patchy mosaic. In other areas, silver sagebrush is the dominant shrub and occurs more evenly dispersed across the site. Other shrubs include prairie rose, leadplant and fringed sagewort. This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle and energy flow are functioning properly. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. The diversity in plant species allows for high drought tolerance. Low available water capacity coupled with high accumulations of sodium and slow permeability strongly influences the soil-water-plant relationship.
Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 1290 | 1780 | 2265 |
| Forb | 95 | 150 | 205 |
| Shrub/Vine | 15 | 60 | 105 |
| Moss | 0 | 10 | 25 |
| Total | 1400 | 2000 | 2600 |
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5402, Missouri Slope, Native Grasslands, Cool/Warm-season Mix. Cool-season/warm-season dominant.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 21 | 40 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.2
Excessive Litter
This plant community develops after an extended period of 15 or more years of non-use by herbivores and exclusion of fire. This plant community is dispersed throughout the pasture, encircling spot grazed areas, and areas distant from water sources. This is a typical pattern found in properly stocked pastures grazed season-long. Plant litter accumulates in large amounts as this community develops. Litter buildup reduces plant vigor and density, and seedling recruitment declines. Eventually litter levels become abundant enough to crowd out living plants and reduce plant density. Annual and/or biennial forbs, annual grasses, and cryptogams commonly fill these interspaces. Due to a lack of tiller stimulation and sunlight, native bunchgrasses typically develop dead centers and native rhizomatous grasses are limited to small colonies. Heavy litter covers shorter understory species (i.e. short grasses and sedges) restricting their ability to capture adequate sunlight for photosynthesis. Vigor and diversity of native plants are reduced. Non-native grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, crested wheatgrass, smooth bromegrass and cheatgrass tend to dominant this plant community. Other grasses that may be present include western wheatgrass, needleandthread, green needlegrass and Sandberg bluegrass. The common forbs include sweetclover, green sagewort, cudweed sagewort and heath aster. Fringed sagewort, snowberry and/or silver sagebrush are the principal shrubs and tend to increase in density and cover. This plant community is resistant to change without prescribed grazing or fire. The combination of both grazing and fire is most effective in moving this plant community towards the Reference Plant Community. Soil erosion is low. Compared to the Reference Plant Community, infiltration is reduced to the lower root zone. Runoff is similar to the Reference Plant Community. This plant community tends to be moisture loving and usually tends to utilize the spring moisture quickly causing forage base to become dry and not very palatable early in the summer. Once this plant community is reached, time and external resources will be needed to see any immediate recovery in the diversity of the site.
Figure 6. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 940 | 1436 | 1930 |
| Forb | 80 | 128 | 175 |
| Shrub/Vine | 80 | 128 | 175 |
| Moss | 0 | 8 | 20 |
| Total | 1100 | 1700 | 2300 |
Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5406, Missouri Slope, Introduced Cool-season Grasses. Introduced cool-season grasses.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 35 | 35 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Non-use and no fire for extended periods of time will convert this plant community to the Excessive Litter Plant Community.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1
With prescribed grazing and/or prescribed burning, this plant community will move toward the Western Wheatgrass/Tall Warm-Season Plant Community. This would require long-term management with prescribed grazing and/or prescribed burning under controlled conditions.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Grazing |
State 2
Shortgrass
The State narrative is under development.
Community 2.1
Blue Grama/ Sedge/Western Wheatgrass
This plant community can quickly develop from the adverse effects of heavy, continuous grazing and/or annual, early spring seasonal grazing. Annual grazing too early in the spring depletes stored carbohydrates, resulting in weakening and eventual death of the cool season mid-grasses. Short grasses and grass-likes and forbs increase to dominate the site and annual production decreases dramatically. Lack of litter and reduced plant vigor result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evapotranspiration, which gives blue grama and sedges a competitive advantage over cool season mid-grasses. This plant community can occur throughout the pasture, on spot grazed areas, and around water sources where season-long grazing patterns occur. Blue grama, sedges and western wheatgrass are the dominant species. Other grasses that may be present include Sandberg bluegrass, red threeawn, needleandthread, prairie junegrass and annual grasses. Forbs such as hairy goldaster, cudweed sagewort, heath aster, Lambert crazyweed, prairie coneflower, scurfpea and western yarrow may also be present. There is usually less than 10% bare ground. This plant community is relatively stable. The thick sod and competitive advantage prevents other species from establishing. This plant community is less productive than the Reference Plant Community. Runoff increases and infiltration will decrease. Soil erosion will be minimal due to the sod forming habit of blue grama.
Figure 8. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 7. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 330 | 672 | 710 |
| Forb | 35 | 60 | 85 |
| Shrub/Vine | 30 | 56 | 85 |
| Moss | 5 | 12 | 20 |
| Total | 400 | 800 | 900 |
Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5404, Missouri Slope, Warm-season Dominant, Cool-season Subdominant. Short warm-season dominant, mid cool-season subdominant & club moss..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 38 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
State 3
Club Moss
The State narrative is under development.
Community 3.1
Club Moss
This plant community typically occurs in the western portion of MLRA 54. A dense sod of club moss dominates this plant community. Club moss occupies bare soil areas within deteriorated or disturbed higher successional plant communities due to long-term repeated disturbances. Club moss cover is often 25% or greater. Club moss creates a more arid microclimate, resulting in extreme competition for available moisture. Initial runoff rates are low but then increase as clubmoss becomes saturated. Once clubmoss has been saturated then runoff increases and infiltration decreases as compared Reference Plant Community. Vigor and production of other species are reduced dramatically. Grasses and grass-like plants include western wheatgrass, blue grama, Sandberg bluegrass and upland sedges. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include cudweed sagewort, hairy goldenaster, heath aster, prairie coneflower, scurfpea, annual deervetch and western yarrow. When compared to the Western Wheatgrass/Tall Warm-Season Plant Community, blue grama and club moss have increased, while western wheatgrass has decreased and the tall warm-season grasses have disappeared.
Figure 10. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 100 | 426 | 455 |
| Forb | 55 | 75 | 95 |
| Shrub/Vine | 20 | 54 | 85 |
| Moss | 25 | 45 | 65 |
| Total | 200 | 600 | 700 |
Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5404, Missouri Slope, Warm-season Dominant, Cool-season Subdominant. Short warm-season dominant, mid cool-season subdominant & club moss..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 38 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
State 4
Annual/Pioneer
The State narrative is under development.
Community 4.1
Annual/Pioneer Perennial
This plant community develops under severe disturbance and/or excessive defoliation. This can result from heavy livestock or wildlife concentration, and cropping abandonment (go-back land). The dominant vegetation includes pioneer annual grasses, forbs, invaders, and early successional biennial and perennial species. Grasses may include red threeawn, smooth bromegrass, crested wheatgrass, annual brome, needleandthread, prairie junegrass and western wheatgrass. The dominant forbs include curlycup gumweed, marestail, salsify, kochia, field bindweed, thistles, western ragweed, pussytoes, prostrate verbena and other early successional species. Shrubs that may be present include prairie rose, fringed sagewort and broom snakeweed. Plant species from adjacent ecological sites may become minor components of this plant community. The community also is susceptible to invasion of non-native species due to severe soil disturbances and relatively high percent of bare ground. Many annual and perennial forbs, including non-native species, have invaded the site. This plant community is resistant to change, as long as soil disturbance or severe vegetation defoliation persist, thus holding back secondary plant succession. Soil erosion is potentially high in this vegetation state. Reduced surface cover, low plant density, low plant vigor, loss of root biomass, and soil compaction, all contribute to decreased water infiltration, increased runoff, and accelerated erosion rates. Significant economic inputs, management and time would be required to move this plant community toward a higher successional stage and a more productive plant community. Secondary succession is highly variable, depending upon availability and diversity of a viable seed bank of higher successional species within the existing plant community and neighboring plant communities. This plant community can be renovated to improve the production capability, but management changes would be needed to maintain the new plant community. The total annual production ranges from 300 to 1100 lbs./ac. (air-dry weight) depending upon growing conditions.
Transition T1
State 1 to 2
Heavy, continuous grazing or continuous seasonal grazing will convert the plant community to the Blue Grama/Sedge/Western Wheatgrass Plant Community.
Restoration pathway R2
State 2 to 1
Long-term prescribed grazing that includes changing season of use and allowing adequate recovery periods to enhance cool season grasses will lead this plant community back to the Western Wheatgrass/Tall Warm-Season Plant Community.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
Transition T2
State 2 to 3
Heavy, continuous grazing may cause further deterioration resulting in a shift to the Club Moss Plant Community.
Restoration pathway R3
State 3 to 1
Fertilization combined with prescribed grazing will move this plant community subsequently through the successional stages leading toward the Western Wheatgrass/Tall Warm-Season Plant Community. Mechanical renovation followed by prescribed grazing will reduce club moss, increase western wheatgrass, and eventually shift this plant community back toward the Western Wheatgrass/Tall Warm-Season Plant Community. Prescribed burning followed by prescribed grazing may eventually convert this plant community back to the Western Wheatgrass/Tall Warm-Season Plant Community. Long-term prescribed grazing may eventually moves this plant community through the successional stages leading toward the Western Wheatgrass/Tall Warm-Season Plant Community.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Grazing |
Transition T4
State 3 to 4
Excessive defoliation (i.e., areas of heavy animal concentration) or cropped go-back land with continuous grazing will convert the plant community to the Annual/Pioneer Perennial Plant Community.
Restoration pathway R4
State 4 to 1
Under long-term prescribed grazing and/or removal of disturbance, including adequate rest periods, this plant community will move through the successional stages, and may eventually lead to the Western Wheatgrass/Tall Warm-Season Plant Community. Depending on the slope, aspect, and size, and if adequate perennial plants exist, this change can occur more rapidly. This process will likely take a long period of time (50+ years). Range seeding with deferment and long term prescribed grazing can convert this to a plant community resembling the Western Wheatgrass/Tall Warm-Season Plant Community.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
Additional community tables
Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Western Wheatgrass | 300–500 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 300–500 | – | ||
| 2 | Tall Warm-Season Grasses | 200–300 | ||||
| prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 100–200 | – | ||
| sand bluestem | ANHA | Andropogon hallii | 20–100 | – | ||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–60 | – | ||
| 3 | Needlegrass | 200–300 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 200–300 | – | ||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 40–100 | – | ||
| 4 | Grama | 100–200 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 100–200 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 100–180 | ||||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 40–60 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–60 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 20–40 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 20–40 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 20–40 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–20 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 0–20 | – | ||
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | 0–20 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-Likes | 100–200 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 100–160 | – | ||
| sun sedge | CAINH2 | Carex inops ssp. heliophila | 40–100 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Forbs | 100–200 | ||||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 20–40 | – | ||
| stiff sunflower | HEPA19 | Helianthus pauciflorus | 20–40 | – | ||
| purple locoweed | OXLA3 | Oxytropis lambertii | 0–20 | – | ||
| beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–20 | – | ||
| cinquefoil | POTEN | Potentilla | 0–20 | – | ||
| hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 0–20 | – | ||
| blazing star | LIATR | Liatris | 0–20 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 0–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–20 | – | ||
| common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 20 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–20 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–20 | – | ||
| groundplum milkvetch | ASCR2 | Astragalus crassicarpus | 0–20 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 0–20 | – | ||
| prairie clover | DALEA | Dalea | 0–20 | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 0–20 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCAC | Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum | 0–20 | – | ||
| blanketflower | GAAR | Gaillardia aristata | 0–20 | – | ||
| scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 0–20 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–20 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 0–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 0–20 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–20 | – | ||
| longbract spiderwort | TRBR | Tradescantia bracteata | 0–20 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 0–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Shrubs | 20–100 | ||||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 20–40 | – | ||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–40 | – | ||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 20–40 | – | ||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 20–40 | – | ||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 20–40 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–20 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–20 | – | ||
|
Moss
|
||||||
| 10 | Cryptogams | 0–20 | ||||
| lesser spikemoss | SEDE2 | Selaginella densa | 0–20 | – | ||
Table 10. Community 1.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Western Wheatgrass | 85–170 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 85–170 | – | ||
| 2 | Tall Warm-Season Grasses | 51–85 | ||||
| prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 51–85 | – | ||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–17 | – | ||
| sand bluestem | ANHA | Andropogon hallii | 0–17 | – | ||
| 3 | Needlegrass | 85–170 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 85–170 | – | ||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 34–85 | – | ||
| 4 | Grama | 17–68 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 17–68 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 85–170 | ||||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 85–170 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 34–51 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 17–51 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 17–34 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 17–34 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 0–17 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–17 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-Likes | 68–170 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 51–136 | – | ||
| sun sedge | CAINH2 | Carex inops ssp. heliophila | 34–85 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–17 | – | ||
| 7 | Non-Native Grasses | 340–510 | ||||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 0–510 | – | ||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | 170–510 | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 0–340 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–170 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Forbs | 85–170 | ||||
| Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 2FORB | Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 0–255 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 51–85 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 34–51 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 34–51 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–51 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 17–34 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 17–34 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 17–34 | – | ||
| stiff sunflower | HEPA19 | Helianthus pauciflorus | 17–34 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 17–34 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–34 | – | ||
| common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 17–34 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCAC | Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum | 17–34 | – | ||
| American bird's-foot trefoil | LOUNU | Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus | 17–34 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 0–17 | – | ||
| purple locoweed | OXLA3 | Oxytropis lambertii | 0–17 | – | ||
| beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–17 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–17 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–17 | – | ||
| cinquefoil | POTEN | Potentilla | 0–17 | – | ||
| blanketflower | GAAR | Gaillardia aristata | 0–17 | – | ||
| scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 0–17 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 0–17 | – | ||
| groundplum milkvetch | ASCR2 | Astragalus crassicarpus | 0–17 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 0–17 | – | ||
| longbract spiderwort | TRBR | Tradescantia bracteata | 0–17 | – | ||
| hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 0–17 | – | ||
| blazing star | LIATR | Liatris | 0–17 | – | ||
| prairie clover | DALEA | Dalea | 0–17 | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 0–17 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 0–17 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Shrubs | 85–170 | ||||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 34–119 | – | ||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 34–119 | – | ||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 34–68 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 17–51 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 17–34 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–34 | – | ||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–34 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–17 | – | ||
|
Moss
|
||||||
| 10 | Cryptogams | 0–17 | ||||
| lesser spikemoss | SEDE2 | Selaginella densa | 0–17 | – | ||
Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Western Wheatgrass | 80–120 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 80–120 | – | ||
| 2 | Tall Warm-Season Grasses | 16–40 | ||||
| prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 16–40 | – | ||
| 3 | Needlegrass | 32–40 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 32–40 | – | ||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–8 | – | ||
| 4 | Grama | 240–280 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 240–280 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 32–64 | ||||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 16–40 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 8–40 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 24–40 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 8–24 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 8–24 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–16 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–16 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-Likes | 40–80 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 40–80 | – | ||
| sun sedge | CAINH2 | Carex inops ssp. heliophila | 16–40 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–8 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Forbs | 40–80 | ||||
| Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 2FORB | Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 0–64 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 24–64 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 24–40 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 24–40 | – | ||
| hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 24–40 | – | ||
| purple locoweed | OXLA3 | Oxytropis lambertii | 16–40 | – | ||
| common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 16–40 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 8–24 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 8–24 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCAC | Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum | 8–24 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 8–24 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 8–24 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 8–16 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 8–16 | – | ||
| American bird's-foot trefoil | LOUNU | Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus | 8–16 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 8–16 | – | ||
| blanketflower | GAAR | Gaillardia aristata | 0–16 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–16 | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 0–8 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 8 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Shrubs | 32–80 | ||||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 32–64 | – | ||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 0–32 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 16–24 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 8–24 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 8–16 | – | ||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 0–8 | – | ||
| Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–8 | – | ||
|
Moss
|
||||||
| 10 | Cryptogams | 8–16 | ||||
| lesser spikemoss | SEDE2 | Selaginella densa | 8–16 | – | ||
Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Western Wheatgrass | 30–60 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 30–60 | – | ||
| 3 | Needlegrass | 12–24 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 12–24 | – | ||
| 4 | Grama | 150–180 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 150–180 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 24–48 | ||||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 18–30 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 6–18 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 6–12 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 6–12 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 6–12 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–6 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-Likes | 24–48 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 24–48 | – | ||
| sun sedge | CAINH2 | Carex inops ssp. heliophila | 0–6 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–6 | – | ||
| 7 | Non-Native Grasses | 0–6 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–6 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Forbs | 60–90 | ||||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 24–48 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 24–48 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 24–48 | – | ||
| hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 24–48 | – | ||
| purple locoweed | OXLA3 | Oxytropis lambertii | 12–30 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 12–24 | – | ||
| Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 2FORB | Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 0–24 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 12–24 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 6–18 | – | ||
| American bird's-foot trefoil | LOUNU | Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus | 12–18 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 6–18 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 12–18 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 6–12 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 6–12 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 6–12 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCAC | Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum | 6–12 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–12 | – | ||
| common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 6–12 | – | ||
| blanketflower | GAAR | Gaillardia aristata | 0–6 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Shrubs | 24–84 | ||||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 30–60 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 18–24 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 12–18 | – | ||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 0–12 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–6 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–6 | – | ||
|
Moss
|
||||||
| 10 | Cryptogams | 30–60 | ||||
| lesser spikemoss | SEDE2 | Selaginella densa | 30–60 | – | ||
Interpretations
Hydrological functions
Water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group D. Infiltration varies from moderate to slow and runoff potential varies from medium to high depending on soil hydrologic group and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception would be where short grasses form a dense sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).
Recreational uses
This site provides hunting opportunities for upland game species. The wide variety of plants which bloom from spring until fall have an esthetic value that appeals to visitors.
Wood products
No appreciable wood products are present on the site.
Other products
Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping and other inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. All descriptions were peer reviewed and/or field tested by various private, state and federal agency specialist.
Those involved in developing this site description include: Dennis Froemke, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Jeff Printz, NRCS State Range Management Specialist; L. Michael Stirling, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Stan Boltz, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Darrell Vanderbusch, NRCS Resource Soil Scientist; David Dewald, NRCS State Biologist; and Brad Podoll, NRCS Biologist.
Data Source Number of Records Sample Period State County
SCS-RANGE-417 4 1979 – 1982 ND Grant
ND-Cons-20 4 1997 – 2001 ND Bowman, Morton
Other references
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://hprcc.unl.edu)
USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, 101 SW Main, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204-3224. (http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. National Range and Pasture Handbook, September 1997
USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
USDA, NRCS, Various Published Soil Surveys.
Contributors
Jeff Printz
Jeff Printz/Stan Boltz
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
| Author(s)/participant(s) | J. Printz, S. Boltz, R. Kilian, D. Froemke, M. Rasmusson |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | jeff.printz@nd.usda.gov 701-530-2080 |
| Date | 05/12/2011 |
| Approved by | |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
Rills should not be present. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Barely observable. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Not evident on slopes < 8%. Erosional pedestals may be present with small terracettes present at debris dams on slopes 9%. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground is 25 to 45%. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Active gullies should not be present. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Little to no plant litter movement. If litter movement occurs, it is only for a short distance. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Plant cover and litter is at 45% or greater of soil surface and maintains soil surface integrity. Stability class anticipated to be 5 or greater. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Use soil series description for depth, color and structure of A-horizon. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Moderate plant canopy (50 to 70% maximum), deeper surface layer and a healthy plant community contribute to reduced runoff. Infiltration rates are slow to moderately slow. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
No compaction layer would be expected except for the naturally occurring pan below the surface layer. -
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Mid, cool-season rhizomatous grasses >Sub-dominant:
tall, warm-season rhizomatous grasses = mid, cool-season bunchgrasses >Other:
short, warm-season grasses = grass-likes = forbs > shrubsAdditional:
Due to differing root structure and distribution, Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass do not fit into reference plant community F/S groups.
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Some plant mortality and decadence (less than 5%) is expected on this site. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter cover is in contact with soil surface. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Representative value = 2000 lbs/ac with a range of 1400 lbs/ac to 2600 lbs/ac (air dry weight) depending upon growing conditions -
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
State/local noxious, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
No limitations.
Print Options
Sections
Font
Other
The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.