Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R055DY020SD
Loamy Overflow
Last updated: 11/14/2024
Accessed: 12/22/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 055D–Glacial Lake Dakota
MLRA 55D is in South Dakota (92 percent) and southeastern North Dakota (8 percent). It makes up about 3,059 square miles (7,923 square kilometers). This area, which is part of the glacial till plain region, consists of a large, glacial lake plain that was drained by the James River, which flows southward through the area. The MLRA is dominantly farmland converted from prairie, but some areas of grassland remain. Agricultural drainage practices have impacted shallow depressions in many areas.
MLRA 55D has distinct boundaries. Till plains are on all sides. MLRA 55B borders the area largely to the north and is also between the Lake Dakota Plain and two prominent coteaus—the Missouri Coteau on the west and the Prairie Coteau on the east. To the south is MLRA 55C (Southern Black Glaciated Plains), which has a mesic soil temperature regime.
This area is in the Central Lowland province of the Interior Plains. Elevation ranges from 1,250 to 1,330 feet (380 to 405 meters), generally increasing from south to north. The area is
characterized by mostly level to moderately sloping lake plains with many depressions and drainages. Much of the area has integrated drainage; drainage channels are poorly to moderately defined.
The glaciolacustrine sediments of the Lake Dakota Plain range from sandy to clayey and are commonly stratified. Some areas of the lake plain are mantled with wind-deposited materials, which are moderately coarse textured or sandy. Alluvial deposits and low terraces are common along the James River and its major tributaries but also occur in narrow and discontinuous strips along other streams.
Classification relationships
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): Southern Black Glaciated Plains (55D) (USDA-NRCS, 2022)
USFS Sub-region: Located mainly within unit 332Bc and 332Ba (Cleland et al., 2007).
Ecological site concept
The Loamy Overflow ecological site is located on floodplain steps and on swales, foot slopes, and base slopes of glaciated uplands – till plains and lake plains; it also occurs on terraces along shallow drainageways through the uplands. The soils are very deep. The dark-colored surface soil is more than 7 inches thick and generally more than 16 inches thick. Surface and subsoil textures range from fine sandy loam to silty clay loam (form a ribbon 1 to 2 inches long). Soil on this site is moderately well drained or well drained. The site receives additional water as run-on from surrounding slopes or from frequent stream flooding. Generally, calcium carbonate does not occur in the surface and upper subsoil layers; however, very slight to slight effervescence is allowable. At depths exceeding 16 inches, a layer of carbonate accumulation is common. Slopes range from 0 to 6 percent. On the landscape, this site is below the Loamy, Thin Loamy, and Sandy ecological sites and above the Limy Subirrigated, Subirrigated, and Wet Meadow sites.
Associated sites
| R055DY006SD |
Limy Subirrigated This site occurs somewhat lower on the landscape. It is highly calcareous in the upper part of the subsoil and has redoximorphic features at a depth of 18 to 30 inches. All textures are included in this site. |
|---|---|
| R055DY010SD |
Loamy This site typically occurs on linear slopes on till plains and lake plains on run-off landscape positions; it also occurs on high terraces which are no longer impacted by flooding. The surface and subsoil layers form a ribbon 1 to 2 inches long. |
| R055DY004SD |
Wet Meadow This site occurs in depressions and flats on uplands; it also occurs on floodplains. It is poorly drained - a seasonal high water table is typically within a depth of 1.5 feet during the months of April through June; in depressions, it is frequently ponded (typically <1.5) in April and May. It typically has redoximorphic features within a depth of 18 inches. Some soils are highly calcareous. E.C. is <8 in the surface and subsoil layers. All textures are included in this site. |
| R055DY009SD |
Sandy This site occurs on higher, linear slopes on lake plains and till plains mantled with moderately coarse textured eolian deposits – a run-off landscape position. The surface and subsoil layers form a ribbon <1 inch long. |
| R055DY044SD |
Subirrigated Sands This site occurs on concave areas of flats and in shallow depressions with occasional, brief ponding. It has redoximorphic features at a depth of 18 to 30 inches. All textures are included in this site. |
| R055DY012SD |
Thin Upland This site occurs on higher, convex slopes on till plains and lake plains – a run-off landscape position. The surface and subsoil layers form a ribbon 1 to 2 inches long. It is highly calcareous (strong or violent effervescence) within a depth of 8 inches. |
Similar sites
| R055DY044SD |
Subirrigated Sands This site occurs on concave areas of flats and in shallow depressions with occasional, brief ponding. It has redoximorphic features at a depth of 18 to 30 inches. All textures are included in this site. |
|---|---|
| R055DY010SD |
Loamy This site typically occurs on linear slopes on till plains and lake plains on run-off landscape positions; it also occurs on high terraces which are no longer impacted by flooding. The surface and subsoil layers form a ribbon 1 to 2 inches long. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Andropogon gerardii |
Physiographic features
This site occurs on areas that receive additional water as overflow of intermittent streams or runoff from adjacent slopes. It typically occurs in swales, on foot slopes, and on base slopes of glaciated uplands – till plains, moraines, and glacial lake plains and on flood plain steps and low terraces of rivers, streams, and drainageways. On flood plain steps and terraces, the parent material is fine-silty, fine-loamy, or coarse-loamy alluvium. On ground moraines the parent material is either fine-loamy or coarse-loamy till. On lake plains the parent material is either fine-silty, coarse-silty, or coarse-loamy glaciolacustrine sediments. Some areas have a mantle of moderately coarse-textured eolian deposits over the till or glaciolacustrine materials. Slopes range from 0 to 4 percent.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Till plain
(2) Swale (3) Flood plain (4) Lava plain (5) Terrace |
|---|---|
| Runoff class | Negligible to medium |
| Flooding duration | Brief (2 to 7 days) |
| Flooding frequency | None to frequent |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 299 – 649 m |
| Slope | 0 – 4% |
| Ponding depth | 0 cm |
| Water table depth | 94 – 157 cm |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
The average annual precipitation of MLRA 55D is 22 to 23 inches (549 to 594 millimeters). About 75 percent of the rainfall comes from high-intensity, convective thunderstorms during the growing season. Winter precipitation is typically snow. The average annual snowfall is 25 to 50 inches (635 to 1,270 millimeters). Strong winds commonly deposit the snow unevenly across the landscape. The average annual temperature is 43 to 45 degrees F (6 to 7 degrees C). The freeze-free period averages about 135 days and ranges from 120 to 150 days.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (characteristic range) | 114-117 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 129-134 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 559-584 mm |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 114-119 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 127-134 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 559-584 mm |
| Frost-free period (average) | 116 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 131 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 584 mm |
Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) BRITTON [USC00391049], Britton, SD
-
(2) ANDOVER #2 [USC00390120], Andover, SD
-
(3) TURTON [USC00398420], Turton, SD
-
(4) CONDE [USC00391917], Conde, SD
-
(5) REDFIELD [USC00397052], Redfield, SD
-
(6) MELLETTE 4 W [USC00395456], Northville, SD
-
(7) ABERDEEN [USW00014929], Aberdeen, SD
-
(8) COLUMBIA 8 N [USC00391873], Columbia, SD
Influencing water features
This site receives significant additional water as overflow from rivers, streams, and intermittent drainageways or as run-on from adjacent slopes. Most of the additional water occurs during the months of April through June or after heavy summer thunderstorms. Ponding is typically none; however, after a heavy rainstorm, very brief ponding may occur in upland swales. Some soils in this site have a seasonal high-water table shallower than 3 feet very early in the growing season; but this is not a major influence on the soil/water/plant relationship throughout the growing season. Depth to the water table typically is deeper than 4 feet during most of the growing season. Surface infiltration is moderately slow to moderately rapid. Saturated hydraulic conductivity throughout the profile typically is moderately high or high; but in the substratum of some soils, it may be moderately low. Water loss is through evapotranspiration and percolation below the root zone.
Wetland description
Not Applicable.
Soil features
Soils associated with Loamy Overflow ES are in the Mollisol and Entisol orders. The Mollisols are classified further as Fluventic Hapludolls, Pachic Argiudolls, Pachic Hapludolls, Oxyaquic Hapludolls, Aquic Cumulic Hapludolls, and Cumulic Hapludolls. The Entisols are classified further as Mollic Udifluvents. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. Typically, they formed in till, colluvium from till, glaciolacustrine sediments, alluvium, or coarse-loamy (fine sandy loam) eolian deposits over till or glaciolacustrine sediments.
The common feature of soils in this site are the moderately fine to moderately coarse textures (soil forms a ribbon 1 to 2 inches long) to a depth of more than 40 inches and the run-on or frequently flooded landscape position. The soils are very deep. They are well drained or moderately well drained – redoximorphic features, where present, are deeper than 3 feet. Surface and subsoil textures include loam, clay loam, silt loam, silty clay loam, and fine sandy loam and may be stratified in some soils.
Soil salinity is none to slight (E.C. <8) to a depth of more than 2 feet; below this, it may increase to moderate (E.C. 8 - <16) in some soils. Sodicity is none or low to a depth of more than 30 inches. Soil reaction is slightly acid to slightly alkaline (pH 6.1 to 7.8) in the surface layer and upper part of the subsoil. A layer of calcium carbonate accumulation commonly occurs in the lower subsoil. Where present, it is below a depth of 16 inches and typically is deeper than 20 inches. Calcium carbonate content above that layer is none or low. In the layer of accumulation, it can be as high as 30 percent.
This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestaled plants. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance or discontinuous. The soil surface is stable and intact. These soils are mainly susceptible to water 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 Loamy Overflow site are: Aastad, Beotia, Brookings, Darnen, Embden, Emrick, Fairdale, Gardena, La Prairie, LaDelle, Lismore, Svea, and Waubay.
Access Web Soil Survey ( https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx ) for specific local soils information.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
(2) Colluvium (3) Till (4) Glaciolacustrine deposits (5) Not specified |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Loam (2) Silt loam (3) Silty clay loam (4) Fine sandy loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy (2) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Moderately well drained to well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately slow to moderately rapid |
| Depth to restrictive layer | 203 cm |
| Soil depth | 203 cm |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 0 – 3% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 0 – 1% |
| Available water capacity (0-152.4cm) |
16.76 – 20.83 cm |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 24% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 4 mmhos/cm |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
6.2 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 3% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 1% |
Ecological dynamics
The site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, and included natural influence of large herding herbivores and sporadic fire. Changes will occur in the plant communities due to weather fluctuations and/or management actions. Interpretations are based on the Big Bluestem/Needlegrass Plant Community Phase (1.1). Under adverse impacts, a slow decline in vegetative vigor and composition will occur. Under favorable conditions the site has the potential to resemble the Big Bluestem/Needlegrass Plant Community Phase. This community phase and the Reference State has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance, and areas under long-term rotational grazing regimes. Trends in plant community dynamics ranging from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts also have been considered. Community phases, community pathways, states, transitions, thresholds and restoration pathways have been determined through similar studies and experience. The natural disturbance regime consisted of sporadic fires caused both by natural and Native American ignition sources. These fires occurred during any season of the year, but were concentrated in the spring and late summer or early fall. Lightening fires occurred most frequently in
July and August, while fires started by Native Americans occurred in April, September and October. Large ungulate grazing was heavy and occurred often, but usually for short durations. Grazing may have been severe when occurring after a fire event. The grazing and fire interaction especially when coupled with drought events, set up the dynamics discussed and displayed in the following state and transition diagram and descriptions.
This ecological site has been grazed by domestic livestock since introduced into the area. The introduction of domestic livestock and the use of fencing and reliable water sources have radically changed the disturbance regime of this site. Continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods following each grazing occurrence over several years causes this site to depart from the Reference State. Species such as western wheatgrass and blue grama will initially increase. Big bluestem, green needlegrass, and sideoats grama will decrease in frequency and production. In time, heavy continuous grazing will likely cause a stable dominance of Kentucky bluegrass and blue grama. These species then will have a competitive advantage which prevents other species from establishing or increasing. This plant community is less productive than the Reference State. Runoff increases and infiltration will decrease. Soil erosion will be minimal. Extended periods of non-use and/or lack of fire will result in a plant community having high litter levels, which favors an increase in Kentucky bluegrass and/or smooth bromegrass. In time, shrubs such as western snowberry and chokecherry will likely increase and become co-dominant with the Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass.
The following diagram illustrates the common states, community phases, community pathways, transitions and restoration pathways that can occur on the site. These are the most common plant community phases and states based on current knowledge and experience, and changes may be made as more data is collected. Narratives following the diagram contain more detail pertaining to the ecological processes.
State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
Ecosystem states
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference
This state description represents the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics of this ecological site. Historically, this state ranged from a tall, warm season grass dominated site to one dominated by deciduous saplings and shrubs depending upon disturbance regime. The primary disturbance mechanisms for this site in the reference condition included periodic fire and grazing by large herding ungulates. Timing of fires and grazing coupled with weather events dictated the dynamics that occurred within the natural range of variability. Dominance during the herbaceous phases of this state shifted between warm-season and cool-season grasses. Although slight shifts in the timing of energy capture, hydrologic function and nutrient cycling between plant community phases with the Reference state may have occurred, overall the ecological process were functioning at near optimum levels. High basal density and deep root systems resulted in low runoff rates and high infiltration rates. Small areas of trees and shrubs may have existed within this state due to irregularity of burn patterns. Small areas which escaped fire may have permitted trees/shrubs to become established. These areas may have served as a seed source for further expansion of the woody dominated plant communities as the fire frequency was altered after settlement.
Dominant plant species
-
green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), tree
-
boxelder (Acer negundo), tree
-
cottonwood (Populus), tree
-
snowberry (Symphoricarpos), shrub
-
American plum (Prunus americana), shrub
-
chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), shrub
-
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
-
green needlegrass (Nassella viridula), grass
-
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), grass
-
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
-
porcupinegrass (Hesperostipa spartea), grass
-
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
-
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
Community 1.1
Big Bluestem/Needlegrass Plant Community Phase
The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Big Bluestem/Needlegrass Plant Community Phase. This community evolved with grazing by large herbivores and occasional prairie fire. The vegetation was about 80 to 90 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 5 to 10 percent forbs, 5 to 10 percent shrubs, and 0 to 3 percent trees. Major grasses included big bluestem, green needlegrass, Indiangrass, switchgrass, porcupine grass and western wheatgrass. Other grasses that occurred within this community included slender wheatgrass, bearded wheatgrass, Canada wildrye, little bluestem, sideoats grama, and northern reedgrass. Major forbs and shrubs included American licorice, sunflower, goldenrod, and western snowberry. Scattered green ash, American elm and other native tree species may have occurred. This plant community was well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. Individual species varied greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle and energy flow were properly functioning. Due the diversity of warm and cool season species within this plant community phase, energy capture was spread more evenly throughout the growing season compared to other plant community phases within this state. Plant litter was properly distributed, in contact with the soil surface and with very little movement off-site. Natural plant mortality was very low. The diversity in plant species allowed for high drought tolerance. Run-off from adjacent sites and moderate or high available water capacity provided a favorable soil-water-plant relationship.
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 2768 | 3556 | 4231 |
| Shrub/Vine | 185 | 319 | 504 |
| Forb | 185 | 319 | 504 |
| Tree | – | 64 | 140 |
| Total | 3138 | 4258 | 5379 |
Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5504, Central Black Glaciated Plains, warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant.. Warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 38 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.2
Western Wheatgrass/Needlegrasses/Blue Grama Plant Community
The pathway described in 1.1a reduced the tall warm-season grass component in stature and extent while the grazing tolerant mid statured needlegrass and the short statured blue grama increased. The tall warm-season grasses did not disappear from the plant community but were reduced in vigor. Major grasses included western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, porcupine grass, and blue grama. Big bluestem, switchgrass and Indiangrass were reduced to minor components. Forbs such as western yarrow, goldenrods, and western ragweed would have increased in extent and proportions. Due to the increase in the cool-season grass component of the plant community, energy capture shifted to the early portion of the growing season. Nutrient cycling likely still functioned near optimum levels; however, hydrologic processes would have been somewhat impaired with the increase of the shorter statured, shallower rooted species.
Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5503, Central Black Glaciated Plains, cool-season/warm-season co-dominant.. Cool-season, warm-season co-dominant..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 21 | 40 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.3
Snowberry/Plum/Chokecherry/Grasses
Although this community phase appeared shrub dominated, grasses still constituted the majority of the production for this community phase. The vegetation was about 50 to 80 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 5 to 10 percent forbs, 15 to 30 percent shrubs, and 2 to 10 percent trees. Major grasses included western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, slender/bearded wheatgrass and Canada wildrye. Big bluestem, switchgrass and Indiangrass were minor components. Prominent forbs would have included meadow anemone, goldenrods, and American licorice. Shrub species would have included snowberry, plum, chokecherry, hawthorn, leadplant, and rose. The increase of shading and litter fall has a cooling effect on the soil surface, and provides for favorable micro-sites for establishment of various tree species. Without a disturbance that reduces woody vegetation, these changes have a tendency to result in an increase of shrubs and trees on the site. Within this plant community phase, scattered mature trees such as American elm, boxelder and green ash would have been present but a majority of tree species would have been maintained at the seedling and sapling stage.
Community 1.4
Green Ash & Boxelder Saplings, Shrubs
This plant community phase is dominated by woody plant species. Visually, saplings of green ash, boxelder and cottonwood would have been prominent but shrub species would have been the most productive component of this plant community phase. Herbaceous species would have constituted a sub-dominant component in the early stages of this phase, declining as tree canopy increased. The vegetation was about 50 to 75 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 5 to 10 percent forbs, 15 to 30 percent shrubs, and 2 to 10 percent trees. This plant community phase was nearing a threshold which would have lead to dominance by trees and a significant reduction in the herbaceous component of the site.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2
This pathway occurred as a result of relatively heavy, continuous grazing typically in successive years. This typically occurred in areas adjacent to water sources. Successive years of below normal precipitation may also have contributed to this shift.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1
A return to normal fire, grazing and weather regimes resulted in a plant community shift to the 1.1 Big Bluestem/Needlegrass Plant Community Phase.
Pathway 1.2b
Community 1.2 to 1.3
Avoidance of fire due to micro site and weather, and slight to no use on the woody vegetation.
Pathway 1.3b
Community 1.3 to 1.2
A combination of intense disturbance events (fire, drought, grazing) occurring over multiple years reduced shrub vigor allowing a shift toward an herbaceous dominated plant community.
Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.4
This shift resulted when areas of indeterminate size escaped multiple fire events due to cooler/wetter microclimates, above normal precipitation and/or the mosaic of natural fire patterns.
Pathway 1.4a
Community 1.4 to 1.3
A single, intense fire event causing high tree sapling mortality resulted in a shift to a shrub dominated plant community.
State 2
Native/Invaded
This state is very similar to the reference state. The invasion of introduced cool-season sodgrasses has altered the natural range of variability for this ecological site. This state is still dominated by mid and tall native warm- and cool-season grasses, but invasive introduced cool-season sodgrasses are now present in all community phases of this state. The primary disturbance mechanisms for this state include grazing by domestic livestock and infrequent fires. Timing and intensity of grazing events coupled with weather dictate the dynamics that occur within this state. The cool-season native grasses can decline and an increase in introduced sod grasses will occur. Many times, this state appears as a mosaic of community phases caused primarily by continuous season-long grazing.
Dominant plant species
-
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
-
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
-
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
Community 2.1
Big Bluestem/Needlegrass
This plant community phase closely resembles plant community phase 1.1 with the addition of minor amounts of non-native species. The vegetation is about 75 to 90 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 5 to 10 percent forbs, 5 to 10 percent shrubs, and 0 to 3 percent trees. Major grasses include big bluestem, needlegrasses, Indiangrass, switchgrass and western wheatgrass. Other grasses within this community include porcupine grass, Canada wildrye, and bearded wheatgrass. Major forbs and shrubs include American licorice, sunflower, goldenrod, and western snowberry. Scattered green ash, American elm and other native tree species may occur on the site. Ecological processes are functioning at levels near what would be expected for the Reference State although nutrient cycling may be somewhat altered due to changes in disturbance regimes (lack of fire, frequency and intensity of grazing events) and energy capture may be shifted slightly to more late spring, early summer.
Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5504, Central Black Glaciated Plains, warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant.. Warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 38 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 2.2
Western Wheatgrass/Kentucky Bluegrass/Big Bluestem
This plant community phase is characterized by a shift to mid cool-season rhizomatous grasses with minor amounts of tall warm-season and mid cool-season bunchgrasses. The vegetation is about 75 to 90 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 5 to 10 percent forbs, 5 to 10 percent shrubs, and 0 to 3 percent trees. Dominant grasses would include western wheatgrass and Kentucky bluegrass with minor amounts of needlegrasses, big bluestem and switchgrass. Major forbs would include western ragweed, goldenrods and western yarrow. Chokecherry and snowberry would be the dominate shrubs. Scattered green ash and American elm trees may be present. Energy capture by this plant community phase has shifted from late spring and summer to early spring through early summer.
Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5502, Central Black Glaciated Plains, cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 23 | 42 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2
Heavy continuous grazing will shift the competitive advantage from the tall warm-season and mid cool-season bunchgrasses to the more grazing tolerant mid and short statured cool-season rhizomatous grasses.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1
The implementation of prescribed grazing including adequate recovery periods between grazing events and season of use change will initiate this pathway by shifting the competitive advantage away from the mid and short cool-season rhizomatous grasses to the tall warm-season and cool-season bunchgrasses.
State 3
Invaded
This state is the result of invasion and dominance by Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass and/or pioneer annual/perennial species depending upon the intensity and frequency of disturbance regime. Once the state is well established, even drastic events such as high intensity fires driven by high fuel loads of litter and thatch, will not result in more than a very short term reduction of these two species. These events may reduce the dominance of the sodgrasses, but due to the large amount of rhizomes in the soil there is no opportunity for the native species to establish and dominate before the non-native sodgrasses rebound and again dominate the system.
Dominant plant species
-
snowberry (Symphoricarpos), shrub
-
chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), shrub
-
American plum (Prunus americana), shrub
-
prairie rose (Rosa arkansana), shrub
-
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
-
smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
-
white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), other herbaceous
-
American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), other herbaceous
-
goldenrod (Solidago), other herbaceous
-
curlycup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa), other herbaceous
-
western yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis), other herbaceous
Community 3.1
Kentucky Bluegrass/Smooth Bromegrass/Shrubs
This plant community phase is characterized by a co-dominance of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass. Lack of further disturbance usually results in dominance by smooth bromegrass. Some remnant native grasses such as green needlegrass and big bluestem may still be present. Grasses constitute about 70 to 90 percent of the production with forbs contributing 5 to 10 percent, shrubs 5 to 15 percent and trees 0 to 3 percent. Dominant forbs include white sagebrush (cudweed sagewort), goldenrod, and American licorice. Shrubs would include snowberry, plum, chokecherry and prairie rose. The opportunity for high intensity spring burns is reduced by early green up and increased moisture and humidity at the soil surface. Grazing pressure cannot induce a reduction in sodgrass dominance. Production is limited to the sod forming species. Infiltration continues to decrease and runoff increases. Energy capture into the system is restricted to early season low producing species. Nutrient cycling is limited by root depth of the dominate species and lack of litter to soil surface contact.
Figure 12. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5501, Central Black Glaciated Plains, cool-season dominant. Cool-season dominant..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 24 | 45 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Community 3.2
Kentucky Bluegrass Sod/Forbs
This plant community phase is characterized by a dense Kentucky bluegrass sod. Kentucky bluegrass is the dominant grass species with minor amounts of other grasses such as western wheatgrass and ticklegrass as well as grass-likes still represented. Forb species would include curly-cup gumweed, western yarrow and stiff goldenrod. Shrubs are very limited but may include snowberry. The opportunity for spring burns is severely limited due to lack of fine fuel and early green up. Production is reduced due to lack of plant vigor. Infiltration is greatly reduced due to the dense sod while energy capture is shifted to early spring through early summer.
Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5501, Central Black Glaciated Plains, cool-season dominant. Cool-season dominant..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 24 | 45 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Community 3.3
Annual/Pioneer/Non-Native Perennial
The Annual/Pioneer/Non-Native Perennial community phase is highly variable depending on the level and duration of disturbance related to the T5 transitional pathway. In this MLRA, the most probable origin of this phase is secondary succession following cropland abandonment. This plant community will initially include a variety of annual forbs and grasses. Overtime, the introduced cool-season perennial grasses will begin to establish on this site.
Pathway 3.1a
Community 3.1 to 3.2
Heavy continuous season-long grazing will result in a shift to the Kentucky Bluegrass/Forb plant community phase by favoring the very grazing tolerant Kentucky bluegrass and unpalatable forbs. Smooth bromegrass will be reduced to a minor component while the shrubs will be reduced in vigor.
Pathway 3.3a
Community 3.3 to 3.2
With grazing and time, the grazing tolerant Kentucky bluegrass will continue to increase leading to community phase 3.2. In the absence of grazing, this pathway will lead to a community phase resembling 3.1 with the primary difference being the lack of western snowberry and remnant native grass species.
State 4
Wooded
Historically, this state existed as small patches of trees and shrubs scattered across the site. Repeated intense disturbances (e.g., fire, fire coupled with grazing) would have reverted these smaller patches of trees to the herbaceous dominated Reference State (State 1) in pre-European times, while it will likely revert to the Invaded State (State 4) today. For simplification purposes, the pre-European transition returning from the wooded state to the reference state is not shown on the state and transition diagrams. Likewise the pre-European and modern day conditions of the Wooded State are combined within this state description. Community phases 4.1 and 4.2 would have occurred in pre-European times without the presence of non-native species; whereas, community phase 4.3 will only be present in modern times, and all three community phases will likely have some amounts of non-native species in the present day. Otherwise, the community pathways between 4.1 and 4.2 would generally apply in both pre-European and under modern day circumstances. In pre-European times, periodic low intensity fires typically would have maintained these small, wooded patches in a tree dominated state. Alterations to the historic fire and grazing disturbance regimes have resulted in these scattered tree/shrub patches forming almost continuous woody dominated plant communities across the site. This state is characterized by an overstory of tall trees, an understory of shrubs and, depending upon the amount of canopy cover, an herbaceous understory of sedges and/or Kentucky bluegrass.
Dominant plant species
-
green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), tree
-
American elm (Ulmus americana), tree
-
boxelder (Acer negundo), tree
-
cottonwood (Populus), tree
-
chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), shrub
-
American plum (Prunus americana), shrub
-
snowberry (Symphoricarpos), shrub
-
sedge (Carex), grass
-
slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), grass
-
Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis), grass
-
wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum), other herbaceous
-
golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria), other herbaceous
-
feathery false lily of the valley (Maianthemum racemosum), other herbaceous
-
northern bedstraw (Galium boreale), other herbaceous
Community 4.1
Green Ash/American Elm
This plant community phase is characterized by a dominance of green ash with lesser amounts of American elm, bur oak, boxelder, cottonwood, and occasionally other tree species. Shrubs may include chokecherry, plum, snowberry, and gooseberry. An herbaceous understory of sedges, wildrye, slender and/or bearded wheatgrass and the more shade-tolerant forbs such as false Solomon’s-seal (feathery false lily of the valley), stickseed, Northern bedstraw, wood lily, and others may also be present depending upon the amount of canopy cover. The stage would be considered an early mature seral stage. Canopy has not closed and is relatively diffuse allowing for a moderate level of herbaceous and shrub production. As the trees mature and canopy cover increases herbaceous production declines and shrubs/vines associated with mature woodlands may begin to occupy the understory.
Community 4.2
American Elm/Green Ash
This plant community phase is a result of a lack of disturbance for extended periods of time. Initially, tree regeneration is still taking place, but has been greatly reduced. Over time, the tree canopy becomes closed or nearly so. The herbaceous understory is greatly reduced, and can at times seem almost non-existent. This would be considered an over-mature seral stage. In pre-European times or in areas not affected by disease, American elm would have become more dominant in the overstory. Shade tolerant trees and shrubs would make up the secondary stand or the understory of this community. Species such as ironwood increase substantially in the shaded levels of the secondary stand of this community.
Community 4.3
Green Ash/Shrubs/Kentucky Bluegrass/Smooth Bromegrass
This plant community phase is characterized by a “park like appearance” with scattered mature green ash and bur oak. Little regeneration occurs. Snowberry and scattered chokecherry are the primary shrubs. Invasive cool season sod forming grasses become the dominant herbaceous cover. The establishment of tree seedlings is further limited by the competitive nature of these grasses.
Pathway 4.1a
Community 4.1 to 4.2
Lack of disturbance can lead to a reduced regeneration of tree species, and allows for closure of the tree canopy. In pre-European times, the occurrence of this pathway would have been limited to areas randomly escaping fire, or if patches became large enough to prevent fire from carrying through the entire patch.
Pathway 4.2a
Community 4.2 to 4.1
Periodic low intensity fire removes some of the understory and smaller trees, and stimulates tree regeneration which leads plant community 4.2 back to the Green Ash/American Elk Plant Community Phase (4.1).
Pathway 4.2b
Community 4.2 to 4.3
Lack of disturbance can lead to a reduced regeneration of tree species. Encroachment of non-native species also has detrimental impacts on the ecological processes, and results in dramatic changes in the understory.
State 5
Cropland
This state is the result of annual cropping.
Community 5.1
Annual/Perennial Crops
This plant community is the result of cropping.
Transition T1b
State 1 to 2
This is the transition from the native herbaceous or herbaceous/shrub dominated reference state to the herbaceous dominated native/invaded state. This transition occurs when propagules of non-native species such as Kentucky bluegrass and/or smooth bromegrass are present and become established on the site. This occurs as natural and/or management actions (altered grazing and/or fire regime) favor a decline in the composition of the warm-season native species and an increase in cool-season sodgrasses. Chronic season-long or heavy late season grazing facilitates this transition. Complete rest from grazing and no fire events can also lead to this transition. The threshold between states is crossed when the non-natives become established on the site.
Transition T1a
State 1 to 4
This is the transition from the native herbaceous or herbaceous/shrub dominated Reference State to a state that was dominated by mature trees and shrubs. Change in fire frequency allowed woody plant species to grow large enough to escape the next fire event. As trees increased in size, canopy cover increased which altered micro-climate and reduced fine fuel amounts resulting in reduced fire intensity and frequency. This would have been the primary pathway under the historic disturbance regime and would have resulted in a mosaic pattern of small wooded patches interspersed within herbaceous plant community phases.
Transition T2a/b
State 2 to 3
T2a - This represents the transition from the more native dominated Native/Invaded State to a plant community phase dominated by non-native, cool-season rhizomatous grasses. Complete rest from grazing and elimination of fire are the two major contributors to this transition, especially when smooth bromegrass is present. Preliminary studies would tend to indicate this threshold may exist when Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30% of the plant community and native grasses represent less than 40% of the plant community composition. T2b - This represents the transition from the more native dominated Native/Invaded State to a plant community phase dominated by a dense Kentucky bluegrass sod and grazing tolerant forbs. Heavy continuous season-long grazing is the major contributor to this transition. Preliminary studies would tend to indicate this threshold may exist when Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30% of the plant community and native grasses represent less than 40% of the plant community composition.
Transition T2c
State 2 to 4
This represents the transition from the Native/Invaded State (State 2) to the Wooded State (State 4) under the current disturbance regime. Lack of fire and grazing shifts the competitive advantage to the trees and shrubs. Rather than patches of trees and shrubs interspersed within herbaceous dominated plant communities as referenced in the T1a transitional pathway, this transition results in an expansion of the patches into an almost continuous woody dominated site.
Restoration pathway R3a/b
State 3 to 2
R3a - This restoration pathway may be initiated with the combination of prescribed burning followed by high levels of prescribed grazing management. The success of this restoration pathway depends on the presence of a remnant population of native grasses in community phase 3.1. This remnant population may not be readily apparent without close inspection. The application of prescribed burning may be needed at relatively short intervals in the early phases of this restoration process. Early season burning seems to be the most effective method to achieve the desired results; however, some work has shown that fall burning may also be effective. Both prescribed grazing and prescribed burning are necessary to successfully initiate this restoration pathway. R3b - It may be possible using selected plant materials and agronomic practices to approach something very near the functioning of the Native/Invaded State (State 2). Application of chemical herbicides and the use of mechanical seeding methods using adapted varieties of the dominant native grasses are possible and can be successful. After establishment of the native plant species, management objectives must include the maintenance of those species, the associated reference state functions, and the continued treatment of the introduced sodgrasses.
Transition T3a
State 3 to 4
This pathway represents the transition from the Kentucky Bluegrass/Smooth Bromegrass/Shrub plant community phase to the Wooded State (State 4). This transition results from the complete removal of fire and grazing related disturbances. This shifts the competitive advantage to the shrubs and trees. As the woody canopy increases, only shade tolerant herbaceous species remain in the understory.
Transition T4a
State 4 to 3
This transitional pathway involves a dramatic decrease in the amount and extent of the woody component of the plant community through either catastrophic fire and/or mechanical removal of the trees and shrubs. Potentially, this pathway could also be initiated or compounded with the introduction of various tree and/or shrub diseases or pests.
Transition T5a
State 5 to 3
This transition occurs with cessation of cropping practices being applied.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Tall Warm-season Grasses | 852–1704 | ||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 852–1704 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 85–426 | – | ||
| Indiangrass | SONU2 | Sorghastrum nutans | 85–426 | – | ||
| 2 | Needlegrass | 213–639 | ||||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 128–639 | – | ||
| porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 43–426 | – | ||
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | 43–213 | – | ||
| 3 | Mid Cool-season Grasses | 85–426 | ||||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 85–426 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTRS | Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus | 85–426 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 85–426 | – | ||
| northern reedgrass | CASTI3 | Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa | 0–213 | – | ||
| 4 | Warm-season Grasses | 0–213 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 0–213 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–213 | – | ||
| prairie dropseed | SPHE | Sporobolus heterolepis | 0–213 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 43–128 | ||||
| Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 2GRAM | Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 0–128 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 43–128 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–43 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-likes | 43–170 | ||||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 43–170 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–85 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 7 | Forbs | 213–426 | ||||
| Forb, native | 2FN | Forb, native | 43–213 | – | ||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 43–128 | – | ||
| Maximilian sunflower | HEMA2 | Helianthus maximiliani | 43–128 | – | ||
| stiff sunflower | HEPA19 | Helianthus pauciflorus | 43–85 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 43–85 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 43–85 | – | ||
| Canadian anemone | ANCA8 | Anemone canadensis | 0–85 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 43–85 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 43–85 | – | ||
| cinquefoil | POTEN | Potentilla | 43–85 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 43–85 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 43–85 | – | ||
| ragwort | SENEC | Senecio | 43–85 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 43–85 | – | ||
| purple prairie clover | DAPU5 | Dalea purpurea | 43–85 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 43–85 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 43–85 | – | ||
| Missouri goldenrod | SOMI2 | Solidago missouriensis | 0–43 | – | ||
| golden tickseed | COTI3 | Coreopsis tinctoria | 0–43 | – | ||
| wood lily | LIPH | Lilium philadelphicum | 0–43 | – | ||
| soft-hair marbleseed | ONBEB | Onosmodium bejariense var. bejariense | 0–43 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Shrubs | 213–426 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–213 | – | ||
| snowberry | SYMPH | Symphoricarpos | 43–213 | – | ||
| American plum | PRAM | Prunus americana | 43–128 | – | ||
| chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | 0–128 | – | ||
| prairie rose | ROAR3 | Rosa arkansana | 43–85 | – | ||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 43–85 | – | ||
| hawthorn | CRATA | Crataegus | 0–43 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 9 | Trees | 0–128 | ||||
| Tree | 2TREE | Tree | 0–128 | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | 0–128 | – | ||
| common hackberry | CEOC | Celtis occidentalis | 0–128 | – | ||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | 0–128 | – | ||
| hophornbeam | OSVI | Ostrya virginiana | 0–128 | – | ||
| cottonwood | POPUL | Populus | 0–128 | – | ||
| willow | SALIX | Salix | 0–128 | – | ||
| basswood | TILIA | Tilia | 0–128 | – | ||
| American elm | ULAM | Ulmus americana | 0–128 | – | ||
Interpretations
Supporting information
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. Those involved in developing this site description include: Stan Boltz, NRCS Range Management Specialist; David Dewald, NRCS State Biologist; Jody Forman, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Jeff Printz, NRCS State Range Management Specialist; Kevin Sedivec, Extension Rangeland Management Specialist; Shawn Dekeyser, North Dakota State University; Rob Self, The Nature Conservancy and Lee Voigt, NRCS Range Management Specialist.
MLRA 55D was split from MLRA 55B in 2022. Many of the site concepts for this MLRA are borrowed from neighboring MLRA 55B pending further vegetation and soils validation.
Other references
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://hpccsun.unl.edu)
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2022. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 296.
USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, 101 SW Main, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204-3224. (http://wcc.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. National Range and Pasture Handbook, September 1997
USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
USDA, NRCS, Various Published Soil Surveys.
Contributors
Shawn Dekeyser, North Dakota State University
Rob Self, The Nature Conservancy
Lee Voigt, NRCS Range Management Specialisy
Ezra Hoffman, Ecological Site Specialist, NRCS
Stan Boltz, NRCS Range Management Specialist
David Dewald, NRCS State Biologist
Jody Forman, NRCS Range Management Specialist
Jeff Printz, NRCS State Range Management Specialist
Kevin Sedivec, Extension Rangeland Management Specialist
Approval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 11/14/2024
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 | 11/14/2024 |
| 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:
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