Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R063BY015SD
Thin Claypan
Last updated: 9/11/2018
Accessed: 04/25/2024
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.
Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 063B–Southern Rolling Pierre Shale Plains
MLRA Notes:
The Southern Rolling Pierre Shale Plains (MLRA 63B) is approximately 4,460 square miles in size. The majority of the MLRA is located in South Dakota (82 percent), and the remaining 18 percent is located in Nebraska. Interstate 90 crosses the northern portion through Chamberlin, SD. There are several Indian Reservations, including the Lower Brule, Crow Creek, Santee, and Yankton Reservations.
This MLRA is an area of old plateaus and terraces that have been deeply eroded, with nearly level to rolling long slopes and well-defined dendritic drainage systems. The rivers and creek valleys have smooth floors and steep walls. The majority of the MLRA is located in the unglaciated section of the Missouri Plateau, Great Plains Province. The northeast corner of the MLRA, east of the Missouri River, is located in the glaciated section with higher areas having deposits of glacial drift. The southwestern tip is located in the High Plains Section.
Elevations range from 1,310 feet to 1,640 feet on the bottom lands along the Missouri River, and from 1,310 feet to 1,970 feet on the shale plains uplands.
The Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, and the confluence of the White and Missouri Rivers, occur within this MLRA. Lake Francis Case, Fort Randall Dam, and Lewis and Clark Lake are also within MLRA’s borders.
Cretaceous Pierre Shale underlies most of the area. This is a marine sediment with layers of volcanic ash that has been altered to smectitic clays. These clays shrink as they dry and swell as they become wet, causing significant problems for road and structural foundations.
Younger Niobrara chalk occurs in the southern part of the MLRA. Alluvial sand and gravel underlie the valley floors along major streams.
Soils are shallow to very deep, generally well drained, and with loamy or clayey textures. Annual precipitation is 19 to 26 inches, mostly falling during the growing season, as frontal storms during the spring and convective thunderstorms in summer. The average annual temperature is 45°-50°F. The freeze-free period averages 165 days, and ranges from 145 to 185 days.
Vegetation is a transition between tall prairie grasses and mixed prairie grasses. Western whetgrass, green needlegrass, porcupinegrass, and big bluestem are the major species. Little bluestem, buffalograss, sideoats grama, and sedges are dominant on the shallow soils. Buffaloberry, skunkbush sumac, and prairie rose are common on steep slopes along the major streams. Prairie cottonwood and a variety of willow species are common on flood plains along the major streams. Green ash, boxelder, chokecherry, bur oak, and buffaloberry occur in draws and narrow valleys. Encroachment of Rocky Mountain juniper and eastern redcedar on to the river breaks is becoming a concern.
The majority of the land is utilized for ranching (60 percent) and farming (27 percent). Major resource concerns for the area are wind erosion, water erosion, maintenance of the content of organic matter and soil productivity, and management of soil moisture.
Classification relationships
USDA - Land Resource Region G – Western Great Plains Range and Irrigated Region, Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 63B – Southern Rolling Pierre Shale Plains (USDA-NRCS, Ag Handbook 296).
EPA - Level IV Ecoregions of the Continental United States:
Northwestern Glaciated Plains - 42f – Southern Missouri Coteau Slopes, 42g – Ponca Plains, 42h – Southern River Breaks, 42p – Holt Tablelands
North Western Great Plains - 43C – River Breaks, 43f – Subhumid Pierre Shale Plains, 43r – Niobrara River Breaks.
Ecological site concept
The Thin Claypan site occurs throughout the MLRA. It is located on level to gently undulating or rolling uplands, stream terraces, and flood plains. Slopes range from 1 to 4 percent. The typical soils surface textures are silt loam, 1 to 4 inches thick. The Btn horizon occurs within 4 inches of the surface and is extremely hard clay. The columnar or prismatic structured subsoil has a rounded or “biscuit-shaped” top. The Btn horizon is high in sodium and can have a whitish coloration. The vegetation in reference is a mix of cool and warm-season grasses, mostly rhizomatous wheatgrass, blue grama and buffalograss. Prickly pear or fragile cactus are often present. Bare ground will increase with erosion, resulting in exposed whitish “biscuit-tops”.
Slick spots (Non-Site) are typically associated with the Thin Claypan ecological site but technically are not a Plant Community Phase or State within the Thin Claypan site. The Soils definition of a slick spot; a small area of soil having a puddled, crusted, or smooth surface and an excess of exchangeable sodium. The soil is generally silty or clayey, is slippery when wet, and is low in productivity.
Associated sites
| R063BY010SD |
Loamy The Thin Claypan site can be found adjacent to the Loamy site. |
|---|---|
| R063BY011SD |
Clayey The Thin Claypan site can be found adjacent to the Clayey site. |
| R063BY013SD |
Claypan The Thin Claypan site can be found adjacent to or intermingled with the Claypan site. |
Similar sites
| R063BY013SD |
Claypan The Thin Claypan site will have less western wheatgrass, more short warm-season grasses, and lower production than the Claypan site. |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pascopyrum smithii |
Physiographic features
This site occurs on nearly level to gently sloping uplands, stream terraces, and flood plains.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Plain
(2) Stream terrace (3) Flood plain |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 1,300 – 2,000 ft |
| Slope | 1 – 4% |
| Water table depth | 24 – 80 in |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
MLRA 63B is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and ample 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 25 inches per year. The average annual temperature is about 48°F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 15°F (Stephan, SD), to about 22°F (Winner, SD). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 73°F (Stephan, SD), to about 76°F (Winner, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 56°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 (mph) annually, ranging from about 13 mph during the spring to about 10 mph 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 mph. 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 (characteristic range) | 113-122 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 130-154 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 21-24 in |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 110-126 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 127-155 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 20-25 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | 118 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 141 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 23 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) LYNCH [USC00255040], Lynch, NE
-
(2) NIOBRARA [USC00255960], Niobrara, NE
-
(3) GANN VALLEY 4NW [USC00393217], Gann Valley, SD
-
(4) WOOD [USC00399442], Wood, SD
-
(5) PICKSTOWN [USC00396574], Lake Andes, SD
-
(6) STEPHAN 2 NW [USC00397992], Highmore, SD
-
(7) WINNER [USC00399367], Winner, SD
Influencing water features
No riparian areas or wetland features are directly associated with this site.
Soil features
The common features of soils in this site have a silt loam textured surface layer, with slopes ranging from 1 to 4 percent. The soils in this site typically moderately well to well-drained and formed in residuum or alluvium derived from shale. The surface layer is 1 to 4 inches thick.
Subsoil textures are clay to silty clay. The soils have a very slow infiltration rate. The Btn horizon is an extremely hard clayey that is round- topped or “bun shaped” with a columnar or prismatic structured subsoil. These Btn horizons are high in sodium. When wet, surface compaction can occur with heavy traffic. When dry these soils crack. This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas, or pedestalled plants. The soil surface is stable and intact.
These soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases where vegetation is removed or severely disturbed. Loss of 30 percent or more of the surface layer of the soils on this site can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.
Major soils correlated to the Thin Claypan ecological site include: Capa, Hurley, Jerauld, and Minatare. Access Web Soil Survey (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/) for specific local soils information.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
–
clayey shale
(2) Residuum – clayey shale |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Silt loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Moderately well drained to well drained |
| Permeability class | Very slow |
| Depth to restrictive layer | 4 in |
| Soil depth | 30 – 80 in |
| Available water capacity (0-10in) |
3 – 5 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-10in) |
25% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-10in) |
30 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-10in) |
5 – 30 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-10in) |
5.6 – 9.6 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
4% |
Ecological dynamics
This site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, light to severe grazing by bison and other large herbivores, sporadic natural or man-caused wildfire (often of light intensities), 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 specify 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.
In association with this site there are also areas of slick spots that usually have considerably more bare ground and are typically dominated by cactus. Slick spots are bare ground areas that are affected by high sodium concentrations. The soil factors are the dominant influence and grazing management is not necessarily the primary influence of these areas. These areas can occur as a complex with this site, sometimes being difficult to differentiate between the two.
Interpretations are primarily based on the Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama Plant Community (1.1), also considered the Reference Plant Community. This Plant Community 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 community phases that can occur on the site and the transition pathways between communities. These are the most common plant community phases based on current knowledge and experience and changes may be made as more data is collected. Narratives following the diagram contain more detail pertaining to the ecological processes.
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
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
This State represents the natural range of variability that dominates the dynamics of this ecological site. This State is dominated by cool- season grasses, with warm-season grasses being subdominant. In pre-European times, the primary disturbance mechanisms for this site in the reference condition included precipitation cycles and grazing by large herding ungulates. Fire was not a major factor influencing vegetation as this site does not typically have sufficient fuel loads to carry a fire. Timing of grazing coupled with weather events dictated the dynamics that occurred within the natural range of variability. Today, this state can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest. Cool-season species can decline and a corresponding increase in short, warm-season grasses will occur. Non-native cool-season grasses typically will not make up more than 15 percent of any plant community within this State.
Community 1.1
Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama
Figure 8. Thin Claypan - R063BY015SD - PCP 1.1.
Interpretations are based primarily on the Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama Plant Community, which is also considered to be the Reference Plant Community (1.1). This plant community evolved with grazing by large herbivores and variations in precipitation cycles, and can be maintained with prescribed grazing, or by occasional short periods of rest or deferment. The potential vegetation is about 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. Cool-season grasses dominate the plant community, while warm-season grasses are subdominant. The major grasses include western wheatgrass and blue grama. Other grasses and grass-likes occurring on this site include buffalograss, inland saltgrass, needle and thread, and sedge. The dominant forbs include scarlet globemallow, cudweed sagewort, heath aster, and woolly Indianwheat. Shrubs that can occur in this plant community are brittle cactus, saltbush, and plains pricklypear. This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle, and energy flow are functioning at the sites potential. Plant litter is properly distributed with some movement offsite and natural plant mortality is low. Low to moderate available water capacity coupled with high accumulations of sodium and slow permeability strongly influences the soil-water-plant relationships.
Figure 9. 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 | 860 | 1274 | 1670 |
| Shrub/Vine | 70 | 113 | 165 |
| Forb | 70 | 113 | 165 |
| Total | 1000 | 1500 | 2000 |
Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD6302, Pierre Shale Plains, cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant, 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 | 3 | 10 | 23 | 34 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.2
Blue Grama-Inland Saltgrass-Western Wheatgrass
This plant community can develop from the adverse effects of heavy, continuous seasonal grazing and/or heavy, continuous season-long grazing. Short grasses tend to increase to dominate the site and annual production decreases dramatically. Lack of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evaporation, which gives blue grama a competitive advantage over cool-season mid-grasses. This plant community can occur throughout the pasture, on spot grazed areas, and around water sources where season-long grazing patterns occur. Blue grama and inland saltgrass are the dominant species. Other grasses and grass-likes occurring include western wheatgrass, buffalograss, Sandberg bluegrass, sedge, and sometimes annual grasses. Forbs such as cudweed sagewort, scarlet globemallow, and woolly Indianwheat may also be present. Some nonnative species will begin to invade this plant community including western salsify, sweetclover, and annual bromegrass. There is usually more than 25 percent bare ground. This plant community is quite resilient. The thick sod and competitive advantage prevents other species from establishing. This plant community is less productive than the Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama Plant Community (1.1). Runoff increases and infiltration will decrease. Soil erosion will be minimal due to the sod forming habit of blue grama.
Figure 11. 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 | 545 | 756 | 1055 |
| Shrub/Vine | 40 | 90 | 150 |
| Forb | 15 | 54 | 95 |
| Total | 600 | 900 | 1300 |
Figure 12. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD6304, Pierre Shale Plains, warm-season dominant, cool-season subdominant. Warm-season dominant, cool-season subdominant.
| 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 | 7 | 17 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.3
Cactus/Inland Saltgrass-Blue Grama
This plant community can develop from the adverse effects of heavy, continuous seasonal grazing and/or heavy, continuous season-long grazing. Brittle cactus and plains pricklypear, as well as, short warm-season grasses tend to increase to dominate the site and annual production decreases further. Lack of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evaporation, which gives cactus and short warm-season grasses a competitive advantage. This plant community can occur throughout the pasture, on spot grazed areas, and around water sources where season-long grazing patterns occur. Brittle cactus, plains pricklypear, inland saltgrass, and blue grama are the dominant species. Other grasses and grass-likes occurring include western wheatgrass, buffalograss, Sandberg bluegrass, and sedge. Forbs such as cudweed sagewort, common dandelion, sweetclover, and woolly Indianwheat may also be present. In addition to the cactus, fringed sagewort is also a prevalent shrub. There is usually more than 25 percent bare ground. This plant community is quite resilient. The thick sod and competitive advantage of the short-grasses prevents other species from establishing. This plant community is the least productive plant community phase. Runoff increases, and infiltration will decrease. Soil erosion will be minimal due to the sod forming habit of the short warm-season grasses. This plant community is not a Slick Spot however it may resemble a one.
Figure 13. 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 | 335 | 474 | 605 |
| Shrub/Vine | 55 | 90 | 130 |
| Forb | 10 | 36 | 65 |
| Total | 400 | 600 | 800 |
Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD6305, Pierre Shale Plains, warm-season dominant.. Warm-season dominant, 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 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 25 | 30 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Heavy, continuous seasonal grazing (heavy stocking levels at the same time of year each year), or heavy, continuous season-long grazing will shift this community to the Blue Grama-Inland Saltgrass-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase (1.2). Drought can greatly influence this change.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Prescribed grazing (alternating season of use and providing adequate recovery periods) or periodic light to moderate grazing possibly including periodic rest and a return to normal precipitation patterns will convert this plant community to the Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama Plant Community (1.1).
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.3
Heavy, continuous seasonal grazing (heavy stocking levels at the same time of year each year), or heavy, continuous season-long grazing will shift this community to the Cactus/Inland Saltgrass-Blue Grama Plant Community (1.3). This change can also be influenced by drought and the accumulation of sodium in the soil surface layer.
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.2
Removal of management induced disturbance followed by prescribed grazing (alternating season of use and providing adequate recovery periods) or periodic light to moderate grazing possibly including periodic rest may convert this plant community to the Blue Grama-Inland Saltgrass-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community (1.2). Depending on the amount of sodium at the soil surface, this transition may not be fast or, in the end, meet management goals.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
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 | Wheatgrass | 375–675 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 375–675 | – | ||
| 2 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 300–525 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 225–375 | – | ||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 30–225 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 30–225 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–75 | – | ||
| 3 | Needlegrass | 30–150 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 30–150 | – | ||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–150 | – | ||
| 4 | Mid Warm-Season Grasses | 0–75 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 0–75 | – | ||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 0–75 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 30–75 | ||||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 15–75 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 15–45 | – | ||
| Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 2GRAM | Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 0–45 | – | ||
| tumblegrass | SCPA | Schedonnardus paniculatus | 0–15 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-Likes | 30–150 | ||||
| needleleaf sedge | CADU6 | Carex duriuscula | 15–120 | – | ||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 15–75 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–45 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Forbs | 75–150 | ||||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 15–45 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 15–45 | – | ||
| Forb, native | 2FN | Forb, native | 15–45 | – | ||
| textile onion | ALTE | Allium textile | 15–30 | – | ||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 0–30 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 15–30 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 15–30 | – | ||
| slimflower scurfpea | PSTE5 | Psoralidium tenuiflorum | 15–30 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 15–30 | – | ||
| Nuttall's violet | VINU2 | Viola nuttallii | 0–15 | – | ||
| deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 0–15 | – | ||
| mealy goosefoot | CHIN2 | Chenopodium incanum | 0–15 | – | ||
| povertyweed | IVAX | Iva axillaris | 0–15 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 0–15 | – | ||
| leafy wildparsley | MUDI | Musineon divaricatum | 0–15 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Shrubs | 75–150 | ||||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 15–60 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–45 | – | ||
| saltbush | ATRIP | Atriplex | 0–30 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 15–30 | – | ||
| brittle pricklypear | OPFR | Opuntia fragilis | 15–30 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 15–30 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 15–30 | – | ||
Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Wheatgrass | 90–180 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 90–180 | – | ||
| 2 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 270–450 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 180–360 | – | ||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 45–270 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 45–225 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–27 | – | ||
| 3 | Needlegrass | 0–45 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 0–45 | – | ||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–27 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 18–45 | ||||
| Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 2GRAM | Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 0–36 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 9–36 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 9–27 | – | ||
| tumblegrass | SCPA | Schedonnardus paniculatus | 0–18 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-Likes | 45–135 | ||||
| needleleaf sedge | CADU6 | Carex duriuscula | 18–90 | – | ||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 9–63 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–27 | – | ||
| 7 | Non-Native Grasses | 0–90 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–90 | – | ||
| bluegrass | POA | Poa | 0–27 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Forbs | 18–90 | ||||
| Forb, introduced | 2FI | Forb, introduced | 0–45 | – | ||
| sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | 0–45 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 0–27 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–27 | – | ||
| mealy goosefoot | CHIN2 | Chenopodium incanum | 0–18 | – | ||
| Forb, native | 2FN | Forb, native | 0–18 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–18 | – | ||
| common dandelion | TAOF | Taraxacum officinale | 0–18 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 0–18 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–18 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 9–18 | – | ||
| curly dock | RUCR | Rumex crispus | 0–18 | – | ||
| slimflower scurfpea | PSTE5 | Psoralidium tenuiflorum | 0–9 | – | ||
| deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 0–9 | – | ||
| textile onion | ALTE | Allium textile | 0–9 | – | ||
| field sagewort | ARCA12 | Artemisia campestris | 0–9 | – | ||
| povertyweed | IVAX | Iva axillaris | 0–9 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 0–9 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Shrubs | 45–135 | ||||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 9–36 | – | ||
| brittle pricklypear | OPFR | Opuntia fragilis | 9–36 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 9–36 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 9–27 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–27 | – | ||
| saltbush | ATRIP | Atriplex | 0–9 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–9 | – | ||
Table 10. Community 1.3 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Wheatgrass | 6–60 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 6–60 | – | ||
| 2 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 150–300 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 30–150 | – | ||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 90–120 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 6–60 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–30 | – | ||
| 3 | Needlegrass | 0–12 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 0–12 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses | 12–30 | ||||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 6–30 | – | ||
| tumblegrass | SCPA | Schedonnardus paniculatus | 0–18 | – | ||
| Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 2GRAM | Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 0–18 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 6–12 | – | ||
| 6 | Grass-Likes | 30–120 | ||||
| needleleaf sedge | CADU6 | Carex duriuscula | 18–90 | – | ||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 6–48 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–12 | – | ||
| 7 | Non-Native Grasses | 0–48 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–48 | – | ||
| bluegrass | POA | Poa | 0–12 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Forbs | 12–60 | ||||
| sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | 0–48 | – | ||
| Forb, introduced | 2FI | Forb, introduced | 0–30 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 6–18 | – | ||
| curly dock | RUCR | Rumex crispus | 0–18 | – | ||
| common dandelion | TAOF | Taraxacum officinale | 0–18 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 0–12 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 0–12 | – | ||
| Forb, native | 2FN | Forb, native | 0–12 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–12 | – | ||
| mealy goosefoot | CHIN2 | Chenopodium incanum | 0–12 | – | ||
| povertyweed | IVAX | Iva axillaris | 0–6 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 0–6 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–6 | – | ||
| deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 0–6 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Shrubs | 60–120 | ||||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 6–60 | – | ||
| brittle pricklypear | OPFR | Opuntia fragilis | 6–48 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 6–36 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 6–30 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–18 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–6 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
Grazing Interpretations:
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 ESD). 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.
The following stocking rates are based on 912 lbs./acre (air-dry weight) per Animal-Unit-Month (AUM), with a 25 percent harvest efficiency of preferred and desirable forage species. An AUM is defined as the equivalent amount of forage required by a 1,000-pound cow with calf up to 6 months of age for one month (refer to USDA NRCS, National Range and Pasture Handbook).
Plant Community: Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama (1.1)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 1500
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.41
Plant Community: Blue Grama-Inland Saltgrass-Western Wheatgrass (1.2)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 900
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.25
Plant Community: Cactus/Inland Saltgrass-Blue Grama (1.3)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 600
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.16
Total annual production on-site may contain vegetation deemed undesirable or untargeted by the grazing animal. Therefore, AUM values may have been reduced to reflect only preferred or desirable forage species.
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 is slow and runoff potential for this site is high. In many cases, areas with greater than 75 percent 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 and/or inland saltgrass will result in reduced infiltration and increased runoff. 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
No appreciable wood products are typically present on this site.
Other products
Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.
Other information
Revision Notes: “Previously Approved” Provisional
This Provisional ecological site concept has passed Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) to ensure that the site meets the 2014 NESH standards for a Provisional ecological site. This is an updated “Previously Approved” ESD which represents a first-generation tier of documentation that, prior to the release of the 2014 National Ecological Site Handbook (NESH), met all requirements as an “Approved” ESD as laid out in the 1997, rev.1, 2003 National Range and Pasture Handbook (NRPH). The document fully described the Reference State and Community Phase in the State-and-Transition model. All other alternative states are at least described in narrative form. The “Previously Approved” ESD has been field-tested for a minimum of five years and is a proven functional document for conservation planning. The “Previously Approved” ESD does not contain all tabular and narrative entries as required in the current “Approved” level of documentation, but it is expected that the “Previously Approved” ESD will continue refinement toward an “Approved” status.
Site Development and Testing Plan:
Future work, as described in a Project Plan, is necessary to validate the information in this Provisional Ecological Site Description. This will include field activities to collect low-, medium-, and high-intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of that data. Annual field reviews should be done by soil scientists and vegetation specialists. The final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews of the ESD will be required to produce the final document.
Non-discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, available online and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632- 9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
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 (RMS), NRCS; Stan Boltz, RMS, NRCS; Rick Peterson, RMS, NRCS; and Dana Larsen, RMS, NRCS.
Other references
EPA – Level III and Level IV Ecoregions of the Continental United States. https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions- continental-united-states. Available online. Accessed 08/30/17.
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska. http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/. Available online. Accessed 08/30/17.
USDA, NRCS. Soil Survey Staff. Official Soil Series Descriptions. Available online. Accessed 08/30/17.
USDA, NRCS. Soil Survey Staff. Web Soil Survey. Available online. Accessed 08/30/17.
USDA, NRCS. 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. Ag Handbook 296.
USDA, NRCS. 2014. National Ecological Site Handbook, 1st Ed.
USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center. http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/. Available online. Accessed 08/30/17.
USDA, NRCS. 1997, rev. 1, 2003. National Range and Pasture Handbook.
USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center. http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov.
USDA, NRCS. 2017. The PLANTS Database. http://plants.usda.gov. Available online. Accessed 08/30/17.
USDA, NRCS. Various Published Soil Surveys.
Contributors
Joyce Kammersell
Rick L. Peterson
Stan Boltz
Approval
David Kraft, 9/11/2018
Acknowledgments
ESD Updated by Rick L. Peterson on 11/13/17.
Editorial Review by Carla Green Adams.
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 | Stan Boltz, stanley.boltz@sd.usda.gov, 605-352-1236 |
| Date | 02/20/2009 |
| 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:
Broken or irregular in appearance or discontinuous with numerous debris dams. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals are somewhat common, but few exposed roots would occur. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground is roughly 10 to 20 percent. Slickspots occur in association with this site, and may comprise areas with much more bare ground. -
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):
Small size litter classes will generally move short distances, some medium size class litter will move very short distances. Litter debris dams are occasionally present. -
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 3 or greater. Surface organic matter adheres to the soil surface in most cases. Soil surface fragments will typically retain structure for short periods when dipped in distilled water. Some fragments will dissolve in less than 1 minute. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
A-horizon not present at the surface, but has light colored E-horizon 1 to 4 inches thick. Structure is thin platy parting to fine granular. -
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-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 – natural pan appears at roughly 1 to 4 inches with “biscuit-top” appearance at top of pan. -
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:
Wheatgrass (mid, cool-season rhizomatous grass) >Sub-dominant:
Short, warm-season grasses >>Other:
Cool-season bunchgrasses = grass-like species = forbs = shrubs > mid, warm-season grassesAdditional:
Other grasses in other functional groups occur in minor amounts. -
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):
Litter cover roughly 30 to 50 percent, and litter is in contact with the soil surface. Litter depth is roughly 0.25 to 0.5 inches. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Total annual production ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds/acre, with the reference value being 1,500 pounds/acre (air-dry basis). -
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, cactus. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Perennial grasses should have vigorous rhizomes or tillers.
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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.
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