Physiographic features

This site occurs on sandy uplands – delta plains, lake plains, outwash plains, and sand-mantled moraines – which, typically, have been reworked by wind into dunes. Slope ranges from 15 to >35 percent.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

MLRA 55B is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are characteristic of the MLRA. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains. The air masses move unobstructed across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.

Annual precipitation ranges from 18 to 23 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 41.5° F. January is the coldest month with average low temperature ranging from about -4.3° F (Petersburg, ND) to about 2.5° F (Mellette, SD). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 79° F (Petersburg, ND) to about 84° F (Mellette, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 64° F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this MLRA's climate. Winds average about 11 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 13 miles per hour during the spring to about 10 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.

Growth of native cool-season plants begins in late March and continues to early to mid-July. Native warm- season plants begin growth in mid-May and continue to the end of August. Greening up of cool-season plants can occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Climate stations used

• (1) BUTTE 5SE [USC00321225], Butte, ND

• (2) CARRINGTON [USC00321360], Carrington, ND

• (3) FORMAN 5 SSE [USC00323117], Forman, ND

• (4) HARVEY 4NE [USC00324013], Harvey, ND

• (5) LA MOURE [USC00324937], Lamoure, ND

• (6) MELLETTE 4 W [USC00395456], Northville, SD

• (7) PETERSBURG 2 N [USC00327027], Petersburg, ND

• (8) COLUMBIA 8 N [USC00391873], Columbia, SD

Influencing water features

This site does not receive additional water, either as runoff from adjacent slopes or from a seasonal high water table. Depth to the water table is deeper than 6 feet throughout the growing season. Surface infiltration and permeability through the profile are rapid. Water loss on this site occurs through percolation below the root zone and through evapotranspiration.

Soil features

Soils associated with Choppy Sands ecological site are in the Entisol and Mollisol orders. The Entisols are classified further as Typic Udipsamments; the Mollisols are classified further as Entic Hapludolls. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed primarily in eolian sands. These soils are very deep and excessively drained. The common features of soils in this site are the sandy textures throughout and dominant slopes exceeding 15 percent. The surface layer is loamy fine sand or fine sand; it generally is <5 inches thick, but it may be as thick as 9 inches. The rest of the soil profile is typically fine sand.

Salinity and sodicity are typically none throughout the soil profile. Soil reaction ranges from slightly acid to slightly alkaline (pH 6.1 to 7.8). Calcium carbonate content is none or very low.

Wind erosion is the greatest risk. Loss of the thin soil surface layer can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.

The major soil series correlated to the Choppy Sands site are Serden and Maddock.

Access Web Soil Survey ( https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx ) for specific local soils information.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations
Landscape

The MLRA 55B landscape is characterized by mostly nearly level to gently rolling till plains with some steep slopes adjacent to streams and many poorly defined drainage channels. The continental drainage divide occurs in the east central part of the MLRA. The MLRA is located within the Prairie Pothole Region with temporary, seasonal, and semi-permanent wetlands throughout the MLRA. The MLRA includes areas of eskers, kames, and ground moraines. MLRA 55B is considered to have a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are common and characteristic of the MLRA. This area supports mid- to tall-grass prairie vegetation with American elm, bur oak, green ash, and willow species growing along the riparian zones of river systems found throughout the MLRA. Complex intermingled ecological sites create diverse grass/shrub land habitats interspersed with varying densities of linear, slope, depressional, and in-stream wetlands associated with headwater streams and tributaries of the James, Pipestem, Maple, Goose, Sheyenne, Wild Rice, and Elm Rivers. MLRA 55B is located within North and South Dakota and within the boundaries of the Prairie Pothole Region.

Three Hydrologic Unit Areas make up this MLRA. Approximately 6% drains into the Mouse River into MLRA 55A, with the balance split between the James and Sheyenne Rivers.

By the mid-19th century, over 76% of the MLRA had been converted from mid- to tall-grass prairie to annual crop production. To alleviate crop production loss from wetlands and overland flow, a system of shallow surface ditches, judicial ditches, and road ditches removes surface water in spring and during high rainfall events. Tile drainage systems have been or are being installed extensively throughout MLRA 55B for sub-surface field drainage to enhance annual crop production.

Historic Communities/Conditions within MLRA 55B:

The northern tall- and mixed-grass prairie were disturbance-driven ecosystems with fire, herbivory, and climate functions as the primary ecological drivers (either singly or often in combination). American bison roamed MLRA 55B, wintering along the Mouse River in MLRA 55A and migrating through MLRA 55B and into MLRA 56A. Many species of grassland birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, elk, moose, pronghorn, white-tailed deer, and large herds of American bison were historically among the inhabitants adapted to this region. Roaming herbivores, as well as several small mammals and insect species, were the primary consumers linking the grassland resources to large predators (such as the wolf, American black bear, grizzly bear) and smaller carnivores (such as the coyote, bobcat, red fox, and raptors). Extirpated species include free- ranging American bison and gray wolf (breeding). Extinct is the Rocky Mountain locust.

Present Communities/Conditions within MLRA 55B:

This area supports natural prairie vegetation characterized by western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, needle and thread, and blue grama. Little bluestem is an important species on the more sloping and shallower soils. Prairie cordgrass, northern reedgrass, big bluestem, and wheat sedge (aka slough sedge) are important species on wet soils. Western snowberry, leadplant, and prairie rose are commonly interspersed throughout the area.

Over 80% of MLRA 55B has been converted to annual crop production. These influences fragmented the landscape, reduced or eliminated ecological drivers (fire), and introduced exotic plant species including smooth brome, crested wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and leafy spurge; this further impacted plant and animal communities. The loss of the bison and fire as primary ecological drivers greatly influenced the character of the remaining native plant communities and the associated wildlife, moving towards a less diverse and more homogeneous landscape. Annual cropping is the main factor contributing to habitat fragmentation, reducing habitat quality for area- sensitive species.

Hydrological manipulation is extensive throughout the MLRA. Extensive wetland and subsurface tile drainage have taken place. Straightened segments of ephemeral and intermittent tributary streams of the James, Wild Rice, and Sheyenne River have reduced sinuosity, created oxbows, and enabled the conversion of riparian ecological sites to annual crop production. These anthropogenic impacts have reduced flood water detention and retention on the landscape. The results have been increasing storm water runoff sediment and nutrient loading to the James and Sheyenne Rivers and their tributaries (along with lakes and reservoirs within the MLRA). Large dams on the James, Pipestem and Sheyenne rivers, along with installation of instream structures have reduced aquatic species movement within the MLRA.

National wildlife refuges, waterfowl production areas, state wildlife management areas, and North and South Dakota Department of Trust Lands provide herbaceous and woody cover for wildlife. In addition, the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Bureau of Reclamation manage three man-made reservoirs - Jamestown Reservoir, Pipestem Reservoir, and Lake Ashtabula for flood control, also providing fish habitat and adjacent uplands for wildlife cover. Lonetree Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is the largest state managed wildlife area covering 32,800 acres. Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge is the largest refuge consisting of 16,000 acres.

Characteristic wildlife species in this area are:

Birds: Common goldeye, bufflehead, broad-winged hawk, alder flycatcher, mourning warbler, mallard, blue-winged teal, red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, killdeer, eastern and western kingbird, western meadowlark, American crow, common yellowthroat, clay-colored sparrow, vesper sparrow, red-necked grebe, Savannah sparrow, downy and hairy woodpeckers, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, and brown-headed cowbird.

Mammals: Northern short-tailed shrew, white-tailed jackrabbit, Franklin’s ground squirrel, thirteen- lined ground squirrel, northern pocket gopher, plains pocket gopher, western harvest mouse, deer mouse, meadow vole, meadow jumping mouse, western jumping mouse, coyote, red fox, racoon, American badger, striped skunk, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, beaver, muskrat, mink, weasel, woodchuck, and red, eastern gray and fox squirrels.

Reptiles/Amphibians: American toad, Great Plains toad, northern leopard frog, chorus frog, tiger salamander, plains garter snake, smooth green snake, wood frog, and common garter snake.

Presence of wildlife species is often determined by ecological site characteristics including grass and forb species, tree and shrub species, hydrology, aspect, and other associated ecological sites. The home ranges of a majority of species are usually larger than one ecological site or are dependent upon more than one ecological site for annual life requisites. Ecological sites offer different habitat elements as the annual life requisites change. Habitat improvement and creation must be conducted within the mobility limits of a known population for the species.

Insects play an important role in providing ecological services for plant community development. Insects that are scavengers or aid in decomposition provide the food chain baseline sustaining the carnivorous insects feeding upon them. Many insects provide the ecological services necessary for pollination, keeping plant communities healthy and productive. Insects provide a protein food source for numerous species including grassland-nesting birds, woodpeckers, woodland edge and interior species, and their young. Extensive use of insecticides for specialty crops (such as soybeans, corn, and other crops) has greatly reduced insects within this MLRA.

Species of Concern within MLRA 55B:

The following is a list of species considered “species of conservation priority” in the North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2015) and South Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2014); and species listed as “threatened, endangered, or petitioned” under the Endangered Species Act within MLRA 55B at the time this section was developed:

Invertebrates: Dakota skipper, Iowa skipper, monarch butterfly, northern sandy tiger beetle, Ottoe skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, regal fritillary, yellow-banded bumble bee, and western bumble bee.

Birds: America avocet, American bittern, American kestrel, American white pelican, Baird’s sparrow, bald eagle, black-billed cuckoo, black tern, bobolink, burrowing owl, canvasback, chestnut-collared longspur, Dickcissel, ferruginous hawk, Franklin’s gull, grasshopper sparrow, horned grebe, lark bunting, LeConte’s sparrow, lesser scaup, marbled godwit, Nelson’s sparrow, northern goshawk, northern harrier, northern pintail, osprey (migration), peregrine falcon (migration), piping plover (migration), red knot (migration), sharp-tailed grouse, short-eared owl, Swainson’s hawk, upland sandpiper, western meadowlark, willet, Wilson’s phalarope, whooping crane (migration), and yellow rail.

Mammals: Arctic shrew, big and little brown bats, Franklin’s ground squirrel, northern river otter, plains pocket mouse, pygmy shrew, Richardson’s ground squirrel, and silver-haired bat.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Canadian toad, plains hognose snake, smooth green snake, and snapping turtle.

Fish and Mussels: Black sandshell, blacknose shiner, Carmine shiner, creek heelsplitter, creeper, deertoe, fragile papershell, mapleleaf, northern pearl dace, northern redbelly dace, pink heelsplitter, threeridge, trout-perch, yellow sandshell, and Wabash pigtoe.

Grassland Management for Wildlife in MLRA 55B

Management activities within the community phase pathways impact wildlife but are essential for maintenance of healthy grassland ecosystems. Community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways are keys to long-term management within each State and between States. Timing, intensity, and frequency of these inputs can have dramatic positive or negative effects on local wildlife species. Ranchers and other land managers must always consider the long-term beneficial management effects of grassland and woodland resources in comparison to typically short-term negative effects to the habitats of individual species.

Ecological sites occur as intermingled complexes on the landscape with gradual or sometimes abrupt transitions. Rarely do ecological sites exist in large enough acreage to manage independently. Ecological sites supporting a dominance of herbaceous vegetation (Loamy/Sandy) can be located adjacent to ecological sites that support medium to tall shrubs (Loamy Overflow). Conversely, ecological sites that are dominated by short- to mid-statured grasses (Claypan) can be adjacent to sites with bare soil only supporting minor amounts of short grasses and forbs (Thin Claypan).

Management of these complex ecological sites can provide a heterogeneous or a homogenous landscape. Grassland bird use reduces as the plant community transitions to a homogenous state. Managers must recognize ecological sites and the complexes in which they occur to properly manage the landscape. A management regime for one ecological site may negatively impact an adjacent site (e.g., alteration of a grazing regime within the Invaded Wooded State to encourage understory growth may encourage exotic cool-season grasses to increase or dominate an adjacent ecological site).

Life requisites and habitat deficiencies are determined for targeted species. Deficiencies need to be addressed along community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways as presented in specific state-and-transition models. Ecological sites should be managed and restored within the site’s capabilities to provide sustainable habitat for targeted species or species guilds. Managers also need to consider vegetative associations provided by adjacent/intermingled ecological sites for species with home ranges or life requisites that may not be provided by one ecological site.

Grassland-nesting birds use various grass heights for breeding, nesting, foraging, or winter habitat. While most species use varying heights, many have a preferred vegetative stature height or sensitivity to woody vegetation. Understanding the sensitivity of grassland species to woody vegetation and preferred vegetative structure enables managers to determine which grassland-nesting bird species avoid grassland habitats adjacent to woody dominated plant community phases (as found in Invaded Wooded State 4.0). The following chart provides sensitivity to woody vegetation and preferred vegetative stature heights.

To see the chart please follow the hyperlink: https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/ND/55B_Choppy_Sands_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf

Choppy Sands Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Choppy Sands ecological sites are located on hummocks, dunes, and ridges; slopes are greater than 15 percent. They are found on sandy uplands – delta plains, lake plains, outwash plains, and sand- mantled moraines. The soils are excessively drained with no significant water table or surface run-on influencing vegetation production on this site. Associated ecological sites include Sands, Subirrigated, Subirrigated Sands, and Wet Meadow which are very commonly intermingled with the Choppy Sands site. Choppy Sands ecological sites tend to provide habitat for many edge-sensitive, grassland bird species preferring medium- to tall-statured vegetation. Insects rely on associated forbs and grasses for survival and serve as food sources for birds and their young, and as forage for small and large herbivores.

Choppy Sands ecological sites may be found in three plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Invaded State, and 4.0 Invaded Wooded State) within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases exist within States 1.0 and 2.0. Today, these states occur primarily in response to precipitation (extended periods of above normal precipitation and drought), fire, grazing, non-use, and other anthropogenic disturbances.

Because there is no known restoration pathway from State 2.0 to State 1.0, it is important to intensively manage using tools in State 1.0 and State 2.0 Community Phase Pathways to prevent further plant community degradation along the T2 Transitional Pathway to 3.0 Invaded State or Transitional Pathways T3A and T2B to 4.0 Invaded Wooded State. Native wildlife, in particularly grassland nesting birds, generally benefits from the heterogeneous grasslands found in States 1.0 and 2.0. Plant communities within State 2.0 depend upon long-term changes in precipitation and are impacted by grazing intensity and frequency.

Success along Restoration Pathway R3A from 3.0 Invaded State to 2.0 Native/Invaded State is very difficult and is dependent upon presence of a remnant native grass population and degree of management treatments applied. Managers must realize there is no restoration pathway back to State 1.0 and, once the plant community reaches States 3.0, it is very difficult to transition back to State 2.0. Management along community phase or transition pathways should focus upon attainable changes. Short- and long-term monetary costs must be evaluated against short- and long-term ecological services in creating and maintaining habitat of sufficient quality to support a sustainable population density.

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Sand Bluestem-Prairie Sandreed-Needlegrasses: This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wildlife; every effort should be made, when found, to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This phase retains high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing (with adequate recovery period), as well as prescribed fire. Fire frequency maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for grassland bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. Predominance of grass species in this community favors grazers and mixed-feeders (animals selecting grasses as well as forbs and shrubs). The structural diversity provides habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident grassland birds.

Invertebrates: Insects play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, reptiles, and rodents. Ecological services, historically provided by bison, need to be simulated by domestic livestock. These services include putting plant material and dung in contact with mineral soil to be used by lower trophic level consumers (such as invertebrate decomposers, scavengers, shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal-feeders).

No violet species are found on this site, limiting use by Regal fritillary. Monarch butterfly may use flowering forbs on this site; milkweed species are found on this site to support caterpillar food. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs as a nectar source. Bare ground is abundant for ground nesting bees. Although little bluestem and sideoats grama can occur, Choppy Sands are too dry for Dakota skipper larvae.

Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods (as well as prescribed fire) to maintain the Community Phase 1.1A will have long term positive effects on ground dwelling insects.

Birds: This plant community provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by mid- to tallgrass-nesting birds. Fire frequency maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for grassland bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. In years with reduced precipitation or drought, nesting recruitment may be compromised. This plant community can provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse nesting, brood-rearing and escape habitat. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, jackrabbits, and white-tailed deer. Tall- to mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site can provide foraging opportunities for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad since this site can be found adjacent to Wet Meadow ecological sites. Northern prairie skinks and plains hog-nosed snakes will use this site since it provides sands habitat and open areas favored by these species.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site is not typically adjacent to streams, rivers, or water bodies. This site typically does not receive run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites. The site does contribute hydrology through sub-surface flows to sites lower on the landscape including Sands, Subirrigated, Subirrigated Sands, and Wet Meadow ecological sites. Management on Choppy Sands sites, in conjunction with neighboring sites, will have an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Choppy Sands and adjacent sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to nearby aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2 Sun Sedge-Sand Dropseed-Needle and Thread: This plant community phase occurs during periods of below average precipitation with or without heavy grazing. This results in marked increases in sun sedge and sand dropseed with a corresponding decrease in sand bluestem. This plant community has transformed from a mid- to tall-grass (Community Phase 1.1) to a mid- to short-statured herbaceous community, via Community Phase 1.1A.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, forb species have increased in number and diversity providing increased pollen and nectar sources and increase bare ground for ground-nesting insects.

Birds: The reduction of tall- and mid- statured grasses to mid- to short-statured grasses favors grassland nesting birds that prefer short- to medium-vegetative stature.

Mammals: A shift to short- to mid-statured grasses reduces large ungulate habitat for white-tailed deer.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

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

Community Phase 1.3 Bare Ground/Sand Dropseed-Sand Bluestem/Pioneer Species: This plant phase is a result of a Community Phase Pathway 1.2A with a combination of multiyear drought and excess disturbance (such as trailing, burrowing, or heavy grazing). Multiyear drought and repeated disturbances increase wind erosion resulting in bare ground and possibly a blowout condition. This unstable plant community has large areas of bare soil subjected to extreme wind erosion. Pioneering perennial and annual vegetation dominate the site.

Invertebrates: Bare soil, active wind erosion, and a lack of forb species limits this site use by pollinating species.

Birds: Bare soil, active wind erosion, and a lack of herbaceous cover limits this site use by most bird species.

Mammals: Bare soil, active wind erosion, and a lack of herbaceous cover limits this site use by many mammal species. This plant community phase does not provide any habitat for large mammals and provides limited habitat for small mammals.

Amphibians and Reptiles: As this site dries out with active wind erosion, use by northern leopard frog and Canadian toad becomes very limited. Northern prairie skinks may still use this site.

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

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Sand Bluestem-Prairie Sandreed-Needlegrasses/Forbs/Shrubs: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1 due to the introduction of exotic cool-season grasses and may be exacerbated when historic grazing/fire sequence has largely been replaced by heavy season-long or heavy late season grazing. Complete rest from grazing and suppression of fire can also lead to this transition. Exotic cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome, have established. This plant community phase has a similar appearance and function to the Plant Community 1.1, except for the presence and increase of exotic cool-season grass species. This state can still function at a high level for native wildlife. A wide array of forbs still provides nectar and pollen sources for pollinating species. An increase in shrubs, such as chokecherry and western snowberry, may begin to negatively impact grassland nesting birds. Managers should consider management within the State 2.0 Community Phase Pathways to avoid transitioning to 3.0 Invaded State. There is no known Community Phase Pathway back to 1.0 Reference State.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, increase in shrubs may negatively impact grassland nesting bird species.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

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

Community Phase 2.2 Sun Sedge/Sand Dropseed-Needle and Thread/Forbs/Shrubs: Multiyear drought, with or without heavy, season-long grazing (via Community Phase Pathway 2.1A) shifts the competitive advantages to grazing tolerant short-statured grasses, grass-likes, and forbs. Soil temperatures increase with shallower rooted, short-statured blue grama and sedges combined with an increase in bare ground. Forbs increase in number and diversity.

Invertebrates: Increase in forbs provides an increase nectar and pollen source for invertebrates. Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

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

Community Phase 2.3 Bare Ground/Sand Dropseed-Sand Bluestem/Pioneer Species: This plant phase is a result of a Community Phase Pathway 2.1B or 2.2B with a combination of multiyear drought, excess disturbance such as livestock trailing/loafing, off-road vehicle uses, and/or heavy grazing. This unstable plant community has large areas of bare soil (greater than 95%) subjected to wind erosion. Pioneering perennial and annual vegetation dominate the site.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3.

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

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

3.0 Invaded State:

Community Phase 3.1 Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: The elimination of fire and grazing (via Transitional Pathway T2) allows introduced exotic species, such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome, to dominate. Warm- and cool-season native grasses may still be present but with reduced vigor and numbers not allowing for recovery without prescribe grazing and burning. Continued non- use may allow smooth brome to become the dominant herbaceous component. Managers need to evaluate impacts to wildlife while implementing these management practices. Intensified prescribed grazing and burning will have significant short-term negative impacts on wildlife habitat; however, this is necessary to restore long-term native habitat functions.

Invertebrates: The invasion of Kentucky bluegrass or other exotic cool-season grasses reduces or eliminates habitats for all pollinating species of concern within MLRA 55B. Season-long pollen and nectar availability becomes limited on this site. The woody shrub component may provide an early- to mid- season bloom period. Non-use will increase litter, reducing sites for ground nesting pollinators. Overall, pollinator plant diversity is low, limiting season-long nectar and pollen production.

Birds: As vegetative stature becomes less diverse with an exotic cool-season monoculture (Kentucky bluegrass, brome and/or quackgrass), non-use, very light use, and no fire results in extensive areas of grass litter accumulation. Grassland nesting bird species that favor short- to mid-statured vegetation may use this plant community. Dependent upon use and stature of residual vegetation, this plant community can provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites with limited to no cover for other life requisites. This site provides limited hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Excessive litter build up provides thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores, but limited life requisites for large mammals. If the plant community is managed with heavy, season-long grazing, residual cover is reduced which provides limited food and cover for most mammals except ground dwelling mammals.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, excessive grazing will negatively impact the plains hog-nosed snake.

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

4.0 Invaded Wooded State

Extended periods of no use and no fire may lead to patches of shrubs with an understory dominated by exotic cool-season grasses. Common shrubs may include chokecherry, poison ivy, Woods’ rose, and white meadowsweet. Trees (such as bur oak, green ash and hawthorn) may also be present.

4.1 Shrubs-Western Poison Ivy/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses: The elimination of fire and complete rest from grazing, via Transitional Pathway T2B, allows for the continued invasion of Kentucky bluegrass with a corresponding increase in shrubs. The lack of repeated fire events allows chokecherry and poison ivy to expand into adjacent herbaceous vegetation dominated communities. Restoration to State 2.0, via Restoration Pathway R4A, requires a combination of mechanical and herbicide application coupled with repeated prescribed burns. Reseeding of native vegetation may be necessary dependent upon amounts of native species in the site to re-establish the native plant community.

Invertebrates: The invasion of woody vegetation reduces habitat for pollinator insects within MLRA 55B. Season-long pollen and nectar availability becomes limited on this site. However, woody species, such as chokecherry and western snowberry, provide early- to mid- season pollen sources for native and honeybees. Overall, pollinator plant diversity is low, limiting season-long nectar and pollen production.

Birds: The invasion of smooth sumac and other shrubs may cause grassland nesting birds sensitive to woody vegetation encroachment to discontinue use of this community phase. Bird species preferring woodland edge may begin to use this site.

Mammals: Shrubs will provide increased year-round cover for large mammals, such as white-tailed deer. Mammals, such as porcupines, preferring woody habitat will use this site.

Amphibians and Reptiles: The invasion of woody vegetation significantly reduces habit for Canadian toad, northern prairie skink, and plains hognose snake.

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

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 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.

NRCS defines prescribed grazing as “managing the harvest of vegetation with grazing and/or browsing animals with the intent to achieve specific ecological, economic, and management objectives”. As used in this site description, the term ‘prescribed grazing’ is intended to include multiple grazing management systems (e.g., rotational grazing, twice-over grazing, conservation grazing, targeted grazing, etc.) provided that, whatever management system is implemented, it meets the intent of prescribed grazing definition.

The basic grazing prescription addresses balancing forage demand (quality and quantity) with available forage, varying grazing and deferment periods from year-to-year, matching recovery/deferment periods to growing conditions when pastures are grazed more than once in a growing season, implementation of a contingency (e.g., drought) plan, and a monitoring plan. When the management goal is to facilitate change from one plant community phase or state to another, then the prescription needs to be designed to shift the competitive advantage to favor the native grass and forb species.

Grazing levels are noted within the plant community narratives and pathways in reference to grazing/prescribed grazing management. “Degree of utilization” is defined as the proportion of the current years forage production that is consumed and/or destroyed by grazing animals (may refer to a single plant species or a portion or all the vegetation). “Grazing utilization” is classified as slight, moderate, full, close, and severe (see the following table for description of each grazing use category). The following utilization levels are also described in the Ranchers Guide to Grassland Management IV. Utilization levels are determined by using the landscape appearance method as outlined in the Interagency Technical Reference “Utilization Studies and Residual Measurements” 1734-3.


Utilization Level % Use Description
Slight (Light) 0-20 Appears practically undisturbed when viewed obliquely. Only choice areas and forage utilized.

Moderate 20-40 Almost all of accessible range shows grazing. Little or no use of poor forage. Little evidence of trailing to grazing.

Full 40-60 All fully accessible areas are grazed. The major sites have key forage species properly utilized (about half taken, half left). Points of concentration with overuse limited to 5 to 10 percent of accessible area.

Close (Heavy) 60-80 All accessible range plainly shows use and major sections closely cropped. Livestock forced to use less desirable forage, considering seasonal preference.

Severe > 80 Key forage species completely used. Low-value forages are dominant.

Hydrological functions

Water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group A. Infiltration is rapid; runoff potential varies from very low to medium depending on slope percent, surface texture, and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. 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

Hunting and Bird Watching: National wildlife refuges, waterfowl production areas, state wildlife management areas (WMA), and North Dakota and South Dakota Department of Trust Lands provide herbaceous and woody cover for wildlife. National Wildlife Refuges and waterfowl production areas are owned and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and are available for public hunting, hiking, and bird watching. In addition, the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Bureau of Reclamation manage three man-made reservoirs - Jamestown Reservoir (2,036 acres), Pipestem Reservoir (1,027 acres), and Lake Ashtabula (5,174 acres) for flood control, also providing fish habitat and adjacent uplands for wildlife cover. Lonetree WMA is the largest state managed wildlife area covering 32,800 acres. Numerous WMAs in North Dakota and Game Production Areas in South Dakota are found within this MLRA. The largest refuges managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife service are Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex consists of 75,000 acres and Tewaukon National NWR covers 8,363 acres.

Fishing: Approximately 100 lakes are managed for public fishing within MLRA 55B. Most of these lakes offer boat docks and ramps. These lakes contain various sport fish including walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, catfish, trout, crappie, and bluegill. Many of these lakes are known for excellent round-around walleye and yellow perch fishery.

Camping: Fort Ramson State Park, Pipestem Reservoir, Jamestown Reservoir, Spiritwood Lake, Clausen Springs, Little Yellowstone, Richmond Lake State Recreation Area, Mina Lake State Recreation Area, and other public and private campgrounds are found within the MLRA. Limited, primitive camping is available on wildlife management areas. Ft. Ransom State Park (North Dakota), located along the Sheyenne River has a designated horse park with 15 miles of trails.

Hiking/Biking/Horseback Riding: Horseback riders, hikers, and biker can enjoy over 15 miles of multi-use trails at Fort Ransom State Park. The Jamestown Reservoir (5 miles), Pipestem Reservoir (8 miles) and Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge (9.4 miles) maintain hiking trails. The Lonetree Wildlife Management Area has a 32- mile segment of the North Country Trail. It is designed for hiking and non-motorized travel including mountain bikes or horseback riding.

Canoeing/Kayaking: The Sheyenne River offers 278 miles of canoeing/kayaking from May-July. A kayak kiosk is located at Valley City and canoe/kayak rentals are available at Fort Ransom State Park. The James River has a canoe trail starting in Grand Rapids and canoeing down to the James River Dam site in LaMoure; no rentals are available.

Auto Tour: A 63-mile scenic drive starts north of Valley City and heading south through Sheyenne River Valley. Audubon National Wildlife Refuge offers a 5.5-mile auto-tour route winding through both prairie grassland and wetland habitats of the lower portion of the James River Valley.

Wood products

There are no significant wood products found on this site.

Other products

Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.

Other information

Site Development and Testing Plan
• Investigation is needed on the slope break of 15% between Sands and Choppy Sands. It is currently thought that the plant community and production on stable landscapes (not dunes) with slopes >15% is similar to that of dune areas. There is also uncertainty about the plant community and productivity of Serden soils (dunes) with slope <15% as compared to other soils in the Sands ecological site. The plant communities and production levels need more documentation to verify the current slope break.
• Further documentation may be needed for plant communities in all states. Plant data has been collected in previous range-site investigations, including clipping data; however, this data needs review. If geo-referenced sites meeting Tier 3 standards for either vegetative or soil data are not available, representative sites will be selected for further investigation.
• Site concepts will be refined as the above noted investigations are completed.
• The long-term goal is to complete an approved, correlated Ecological Site Description as defined by the National Ecological Site Handbook.

This ESD is the best available knowledge. The site concept and species composition table have been used in the field and tested for more than five years. It is expected that as additional information becomes available revisions may be required.

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS and other federal/state agency clipping and inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. All descriptions were peer reviewed and/or field-tested by various private, state and federal agency specialists.

Other references

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Contributors

David Dewald
Jonathan Fettig
Hal Weiser
Alan Gulsvig
Mark Hayek
Chuck Lura
Jeff Printz
Steve Sieler

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 4/25/2025