Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R064XY027NE
Clayey Overflow
Last updated: 12/16/2024
Accessed: 12/21/2024
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): 064X–Mixed Sandy and Silty Tableland and Badlands
The Mixed Sandy and Silty Tableland and Badlands (MLRA 64) is shared almost equally between South Dakota (42 percent) and Nebraska (41 percent). A small portion is in Wyoming (17 percent). The MLRA is 11,895 square miles. The towns of Kadoka and Pine Ridge, South Dakota; Chadron, Alliance, and Scottsbluff, Nebraska; and Lusk, Wyoming, are all within the boundaries of this MLRA.
The following areas of special interest are in this MLRA: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Chadron State Park, Fort Robinson State Park, and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation; parts of the Oglala and Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, which are in the Nebraska National Forest; and nearly all of Badlands National Park. The Badlands are internationally renowned for their Oligocene vertebrate fossils.
The northern section of the MLRA consists of old plateaus and terraces that have been deeply eroded by wind, water, and time. The southern section consists of nearly level to broad intervalley remnants of smooth fluvial plains. These two sections are separated by the Pine Ridge escarpment. Elevations gradually increase from 2,950 to 5,073 feet from east to west. The main drainageway through Badlands National Park is the White River. The headwaters of both the White and Niobrara Rivers are in MLRA 64. The Pine Ridge escarpment is at the northernmost extent of the Ogallala Aquifer.
Tertiary continental sediments consisting of sandstone, siltstone, and claystone underlie most of the area. Many of the bedrock units in the southern third of the MLRA are covered by loess. Soils range from shallow to very deep and from generally well drained to excessively drained. They are loamy or sandy. The Badlands consist of stream-laid layers of silt, clay, and sand mixed with layers of volcanic ash.
Average annual precipitation for the area ranges from 14 to 20 inches. Most of the rainfall occurs as frontal storms in the spring and early summer. This area supports a mixture of short-, mid-, and tall-statured warm- and cool-season grasses. On the Pine Ridge Escarpment, these plants grow in association with ponderosa pine, Rocky Mountain juniper, western snowberry, skunkbush sumac, common chokecherry, and rose. Wyoming big sagebrush grows in minor amounts in the drier, far western portion of the MLRA, and small remnant stands can be found in the eastern portion of the Oglala National Grassland in Nebraska.
Sixty percent of the MLRA is grassland, 11 percent of which is under Federal management. Twenty-two percent of the area is used as cropland, and 4 percent is forested. Major resource concerns include wind erosion, water erosion, and surface water quality (USDA-NRCS, 2006; Ag Handbook 296).
For development of ecological sites, MLRA 64 is divided into two precipitation zones: 14 to 17 inches per year and 17 to 20 inches per year. The wetter zone extends from the western end of the Pine Ridge Escarpment near Lusk, Wyoming, eastward along the escarpment through Nebraska and into the Big Badlands area of South Dakota. The drier zone extends from Wyoming eastward to Alliance and Oshkosh, Nebraska, south of the Pine Ridge Escarpment. MLRA 64 stops at the western edge of the Nebraska Sand Hills (MLRA 65).
A unique geologic area known as the Hartville Uplift is in the far southwest corner of the 14 to 17 inch precipitation zone. The Hartville Uplift is an elongated, north-northwest oriented, broad domal arch of Laramide age (70–50 million years ago). It extends approximately 45 miles between Guernsey and Lusk, Wyoming, and is 15 miles wide at its widest point. Erosion has exposed a core of granite and Precambrian metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks (Steele et al., 2018). In addition to the ecological sites in the 14 to 17 inch precipitation zone of MLRA 64, three unique ecological site descriptions were developed to describe the soils and plant community dynamics in the Hartville Uplift.
Classification relationships
USDA
Land Resource Region G—Western Great Plains Range and Irrigated Region:
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 64—Mixed Sandy and Silty Tableland and Badlands.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Level IV Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States:
High Plains—25:
Pine Ridge Escarpment—25a.
Flat to Rolling Plains—25d.
Pine Bluffs and Hills—25f.
Sandy and Silty Tablelands—25g.
Northwestern Great Plains—43:
White River Badlands—43h.
Keya Paha Tablelands—43i.
USDA Forest Service
Ecological Subregions: Sections and Subsections of Conterminous United States:
Great Plains and Palouse Dry Steppe Province—331:
Western Great Plains Section—331F:
Subsections:
Shale Scablands—331Fb.
White River Badlands—311Fh.
Pine Ridge Escarpment—311Fj.
High Plains—311Fk.
Hartville Uplift—311Fm.
Western Nebraska Sandy and Silty Tablelands—311Fn.
Keye Paha Tablelands—331Ft.
Powder River Basin Section—311G:
Subsection: Powder River Basin—311Ge.
Ecological site concept
The Clayey Overflow ecological site is found throughout MLRA 64. It is on Strahler stream orders 2 or greater. This site is in run-in areas. It receives additional moisture through overflow during flooding and high-water events and, to a minor extent, runoff from adjacent sites. Slopes range from 0 to 3 percent. The soil surface horizon is silty loam to silty clay 4 to 6 inches thick.
The natural vegetation gradually shifts from almost exclusively herbaceous species in the upper reaches of a drainage to a mix of species in the lower reaches. The mix includes grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees. Vegetation in the reference state consists primarily of cool-season and warm-season tall and mid-grasses. Rhizomatous wheatgrass and green needlegrass are the dominant cool-season grasses, and big bluestem and switchgrass are the dominant warm-season grasses. Forbs are common and very diverse. Rose, western snowberry, and four-wing saltbush are present in almost all areas. Trees can grow throughout the site but are most likely in the lower reaches. Major tree species include plains cottonwood, green ash, boxelder, and hackberry. This site is susceptible to encroachment by juniper from the surrounding uplands and breaks and to invasion by non-native trees, including Russian olive and saltcedar. When disturbed, this site is very susceptible to invasion of non-native cool-season grasses, Canada thistle, hound’s tongue, and other weedy forbs.
Associated sites
| R064XY014NE |
Clayey 14-17" PZ The Clayey 14-17” PZ ecological site is on upland landscapes adjacent to the Clayey Overflow site. |
|---|---|
| R064XY035NE |
Clayey 17-20 PZ The Clayey 17-20” PZ ecological site is on upland landscapes adjacent to the Clayey Overflow site. |
| R064XY045NE |
Dense Clay The Dense Clay ecological site is on flood plain terraces or slopes directly above the Clayey Overflow site. |
| R064XY044NE |
Claypan The Claypan ecological site is on the flats or lowlands adjacent to the Clayey Overflow site. |
Similar sites
| R064XY026NE |
Loamy Overflow The Loamy Overflow ecological site is in landscapes positions that are very similar to those of the Clayey Overflow site but has loamy soils. The plant community has more bluestems and less rhizomatous wheatgrass than the Clayey Overflow site. Forage production is nearly equal. |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pascopyrum smithii |
Physiographic features
The Clayey Overflow ecological site is on nearly level lowlands and drainageways that receive additional water from overflow of streams or runoff from adjacent slopes.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Flood plain
(2) Stream terrace |
|---|---|
| Runoff class | Negligible to very high |
| Flooding duration | Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) |
| Flooding frequency | Rare to frequent |
| Ponding duration | Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) |
| Ponding frequency | None to occasional |
| Elevation | 2,900 – 5,000 ft |
| Slope | 3% |
| Ponding depth | 6 in |
| Water table depth | 24 – 80 in |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
MLRA 64 has a continental climate consisting of cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and ample sunshine. Extremes in temperature are common in some years. The climate results from MLRA 64 being near the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the Northern Great Plains. Air masses move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.
Average 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 average temperatures ranging from about 70 °F (Keeline 3 W, WY: 1953–1986) 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 the climate of this area. Wind speed averages 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 winds. Occasionally, strong storms 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. Cool-season plants may green-up in September and October if adequate soil moisture is present.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (characteristic range) | 92-120 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 119-139 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 16-19 in |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 87-122 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 110-149 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 15-20 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | 107 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 130 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 17 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) HARRISON 20 SSE [USW00094077], Harrison, NE
-
(2) ALLIANCE 1WNW [USC00250130], Alliance, NE
-
(3) HARRISON [USC00253615], Harrison, NE
-
(4) HEMINGFORD [USC00253755], Hemingford, NE
-
(5) INTERIOR 3 NE [USC00394184], Interior, SD
-
(6) MARTIN [USC00395281], Martin, SD
-
(7) WOOD [USC00399442], Wood, SD
-
(8) LUSK 2 SW [USC00485830], Lusk, WY
-
(9) TORRINGTON 29N [USC00488997], Jay Em, WY
-
(10) CHADRON 3NE [USC00251578], Chadron, NE
-
(11) GLENDO 6NE [USC00483936], Glendo, WY
Influencing water features
This ecological site is adjacent to intermittent and perennial streams and receives water from occasional flooding.
Stream Type: B6, C6, (Rosgen System)
Wetland description
Not Applicable.
Soil features
The soils in this site are very deep and somewhat poorly drained to well drained. They formed in stratified alluvium on flood plains. These soils have very slow to moderately slow permeability. The surface horizon is silt loam to silty clay 4 to 6 inches thick. Areas of this site receive additional water from overflow of intermittent streams or runoff from adjacent slopes. Available water capacity is typically high. The general fertility level and content of organic matter in these soils is medium to high. This site typically has slight to no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestalled plants. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance, or discontinuous and obstructed by numerous debris dams or vegetative barriers. The soil surface is stable and intact. Subsurface soil layers are not restrictive to water movement and root penetration.
Soils correlated to the Clayey Overflow Site: Lodgepole and Wendte.
Lodgepole soils are also correlated to the Closed Depression (R064XY065NE) ecological site; therefore, the different landscape positions for these ecological sites should be considered.
Lohmiller and Stetter soils are both correlated to the Clayey Overflow ecological site and are in MLRA 64 to a limited extent.
The soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion. Head cuts can develop if adequate vegetative cover is not maintained. A drastic loss of the soil from the surface layer can result in a shift in species composition and production.
More information regarding the soil is available in soil survey reports. Contact the local USDA Service Center or use the Web Soil Survey online for details specific to your area of interest.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
–
sedimentary rock
|
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Silt loam (2) Silty clay |
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Somewhat poorly drained to well drained |
| Permeability class | Very slow to moderately slow |
| Soil depth | 80 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
6 – 7 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
10% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
4 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
Not specified |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.1 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
10% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
5% |
Ecological dynamics
The Clayey Overflow ecological site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions; light to severe grazing by bison and other large herbivores; sporadic, natural or human-caused wildfire (often of light intensities); and other biotic and abiotic factors that typically influence soil and site development. Changes occur in the plant communities due to short-term weather variations, effects of native and exotic plant and animal species, and management actions. Although the following plant community descriptions are typical of the transitions between communities, severe disturbances, such as periods of well-below average precipitation and the introduction of non-native cool-season grasses, can cause significant shifts in plant communities and species composition.
Downcutting of the drainageway or stream channel eventually leaves the Clayey Overflow ecological site on a higher and drier landscape position. In such cases, the site is described as the Loamy Terrace ecological site (R064XY028NE).
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 results in this site departing from the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees Plant Community (1.1). Western wheatgrass increases initially but eventually decreases with continuous grazing. Grasses, such as green needlegrass, big bluestem, and switchgrass, decrease in frequency and production. Where trees dominate the site, woody regeneration decreases and grasses and forbs become dominant in the understory. The Clayey Overflow sites in the lower landscape positions or plant communities adjacent to riparian areas are commonly dominated by a mixed hardwood overstory.
Major drivers of the Clayey Overflow ecological site are flooding, no flooding, fire, no fire, grazing, non-use, invasion of non-native woody plants and non-native cool-season grasses, and land-use conversion.
Interpretations are primarily based on the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass Plant Community. the composition of the community was determined by study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance, and areas under long-term rotational grazing regimes. Also studied were trends in plant community dynamics ranging from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal-use pastures, and historical accounts. Plant communities, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds were determined through similar studies and experience.
The following state-and-transition diagram illustrates the common plant communities on the site and the transition pathways between communities. The ecological processes are 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
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
The Reference State represents the best estimate of the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics in this ecological site prior to European settlement. This state may exist but is unlikely to function within the natural range of variability due to the spread of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome onto this site. In the Reference State, this site is dominated by cool-season grasses and by various shrubs and trees that are scattered across the site. Grazing or the lack of grazing, flooding or lack of flooding, fire, excessive haying, and invasion of non-native cool-season grasses are the major drivers of this state. Flooding and no fire can cause a transition to the Woody Overstory State (4.0).
Community 1.1
Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees
Interpretations are based primarily on the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees Plant Community. This is also considered to be the Reference Plant Community (1.1). This site evolved with grazing by large herbivores and occasional prairie fires. This plant community can be found in areas that have a history of proper grazing management, including adequate recovery periods between grazing events. The potential vegetation is approximately 85 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs and trees. The plant community is dominated by cool-season grasses and minor components of tall warm-season grasses. Major grasses include rhizomatous wheatgrasses and green needlegrass. Other grasses and grass-like plants include switchgrass, big bluestem, blue grama, buffalograss, tall dropseed, and sedges. Forbs include American licorice, American vetch, aster species, and goldenrod. Woody species include fourwing saltbush, western snowberry, and rose. Wyoming big sagebrush grows in this plant community in the far western portion of the MLRA. Plains cottonwood, green ash, and American elm also grow in scattered areas. The potential for tree regeneration or establishment is relatively low. 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 function at the site’s potential. Plant litter is properly distributed with some movement offsite. Natural plant mortality is low. Drought tolerance is high because of the diversity in plant species. Runoff from adjacent sites and the moderate or high available water capacity provide a favorable soil-water-plant relationship.
Figure 8. 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 | 1260 | 2213 | 2540 |
| Forb | 120 | 187 | 275 |
| Shrub/Vine | 20 | 75 | 130 |
| Tree | 0 | 25 | 55 |
| Total | 1400 | 2500 | 3000 |
Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6406, Pine Ridge/Badlands, lowland cool-season dominant. Cool-season dominant, lowland.
| 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 | 13 | 28 | 28 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
State 2
Native/Invaded State
The Native/Invaded State (2.0) is very similar to the Reference State (1.0). The Native/Invaded State is dominated by native cool-season grasses, but invasive non-native cool-season grasses are present in all community phases. These non-native cool-season grasses can comprise up to 30 percent of total annual air-dry production. The primary disturbance mechanisms for this state include grazing by domestic livestock, infrequent fires, and flooding. Timing and intensity of grazing events coupled with weather dictate the dynamics within this state. The cool-season native grass can decrease, and a corresponding increase in non-native cool-season grasses occurs. Many times, the Native/Invaded State appears as a mosaic of community phases caused primarily by continuous season-long grazing. The Native/Invaded State represents the more common range of variability that exists with higher levels of grazing management but in the absence of periodic fire followed by short-term intensive grazing. This state is dominated by cool-season grasses. It can be found in areas that are properly managed with grazing and prescribed burning and sometimes in areas that receive occasional short periods of rest. Warm-season species can decrease, and a corresponding increase in cool-season grasses occurs.
Community 2.1
Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Bluegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees
This plant community is the result of continuous season-long grazing without adequate recovery periods between each grazing event during the growing season or the result of excessive haying and invasion of non-native cool-season grasses. It can also be caused by extended periods of non-use and no fire. It is similar to the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees Plant Community (1.1), but it can also contain up to 30 percent (air-dry weight) of non-native cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome. The potential vegetation consists of about 85 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs and trees. The community is dominated by cool-season grasses. The major grasses include rhizomatous wheatgrass and green needlegrass. Other grasses and grass-like plants include switchgrass, big bluestem, blue grama, buffalograss, tall dropseed, and sedges. Forbs consist of American licorice, aster species, and goldenrod. Woody species include fourwing saltbush, western snowberry, and rose. Wyoming big sagebrush grows in some places in the far western portion of MLRA 64. Plains cottonwood, green ash, and American elm also may grow in scattered areas. This plant community is resilient and well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species allows for high tolerance to drought. This plant community is sustainable in regard to site stability, soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity.
Figure 10. 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 | 1260 | 2175 | 2465 |
| Forb | 120 | 187 | 275 |
| Shrub/Vine | 20 | 75 | 130 |
| Tree | 0 | 63 | 130 |
| Total | 1400 | 2500 | 3000 |
Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6406, Pine Ridge/Badlands, lowland cool-season dominant. Cool-season dominant, lowland.
| 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 | 13 | 28 | 28 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
Community 2.2
Blue Grama-Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Bluegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees
This plant community is the result of haying, continuous season-long grazing, or both. Western wheatgrass is decreased in comparison to Plant Community 2.1. Short warm-season grasses, such as blue grama and buffalograss, are dominant in this plant community. These grasses can form a sod and thereby limit production for haying and grazing. The potential is low for any woody regeneration. The vegetation is about 85 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs and trees. Plant Community 2.2 is resistant to change because of the grazing tolerance of blue grama and buffalograss. A significant amount of production and diversity has been lost in comparison to the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees Plant Community (1.1). Loss of cool-season grasses and much of the woody component have negatively impacted energy flow and nutrient cycling. Water infiltration can be reduced in areas where the root system is shallow, which is characteristic of blue grama and buffalograss. Soil loss may be obvious where flow paths are connected.
Figure 12. 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 | 725 | 1218 | 1605 |
| Forb | 65 | 105 | 145 |
| Shrub/Vine | 10 | 42 | 75 |
| Tree | 0 | 35 | 75 |
| Total | 800 | 1400 | 1900 |
Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6408, Pine Ridge/Badlands, lowland cool-season/warm-season co-dominant. Cool-season, warm-season co-dominant, lowland.
| 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 | 12 | 20 | 25 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 3 |
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2
Continuous seasonal grazing (, grazing at moderate to heavy stocking levels at the same time of year each year), continuous season-long grazing, or heavy grazing in combination with drought shift Plant Community 2.1 to the Blue Grama-Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Bluegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees Plant Community (2.2).
Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1
Prescribed grazing (alternating season of use and providing adequate recovery periods) or periodic light to moderate grazing, possibly including periodic rest, convert Plant Community 2.2 to the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Bluegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees Plant Community (2.1). Prescribed burning may also be used to suppress the cool-season invasive grasses.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Grazing |
State 3
Invaded State
The Invaded State (3.0) is the result of invasion and dominance by introduced species. This state is characterized by the dominance of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome and by an increasing thatch layer that effectively blocks introduction of other plants into the system. Plant litter accumulation tends to favor the more shade-tolerant, introduced grass species. The nutrient cycle is also impaired, and the result is typically a higher level of nitrogen, which also favors the introduced species. Increasing plant litter decreases the amount of sunlight reaching plant crowns, thereby shifting competitive advantage to shade-tolerant introduced grass species. Studies indicate that biological activity is altered in the soil, and this shift apparently exploits the soil microclimate and encourages growth of the introduced grass species. Once the threshold is crossed, a change in grazing management alone cannot reduce the dominance of the invasive grasses. Preliminary studies indicate this threshold may exist when Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30 percent of the plant community and native grasses represent less than 40 percent. Plant communities dominated by Kentucky bluegrass have significantly less cover and diversity of native grasses and forb species (Toledo et al., 2014).
Community 3.1
Kentucky Bluegrass-Smooth Brome/Scattered Shrubs/Trees
This plant community developed under continuous season-long grazing. It is dominated by Kentucky bluegrass, annual brome and other annual grasses and forbs. The dominant forbs include western ragweed, scurfpeas, cudweed sagewort, and verbenas. Dominant shrubs in this community include snowberry, and rose. Compared to the Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass Plant Community, Kentucky bluegrass increases significantly and western wheatgrass and big bluestem decreases significantly. Plant diversity and productivity has declined. This plant community is resistant to change, and if disturbed, it is resilient. Bluegrass will increase under grazing pressure. Cool, moist climatic conditions will also tend to increase bluegrass production. Soil erosion is low. Compared to the Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass Plant Community, infiltration is reduced, and runoff increases. Once this plant community is reached, time and external resources will be needed to see any immediate recovery in the diversity.
Figure 14. 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 | 1095 | 1264 | 1500 |
| Forb | 75 | 200 | 350 |
| Shrub/Vine | 30 | 96 | 165 |
| Tree | 0 | 40 | 85 |
| Total | 1200 | 1600 | 2100 |
Figure 15. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6406, Pine Ridge/Badlands, lowland cool-season dominant. Cool-season dominant, lowland.
| 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 | 13 | 28 | 28 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
Community 3.2
Kentucky Bluegrass Sod/Remnant Shrubs/Trees/Weedy Annual and Perennial Forbs
This plant community phase is a result of heavy, continuous seasonal grazing or heavy, continuous season-long grazing. It is characterized by a dominance of Kentucky bluegrass, remnant native shrubs, and trees, including, green ash, boxelder, and plains cottonwood. Non-native Russian olive, salt cedar, and juniper are common. Weedy forbs, which can include common burdock, Canada thistle, houndstongue, and annual mustards, are also common. Kentucky bluegrass dominance can be so complete that other species are rare on the site. A relatively thick duff layer can accumulate at or above the soil surface. Nutrient cycling is greatly reduced, and native plants have great difficulty becoming established. Infiltration is greatly reduced, and runoff is high. Production is significantly reduced when compared to the interpretive plant community. The period that palatability is high is relatively short because Kentucky bluegrass matures rapidly. Energy capture is also reduced. Biological activity in the soil is likely reduced significantly in this phase. This plant community is resistant to change, and if disturbed, it is resilient. Bluegrass increases under grazing pressure. Cool, moist climatic conditions also tend to increase bluegrass production. Soil erosion is low. Compared to the Big Bluestem-Rhizomatous Wheatgrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees Plant Community (1.1), infiltration in areas of Plant Community 3.2 is reduced and runoff is increased. Once Plant Community 3.2 is reached, time and external resources are needed to cause any immediate recovery in the diversity.
Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6406, Pine Ridge/Badlands, lowland cool-season dominant. Cool-season dominant, lowland.
| 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 | 13 | 28 | 28 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2
Heavy, continuous seasonal grazing (stocking levels well above carrying capacity for extended portions of the growing season and grazing at the same time of year each year) or heavy, continuous season-long grazing convert this plant community to the Kentucky Bluegrass Sod/Remnant Shrubs/Trees/Weedy Annual and Perennial Forbs Plant Community (3.2).
Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1
Prescribed burning 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 3.2 to the Kentucky Bluegrass-Smooth Brome/Scattered Shrubs/Trees Plant Community (3.1).
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Grazing |
State 4
Wooded Overstory State
The Wooded Overstory State (4.0) is the result of the establishment of a tree overstory and shrub mid-story canopy. This state is more common on the lower reaches of the site. The dynamics of the Wooded Overstory State are largely due to flooding and successional changes that start with establishment of cottonwood and shrubs and eventually results in the development of a green ash and boxelder plant community. The successional process can restart following another flooding event. Water control structures that limit flooding; livestock grazing; heavy wildlife browse; fire; the introduction of non-native, cool-season grasses; and encroachment by juniper can alter the dynamics of this site, resulting in old remnant stands of trees and little, if any regeneration.
Community 4.1
Cottonwood/Prunus-Snowberry/Forbs/Grasses
This plant community typically develops after a flooding event. Flooding reduces herbaceous competition by scouring of the soil surface and thereby provides a site for regeneration and establishment of cottonwood and shrubs. Prescribed grazing, which prevents targeted grazing of cottonwood seedlings, is necessary for this plant community to establish. Trees range from seedlings to saplings, and the herbaceous understory is still productive because of the filtered canopy of deciduous trees. Understory shrubs, primarily plum, chokecherry, and snowberry, are likely to establish. However, other species, including silver buffaloberry, silver sagebrush, big sagebrush, and currants, can grow and make up a significance percentage of the shrub layer.
Community 4.2
Mature Cottonwood-Green Ash-Boxelder/Prunus-Snowberry/Forbs/Grass Understory
This plant community develops over time as a result of prescribed grazing and no flooding or fire. Mature cottonwood trees and woody shrubs provide a suitable microclimate for establishment of other deciduous trees. Green ash and boxelder are typically the first trees to establish, but other species, such as hackberry and possibly bur oak, establish as well. Regeneration of woody species is normally evident (i.e., seedlings and saplings should be present). The herbaceous plant community remains relatively productive, but is reduced somewhat from the Reference Plant Community (1.1). This reduction is due mainly to the competition from the woody shrub understory.
Community 4.3
Green Ash-Boxelder/ Prunus-Snowberry/Forbs/Grass Understory
This plant community develops over time as a result of prescribed grazing and no flooding. Mature cottonwood trees are likely to remain in lesser numbers, but the dominant trees normally consist of green ash and boxelder. In places, a mix of all three species grows; however, some areas are dominated by one or two of these species. Woody shrubs remain in the understory but typically in lesser amounts than in Plant Communities 4.1 and 4.2. Although the herbaceous understory is somewhat reduced, it remains relatively productive. The trees are mostly mature, but regeneration is normally evident (i.e., seedlings and saplings should be present).
Pathway 4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2
No flooding and application of long-term prescribed grazing that manages the herbaceous understory but is not detrimental to woody regeneration allow this plant community to develop into the Mature Cottonwood-Green Ash-Boxelder/Prunus-Snowberry/Forbs/Grass Understory Plant Community (4.2). Existing saplings must be large enough to avoid damage by livestock and wildlife for this pathway to occur.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
Pathway 4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.1
Flooding (and possibly fire) that opens-up the herbaceous understory and allows for woody regeneration and is followed by long-term prescribed grazing that manages for woody regeneration and establishment result in Plant Community 4.2 shifting back to the Cottonwood/Prunus-Snowberry/Forbs/Grasses Plant Community (4.1).
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
Pathway 4.2B
Community 4.2 to 4.3
No flooding, no fire, and long-term prescribed grazing that manages the herbaceous understory but is not detrimental to woody regeneration and time transition Plant Community 4.2 to the Green Ash-Boxelder/Prunus-Snowberry/Forbs/Grass Understory Plant Community (4.3).
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
Pathway 4.3A
Community 4.3 to 4.1
Flooding (and possibly fire) that opens up the herbaceous understory and allows for woody regeneration and is followed by long-term prescribed grazing that manages for woody regeneration and establishment shift Plant Community 4.3 back to the Cottonwood/Prunus-Snowberry/Forbs/Grasses Plant Community (4.1).
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
State 5
Woody Invaded State
The Woody Invaded State (5.0) develops as a result of continuous season-long grazing or as a result of continuous seasonal grazing and no fire combined with the invasion and establishment of Russian olive, saltcedar, or juniper trees. Over time, the cottonwood, boxelder, and ash trees that survive become mature and have little or no regeneration. This lack of regeneration is due mainly to grazing of seedlings and saplings. Wildlife browse can also contribute to the loss of native tree and shrub regeneration. Grazing that limits regeneration also results in a reduction of the desirable native herbaceous species, often resulting in a dominance of such species as bluegrass and smooth brome and such forbs as western ragweed, Canada thistle, burdock, and houndstongue.
Community 5.1
Scattered Mature Native Trees-Juniper-Russian Olive-Saltcedar/Shrubs/Forbs/Bluegrass
This plant community developed due to the lack of natural occurring flooding, native woody regeneration, and continuous season-long grazing without adequate recovery periods. Older mature trees remain, including cottonwood, boxelder, and green ash. The trees are in scattered areas, and the site may have a “park-like” appearance that has few trees and reduced understory. If this plant community is grazed during the winter, the increased livestock loitering can result in manure accumulation and soil compaction, which reduce the vigor of the native understory plant community. Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome continue to persist as dominant grass species at reduced production rates. Non-desirable forb species, such as Canada thistle, burdock, and houndstongue, can be prolific and difficult to control. If the site is invaded by Russian olive, saltcedar, or both, these species increase dramatically over time and eventually dominate the site.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Continuous season-long grazing, excessive haying, or non-use and no fire, in combination with invasion of non-native cool-season grasses, results in the Reference Plant Community (1.1) transitioning to the Native/Invaded State (2.0).
Transition T1B
State 1 to 4
Flooding, followed by long-term prescribed grazing, and no fire are necessary to shift plant community 1.1 to the Cottonwood/Prunus-Snowberry/Forbs/Grasses Plant Community (4.1). Flooding reduces herbaceous competition by scouring the soil surface and thereby provides a site for woody regeneration. Once a flooding event occurs during the proper time, a long-term period of prescribed grazing is necessary to establish and maintain a woody plant community. Grazing during the mid-summer growing season typically has an adverse effect on woody regeneration and establishment. The Woody Overstory State (4.0) is more likely to develop and persist on the mid- to lower-reaches of a drainage.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
Heavy, continuous grazing, excessive haying, or long-term light grazing cause a transition to the Invaded State (3.0). Extended periods of non-use and no fire also result in the expansion of non-native cool-season grasses on this site. The ecological threshold can be identified by the percentage of non-native cool-season species in the plant community. Preliminary studies indicate this threshold may exist when Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30 percent of the plant community composition and native grasses represent less than 40 percent (Toledo et al., 2014). Smooth brome is assumed to follow a similar ecological threshold, but this is not documented scientifically.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4
Flooding and no fire, followed by prescribed grazing that includes proper stocking, change in season of use, and adequate time for recovery, typically transition this site to the Woody Overstory State (4.0). Timed grazing is very important and must be followed for many years for saplings to attain a height at which livestock do not damage or kill the trees. Wildlife browse can also be a concern if the management objective is to improve the overstory canopy. The Wooded Overstory State (4.0) is more common in the mid to lower-reaches of a drainageway.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2
Long-term prescribed grazing (moderate stocking levels coupled with adequate recovery periods, or other grazing systems, such as high density, low-frequency grazing intended to treat specific species dominance or periodic light to moderate stocking levels, possibly including periodic rest) may lead this plant community phase over a threshold to the Native/Invaded State (2.0). Prescribed burning may also be needed to suppress cool-season invasive grasses. This restoration is likely to take a long period of time, possibly 10 years or more, and recovery may not be attainable. Success depends upon whether native propagules remain intact on the site.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Grazing |
Transition T3A
State 3 to 5
Encroachment of juniper trees from upland sites, invasion of non-native trees, no fire for extended periods of time, continuous season-long grazing, or continuous seasonal grazing and time cause a transition to the Wooded Invaded State (5.0). Canopy cover increases as trees increase in size, which alters the microclimate and reduces fine-fuel amounts. As a result, fire intensity and frequency are reduced.
Transition T4A
State 4 to 2
Fire; invasion of non-native, cool-season grasses; excessive haying; continuous season-long grazing; or continuous seasonal grazing that results in little woody regeneration and time result in the Wooded Overstory State (4.0) transitioning to the Native/Invaded State (2.0).
Transition T4B
State 4 to 5
Encroachment of juniper from upland sites, invasion of non-native trees, or both, coupled with no fire and continuous season-long grazing or continuous seasonal grazing, result in the Woody Overstory State (4.0) transitioning to the Wooded Invaded State (5.0).
Restoration pathway T5A
State 5 to 3
Fire, brush management that removes Russian olive and saltcedar, continuous season-long grazing, or continuous seasonal grazing transition Plant Community 5.1 to the Invaded State (3.0).
Conservation practices
| Brush Management | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Burning |
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 | Rhizomatous Wheatgrass | 1000–1500 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 1000–1500 | – | ||
| thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | 0–375 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 0–50 | – | ||
| 2 | Needlegrass | 125–375 | ||||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 125–375 | – | ||
| 3 | Tall Warm-Season Grasses | 25–125 | ||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 25–125 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 0–125 | – | ||
| prairie cordgrass | SPPE | Spartina pectinata | 25–50 | – | ||
| 4 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 50–250 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 50–250 | – | ||
| 5 | Native Grasses and Grass-likes | 125–375 | ||||
| composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 75–250 | – | ||
| foxtail barley | HOJU | Hordeum jubatum | 50–125 | – | ||
| spiked muhly | MUGL3 | Muhlenbergia glomerata | 0–125 | – | ||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 50–125 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–75 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 0–75 | – | ||
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | 0–75 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–50 | – | ||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 0–50 | – | ||
| 6 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 0 | ||||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 7 | Forbs | 125–250 | ||||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 50–125 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 25–75 | – | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 25–75 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–75 | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–75 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 25–75 | – | ||
| scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 25–75 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 25–75 | – | ||
| vervain | VERBE | Verbena | 25–75 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 0–75 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–75 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–75 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 25–50 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 25–50 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–50 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–25 | – | ||
| starry false lily of the valley | MAST4 | Maianthemum stellatum | 0–25 | – | ||
| nettle | URTIC | Urtica | – | – | ||
| burdock | ARCTI | Arctium | – | – | ||
| common mullein | VETH | Verbascum thapsus | – | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Shrubs | 25–125 | ||||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 0–125 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 25–75 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–75 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 25–50 | – | ||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 25–50 | – | ||
| Wyoming big sagebrush | ARTRW8 | Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis | 0–25 | – | ||
| American plum | PRAM | Prunus americana | 0–25 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–25 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–25 | – | ||
| chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | 0–25 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 9 | Trees | 0–50 | ||||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–50 | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | 0–25 | – | ||
| American elm | ULAM | Ulmus americana | 0–25 | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | 0–25 | – | ||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | 0–25 | – | ||
| common hackberry | CEOC | Celtis occidentalis | 0–25 | – | ||
| hawthorn | CRATA | Crataegus | 0–25 | – | ||
Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Rhizomatous Wheatgrass | 875–1375 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 875–1375 | – | ||
| thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | 0–375 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 0–25 | – | ||
| 2 | Needlegrass | 125–250 | ||||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 125–250 | – | ||
| 3 | Tall- Warm-Season Grasses | 25–125 | ||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 25–125 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 0–125 | – | ||
| prairie cordgrass | SPPE | Spartina pectinata | 25–50 | – | ||
| 4 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 50–200 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 50–200 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 0–25 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses and Grass-Likes | 125–250 | ||||
| composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 75–250 | – | ||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 50–125 | – | ||
| foxtail barley | HOJU | Hordeum jubatum | 50–125 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–75 | – | ||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 0–50 | – | ||
| spiked muhly | MUGL3 | Muhlenbergia glomerata | 0–50 | – | ||
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | 0–50 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–25 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 0–25 | – | ||
| 6 | Non-Native Grasses | 50–375 | ||||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | 50–375 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–50 | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 0–25 | – | ||
| field brome | BRAR5 | Bromus arvensis | 0–25 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 7 | Forbs | 125–250 | ||||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 50–125 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 50–125 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 50–125 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 25–125 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 0–75 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 25–75 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 25–75 | – | ||
| vervain | VERBE | Verbena | 25–75 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 25–75 | – | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 25–75 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–75 | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–50 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 0–50 | – | ||
| scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 0–50 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–25 | – | ||
| nettle | URTIC | Urtica | 0–25 | – | ||
| burdock | ARCTI | Arctium | 0–25 | – | ||
| common mullein | VETH | Verbascum thapsus | 0–25 | – | ||
| starry false lily of the valley | MAST4 | Maianthemum stellatum | – | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | – | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Shrubs | 25–125 | ||||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 0–125 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 25–75 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–75 | – | ||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 25–50 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 25–50 | – | ||
| American plum | PRAM | Prunus americana | 0–25 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–25 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–25 | – | ||
| chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | 0–25 | – | ||
| Wyoming big sagebrush | ARTRW8 | Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis | 0–25 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 9 | Trees | 0–125 | ||||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–50 | – | ||
| Russian olive | ELAN | Elaeagnus angustifolia | 0–50 | – | ||
| saltcedar | TARA | Tamarix ramosissima | 0–50 | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | 0–25 | – | ||
| eastern redcedar | JUVI | Juniperus virginiana | 0–25 | – | ||
| American elm | ULAM | Ulmus americana | 0–25 | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | 0–25 | – | ||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | 0–25 | – | ||
| common hackberry | CEOC | Celtis occidentalis | 0–25 | – | ||
| hawthorn | CRATA | Crataegus | 0–25 | – | ||
Table 11. Community 2.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Rhizomatous Wheatgrass | 140–350 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 140–350 | – | ||
| thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | – | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | – | – | ||
| 2 | Needlegrass | 0–70 | ||||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–70 | – | ||
| 3 | Tall- Warm-Season Grasses | 0–70 | ||||
| prairie cordgrass | SPPE | Spartina pectinata | 0–70 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | – | – | ||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | – | – | ||
| 4 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 350–700 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 280–560 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 210–280 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses & Grass-Likes | 70–140 | ||||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 28–98 | – | ||
| composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 28–70 | – | ||
| foxtail barley | HOJU | Hordeum jubatum | 28–70 | – | ||
| spiked muhly | MUGL3 | Muhlenbergia glomerata | 0–70 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–42 | – | ||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 14–28 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–28 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 0–14 | – | ||
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | – | – | ||
| 6 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 28–70 | ||||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | 28–70 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–28 | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 0–14 | – | ||
| field brome | BRAR5 | Bromus arvensis | 0–14 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 7 | Forbs | 70–140 | ||||
| common mullein | VETH | Verbascum thapsus | 14–70 | – | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 28–70 | – | ||
| vervain | VERBE | Verbena | 14–70 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 42–70 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 0–42 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–42 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–42 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 14–42 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 14–42 | – | ||
| scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 14–42 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 14–42 | – | ||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 14–42 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 14–28 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 14–28 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–28 | – | ||
| burdock | ARCTI | Arctium | 0–28 | – | ||
| nettle | URTIC | Urtica | – | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | – | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | – | – | ||
| starry false lily of the valley | MAST4 | Maianthemum stellatum | – | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Shrubs | 14–70 | ||||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 0–70 | – | ||
| Wyoming big sagebrush | ARTRW8 | Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis | 0–70 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 14–42 | – | ||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 14–28 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 14–28 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–28 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–14 | – | ||
| chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | – | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | – | – | ||
| American plum | PRAM | Prunus americana | – | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 9 | Trees | 0–70 | ||||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–28 | – | ||
| Russian olive | ELAN | Elaeagnus angustifolia | 0–28 | – | ||
| saltcedar | TARA | Tamarix ramosissima | 0–28 | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | 0–14 | – | ||
| eastern redcedar | JUVI | Juniperus virginiana | 0–14 | – | ||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | 0–14 | – | ||
| common hackberry | CEOC | Celtis occidentalis | – | – | ||
| hawthorn | CRATA | Crataegus | – | – | ||
| American elm | ULAM | Ulmus americana | – | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | – | – | ||
Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Rhizomatous Wheatgrass | 32–160 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 32–160 | – | ||
| thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | 0–32 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | – | – | ||
| 2 | Needlegrass | 0 | ||||
| 3 | Tall- Warm-Season Grasses | 0–48 | ||||
| prairie cordgrass | SPPE | Spartina pectinata | 0–32 | – | ||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–16 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | – | – | ||
| 4 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 0–160 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–160 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 0–160 | – | ||
| 5 | Other Native Grasses & Grass-Likes | 80–240 | ||||
| foxtail barley | HOJU | Hordeum jubatum | 32–128 | – | ||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 16–80 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–48 | – | ||
| composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 16–32 | – | ||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 0–32 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–32 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 0–16 | – | ||
| spiked muhly | MUGL3 | Muhlenbergia glomerata | 0–16 | – | ||
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | – | – | ||
| 6 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 560–800 | ||||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | 560–800 | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 32–240 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 32–160 | – | ||
| field brome | BRAR5 | Bromus arvensis | 0–80 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 7 | Forbs | 80–320 | ||||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 80–240 | – | ||
| common mullein | VETH | Verbascum thapsus | 16–128 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 32–80 | – | ||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 0–80 | – | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 32–80 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 16–80 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 32–80 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 16–80 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 32–80 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 16–80 | – | ||
| vervain | VERBE | Verbena | 16–48 | – | ||
| scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 0–48 | – | ||
| nettle | URTIC | Urtica | 0–48 | – | ||
| burdock | ARCTI | Arctium | 0–48 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 16–32 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–16 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | – | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | – | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | – | – | ||
| starry false lily of the valley | MAST4 | Maianthemum stellatum | – | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Shrubs | 32–160 | ||||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 16–80 | – | ||
| silver sagebrush | ARCA13 | Artemisia cana | 16–80 | – | ||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 16–80 | – | ||
| Wyoming big sagebrush | ARTRW8 | Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis | 16–80 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 16–64 | – | ||
| American plum | PRAM | Prunus americana | 16–48 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–32 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–32 | – | ||
| chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | – | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | – | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 9 | Trees | 0–80 | ||||
| Russian olive | ELAN | Elaeagnus angustifolia | 0–48 | – | ||
| saltcedar | TARA | Tamarix ramosissima | 0–32 | – | ||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–32 | – | ||
| eastern redcedar | JUVI | Juniperus virginiana | 0–16 | – | ||
| boxelder | ACNE2 | Acer negundo | 0–16 | – | ||
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | – | – | ||
| common hackberry | CEOC | Celtis occidentalis | – | – | ||
| hawthorn | CRATA | Crataegus | – | – | ||
| American elm | ULAM | Ulmus americana | – | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | – | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations:
MLRA 64 is in the drier areas of a northern mixed-grass prairie ecosystem in which sagebrush steppes to the west yield to grassland steppes to the east. Prior to European settlement, this MLRA consisted of diverse grassland and shrubland habitats interspersed with varying densities of depressional, instream wetlands and woody riparian corridors. These habitats provided critical life cycle components for many users. Many species of grassland birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians and herds of roaming bison, elk, and pronghorn were among the inhabitants adapted to this semi-arid region. Roaming herbivores, as well as several species of small mammals and insects, were the primary consumers linking the grassland resources to large predators, such as the wolf, mountain lion, and grizzly bear, and to smaller carnivores, such as the coyote, bobcat, fox, and raptors. The prairie dog was once abundant and remains a keystone species within its range. The black-footed ferret, burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk, mountain plover, and swift fox are associated with prairie dog complexes.
Historically, the northern mixed-grass prairie was a disturbance-driven ecosystem in which fire, herbivory, and climate functioned as the primary disturbance factors, either singly or in combination. Following European settlement, livestock grazing, cropland conversion, elimination of fire, energy development, and other anthropogenic factors influenced species composition and abundance. Introduced and invasive species further affected plant and animal communities. The bison was a historical keystone species but has been extirpated in this area as a free-ranging herbivore. The loss of the bison and the reduction of prairie dog populations and fire as ecological drivers greatly influenced the character of the remaining native plant communities and altered wildlife habitats. Human development reduced habitat quality for area-sensitive species.
Although primarily dominated by western wheatgrass, this ecological site can support a plant community composed of various age classes of plains cottonwood, green ash, and boxelder and having a shrub component of American plum, rose, chokecherry, western snowberry, and others. Woody plant encroachment may occur from the adjacent Thin Breaks sites. The presence or absence of this tree and shrub component is an important factor influencing wildlife species composition. This site is subject to invasion of grass species, such as annual bromegrasses, smooth brome, and Kentucky bluegrass. Woody species, such as Russian olive and Tamarisk (salt cedar), may also invade this site.
This site provides habitat for birds that nest in grasslands and shrub thickets and for small rodents, bats, mammalian predators, and a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Within the MLRA, this site provides the suitable habitat for numerous riparian associated species. This site provides foraging and brood rearing habitat for upland game birds, such as the sharp-tailed grouse. However, due to invasive grasses, woody species, or both, reproduction by ground nesting birds is reduced.
Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees (1.1) and Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Bluegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees (2.1): These plant communities are dominated by rhizomatous wheatgrass and green needlegrass and have a shrub community that is generally dominated by sagebrush, four-wing saltbush, snowberry, and wild rose. These communities favor grazers and mixed-feeders, such as deer. Plant communities associated with shrub thickets and low shrubs provide habitat for songbirds, such as brown thrasher, yellow warbler, gray catbird, Say’s phoebe, loggerhead shrike, Lazuli bunting, and yellow breasted chat. Raptors, such as red-tailed hawk, Ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, American kestrel, and great-horned owl, may use this site. Insects, including pollinators, play a limited role in maintaining the forb community. Insects provide a significant forage base for birds and various bats, especially the Western small-footed Myotis, the fringe-tailed Myotis, and the Townsend’s big-eared bat. Diverse prey populations are available for grassland raptors and mammalian predators, especially bobcat. Other mammalian predators that use this plant community include the coyote, mink, long-tailed weasel, least weasel, spotted skunk, and striped skunk.
These plant communities provide a diversity of grasses, forbs, and shrubs that benefit small and large herbivores, including shrews, voles, mice, spotted ground squirrel, desert cottontail rabbit, white-tailed jackrabbits, black-tailed jackrabbits, and deer. This site provides nesting and brood rearing habitat for sharp-tailed grouse. This ecological site provides excellent fawning habitat for white-tailed deer. The relatively tall stature of the plant community provides suitable thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large mammals. These plant communities provide limited habitat for amphibians, mostly toads (Great Plains, Woodhouse’s, and Plains spade-foot). An abundance of prey and shade opportunities attract multiple reptile species to this site. Examples include gopher snake, milk snake, prairie rattlesnake, and western ornate box turtle. Lesser numbers of various lizard species are also present.
Blue Grama-Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Bluegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees (2.2): This plant community is the result of continuous seasonal grazing or of excessive haying. Blue grama is dominant. The forb diversity and abundance remain relatively unchanged; however, shrub diversity decreases as does the tree component. Due to the reduction in the tree and shrub components, wildlife species that are dependent on shrubs and trees decline. Songbirds, such as brown thrasher, yellow warbler, gray catbird, Say’s phoebe, loggerhead shrike, Lazuli bunting, and yellow breasted chat, and raptors, such as red-tailed hawk, Ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, American kestrel, and great-horned owl, rarely use this site. This site continues to attract pollinators and other insects and thereby still provides a suitable forage base for birds and bats. Some areas of this plant community are suitable for development of leks for sharp-tailed grouse. Species such as the horned lark, long-billed curlew, upland sandpiper, and white-tailed jackrabbit increase in locations where shrub species decrease. Where haying occurs, however, use of the site by grassland nesting birds may decline. If not hayed, this site continues to provide suitable habitat for various snakes, toads, and lizards. The short stature of this plant community limits thermal, protective, and escape cover. Predators that use this plant community include the coyote, American badger, red fox, and long-tailed weasel.
Extended periods of non-use or no fire result in the plant community becoming decadent and the buildup of litter. As plant litter accumulates, the grassland nesting bird composition may shift to favor those species that prefer dense litter (non-short grass species); otherwise, the wildlife community remains largely unchanged.
Invaded State 3.0: These plant communities develop under continuous season-long grazing of western wheatgrass. The dominant vegetation includes Kentucky bluegrass; smooth brome; annual grasses, forbs, and invaders; and early successional biennial and perennial species. Plant species from adjacent ecological sites may become minor components. These communities are susceptible to invasion by other non-native species due to soil disturbances and relatively high percent of bare ground. Soil erosion is potentially high, impacting offsite aquatic habitats by increasing runoff, nutrient loads, and sediment loads. Reduced surface cover, low plant density, low plant vigor, loss of root biomass, and soil compaction all contribute to decreased abundance and diversity of wildlife. Because secondary succession is highly variable, plant and wildlife species vary. These plant communities provide habitat for generalist and early successional species.
Wooded Overstory State 4.0: Multiple successional changes can occur on the mid- to lower-reaches of drainages when trees establish on the site. However, this wildlife interpretation only discusses the “Lower and Upper Woody Draw” in general. Long-term prescribed grazing, continuous season-long grazing, continuous seasonal grazing, heavy wildlife browsing, fire, flooding (and no flooding), and time all influence plant community succession. Grass species may decrease dramatically, and species composition can shift due to woody competition and disturbances.
Woody vegetation provides excellent nesting cover, escape cover, and den sites for a variety of species. Bur oak and Rocky Mountain juniper in the upper reaches of the drainages provide a significant food source for fox squirrel, turkey, and deer. White-footed mice, bushy-tailed woodrat, porcupine, sharp-tailed grouse, black-billed magpie, Townsend’s solitaire, dark-eyed junco, brown thrasher, lark sparrow, and white-crowned sparrow also increase. Meadow voles, spotted ground squirrel, northern grasshopper mice, and western harvest mice do not use this site. Grassland-nesting songbirds are significantly reduced. Raptors, such as the long-eared owl, increase.
This site provides habitat for other songbirds, such as yellow warbler, orange-crowned warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, Wilson’s warbler, gray catbird, Say’s phoebe, loggerhead shrike, Lazuli bunting, yellow-breasted chat, wrens, and chickadees. Other raptors, such as red-tailed hawk, Swainson’s hawk, American kestrel, and great-horned owl, may continue to use this site. Insects continue to provide a significant forage base for birds and various bats, especially the Western small-footed Myotis, the fringe-tailed Myotis, and the Townsend’s big-eared bat. Diverse prey populations are available for grassland raptors and mammalian predators, especially bobcat. Other mammalian predators that use this plant community include the coyote, mink, long-tailed weasel, least weasel, red fox, and spotted skunk, and striped skunk.
Grazing Interpretations:
The following list suggests annual, initial stocking rates for average growing conditions. These estimates are conservative and should be used only as guidelines in the initial stages of conservation planning. Commonly, the current plant composition does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in this ecological site description). Therefore, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. More accurate estimates of carrying capacity 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. In consultation with the land manager, a more intensive grazing management program that results in improved harvest efficiencies and increased carrying capacity may be developed.
The following suggested initial stocking rates are based on 912 lb/acre (air-dry weight) per animal-unit-month (AUM) with a 25 percent harvest efficiency of preferred and desirable forage species (refer to USDA-NRCS, National Range and Pasture Handbook). An AUM is defined as the equivalent amount of forage required by a 1,000-pound cow, with or without calf, for one month.
Plant Community: Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees (1.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 2,500
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.69
Plant Community: Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Bluegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees (2.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 2,500
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.69
Plant Community: Blue Grama-Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Bluegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees (2.2)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,400
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.38
Plant Community: Kentucky Bluegrass-Smooth Brome/Scattered Shrubs/Trees (3.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,600
*Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.44
Plant Community: All other plant communities identified in this document have variable annual production values and require onsite sampling to determine initial stocking rates.
* Total annual production and stocking rates are highly variable and require onsite sampling.
Total onsite annual production 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 for livestock. During the dormant period, the forage for livestock likely has insufficient protein to meet livestock requirements. Added protein allows 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 herbage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group C and D. The infiltration rate is moderate. Runoff potential varies from moderate to high depending on soil hydrologic group and ground cover. In many cases, areas that have greater than 75 percent ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception occurs 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 the USDA-NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Part 630, for hydrologic soil groups, runoff quantities, and hydrologic curves.
Recreational uses
This site provides opportunities for hunting upland game species. The wide variety of plants that bloom from spring until fall have aesthetic value that appeals to visitors.
Wood products
Local or individual fire wood can be utilized from this site.
Other products
Harvesting the seeds of native plants can provide additional income on this site.
Other information
Revision Notes: “Previously Approved” Provisional
This Provisional ecological site description (ESD) has passed Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) to ensure the it meets the 2014 NESH standards for a Provisional ecological site description.
This ESD is an updated “Previously Approved” ESD that represented 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 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 may not contain all tabular and narrative entries as required in the current “Approved” level of documentation, but it is expected that it will continue refinement toward an “Approved” status.
Site Development and Testing Plan
Future work, as described in an official project plan, is necessary to validate the information in this provisional ecological site description. The plan will include field activities for low-, medium-, and high-intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of the data. Annual field reviews should be done by soil scientists and vegetation specialists. Final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews are required to produce the final document.
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 (RMS), NRCS; Jill Epley, RMS, NRCS; Rick Peterson, RMS, NRCS; David Steffen, RMS, NRCS; Jeff Vander Wilt; RMS, NRCS; Phil Young, soil scientist, NRCS; and George Gamblin, RMS, NRCS.
Other references
Cleland, D.T., J.A. Freeouf, J.E. Keys, G.J. Nowacki, C.A. Carpenter, and W.H McNab. 2007. Ecological subregions: Sections and subsections of the conterminous United States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-76D. https://www.fs.fed.us/research/publications/misc/73326-wo-gtr-76d-cleland2007.pdf (accessed 31 January 2019).
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2018. EPA level III and level IV ecoregions of the conterminous United States. https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions- conterminous-united-states (accessed 26 April 2018).
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska. 2018. http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/ (accessed 6 April 2018).
Steele, Ken, M.P. Fisher, and D.D. Steele. 2018. Fort Laramie and the Hartville Uplift. In: Geology of Wyoming. https://www.geowyo.com/fort-laramie--hartville-uplift.html (accessed 14 November 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. Electronic field office technical guide. https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov (accessed 12 April 2018).
Soil Survey Staff. 2018. Official soil series descriptions. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/home/?cid=nrcs142p2_053587 (accessed 12 April 2018).
Soil Survey Staff. 2018. Web Soil Survey. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx (accessed 12 April 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. Agriculture Handbook 296. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_050898.pdf (accessed 17 January 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2014. National ecological site handbook, 1st Ed. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcseprd1291232 (accessed 27 January 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2012. National engineering handbook, part 630. Hydrology chapters from e-Directives. https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/viewerFS.aspx?hid=21422 (accessed 17 January 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. Climate data. National Water and Climate Center. http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ (accessed 12 April 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1997. National range and pasture handbook, rev. 1, 2003. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1043055.pdf (accessed 7 November 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center. http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov (accessed 7 November 2017).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. PLANTS database. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC. http://plants.usda.gov (accessed 12 April 2018).
Contributors
Rick L. Peterson
Stan C. Boltz
Approval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 12/16/2024
Acknowledgments
This ecological site was reviewed and approved at the Provisional Level by David Kraft, Regional ESS, Salina, KS on 2/15/2019.
Nondiscrimination 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 at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer 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.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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, Mitch Faulkner, Emily Helms, John Hartung, Ryan Murray, George Gamblin, Rick Peterson, Nadine Bishop, Jeff Nichols |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | jeffrey.nichols@usda.gov |
| Date | 12/12/2024 |
| Approved by | Stan Boltz |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None. Rills should not be present. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Typically, none or barely visible. Evidence of water flow patterns may be present after high overland flow events or flooding from adjacent streams, but vegetation normally remains intact. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None. Pedestals or terracettes should not be present. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground is typically less than 5 percent. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Typically, none. However, limited head cutting, and associated deposition, may form after high runoff or flooding events. Existing gullies should be stabilized with good vegetative cover. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. Wind scoured areas and depositional areas should not be present. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Litter should fall into place with little movement during average rainfall events. Litter movement may be fairly extensive after major runoff or flooding events. Small woody debris may move up to 6 inches (15 cm). Fine litter may move up to 12 inches (30 cm). Numerous debris dams or vegetative barriers may be present. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil 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 4 to 6 inches (10-15.25 cm). Soil colors are grayish brown (values of 5) dry and dark grayish brown (value of 4) when moist. Soils are formed in stratified alluvium on floodplains. -
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 and tall rhizomatous and tufted perennial cool season grasses), fine and coarse roots positively influences infiltration. Invasion of introduced cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, annual brome, smooth brome, crested wheatgrass, and invasive woodies including juniper, salt cedar, and Russian olive may have an adverse impact infiltration and runoff.
Relative composition is approximately 85 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, 5 percent shrubs, and 1 percent trees. The grass and grass-like component is made up of C3 rhizomatous grasses (40-60%), C3 bunchgrasses (5-20%), C4 tallgrasses (5-15%), C4, mid - and shortgrasses (2-10%), and grass-likes (0-4%). -
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:
Phase 1.1
1. Native, perennial, C3, rhizomatous grass, 1000-1500 #/ac, 40-60% (1 species minimum): western wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, green muhly.Sub-dominant:
Phase 1.1
1. Native, perennial, C3, bunchgrass, 125-500 #/ac, 5-20%, (1 species minimum): slender wheatgrass, green needlegrass, Canada wildrye, foxtail barley, prairie Junegrass, Sandberg bluegrass.
2. Native, perennial, C4, tallgrass, 125-375#/ac, 5-15% (3 species minimum): big bluestem, composite dropseed, prairie cordgrass, switchgrass.Other:
Minor - Phase 1.1
1. Native forbs, 125-250 #/ac, 5-10%: forbs present will vary from location to location.
2. Native, perennial, C4, mid- and shortgrass, 50-250 #/ac, 2-10%: blue grama, buffalograss, threeawn.
3. Shrubs, 25-125 #/ac, 1-5%: shrubs present will vary from location to location.
4. Native grass-likes, 0-100 #/ac, 0-4%: sedges, rushes.
Trace - Phase 1.1
1. Native trees, 0-25 #/ac, 0-1%: Trees present will vary from location to location.Additional:
The Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass/Scattered Shrubs/Scattered Trees Community or Reference Community (1.1) includes eight F/S groups. These groups, in order of abundance, are native, perennial, C3, rhizomatous grass; native, perennial, C3, bunchgrass; native, perennial, C4, tallgrass; native forbs; native, perennial, C4, mid- and shortgrass; shrubs; native grass-likes; and native trees. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Bunchgrasses have strong, healthy centers with few (less than 3 percent) dead centers. Shrubs may show some dead branches (less than 5 percent) as plants age. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Plant litter cover is evenly distributed throughout the site and is expected to be 50 to 70 percent and at a depth of 0.2 to 0.50 inch (0.65-1.3 cm). Kentucky bluegrass excessive litter can negatively impact the functionality of this site. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Annual production is 2,500 pounds per acre in a year with normal precipitation and temperatures. Low and High production years should yield 1,400 and 3,000 pounds per acre respectively. -
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:
No non-native invasive species are present. Annual bromes, Kentucky bluegrass, crested wheatgrass, smooth brome, eastern redcedar, Russian olive, and saltcedar are known invasives that have the potential to become dominant or co-dominant on this site. Consult the state noxious weed and state watch lists for potential invasive species. Note: species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All perennial species exhibit high vigor relative to recent weather conditions. Perennial grasses should have vigorous rhizomes or tillers; vegetative and reproductive structures are not stunted. All perennial species should be capable of reproducing annually.
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.