Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R064XY012NE
Sands
Accessed: 04/26/2024
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.
Classification relationships
Level IV Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States: 25a – Pine Ridge Escarpment, 43h – White River Badlands, and 43i – Keya Paha Tablelands.
Associated sites
R064XY011NE |
Sandy 14-17" PZ |
---|---|
R064XY024NE |
Subirrigated |
R064XY032NE |
Sandy 17-20" PZ |
Similar sites
R064XY032NE |
Sandy 17-20" PZ [More prairie sandreed; more level terrain] |
---|---|
R064XY011NE |
Sandy 14-17" PZ [More prairie sandreed; more level terrain] |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
Not specified |
---|---|
Shrub |
Not specified |
Herbaceous |
(1) Andropogon hallii |
Physiographic features
This site typically occurs on gently to more steeply sloping to rolling dunes.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms |
(1)
Dune
(2) Hill |
---|---|
Flooding frequency | None |
Ponding frequency | None |
Elevation | 2,900 – 4,000 ft |
Slope | 3 – 30% |
Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
MLRA 64 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 14 to 20 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 47° F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 21° F (Wood, SD) to about 25° F (Hemingford, NE). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 70° F (Keeline 3 W, WY) to about 76° F (Wood, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 55° F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this area's climate. Hourly winds 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) | 162 days |
---|---|
Freeze-free period (average) | 140 days |
Precipitation total (average) | 17 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 4. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 5. Annual average temperature pattern
Influencing water features
No riparian areas or wetland features are directly associated with this site.
Soil features
The features common to soils in this site are the loamy fine sand to sand textured surface layers and slopes of 3 to 30 percent. The soils in this site are somewhat excessively to excessively drained and formed in eolian sand or sandy alluvium. The surface layer is 3 to 18 inches thick. The texture of the subsurface layers range from loamy fine sand to sand. This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas or pedestalled plants. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance or discontinuous with numerous vegetative barriers. The soil surface is stable and intact.
These soils are susceptible to wind and water erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases on slopes greater than about 15 percent. Loss of 50 percent or more of the surface layer of the soils on this site can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.
More information can be found in the various soil survey reports. Contact the local USDA Service Center for soil survey reports that include more detail specific to your location.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture |
(1) Loamy fine sand (2) Fine sand (3) Sand |
---|---|
Family particle size |
(1) Sandy |
Drainage class | Somewhat excessively drained to excessively drained |
Permeability class | Rapid to very rapid |
Soil depth | 80 in |
Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
Available water capacity (0-40in) |
3 – 4 in |
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
10% |
Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
Not specified |
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
5.6 – 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, 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 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.
Continuous season-long grazing (during the typical growing season of May through October) and/or repeated seasonal grazing (e.g., every spring, every summer) without adequate recovery periods following each grazing occurrence causes this site to depart from the Sand Bluestem/Prairie Sandreed Plant Community. Species such as sand dropseed and blue grama will increase, while sand bluestem and little bluestem will decrease. Sand sagebrush occurs primarily in the western portion of this MLRA.
Interpretations are primarily based on the Sand Bluestem/Prairie Sandreed 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 diagram illustrates the common plant communities and vegetation states commonly occurring on the site and the transition pathways between communities and states. 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
Ecosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
Community 1.1
Sand Bluestem/Prairie Sandreed
Interpretations are based primarily on the Sand Bluestem/Prairie Sandreed Plant Community (this is also considered to be climax). This site can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and/or prescribed burning, and on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest. The potential vegetation is about 85% grasses or grass-likes, 10% forbs, and 5% shrubs. The site is dominated by tall and mid-grasses. The major grasses include sand bluestem, prairie sandreed, little bluestem and needleandthread. Other species occurring on the site include sand dropseed, hairy grama, blue grama, switchgrass and sedge. Forbs and shrubs such as penstemon, gayfeather, rose, leadplant, and sand sagebrush are significant. This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle and energy flow are functioning at the sites potential. Plant litter is properly distributed with some movement off-site and natural plant mortality is low. The high plant diversity allows for high drought tolerance.
Figure 6. 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 | 1450 | 1729 | 2205 |
Forb | 35 | 114 | 195 |
Shrub/Vine | 15 | 57 | 100 |
Total | 1500 | 1900 | 2500 |
Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6405, Pine Ridge/Badlands, warm-season dominant. Warm-season dominant.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
3 | 7 | 15 | 20 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 5 |
Community 1.2
Prairie Sandreed/Needleandthread
This plant community typically develops under continuous season-long grazing. The plant community has a reduced component of mid-grasses with an understory of short sod-forming grasses. Dominant grasses include prairie sandreed, needleandthread, hairy grama and blue grama. Other species may include sand dropseed, and sedge. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include dotted gayfeather, cudweed sagewort, scurfpeas, and western ragweed. Shrubs in the community include small soapweed, sand sagebrush, cactus, and rose. Compared to the Sand Bluestem/Prairie Sandreed Plant Community hairy grama, blue grama, sand dropseed, and annual forbs have increased. Sand bluestem and little bluestem have decreased. Plant diversity remains high, despite the decrease in sand bluestem and little bluestem. This plant community is not resistant to change. Changes in grazing management can result in a shift to another plant community. This community is fairly resilient following normal disturbances because of the high diversity of plant species and the high amount of litter. Soil erosion is low. The water cycle is functioning due to the litter cover on the soil surface. Infiltration is high because of the soil texture and surface litter.
Figure 8. 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 | 750 | 1232 | 1410 |
Shrub/Vine | 25 | 84 | 145 |
Forb | 25 | 84 | 145 |
Total | 800 | 1400 | 1700 |
Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6404, Pine Ridge/Badlands, warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant. Warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
5 | 8 | 15 | 24 | 23 | 15 | 5 | 5 |
Community 1.3
Needleandthread/Sand Dropseed
This plant community typically develops over a period of several years, under frequent and severe defoliation during the warm-season grass growing period. The dominant grasses are needleandthread, sand dropseed, hairy grama and blue grama. Significant forbs include western ragweed, annual sunflower, tenpetal mentzelia, and annual eriogonum. Dominant shrubs in this community include sand sagebrush, small soapweed and cactus. Compared to the Sand Bluestem/Prairie Sandreed Plant Community, sand dropseed, sandhill muhly, blue grama, and hairy grama have greatly increased. Needleandthread and prairie sandreed are limited to areas in the sagebrush. Sand bluestem and little bluestem are absent. Desirable plant species have decreased. This plant community is not resistant to change due to the higher percentage of bare ground and increased sand sagebrush component. The water cycle is impaired due to a reduction in litter and the potential for higher runoff and decreased infiltration. The risk for soil erosion increases.
Figure 10. 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 | 535 | 752 | 965 |
Shrub/Vine | 25 | 80 | 140 |
Forb | 40 | 68 | 95 |
Total | 600 | 900 | 1200 |
Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6404, Pine Ridge/Badlands, warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant. Warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
5 | 8 | 15 | 24 | 23 | 15 | 5 | 5 |
State 2
Early Seral State
Community 2.1
Annual/Pioneer Perennial
This plant community develops under frequent and severe defoliation and/or excessive disturbance. This can result from heavy livestock or wildlife concentration (i.e. water locations, bedding or loafing grounds, feeding areas, etc.) or cropping abandonment (go-back land). The dominant vegetation includes pioneer annual grasses and forbs and early successional biennial and perennial species. Grasses may include blue grama, sand dropseed, sedge, sixweeks fescue, and cheatgrass. The dominant forbs may include green sagewort, western ragweed, annual sunflower, and annual eriogonum. Shrubs that may be present include cactus, small soapweed and sand sagebrush. This plant community is resistant to change, as long as soil disturbance or severe vegetation defoliation persist, thus holding back secondary plant succession. Soil erosion is potentially high in this plant community. The community also is susceptible to invasion of non-native annual and perennial forbs due to severe soil disturbances and relatively high percent of bare ground. Reduced surface cover, low plant density, low plant vigor and loss of root biomass, all contribute to decreased water infiltration, increased runoff, and accelerated erosion rates. If left without management blowouts may occur. Significant economic inputs 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.
Figure 12. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike | 260 | 388 | 515 |
Forb | 20 | 62 | 105 |
Shrub/Vine | 20 | 50 | 80 |
Total | 300 | 500 | 700 |
Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6403, Pine Ridge/Badlands, cool-season/warm-season co-dominant. Cool-season, warm-season co-dominant.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
5 | 10 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
Additional community tables
Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Sand Bluestem | 285–475 | ||||
sand bluestem | ANHA | Andropogon hallii | 285–475 | – | ||
2 | Prairie Sandreed | 285–760 | ||||
prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 285–760 | – | ||
3 | Little Bluestem | 0–285 | ||||
little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–285 | – | ||
4 | Needleandthread | 95–190 | ||||
needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 95–190 | – | ||
5 | Short Warm-Season | 38–190 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 19–190 | – | ||
hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 19–95 | – | ||
6 | Other Native Grasses | 95–285 | ||||
sedge | CAREX | Carex | 19–190 | – | ||
sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–190 | – | ||
threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 0–95 | – | ||
switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 0–95 | – | ||
sandhill muhly | MUPU2 | Muhlenbergia pungens | 0–95 | – | ||
Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 0–38 | – | ||
sand lovegrass | ERTR3 | Eragrostis trichodes | 0–38 | – | ||
Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 0–38 | – | ||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–25 | – | ||
thin paspalum | PASE5 | Paspalum setaceum | 0–19 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
8 | Forbs | 38–190 | ||||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–38 | – | ||
Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 0–19 | – | ||
tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–19 | – | ||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–19 | – | ||
false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–19 | – | ||
thistle | CIRSI | Cirsium | 0–19 | – | ||
common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 0–19 | – | ||
blazing star | LIATR | Liatris | 0–19 | – | ||
lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–19 | – | ||
tenpetal blazingstar | MEDE2 | Mentzelia decapetala | 0–19 | – | ||
beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–19 | – | ||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 0–19 | – | ||
goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 0–19 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–19 | – | ||
spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–19 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
9 | Shrubs | 19–95 | ||||
leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–19 | – | ||
sand sagebrush | ARFI2 | Artemisia filifolia | 0–19 | – | ||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 0–19 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–19 | – | ||
sandcherry | PRPU3 | Prunus pumila | 0–19 | – | ||
rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–19 | – | ||
western poison ivy | TORY | Toxicodendron rydbergii | 0–19 | – | ||
soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 0–19 | – |
Table 10. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Sand Bluestem | 14–140 | ||||
sand bluestem | ANHA | Andropogon hallii | 14–140 | – | ||
2 | Prairie Sandreed | 210–420 | ||||
prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 210–420 | – | ||
3 | Little Bluestem | 0–70 | ||||
little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–70 | – | ||
4 | Needleandthread | 70–210 | ||||
needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 70–210 | – | ||
5 | Short Warm-Season | 70–210 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 14–210 | – | ||
hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 14–70 | – | ||
6 | Other Native Grasses | 70–210 | ||||
sedge | CAREX | Carex | 14–140 | – | ||
sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 14–140 | – | ||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–70 | – | ||
threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 0–70 | – | ||
sandhill muhly | MUPU2 | Muhlenbergia pungens | 0–70 | – | ||
Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 0–28 | – | ||
switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 0–28 | – | ||
sand lovegrass | ERTR3 | Eragrostis trichodes | 0–14 | – | ||
thin paspalum | PASE5 | Paspalum setaceum | 0–14 | – | ||
Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 0–14 | – | ||
7 | Non-Native Grasses | 0–70 | ||||
cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–70 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
8 | Forbs | 28–140 | ||||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–28 | – | ||
Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 0–14 | – | ||
tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–14 | – | ||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–14 | – | ||
false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–14 | – | ||
thistle | CIRSI | Cirsium | 0–14 | – | ||
common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 0–14 | – | ||
blazing star | LIATR | Liatris | 0–14 | – | ||
lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–14 | – | ||
tenpetal blazingstar | MEDE2 | Mentzelia decapetala | 0–14 | – | ||
beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–14 | – | ||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 0–14 | – | ||
goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 0–14 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–14 | – | ||
spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–14 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
9 | Shrubs | 28–140 | ||||
sand sagebrush | ARFI2 | Artemisia filifolia | 0–70 | – | ||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 0–28 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–28 | – | ||
soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 0–28 | – | ||
sandcherry | PRPU3 | Prunus pumila | 0–14 | – | ||
rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–14 | – | ||
western poison ivy | TORY | Toxicodendron rydbergii | 0–14 | – | ||
leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–14 | – |
Table 11. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
2 | Prairie Sandreed | 0–90 | ||||
prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 0–90 | – | ||
4 | Needleandthread | 90–180 | ||||
needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 90–180 | – | ||
5 | Short Warm-Season | 90–270 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 90–270 | – | ||
hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–45 | – | ||
6 | Other Native Grasses | 45–180 | ||||
sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 9–135 | – | ||
sedge | CAREX | Carex | 45–90 | – | ||
threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 0–45 | – | ||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–20 | – | ||
7 | Non-Native Grasses | 0–45 | ||||
cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–45 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
8 | Forbs | 45–90 | ||||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 0–18 | – | ||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–18 | – | ||
Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 0–18 | – | ||
annual buckwheat | ERAN4 | Eriogonum annuum | 0–18 | – | ||
common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 0–18 | – | ||
blazing star | LIATR | Liatris | 0–9 | – | ||
lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–9 | – | ||
tenpetal blazingstar | MEDE2 | Mentzelia decapetala | 0–9 | – | ||
beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–9 | – | ||
tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–9 | – | ||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–9 | – | ||
false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–9 | – | ||
thistle | CIRSI | Cirsium | 0–9 | – | ||
goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 0–9 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–9 | – | ||
spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–9 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
9 | Shrubs | 27–135 | ||||
sand sagebrush | ARFI2 | Artemisia filifolia | 0–90 | – | ||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 0–45 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–45 | – | ||
soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 0–45 | – | ||
sandcherry | PRPU3 | Prunus pumila | 0–9 | – | ||
western poison ivy | TORY | Toxicodendron rydbergii | 0–9 | – | ||
leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–9 | – |
Table 12. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
2 | Prairie Sandreed | 0–50 | ||||
prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 0–50 | – | ||
4 | Needleandthread | 50–100 | ||||
needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 50–100 | – | ||
5 | Short Warm-Season | 50–150 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 50–150 | – | ||
hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–25 | – | ||
6 | Other Native Grasses | 25–100 | ||||
sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 5–75 | – | ||
sedge | CAREX | Carex | 25–50 | – | ||
threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 0–25 | – | ||
7 | Non-Native Grasses | 0–50 | ||||
cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–50 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
8 | Forbs | 25–100 | ||||
common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 0–75 | – | ||
Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 0–50 | – | ||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–25 | – | ||
annual buckwheat | ERAN4 | Eriogonum annuum | 0–15 | – | ||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–10 | – | ||
false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–5 | – | ||
thistle | CIRSI | Cirsium | 0–5 | – | ||
tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–5 | – | ||
blazing star | LIATR | Liatris | 0–5 | – | ||
lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–5 | – | ||
tenpetal blazingstar | MEDE2 | Mentzelia decapetala | 0–5 | – | ||
beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–5 | – | ||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 0–5 | – | ||
goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 0–5 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–5 | – | ||
spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–5 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
9 | Shrubs | 25–75 | ||||
sand sagebrush | ARFI2 | Artemisia filifolia | 0–50 | – | ||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 0–25 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–25 | – | ||
soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 0–25 | – | ||
rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–5 | – | ||
western poison ivy | TORY | Toxicodendron rydbergii | 0–5 | – |
Interpretations
Hydrological functions
Water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group A. Infiltration ranges from high to very high. Runoff potential for this site varies from very low to low depending on soil hydrologic group, slope and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An example of an exception would be where short grasses form a strong sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for detailed information).
Recreational uses
This site provides hunting opportunities for upland game species. The wide variety of plants which bloom from spring until fall have an esthetic value that appeals to visitors.
Wood products
No appreciable wood products are present on the site.
Other products
Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.
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: Stan Boltz, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Jill Epley, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Rick Peterson, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; David Steffen, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Jeff Vander Wilt; Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Phil Young, Soil Scientist, NRCS.
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
SCB
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 | 01/05/2010 |
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. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bunchgrasses may be pedestalled, but no exposed roots should be present. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground typically less than 15 percent. Occasional small blowouts may occur immediately adjacent to areas receiving repeated disturbance, but areas should be few and typically not greater than a few feet in diameter. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Active gullies should not be present. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Occasional areas associated with increased animal activity (e.g., rodent burrows, animal trailing) may exhibit small wind scoured areas, typically less than 10 feet in diameter. -
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):
Some series on this site typically have little organic matter in the surface horizon, and the structure is single grain sand. Soil aggregate stability will be difficult to measure on these soils. Surface organic matter should still adhere to the soil surface. Surface erosion by water rarely occurs due to rapid infiltration, but surface is susceptible to wind erosion if vegetative cover is reduced due to drought or heavy grazing. Biological crusts are often present (up to 10% of the surface) and serve to provide resistance to erosion. The dominant rhizomatous warm-season species are adapted to these coarse soils and when vigorous are vital in preventing erosion by wind. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
A-horizon should be 2 to 4 inches thick. Some soils have little organic matter in the A-horizon and dark grayish brown colors when moist, but possibly not mollic. Structure can be single grain to fine granular parting to single grain in the 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. Infiltration is typically high due to the coarse nature of these soils. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
No compaction layer should 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:
Tall, warm-season grasses >>Sub-dominant:
Mid, warm-season grasses > needlegrasses (mid, cool-season bunch) >Other:
Short, warm-season grasses = forbs = grass-like species > shrubsAdditional:
Other native grasses occur in other functional groups in minor amounts. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Very little to no evidence of decadence or mortality. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
40-60 percent plant litter cover, roughly 0.25 to 0.5 inches in depth. Litter cover is in contact with the soil surface. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Total annual production ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 pounds/acre, with the reference value being 1,900 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:
Refer to State and local Noxious Weed List. -
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.
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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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