Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R063AY032SD
Clayey Terrace
Accessed: 04/24/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
Classification relationships
Level IV Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States: 43c – River Breaks and 43f – Subhumid Pierre Shale Plains.
Associated sites
| R063AY011SD |
Clayey |
|---|---|
| R063AY017SD |
Shallow Clay |
| R063AY021SD |
Clayey Overflow |
| R063AY022SD |
Loamy Terrace |
Similar sites
| R063AY011SD |
Clayey Clayey [more green needlegrass; lower production] |
|---|---|
| R063AY022SD |
Loamy Terrace Loamy Terrace [less western wheatgrass, more green needlegrass and big bluestem; higher production] |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Symphoricarpos occidentalis |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pascopyrum smithii |
Physiographic features
This site occurs on nearly level areas that receive additional water from rare stream flooding events.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Plain
(2) Stream terrace (3) Flood plain |
|---|---|
| Flooding duration | Very brief (4 to 48 hours) |
| Flooding frequency | None to rare |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 1,600 – 2,700 ft |
| Slope | 2% |
| Water table depth | 42 – 80 in |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
MLRA 63A is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and hot summers, low 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 ranges from 16 to 20 inches per year. The average annual temperature is about 47°F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 11°F (Pollock, South Dakota (SD)), to about 22°F (Cedar Butte, SD). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 72°F (Pollock, SD), to about 76°F (Cedar Butte, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 58°F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this area's climate. Hourly winds are estimated to average about 11 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 13 miles per hour during the spring to about 10 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.
Growth of cool-season plants begins in early to mid-March, slowing or ceasing in late June. Warm-season plants begin growth about mid-May and continue to early or mid-September. Green up of cool-season plants may occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 137 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 157 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 18 in |
Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 3. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 4. Annual average temperature pattern
Influencing water features
No riparian areas or wetland features are directly associated with this site.
Soil features
The soils in this site are moderately well drained and formed in clayey alluvium. The silty clay or clay surface layer is five to eight inches thick. The soils have a slow infiltration rate. Subsoil textures range from silty clay loam to clay and are stratified. This site should show no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas, or pedestalled plants. If present, water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance, or discontinuous. The soil surface is stable and intact.
These soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion if vegetative cover is inadequate or highly disturbed. A drastic loss of the soil surface layer on this site can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.
Access Web Soil Survey (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/) for specific local soils information.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
–
calcareous shale
|
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Silty clay (2) Clay |
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Moderately well drained |
| Permeability class | Slow |
| Soil depth | 80 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
5 – 6 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
15% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
1 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
7.4 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
Ecological dynamics
This site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, natural influences of large herbivores, occasional fire, and other biotic and abiotic factors that typically influence soil/site development. Changes will occur in the plant communities due to short-term weather variations, impacts of native and/or exotic plant and animal species, and management actions. While the following plant community descriptions describe more typical transitions between communities that will occur, severe disturbances, such as periods of well below average precipitation, can cause significant shifts in plant communities and/or species composition.
A high percentage of these areas have been tilled in the past, and have been planted to alfalfa for haying or are in a winter wheat/fallow rotation. Also, many of these areas are located in good winter livestock areas and are used as calving/feeding areas. Very few areas exist that have not had severe soil disturbance. Many areas that have not been tilled have been continuously hayed resulting in a mono-culture of western wheatgrass. Continuous seasonal grazing without adequate recovery periods following each grazing occurrence over several years causes this site to depart from the climax species. Species such as blue grama will initially increase. Western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, and sideoats grama will decrease in frequency and production. Extended periods of non-use and/or lack of fire or heavy, continuous season-long grazing will result in a plant community having high litter levels, which favors an increase in Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass, and/or annual bromegrass and in time, shrubs and trees such as western snowberry and green ash.
Interpretations are primarily based on the Western Wheatgrass/Shrubs Plant Community. It has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance, and areas under long-term rotational grazing regimes. Trends in plant community dynamics ranging from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts also have been used. Plant communities, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds have been determined through similar studies and experience.
The following is a diagram that illustrates the common plant communities that can occur on the site and the transition pathways between communities. The ecological processes will be discussed in more detail in the plant community descriptions following the diagram.
State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Western Wheatgrass/Shrubs Plant Community
Community 1.1
Western Wheatgrass/Shrubs Plant Community
Interpretations are based primarily on the Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass/Shrub Plant Community, which is considered to be climax. The potential vegetation is between 70-90 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 2-8 percent forbs, 10-20 percent shrubs, and 0-2 percent trees. The community is dominated by cool-season grasses. The major grasses include western wheatgrass and green needlegrass. Other prominent grasses and grass-likes include Canada wildrye, blue grama, and buffalograss. Forbs consist of cudweed sagewort, goldenrod, purple prairie clover, silverleaf scurfpea, and white prairie aster. Shrub species found on this site are leadplant, rose, snowberry, and wild plum. Common trees include American elm, boxelder, green ash, and plains cottonwood. Regeneration of trees is not common due to the lack of flooding, lower water table, and high grass cover. This plant community is productive and diverse. The diversity in plant species allows for high drought tolerance. This is a sustainable plant community in regards to site/soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity. Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Continuous seasonal grazing and/or haying will convert the plant community to the Blue Grama/Buffalograss/Western Wheatgrass Plant Community. • Nonuse and/or no fire or heavy, continuous season-long grazing will shift plant community to a Kentucky Bluegrass/Shrubs Plant Community.
Figure 5. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 1725 | 2054 | 2285 |
| Shrub/Vine | 225 | 390 | 625 |
| Forb | 50 | 130 | 235 |
| Tree | 0 | 26 | 55 |
| Total | 2000 | 2600 | 3200 |
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD6301, Pierre Shale Plains, cool-season dominant.. Cool-season dominant on uplands..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 25 | 36 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
State 2
Blue Grama/Buffalograss/Western Wheatgrass Plant Community
Community 2.1
Blue Grama/Buffalograss/Western Wheatgrass Plant Community
This plant community can slowly develop from the adverse effects of continuous seasonal grazing without adequate recovery periods between each grazing event during the growing season. Recognition of this plant community will enable the land user to implement key management decisions before a significant ecological threshold is crossed. Blue grama, buffalograss, and western wheatgrass are the dominant species. Green needlegrass has been reduced, while sedges have increased slightly, along with nonnative grasses. Forb species include cudweed sagewort, goldenrod, silverleaf scurfpea, and western yarrow. Leadplant has been reduced while western snowberry has increased. Common trees include American elm, boxelder, bur oak, green ash, hackberry, and plains cottonwood. Regeneration of trees is still lacking. This plant community is relatively stable and less productive than the climax community. Reduction of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, increased runoff and high evapotranspiration rates. This plant community can occur throughout the site, on spot grazed areas, and around water sources where season-long grazing patterns occur. Soil erosion will be minimal due to the sod forming habit of blue grama.
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 1030 | 1413 | 1725 |
| Shrub/Vine | 85 | 180 | 310 |
| Forb | 85 | 180 | 310 |
| Tree | 0 | 27 | 55 |
| Total | 1200 | 1800 | 2400 |
Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD6303, Pierre Shale Plains, cool/warm-season codominant.. Cool-season, warm-season codominant..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 20 | 28 | 21 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
State 3
Kentucky Bluegrass/Shrubs Plant Community
Community 3.1
Kentucky Bluegrass/Shrubs Plant Community
This plant community develops after an extended period of non-use and exclusion of fire or from heavy continuous season-long grazing. Eventually litter levels become high enough to reduce native grass vigor, diversity and density. Kentucky bluegrass dominates this plant community. Other grass and grass-like species include blue grama, buffalograss, foxtail barley, cheatgrass, smooth bromegrass, and needleleaf sedge. Common forbs include cudweed sagewort, goldenrod, western ragweed, and western yarrow. Shrubs such as western snowberry and/or silver sagebrush will increase in density and cover and eventually tree species such as green ash, boxelder, bur oak, green ash, hackberry, plains cottonwood, and American elm will do the same. Tree regeneration is still lacking. This plant community is resistant to change without prescribed grazing and/or fire. The combination of both grazing and fire is most effective in moving this plant community toward the Western Wheatgrass/Shrubs Plant Community. Soil erosion is low. Runoff is similar to the climax community. Once the advanced stage of this plant community is reached, time and external resources will be needed to see a recovery in the diversity of the site. The following growth curve is an estimate of the monthly percentages of total annual growth of the dominant species expected during an average year:
Figure 9. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 7. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 710 | 1064 | 1280 |
| Shrub/Vine | 125 | 210 | 320 |
| Forb | 65 | 105 | 155 |
| Tree | 0 | 21 | 45 |
| Total | 900 | 1400 | 1800 |
Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD6301, Pierre Shale Plains, cool-season dominant.. Cool-season dominant on uplands..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 25 | 36 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
State 4
Annuals, Pioneer Perennial Plant Community
Community 4.1
Annuals, Pioneer Perennial Plant Community
This plant community develops under severe disturbance, heavy continuous season-long grazing, and/or defoliation. This can result from heavy livestock or wildlife concentration, and cropping abandonment (Go-back land). The dominant vegetation includes pioneer annual grasses, forbs, invaders, and early successional biennial and perennial species. Grasses may include sixweeks fescue, smooth bromegrass, annual brome, crested wheatgrass, needleandthread, prairie Junegrass, and western wheatgrass. The dominant forbs may include curlycup gumweed, lambsquarter, salsify, kochia, field bindweed, thistles, western ragweed, and other early successional species. Shrubs that may be present include rose and fringed sagewort. Plant species from adjacent ecological sites may become minor components of this plant community. The community also is susceptible to invasion of other nonnative species due to severe soil disturbances and relatively high percent of bare ground. This plant community is resistant to change, as long as soil disturbance or severe vegetation defoliation persists, thus holding back secondary plant succession. Soil erosion is potentially high in this vegetation state. Reduced surface cover, low plant density, low plant vigor, loss of root biomass, and soil compaction, all contribute to decreased water infiltration, increased runoff, and accelerated erosion rates. Significant economic inputs, management, and time would be required to move this plant community toward a higher successional stage and a more productive plant community. Secondary succession is highly variable, depending upon availability and diversity of a viable seed bank of higher successional species within the existing plant community and neighboring plant communities. This plant community can be renovated to improve the production capability, but management changes would be needed to maintain the new plant community. Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Under long-term prescribed grazing, including adequate rest periods, this plant community will move through the successional stages eventually leading to the Western Wheatgrass/Shrubs Plant Community. Depending on the slope, aspect, and size, and if adequate perennial plants exist, this change can occur more rapidly. Go-back, Introduced, or Invaded This group includes three separate vegetation states that are highly variable in nature. They are derived through three distinct management scenarios and are not related successionally. Infiltration, runoff, and soil erosion varies depending on the vegetation present on the site. The Go-back Land state can be reached whenever severe mechanical disturbance occurs (e.g., tilled and abandoned land, either past or present). During the early successional stages, the species that mainly dominate are annual grasses and forbs, later being replaced by both native and introduced perennials. The vegetation on this site varies greatly, sometimes being dominated by threeawn, bluegrass, smooth bromegrass, annual brome, crested wheatgrass, buffalograss, broom snakeweed, sweetclover, and nonnative thistles. Other plants that commonly occur on the site include western wheatgrass, deathcamas, prickly lettuce, marestail, kochia, foxtail, and sunflowers. Bare ground is prevalent due to the loss of organic matter and lower overall soil health. The Introduced state is normally those areas seeded to crested wheatgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass, alfalfa, or other introduced species. Refer to the associated Forage Suitability Group description for adapted species. The Invaded state includes areas that have been invaded by species such as smooth bromegrass, bluegrass, nonnative thistles, field bindweed, knapweeds, leafy spurge, hoary cress, and other introduced species.
Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD6301, Pierre Shale Plains, cool-season dominant.. Cool-season dominant on uplands..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 25 | 36 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | WHEATGRASSES560 | 20–35 | ||||
| 2 | COOL-SEASON BUNCHGRASSES | 420–700 | ||||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 280–560 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 56–280 | – | ||
| porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 0–140 | – | ||
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | 0–140 | – | ||
| 3 | MID WARM-SEASON GRASSES | 140–560 | ||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 56–280 | – | ||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 28–140 | – | ||
| prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 28–140 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–140 | – | ||
| composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 0–84 | – | ||
| 4 | SHORT WARM-SEASON GRASSES | 28–140 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 28–140 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 0–84 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–56 | – | ||
| 5 | OTHER NATIVE GRASSES | 28–140 | ||||
| Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 2GRAM | Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 0–140 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 28–84 | – | ||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 0–56 | – | ||
| 6 | GRASS-LIKES | 28–196 | ||||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 28–196 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–84 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | FORBS | 140–280 | ||||
| Forb, native | 2FN | Forb, native | 28–140 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 28–84 | – | ||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 28–84 | – | ||
| Maximilian sunflower | HEMA2 | Helianthus maximiliani | 28–84 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 28–84 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 28–56 | – | ||
| mint | MENTH | Mentha | 0–56 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 28–56 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 28–56 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 28–56 | – | ||
| prairie clover | DALEA | Dalea | 28–56 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 28–56 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–56 | – | ||
| hoary verbena | VEST | Verbena stricta | 28–56 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 28–56 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 0–28 | – | ||
| rockcress | ARABI2 | Arabis | 0–28 | – | ||
| scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 0–28 | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–28 | – | ||
| nettle | URTIC | Urtica | 0–28 | – | ||
| stiff sunflower | HEPA19 | Helianthus pauciflorus | 0–28 | – | ||
| wood lily | LIPH | Lilium philadelphicum | 0–28 | – | ||
| dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 0–28 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | SHRUBS | 280–560 | ||||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 28–280 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–224 | – | ||
| American plum | PRAM | Prunus americana | 0–224 | – | ||
| silver buffaloberry | SHAR | Shepherdia argentea | 0–224 | – | ||
| chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | 0–140 | – | ||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 28–140 | – | ||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 0–140 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 28–84 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–56 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 10 | TREES | 0–84 | ||||
| Tree | 2TREE | Tree | 0–84 | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | 0–84 | – | ||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | 0–84 | – | ||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–84 | – | ||
| American elm | ULAM | Ulmus americana | 0–84 | – | ||
Table 9. Community 2.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | WHEATGRASSES | 180–450 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 180–450 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 0–36 | – | ||
| 2 | COOL SEASON BUNCHGRASSES | 90–180 | ||||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 36–144 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 18–90 | – | ||
| 3 | MID&TALL warm-SEASON GRASSES | 36–144 | ||||
| composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 0–90 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–54 | – | ||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 0–54 | – | ||
| prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 0–36 | – | ||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–36 | – | ||
| 4 | SHORT WARM-SEASON GRASSES | 270–540 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 180–450 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 18–180 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 18–90 | – | ||
| 5 | OTHER NATIVE GRASSES | 18–90 | ||||
| Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 2GRAM | Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 0–90 | – | ||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 0–90 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 18–36 | – | ||
| 6 | GRASS-LIKES | 36–180 | ||||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 36–180 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–90 | – | ||
| 7 | NON-NATIVE GRASSES | 0–80 | ||||
| bluegrass | POA | Poa | 0–144 | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 0–90 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–90 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | forbs | 90–270 | ||||
| Forb, introduced | 2FI | Forb, introduced | 0–90 | – | ||
| Forb, native | 2FN | Forb, native | 18–90 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 18–90 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 18–72 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–54 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 18–54 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 18–54 | – | ||
| hoary verbena | VEST | Verbena stricta | 18–54 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 0–38 | – | ||
| nettle | URTIC | Urtica | 0–36 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 18–36 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 18–36 | – | ||
| wavyleaf thistle | CIUN | Cirsium undulatum | 0–36 | – | ||
| Canadian horseweed | COCA5 | Conyza canadensis | 0–36 | – | ||
| common mullein | VETH | Verbascum thapsus | 0–36 | – | ||
| prairie clover | DALEA | Dalea | 0–18 | – | ||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 0–18 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 0–18 | – | ||
| Maximilian sunflower | HEMA2 | Helianthus maximiliani | 0–18 | – | ||
| dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 0–18 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–18 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | SHRUBS | 90–270 | ||||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 36–180 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–90 | – | ||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 0–90 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 18–54 | – | ||
| silver buffaloberry | SHAR | Shepherdia argentea | 0–36 | – | ||
| American plum | PRAM | Prunus americana | 0–36 | – | ||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–36 | – | ||
| chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | 0–18 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–18 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 10 | TREES | 0–54 | ||||
| Tree | 2TREE | Tree | 0–54 | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | 0–54 | – | ||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | 0–54 | – | ||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–54 | – | ||
| American elm | ULAM | Ulmus americana | 0–54 | – | ||
Table 10. Community 3.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | WHEATGRASSES | 28–140 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 28–140 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 0–14 | – | ||
| 2 | COOL SEASON BUNCHGRASSES | 0–70 | ||||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–70 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 0–28 | – | ||
| 3 | MID&TALL WARM-SEASON GRASSES | 0–42 | ||||
| composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 0–42 | – | ||
| 4 | SHORT WARM-SEASON GRASSES | 210–420 | ||||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 210–420 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 210–420 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–112 | – | ||
| 5 | OTHER NATIVE GRASSES | 0–70 | ||||
| Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 2GRAM | Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 0–70 | – | ||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 0–56 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–14 | – | ||
| 6 | GRASS-LIKES | 14–70 | ||||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–70 | – | ||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 17–70 | – | ||
| 7 | NON-NATIVE GRASSES | 280–560 | ||||
| bluegrass | POA | Poa | 210–490 | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 0–210 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 14–140 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | forbs | 70–140 | ||||
| Forb, introduced | 2FI | Forb, introduced | 0–112 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 14–70 | – | ||
| Canadian horseweed | COCA5 | Conyza canadensis | 0–56 | – | ||
| Forb, native | 2FN | Forb, native | 14–56 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 14–56 | – | ||
| common mullein | VETH | Verbascum thapsus | 0–56 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–56 | – | ||
| hoary verbena | VEST | Verbena stricta | 14–42 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 14–42 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 14–42 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 14–42 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 0–42 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 14–28 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 14–28 | – | ||
| nettle | URTIC | Urtica | 0–28 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | SHRUBS | 140–280 | ||||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 70–210 | – | ||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 0–140 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–70 | – | ||
| American plum | PRAM | Prunus americana | 0–42 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 14–28 | – | ||
| silver buffaloberry | SHAR | Shepherdia argentea | 0–14 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–14 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 10 | TREES | 0–42 | ||||
| Tree | 2TREE | Tree | 0–42 | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | 0–42 | – | ||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | 0–42 | – | ||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–42 | – | ||
| American elm | ULAM | Ulmus americana | 0–42 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
The following table lists annual, suggested initial stocking rates with average growing conditions. These are conservative estimates that should be used only as guidelines in the initial stages of conservation planning. Often, the current plant composition does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in this ecological site description). Because of this, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. More accurate carrying capacity estimates should eventually be calculated using the following stocking rate information along with animal preference data and actual stocking records, particularly when grazers other than cattle are involved. With consultation of the land manager, more intensive grazing management may result in improved harvest efficiencies and increased carrying capacity.
Western Wheatgrass/Shrubs
Average Annual Production(lbs./acre,air-dry)2600
Stocking Rate(AUM.acre) .71
Blue Grama/Buffalograss/Western Wheatgrass
Ave Annual Production(lbs.acre,air-dry) 1800
Stocking Rate(AUM.acre) .49
Kentucky Bluegrass/Shrubs
Ave Annual Production(lbs./acre,air-dry)1400
Stocking Rate(AUM/acre) .38
Blue Grama/Buffalograss/Western Wheatgrass 1800 0.49
Kentucky Bluegrass/Shrubs 1400 0.38
*Based on 912 lbs./acre (air-dry weight) per Animal Unit Month (AUM), and on 30 percent harvest efficiency (refer to USDA NRCS, National Range and Pasture Handbook).
Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income producing industries in the area. Rangeland in this area may provide yearlong forage. During the dormant period, the forage for livestock will likely be lacking protein to meet livestock requirements, and added protein will allow ruminants to better utilize the energy stored in grazed plant materials. A forage quality test (either directly or through fecal sampling) should be used to determine the level of supplementation needed.
Hydrological functions
Water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group D. Infiltration varies from moderately slow to moderate and runoff potential varies from low to moderate depending on soil hydrologic group and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75 percent ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception would be where shortgrasses form a dense sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50 percent 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
This site provides hunting, hiking, photography, bird watching, and other opportunities. The wide varieties of plants that bloom from spring until fall have an aesthetic value that appeals to visitors.
Wood products
Wood products are limited mainly to harvest of aged trees for firewood.
Other products
Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping data and other inventory data. Field observations from range-trained personnel were also used. Those involved in developing this site include: April Boltjes, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Stan Boltz, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Kent Cooley, Soil Scientist, NRCS; Rick Peterson, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; L. Michael Stirling, Range Management Specialist, NRCS. Ocular estimates of plant composition and production have been collected to develop this site description.
Other references
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://hpccsun.unl.edu)
USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, 101 SW Main, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204-3224. (http://wcc.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. National Range and Pasture Handbook, September 1997
USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
USDA, NRCS, Various Published Soil Surveys.
Contributors
Betty Bisch
Stan Boltz
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) | Stan Boltz |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | stanley.boltz@sd.usda.gov, 605-352-1236 |
| Date | 05/08/2010 |
| Approved by | Stan Boltz |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
None, or barely visible and discontinuous. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
0 to 5 percent is typical. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None should be present. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Litter should fall in place. Slight amount of movement of smallest size class litter is possible, but not normal. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil aggregate stability ratings should typically be 5 to 6, normally 6. Surface organic matter adheres to the soil surface. Soil surface fragments will typically retain structure indefinitely when dipped in distilled water. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
A-horizon should be 5 to 8 inches thick with mollic (dark) colors when moist. Structure typically is medium to fine granular in the upper A-horizon. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Combination of shallow and deep rooted species (mid & tall rhizomatous and tufted perennial cool- and warm-season grasses) with fine and coarse roots positively influences infiltration. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None – when dry, B horizons can be hard and appear to be compacted, but no platy structure will be present. -
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Mid cool-season rhizomatous grasses >>Sub-dominant:
Shrubs > Mid/tall cool-season bunchgrasses >Other:
Short warm-season grass > Forbs > Mid/tall warm-season grass = Grass-likes = Mid/short cool-season grass > TreesAdditional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Very little evidence of decadence or mortality. Bunch grasses have strong, healthy centers and shrubs are vigorous. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Production ranges from 2,000-3,200 lbs./acre (air-dry weight). Reference value production is 2,600 lbs./acre (air-dry weight). -
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
State and local noxious weeds, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species exhibit high vigor relative to climatic conditions. Do not rate based solely on seed production. Perennial grasses should have vigorous rhizomes or tillers.
Print Options
Sections
Font
Other
The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.