Physiographic features

This site typically occurs on glacial lake plains and small areas of ground moraine surrounded by lake plain. This site is typically on flats and rises. On lake plains the parent material is either fine-silty or clayey. On ground moraines the parent material is either fine-loamy, coarse-loamy, or clayey till. Slopes are less than 3 percent.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

 MLRA 56 is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and relatively hot summers, low to moderate 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 18 to 23 inches per year. The average annual temperature is about 40°F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 1°F (Pembina, North Dakota (ND)) to about 11°F (Wheaton, Minnesota (MN)). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 68°F (Pembina, ND) to about 73°F (Wheaton, MN). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 65°F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this area's climate. Winds are estimated to average about 13 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 15 miles per hour during the spring to about 11 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.

Growth of 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

Climate stations used

• (1) VICTOR 4 NNE [USC00398652], Rosholt, SD

• (2) PARK RIVER [USC00326857], Park River, ND

• (3) GRAFTON [USC00323594], Grafton, ND

• (4) WHEATON [USC00218907], Wheaton, MN

• (5) AGASSIZ REFUGE [USC00210050], Grygla, MN

• (6) PEMBINA [USW00014924], Pembina, ND

Influencing water features

This site does not receive significant additional water, either as runoff from adjacent slopes or from a seasonal high-water table. Although the seasonal water table can be as shallow as 1.5 feet early in the growing season, the root-restrictive claypan layer prohibits the plants from benefiting significantly from subirrigation. Depth to the water table is typically more than 3 feet through most of the growing season. Surface infiltration is moderate to very slow. Permeability in the claypan layer is very slow to moderately slow. Water loss on this site occurs primarily through evapotranspiration.

Soil features

Soils associated with Claypan Ecological Site (ES) are in the Mollisol order; they are classified further as Calcic Natrudolls. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed in glaciolacustrine deposits or till. They are somewhat poorly drained or moderately well drained. The common feature of soils in this site is a dense, claypan layer in the upper part of the subsoil; although these are very deep soils, the claypan is moderately root-restrictive. The depth to the claypan ranges from 6 to 20 inches. Salt accumulations, where present, are deeper than 16 inches and commonly occur within a depth of 24 inches. The texture of the claypan typically is clay loam, silty clay loam, clay, or silty clay, but is loam in a few soils. The claypan layer forms a ribbon 1 to >2 inches long. The texture of the surface layer is loam, silt loam, or silty clay loam.

Soil salinity is none to slight (E.C. <8 dS/m) in the upper 16 inches; below this, it typically increases to moderate (E.C. 8 - <16 dS/m) within a depth of 24 inches. Sodicity is low above the claypan layer; but increases significantly in that layer and below. It commonly exceeds an SAR value of 13 in the lower subsoil.

Soil reaction is moderately acid to slightly alkaline (pH 5.6 to 7.8) above the claypan and slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline (pH 7.4 to 9.0) in the subsoil and substratum. Calcium carbonate content is none to moderately low to a depth of 16 inches or more; however, the soil has a layer with 15 to more than 25 percent CaCO3 within a depth of 40 inches (commonly within a depth 30 inches).

When dry these soils may crack. When the soils are wet, surface compaction can occur with heavy traffic. The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers are restrictive to water movement and root penetration.

These soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion. Loss of the soil surface layer can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.

Major soil series correlated to the Claypan sites are Cavour, Larson, and Nahon.

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

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

Landscape

The MLRA 56A landscape is characterized by a nearly level glacial lake plain bordered on the east and west by outwash plains, till plains, gravelly beaches, and dunes. MLRA 56A is considered to have a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are common and characteristic of the MLRA. This area supports natural tall-grass prairie vegetation with bur oak, green ash, and willow growing in drainageways. This area is formed in silty and clayey lacustrine sediments from the former Glacial Lake Agassiz. Complex intermingled ecological sites create diverse grass/shrub land habitats interspersed with varying densities of linear, slope, depressional, and in-stream wetlands associated with headwater streams and tributaries to the Red River of the North. MLRA 56A is located within the boundaries of the Prairie Pothole Region and is an ecotone between the humid east and the sub-humid west regions. The primary land use is annual cropland (~80%). The Red River Valley is known for its exceptional fertility with major crops including corn, soybeans, small grains, and sugar beets.

By the mid-19th century, the majority of the Red River Valley had been converted from tall-grass prairie to annual crop production. To alleviate crop production loss from wetlands and overland flow, a system of shallow surface ditches, judicial ditches, and road ditches removes surface water in spring and during high rainfall events. The major soils are poorly drained with extensive areas of saline soils. Tile drainage systems have been or are being extensively installed throughout MLRA 56A for sub-surface field drainage to enhance annual crop production.

The east and west side of the Red River Valley formed in a complex pattern of sandy beach material, stratified inter-beach material, lacustrine silts, and lake washed glacial till. The soils vary from excessively drained on ridges to very poorly drained organic basins. Surface ditches serve to drain some of the area, although much of the area lacks adequate drainage for maximum crop production. Calcareous fens and saline seeps can occur at the base of beach ridges and result in rare plant communities. Native vegetation was mixed- and tall-grass prairie with scattered woodland and brush.

Historic Communities/Conditions within MLRA 56A:

The northern tall- and mixed-grass prairie was a disturbance-driven ecosystem with fire, herbivory, and climate functioning as the primary ecological drivers (either singly or often in combination). Frequent and expansive flooding along the Red River and its tributaries provided abundant opportunities for Native Americans to harvest wild rice. American bison roamed MLRA 56A wintering along the Red River and migrating west into MLRA 55A and 55B for parts of the season. Many species of grassland birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and large herds of roaming American bison, elk, and pronghorn were historically among the inhabitants adapted to this region. Roaming herbivores, as well as several small mammal and insect species, were the primary consumers linking the grassland resources to large predators (such as the wolf and American black bear) and smaller carnivores (such as the coyote, bobcat, red fox, and raptors). Extirpated species include free-ranging American bison and gray wolf (breeding). Extinct from the region is the Rocky Mountain locust.

Present Communities/Conditions within MLRA 56A:

MLRA 56A has the most conversion to cropland of any MLRA within Region F-Northern Great Plains. European influence has impacted remaining grassland and shrubland by domestic livestock grazing, elimination of fire, removal of surface and subsurface hydrology via artificial drainage, and other anthropogenic factors influencing plant community composition and abundance.

Extensive drainage has taken place. Streams have been straightened (removing sinuosity) and riparian zones have been converted to annual crop production. These anthropogenic impacts have reduced flood water detention and retention on the landscape, increasing storm water runoff, sediment, and nutrient loading to the Red River and its tributaries. The installation of instream structures has reduced aquatic species movement within the MLRA.

Annual cropping is the main factor contributing to habitat fragmentation, reducing habitat quality for area-sensitive species. These influences fragmented the landscape, reduced, or eliminated ecological drivers (fire), and introduced exotic species including smooth brome, Kentucky bluegrass, and leafy spurge which further impacted plant and animal communities. The loss of the bison and fire as primary ecological drivers greatly influenced the character of the remaining native plant communities and the associated wildlife, moving towards a less diverse and more homogeneous landscape.

Included in this MLRA are approximately 70,000 acres of the United States Forest Service, Sheyenne National Grassland (southern portion of MLRA) with an additional 65,000 acres of intermingled privately owned land of sandy soils providing a large tract of intact tall grass prairie within the MLRA. United Fish and Wildlife Service refuges and waterfowl production areas, along with and state wildlife management areas cover approximately 67,000 acres within the MLRA. Two of three largest cities in North Dakota are located within the MLRA.

USDA conservation programs have seeded thousands of cropland acres in riparian zones to native herbaceous vegetation. Natural succession is replacing the planted native herbaceous vegetation to native woody vegetation re-establishing native wooded riparian areas on previously cropland. Most of the plantings have been along the Red River and its tributaries in the northern portions of the MLRA within the United States. These areas are privately owned and protected from annual agricultural production with perpetual conservation easements.

Some characteristic wildlife species in this area are:

Birds: Mallard, blue-winged teal, red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, ring-necked pheasant, western meadowlark, killdeer, eastern and western kingbird, American crow, common yellowthroat, downy and hairy woodpecker, clay-colored sparrow, vesper sparrow, Savannah sparrow, and brown-headed cowbird.

Mammals: Northern short-tailed shrew, white-tailed jackrabbit, snowshoe hare, Franklin’s ground squirrel, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, northern pocket gopher, plains pocket gopher, western harvest mouse, deer mouse, meadow vole, meadow jumping mouse, western jumping mouse, coyote, red fox, raccoon, American badger, striped skunk, white-tailed deer, North American beaver, and moose.

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

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

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

Species of Concern within MLRA 56A:

The following is a list of species considered “species of conservation priority” in the North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2015); “species of greatest conservation need” in the Minnesota State Wildlife Action Plan, Conservation Focus Areas, Target Species (2015) and the South Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2014); and “species listed as threatened, endangered, or petitioned” under the Endangered Species Act within MLRA 56A at the time this section was developed:

Invertebrates: Arogos skipper, Assiniboia skipper, Dakota skipper, dusted skipper, Leonard’s skipper, monarch butterfly, Poweshiek skippering, red-tailed leafhopper, regal fritillary, and Uhler’s Arctic.

Birds: American kestrel, American bittern, bobolink, American white pelican, bald eagle, black-billed cuckoo, chestnut-collared longspur, Dickcissel, grasshopper sparrow, greater prairie-chicken, Henslow’s sparrow, LeConte’s sparrow, loggerhead shrike, marbled godwit, Nelson’s sparrow, northern harrier, northern pintail, red-headed woodpecker, sharp-tailed grouse, short-eared owl, Swainson’s hawk, upland sandpiper, western meadowlark, willet, Wilson’s phalarope, and yellow rail.

Mammals: Arctic shrew, big brown bat, eastern spotted skunk, gray fox, little brown bat, northern grasshopper mouse, plains pocket mouse, prairie vole, pygmy shrew, Richardson’s ground squirrel, and river otter.

Amphibians/Reptiles: Canadian toad, common snapping turtle, northern prairie skink, and plains hognose snake.

Fish: Blacknose shiner, blue sucker, burbot, chestnut lamprey, finescale dace, hornyhead chub, largescale stoneroller, logperch, northern pearl dace, northern redbelly dace, pearl dace, shortnose gar, sickle-fin chub, sliver chub, silver lamprey, trout-perch, and yellow bullhead.

Mussels: Black sandshell, creek heelsplitter, creeper, mapleleaf, pink heelsplitter, pink papershell, threeridge, and Wabash pigtoe.

Grassland Management for Wildlife in MLRA 56A:

Management activities within the community phase pathways have both short and long term positive and negative impacts on wildlife. Community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways are keys to long-term management within each State and between States. Significant inputs must occur to cross the threshold between States (e.g., State 3.0 to 2.0) requiring substantial economic inputs and management (grazing intensity, reseeding, prescribed fire, woody vegetation removal, etc.). Timing, intensity, and frequency of these inputs can have dramatic positive or negative effects on vegetative structure impacting local wildlife species’ habitats. Ranchers and other land managers must always consider the long-term beneficial effects of management on the habitat in comparison to potential short-term negative effects to individual species.

Ecological sites occur as intermingled complexes on the landscape with gradual or sometimes abrupt transitions. Rarely do ecological sites exist in large enough acreage to manage independently. Ecological sites supporting a dominance of herbaceous vegetation (Wet Meadow, Subirrigated Sands) can be located adjacent to ecological sites that support trees (Choppy Sands and Loamy Overflow).

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

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

With populations of many grassland-nesting birds in decline, it is important to maintain these ecological sites in a 1.0 Reference State or the 2.0 Native/Invaded State. Plant communities optimal for a guild of grassland species serve as a population source where the birth rate exceeds mortality. Species may use marginal plant communities; however, these sites may function as a population sink where mortality exceeds the birth rate.

Understanding preferred vegetative stature and sensitivity to woody encroachment is necessary to manage for the specific grassland species. Various grass heights may be used for breeding, nesting, or foraging habitat. While most species use varying heights, many have a preferred vegetative stature height.

To see the chart please follow the hyperlink. (
https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/ND/56A_Claypan_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf )

Claypan Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Claypan ecological sites have a dense, claypan layer in the upper part of the subsoil (depth to the claypan ranges from 6 to 20 inches). The claypan is moderately root-restrictive, negatively impacting plant growth. This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge-sensitive, grassland bird species. Claypan habitat features support nesting and foraging grassland birds. Overall, they can provide sharp-tailed grouse lek sites except during periods of above average precipitation when these sites may be too wet. Associated ecological sites include Clayey, Saline Lowland, Loamy, Limy Subirrigated, Thin Claypan, and Wet Meadow.

Claypan ecological sites may be found in four plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Invaded State, and 4.0 Go-Back State). Multiple plant community phases exist within States 1.0 and 2.0. These states occur primarily in response to grazing, drought, and non-use. Secondary influences include fire and anthropogenic disturbances.

Because there is no known restoration pathway from State 2.0 to State 1.0, it is important to intensively manage using tools in State 1.0 and State 2.0 community phase pathways to prevent further plant community degradation along the T2A transitional pathway to Invaded State 3.0. Native grassland associated wildlife generally benefit from a heterogeneous grassland (as found in community phases of States 1.0 and 2.0) that includes diverse grass and forb species with varying structure and density.

As plant communities degrade within State 2.0 and transition to State 3.0, cool-season exotic grasses increase while native forbs are reduced. This transition results in reduced structure, increased plant community homogeneity, and reduced insect populations, resulting in a reduction of breeding, nesting, foraging, or winter habitat for grassland birds. When adjacent/intermingled, ecological sites undergo the same transition, the result can be an expansive, homogenous landscape. A homogenous grassland landscape does not provide quality escape or winter cover. As a result, many species may not be able to meet life requisites within State 3.0.

Success along restoration pathway R3A from State 3.0 to State 2.0 is very difficult and is dependent upon presence of a remnant native grass population or successful range planting.

Management along community phase, transition or restoration pathways should focus upon attainable changes. Short- and long-term monetary costs must be evaluated against short- and long-term ecological services in creating and maintaining habitat of enough quality to support a sustainable population.

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama: Within this ecological site capabilities, this plant community provides quality wildlife habitat; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This phase retains high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing (with adequate recovery period), as well as prescribed burning. Predominance of grass species in this community favors grazers and mixed feeders (animals selecting grasses as well as forbs and shrubs). The structural diversity provides habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident birds.

Invertebrates: Claypan ecological sites do not have a high diversity of forbs. However, insects play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, reptiles, and rodents. Ecological services, historically provided by bison, are simulated by domestic livestock. These services include putting plant material and dung in contact with mineral soil to be used by low trophic level consumers (such as invertebrate decomposers, scavengers, shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal feeders).

Dakota skippers do not prefer this site due to limited host plants (such as little bluestem, prairie dropseed, and preferred forbs). Nuttall’s violet may be found on this site, providing potential regal fritillary habitat. Monarch butterfly may use flowering forbs on this site; however, few milkweed species are found on this site to support breeding and larvae development. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs for pollen and nectar and bare ground for nesting amongst bunchgrasses. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods, as well as prescribed burning, to maintain Community Phase 1.1A will have a long-term positive effect on nests of ground dwelling insects.

Birds: This plant community provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by short- to mid-grass nesting birds. Plant structure may be too dense or tall for species using short-grass habitats. However, it may be used during periods of drought or management such as rotational grazing or fire (resulting in defoliation) along community phase pathway 1.1A. In years with reduced precipitation or drought, nesting recruitment may be compromised. This plant community provides suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse leks and nesting and brood-rearing habitat. The low scattered shrubs present in the plant community phase should not impact woody vegetation sensitive bird species. Diverse prey populations provide good hunting opportunity for grassland raptors. Many passerine species utilize MLRA 56A as a major migratory travel corridor.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provides high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores. Short- to moderate- stature provides suitable food and thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores such as ground squirrels.

Amphibians/Reptiles: This ecological site and associated plant communities provides habitat for smooth green snakes. This ecological site can provide habitat for the northern leopard frog and Great Plains toad if freshwater habitats (such as wetlands, streams, or lakes) are adjacent to the site.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site is not directly associated with streams, rivers, or water bodies. This ecological site receives run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and provides hydrology to downslope ecological sites such as Wet Meadow. Management on Claypan sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, can have an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Claypan and adjacent sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to the adjacent aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2 Blue Grama-Saltgrass/Sedges: This plant community phase occurs under heavy grazing with or without drought. Blue grama and saltgrass increase while western wheatgrass decreases. Overall stature is shorter than Community Phase 1.1 with white sagebrush, silverleaf Indian breadroot, curlycup gumweed, and common yarrow being the common forbs.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, forb diversity is reduced which also reduces pollen and nectar availability for many pollinators. White sagebrush is wind-pollinated while common yarrow has small flowers, favoring flies and small bees. Curlycup gumweed pollen is widely used by many native bees. An increase in warm-season, sod-forming grasses may negatively impact ground nesting pollinator species.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, the increase of short warm-season grasses favors grassland-nesting birds species preferring short-statured vegetation. Short, warm-season grasses may be more attractive for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, the shorter plant stature reduces or eliminates escape and thermal cover for large ungulates.

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

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

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1A due to changes in management and the presence of exotic, cool-season grasses. Under complete rest from grazing and no fire events, cool-season exotic grasses are consistently invasive leading to this transition. Chronic season-long or late fall grazing can facilitate this transition. The threshold between States 1.0 and 2.0 is crossed when Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, or other exotic species become established. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Plant Community Phase 1.1, except it has a minor amount of cool-season exotic grasses and forbs. This phase functions at a high level for native wildlife; therefore, managers should consider the 2.0 community phase pathways to avoid transitioning to the Invaded State 3.0. There is no known Community Phase Pathway back to State 1.0 from State 2.0.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

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

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

Community Phase 2.2 Blue Grama-Saltgrass/Sedges/Forbs:
This community developed from heavy continuous grazing, continuous season-long grazing, or from over-utilization during multiyear drought. Community Phase Pathway 2.1A leads to a shorter-statured warm-season grass/sedges community with a reduction in forb diversity. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods along Community Phase Pathway 2.2A is an efficient, effective method to regain the cool-season grass and forb diversity components in Community Phase 2.1.

This community phase is often found in a mosaic in the pasture in an overgrazed/ undergrazed pattern typical of properly stocked pastures grazed season-long. Some areas will be impacted by heavy use while other areas will have a build-up of litter and a high amount of plant decadence. This mosaic of grazed and ungrazed areas provides a short- to mid- vegetative stature. Depending on the patch size of overgrazed vs. undergrazed areas, grassland nesting birds preferring short/mid-vegetative stature may prefer this plant community phase.

Invertebrates: The reduction of native forbs and increase in sod-forming grasses begins to limit foraging and nesting sites for all pollinators. Early-season bloom species become limited. Continuous, season-long grazing or heavy continuous grazing may reduce ground-nesting site availability. Homogeneity of forb species may limit season-long nectar availability. However, dependent upon the amount of overgrazed vs. undergrazed area, the undergrazed areas may provide similar life requisites as Community Phase 2.1.

Birds: Heavy continuous grazing or continuous season-long grazing will reduce nesting sites, forage (invertebrates), and cover. A reduced forb component may limit insect foraging opportunities. The stature is generally short, favoring short-grass nesting birds. However, dependent upon the amount of overgrazed vs. undergrazed area, vegetative stature could favor mid- to mid-grass bird species. Species that prefer mid-grass stature generally will be successful with normal to above average precipitation and a change in management (implementation of a prescribed grazing system, along the 2.2A Community Pathway). In years with reduced precipitation or heavy grazing during the nesting season, use by mid- grass nesting species may be compromised. This plant community provides areas suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek site development. Heavy grazing and a lack of cover for small mammals reduces hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover (reduction in litter) for small mammals also becomes limited. However, dependent upon the amount of overgrazed vs. undergrazed area, vegetative stature in the undergrazed areas could provide thermal and escape cover for mammals, especially small mammals.

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

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

Community Phase 2.3 Western Wheatgrass-Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: Long-term non-use or very light grazing, and no fire (via Community Pathway 2.1B or 2.2B), results in marked increases in the exotic cool-season grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and/or quackgrass). Runoff and available nitrogen increase.

Invertebrates: The increase in sod-forming grasses limits production of forbs and further limits nesting sites for pollinators.

Birds: Total rest will provide vegetation that is short- to mid-stature. Dependent upon the degree of Kentucky bluegrass invasion, the lack of plant diversity and stature (along with increased litter and the tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome to lay down) limits use by many grassland-nesting birds. This plant community provides areas suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek site development. Non-use or lack of fire provides protective and thermal cover for small mammals and good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: The increased litter from total rest from grazing combined with no fire events provides protective, thermal, and escape cover for small mammals but limited protective, thermal, or escape cover for large mammals.

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

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

3.0 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1 Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Shrubs: Heavy grazing or extended periods of non-use and no fire results (via Transitional Pathway T2) in a plant community phase dominated by Kentucky bluegrass or smooth brome with native species difficult to find on the site. Characterized by a dominance (>30%) of exotic cool-season grasses, such as smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass, native grasses represent less than 40% of the plant community. Return to State 2.0 (via Restoration Pathway R3A) through prescribed burning and high levels of grazing management requires remnant amounts of native warm- and cool- season and forbs to be successful. The remnant native community needs frequent prescribed burns and high levels of grazing management targeting the exotic cool-season grasses to improve competitiveness and increase vigor and density. Without intensive management, the remnant native plants will not increase adequately to transition back to State 2.0. Intensified management along the R3A Pathway will have significant short-term negative impacts on wildlife habitat; however, this is necessary to restore long-term native habitat functions.

Invertebrates: Exotic grasses limit use by beneficial insects provided in States 1.0 and 2.0. Heavy grazing causes this plant community to be dominated by sod forming cool- and warm- season grasses creating a thick root layer which eliminates bare ground and nesting sites for native bees and other ground-nesting insects. Lack of grazing and/or fire increase litter leading to limited contact between plant material and mineral soil resulting in a cooler micro- climate, which is unfavorable to most insects. Both management scenarios lead to a lack of nectar-producing plants and native grass host plants which eliminate life requisites for invertebrate species of concern in MLRA 56A. Depending on density of shrubs, early- to mid-season pollen and nectar may be provided by western snowberry and prairie rose.

Birds: The homogeneous community phase, dominated by exotic short statured grass species, provides limited habitat and life requisites for most obligate grassland-nesting birds. Bird species that favor short-statured vegetation may use this site; however, heavy, continuous season-long grazing along with a lack of plant diversity and stature limits use by many grassland-nesting birds. Lack of grazing and/or fire decreases plant diversity and stature and increases litter; the tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome to lay down limits use by many grassland-nesting birds. Sharp-tailed grouse may use this plant community for lek sites; however, all other life requisites will need to be met on other nearby or adjacent ecological sites plant communities. The shrub component in this plant community will not reach density or height to be detrimental to grass-land nesting birds that are intolerant to woody vegetation.

Mammals: Heavy grazing causes this plant community to be dominated by short-statured, sod forming cool- and warm-season grasses providing limited thermal, protective, escape cover for mammals. Limited habitat is available for mammals except for ground dwelling rodent species. Lack of grazing and/or fire decreases plant diversity and stature and increases litter; the tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome to lay down favors thermal, protective, and escape cover for small mammals/rodents. Dependent upon the density of western snowberry, limited thermal, protective, and escape cover may be available for larger mammals.

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

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, runoff increases significantly from the plant community due to thick thatch and sod forming grasses, increasing yield and nutrient loading to adjacent ecological sites and waterbodies.

State 4 Go-Back State

Community Phase 4.1 Annual/Pioneer Perennial/Exotics: These plant communities are the result of severe soil disturbance (such as cropping, recreational activity, or concentrated livestock activity for a prolonged period). Following cessation of disturbances, the resulting plant community is dominated by early pioneer annual and perennial plant species. Plant species composition and production are highly variable. Weedy plants can provide pollinator habitat along with spring and summer cover for many mammals and birds, and their young. Dense weed cover can keep soils moist, increasing the presence of insects. Milkweed can be an early pioneering pollinator species and host plant for monarch butterflies. Tall stature provided by some annual weeds offers thermal cover and seeds throughout winter for deer, small mammals, and over-wintering birds. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon plant community composition, vegetative stature, patch size, and management activities (such as prescribed grazing, burning, inter-seeding, haying, or noxious weed control).

Successful restoration of native species along Transition Pathway R4A can result in a native grass and forb community in Native/Invaded State 2.0. Over time, with no management, the exotic cool-season perennial grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and/or quackgrass) generally become established and dominate the community. Failed range planting (via Transition Pathway R4B) can result in an invaded plant community Invaded State 3.0.

Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations

This site is well adapted to managed grazing by domestic livestock. The predominance of herbaceous plants across all plant community phases best lends these sites to grazing by cattle, but other domestic grazers with differing diet preferences may also be a consideration depending upon management objectives. Often, the current plant community does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in the ecological site description). Because of this, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. Proper interpretation of this inventory data will permit the establishment of a safe, initial stocking rate for the type and class of animals and level of grazing management. More accurate stocking rate estimates should eventually be calculated using actual stocking rate information and monitoring data.

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

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

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

Utilization Level %
Use Description

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

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

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

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

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

Hydrological functions

Water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group D. Infiltration ranges from moderately slow to very slow; runoff potential for this site varies from low to high depending on surface texture, slope shape, and ground cover. The dense claypan layer slows water movement through the soil profile. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for higher infiltration and lower runoff. An example of an exception would be where shortgrasses form a strong sod and dominate the site. Dominance by blue grama, Kentucky bluegrass, and/or smooth brome will result in reduced infiltration and increased runoff. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).

Recreational uses

Hunting and Bird Watching: The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages approximately 4,000 acres of National Wildlife Refuges for hiking and bird watching and approximately 24,000 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas for public hunting, hiking, and bird watching. States within MLRA 56A manage approximately 39,000 acres of wildlife management areas for multiple use including hunting, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, berry picking, and other non-motorized uses. Of the 39,000 acres, approximately 21,400 are in Minnesota with approximately 16,000 acres in North Dakota and approximately 1,700 acres in South Dakota.

In North Dakota, the United States Forest Service manages 70,000 acres on the Sheyenne National Grassland for multiple uses including camping, hunting, photography, backpacking birdwatching, biking, horseback riding, and other non-motorized recreation. The Sheyenne National Grassland is also managed for livestock grazing. The Choppy Sands and Sands ecological sites dominate the Grassland. It is the only National Grassland in the tallgrass prairie region of the United States. The grassland provides habitat for greater prairie chicken, as well as several other sensitive species (such as the Dakota skipper and regal fritillary). It also contains one of largest populations of the western prairie fringed orchid which is listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Fishing: Approximately 20 lakes are managed for public fishing in the MLRA. Most of these lakes offer boat docks and ramps. These lakes contain various sport fish including walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, crappie, and bluegill. The Red River runs from south to north through the center of the MLRA. The Red River is best known for channel catfish but also has walleye, sauger, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. The Red River is 550 miles long from its source in the southern end of the MLRA near Breckenridge, Minnesota to Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. Between North Dakota and Minnesota, there are 32 public access points along the Red River with 18 having boat ramps.

Camping: Four state parks or recreation areas provide of modern and primitive camping facilities. Minnesota hosts the Buffalo River State Park and Red River State Park. North Dakota hosts the Icelandic State Park and Turtle River State Park. These Parks provide hiking, biking, birding, canoeing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Many local parks and private parks provide modern and primitive camping opportunities. Limited primitive camping is also available on North Dakota Game and Fish Department Wildlife Management Areas.

Hiking/Biking/Horseback Riding: Hiking is permitted on most state and federally owned lands. Developed hiking and biking trails can be found the four state parks. The Grand Forks Greenway has over 22 miles of trails while municipalities along the Red River have extensive walking and hiking trails. A 30-mile segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail leads hikers through the Sheyenne National Grassland’s unique landforms and plant communities. This trail has three trailheads along its route; it is a graveled, marked trail. The entire North Country National Scenic Trail stretches from Crown Point, New York to Lake Sakakawea near Garrison, North Dakota.

Canoeing/Kayaking: The Red River has six designated canoe/kayaking trails. Public access, with limited rentals, is available at these segments. Sheyenne River Water Trail has a segment within the MLRA Sheyenne National Grasslands. Canoe/kayak rentals are available at Icelandic State Park.

Wood products

No appreciable wood products are present on the site.

Other products

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

Other information

• Further investigation is needed on soil chemistry where this site is in complex with Thin Claypan sites. The risk of salinization on these areas is higher than where it is in complex with other sites with lower salt content.

• Further evaluation and refinement of the State-and-Transition model may be needed to identify disturbance driven dynamics. Additional states and/or phases may be required to address grazing response.

• Further documentation may be needed for plant communities in all states. Plant data has been collected in previous range-site investigations, including clipping data; however, this data needs review. If geo-referenced sites meeting Tier 3 standards for either vegetative or soil data are not available, representative sites will be selected for further investigation.

• Site concepts will be refined as the above noted investigations are completed.

• The long-term goal is to complete an approved, correlated Ecological Site Description as defined by the National Ecological Site Handbook.

• NASIS revisions needed:
o Three components of Rolette soils (1 major) are currently linked to Claypan. These components do not have the soil chemistry of the Claypan ES. They do have alfic properties; therefore, they should be relinked to 55A Upland Hardwood Forest ES.

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

Inventory data references

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

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Contributors

ND NRCS: Keith Anderson, Fred Aziz, Stan Boltz, David Dewald, Jonathan Fettig, Alan Gulsvig, Mark Hayek, Chuck Lura, Jeff Printz, Steve Sieler, Lee Voigt, and Hal Weiser.

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 5/21/2025