Physiographic features

This site typically occurs on lake plains and delta plains, but it also occurs on outwash plains and isolated areas of till plain surrounded by lake plain. It most commonly occurs in micro-lows on flats. Parent materials are glaciolacustrine sediments, deltaic deposits, glaciofluvial deposits, or till. Slopes range from 0 to 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 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 18 inches early in the growing season, the root-restrictive claypan layer and soil salinity prohibit the plants from benefiting from subirrigation. Depth to the water table typically exceeds 2.5 feet during April through June and more than 3.5 feet during the remainder of the year. Surface infiltration and the permeability in the claypan layer are slow to very slow. Water loss is primarily through evapotranspiration.

Soil features

Soils associated with Thin Claypan ES are typically in the Mollisol order; they are classified further as Leptic Natrudolls. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed in glaciolacustrine sediments, deltaic deposits, glaciofluvial deposits, or isolated areas of till. Typically, the soils are moderately well drained or somewhat poorly drained.

The common features of soils in this site are the shallow depth (typically less than 6 inches) to a dense, root-restrictive, claypan layer and salt accumulations within a depth of 16 inches (typically near the surface). Although these soils are very deep to moderately deep, the claypan severely limits the rooting depth of plants and the salts limit plant-available water. The texture of the surface layer is typically silty clay loam or silty clay, but clay loam, silt loam, or sandy loam also occur (particularly where the soil surface has not been disturbed by tillage). The dense claypan typically is clay, silty clay, silty clay loam, or clay loam (forms a ribbon >1.5 inches long); but it is sandy loam or loam in a few soils (forms a ribbon <1.5 inches long).

Soil salinity is typically moderate (E.C. 8 - <16 dS/m) or strong (E.C. >16 dS/m) within a depth of 16 inches, but some soils have slight salinity to that depth. Sodicity is low to moderate (SAR 2-8) in the surface layer; in the claypan layer, it is typically moderately high or high (SAR >10). Soil reaction is slightly acid to moderately alkaline (pH 6.1 to 8.4) above the claypan and slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline (pH 7.4 to 9.0) in the claypan. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content is none to low in the surface layer and typically low to moderate in the upper part of the claypan; in the lower part of the claypan there is commonly an accumulation of calcium carbonate (as much as 25 percent).

Wet surface compaction can occur with heavy traffic. Crypto-biotic crusts may be present. 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 Thin Claypan site are Exline, Ferney, and Lemert.

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 56 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 56 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 MLRA 56. 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 56 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 56 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 56:

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 56 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, 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 56:

MLRA 56 has the most conversion to cropland of any MLRA within Region F-Northern Great Plains. The MLRA land uses include agriculture (annual crop production, 81%), grassland/shrubland (7.3%), forestland (5.5%), wetland (4.7%), and 1.6 % in other land uses such as transportation corridors and urban areas. 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 further impacting 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 the 64,769 acres of the United States Forest Service, Sheyenne National Grassland (southern portion of MLRA); 37,000 acres of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge (northeastern portion of MLRA); other wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas; and numerous state parks and wildlife management areas. 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, 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 56:

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 56 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 56:

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, range planting, prescribed burning, 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 declines 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. Once a plant community degrades to State 2.0 Invaded State, no restoration pathway exists to return to State 1.0. 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_Thin_Claypan_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf )

Thin Claypan Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Thin Claypan ecological sites are identified by the presence of a dense claypan within 6 inches of the soil surface and salt accumulations with a depth of 16 inches making the site very droughty. In addition, the depth to claypan will cause a mosaic of non-vegetated (slick spots) with vegetated areas within the ecological site creating a mosaic of short- and mixed-grass habitat components that commonly support grassland nesting birds. This mosaic of slick spots and vegetated areas occurs in all States. In addition, Thin Claypan sites can occur in a complex with Claypan ecological sites. These sites may provide brood rearing habitat for sharp-tailed grouse. Due to limited diversity of forb species, protein sources for young chicks may be limited. These sites do not lend themselves well as lekking, nesting or winter cover.

Thin Claypan habitat features and components commonly support grassland nesting birds. Other associated ecological sites include Clayey, Claypan, Loamy, Saline Lowland, and Wet Meadow. This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge-sensitive, grassland bird species.

Thin 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) within a local landscape. Within each of these states, bare ground (as described in Community Phase 1.2 and 2.2) occurs in patches of varying size scattered across the ecological site. Multiple plant community phases exist within State 2. Today, these states occur primarily in response to grazing and drought.

Because there is no known restoration pathway from State 2.0 to State 1.0, it is important to intensively manage, using tools in the community phase pathways in States 1.0 and 2.0, to prevent further plant community degradation along either the T1A Transitional Pathway to the Native/Invaded State 2.0 or the T2A Transitional Pathway to the Invaded State 3.0. Native wildlife generally benefits from grasslands that are heterogeneous in species composition and stature found in States 1.0 and 2.0 that include diverse grass and forb species with varying stature and density. With heavy season-long grazing or extended periods of drought within State 2.0, warm-season grasses (particularly short-statured grasses), bare ground, and exotic grasses increase while native forbs are reduced. This transition results in reduced stature and increased plant community homogeneity. When adjacent and/or intermingled ecological sites undergo the same transition, the result can be an expansive, homogenous landscape.

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

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

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 sufficient quality to support a sustainable population density.

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1: Saltgrass-Western Wheatgrass: This plant community offers good wildlife habitat, and every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. Overall plant diversity is low, and the forb component is inherently limited on this ecological site. Within the limits of this ecological site, 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 migratory and resident bird species that prefer short structure and bare ground.

Invertebrates: Insects play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, reptiles, and rodents. Ecological services, historically provided by bison, are mirrored 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 shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal-feeders.

Dakota skippers do not prefer this site due to limited host plants, such as little bluestem and prairie dropseed. Regal fritillary habitat is limited due to short stature of this plant community and Nuttall’s and prairie violets are uncommon. Monarch butterflies may use flowering forbs on this site; however, few milkweed species are found on this site to support caterpillar food. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs as a nectar source and bare ground for nesting amongst bunchgrasses. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods (as well as prescribed burning) to maintain the Community Phase 1.1A will have long term positive effects on ground dwelling insects.

Birds: This plant community provides nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by short- to mid-grass nesting birds that can also tolerate areas of bare ground. Plant structure is generally short for bird species using short-grass habitats; however, during periods of above normal precipitation this community phase may provide habitat for bird species preferring mid-statured vegetation. The low scattered shrubs that may be present in this plant community phase should not impact woody vegetation sensitive bird species. This plant community provides suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse leks but limited nesting and brood-rearing habitat. Limited structure and diverse prey populations provide good hunting opportunity for grassland raptors. Many passerine species utilize MLRA 56 as a major migratory travel corridor.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, rodents, jackrabbits, and white-tailed deer. Short- to moderate- stature provides suitable food, 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 does not usually provide habitat for the northern leopard frog and Great Plains toad since it is not located adjacent to or near freshwater habitat such as wetlands, streams, or lakes.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site is not directly associated with streams, rivers, or water bodies. It receives run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and may provide hydrology to other ecological sites lower on the landscape. Management on Thin Claypan sites, in conjunction with nearby run-on sites, can have an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Thin Claypan and nearby sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to any nearby aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2 Foxtail Barley-Saltgrass/Bare Ground: A marked increase in foxtail barley with a corresponding decrease in western wheatgrass occurs after heavy season-long grazing (with or without drought). Prairie sagewort increases while forbs may decrease in flower production due to heavy grazing and drought.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, heavy, season-long grazing may negatively impact ground-nesting sites due increased soil compaction. A reduction in forbs, reduced floral production due to heavy season-long grazing and drought, along with increase in wind-pollinated prairie sagewort reduces overall pollen and nectar production.

Birds: This plant community provides nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by short- to mid-grass nesting birds. A shift to shorter herbaceous plant statures and a short shrub component along Community Phase Pathway 1.1A begins to benefit species preferring short-statured vegetation. Species that prefer midgrass statures will be generally successful with normal to above normal precipitation and a change in management along the 1.2A Community Phase Pathway. In years with reduced precipitation continued heavy season-long grazing, nesting recruitment may be compromised even for short-grass nesting species. This plant community provides areas suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites. Limited cover and a reduction of diverse prey populations limits hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, heavy season-long grazing reduces protective and thermal cover for small mammals.

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

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

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Saltgrass-Western Wheatgrass: This plant community develops through Transition pathway T1A due to changes in management (by long-term season-long grazing as well as long-term non-use and no fire events) and the presence of exotic, cool-season grasses. The threshold between states 1.0 and 2.0 is crossed when Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome grass, or other exotic species become established. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Reference State of Community 1.1, except it has a minor amount of cool-season exotic grasses and forbs. Managers should consider the 2.0 community phase pathways to avoid transitioning to State 3.0.

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 secondary resources benefits as Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 2.2 Foxtail Barley-Saltgrass/Bare Ground: Continuous, season-long grazing along Community Phase Pathway 2.1A leads to shorter-statured grasses, such as blue grama. 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.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

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

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

3.0 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1 Exotic Grasses/Exotic Forbs: Community phase pathway T2A is characterized by non-use (10 or more years) or low intensity (less than 20% utilization) grazing and elimination of fire. This plant community phase can also be the result of heavy season-long grazing. This plant community phase is characterized by a dominance (>30%) of exotic cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome grass, quackgrass. However, due to the low productivity of this site, native grasses such as western wheatgrass and blue grama are still present. Restoration pathway R3A requires remnant amounts of native warm- (i.e. blue grama) and cool-season grasses (i.e. western wheatgrass) and forbs. These remnant populations can only be expressed through frequent prescribed burns and high levels of prescribed grazing management targeting the exotic cool-season grasses. Intensified management along the R3A pathway will have significant short-term negative impacts on wildlife habitat; however, this is necessary to restore long-term habitat functions.

Invertebrates: Exotic grasses limit use by beneficial insects provided in States 1.0 and 2.0. Heavy, continuous season-long grazing causes this plant community to be dominated by sod forming, cool season exotic grasses creating a thick root layer which increases compaction and eliminates bare ground and nesting sites for native bees and other ground-nesting insects. Lack of grazing and/or fire increases 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 reduce forb diversity, limiting life requisites for invertebrate species of concern in MLRA 56. Shrubs common to this site are wind- or self-pollinating, limiting use by pollinating insects.

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; and the tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass 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, continuous season-long grazing causes this plant community to be dominated by short-statured grasses which provides 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; and the tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass to lay down favors thermal, protective, and escape cover for small mammals/rodents.

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

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar secondary resources benefits 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 ecological sites lower on the landscape and any nearby waterbodies.

4.0 Go-Back State

Community Phase 4.1 Annual/Pioneer Perennial/Exotics: This plant community is the result of severe soil disturbance such as cropping, recreational activity, or concentrated livestock activity for a prolonged time period. Following cessation of disturbances, the resulting plant community is dominated by early pioneer annual and perennial plant species. Plant species composition and production are highly variable. Weedy plants can provide pollinator habitat along with spring and summer cover for many mammals and birds and their young.

Successful restoration along transition pathway R4A results in a plant community dominated by native grass and forb species in State 2.0. Failed restoration to native species through restoration pathway R4B results in Invaded State 3.0. Wildlife species response 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).

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 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 percent, 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, bluegrass, and/or smooth bromegrass 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 chickens 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 MLRA 56A. 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 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.

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.

Other references

Bluemle. J.P. 2016. North Dakota’s Geologic Legacy. North Dakota State University Press. 382 pages.

Briske, D.D. (editor). 2017. Rangeland Systems – Processes, Management, and Challenges. Springer Series on Environmental Management. 661 pages.

DeKeyser, E.S., G. Clambey, K. Krabbenhoft, and J. Ostendorf. 2009. Are changes in species composition on central North Dakota rangelands due to non-use management? Rangelands 31:16-19

Dix, R.L. and F.E. Smeins. 1967. The prairie, meadow, and marsh vegetation of Nelson County, North Dakota. Canadian Journal of Botany 45:21-57.

Dornbusch, M.J., R.F. Limb, and C.K. Gasch. 2018. Facilitation of an exotic grass through nitrogen enrichment by an exotic legume. Rangeland Ecology & Management 71:691-694.

Dyke, S.R., S.K. Johnson, and P.T. Isakson. 2015. North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan. North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Bismarck, ND. 468 pages.

Ereth, C., J. Hendrickson, D. Kirby, E. DeKeyser, K. Sedevic, and M. West. 2017. Controlling Kentucky bluegrass with herbicide and burning is influenced by invasion level. Invasive Plant Science and Management 10: 80-89.

Hendrickson, J.R., S.L. Kronberg, and E.J. Scholljegerdes. 2020. Can targeted grazing reduce abundance of invasive perennial grass (Kentucky Bluegrass) on native mixed-grass prairie? Rangeland Ecology and Management, 73:547-551.

Higgins, K.F. 1984. Lightning fires in grasslands in North Dakota and in pine-savanna lands in nearby South Dakota and Montana. J. Range Manage. 37:100-103.

Higgins, K.F. 1986. Interpretation and compendium of historical fire accounts in the northern great plains. United States Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Resource Publication 161. 39 pages.

High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://hprcc.unl.edu)

Johnson, Sandra. 2015. Reptiles and Amphibians of North Dakota. North Dakota Game and Fish Department. 64 pages.

Jordan, N. R., D.L. Larson, and S.C. Huerd. 2008. Soil modification by invasive plants: effects on native and invasive species of mixed-grass prairies. Biological Invasions 10:177-190.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2005. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota – the prairie parkland and tallgrass aspen parklands provinces. Minnesota DNR.

North Dakota Division of Tourism, Accessed on February 25, 2019. Available at https://www.ndtourism.com/sports-recreation

North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, Accessed on February 25, 2019. Available at https://www.parkrec.nd.gov/

Reeves, J.L., J.D. Derner, M.A. Sanderson, J.R. Hendrickson, S.L. Kronberg, M.K. Petersen, and L.T. Vermeire. 2014. Seasonal weather influences on yearling beef steer production in C3-dominated Northern Great Plains rangeland. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 183:110-117.

Royer, R. A., 2003. Butterflies of North Dakota: An Atlas and Guide. Minot State University, Minot, ND.

Seabloom, R. 2011. Mammals of North Dakota. North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies, Fargo, ND. 461 pages.

Severson, K. E. and C. Hull Sieg. 2006. The Nature of Eastern North Dakota: Pre-1880 Historical Ecology. North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies.

Spaeth, K.E., Hayek, M.A., Toledo, D., and Hendrickson, J. 2019. Cool Season Grass Impacts on Native Mixedgrass Prairie Species in the Norther Great Plains. America’s Grassland Conference: Working Across Boundaries. The Fifth Biennial Conference on the Conservation of America’s Grasslands. Bismarck, ND. 20-22 August.

USDA, NRCS. National Range and Pasture Handbook, September 1997.

USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/tools/?cid=nrcs142p2_053552)

USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, 101 SW Main, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204-3224. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/wcc/home/

USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

USDA, NRCS, Various Published Soil Surveys.

Vinton, M.A. and E.M. Goergen. 2006. Plant-soil feedbacks contribute to the persistence of Bromus intermis in tallgrass prairie. Ecosystems 9: 967-976.

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, 5/19/2025