Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Ecological site R055CY037SD

Deep Marsh

Last updated: 2/01/2024
Accessed: 04/29/2024

Home / Esd catalog / MLRA 055C / Ecological site R055CY037SD

USC

Metric

General information

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

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 055C–Southern Black Glaciated Plains

The Southern Black Glaciated Plains (55C) is located within the Northern Great Plains Region. It is entirely within South Dakota encompassing about 10,835 square miles (Figure 1). The elevation ranges from 1,310 to 1,970 square feet. The MLRA is on nearly level to undulating glacial till plains interrupted by steeper slopes adjacent to streams and moraines. The James River is an under-fit stream. Its valley was carved by floodwaters draining glacial Lake Dakota and is filled with glacial outwash and alluvial deposits. (USDA-NRCS, 2006).

The dominant soil order in this MLRA is Mollisols. The soils in the area dominantly have a mesic soil temperature regime, an ustic soil moisture regime, and mixed or smectitic mineralogy. They generally are very deep, well drained to very poorly drained, and clayey or loamy. This area supports natural prairie vegetation characterized by western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), green needlegrass (Nassella viridula), needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata), and porcupinegrass (Hesperostipa spartea) with Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) as the dominant vegetation on the poorly drained soils. (USDA-NRCS, 2006).

Classification relationships

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): Southern Black Glaciated Plains (55C) (USDA-NRCS, 2006)

USFS Subregions: North Central Glaciated Plains Section (251B); Yankton Hills and Valleys Subsection (251Bf); Western Glaciated Plains Section (332B); James River Lowland Subsection (332Bb); North Central Great Plains Section (332D); Southern Missouri Coteau Slope Subsection (332Dd); Southern Missouri Coteau Subsection (332De) - (Cleland et al., 2007).

US EPA Level IV Ecoregion: Southern Missouri Coteau (42e); Southern Missouri Coteau Slope (42f); James River Lowland (46n) - (USEPA, 2013)

Ecological site concept

The Deep Marsh ecological site typically represents the central portion of a wetland basin or depression on a glaciated prairie landscape with standing water up to 5 feet deep, and at least some tall, emergent vegetation like cattails, bulrushes and reeds. In most years there is at least some standing water but in drought years the basin surface may dry out yet retain groundwater within 1 foot of the surface. Ponded water conditions and very slow permeability strongly influences the soil-water-plant relationship. Most uncultivated wetland basins in this MLRA have concentric bands of distinctly different vegetation corresponding with changes in soil and water depth.

Associated sites

R055CY001SD	Shallow Marsh These sites occur in a basin or closed depression. Soils are very poorly drained and the site will pond water until early summer in most years. The central concept soil series are Baltic and Worthing, but other series are included.
R055CY002SD	Linear Meadow These sites occur in drainageways or along the edges of closed depressions. Soils are poorly and very poorly drained and have a water table within 0 to 2 feet of the soil surface that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season, typically until the month of August. The central concept soil series is Lawet, but other series are included.
R055CY006SD	Limy Subirrigated These sites occur along the edges of drainageways. Soils are somewhat poorly drained and have a water table within 2 to 5 feet of the soil surface that persists longer than the wettest part of the growing season, typically until the month of August. Soils will effervesce with acid at or near the surface. The central concept soil series is Davison, but other series are included.
R055CY010SD	Loamy These sites occur on upland areas. The soils are well drained and have less than 40 percent clay in the surface and subsoil. The central concept soil series are Clarno and Houdek, but other series are included.

Similar sites

R055CY001SD	Shallow Marsh The Shallow Marsh site is in a similar landscape position, but the site ponds water until early summer in most years.

R055CY001SD

Shallow Marsh

The Shallow Marsh site is in a similar landscape position, but the site ponds water until early summer in most years.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Typha (2) Schoenoplectus

Download full description

Physiographic features

This site occurs on concave shallow swales or depressions.

Figure 1. Site Distribution Map for the Deep Wetland Site in MLRA 55C.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Plains > Depression
Ponding duration	Very long (more than 30 days)
Ponding frequency	Frequent
Elevation	1,310 – 1,970 ft
Slope	1%
Ponding depth	60 in
Water table depth	6 in

Climatic features

MLRA 55C is considered to have a continental climate: Cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature may also abound. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location near the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the Northern Great Plains, and air masses move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.

Annual precipitation typically ranges from 19 to 25 inches per year. The average annual temperature is about 47°F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 15°F (Howard, South Dakota [SD]), to about 20°F (Wagner, SD). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 73°F (Howard, SD), to about 77°F (Wagner, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 58°F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this area's climate. Hourly winds are estimated to average about 12 miles per hour (mph) annually, ranging from about 13 mph during the spring to about 11 mph during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime, and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 mph.

Growth of cool-season plants begins in early to mid-March, slowing or ceasing in late June. Warm-season plants begin growth about mid-May and continue to early or mid-September. Green-up of cool-season plants may occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	123-129 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	136-146 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	22-26 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	114-130 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	133-153 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	22-27 in
Frost-free period (average)	125 days
Freeze-free period (average)	142 days
Precipitation total (average)	24 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

Bar

Line

Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

Bar

Line

Figure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

Bar

Line

Figure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range

Bar

Line

Figure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 7. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) FAULKTON 1 NW [USC00392927], Faulkton, SD
(2) REDFIELD [USC00397052], Redfield, SD
(3) MILLER [USC00395561], Miller, SD
(4) HURON RGNL AP [USW00014936], Huron, SD
(5) DE SMET [USC00392302], De Smet, SD
(6) FORESTBURG 4 NNE [USC00393029], Artesian, SD
(7) HOWARD [USC00394037], Howard, SD
(8) BRIDGEWATER [USC00391032], Bridgewater, SD
(9) MARION [USC00395228], Marion, SD
(10) MENNO [USC00395481], Menno, SD
(11) TYNDALL [USC00398472], Tyndall, SD
(12) WAGNER [USC00398767], Wagner, SD
(13) ARMOUR [USC00390296], Armour, SD
(14) ACADEMY 2NE [USC00390043], Platte, SD
(15) CHAMBERLAIN MUNI AP [USW00094943], Chamberlain, SD

Soil features

The common soil features of soils in this site are the silty clay loam to clay subsoil and slopes 0 to 1 percent. The soils in this site are very poorly drained and formed in local alluvium. The silty clay loam surface layer is 15 to 18 inches thick. The soils have a very slow infiltration rate. The soils show no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas, or pedestalled plants. The soil surface is stable and intact. Subsurface soil layers are nonrestrictive to water movement and root penetration. These soils are not susceptible to water erosion. Ponded water conditions and very slow permeability strongly influences the soil-water-plant relationship.

The central soil series concept for this site is Worthing, silty clay loam, ponded.
Access Web Soil Survey (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm) for specific local soils information.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Surface texture	(1) Silty clay loam
Family particle size	(1) Clayey
Drainage class	Very poorly drained
Permeability class	Very slow
Soil depth	80 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	0.11 – 0.23 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	25%
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	4 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)	Not specified
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	5.6 – 8.4
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	Not specified
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	Not specified

Ecological dynamics

State and Community Phases
The information in this Ecological Site Description, including the state-and-transition model (STM), was developed based on historical data, current field data, professional experience, and a review of the scientific literature. As a result, all possible scenarios or plant species may not be included. Key indicator plant species, disturbances, and ecological processes are described to inform land management decisions.

The Deep Marsh Ecological Site typically represents the central portion of a wetland basin or depression on a glaciated prairie landscape with standing water up to 5 feet deep, and at least some tall, emergent vegetation like cattails, bulrushes and reeds. In most years there is at least some standing water but in drought years the basin surface may dry out yet retain groundwater within 1 foot of the surface. Within other classification systems, this ecological site generally corresponds with Stewart and Kantrud’s (1971) “Type IV wetland basin,” also called a “semi-permanent pond or lake”; and with the “Palustrine Emergent Semi-permanently Flooded to Intermittently Exposed Wetland” of Cowardin, et al. (1979).

Most uncultivated wetland basins in this MLRA have concentric bands of distinctly different vegetation corresponding with changes in soil and water depth. For example, while the center of the basin supports deep marsh vegetation, it is often surrounded by a zone of shallow marsh vegetation, which is in turn surrounded by a zone of wet meadow vegetation, eventually grading outward into upland soils and vegetation. Degree of slope, type of soils, and nature of the local hydrology tend to dictate the number and width of these concentric zones of vegetation.

Given the climatic extremes of the Great Plains with precipitation that ranges from drought to deluge, Deep Marsh wetland basins undergo cycles of flooding and draw-down with corresponding changes in vegetation. These hydrologic cycles and vegetation changes have been described in detail by Stewart and Kantrud (1971), who subdivided them into four phases: 1) Normal Emergent Phase. Historically, this phase of deep marsh vegetation consisted of scattered patches of broadleaf cattail or stands of bulrushes like hardstem, slender, softstem or prairie bulrush, interspersed with patches of open water supporting submerged or floating leaved aquatic plants like white water-crowfoot, common bladderwort, sago pondweed, water smartweed, and various duckweeds.
In wet years, the water depth in Deep Marsh basins would increase and subsequently drowned out the emergent cattails and bulrushes, leading to the 2) Open-water Phase. There may still be cattails and bulrushes on the periphery of the wetland basin during this phase, but the central portion of the basin would have open water with various submerged and floating-leaved aquatic plants, like those mentioned above. With the onset of drought, the wetland basin dries up and enters the 3) Drawdown Bare-soil Phase.

With the newly exposed and mostly bare soils, weedy annual and short-lived perennial plants like cockleburs, swamp ragwort, rough barnyardgrass, and foxtail barley invade the wetland basin. Prolonged drought alone (completely dry soils for two years) is also apparently enough to kill broadleaf cattail (Nelson and Dietz 1966). With the return of normal precipitation and runoff, water levels rise, inundating the standing annuals and other plants, leading to the 4) Natural Drawdown Emergent Phase. Seeds of emergent wetland plants like cattails and bulrushes are once again able to germinate and grow on any mudflats or areas of very shallow, standing water (the seeds of most emergent plant species cannot germinate in water deeper than a couple
inches). After the drawdown (which also tends to kill any minnows or other aquatic animals) and reflooding, there is a pulse of nutrients from all the recently decomposing vegetation leading to an explosion of aquatic invertebrates. With the return of standing water, the germination of upland plant seeds and most emergent plant seeds is inhibited, while the germination of submerged and floating-leaved plant seeds are stimulated. With time, the young emergent cattails and bulrushes spread by rhizomatous growth into clonal patches and the cycle repeats itself. Van der Valk and Davis (1978) suggest that these wet-dry vegetation transitions can take from 5 to 30 years or more to complete a full cycle.

Ecological Dynamics of Deep Marshes
Besides the effects of wet-dry cycles, Deep Marsh habitats historically were subjected to substantial herbivory from muskrats, in particular; but also the grazing and trampling by large ungulates like bison and elk. Muskrats consume cattail and bulrush tubers as food, but also cut the stems for the construction of their mounds and dens. In most circumstances, muskrats maintain open water patches surrounding their mounds within a larger stand of cattails and bulrushes, but occasionally it is possible for muskrats to overpopulate and virtually eliminate the emergent cattails and bulrushes from a wetland basin (Errington et al. 1963). Prairie fires were a frequent phenomenon on the northern Great Plains and would burn wetland vegetation during drawdown conditions and even consume dry, dense, emergent vegetation standing over shallow water or ice (Kantrud 1986).

The invasion of Deep Marsh wetlands by narrowleaf cattail and hybrid cattail, has dramatically altered the ecology of these wetland basins. Narrowleaf cattail is presumed to be an exotic species in much, if not all of North America (Stukey and Salamon 1987), and appears to have been absent from the northern Great Plains until the 1920s and 1930s based upon the absence of this species in early floristic lists for the region (Rydberg 1896, Saunders 1899, Rosco & Clements 1900, Visher 1912, 1914, McIntosh 1931, Metcalf 1931). It appears to have been introduced into the Black Hills (Hayward 1928) and eastern South Dakota (Over 1932) by the late 1920s. Once introduced, narrowleaf cattail began to hybridize with the native broadleaf cattail and formed a new, taller, more aggressive, more persistent “hybrid cattail” (Typha X glauca). Our native broadleaf cattail is killed by water depths exceeding about 64 cm when kept submerged for most of the growing season. In contrast, narrowleaf and hybrid cattail require depths exceeding 100 cm for at least 1 year or more before they will drown (Steenis et al. 1959, Miklovic 2000). The roots and rhizomes of cattails require oxygen to survive, and obtain most of this oxygen through the aerenchyma tissue of cattail stems and leaves. Thus, the susceptibility to drowning of all cattail species can be enhanced by cutting, grazing or burning to remove these tissues followed by inundation (Nelson and Dietz 1966, Apfelbaum 1985).

State and transition model

Custom diagram

Standard diagram

Figure 8. State-And-Transition Model for the Deep Wetland Site in MLRA 55C.

Figure 9. Legend for the Deep Wetland Site in MLRA 55C.

Figure 10. Plant List for the Deep Wetland Site in MLRA 55C.

Figure 11. Matrix for the Deep Wetland Site in MLRA 55C.

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

1. Reference State

2. Invaded State

3. Crop Production State

4. Altered Production State

T1A	-	Invasion of non-native vegetation, flooding, drought
T1B	-	Tillage, drought
T1C	-	Drought
T2A	-	Deep water, prescribed grazing, prescribed fire, drought, time
T2B	-	Tillage, drought
T2C	-	Drought, drainage
T3A	-	Non use, invasion of non-native vegetation, flooding, tillage, seeding
T4A	-	Renovation/restoration

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Normal Emergent Phase

1.2. Open Water Phase

1.3. Drawdown / Bare Soil Phase

1.4. Natural Drawdown / Emergent Phase

1.1A	-	Flooding, herbivory
1.2A	-	Drought
1.3A	-	Return to normal precipitation patterns, time
1.4A	-	Return to normal precipitation patterns, time

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Invaded Emergent Phase

2.2. Open Water Phase

2.3. Drawdown / Bare Soil Phase

2.4. Natural Drawdown / Emergent Phase

2.1A	-	Deep water, herbivory, prescribed grazing, flooding, haying/chopping, fire
2.2A	-	Drought
2.3A	-	Normal precipitation and time
2.4A	-	Time

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Annual Cropping System

State 4 submodel, plant communities

4.1. Annual Cropping System

State 1
Reference State

The Reference State represents what is believed to show the natural range of variability that dominates the dynamics of the ecological state prior to European settlement of North America. This site, in the Reference State (State 1), is dominated by cattails and grass-like vegetation. Drought and flooding are major drivers between plant community phases, while herbivory by native ungulates and other wildlife and fire played a more minor role. Invasion of non-native or hybrid cattails during the drawdown/bare soil phase will result in a transition to the Invaded State (State 2).

Community 1.1
Normal Emergent Phase

Historically, this phase of deep marsh vegetation consisted of scattered patches of broadleaf cattail and/or stands of bulrushes like hardstem, slender, softstem or prairie bulrush, interspersed with patches of open water supporting submerged or floating leaved aquatic plants like white water-crowfoot, common bladderwort, sago pondweed, water smartweed, and various duckweeds.

Community 1.2
Open Water Phase

The transition to an open water phase is due to increased precipitation during wet years. Flooding will drown out cattails and bulrushes in certain areas, but some will still be present on the periphery of the wetland basin during this phase. Herbivory by muskrats or other native ungulates may also help speed the transition to this state. The central portion of the basin will have open water with various submerged and floating-leaved aquatic plants, like those mentioned above.

Community 1.3
Drawdown / Bare Soil Phase

The transition from an open water phase or normal emergent phase due to drought will result in bareground. Weedy annuals and short-lived perennials will invade the basin. Species such as cockleburs, swamp ragwort, rough barnyardgrass, and foxtail barley will replace the cattails and bulrushes.

Community 1.4
Natural Drawdown / Emergent Phase

The return of normal precipitation and runoff will inundate the basin killing the annuals and other plants. Seeds of emergent wetland plants like cattails and bulrushes will be able to germinate and grow on mudflats or areas of very shallow standing water. As the water levels return to normal, cattails and bulrushes will colonize the site through rhizomatous growth and submerged and floating aquatic plants will be supported once again, leading to a transition back to the 1.1 Normal Emergent Community Phase with in the Reference State (State 1).

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Excessive flooding results in an open water phase with mostly submerged species, and cattails and bulrushes around the periphery of the open water. Herbivory by muskrats or other native species may also decrease the amounts of cattails and lead to open water phases as well will shift this community to the 1.2 Open Water Phase within the Reference State (State 1).

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.3

Drought leads to a drawdown phase, where open water changes to bareground. Annuals and short-lived perennials colonize the bareground areas will shift this community to the 1.3 Drawdown/Bare Soil Phase within the Reference State (State 1).

Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.4

Normal precipitation and time allows cattails to recolonize areas and will shift this community to the 1.4 Natural Drawdown/Emergent Phase within the Reference State (State 1).

Pathway 1.4A
Community 1.4 to 1.1

Natural Drawdown / Emergent Phase – The return of normal precipitation and runoff will inundate the basin killing the annuals and other plants. Seeds of emergent wetland plants like cattails and bulrushes will be able to germinate and grow on mudflats or areas of very shallow standing water. As the water levels return to normal, cattails and bulrushes will colonize the site through rhizomatous growth and submerged and floating aquatic plants will be supported once again, leading to a transition back to the 1.1 Normal Emergent Community Phase with in the Reference State (State 1).

State 2
Invaded State

This state is characterized by a shift from broadleaf cattail dominance to narrowleaf (Typha angustifolia) and hybrid (Typha x glauca) cattail dominance – both more invasive cattail species. The transition leads to a more cattail dominated state, decreasing the amount of bulrush species present in this state, and also allowing for Phragmites to invade as well. This state incorporates the same drought and deluge cycles as the reference state, but this state is dominated by invasive and non-native vegetation.

Community 2.1
Invaded Emergent Phase

This phase is dominated by narrowleaf and hybrid cattails with minor amounts of bulrush. Phragmites may also invade during this state. This phase has less open water and more continuous stands of cattails.

Community 2.2
Open Water Phase

This phase is similar to Reference State (State 1) condition except water must be deeper or cattails must be grazed cut or crush down and then inundated in order to reach a deep-water phase.

Community 2.3
Drawdown / Bare Soil Phase

The transition from an open water phase to the drawdown/bare ground phase occurs due to drought. The bare ground will be invaded by exotic weedy annuals and short-live perennials such as barnyardgrass, foxtail barley, and chenopods.

Community 2.4
Natural Drawdown / Emergent Phase

Once normal precipitation patterns have returned, the native wetland seedbank will try to recolonize the site with bulrushes and cattails, but windblown seeds from narrowleaf and hybrid cattails and Phragmites will most likely compete with the natives for space.

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Deep water, herbivory, prescribed grazing, and/or flooding lead to an open water phase. Deeper water than than the Reference State (State 1) is needed to drown out narrowleaf and hybrid cattails. An alternative to deeper water is haying or chopping, fire, and/or crushing cattails prior to flooding to drown out those cattail species will shift this community to the 2.2 Open Water Phase within the Invaded State (State 2).

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.3

Drought leads to bareground, and exotic annual weeds compete with native annuals to colonize the bareground will shift this community to the 2.3 Drawdown/Bare Soil Phase within the Invaded State (State 2).

Pathway 2.3A
Community 2.3 to 2.4

Normal precipitation and time is needed to recolonize the basin with emergent vegetation. Native seed bank species compete with wind-blown seeds of narrowleaf cattail and Phragmites to colonize the area and will shift this community to the 2.4 Natural Drawdown/Emergent Phase within the Invaded State (State 2).

Pathway 2.4A
Community 2.4 to 2.1

Time allows cattails and other vegetation to return to a normal emergent phase with areas of open water and will shift this community back to the 2.1 Emergent Phase within the Invaded State (State 2).

State 3
Crop Production State

This state is characterized by the production of annual crops. This community phase only occurs during extreme drought years when basin is dry enough to be cropped.

Community 3.1
Annual Cropping System

This plant community developed with the use of a variety of tillage and cropping systems for the production of annual crops including corn, soybean, wheat, oats, and a variety of other crops.

State 4
Altered Production State

This state is characterized by the production of annual crops due to drainage by mechanical means. This state is highly altered and will never return to the Reference State (State 1).

Community 4.1
Annual Cropping System

This plant community developed with the use of a variety of tillage and cropping systems for the production of annual crops including corn, soybean, wheat, oats, and a variety of other crops.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Invasion of non-native cattails and phragmites along with flooding and drought may lead to the Invaded State (State 2).

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

Times of drought will dry out the site, which may allow tillage and annual cropping to commence and may lead to the Crop Production State (State 3).

Transition T1C
State 1 to 4

Drainage of basin may allow for the basin to be cropped and may lead to the Altered Production State (State 4). Restoration of this state may occur, but natural pathways have been altered and site will never return to Reference State (State 1).

Restoration pathway T2A
State 2 to 1

Deep water or drought may help the invaded phase return to a more native state within the Reference State (State 1). Narrowleaf and hybrid cattails cannot withstand deep water phases, or drought. A combination of many management types such as prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, and well-timed climate occurrences may allow the site to return to a non-native state (but not likely).

Transition T2B
State 2 to 3

Time and drought will dry out the site, which may allow tillage and annual cropping to commence and may lead to the Crop Production State (State 3).

Transition T2C
State 2 to 4

Drainage and drought of basin may allow for the basin to be cropped and may lead to the Altered Production State (State 4). Restoration of this state may occur, but natural pathways have been altered and site will never return to Reference State (State 1).

Restoration pathway T3A
State 3 to 2

Non-use and flooding will allow invasive water-loving plants to revegetate the site over time. Seeding with native vegetation may also speed this process.

Restoration pathway T4A
State 4 to 2

Restoration and renovation of the site by plugging ditches will return this site back to a vegetated state. The site will have been altered too much to allow a restoration back to the Reference State (State 1).

Additional community tables

Interpretations

Other information

Ecological Site Correlation Issues and Questions:

• SD069 Hyde County, SD mapped all MLRA 53C (mesic) soils with no regards to MLRA boundaries. The map unit used for these areas is (Mb) Macken silty clay loam, ponded (national symbol cw5l). A future project is needed to split correlate the map unit to Worthing silty clay loam, ponded as used in MLRA 55C.
• SD125 Turner County, SD mapped all MLRA 102B (mesic) soils with no regards to MLRA boundaries. The map unit used for these areas is (Bb) Baltic silty clay loam, ponded (national symbol g15g). A future project is needed to split correlate the map unit to Worthing silty clay loam, ponded as used in MLRA 55C. The Baltic soil is mapped on floodplains and depressions both and should be used on floodplains only. This will need to be updated a future project.
• Reference and alternative states within the state and transition model are may not be fully documented and may require additional field sampling for refinement.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

There is no NRCS clipping data and other inventory currently available for this site. Information presented here has been derived using field observations from range-trained personnel. Those involved in developing this site include: Stan Boltz, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; and Dave Ode, Botanist/Plant Ecologist (retired) State of South Dakota.

Data Source Sample Period State County
NONE

Other references

Aber, J.S., S.W. Aber, F. Pavri, E. Volkova, and R.L. Penner II. 2006. Small-format aerial photography for assessing change on wetland vegetation, Cheyenne Bottoms, Kansas. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 109.

Apfelbaum, Steven I. 1985. Cattail (Typha spp.) Management. Natural Areas Journal 5(3).

Cleland, D.T., J.A. Freeouf, J.E. Keys, G.J. Nowacki, C. Carpenter, and W.H. McNab. 2007. Ecological Subregions: Sections and Subsections of the Coterminous United States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-76. Washington, DC.

Cowardin, Lewis M., Virginia Carter, Francis C. Golet, and Edward T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. US Fish and Wildilfe Service FWS/OBS-79/31. Washington, DC.

Cressey, Ryann. 2016. Changes in wetland conditions and wetland plant communities in the Prairie Pothole Region after 50 years. M.S. Thesis, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD.

Dix, Ralph L. and Fred E. Smeins. 1967. The prairie, meadow and marsh vegetation of Nelson County, North Dakota. Canadian Journal of Botany 45:

Errington, Paul L., Roger J. Siglin and Robert C. Clark. 1963. The decline of a muskrat population. Journal of Wildlife Management 27:

Hayward, Herman E. 1928. Studies of plants in the Black Hills of South Daktoa. Botanical Gazette 85(4):

Hubbard, Daniel E., David A. Beck, and Bryan D. Schultz. 1988. Chemical constituents and IVDDM of hybrid cattail from a South Dakota prairie pothole. Wetlands 8(2):

Kantrud, Harold A. 1986. Effects of vegetation manipulation on breeding waterfowl in prairie wetlands – a literature review. Fish and Wildlife Technical Report #3. US Fish & Wildlife Service, Washington, DC.

McIntosh, Arthur C. 1931. A botanical survey of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Black Hills Engineer 19(3):
.
Metcalf, Franklin P. 1931. Wild-Duck Foods of North Dakota Lakes. USDA Technical Bulletin No. 221, Washington, DC.

Miklovic, Stefanie. 2000. Typha angustifolia management implications for glacial marsh restoration. Restoration and Reclamation Review 6(2):

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (2005). Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota: The Prairie Parkland and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands Provinces. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. MNDNR St. Paul, MN.

NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life. Version 7.1. Ecological Association Comprehensive Report for Typha spp.-Schoenoplectus acutus Mixed Herbs Midwest Marsh. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org (Accessed 25 June, 2018).

Nelson, Noland F. and Reuben H. Dietz. 1966. Cattail control methods in Utah. Utah Department of Fish and Game Publication No. 66-2.

Over, William H. 1932. Flora of South Dakota: An Illustrated checklist of flowering plants, shrubs and trees of South Dakota. University of South Dakota, Vermillian, SD.
.
Pound, Rosco and Frederick E. Clements. 1900. The Phytogeography of Nebraska. 2nd Ed. Published by The Seminar, Lincoln, NE.

Rydberg, Per Axel. 1896. Flora of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Contributions from the U.S. National Herbarium. Vol. III, No. 8. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.

Saunders, DeAlton. 1899. Ferns and Flowering Plants of South Dakota. South Dakota Agricultural Experment Station Bulletin 64.

Schultz, Bryan d., Daniel E. Hubbard, Jonathan A. Jenks, and Kenneth F. Higgins. 1994. Plant and waterfowl responses to cattle grazing in two South Dakota semipermanent wetlands. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science 73:121-134.
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions. Available online. Accessed March 2018.
Steenis, J.H., H.P. Cofer, and L.P. Smith. 1959. Studies on cattail management. Pages 149-155, IN: Transactions of the Northeast Wildlife Conference, 10th Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada.

Stewart, Robert E., and Harold A. Kantrud. 1971. Classification of natural ponds and lakes in the glaciated prairie region. U.S. Fish. Wildl. Serv., Resour. Publ. 92. 57 pp.

Stewart, Robert E., and Harold A. Kantrud. 1972. Vegetation of prairie potholes, North Dakota, in relation to quality of water and other environmental factors. U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap. 585-D. 36 pp.

Stukey, Ronald L. and D.P. Salamon. 1987. Typha angustifolia in North America: a foreigner masquerading as a native. American Journal of Botany 74(5):

United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.

USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (http://soils.usda.gov/technical/nasis/)
]
USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 27 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

Van der Valk, Arnold G. and C.B. Davis. 1978. The role of seed banks in vegetation dynamics of prairie glacial marshes. Ecology 59:

Visher, Stephen S. 1912. Plants of the Pine Ridge Reservation. Bulletin of the South Dakota Geological and Biological Survey 5:

Visher, Stephen S. 1914. A Preliminary Report on the Biololgy of Harding County Northwestern South Dakota. South Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin No. 6. State Publishing Company, Pierre, SD.

Contributors

Lance Howe
Steve Winter

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 2/01/2024

Acknowledgments

Contact for Lead Authors: Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Redfield Soil Survey Office Redfield, SD; Lance Howe (Lance.Howe@usda.gov), Soil Survey Office Leader, USDA-NRCS, Redfield, SD; and Steve Winter (Steven.Winter@usda.gov), Soil Scientist, USDA-NRCS, Redfield, SD

Additional Information Acknowledgment: Emily Helms (Emily.Helms@usda.gov), State Range Management Specialist, USDA-NRCS, Huron, SD; Jason Hermann (Jason.Hermann@usda.gov), Area Rangeland Management Specialist, USDA-NRCS, Redfield, SD; Dave Ode, Botanist/Plant Ecologist (retired) State of South Dakota.

This Provisional Ecological Site concept has passed both Quality Control and Quality Assurance processes. Officially approved for publication by David Kraft as of 11/12/2020.

Non-discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, available online and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632- 9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date	02/01/2024
Approved by	Suzanne Mayne-Kinney
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

Download reference sheet

Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.

Ecosystem states

1. Reference State

2. Invaded State

3. Crop Production State

4. Altered Production State

T1A	-	Invasion of non-native vegetation, flooding, drought
T1B	-	Tillage, drought
T1C	-	Drought
T2A	-	Deep water, prescribed grazing, prescribed fire, drought, time
T2B	-	Tillage, drought
T2C	-	Drought, drainage
T3A	-	Non use, invasion of non-native vegetation, flooding, tillage, seeding
T4A	-	Renovation/restoration