Physiographic features

This site typically occurs on flats and shallow depressions on lake plains, till-floored lake plains, delta plains, flood plains, and isolated areas of till plain. As the landforms vary considerably, so do the parent materials. Slopes are less than 3 percent.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

MLRA 56A 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. Greening 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 most commonly occurs as a discharge site with evaporation during the growing season resulting in the accumulation of salts at or near the soil surface. During the growing season, the water table is typically within a depth of 1.5 feet in the spring and within 3.5 feet in mid-summer. Some areas of this site have endosaturation (the soil is saturated with water in all layers); other areas have episaturation (perched water table above a subsoil layer with slow or very slow permeability) due to dense subsoil layers or clayey substrata. Regional lateral water movement caused by episaturation (contrasting textures in the parent materials) is common. Discharge of laterally moving saline water can contribute significantly to the salinization of the soils. In addition, specifically in Grand Forks County (Manvel area), artesian pressure forces water from the Dakota Sandstone aquifer toward the land surface, contributing to wide-spread soil salinity.

Surface infiltration ranges from very slow to moderately rapid; permeability through the profile ranges from very slow to moderately rapid. Water loss is through evapotranspiration and percolation below the root zone.

Some areas have wetland functions due to prolonged, near-surface saturation which supports salt- tolerant, hydrophytic vegetation. In other areas, under normal climatic conditions, soil saturation is not shallow enough to support hydrophytic vegetation.

Early in the growing season and after heavy rains, areas of this site on flats may pond as deep as 6 inches; this ponding is very brief or brief (<7 days). Areas in depressions typically have occasional, long ponding (7 to 30 days) in early spring. Ponding is usually <12 inches deep; however, ponding as deep as 18 inches for longer periods (>30 days) can occur. On flood plains, this site typically has rare or occasional flooding of brief to long duration but areas with frequent, very long flooding are currently included in the site (see Site Development and Testing Plan).

Wetland description

Stream Type: DA6 (Rosgen System) on riparian systems.

Wetland Description: System Subsystem Class Sub-class Water Regime
Cowardin, et. al., 1979 Palustrine N/A Emergent Persistent Temporary/Saturated

Soil features

Soils associated with Saline Lowland ES are in the Mollisol and Vertisol orders. The Mollisols are further classified as Typic Calciaquolls, Cumulic Endoaquolls, Typic Endoaquolls, Vertic Endoaquolls, and Typic Natraquolls. The Vertisols are further classified as Typic Calciaquerts, Typic Endoaquerts, and Typic Epiaquerts. These soils were developed under prairie or wetland vegetation. They formed in glaciolacustrine sediments, deltaic deposits, alluvium, or till. The soils on this site are very deep. The common feature of these soils is the presence of soluble salts within the rooting zone. Soil salinity is moderate or stronger (E.C. >8 dS/m).

The soils in this site are poorly drained with redoximorphic features within a depth of 18 inches. Soil salinity is the primary factor used in identifying this site; all textures are included. Therefore, soil physical properties associated with texture vary widely. Some poorly drained soils in this site also have a sodic claypan which restricts rooting depth.

Sodicity ranges from low to very high (SAR 2 to 25). Soil reaction is neutral to strongly alkaline (pH 6.6 to 9.0). Calcium carbonate content ranges from none to high (CaCO3 <45%).

Areas within this site can become nearly barren due to the accumulation of salts at the surface. The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers can be restrictive to water movement and root penetration. Salt accumulation strongly influences the soil/water/plant relationship.

Major soil series correlated to the Saline Lowland site are Arveson, Augsburg, Borup, Colvin, Fargo, Hegne, Lamoure, Ludden, Manfred, Ojata, Playmoor, Ryan, Thiefriver, Vallers, and Winger.

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. The following chart provides preferred vegetative stature heights and sensitivity to woody vegetation encroachment.

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

Saline Lowland Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Saline Lowland ecological sites are poorly drained; soluble salts are present within the rooting zone and significantly impact the plant community. The surface can become nearly barren due to the presence of salts. In some soils, subsurface soil layers may be restrictive to water movement and root penetration. Associated ecological sites commonly include Limy Subirrigated, Clayey, Loamy Overflow, Loamy, Thin Claypan, Shallow Marsh, Wet Meadow, Sandy Claypan, and Sodic Subirrigated (only found on sandy delta plains). This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge-sensitive, grassland bird species preferring medium- to tall-statured vegetation.

Saline Lowland habitat features and components commonly support grassland-nesting birds that prefer short- to medium-stature vegetation. Only in Plant Community Phases 1.1, 1.3, 2.1 and 2.3 does tall-statured vegetation, such as prairie cordgrass, occur in any abundance to provide needed habitat for grassland nesting birds that prefer tall-statured vegetation. Low diversity and density of forb species provide limited pollen and nectar resources for pollinating insects. In turn, invertebrate production is low, providing limited protein resources for grassland-nesting birds. Saline Lowland ecological sites provide forage for small and large herbivores.

Saline Lowland 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 within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases exist within States 1.0 and 2.0. Today, these states occur primarily in response to drought, fire, grazing, and non-use, and other anthropogenic disturbances.

Because there is no known restoration pathway from State 2.0 to State 1.0, it is important to intensively manage using Community Phase Pathways in State 1.0 to prevent further plant community degradation along the T1A Transitional Pathway to State 2.0. Native wildlife generally benefits from the heterogeneous grasslands found in State 1.0 that include grass and forb species of varying stature and density. As plant communities degrade and transition to State 2.0, foxtail barley increases while native forbs are reduced.

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

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Wheatgrasses-Cordgrasses-Nuttall’s Alkaligrass: This plant community offers vegetative cover for wildlife; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This phase retains high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing with adequate recovery period, as well as prescribed burning. Prescribed burning frequency maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. Predominance of grass species in this plant 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: Insects including aquatic insects, play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, reptiles, and rodents. Ecological services, historically provided by bison, are simulated by domestic livestock. These services include putting plant material and dung in contact with mineral soil to be used by lower trophic level consumers (such as invertebrate decomposers, scavengers, shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal feeders).

Dependent upon salinity levels, Saline Lowland ecological sites provide habitat for a diverse suite of aquatic invertebrates providing an important trophic link between macrophytes and vertebrates that depend upon them as food. Rapid warming during spring snowmelt allows the invertebrate population to flourish. The vegetative structure provided by shallow vegetated wetlands increase the abundance of aquatic invertebrates compared to less vegetated sites.

Dakota skippers do not prefer this site due to salinity and wetness along with limited host plants, such as little bluestem and prairie dropseed. Regal fritillary habitat is limited due to salinity and wetness and uncommon Nuttall’s and prairie violets. Monarch butterflies may use flowering forbs on this site; however, no milkweed species are found on this site to support caterpillar food. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs as a nectar source. Although bare ground is common, wetness and salinity will limit nesting.

Birds: This plant community provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by mid- to tallgrass-nesting birds. Dependent upon ponded water levels, this plant community may provide habitat for species preferring wetter (hydric) habitats (such as Nelson’s sparrow, northern harrier, sedge wren, yellow rail, Wilson’s phalarope, Wilson’s snipe, etc.). This site provides waterfowl pair bonding sites, early season invertebrate food sources, and early season shorebird habitat. The rapid warming during spring snowmelt provides water birds an abundant invertebrate protein source for egg laying. Prescribed burning maintains a grass-dominated plant community, providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. This plant community does not provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites or nesting habitat. However, it does provide winter cover, escape habitat, and brood-rearing habitat (depending on water levels). This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors, especially northern harrier.

Mammals: Limited diversity of grasses and forbs provide reduced nutrition levels for small and large herbivores. This plant community provides foraging opportunities for raccoon, skunks, coyotes, and other mammals that use wetlands and wetland edges for food resources. This site has less diversity and overall shorter plant stature compared to associated sites (such as Wet Meadow, Shallow Marsh, Limy Subirrigated, and Loamy Overflow). Mid- to tall-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Due to potential high salinity levels and wetness, these ecological sites do not provide suitable habitat for northern prairie skink and plains hog-nosed snake. Brief early spring ponded water may provide foraging habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad, dependent upon salinity levels. Water may not be deep enough to provide breeding or hibernation habitat.

Fish and Mussels: These ecological sites can be located adjacent to streams, rivers, or water bodies. These sites receive run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and provide hydrology to Wet Meadow or Shallow Marsh ecological sites. Management on Saline Lowland sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, can have a direct effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Saline Lowland 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 Wheatgrasses-Foxtail Barley-Saltgrass: Multiyear drought (with or without heavy grazing) with lack of recovery periods gives foxtail barley and other salt tolerant grasses a competitive edge. This plant community is adapted to increased salinity and is relatively stable. Every effort should be made to manage this plant community via Community Pathway 1.2A (light to moderate grazing with adequate recovery periods) to move back to Plant Community Phase 1.1. Improper management such as heavy continuous season-long grazing will transition this plant community to State 2.0 with increased abundance of foxtail barley, saltgrass, and bare ground. Structural diversity and density reduce habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident birds.

Invertebrates: Heavy grazing with lack of recovery periods further reduces density and diversity of pollinating forb species. Multiyear drought along with increased salinity reduces aquatic invertebrates.

Birds: Heavy grazing with lack of recovery periods gives foxtail barley, saltgrass, and other salt tolerant grasses a competitive edge reducing density and stature of grasses. Loss of prairie cordgrass favors grassland nesting birds bird species that use short- to mid-statured vegetation. Depending on water depth, this plant community will be attractive to various shorebirds.

Mammals: This site is no longer favored by large herbivores and provides limited life requisites for small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Multiyear drought, coupled with increased salinity levels, provides limited to no habitat for amphibians and reptiles.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, increased bare ground will yield additional sediment to nearby water bodies.

Community Phase 1.3 Cordgrasses-Wheatgrasses-Nuttall’s Alkaligrass: Above average precipitation, via plant community Pathway 1.1B, moves this plant community phase to one a taller statured vegetation characterized by an increase in cordgrass.

Invertebrates: This plant community provides similar life requisites as Plant Community Phase 1.1. Increase precipitation favors aquatic invertebrates with a reduction in pollinator species.

Birds: Above average precipitation provides for taller statured vegetation, mainly prairie cordgrass, with a reduction in western wheatgrass favoring grassland-nesting birds that prefer mid- to tall-statured vegetation. Increase in precipitation may increase ponding/saturation levels favoring water dependent nesting birds, such as sedge wren and yellow rail.

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.

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Wheatgrasses-Cordgrasses-Nuttall’s Alkaligrass: The introduction of cool-season exotic grasses exacerbated by heavy grazing, along Transition Pathway T1A, results in a plant community that functions similarly to 1.1. Bare ground has increased salinity with micro-lows having the highest salt concentrations.

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 Wheatgrasses-Foxtail Barley-Saltgrass/Bare Ground/Halophytes: These plant communities are the result of multiyear drought with or without heavy, long-term grazing. Increased bare ground and an increase in halophytes tolerant to saline soils reduces vegetation structure for wildlife in general.

Invertebrates: Forb species have been dramatically reduced limiting pollinator species in this plant community phase. Multiyear drought eliminates aquatic invertebrates.

Birds: Dependent on the amount of bare ground, this site may provide vegetative structure for grassland birds that favor short- to mid-statured vegetation.

Mammals: Short-statured vegetation couple with bare ground reduces cover for large and 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 Cordgrasses-Wheatgrasses-Nuttall’s Alkaligrass: Above average precipitation, via Plant Community Pathway 2.1B, causes a marked increase in taller- statured vegetation indicative of prairie cordgrass.

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.

3.0 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1 Foxtail Barley-Exotic Cool-Season Grass/Exotic Forbs: Invaded State generally occurs with heavy season-long grazing or extended periods of no use (via Transition Pathway T2A). Dependent upon the salinity level, foxtail barley along with exotic cool-season grasses (such as quackgrass, Kentucky bluegrass and/or, perhaps, smooth brome) become the dominant graminoids. Grazing tolerant foxtail barley begins to dominate the site. Grazing tolerant rush and spikerush species increase along with bare ground. Use by wildlife will be dependent upon vegetation response to the degree of salinity and management.

Invertebrates: This plant community has an overall low diversity of forbs; however, Canada thistle and field sowthistle provide mid- to late-season pollen. Bare ground increases but few ground nesting species, if any, within MLRA 56A use saline soils for nesting sites. This shift to drier soil conditions reduces or eliminates aquatic invertebrates.

Birds: Increase in short- to mid-statured vegetation favors grassland nesting birds that prefer this statured vegetation. Invertebrate food sources are reduced and with heavy season-long grazing. In addition, as these sites dry during periods of prolonged below normal precipitation, bare ground increases which reduces grassland-nesting bird habitat.

Mammals: A shift to short-grass species and increased salinity reduces habitat for large mammals; it may still provide vegetative cover for small mammals depending on amount of bare soil. Thermal, escape, and winter cover is no longer provided for larger 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.

Community Phase 3.2 Exotic Trees/Foxtail Barley-Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Exotic Forbs: Continued long-term non-use or very light grazing, and no fire allows for the introduction of exotic trees such as Russian olive. Russian olive’s salinity tolerance allows this species to be invasive in saline soils under long-term non-use, especially lack of fire.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 3.1.

Birds: The degree of Russian olive invasion impacts grassland nesting birds for species that avoid woody species. Increased use by brown-headed cowbirds could be an additional impact to grassland nesting birds.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 3.1.

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

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

4.0 Go-Back State

Community Phase 4.1 Annual/Pioneer Perennial/Exotics: Following cropland abandonment or other disturbance, these plant communities are 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, birds, and their young. Dense weed cover can keep soils moist, increasing insect presence. Tall stature provided by some weeds, such as marsh elder and ragweed, offer 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 along Transition Pathway R4A can result in a native grass and forb community in State 2.0. Implementation of prescribed burning and/or chemical/mechanical brush management followed by a 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 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 prescribed grazing management. “Degree of utilization” is defined as the proportion of the current year’s forage production that is consumed and/or destroyed by grazing animals (may refer to a single plant species or a portion or all the vegetation). “Grazing utilization” is classified as slight, moderate, full, close, and severe (see the following table for description of each grazing use category). The following utilization levels are also described in the Ranchers Guide to Grassland Management IV. Utilization levels are determined by using the landscape appearance method as outlined in the Interagency Technical Reference “Utilization Studies and Residual Measurements” 1734-3.

Utilization Level % Use Description

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

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

Full 40-60 All fully accessable 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

Available water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. Soil salinity significantly reduces the availability of water (hinders osmosis) to plants growing on the site.

Under unaltered hydrologic conditions, this site is dominated by soils in hydrologic groups B and C, but incudes some soils in group D. Where the natural hydrology has been altered, the soils are predominantly in hydrologic groups B/D and C/D with some soils in group A/D (depending upon soil texture). Infiltration varies from very slow to moderately rapid. Runoff potential varies from negligible to medium depending on soil hydrologic group, surface texture, and ground cover.

Hydrological manipulation (surface or tile drainage, pumping, surface water diversion, etc.) modifies this ecological site. Under natural conditions, this ecological site includes a wide range of soil textures; after hydrologic manipulation, soil texture often becomes a more significant factor in vegetative response. If the degree of manipulation allows soil texture to influence the plant community or if altered soil properties (i.e., salinization or the addition of fill material) results in vegetation change, a transition to a completely different ecological site may have occurred. The transition to an altogether different ecological site will depend upon severity of altered hydrology, soil properties, and corresponding vegetation. Due to the many variables (e.g., hydrology, success and type of drainage, etc.), impacts to the ecological site will be site-specific. As a result, each situation will require field investigation to determine what, if any, change in ecological site designation is necessary and proceed accordingly.

Without restoring hydrologic function (which may include range seeding), managers need to reference state and transition models within those sites. Hydrology will need to be fully restored in Wet Meadow and Shallow Marsh ecological sites for these sites to properly function. It is recommended that managers review the appropriate State and Transition Models prior to wetland restoration.

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 areas of this site associated with flood plains. Lamoure and Ludden soils occur on flood plains of streams and rivers. The impact of occasional or frequent flooding on these areas needs evaluation; areas with frequent, very long flooding should probably be included in a Riparian Complex ESD.
• Further investigation is recommended on sodic, claypan soils (e.g., Manfred, Ryan) included in this site as compared to other soils in the site.
• Further investigation is needed on the wide range of soil textures and associated properties and their relationship to hydrology/plant dynamics.
• 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 During the recently completed Ecological Site Description update, saline phases of Aeric Calciaquolls were reassigned from Saline Lowland to the Salinized State of Limy Subirrigated. Numerous components of Antler, Bearden, Elmville, Gilby, Glyndon, Hamerly, Ulen, Wheatville, and Wyndmere need to be relinked in NASIS, as well as 3 components of Moritz.
o During the recently completed Ecological Site Description update, the Sodic Subirrigated ecological site was developed; all Stirum components need to be relinked from Saline Lowland to Sodic Subirrigated.
o Two major components of Endoaquolls, moderately saline occur in a borrow area map unit. If these are disturbed soils, they should probably be relinked from Saline Lowland to Non-site.

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

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 5/19/2025