Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R054XY045ND
Limy Sands
Accessed: 11/23/2024
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 |
| R054XY034ND |
Choppy Sands |
| R054XY035ND |
Very Shallow |
| R054XY043ND |
Shallow Sandy |
Similar sites
| 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 has more production, thicker “A” horizon, a mollic epipedon, lime is deeper than 6 inches from the surface, less little bluestem, no plains muhly, sideoats grama, more prairie sandreed, different landscape positions.] |
|---|---|
| R054XY030ND |
Shallow Loamy Somewhat excessively drained soils > 10 and < 20 inches to sedimentary bedrock that restricts root penetration. Surface layer will ribbon > 1 and < 2 inches. Upslope from thin loamy or loamy sites and sometimes down slope from very shallow ecological sites. Indicator species: little bluestem, plains muhly, needlegrasses and sideoats grama, with dotted gayfeather, purple coneflower and pasqueflower, and shrubs like broom snakeweed. This site has similar species but less little bluestem, sand bluestem, prairie sandreed and sedges, more plains muhly, green needlegrass, western wheatgrass, restrictive layer above twenty inches is not sandstone or gravels, slightly less 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, less little bluestem, porcupinegrass, big bluestem or sand bluestem and more blue grama, plains muhly, sedges and needleandthread, has a restrictive layer within twenty inches.] |
| 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 has more production, thicker “A” horizon and a mollic epipedon, lime is deeper than 6 inches from the surface, less little bluestem, no plains muhly, sideoats grama, more prairie sandreed, different landscape positions.] |
| R054XY038ND |
Thin Loamy [Deep and moderately deep entisols, usually calcareous within 4 inches to the surface, found on knobs and/or sideslopes of hills and buttes. Will form a ribbon greater than 1 inches but not more than 2 inches. Up slope of loamy and down slope of thin loamy or shallow loamy ecological sites. Indicator species: western wheatgrass, little bluestem, plains muhly, porcupinegrass and sideoats grama, with Missouri goldenrod, dotted gayfeather, pasqueflower, purple coneflower and purple prairie clover, and shrubs like winterfat and prairie rose. This site has more western wheatgrass, plains muhly, green needlegrass and sideoats grama, less little bluestem, sedges, prairie sandreed and sand bluestem, similar production and soil depth.] |
| R054XY034ND |
Choppy Sands [Deep entisol found on knobs and ridges of level to choppy sand blown plains; will not ribbon, found upslope from sands and sandy terrace sites. Indicator species: Sand bluestem, prairie sandreed and needleandthread evenly mixed, some Canada wildrye, penstemon, lemon scurfpea western ragweed, yucca, silky prairie clover and leadplant. This site has similar production with a thin “A” horizon, no mollic epipedon, but doesn’t have lime within 6 inches to the surface, less little bluestem, no plains muhly, sideoats grama, more prairie sandreed and sand bluestem, different landscape positions.] |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Andropogon hallii |
Physiographic features
This site typically occurs on moderately sloping to steep sedimentary uplands.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Hill
(2) Knoll (3) Ridge |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 488 – 1,097 m |
| 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) | 457 mm |
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 loamy fine sand and loamy sand textured substratum and slopes of 6 to 35 percent. The soils in this site are somewhat excessively drained and formed in soft sandstone. The loamy fine sand to fine sandy loam surface layer is 4 to 6 inches thick. The soils have a rapid infiltration rate. 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. Pedestalling of plants occurs. The soil surface is unstable and slumping, erosion and deposition is common to the site. Cryptobiotic crusts are present. These soils are susceptible to water and wind erosion. Severe 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) Loamy fine sand (2) Loamy sand |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Sandy |
| Drainage class | Somewhat excessively drained |
| Permeability class | Rapid |
| Soil depth | 51 – 183 cm |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 0% |
| Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
5.08 – 7.62 cm |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 15% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 4 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 5 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
6.6 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 20% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 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 (HCPC). 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 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 HCPC. Species such as little bluestem, blue grama and sedges will initially increase. Big bluestem, sand bluestem, porcupine grass and sideoats grama will decrease in frequency and production. Heavy continuous grazing cause sedges, blue grama and creeping juniper to increase, 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, 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 HCPC. Runoff increases and infiltration will decrease. Soil erosion could be critical.
Under extended periods of non-use and/or lack of fire will result in a plant community having low plant densities and open spaces, which favors an increase in annuals, biennials and pioneering perennials. Such species are red threeawn, sweetclover, cheatgrass, sand dropseed and Scribner’s panicum. In time, shrubs such as cactus and creeping juniper 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
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
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Bluestem/Prairie Sandreed (HCPC)
Community 1.1
Bluestem/Prairie Sandreed (HCPC)
This is the interpretive plant community 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 84% grasses or grass-like plants, 10% forbs, 5% shrubs and 1% trees. Warm season grasses dominate the plant community. The co-dominant grasses include prairie sandreed, little bluestem, big bluestem and sand bluestem. Other grasses and grass-like plants occurring on the site include needleandthread, blue grama, porcupine grass, sideoats grama and sedges. Significant forbs include penstemon, American vetch, dotted gayfeather, prairie coneflower, pasqueflower, green sagewort, silverleaf scurfpea and spiderwort. Leadplant, yucca, dwarf false indigo, rose, western sandcherry and creeping juniper are the principal shrubs. 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. This is a healthy and sustainable plant community.
Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 1098 | 1786 | 2466 |
| Forb | 95 | 151 | 207 |
| Shrub/Vine | 39 | 71 | 106 |
| Tree | – | 10 | 22 |
| Total | 1232 | 2018 | 2801 |
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 |
State 2
Low Plant Density, Excessive Litter
Community 2.1
Low Plant Density, 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 pastures grazed season-long. Plant litter may accumulate as this plant community first develops. Due to a lack of tiller stimulation and sunlight, native bunchgrasses typically develop dead centers and native rhizomatous grasses are limited to colonies. Standing decadent plants and moderate 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. Annual and/or biennial forbs, annual grasses, and cryptogams commonly fill interspaces once occupied by desirable species. Kentucky bluegrass, crested wheatgrass, smooth bromegrass, cheatgrass and/or sweetclover tend to invade and may dominate this plant community. Other grasses present include needleandthread, western wheatgrass, Scribner panicum, sand dropseed, red threeawn and threadleaf sedge. The common forbs include green sagewort, prairie coneflower, and hairy golden aster. Fringed sagewort, rose, yucca, cactus, creeping juniper and Rocky Mountain juniper are principal shrubs and tend to increase in density and cover. This plant community is resistant to change without prescribed grazing or fire. Grazing 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. Once this plant community is reached, any of the preferred treatments can readily return the diversity and production 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 (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 953 | 1524 | 2208 |
| Forb | 84 | 135 | 185 |
| Shrub/Vine | 67 | 108 | 146 |
| Tree | 17 | 27 | 39 |
| Total | 1121 | 1794 | 2578 |
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 |
State 3
Little Bluestem/Needleandthread/Sedge/Blue Grama
Community 3.1
Little Bluestem/Needleandthread/Sedge/Blue Grama
This plant community is the result of long-term, heavy, continuous grazing and/or annual, early spring seasonal grazing. Short grasses, grass-likes, little bluestem and forbs increase to dominate the site and annual production decreases dramatically. Ungrazed little bluestem seed stalks resist grazing pressure from most grazing animals causing a “red grass” patchy appearance amongst larger areas dominated by short grasses. Lack of litter and reduced plant vigor in the short grass areas result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evapotranspiration, which gives the early growth sedges and drought resistant blue grama a competitive advantage over the tall warm-season grasses and 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. Sedges, blue grama and patches of little bluestem are the dominant species with the balance being a few species of cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses including red threeawn, sand dropseed, needleandthread and Scribner panicum. Forbs such as western ragweed, green sagewort, hairy goldaster, American pasqueflower, Lambert crazyweed, scurfpea and prairie coneflower may also be present. Dominant shrubs are cactus, yucca, fringed sagewort and creeping juniper. There is usually less than 15% bare ground. This plant community is very stable. The likelihood of this plant community to head away from the HCPC is greater than moving towards HCPC if management does not change. Runoff has increased and infiltration has decreased. Soil erosion is apparent as per many pedestalled plants and debris dams existing throughout the site, especially on the steeper slopes. This plant community is less productive than the HCPC.
Figure 8. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 7. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 420 | 599 | 773 |
| Forb | 28 | 50 | 73 |
| Shrub/Vine | – | 20 | 39 |
| Tree | – | 3 | 11 |
| Total | 448 | 672 | 896 |
Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5408, Missouri Slope, Sedge Dominant. Cool-season, short 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 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
State 4
Sedge/Blue Grama/Creeping Juniper
Community 4.1
Sedge/Blue Grama/Creeping Juniper
This plant community can quickly develop from the adverse effects of continuous heavy grazing over several years. Diversity is lost as the short grasses become dominant in the plant community. Little bluestem and needleandthread have been reduced greatly compared to the Sedge/Blue Grama/Little Bluestem Plant Community and 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, American pasqueflower and green sagewort become more prevalent in the plant community. The herbaceous species present are less suitable to grazing. There is more than 20% bare ground. Litter is usually non-existent which reduces infiltration, increasing run-off and soil erosion. The soil temperature is hot early and continues throughout the rest of the growing season. These management induced environmental factors greatly influence this plant community and is why this vegetation state is very resistant to change. Once this plant community is reached, any of the preferred treatments will very slowly return the diversity and production of the site. This will take 25+ years.
Figure 10. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 291 | 426 | 555 |
| Shrub/Vine | 22 | 38 | 56 |
| Forb | 22 | 38 | 56 |
| Tree | – | 2 | 6 |
| Total | 335 | 504 | 673 |
Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5408, Missouri Slope, Sedge Dominant. Cool-season, short 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 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Additional community tables
Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Bluestem | 202–303 | ||||
| sand bluestem | ANHA | Andropogon hallii | 202–303 | – | ||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–101 | – | ||
| 2 | 303–504 | |||||
| prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 101–404 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 101–404 | – | ||
| 3 | Needlegrass | 101–202 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 81–161 | – | ||
| porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 40–161 | – | ||
| 4 | Grama | 101–303 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 101–202 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 101–161 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–101 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 61–141 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–61 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 20–40 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 20–40 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 20–40 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 20–40 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 20–40 | – | ||
| plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | 20–40 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-Likes | 141–242 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 121–202 | – | ||
| sun sedge | CAINH2 | Carex inops ssp. heliophila | 40–61 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Forbs | 101–202 | ||||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 20–40 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 20–40 | – | ||
| eastern pasqueflower | PUPA5 | Pulsatilla patens | 20–40 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 20–40 | – | ||
| silky prairie clover | DAVI | Dalea villosa | 0–40 | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 20–40 | – | ||
| green hellebore | HEVI | Helleborus viridis | 20–40 | – | ||
| blazing star | LIATR | Liatris | 20–40 | – | ||
| purple locoweed | OXLA3 | Oxytropis lambertii | 20–40 | – | ||
| beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 20–40 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–20 | – | ||
| large Indian breadroot | PEES | Pediomelum esculentum | 0–20 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 20 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–20 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCAC | Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum | 20 | – | ||
| buckwheat | ERIOG | Eriogonum | 0–20 | – | ||
| old man's whiskers | GETR | Geum triflorum | 0–20 | – | ||
| stiff sunflower | HEPA19 | Helianthus pauciflorus | 20 | – | ||
| plains milkvetch | ASGI5 | Astragalus gilviflorus | 0–20 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 0–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–20 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–20 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 20 | – | ||
| longbract spiderwort | TRBR | Tradescantia bracteata | 20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Shrubs | 40–101 | ||||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 20–40 | – | ||
| dwarf false indigo | AMNA | Amorpha nana | 0–20 | – | ||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 20 | – | ||
| creeping juniper | JUHO2 | Juniperus horizontalis | 0–20 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–20 | – | ||
| western sandcherry | PRPUB | Prunus pumila var. besseyi | 0–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–20 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 20 | – | ||
| soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 0–20 | – | ||
| Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 10 | Trees | 0–20 | ||||
| juniper | JUNIP | Juniperus | 0–20 | – | ||
Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Bluestem | 90–143 | ||||
| sand bluestem | ANHA | Andropogon hallii | 90–143 | – | ||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–18 | – | ||
| 2 | 179–269 | |||||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 90–269 | – | ||
| prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 90–179 | – | ||
| 3 | Needlegrass | 90–269 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 90–269 | – | ||
| porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 18–90 | – | ||
| 4 | Grama | 90–179 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 54–126 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 36–72 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–54 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 90–179 | ||||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 54–108 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 54–90 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 36–72 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 36–54 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 18–36 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 18–36 | – | ||
| plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | 0–18 | – | ||
| mat sandbur | CELO3 | Cenchrus longispinus | 0–18 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–18 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-Likes | 179–359 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 179–323 | – | ||
| sun sedge | CAINH2 | Carex inops ssp. heliophila | 36–54 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–18 | – | ||
| 7 | Non-Native Grasses | 0–36 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–36 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Forbs | 90–179 | ||||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 18–54 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 36–54 | – | ||
| hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 36–54 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 18–36 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 18–36 | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 18–36 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 18–36 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 0–18 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 18 | – | ||
| longbract spiderwort | TRBR | Tradescantia bracteata | 0–18 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCAC | Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum | 0–18 | – | ||
| buckwheat | ERIOG | Eriogonum | 0–18 | – | ||
| old man's whiskers | GETR | Geum triflorum | 0–18 | – | ||
| stiff sunflower | HEPA19 | Helianthus pauciflorus | 0–18 | – | ||
| eastern pasqueflower | PUPA5 | Pulsatilla patens | 0–18 | – | ||
| silky prairie clover | DAVI | Dalea villosa | 0–18 | – | ||
| plains milkvetch | ASGI5 | Astragalus gilviflorus | 0–18 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 18 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 18 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–18 | – | ||
| blazing star | LIATR | Liatris | 0–18 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 18 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–18 | – | ||
| purple locoweed | OXLA3 | Oxytropis lambertii | 0–18 | – | ||
| large Indian breadroot | PEES | Pediomelum esculentum | 0–18 | – | ||
| beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–18 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–18 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Shrubs | 72–143 | ||||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 18–54 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 18–54 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 18–36 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 18–36 | – | ||
| soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 18–36 | – | ||
| creeping juniper | JUHO2 | Juniperus horizontalis | 18–36 | – | ||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 18–36 | – | ||
| dwarf false indigo | AMNA | Amorpha nana | 0–18 | – | ||
| Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–18 | – | ||
| western sandcherry | PRPUB | Prunus pumila var. besseyi | 18 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 10 | Trees | 18–36 | ||||
| juniper | JUNIP | Juniperus | 18–36 | – | ||
Table 11. Community 3.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Bluestem | 0–13 | ||||
| sand bluestem | ANHA | Andropogon hallii | 0–13 | – | ||
| 2 | 67–135 | |||||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 67–135 | – | ||
| prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 0–13 | – | ||
| 3 | Needlegrass | 67–135 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 67–135 | – | ||
| 4 | Grama | 67–135 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 67–135 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–34 | – | ||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 0–34 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 20–47 | ||||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 20–34 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 20–34 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 13–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 7–20 | – | ||
| mat sandbur | CELO3 | Cenchrus longispinus | 0–13 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–7 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–7 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–7 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-Likes | 54–94 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 34–74 | – | ||
| sun sedge | CAINH2 | Carex inops ssp. heliophila | 0–7 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–7 | – | ||
| 7 | Non-Native Grasses | 0–7 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–7 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Forbs | 34–67 | ||||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 20–34 | – | ||
| eastern pasqueflower | PUPA5 | Pulsatilla patens | 20–34 | – | ||
| purple locoweed | OXLA3 | Oxytropis lambertii | 13–20 | – | ||
| hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 13–20 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 7–20 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 13–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 7–13 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 7–13 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 7–13 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 7–13 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 0–7 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 7 | – | ||
| blazing star | LIATR | Liatris | 0–7 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 7 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–7 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–7 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 7 | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 0–7 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCAC | Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum | 0–7 | – | ||
| buckwheat | ERIOG | Eriogonum | 0–7 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Shrubs | 7–34 | ||||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 13–20 | – | ||
| creeping juniper | JUHO2 | Juniperus horizontalis | 7–20 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 7–13 | – | ||
| soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 7–13 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–7 | – | ||
| Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–7 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 10 | Trees | 0–7 | ||||
| juniper | JUNIP | Juniperus | 0–7 | – | ||
Table 12. Community 4.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 2 | 0–20 | |||||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–20 | – | ||
| 3 | Needlegrass | 10–26 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 10–26 | – | ||
| 4 | Grama | 76–141 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 76–141 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–26 | – | ||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 0–10 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 26–50 | ||||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 20–36 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 26–36 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 6–16 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 6–10 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–6 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–6 | – | ||
| mat sandbur | CELO3 | Cenchrus longispinus | 0–6 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–6 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-Likes | 101–161 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 101–161 | – | ||
| sun sedge | CAINH2 | Carex inops ssp. heliophila | 0–6 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–6 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Forbs | 26–50 | ||||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 20–30 | – | ||
| eastern pasqueflower | PUPA5 | Pulsatilla patens | 20–30 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 6–10 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 6–10 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 6–10 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 6–10 | – | ||
| hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 6–10 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 6–10 | – | ||
| purple locoweed | OXLA3 | Oxytropis lambertii | 6–10 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 6 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 6 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–6 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–6 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 0–6 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 6 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Shrubs | 26–50 | ||||
| creeping juniper | JUHO2 | Juniperus horizontalis | 26–50 | – | ||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 16–26 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 6–16 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–6 | – | ||
| soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 0–6 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 10 | Trees | 0–6 | ||||
| juniper | JUNIP | Juniperus | 0–6 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations:
Under development.
Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations:
This site is well adapted to managed grazing by domestic livestock. The predominance of herbaceous plants across all plant community phases best lends these sites to grazing by cattle but other domestic grazers with differing diet preferences may also be a consideration depending upon management objectives. Often, the current plant community does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in the ecological site description). Because of this, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. Proper interpretation of this inventory data will permit the establishment of a safe, initial stocking rate for the type and class of animals and level of grazing management. More accurate stocking rate estimates should eventually be calculated using actual stocking rate information and monitoring data.
Hydrological functions
Water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic groups A. Infiltration rate is rapid and runoff potential for this site varies from very low to medium 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
Highly diversified plant community provides excellent opportunity to evaluate different types of potential plant materials.
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 | 05/12/2011 |
| 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:
Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance or discontinuous with numerous debris dams. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Few and scattered. -
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:
Active blowouts should not be present although a few, small, scattered scour sites may be observed. Historic blowouts should be “healed” with a good vegetative cover. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Little to no 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 70% or greater of soil surface and maintains soil surface integrity. Stability class anticipated to be 4 - 5. -
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):
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, warm-season grasses = tall, rhizomatous warm-season grasses >Sub-dominant:
mid, cool-season bunchgrasses >Other:
short, warm-season grasses = grass-likes > forbs > shrubs > short, cool-season grassesAdditional:
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 = 1800 lbs/acre with a range of 1100 lbs/ac to 2500 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, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species are capable of reproducing.
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