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Conservation Service

Ecological site R054XY038ND

Thin Loamy

Accessed: 11/21/2024

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General information

Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.

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Figure 1. Mapped extent

Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.

Classification relationships

Level IV Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States: 43a – Missouri Plateau.

Associated sites

R054XY030ND	Shallow Loamy
R054XY031ND	Loamy
R054XY035ND	Very Shallow

R054XY030ND

Shallow Loamy

R054XY031ND

Loamy

R054XY035ND

Very Shallow

Similar sites

R054XY045ND	Limy Sands [Moderately deep entisol, usually calcareous within 4 inches to the surface, found on knobs and/or sideslopes of hills and buttes; will not form a ribbon; up slope of sands or sandy and down slope from shallow sandy ecological sites. Indicator species: Little bluestem, sand bluestem, and prairie sandreed, along with penstemon, silverleaf scurfpea, purple coneflower, yucca, creeping juniper, and leadplant. This site has less western wheatgrass, plains muhly, green needlegrass and sideoats grama, more little bluestem, sedges, prairie sandreed and sand bluestem, similar production, soil depths.]
R054XY028ND	Shallow Clayey [Some what excessively well drained soils more than 10 less than 20 inches to unweathered shales that restricts root penetration. Upslope of clayey site, surface layer will ribbon greater than 2 inches, upslope of clayey ecological site. Indicator species: western wheatgrass dominates with little bluestem, plains muhly and sideoats grama, gayfeather. This site has similar species but no porcupinegrass, similar little bluestem, less sideoats, more western wheatgrass, plains muhly, green needlegrass, restrictive layer above twenty inches is shale, less production.]
R054XY030ND	Shallow Loamy [Somewhat excessively drained soils more than 10 less than 20 inches to sedimentary bedrock that restricts root penetration. Surface layer will ribbon less than 2 inches and greater than 1 inch. Upslope from thin loamy or loamy sites and some times down slope form very shallow ecological sites. Indicator species: little bluestem, plains muhly, needle grasses and sideoats grama, with dotted gayfeather, pasqueflower and purple coneflower, and shrubs like broom snakeweed. This site has similar species but more little bluestem and plains muhly, less sideoats grama, green needlegrass, western wheatgrass, has a restrictive layer above twenty inches is sedimentary bedrock, less production.]
R054XY043ND	Shallow Sandy [Somewhat excessively drained soils > 10 and < 20 inches to sedimentary sandstone bedrock or gravel restricting root penetration. Surface layer ribbons < 1 inch unless above gravel, than > 1 but < 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 needlegrasses, with dotted gayfeather, pasqueflower and purple coneflower, and shrubs like prairie rose and yucca. This site has similar species but more little bluestem, sand bluestem, prairie sandreed and sedges, less plains muhly, green needlegrass, porcupinegrass, western wheatgrass, restrictive layer above twenty inches is sandstone or gravels, less production.]
R054XY031ND	Loamy Found on dry uplands, upslope from loamy terraces or loamy overflow sites, down slope from thin loamy or shallow loam sites; similar landscape position as sandy, sands, clayey sites. Will ribbon greater than 1 inch and up to 2 inches. Indicator species are western wheatgrass some green needlegrass and blue grama, with fringed sagewort and western snowberry being the dominant shrubs. This site has more production, different landscape position, no restrictive layers above twenty inches, no little bluestem, plains muhly, and sideoats grama, more western wheatgrass and green needlegrass.]

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Pascopyrum smithii

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Physiographic features

This site typically occurs on moderately steep to steep sedimentary uplands.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Hill (2) Knoll (3) Ridge
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	1,600 – 3,600 ft
Slope	6 – 35%
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

Bar

Line

Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

Bar

Line

Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Soil features

The common features of soils in this site are the calcareous silt loam to calcareous fine sandy loam textured subsoils and slopes of typically greater than 6 to 35 percent. The soils in this site are well drained and formed in soft siltstone, loess deposits or glacial till deposits. The loam to silt loam surface layer is 4 to 7 inches thick. The soils have a moderate to moderately slow infiltration rate. It is not uncommon to have some pedestalling of plants due to the inherent instability of the soils. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance or discontinuous with numerous debris dams or vegetative barriers, and there is a risk of rills and eventually gullies if vegetative cover is not adequate. The soil surface is unstable and slumping, erosion and deposition is common to the site. Cryptobiotic crusts are present. Sub-surface soil layers are slightly restrictive to water movement and root penetration.

These soils are highly susceptible to water erosion and to a lesser degree wind erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases where vegetative cover is not adequate. 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) Loam (2) Silt loam
Family particle size	(1) Loamy
Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Moderately slow to moderate
Soil depth	20 – 72 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	5 – 6 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	30%
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	8 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)	4
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	6.6 – 8.4
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	20%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	10%

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 management actions and/or climatic conditions. 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 Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC).

The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Historic Climax Plant Community. The HCPC has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance, and areas under long-term rotational grazing regimes. Trends in plant community dynamics ranging from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts also have been considered. Subclimax plant communities, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds have been determined through similar studies and experience.
Several years of continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods, following each grazing occurrence will likely cause this site to depart from the HCPC. Species such as western wheatgrass and blue grama will initially increase while little bluestem will sustain. Porcupine grass and/or green needlegrass, plains muhly and sideoats grama will decrease in frequency and production. Heavy continuous grazing causes blue grama to increase and eventually dominates with eroded gaps between while little bluestem stays in wolf plant colonies. In time, heavy continuous grazing will likely cause upland sedges and blue grama to dominate and pioneer perennials, and annuals 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 HCPC. Runoff increases and infiltration will decrease. Soil erosion will be critical. Extended periods of non-use and/or lack of fire will result in excessive litter, which favors an increase in Kentucky bluegrass and/or smooth bromegrass and/or Crested Wheatgrass. In many areas shrubs such as western snowberry and fringed sagewort will also increase. In other areas, silver sagebrush will be the dominant shrub that will increase.

The following is a diagram that illustrates the common plant communities that can occur on the site and the transition pathways between communities. The ecological processes will be discussed in more detail in the plant community descriptions following the diagram.

State and transition model

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State 1
Needlegrass/Bluestem/Western Wheatgrass (HCPC)

Community 1.1
Needlegrass/Bluestem/Western Wheatgrass (HCPC)

This is the interpretive plant community for this site and is considered to be the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC). 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 85% grasses or grass-like plants, 10% forbs, and 5% shrubs. The site is dominated by a mixture of cool and warm-season grasses. The major grasses include the needlegrasses, western wheatgrass, little bluestem, and sideoats grama. Other grasses occurring on the site include blue grama, plains muhly, and red threeawn. 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. 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	890	1512	2135
Forb	80	128	175
Shrub/Vine	30	60	90
Total	1000	1700	2400

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

State 2
Little Bluestem/ Grama

Community 2.1
Little Bluestem/ Grama

Historically, this plant community evolved under heavy grazing and a low fire frequency. Little bluestem, blue grama and needleandthread are the significant species in this plant community. Warm-season grass such as blue grama make up the majority of the understory with the balance made up of the sedges. Forbs and shrubs commonly found in this plant community include cudweed sagewort and fringed sagewort. Shrub canopy ranges from 2% to 4%. When compared to the HCPC, little bluestem, blue grama and needleandthread have increased. The green needlegrass and/or porcupine grass have decreased. This plant community is moderately resistant to change. The herbaceous species present are well adapted to grazing; however, species composition can be altered through long-term overgrazing. If the herbaceous component is intact, it tends to be resilient if the disturbance is not long-term.

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	610	825	1140
Forb	45	100	155
Shrub/Vine	45	75	105
Total	700	1000	1400

Figure 7. 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
Blue Grama/Sedge

Community 3.1
Blue Grama/Sedge

This plant community evolves from heavy grazing over several years of time. Diversity is lost as the short grasses become dominant in the plant community. Big bluestem, little bluestem, western wheatgrass and the needlegrasses are replaced by the grazing tolerant blue grama, and sedges. Sideoats grama remains in the plant community, but is less productive because of the mid-summer grazing pressure. Because they are less palatable, cudweed sagewort, and green sagewort become more prevalent in the plant community. This plant community is resistant to change. The herbaceous species present are not suitable to grazing.

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	315	584	850
Shrub/Vine	65	88	110
Forb	20	28	40
Total	400	700	1000

Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5405, Missouri Slope, Warm-season Short Grass. Warm-season, short grass dominant, and some sedge.

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	7	18	33	26	10	4	1	0	0

State 4
Excessive Litter

Community 4.1
Excessive Litter

This plant community develops after an extended period of 10 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 cryptograms 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. shortgrasses 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, and smooth bromegrass tend to invade and may dominate this plant community. Other grasses present include western wheatgrass, porcupine grass, green needlegrass and bearded wheatgrass. The common forbs include sweetclover, green sagewort, cudweed sagewort, and American vetch. Western snowberry is the principal shrub and tends to increase in density and cover. This plant community is resistant to change without prescribed grazing and/or fire. The combination of both grazing and fire is most effective in moving this plant community towards the HCPC. Soil erosion is low. Compared to the HCPC, infiltration is reduced to the lower root zone. Runoff is similar to the HCPC. 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 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	685	1162	1620
Forb	145	225	325
Shrub/Vine	70	113	155
Total	900	1500	2100

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

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			170–255
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	170–255	–
2	Little Bluestem			85–170
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	85–170	–
3	Plains Muhly			85–170
	plains muhly	MUCU3	Muhlenbergia cuspidata	85–170	–
4	Needlegrass			170–340
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	85–170	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	85–170	–
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	85–170	–
5	Grama			170–255
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	85–255	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	34–85	–
6	Other Native Grasses			85–170
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	0–85	–
	Fendler threeawn	ARPUL	Aristida purpurea var. longiseta	17–34	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	17–34	–
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	17–34	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–34	–
	prairie dropseed	SPHE	Sporobolus heterolepis	0–17	–
	prairie sandreed	CALO	Calamovilfa longifolia	0–17	–
	plains reedgrass	CAMO	Calamagrostis montanensis	0–17	–
	saltgrass	DISP	Distichlis spicata	0–17	–
	thickspike wheatgrass	ELLAL	Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus	0–17	–
7	Grass-Likes			51–85
	threadleaf sedge	CAFI	Carex filifolia	51–85	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	17–34	–
Forb
9	Forbs			85–170
	blazing star	LIATR	Liatris	17–34	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	17–34	–
	eastern pasqueflower	PUPA5	Pulsatilla patens	17–34	–
	upright prairie coneflower	RACO3	Ratibida columnifera	17	–
	scarlet globemallow	SPCO	Sphaeralcea coccinea	17	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	17	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	17	–
	rush skeletonplant	LYJU	Lygodesmia juncea	0–17	–
	lacy tansyaster	MAPI	Machaeranthera pinnatifida	17	–
	large Indian breadroot	PEES	Pediomelum esculentum	0–17	–
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	0–17	–
	scurfpea	PSORA2	Psoralidium	17	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–17	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–17	–
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	17	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	0–17	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–17	–
	tarragon	ARDR4	Artemisia dracunculus	0–17	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	17	–
	groundplum milkvetch	ASCR2	Astragalus crassicarpus	17	–
	wavyleaf thistle	CIUN	Cirsium undulatum	0–17	–
	prairie clover	DALEA	Dalea	17	–
	blacksamson echinacea	ECAN2	Echinacea angustifolia	17	–
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	17	–
	old man's whiskers	GETR	Geum triflorum	0–17	–
	stiff sunflower	HEPA19	Helianthus pauciflorus	17	–
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs			34–85
	silver sagebrush	ARCA13	Artemisia cana	0–34	–
	winterfat	KRLA2	Krascheninnikovia lanata	17–34	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	17–34	–
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	0–34	–
	western poison ivy	TORY	Toxicodendron rydbergii	0–17	–
	silver buffaloberry	SHAR	Shepherdia argentea	0–17	–
	pricklypear	OPUNT	Opuntia	0–17	–
	skunkbush sumac	RHTR	Rhus trilobata	0–17	–
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	17	–
	broom snakeweed	GUSA2	Gutierrezia sarothrae	17	–
	creeping juniper	JUHO2	Juniperus horizontalis	0–17	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–17	–
	dwarf false indigo	AMNA	Amorpha nana	17	–

Table 10. Community 2.1 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	–
2	Little Bluestem			150–200
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	150–200	–
3	Plains Muhly			0–30
	plains muhly	MUCU3	Muhlenbergia cuspidata	0–30	–
4	Needlegrass			100–150
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	100–150	–
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–10	–
5	Grama			100–140
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	100–140	–
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	0–20	–
6	Other Native Grasses			50–70
	Fendler threeawn	ARPUL	Aristida purpurea var. longiseta	40–70	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	20–60	–
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	10–30	–
	saltgrass	DISP	Distichlis spicata	0–20	–
	thickspike wheatgrass	ELLAL	Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus	0–20	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	10–20	–
7	Grass-Likes			50–100
	threadleaf sedge	CAFI	Carex filifolia	50–100	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	10–20	–
Forb
9	Forbs			50–150
	eastern pasqueflower	PUPA5	Pulsatilla patens	30–60	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	20–40	–
	tarragon	ARDR4	Artemisia dracunculus	20–30	–
	scurfpea	PSORA2	Psoralidium	20–30	–
	lacy tansyaster	MAPI	Machaeranthera pinnatifida	20–30	–
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	20–30	–
	upright prairie coneflower	RACO3	Ratibida columnifera	20–30	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	20–30	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	10–20	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	10–20	–
	wavyleaf thistle	CIUN	Cirsium undulatum	10–20	–
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	0–20	–
	scarlet globemallow	SPCO	Sphaeralcea coccinea	10–20	–
	large Indian breadroot	PEES	Pediomelum esculentum	0–10	–
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	10	–
	groundplum milkvetch	ASCR2	Astragalus crassicarpus	0–10	–
	blacksamson echinacea	ECAN2	Echinacea angustifolia	0–10	–
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	0–10	–
	old man's whiskers	GETR	Geum triflorum	10	–
	blazing star	LIATR	Liatris	0–10	–
	rush skeletonplant	LYJU	Lygodesmia juncea	10	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–10	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–10	–
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–10	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	0–10	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	0–10	–
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs			50–100
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	50–80	–
	broom snakeweed	GUSA2	Gutierrezia sarothrae	20–30	–
	silver sagebrush	ARCA13	Artemisia cana	0–30	–
	creeping juniper	JUHO2	Juniperus horizontalis	10–20	–
	pricklypear	OPUNT	Opuntia	10–20	–
	skunkbush sumac	RHTR	Rhus trilobata	0–10	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	10	–
	silver buffaloberry	SHAR	Shepherdia argentea	0–10	–
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	0–10	–
	winterfat	KRLA2	Krascheninnikovia lanata	0–10	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–10	–

Table 11. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Western Wheatgrass			14–28
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	14–28	–
2	Little Bluestem			0–35
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–35	–
3	Plains Muhly			0–7
	plains muhly	MUCU3	Muhlenbergia cuspidata	0–7	–
4	Needlegrass			21–35
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	21–35	–
5	Grama			175–210
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	175–210	–
6	Other Native Grasses			56–105
	Fendler threeawn	ARPUL	Aristida purpurea var. longiseta	21–70	–
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	7–28	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	7–21	–
	saltgrass	DISP	Distichlis spicata	0–7	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–7	–
7	Grass-Likes			105–140
	threadleaf sedge	CAFI	Carex filifolia	98–140	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	7–35	–
Forb
9	Forbs			21–35
	tarragon	ARDR4	Artemisia dracunculus	21–28	–
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	7–28	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	14–21	–
	lacy tansyaster	MAPI	Machaeranthera pinnatifida	14–21	–
	eastern pasqueflower	PUPA5	Pulsatilla patens	14–21	–
	upright prairie coneflower	RACO3	Ratibida columnifera	7–21	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	7–14	–
	wavyleaf thistle	CIUN	Cirsium undulatum	7–14	–
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	7–14	–
	scurfpea	PSORA2	Psoralidium	7–14	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	7	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–7	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–7	–
	blacksamson echinacea	ECAN2	Echinacea angustifolia	7	–
	rush skeletonplant	LYJU	Lygodesmia juncea	7	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	0–7	–
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	7	–
	scarlet globemallow	SPCO	Sphaeralcea coccinea	7	–
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	7	–
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs			70–105
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	49–84	–
	broom snakeweed	GUSA2	Gutierrezia sarothrae	7–28	–
	creeping juniper	JUHO2	Juniperus horizontalis	7–21	–
	pricklypear	OPUNT	Opuntia	7–21	–
	silver sagebrush	ARCA13	Artemisia cana	0–14	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	0–7	–
	silver buffaloberry	SHAR	Shepherdia argentea	0–7	–

Table 12. Community 4.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Western Wheatgrass			45–75
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	45–75	–
2	Little Bluestem			30–75
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	30–75	–
3	Plains Muhly			0–15
	plains muhly	MUCU3	Muhlenbergia cuspidata	0–15	–
4	Needlegrass			30–60
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	30–60	–
6	Other Native Grasses			75–150
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	45–75	–
	Fendler threeawn	ARPUL	Aristida purpurea var. longiseta	15–45	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	15–30	–
	saltgrass	DISP	Distichlis spicata	0–15	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–15	–
7	Grass-Likes			30–60
	threadleaf sedge	CAFI	Carex filifolia	30–60	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–15	–
8	Non-Native Grasses			450–615
	bluegrass	POA	Poa	300–615	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	0–450	–
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	0–150	–
Forb
9	Forbs			150–300
	sweetclover	MELIL	Melilotus	30–105	–
	tarragon	ARDR4	Artemisia dracunculus	15–45	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	15–30	–
	wavyleaf thistle	CIUN	Cirsium undulatum	15–30	–
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	15–30	–
	scurfpea	PSORA2	Psoralidium	15–30	–
	eastern pasqueflower	PUPA5	Pulsatilla patens	15–30	–
	upright prairie coneflower	RACO3	Ratibida columnifera	15–30	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	15–30	–
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	15	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	0–15	–
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	0–15	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	0–15	–
	scarlet globemallow	SPCO	Sphaeralcea coccinea	0–15	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	0–15	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	15	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–15	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–15	–
	blacksamson echinacea	ECAN2	Echinacea angustifolia	15	–
	stiff sunflower	HEPA19	Helianthus pauciflorus	0–15	–
	blazing star	LIATR	Liatris	0–15	–
	rush skeletonplant	LYJU	Lygodesmia juncea	15	–
	lacy tansyaster	MAPI	Machaeranthera pinnatifida	0–15	–
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs			75–150
	silver sagebrush	ARCA13	Artemisia cana	30–60	–
	western snowberry	SYOC	Symphoricarpos occidentalis	0–60	–
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	30–45	–
	silver buffaloberry	SHAR	Shepherdia argentea	0–45	–
	skunkbush sumac	RHTR	Rhus trilobata	0–30	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	0–15	–
	broom snakeweed	GUSA2	Gutierrezia sarothrae	15	–
	creeping juniper	JUHO2	Juniperus horizontalis	0–15	–
	winterfat	KRLA2	Krascheninnikovia lanata	0–15	–
	pricklypear	OPUNT	Opuntia	0–15	–
	Subshrub (<.5m)	2SUBS	Subshrub (<.5m)	0–15	–

Interpretations

Hydrological functions

Water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B. Infiltration varies from moderately slow to moderate and runoff potential for this site 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

None noted.

Supporting information

Other references

High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://hpccsun.unl.edu)
USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, 101 SW Main, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204-3224. (http://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	Jeff Printz
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:
Short and broken, irregular in appearance or discontinuous, with debris dams.
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Some terracettes may be associated with debris dams. Some slumping may occur on steeper slopes.
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground 20 to 25% consisting of randomly scattered small patches no greater than 2 inches in diameter.
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Active gullies should not be present. Existing gullies should be “healed” with a good vegetative cover.
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 75% or greater of soil surface and maintains soil surface integrity. Stability class anticipated to be 5 – 6.
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. Infiltration rates are moderate to moderately slow.
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None.
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:
mid, cool-season bunchgrasses >

Sub-dominant:
mid, warm-season grasses = mid, cool-season rhizomatous grasses >

Other:
forbs > grass-likes = shrubs > short, cool-season grasses = short, warm-season grasses

Additional:
Due to differing root structure and distribution, Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass do not fit into reference plant community F/S groups.
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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 = 1700 lbs/ac with a range of 1000 lbs/ac to 2400 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 brome, Kentucky bluegrass
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species are capable of reproducing.

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Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site R054XY038ND

Thin Loamy

Accessed: 11/21/2024

General information

Figure 1. Mapped extent

Classification relationships

Associated sites

Similar sites

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Ecosystem states

State 1 submodel, plant communities

State 2 submodel, plant communities

State 3 submodel, plant communities

State 4 submodel, plant communities

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Conservation Service