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Ecological site F057XY018MN

Steep Sandy Upland Forest

Last updated: 10/03/2023
Accessed: 12/22/2024

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General information

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

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 057X–Northern Minnesota Gray Drift

The Northern Minnesota Gray Drift (57) is located within the Northern Lakes Forest and Forage Region. This area is entirely in north-central Minnesota and makes up about 9,785 square miles (Figure 1). The entire area is covered by Wisconsin-age glacial drift. The glacial deposits are from four major ice lobes-Des Moines, Rainy, Superior, and Wadena. The landscape developed through a series of glaciations and the subsequent retreating and wasting of the ice sheets, which resulted in a complex pattern of moraines, outwash plains, drumlins, lake plains and drainages. Lakes, ponds and marshes are common. The thickness of the glacial till ranges from 90 to 185 meters. Some areas of these deposits are overlain by outwash or lacustrine sediments. Some depressional areas have an accumulation of organic matter. The organic deposits are more than 2.5meters thick in some areas. Elevation ranges from 300 to 500 meters across the area. (USDA-NRCS 2006)

The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Alfisols, Entisols, and Histosols, with some Mollisols in the westernmost part of the area. The soils in the area have a frigid soil temperature regime; aquic or udic soil moisture regime, and mixed mineralogy. Their natural drainage class is related to landscape position. In general, the Alfisols formed in till on moraines, Entisols formed in outwash on moraines and outwash plains, and Histosols formed in organic material over outwash or till on moraines or outwash plains. (USDA-NRCS 2006)

Classification relationships

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): Northern Minnesota Gray Drift (57) (USDA Handbook 296, 2006)

USFS Subregions: Northern Minnesota Drift & Lake Plain Section (212N); Chippewa Plains Subsection (212Na), Pine Moraines & Outwash Plains Subsections (212Nc), St. Louis Moraines Subsection (212Nb); Minnesota & NE Iowa Morainal Section (222M); Hardwood Hills Subsection (222Ma); Northern Superior Uplands Section (212L); Nashwauk Uplands Subsection (212Lc); Northern Minnesota & Ontario Peatlands Section (212M); Littlefork-Vermillion Uplands Subsection (212Ma) (Cleland et al. 2007).

US EPA Level IV Ecoregion: Itasca and St. Louis Moraines (50q); Chippewa Plains (50r); Nashwauk/Marcell Moraines and Uplands (50s); Alexandria Moraines and Detroit Lakes Outwash Plain (51j); McGrath Till Plain and Drumlins (51k); Wadena/Todd Drumlins and Osakis Till Plain (51l)(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2013)

Ecological site concept

Steep Sandy Upland Forest sites are widespread throughout the entire MLRA 57, and typically occur on shoulders and backslope hillslope positions with slopes greater than 15 percent on outwash plains and moraines. These sites typically exist on soils with sandy textures of sand, coarse sand, loamy sand, loamy coarse sand, fine sand, or loamy fine sand within a depth of 50 centimeters.

Associated sites

F057XY023MN	Dry Sandy Upland Coniferous Forest These sites occur on summit, shoulders and backslope hillslope positions on outwash plains and dune fields. These sites typically exist on soils with coarser textures of sand, coarse sand, loamy sand, loamy coarse sand, fine sand, or loamy fine sand within a depth of 50 centimeters. The underlying material is generally coarse textured and generally has 0 to 35 percent rock fragments, but areas of sand capped glacial till can be included.
F057XY022MN	Sandy Upland Moist Mixed Forest These sites occur on summit, shoulders and backslope hillslope positions on outwash plains, moraines and till plains. These sites typically exist on soils with medium textures of sandy loam, fine sandy loam or loam within a depth of 50 centimeters but can also include very fine sandy loam or loamy very fine sand in some cases. The underlying material is coarse textured and generally has 5 to 35 percent rock fragments.

F057XY023MN

Dry Sandy Upland Coniferous Forest

These sites occur on summit, shoulders and backslope hillslope positions on outwash plains and dune fields. These sites typically exist on soils with coarser textures of sand, coarse sand, loamy sand, loamy coarse sand, fine sand, or loamy fine sand within a depth of 50 centimeters. The underlying material is generally coarse textured and generally has 0 to 35 percent rock fragments, but areas of sand capped glacial till can be included.

F057XY022MN

Sandy Upland Moist Mixed Forest

These sites occur on summit, shoulders and backslope hillslope positions on outwash plains, moraines and till plains. These sites typically exist on soils with medium textures of sandy loam, fine sandy loam or loam within a depth of 50 centimeters but can also include very fine sandy loam or loamy very fine sand in some cases. The underlying material is coarse textured and generally has 5 to 35 percent rock fragments.

Similar sites

F057XY022MN	Sandy Upland Moist Mixed Forest These sites occur on summit, shoulders and backslope hillslope positions on outwash plains, moraines and till plains. These sites typically exist on soils with medium textures of sandy loam, fine sandy loam or loam within a depth of 50 centimeters but can also include very fine sandy loam or loamy very fine sand in some cases. The underlying material is coarse textured and generally has 5 to 35 percent rock fragments.

F057XY022MN

Sandy Upland Moist Mixed Forest

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Quercus rubra (2) Pinus resinosa
Shrub	(1) Corylus cornuta (2) Diervilla
Herbaceous	(1) Eurybia macrophylla (2) Maianthemum canadense

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Physiographic features

Steep Sandy Upland Forest are widespread throughout the entire MLRA 57, and typically occur on shoulders and backslope hillslope positions with slopes greater than 15 percent on outwash plains and moraines.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Outwash plain > Hillslope (2) Moraine
Runoff class	Low to medium
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	670 – 1,900 ft
Slope	15 – 45%
Water table depth	100 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

In general, MLRA 57 has cold winters and warm summers. About 65 percent of the annual precipitation falls as rain during the 5-month growing season (May through September), and an additional 18 percent falls as snow.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	89-110 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	123-134 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	26-28 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	79-110 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	122-143 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	26-28 in
Frost-free period (average)	99 days
Freeze-free period (average)	130 days
Precipitation total (average)	27 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) WALKER AH GWAH CHING [USC00218618], Walker, MN
(2) ITASCA UNIV OF MINN [USC00214106], Park Rapids, MN
(3) NEW YORK MILLS [USC00215902], New York Mills, MN
(4) TAMARAC WILDLIFE REF [USC00218191], Rochert, MN
(5) BLACKDUCK [USC00210809], Blackduck, MN

Soil features

These sites typically exist on soils with sandy textures of sand, coarse sand, loamy sand, loamy coarse sand, fine sand, or loamy fine sand within a depth of 50 centimeters. The underlying material is generally coarse textured and generally has 0 to 35 percent rock fragments, but areas of sand capped glacial till can be included. Soils are well to excessively drained with rust and gray redoximorphic features and or depth to seasonal water table from 100 to greater than 150 centimeters. This site is represented by the Snellman, Sugarbrush, and Two Inlets soil series, among others.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Outwash
Surface texture	(1) Sand (2) Sandy loam (3) Loamy sand
Drainage class	Well drained to excessively drained
Permeability class	Moderate to very rapid
Soil depth	80 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	2 – 8%
Surface fragment cover >3"	2%
Available water capacity (0-40in)	4 – 6.3 in
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	5.6 – 7.3
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)	4 – 10%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)	2%

Ecological dynamics

Plant communities typically dominated by red pine and white pine with small amounts of paper birch, quaking aspen, red maple, northern red oak, and bur oak. Understory is commonly beaked hazelnut and occasionally has red maple saplings, bush honeysuckle, chokecherry and juneberries. Forb layer typically consists of large leaf aster, Canada mayflower, wild sarsaparilla, bracken fern, and early meadow-rue.

State and transition model

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

Ecosystem states

1. Reference State

2. Logged State

T1A	-	Mechanical removal of tree species for timber harvest.

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Big-Toothed Aspen/Red Pine/Jack Pine(Early Successional)

1.2. Red Pine/White Pine/Jack Pine(Mid-Successional)

1.3. Red Pine/White Pine/Mixed Deciduous (Late Successional)

1.1A	-	Lack of fire/blow downs (35-95 years)
1.2A	-	Increased low intensity fire frequency and blow downs (<35 years)
1.2B	-	Lack of fire/blow downs (95-195 years)
1.3B	-	Stand replacing fire
1.3A	-	Increased low intensity fire frequency and blow downs (<95 years)

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Post-Logging

2.2. Seeded

2.1A	-	Planting of desired species and herbicide use.
2.2A	-	Harvest of tree species upon desired growth stage.

State 1
Reference State

The reference state of the Steep Sandy Upland Forest consists of three forest communities in varying successional levels.

Community 1.1
Big-Toothed Aspen/Red Pine/Jack Pine(Early Successional)

Young forests recovering from fire or wind, notable quaking aspen dominance (0-55 years).

Dominant plant species

bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata), tree
red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree
jack pine (Pinus banksiana), tree
eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), tree
northern red oak (Quercus rubra), tree

Community 1.2
Red Pine/White Pine/Jack Pine(Mid-Successional)

A transitional period marked with a decline in quaking aspen stand replacement. Along with development of understory coniferous species (55-95 years).

Dominant plant species

red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree
eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), tree
jack pine (Pinus banksiana), tree

Community 1.3
Red Pine/White Pine/Mixed Deciduous (Late Successional)

Mature forest with prominent mixed canopy (95+ years).

Dominant plant species

red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree
eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), tree

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Lack of fire/blow downs (35-95 years)

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Increased low intensity fire frequency and blow downs (<35 years)

Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.3

Lack of fire/blow downs (95+ years)

Pathway 1.3B
Community 1.3 to 1.1

Stand replacing fire

Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.2

Increased low intensity fire frequency and blow downs (<95 years)

State 2
Logged State

Removal of tree species for timber harvest leaves an open canopy with very disturbed understory vegetation. Shrubs dominate immediately post logging and often prevent tree's from re-establishing quickly.

Community 2.1
Post-Logging

Community 2.2
Seeded

Reseeded to a forested site with desired timber species.

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Planting of desired species for future timber harvest and herbicide use to prevent shrubs from dominating.

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1

Harvest of tree species upon desired growth stage.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Mechanical removal of tree species for timber harvest.

Additional community tables

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Information presented was derived from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota, USDA-NRCS soil survey information, and USDA Plants Database.

Relationship to Other Established Classifications:
MN DNR Native Plant Community (MN DNR, 2003); the reference community of this Provisional Ecological Site is most similar to:
FDc34 Central Dry-Mesic Pine-Hardwood Forest (sand cap or glossic St Croix Moraine area)
MHc26 Central Dry-Mesic Oak-Aspen Forest (sand cap or glossic Itasca Moraine area)

Other references

Cleland, D.T.; Freeouf, J.A.; Keys, J.E., Jr.; Nowacki, G.J.; Carpenter, C; McNab, W.H. 2007. Ecological Subregions: Sections and Subsections of the Conterminous United States.[1:3,500,000], Sloan, A.M., cartog. Gen. Tech. Report WO-76. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

Eggers, Steve D. and Donald M. Reed. 1997. Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (2003). Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. MNDNR St. Paul, MN.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions. Available online. Accessed March 2018.

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 27 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

Contributors

Ezra Hoffman, Ecological Site Specialist, NRCS North Central Region
Kade Anderson, Ecological Site Specialist, NRCS North Central Region
Patty Burns, Soil Scientist, NRCS Bemidji Soil Survey Office
Stacey Clark, Former NRCS Regional Ecologist for Regions 10 & 11

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 10/03/2023

Acknowledgments

MLRA 57 technical team completed in 2022.

Rangeland health reference sheet

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

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date	10/04/2023
Approved by	Suzanne Mayne-Kinney
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production