Physiographic features

This site occurs on glaciated uplands – till plains, lake plains, and escarpments. It is on shoulder slopes, convex rises, ridges, and summits. Parent materials are till (fine-loamy or coarse-loamy) or glaciolacustrine sediments (fine-silty or coarse-silty). Slopes range from 1 to 40 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) PETERSBURG 2 N [USC00327027], Petersburg, ND

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

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

Influencing water features

This site does not receive additional water as runoff from adjacent slopes; it is on a run-off landscape position. Neither does it receive significant additional water from a seasonal high-water table. Depth to the water table is commonly deeper than 6 feet throughout the growing season. On some soils with slopes less than 6 percent, the water table may be as shallow as 3 feet during the months of April through June; and deeper than 4 feet the rest of the growing season. Surface infiltration and permeability through the profile are moderately slow to moderate. Water loss is through percolation below the root zone and evapotranspiration.

Soil features

Soils associated with Thin Loamy ecological site are in the Mollisol and Inceptisol orders. The Mollisols are classified further as Typic Calciudolls. The Inceptisols are classified further as Typic Eutrudepts. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed in till or glaciolacustrine sediments.

The common features of soils in this site are the medium and moderately fine textures throughout (surface and subsoil layers form a ribbon 1 to 2 inches long) and an accumulation of calcium carbonate within a depth of 8 inches. The soils typically are very deep; however, a few soils on escarpments have shale beds as shallow 20 inches. The drainage class is well drained or moderately well drained. Where present, redoximorphic features are typically deeper than 4 feet; however, on low-relief rises, they may be visible as shallow as 2.5 feet. Surface textures typically are loam or silt loam; but very fine sandy loam, clay loam, and silty clay loam also occur.

Soil salinity is none to very slight (E.C. <4 dS/m) in the surface layer and upper subsoil. In some soils it increases to moderate (E.C. 8 - <16 dS/m) in the substratum. Sodicity is none to low in most soils. However, in some soils it increases to moderate at depth >30 inches (these layers commonly have concentrations of gypsum, as well). Soil reaction is slightly alkaline to moderately alkaline (pH 7.4 to 8.4) in most soils. In some soils, it may increase to strongly alkaline (pH 8.5 to 9.0) at a depth of more than 30 inches. Calcium carbonate content is from 15 to 45 percent in the layer of accumulation high in the soil profile. The surface layer commonly has less than 15 percent CaC03; in some soils, the depth to effervescence is as much as 5 inches.

Crypto-biotic crusts may be present. Sub-surface soil layers are non-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 the Thin Loamy site are Balaton, Buse, Esmond, Langhei, Ortonville, Sisseton, and Zell.

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 he 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 (Invaded Wooded State). 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 declines 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; for example, alteration of a grazing regime within a 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. 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_Thin_Loamy_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf

Thin Loamy Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Thin Loamy ecological sites are moderately well to well drained, moderately coarse to moderately fine textured soils usually found on shoulder slopes, convex rises, and summits of gently sloping to very steep till plains, lake plains, and escarpments. This site is calcareous within a depth of 8 inches and has a highly calcareous upper subsoil. Little bluestem is the dominant mid warm-season grass. Associated ecological sites include Clayey, Loamy Overflow, Sands, Sandy, Loamy, and Shallow Loamy. This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge-sensitive grassland bird species preferring medium- to short-statured vegetation.

Thin Loamy habitat features and components support grassland-nesting birds. Sharp-tailed grouse may us this site for lek sites dependent upon slope. Insects rely on associated forbs and grasses for survival. High insect populations provide food sources for birds and their young. Thin Loamy ecological sites provide quality forage for small and large herbivores. Dakota skippers may use Thin Loamy ecological sites in MLRA 55B.

Thin Loamy ecological sites may be found in five plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Invaded State, 4.0 Go-Back State, and 50. 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 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 T2A Transitional Pathway to State 3. Native wildlife generally benefits from the heterogeneous grasslands found in States 1.0 and 2.0 that include grass and forb species of varying stature and density. As plant communities degrade within State 2.0, Kentucky bluegrass increases while native forbs decrease. When Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30%, the site transitions to 3.0 Invaded State. This transition results in reduced stature and increased plant community homogeneity. When adjacent and/or intermingled ecological sites undergo the same transition, the result can be an expansive, homogenous landscape.

Success along Restoration Pathway R3A from State 3.0 to State 2.0 is very difficult and is dependent upon presence of a remnant native grass population. This concept also applies to wildlife, as the target species must either be present on adjacent State 1.0 or State 2.0 plant communities or ecological sites within the mobility limits of the species. Species with limited mobility, such as Dakota skippers, must exist near the plant community to utilize restored sites. Mobile species (such as grassland-nesting birds) can easily locate isolated, restored plant communities.

Plant Community Phase 3.1 shows a dramatic increased homogeneity of exotic cool-season grasses and further reduction in native forbs. Reduced forb diversity limits insect populations, negatively affecting foraging opportunities for grassland-nesting birds. Increased exotic grass litter or dense sod can limit access to bare ground by nesting insects and can limit mobility by small chicks. A homogenous grassland landscape does not provide quality escape or winter cover. As a result, many species are not able to meet life requisites, especially non-migratory species.

Management along community phase, transition, or restoration 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 enough quality to support a sustainable population density.

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Little Bluestem-Needlegrasses-Sideoats Grama: This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wildlife; every effort should be made 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. Prescribed fire frequency maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. Predominance of grass species in these communities 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 birds. Plant structure within Plant Community Phase 2.1 is very similar to 1.1 except for the invasion of minor amounts of cool-season exotic grasses, mainly Kentucky bluegrass.

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, are 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).

Dakota skippers prefer this site due to presence of host plants, such as little bluestem and blacksamson echinacea. This site is dominated by mid-statured grasses, missing the tall-statured grasses that support the habitat needs of the Ottoe skipper. Violet species are not common on this site, not supporting the needed habitat for the regal fritillary. Monarch butterfly may use flowering forbs; however, few milkweed species are found on these sites to support caterpillar food. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs as a nectar source; bare ground and nesting sites are available due to the dominance of bunch grasses. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods, as well as prescribed fire, to maintain the 1.1 phase, 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 short-grass nesting birds. Prescribed fire maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation and limits litter accumulations. This plant community can provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites and 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. Mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small mammals.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site is not found adjacent to Wet Meadow or Shallow Marsh ecological sites; therefore, they provide limited habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad. These sites do not provide habitat for the northern prairie skink and plains hog-nosed snake.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological sites is not typically located adjacent to streams, rivers, or water bodies. This site typically does not receive run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites but do provide hydrology to adjacent down-slope ecological sites. Management on Thin Loamy sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, will have an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from adjacent sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to the adjacent aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2 Blue Grama/Sedges/Needlegrasses-Little Bluestem: Heavy grazing with below normal precipitation results in a shorter, warm-season dominated plant community. Forbs (such as silverleaf Indian breadroot, white sagebrush, blacksamson echinacea, and field sagewort) become more prevalent. Prairie sagewort and broom snakeweed become the principal shrubs. The amount of bare ground increases from Community Phase 1.1. A return to normal precipitation patterns and prescribed grazing system can return this plant community to Community Phase 1.1.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.
Birds: A shift to shorter statured grasses provide quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by short- to mid- statured nesting birds. This plant community provides suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites. 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. Short- to mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

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

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

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Little Bluestem-Needlegrasses-Sideoats Grama: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1A due to changes in management and the presence of exotic, cool-season grasses. Lack of fire or heavy season-long grazing can facilitate this transition. The threshold between States 1.0 and 2.0 is crossed when Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, or other exotic species become established. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Reference State of Community 1.1, except it has a minor amount of exotic cool- season grasses and forbs. This phase functions at a high level for native wildlife; therefore, managers should consider the State 2.0 community phase pathways to avoid transitioning to the 3.0 Invaded State. There is no known Community Phase Pathway back to 1.0 Reference State from 2.0 Native/Invaded State.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

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 Needlegrasses-Blue Grama/Sedges/Little Bluestem: Long-term heavy season- long grazing, with drought results in a somewhat shorter in stature than Plant Community Phase 2.1. This plant community becomes dispersed throughout the site causing an overgrazed/undergrazed pattern referred to as patch grazing. Under this grazing system, Kentucky bluegrass begins to increase. Common forbs include upright prairie coneflower, silverleaf Indian breadroot, goldenrods, white heath aster, field sagewort, white sagebrush, and wavyleaf thistle. Prairie sagewort and leadplant become the principal shrubs. The amount of bare ground decrease as turf forming cool- and warm-season grasses increase from Community Phase 2.1. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods will shift the competitive edge back to mid-statured warm-season bunch grasses via Community Pathway 2.2A.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

Birds: The mosaic of overgrazed/undergrazed pattern provides both mid- and short statured grasses providing nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by short- to mid-statured grassland nesting birds. This plant community provides suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

Community Phase 2.3 Blue Grama/Sedges/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses: Long-term heavy season- long with multiyear drought results in a short-statured plant community. Blue grama becomes the dominant grass with the increase in Kentucky bluegrass causing this plant community to be at risk of crossing the threshold to Invaded State 3.0. Forbs include goldenrod, silverleaf Indian breadroot, field sagewort, yellow salsify, white heath aster, common yarrow, and Cuman ragweed become more prevalent. Prairie sagewort and prairie rose become the principal shrubs. The amount of bare ground decreases as blue grama and Kentucky bluegrass increase. Implementation of a long-term prescribed grazing system with adequate recovery period (via Community Pathway 2.3A) can shift the competitive edge to short-statured warm-season grasses with a shift back to Community Phase 2.2.

Invertebrates: The reduction of native forbs and increase in turf-forming grasses limit foraging and nesting sites for all pollinators. Dominated by late season bloom period forb species, pollen and nectar resources may be limited during early and mid-season bloom periods. Continuous, heavy season-long grazing may reduce ground-nesting site availability. Increases in wind-pollinated shrubs, such as field sagewort, prairie sagewort, and Cuman ragweed may reduce pollen and nectar availability. Prairie sagewort provides nesting sites for native bees and larval food butterfly species.

Birds: Heavy, continuous grazing seasonal-long grazing reduces nesting sites, forage (invertebrates), and cover. The stature is generally short, serving short-grass nesting birds. Species that prefer mid- grass stature generally will be successful with normal to above normal precipitation and a change in management along the 2.3A Community Pathway. This plant community provides areas suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek site development. Limited stature and limited prey populations provide reduced hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover (reduction in litter) for most mammals becomes limited. The loss of diversity of grasses and forbs reduces nutrition levels for small and large herbivores.

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

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

Community Phase 2.4 Needlegrasses/Sedges/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses: Long term non-use or very light grazing, and no fire (via Community Phase Pathway 2.1B) results in marked increases in the exotic cool-season species (mainly Kentucky bluegrass) and corresponding decreases in native grasses, particularly the warm-season species. Although Kentucky bluegrass has increased, forb diversity remains high due to the low productivity of the site. The amount of bare ground decreases as sod-forming, exotic cool-season grasses increase. Long-term prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods will shift the competitive edge back to mid-statured warm- and cool-season bunch grasses via Community Pathway 2.4A. This community phase is at risk of transitioning to 3.0 Invaded State with continued periods of non-use or very light use, and no prescribed fire management.

Invertebrates: Pollen and nectar sources remain, as cool-season exotic grasses begin to invade this site. Due to the low productivity of this site, it continues to provide nesting sites for ground nesting bees.

Birds: Grassland nesting birds preferring increased plant litter and short-statured vegetation will benefit. This plant community provides suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites dependent upon degree of slope. This site provides hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Large herbivores’ life requisites will not be met in this plant community. Short-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small ground dwelling mammals and rodents.

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

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar secondary resource benefits as Community Phase 1.1.

3.0 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1:Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Shrubs: The continued elimination of fire and grazing (via Transitional Pathway T2A) allows this site to become dominated by exotic cool-season grasses with shrubs (such as white sagebrush, western snowberry, and rose). Shade tolerant Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome dominates the understory and warm-season, native grasses may still be present but with reduced vigor and numbers not allowing for recovery without prescribed grazing and burning via Restoration Pathway R3A. Continued non-use may allow smooth brome to become the dominant herbaceous component.

Invertebrates: The invasion of exotic cool-season grasses and corresponding reduction in forbs reduces pollen and nectar availability, Forbs will provide limited early- and mid-season pollen and nectar; however, western snowberry and rose will provide early pollen availability. Overall, pollinator plant diversity is low, limiting season-long nectar and pollen production.

Birds: Exotic cool-season grasses provide short-statured vegetation for grassland nesting birds preferring this type of structure. Depending on the density of western snowberry and other shrub species, grassland nesting birds, sensitive to woody vegetation, may discontinue use of this community phase. Bird species preferring woodland edge will have limited use since only low statured woody vegetation is available. This plant community may no longer provide lek sites for sharp-tailed grouse.

Mammals: Western snowberry can provide year-round cover and browse for white-tailed deer. High litter amounts coupled with shrub cover provide food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

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

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

4.0 Go-Back State

Community Phase 4.1 Annual/Pioneer Perennial/Exotics: These plant communities are the result of severe soil disturbance (such as cropping, recreational activity, or concentrated livestock activity for a prolonged time period). Following cessation of disturbances, the resulting plant community is dominated by early pioneer annual and perennial plant species. Plant species composition and production are highly variable. Weedy plants can provide pollinator habitat along with spring and summer cover for many mammals and birds, and their young. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon plant community composition, vegetative stature, patch size, and management activities (such as prescribed grazing, burning, inter-seeding, haying, or noxious weed control).

Successful restoration of native species along Transition Pathway R4A can result in a native grass and forb community in State 2.0. Over time, with no management, the exotic cool-season perennial grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and/or quackgrass) generally become re-established and dominate the community. Prescribed grazing and/or fire will be needed to maintain this plant community within State 2.0. An unsuccessful range planting, via Transition Pathway R4B, can result in State 3.0.

5.0 Invaded Wooded State

Thin Loamy ecological sites did not historically support a woody plant community. Today, this plant community usually exist as a linear woody feature on a linear/concave landscape commonly referred to as ‘woody draws’. The wooded state also occurs when Thin Loamy ecological sites are located near a seed source for woody vegetation with extended periods of no use, no fire usually occurring on the side slopes or foot slopes. The removal of all disturbance through Transition Pathways T2B and T3A are the major contributors to this community phase, crossing the threshold from an herbaceous plant community to a community dominated by hardwoods and shrubs. The composition of this woody plant community will be dependent upon shading (tree canopy density), management (grazing), and the amount of invasive grass and shrub species.

Community Phase 5.1 Hardwood Trees/Shrubs: Wooded north and east facing slopes along with woody draws are an important vegetative type used by many large herbivorous mammals. Multi-level canopy, high edge-to-area ratio, and prevalence of preferred forage provides high quality wildlife habitat. Within MLRA 55B, these areas provide important travel corridors, security cover, and foraging, loafing, and parturition (birthing) areas.

Invertebrates: Early season flowering shrubs provide pollen and nectar. However, pollinating insects will need adjacent herbaceous- and forb-dominated ecological sites for mid- to late-season pollen sources. Lower trophic-level consumers (such as invertebrate decomposers, scavengers, shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal-feeders) will use woody plant material, leaves, and limited amounts of grasses in contact with mineral soil. The woody component of this site is not conducive to use by any insect species of conservation priority within MLRA 55B. Woody plant material is available for wood-nesting bees. These wind-protected, moist plant communities provide favorable habitat for flying insects (flies, mosquitoes, moths, etc.). Favorable climatic conditions can lead to large hatches of insects.

Birds: This site no longer provides habitat for grassland-nesting bird species due to the dominance of woody vegetation. Bird species that use and benefit from woodland edge (such as wild turkey, black- billed cuckoo, black-capped chickadee, gray catbird, and Swainson’s hawk) can be found in this community phase. This community phase provides nesting habitat for many migratory passerines and quality winter cover for eastern screech owl, great horned owl, wild turkey, and non-migrating passerine birds, such as black-capped chickadee and white-breasted nuthatch. Berry producing shrubs provide late summer, fall, and winter forage for many bird species. Use increases as the depth of snow increases during the winter, thereby becoming critical to the sustainment of winter resident bird populations. The presence of woody plant species may increase mammalian and avian predation and increase brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds on adjacent grassland ecological sites.

Mammals: Little and big brown bats use these states for roost sites and forage. Small herbivores that can use (or tolerate) woodland edge, such as American porcupine and cotton-tail rabbit, will benefit from this plant community phase. Shrubs and trees provide security and thermal cover used by white-tailed deer for foraging, loafing, and rearing young-of-the-year. Multi-layer shrub/tree communities provide concealment protection from predators during parturition. Plant species provide highly nutritious forage during peak lactation, one of the most energy-demanding time periods of the year for female ungulates. Winter white-tailed deer diets are dominated by chokecherry, western snowberry, serviceberry, rose, and various species of gooseberry.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This plant community phase does not provide habitat for species of conservation priority within MLRA 55B.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, the wooded state can occur along drainageways directly adjacent to Riparian Complex ecological sites, rivers, and streams. The bare soil found under the tree and shrub canopy may reduce infiltration and nutrient cycling. Run-off, sediment yield, and nutrient load increase from the site, negatively impacting receiving water bodies.

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 B, with localized areas in hydrologic group C. Infiltration varies from moderately slow to moderate and runoff potential for this site varies from low to high depending on soil hydrologic group, slope 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

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
• Further investigation is needed on areas that have become wooded. During the MLRA update, a few map units with a wooded phase of Buse soils were identified. While these have been removed as a distinct map unit phase, the current State and Transition Model may not adequately represent the wooded conditions of some areas of this site.
• Further evaluation and refinement of the State-and-Transition model may be needed to identify disturbance driven dynamics. Additional states and/or phases may be required to address grazing response.
• 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.

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Contributors

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

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 4/25/2025