Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R054XY032ND
Subirrigated
Accessed: 12/03/2024
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
| R054XY023ND |
Loamy Overflow |
|---|---|
| R054XY024ND |
Saline Lowland |
| R054XY036ND |
Wet Land |
| R054XY037ND |
Wet Meadow |
Similar sites
| R054XY023ND |
Loamy Overflow [Moderately well drained soils in intermittent drainage ways, swales and areas that frequently receive additional moisture throughout the growing season, with no apparent water table. Indicator species: big bluestem with western wheatgrass and green needlegrass, American licorice, and western snowberry. The site has no switchgrass or prairie cordgrass, less big bluestem, more green needlegrass and western wheatgrass; less production, no water table.] |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Andropogon gerardii |
Physiographic features
This site occurs on gently undulating to rolling sedimentary uplands.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Alluvial fan
(2) Alluvial flat (3) Flood plain |
|---|---|
| Flooding duration | Long (7 to 30 days) |
| Flooding frequency | None to occasional |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 1,600 – 3,600 ft |
| Slope | 2% |
| Water table depth | 6 – 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
Soil features
The common features of soils in this site are the silt loam to fine sandy loam textured subsoils and slopes of 0 to 2 percent. The soils in this site are poorly drained and some what poorly and formed in alluvium. The fine sandy loam to silt loam surface layer is 5 to 16 inches thick. The soils have a moderately rapid to moderate infiltration rate. This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas or pedestalled plants. No water flow paths are seen on this site. The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers are non-restrictive to water movement and root penetration.
Major soil series correlated to this ecological site can be found in Section II of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office Technical Guide or the following web sites:
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) Loam (2) Silt loam (3) Fine sandy loam |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained |
| Permeability class | Moderate to moderately rapid |
| Soil depth | 20 – 60 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
3 – 7 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
35% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
8 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
5 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.1 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
40% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
20% |
Ecological dynamics
The site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, and included natural influence of large herbivores and occasional fire. Changes will occur in the plant communities due to climatic conditions and/or management actions. Due to the nature of the soils along with the high productivity of the subirrigated plants, this site is considered stable. Under continued adverse impacts, a slow decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable vegetative management treatments the site can quickly return to the 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 considered. Subclimax plant communities, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds have been determined through similar studies and experience.
As changes occur from continuous grazing without adequate recovery opportunities between grazing events, species such as Kentucky bluegrass, western wheatgrass and Baltic rush will invade or increase. Kentucky bluegrass may eventually form a dense sod. Grasses such as big bluestem, prairie cordgrass, and switchgrass will decrease in frequency and production and can be removed from the site. Non-use and lack of fire will cause litter levels and plant decadence or mortality to increase. Under extended periods of non-use and/or lack of fire, both invading grass and forb species such as Kentucky blue, fowl bluegrass, sweetclover and possibly Canada thistle will dominate the site along with a heavy increase of shrub and trees including invading trees such as Russian olive. This will eventually result in a wooded plant community.
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 Big Bluestem/Switchgrass/Prairie Cordgrass Plant Community Phase may not be possible.
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 1
Reference
The State narrative is under development.
Community 1.1
Big Bluestem/Switchgrass/Prairie Cordgrass
This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Reference Plant Community. This plant community evolved with grazing by large herbivores and is well suited for grazing by domestic livestock and can be found on areas that are grazed and where the grazed plants receive adequate periods of rest during the growing season in order to recover. Historically, fires occurred infrequently but were a very important natural effect on this site. The potential vegetation is about 70% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs, 10% shrubs and 10% trees of the total air-dry weight. Tall warm season grasses dominate this community. The major grasses include big bluestem, switchgrass, prairie cordgrass and little bluestem. Other grasses and grass-likes occurring on the community include western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, northern reedgrass, Canada wildrye, sedges and rush species. Key forbs include American licorice, sunflower, aster, goldenrod and mint. Shrubs and tree species that recover quickly after fire events are juneberry, western snowberry, willows, boxelder, hawthorn, chokecherry and cottonwood. This plant community is diverse, stable, productive and is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains. The high water table supplies much of the moisture for plant growth. Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle and energy flow are functioning properly. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. The diversity in plant species allows for a high tolerance to a fluctuating water table. Run-off from adjacent sites and moderate or high available water capacity provides a favorable soil-water-plant relationship.
Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 2715 | 3100 | 3425 |
| Shrub/Vine | 195 | 300 | 425 |
| Tree | 195 | 300 | 425 |
| Forb | 195 | 300 | 425 |
| Total | 3300 | 4000 | 4700 |
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5403, Missouri Slope, Native Grasslands, Warm-season dominant. 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 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 38 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.2
Kentucky Bluegrass/Western Wheatgrass/Trees
This plant community results from continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between each grazing event during the growing season. Recognition of this plant community will enable the land user to implement key management actions before a significant ecological threshold is crossed. Kentucky bluegrass and western wheatgrass are the dominant species. Big bluestem, green needlegrass, switchgrass and Indiangrass are greatly reduced. Forb species would include asters, goldenrod, cudweed sagewort, heath aster, wavyleaf thistle and western yarrow. Invasive forbs are sweetclover, dandelion, and possibly Canada thistle. Shrubs and tree regeneration have completely disappeared leaving little to no shrub understory beneath large trees. Plant diversity and production have been reduced. The soil remains stable. Water cycle, nutrient cycle and energy flow is slightly reduced but continues to adequately function. Water table tends to rise closer to the surface, which favors an increase of Baltic rush and common spikerush.
Figure 6. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 1410 | 2415 | 3385 |
| Forb | 220 | 315 | 425 |
| Tree | 145 | 225 | 325 |
| Shrub/Vine | 25 | 45 | 65 |
| Total | 1800 | 3000 | 4200 |
Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5409, Missouri Slope, Lowland, Cool-season Dominant. Lowland, cool-season dominant, tall grasses and grass-likes..
| 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 | 37 | 35 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.3
Excessive Litter/Shrubs & Trees
This plant community develops after an extended period (10 to 20 years or more) of non-use and exclusion of fire. Eventually litter levels become high enough to reduce native grass vigor, diversity and density. Kentucky bluegrass flourishes in this environment and may dominate this plant community. Common forbs include Canada goldenrod, American licorice, cudweed sagewort, and dogbane. Invading forbs are Canada thistle, sweetclover and dandelion. Shrubs such as western snowberry, willow, juneberry, rose, and chokecherry will increase in density and cover. Trees species such as green ash, boxelder, cottonwood, peachleaf willow and others tend to produce a dense canopy cover shading out the grass understory. This plant community is resistant to change without prescribed grazing and fire. The combination of both grazing and fire is most effective in moving this plant community towards the Reference Plant Community. Soil erosion is low. Runoff is similar to the Reference Plant Community. Once this plant community is reached, time and external resources will be needed to see any immediate recovery.
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 | 1915 | 1950 | 2025 |
| Tree | 220 | 450 | 650 |
| Shrub/Vine | 220 | 375 | 500 |
| Forb | 145 | 225 | 325 |
| Total | 2500 | 3000 | 3500 |
Figure 9. 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
Continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events will shift this plant community to the Kentucky Bluegrass/Western Wheatgrass/Trees Plant Community.
Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3
Non-use and no fire will move this plant community to the Excessive Litter/Shrub & Trees Plant Community.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Prescribed grazing or prescribed burning followed by prescribed grazing, will move this plant community toward the Reference Plant Community. This would require long-term management with prescribed grazing and prescribed burning under controlled conditions.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Grazing |
Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.1
Periodic prescribed burning along with prescribed grazing will move this plant community toward the Big Bluestem/Switchgrass/Prairie Cordgrass Plant Community. This would require long-term management with both prescribed grazing and prescribed burning under controlled conditions.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Grazing |
State 2
Invaded
The State narrative is under development.
Community 2.1
Kentucky Bluegrass Sod/Baltic Rush
This plant community developed with heavy continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events. Kentucky bluegrass and Baltic rush, along with fowl bluegrass and common spikerush dominate the community. Kentucky bluegrass can develop into a thick sod. Prairie cordgrass, little bluestem, Indiangrass, green needlegrass, northern reedgrass and porcupine grass have been removed. Big bluestem, switchgrass, and western wheatgrass may persist in trace amounts, greatly reduced in vigor, and in some instances, not readily seen. Western yarrow, dandelion and goldenrod have increased. Key shrubs have been severely reduced in vigor or removed completely. A few scattered old decadent trees do remain. This plant community is resistant to change due to grazing tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass. Production and diversity is significantly reduced when compared to the Reference Plant Community. Loss or reduction of cool season grasses, tall warm season grasses, and shrub component have negatively impacted energy flow and nutrient cycling. Water infiltration is reduced significantly due to the massive shallow root system “root pan”, characteristic of sodbound Kentucky bluegrass. The water table has risen closer to the surface that greatly favors the rush species. It will take a very long time to restore this plant community back to the Reference Plant Community with improved management. Renovation would be very costly.
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 | 1250 | 1650 | 2325 |
| Forb | 195 | 250 | 325 |
| Tree | 55 | 80 | 105 |
| Shrub/Vine | 0 | 20 | 45 |
| Total | 1500 | 2000 | 2800 |
Figure 11. 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 |
State 3
Annual/Pioneer
The State narrative is under development.
Community 3.1
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 and grass-likes may include Baltic rush, common spikerush, sedges, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass, prairie junegrass and western wheatgrass. The dominant forbs include curlycup gumweed, marestail, salsify, kochia, field bindweed, kochia, thistles, cudweed sagewort, western ragweed, pussytoes, prostrate verbena and other early successional species. Shrubs that may be present include dogwood and willow. Plant species from adjacent ecological sites may become minor components of this plant community. The community also is susceptible to invasion of other non-native species such as Canada thistle, due to severe soil disturbances and increased bare ground. Many other annual and perennial forbs, including non-native species, may invade the site. This plant community is resistant to change, as long as soil disturbance or severe vegetation defoliation persists, 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 500 to 2000 lbs./ac. (air-dry weight) depending upon vegetative conditions.
Transition T1
State 1 to 2
Heavy continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events will move this plant community across an ecological threshold to the Kentucky Bluegrass Sod/Baltic Rush Plant Community.
Restoration pathway R2
State 2 to 1
Long term prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods following each grazing event and proper stocking over long periods of time will move this plant community toward the Kentucky Bluegrass/Western Wheatgrass/Trees Plant Community. It may eventually return to the Reference Plant Community through associated successional plant community stages assuming an adequate seed/vegetative source is available. This process may take greater than 20 years.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
Transition T3
State 2 to 3
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 R3a
State 3 to 1
Under long-term prescribed grazing and removal of disturbance, including adequate rest periods, this plant community will move through the successional stages, and may eventually lead to the Big Bluestem/Switchgrass/Prairie Cordgrass 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 (25+ years). Range seeding with deferment and prescribed grazing can convert this to a plant community resembling the Big Bluestem/Switchgrass/Prairie Cordgrass Plant Community.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
Restoration pathway R3b
State 3 to 2
Heavy, continuous grazing will lead this plant community towards the Kentucky Bluegrass Sod/Baltic Rush Plant Community.
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 | Tall Warm-Season | 1600–2000 | ||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 1400–1800 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 200–600 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–200 | – | ||
| Indiangrass | SONU2 | Sorghastrum nutans | 40–200 | – | ||
| prairie cordgrass | SPPE | Spartina pectinata | 80–200 | – | ||
| 2 | Mid Cool-Season | 200–400 | ||||
| northern reedgrass | CASTI3 | Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa | 120–200 | – | ||
| porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 0–120 | – | ||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–120 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 80–120 | – | ||
| 3 | Other Native Grasses | 120–200 | ||||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–80 | – | ||
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | 40–80 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTRS | Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus | 40–80 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTRT | Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus | 40–80 | – | ||
| mat muhly | MURI | Muhlenbergia richardsonis | 0–80 | – | ||
| fowl bluegrass | POPA2 | Poa palustris | 40–80 | – | ||
| 4 | Grass-Likes | 120–200 | ||||
| Pennsylvania sedge | CAPE6 | Carex pensylvanica | 80–120 | – | ||
| common spikerush | ELPA3 | Eleocharis palustris | 40–80 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 40–80 | – | ||
| shortbeak sedge | CABR10 | Carex brevior | 40–80 | – | ||
| woolly sedge | CAPE42 | Carex pellita | 40–80 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Forbs | 200–400 | ||||
| Canada goldenrod | SOCA6 | Solidago canadensis | 40–80 | – | ||
| white prairie aster | SYFA | Symphyotrichum falcatum | 40–80 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–80 | – | ||
| common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 40–80 | – | ||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 40–80 | – | ||
| Maximilian sunflower | HEMA2 | Helianthus maximiliani | 40–80 | – | ||
| mint | MENTH | Mentha | 40–80 | – | ||
| meadow zizia | ZIAP | Zizia aptera | 40–80 | – | ||
| catnip | NECA2 | Nepeta cataria | 0–40 | – | ||
| cinquefoil | POTEN | Potentilla | 0–40 | – | ||
| wood lily | LIPH | Lilium philadelphicum | 0–40 | – | ||
| anemone | ANEMO | Anemone | 0–40 | – | ||
| dogbane | APOCY | Apocynum | 0–40 | – | ||
| Flodman's thistle | CIFL | Cirsium flodmanii | 0–40 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 0–40 | – | ||
| downy gentian | GEPU5 | Gentiana puberulenta | 0–40 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 0–40 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 7 | Shrubs | 200–400 | ||||
| willow | SALIX | Salix | 80–200 | – | ||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 160–200 | – | ||
| silver buffaloberry | SHAR | Shepherdia argentea | 80–160 | – | ||
| hawthorn | CRATA | Crataegus | 40–120 | – | ||
| chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | 80–120 | – | ||
| Saskatoon serviceberry | AMAL2 | Amelanchier alnifolia | 80–120 | – | ||
| dwarf false indigo | AMNA | Amorpha nana | 40–80 | – | ||
| redosier dogwood | COSE16 | Cornus sericea | 40–80 | – | ||
| Missouri gooseberry | RIMI | Ribes missouriense | 40–80 | – | ||
| prairie rose | ROAR3 | Rosa arkansana | 40–80 | – | ||
| American plum | PRAM | Prunus americana | 0–40 | – | ||
| western poison ivy | TORY | Toxicodendron rydbergii | 0–40 | – | ||
| Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–40 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 8 | Trees | 200–400 | ||||
| Tree | 2TREE | Tree | 0–120 | – | ||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | 40–120 | – | ||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–120 | – | ||
| peachleaf willow | SAAM2 | Salix amygdaloides | 40–120 | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | 0–40 | – | ||
Table 10. Community 1.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Tall Warm-Season | 90–150 | ||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 60–150 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 0–30 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–30 | – | ||
| 2 | Mid Cool-Season | 450–600 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 450–600 | – | ||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 30–60 | – | ||
| porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 0–30 | – | ||
| 3 | Other Native Grasses | 90–150 | ||||
| fowl bluegrass | POPA2 | Poa palustris | 60–120 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 30–60 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 30–60 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 30–60 | – | ||
| mat muhly | MURI | Muhlenbergia richardsonis | 30–60 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTRS | Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus | 0–30 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTRT | Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus | 0–30 | – | ||
| 4 | Grass-Likes | 150–300 | ||||
| common spikerush | ELPA3 | Eleocharis palustris | 90–150 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 30–60 | – | ||
| shortbeak sedge | CABR10 | Carex brevior | 0–30 | – | ||
| woolly sedge | CAPE42 | Carex pellita | 0–30 | – | ||
| Pennsylvania sedge | CAPE6 | Carex pensylvanica | 0–30 | – | ||
| 5 | Non-Native Grasses | 750–1050 | ||||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | 300–900 | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 0–750 | – | ||
| bluegrass | POA | Poa | 0–150 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–60 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Forbs | 240–390 | ||||
| Canada thistle | CIAR4 | Cirsium arvense | 0–300 | – | ||
| sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | 30–300 | – | ||
| Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 2FORB | Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 0–150 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 90–150 | – | ||
| cocklebur | XANTH2 | Xanthium | 0–150 | – | ||
| Canada goldenrod | SOCA6 | Solidago canadensis | 60–90 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 60–90 | – | ||
| common dandelion | TAOF | Taraxacum officinale | 60–90 | – | ||
| common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 60–90 | – | ||
| Flodman's thistle | CIFL | Cirsium flodmanii | 60–90 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 60–90 | – | ||
| dogbane | APOCY | Apocynum | 60–90 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 30–60 | – | ||
| black medick | MELU | Medicago lupulina | 30–60 | – | ||
| catnip | NECA2 | Nepeta cataria | 30–60 | – | ||
| cinquefoil | POTEN | Potentilla | 30–60 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 30–60 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–60 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 30–60 | – | ||
| white prairie aster | SYFA | Symphyotrichum falcatum | 30–60 | – | ||
| anemone | ANEMO | Anemone | 0–30 | – | ||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 0–30 | – | ||
| mint | MENTH | Mentha | 0–30 | – | ||
| wood lily | LIPH | Lilium philadelphicum | 0–30 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–30 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 7 | Shrubs | 30–60 | ||||
| silver buffaloberry | SHAR | Shepherdia argentea | 60–90 | – | ||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 30–60 | – | ||
| western poison ivy | TORY | Toxicodendron rydbergii | 30–60 | – | ||
| Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–30 | – | ||
| prairie rose | ROAR3 | Rosa arkansana | 0–30 | – | ||
| willow | SALIX | Salix | 0–30 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 9 | Trees | 150–300 | ||||
| Tree | 2TREE | Tree | 0–150 | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | 0–60 | – | ||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | 0–60 | – | ||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–60 | – | ||
| peachleaf willow | SAAM2 | Salix amygdaloides | 0–60 | – | ||
Table 11. Community 1.3 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Tall Warm-Season | 60–90 | ||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 60–90 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 0–30 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–30 | – | ||
| prairie cordgrass | SPPE | Spartina pectinata | 0–30 | – | ||
| 2 | Mid Cool-Season | 90–120 | ||||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 30–120 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 60–120 | – | ||
| northern reedgrass | CASTI3 | Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa | 0–30 | – | ||
| porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 0–30 | – | ||
| 3 | Other Native Grasses | 120–240 | ||||
| fowl bluegrass | POPA2 | Poa palustris | 120–240 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTRS | Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus | 30–60 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 30–60 | – | ||
| mat muhly | MURI | Muhlenbergia richardsonis | 0–30 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTRT | Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus | 0–30 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–30 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 0–30 | – | ||
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | 0–30 | – | ||
| 4 | Grass-Likes | 90–150 | ||||
| Pennsylvania sedge | CAPE6 | Carex pensylvanica | 90–150 | – | ||
| common spikerush | ELPA3 | Eleocharis palustris | 30–60 | – | ||
| shortbeak sedge | CABR10 | Carex brevior | 30–60 | – | ||
| woolly sedge | CAPE42 | Carex pellita | 30–60 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–30 | – | ||
| 5 | Non-Native Grasses | 900–1050 | ||||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | 300–1050 | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 0–600 | – | ||
| bluegrass | POA | Poa | 0–450 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–150 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Forbs | 150–300 | ||||
| Canada thistle | CIAR4 | Cirsium arvense | 0–210 | – | ||
| sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | 30–210 | – | ||
| Canada goldenrod | SOCA6 | Solidago canadensis | 60–150 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 60–90 | – | ||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 60–90 | – | ||
| black medick | MELU | Medicago lupulina | 30–60 | – | ||
| mint | MENTH | Mentha | 30–60 | – | ||
| catnip | NECA2 | Nepeta cataria | 30–60 | – | ||
| cinquefoil | POTEN | Potentilla | 30–60 | – | ||
| Flodman's thistle | CIFL | Cirsium flodmanii | 30–60 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 30–60 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 30–60 | – | ||
| Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 2FORB | Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 30–60 | – | ||
| common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 30–60 | – | ||
| anemone | ANEMO | Anemone | 30–60 | – | ||
| dogbane | APOCY | Apocynum | 30–60 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 30–60 | – | ||
| Maximilian sunflower | HEMA2 | Helianthus maximiliani | 30–60 | – | ||
| common dandelion | TAOF | Taraxacum officinale | 30–60 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 30–60 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 0–30 | – | ||
| cocklebur | XANTH2 | Xanthium | 0–30 | – | ||
| meadow zizia | ZIAP | Zizia aptera | 0–30 | – | ||
| wood lily | LIPH | Lilium philadelphicum | 0–30 | – | ||
| white prairie aster | SYFA | Symphyotrichum falcatum | 0–30 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–30 | – | ||
| downy gentian | GEPU5 | Gentiana puberulenta | 0–30 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 0–30 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–30 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 7 | Shrubs | 300–450 | ||||
| willow | SALIX | Salix | 60–300 | – | ||
| silver buffaloberry | SHAR | Shepherdia argentea | 60–300 | – | ||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 60–300 | – | ||
| hawthorn | CRATA | Crataegus | 90–150 | – | ||
| chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | 90–150 | – | ||
| prairie rose | ROAR3 | Rosa arkansana | 60–90 | – | ||
| American plum | PRAM | Prunus americana | 60–90 | – | ||
| redosier dogwood | COSE16 | Cornus sericea | 30–90 | – | ||
| Saskatoon serviceberry | AMAL2 | Amelanchier alnifolia | 60–90 | – | ||
| dwarf false indigo | AMNA | Amorpha nana | 30–60 | – | ||
| western poison ivy | TORY | Toxicodendron rydbergii | 30–60 | – | ||
| Missouri gooseberry | RIMI | Ribes missouriense | 30–60 | – | ||
| Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–30 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 8 | Trees | 300–600 | ||||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | 90–300 | – | ||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–300 | – | ||
| peachleaf willow | SAAM2 | Salix amygdaloides | 90–150 | – | ||
| Tree | 2TREE | Tree | 0–150 | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | 0–150 | – | ||
Table 12. Community 2.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Tall Warm-Season | 0–60 | ||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 20–60 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 0–20 | – | ||
| 2 | Mid Cool-Season | 100–200 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 100–200 | – | ||
| 3 | Other Native Grasses | 100–200 | ||||
| fowl bluegrass | POPA2 | Poa palustris | 100–200 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 40–60 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 40–60 | – | ||
| mat muhly | MURI | Muhlenbergia richardsonis | 40–60 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–20 | – | ||
| 4 | Grass-Likes | 200–300 | ||||
| common spikerush | ELPA3 | Eleocharis palustris | 10–160 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–20 | – | ||
| shortbeak sedge | CABR10 | Carex brevior | 0–20 | – | ||
| 5 | Non-Native Grasses | 600–800 | ||||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | 200–700 | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 0–500 | – | ||
| bluegrass | POA | Poa | 0–100 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–40 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Forbs | 200–300 | ||||
| cocklebur | XANTH2 | Xanthium | 0–200 | – | ||
| Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 2FORB | Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 20–200 | – | ||
| Canada thistle | CIAR4 | Cirsium arvense | 0–200 | – | ||
| sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | 40–200 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 100–160 | – | ||
| Canada goldenrod | SOCA6 | Solidago canadensis | 60–100 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 60–100 | – | ||
| common dandelion | TAOF | Taraxacum officinale | 60–80 | – | ||
| Flodman's thistle | CIFL | Cirsium flodmanii | 60–80 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 60–80 | – | ||
| common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 60–80 | – | ||
| dogbane | APOCY | Apocynum | 40–60 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 40–60 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 40–60 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 40–60 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 40–60 | – | ||
| black medick | MELU | Medicago lupulina | 20–40 | – | ||
| cinquefoil | POTEN | Potentilla | 20–40 | – | ||
| white prairie aster | SYFA | Symphyotrichum falcatum | 20–40 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 7 | Shrubs | 0–40 | ||||
| silver buffaloberry | SHAR | Shepherdia argentea | 20–40 | – | ||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 0–40 | – | ||
| Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–20 | – | ||
| prairie rose | ROAR3 | Rosa arkansana | 0–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 8 | Trees | 60–100 | ||||
| Tree | 2TREE | Tree | 0–80 | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | 0–20 | – | ||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | 0–20 | – | ||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–20 | – | ||
| peachleaf willow | SAAM2 | Salix amygdaloides | 0–20 | – | ||
Interpretations
Hydrological functions
Water is not a principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic groups D and B. Infiltration varies from moderately rapid to moderate, and runoff potential varies from negligible to very low depending on soil hydrologic group and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception would be where short grasses form a dense sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).
Recreational uses
This site provides hunting opportunities for upland game species. The wide variety of plants which bloom from spring until fall have an esthetic value that appeals to visitors.
Wood products
This site has potential for wood products from trees and shrubs.
Other products
Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping and other inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. All descriptions were peer reviewed and/or field tested by various private, state and federal agency specialist. Those involved in developing this site description include: Dennis Froemke, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Jeff Printz, NRCS State Range Management Specialist; Stan Boltz, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Darrell Vanderbusch, NRCS Resource Soil Scientist; L. Michael Stirling, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Royal Handegard, NRCS Soil Conservationist; Josh Saunders, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Jody Forman, NRCS Grazing Land Management Specialist; David Dewald, NRCS State Biologist; and Brad Podoll, NRCS Biologist.
Data Source Number of Records Sample Period State County
Ocular Estimates 2 2001 ND Grant
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 | 05/24/2011 |
| 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:
Essentially non-existent. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground is less than 5%. -
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. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosional forces. -
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 95% 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:
High grass canopy and basal cover and small gaps between plants should reduce raindrop impact and slow overland flow, providing increased time for infiltration to occur. Healthy, deep rooted native grasses enhance infiltration and reduce runoff. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
No compaction layer should be evident. -
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Tall, rhizomatous warm-season grass >Sub-dominant:
mid, cool-season bunchgrasses >Other:
mid, cool-season rhizomatous grasses > forbs = shrubs = trees > grass-likesAdditional:
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):
Very low. -
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 = 4000 lbs/ac with a range of 3300 lbs/ac to 4700 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 and local noxious, smooth bromegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Russian olive -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species are capable of reproducing.
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