Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R064XY030NE
Saline Lowland
Last updated: 7/19/2024
Accessed: 12/03/2024
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 and Alliance, 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 is 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; however, 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 Saline Lowland ecological site is found throughout MLRA 64. It is a run-in site on nearly level to gently sloping alluvial fans and flood plains. Slopes range from 0 to 3 percent. The soils are very deep and formed in alluvium of mixed origin. The surface layer is 2 to 18 inches thick and has texture ranging from silt loam to very fine sandy loam. The soils are somewhat poorly to moderately well drained and have moderately slow to very slow permeability. Sodium accumulation is in the subsoil in some place. A seasonal water table occurs within 4 feet of the surface.
Vegetation in the Reference State (1.0) consists of salt-tolerant, warm- and cool-season grasses, forbs, shrubs, and scattered trees.
Associated sites
| R064XY025NE |
Saline Subirrigated The Saline Subirrigated ecological site is in lower landscape positions than those of the Saline Lowland ecological site. It also has a season-long water table. |
|---|---|
| R064XY045NE |
Dense Clay The Dense Clay ecological site is on upland landscapes above the Saline Lowland ecological site. |
| R064XY046NE |
Thin Claypan The Thin Claypan ecological site is on low terraces adjacent the Saline Lowland ecological site. |
Similar sites
| R064XY025NE |
Saline Subirrigated The Saline Subirrigated ecological site may occur on lower landscape positions than those of the Saline Lowland site. The water table is less than 4 feet from the soil surface and provides season-long ground water. The plant community has more alkali sacaton, less wheatgrass, and higher forage production than the Saline Lowland ecological site. |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pascopyrum smithii |
Physiographic features
The Saline Lowland ecological site is on nearly level to gently sloping alluvial fans and flood plains.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Alluvial fan
(2) Flood plain |
|---|---|
| Runoff class | Low |
| Flooding duration | Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) |
| Flooding frequency | Rare to occasional |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 2,900 – 5,000 ft |
| Slope | 3% |
| Water table depth | 48 – 72 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
The Saline Lowland ecological site is adjacent to intermittent streams and drainageways.
Wetland description
System: Palustrine
Class: Emergent Wetland
Subclass: Persistent
Cowardin et. al., 1979.
Soil features
The soils of this site are very deep, are somewhat poorly drained to moderately well drained, and formed in alluvium of mixed origin. Surface horizons range from 2 to 18 inches in thickness and range from silt loam to very fine sandy loam in texture. These soils have moderately slow to very slow permeability and are moderately to strongly saline or alkaline. Higher concentrations of soluble salts are in the subsoil in some places. A fluctuating water table occurs in these areas within 4 feet of the surface.
Soil correlated to the Saline Lowland site: Janise.
These areas are subject to occasional overflow. This site has slight to no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestalled plants. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance, or discontinuous with numerous debris dams or vegetative barriers. The soil surface is stable and intact.
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
–
shale and siltstone
(2) Alluvium – siltstone |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Very fine sandy loam (2) Silt loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Somewhat poorly drained to moderately well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately slow to very slow |
| Soil depth | 80 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
5 – 8 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
15% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
4 – 16 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
50 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.1 – 9.6 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
Ecological dynamics
The Saline Lowland 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.
The Great Plains climate plays an important role as sporadic heavy rainfall events cause fluctuating erosion and deposition to occur on this site. Recent grazing or browsing patterns do have an effect but only if the site is stable long enough to establish vegetation for an extended period of time. While the following 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 species composition.
Shrubs such as greasewood and rubber rabbitbrush will occur in higher amounts on the western portions of where this site occurs.
Continuous season-long grazing (during the typical growing season of May through October) or repeated seasonal grazing (e.g., every spring, every summer) without adequate recovery periods following each grazing occurrence results in the site departing from the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Alkali Sacaton-Cordgrass Plant Community (1.1). Inland saltgrass and foxtail barley increase, and annual species may invade the site. Grasses, such as alkali sacaton, rhizomatous wheatgrasses, and Nuttall's alkaligrass, decrease in frequency and production. The high salt content of the soils greatly influences the plant species present. Plant vigor can vary on a year-to-year basis in relation to current amounts of precipitation, which influences the translocation of salts in the soil profile. Typically, only salt-tolerant plants grow on this site.
Interpretations are primarily based on the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Alkali Sacaton-Cordgrass Plant Community (1.1). 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
Ecosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 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 site is dominated by warm- and cool-season grasses. In pre-European times, the primary disturbances included natural erosion, fire, and grazing by large ungulates, small mammals, and insects. Favorable growing conditions occurred during the spring and the warm months of June through August. The Reference State is in areas that have a history of proper grazing management, including adequate recovery periods between grazing events.
Community 1.1
Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Alkali Sacaton-Cordgrass
Interpretations are based primarily on the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Alkali Sacaton-Cordgrass Plant Community. This is also considered to be the Reference Plant Community (1.1). Potential vegetation is about 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 10 percent woody plants. Saline-tolerant grasses dominate the plant community. The major grasses include rhizomatous wheatgrasses, alkali sacaton, Nuttall's alkaligrass, alkali cordgrass, prairie cordgrass, and inland saltgrass. Woody plants are greasewood, fourwing saltbush, rubber rabbitbrush, cottonwood, and Gardner’s saltbush. Shrubs such as greasewood and rubber rabbitbrush grow in higher amounts on the western portions of MLRA 64. This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending upon growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle, and energy flow function properly. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement offsite. Natural plant mortality is very low. Drought tolerance is high because of the diversity in plant species. This plant community is productive and diverse It is sustainable in regard to site stability, soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity as long as extreme erosion or depositional events do not occur.
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 | 1930 | 2170 | 2355 |
| Shrub/Vine | 135 | 350 | 600 |
| Forb | 135 | 210 | 300 |
| Tree | 0 | 70 | 145 |
| Total | 2200 | 2800 | 3400 |
Figure 9. 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 |
Community 1.2
Inland Saltgrass-Rhizomatous Wheatgrass
This plant community is a result of continuous season-long grazing. Grasses comprise 85 percent, forbs 10, and shrubs 5. Dominant grasses include inland saltgrass, western wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, alkali, or prairie cordgrass. Other secondary grasses and grass-like plants include blue grama and sedges. Forbs, such asters and saltwort, may grow, and non-native forbs, such as cocklebur, may invade. When compared to the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Alkali Sacaton-Cordgrass Plant Community (1.1), saltgrass is increased. Alkali sacaton, Nuttall’s alkaligrass, and woody vegetation are greatly diminished.
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 | 900 | 1494 | 2060 |
| Forb | 85 | 180 | 300 |
| Shrub/Vine | 15 | 99 | 185 |
| Tree | 0 | 27 | 55 |
| Total | 1000 | 1800 | 2600 |
Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6409, Pine Ridge/Badlands, warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant. Warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant, lowlands.
| 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 | 8 | 18 | 27 | 23 | 12 | 6 | 3 |
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Continuous season-long grazing or heavy grazing in combination with drought convert Plant Community 1.1 to the Inland Saltgrass-Rhizomatous Wheatgrass Plant Community (1.2).
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Prescribed grazing that includes proper stocking rates, change in season of use, and adequate time for plant recovery and a return to normal precipitation patterns convert this plant community to the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Alkali Sacaton-Cordgrass Plant Community (1.1).
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
State 2
Degraded State
The Degraded State (2.0) is the result of heavy, continuous season-long grazing or the result of frequent and severe defoliation. In most cases, this state is dominated by grazing resistant grasses, pioneer perennials, and annual grasses and by forbs. The extent of bare ground is much higher than on any other plant community phase. This state is at-risk of water erosion.
Community 2.1
Inland Saltgrass-Foxtail Barley
This plant community is the result of long-term improper grazing. Inland saltgrass dominates this plant community. Other grasses and grass-like plants include alkali bluegrass, foxtail barley, and sedges. Common forbs are Pursh seepweed, red saltwort, and povertyweed. The extent of bare ground is increased, and production is decreased. The soils of this plant community are not well protected. The biotic integrity is compromised by introduced species, loss of the dominant climax species, and bare ground. Excessive runoff may occur.
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 | 735 | 1008 | 1275 |
| Forb | 55 | 120 | 185 |
| Shrub/Vine | 10 | 66 | 125 |
| Tree | 0 | 6 | 15 |
| Total | 800 | 1200 | 1600 |
Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6409, Pine Ridge/Badlands, warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant. Warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant, lowlands.
| 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 | 8 | 18 | 27 | 23 | 12 | 6 | 3 |
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Heavy, continuous season-long grazing, heavy disturbance, heavy grazing in combination with drought, and possible soil compaction result in the Reference State (1.0) transitioning to the Degraded State (2.0).
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Long-term prescribed grazing, including periods of non-use, and normal precipitation patterns may eventually move the Degraded State (2.0) toward the Reference State (1.0). This transition is difficult to achieve because inland saltgrass and foxtail barley are persistent and competitive.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Grazing |
|---|
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Rhizomatous Wheatgrasses | 560–1120 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 560–1120 | – | ||
| thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | 140–420 | – | ||
| 2 | Cordgrass | 280–840 | ||||
| alkali cordgrass | SPGR | Spartina gracilis | 280–840 | – | ||
| prairie cordgrass | SPPE | Spartina pectinata | 140–420 | – | ||
| 3 | Sacaton | 280–700 | ||||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 280–700 | – | ||
| 4 | Other Native Grasses | 280–560 | ||||
| Nuttall's alkaligrass | PUNU2 | Puccinellia nuttalliana | 280–560 | – | ||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 140–420 | – | ||
| foxtail barley | HOJU | Hordeum jubatum | 0–140 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–140 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 0–140 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–140 | – | ||
| 5 | Grass-Likes | 56–140 | ||||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 28–140 | – | ||
| rush | JUNCU | Juncus | 0–140 | – | ||
| spikerush | ELEOC | Eleocharis | 0–140 | – | ||
| bulrush | SCHOE6 | Schoenoplectus | 0–140 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–56 | – | ||
| 6 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 0 | ||||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 7 | Forbs | 140–280 | ||||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 0–140 | – | ||
| annual marsh elder | IVAN2 | Iva annua | 0–140 | – | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 0–140 | – | ||
| povertyweed | IVAX | Iva axillaris | 0–140 | – | ||
| Pursh seepweed | SUCA2 | Suaeda calceoliformis | 0–140 | – | ||
| red swampfire | SARU | Salicornia rubra | 0–140 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–140 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | – | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | – | – | ||
| cocklebur | XANTH2 | Xanthium | – | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | – | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Shrubs | 140–560 | ||||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–280 | – | ||
| Gardner's saltbush | ATGA | Atriplex gardneri | 0–280 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 0–140 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–140 | – | ||
| greasewood | SARCO | Sarcobatus | 0–56 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 9 | Trees | 0–140 | ||||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–140 | – | ||
Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Rhizomatous Wheatgrass | 270–540 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 270–540 | – | ||
| thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | 90–180 | – | ||
| 2 | Cordgrass | 36–180 | ||||
| alkali cordgrass | SPGR | Spartina gracilis | 36–180 | – | ||
| prairie cordgrass | SPPE | Spartina pectinata | 0–90 | – | ||
| 3 | Sacaton | 0–180 | ||||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 0–180 | – | ||
| 4 | Other Native Grasses | 360–720 | ||||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 270–540 | – | ||
| foxtail barley | HOJU | Hordeum jubatum | 36–180 | – | ||
| Nuttall's alkaligrass | PUNU2 | Puccinellia nuttalliana | 0–90 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–90 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–54 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 0–36 | – | ||
| 5 | Grass-Likes | 90–270 | ||||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 90–180 | – | ||
| rush | JUNCU | Juncus | 18–90 | – | ||
| spikerush | ELEOC | Eleocharis | 18–90 | – | ||
| bulrush | SCHOE6 | Schoenoplectus | 18–90 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–36 | – | ||
| 6 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 18–90 | ||||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | 0–90 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 18–54 | – | ||
| field brome | BRAR5 | Bromus arvensis | 0–54 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 7 | Forbs | 90–270 | ||||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 18–90 | – | ||
| annual marsh elder | IVAN2 | Iva annua | 18–90 | – | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 18–90 | – | ||
| cocklebur | XANTH2 | Xanthium | 0–90 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 18–90 | – | ||
| povertyweed | IVAX | Iva axillaris | 18–90 | – | ||
| Pursh seepweed | SUCA2 | Suaeda calceoliformis | 18–90 | – | ||
| red swampfire | SARU | Salicornia rubra | 0–90 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–90 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–90 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 0–54 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Shrubs | 18–180 | ||||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 18–180 | – | ||
| greasewood | SARCO | Sarcobatus | 0–90 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–90 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–54 | – | ||
| Gardner's saltbush | ATGA | Atriplex gardneri | 0–54 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 9 | Trees | 0–54 | ||||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–54 | – | ||
Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Rhizomatous Wheatgrasses | 12–120 | ||||
| thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | 12–120 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 12–120 | – | ||
| 2 | Cordgrass | 0–36 | ||||
| alkali cordgrass | SPGR | Spartina gracilis | 0–36 | – | ||
| prairie cordgrass | SPPE | Spartina pectinata | 0–36 | – | ||
| 3 | Sacaton | 0–12 | ||||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 0–12 | – | ||
| 4 | Other Native Grasses | 420–960 | ||||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 360–840 | – | ||
| foxtail barley | HOJU | Hordeum jubatum | 60–180 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–60 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–24 | – | ||
| Nuttall's alkaligrass | PUNU2 | Puccinellia nuttalliana | – | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | – | – | ||
| 5 | Grass-Likes | 60–180 | ||||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 60–180 | – | ||
| rush | JUNCU | Juncus | 12–60 | – | ||
| spikerush | ELEOC | Eleocharis | 12–60 | – | ||
| bulrush | SCHOE6 | Schoenoplectus | 12–60 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–12 | – | ||
| 6 | Non-Native Grasses | 12–120 | ||||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | 0–120 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 12–60 | – | ||
| field brome | BRAR5 | Bromus arvensis | 0–60 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 7 | Forbs | 60–180 | ||||
| American licorice | GLLE3 | Glycyrrhiza lepidota | 12–60 | – | ||
| annual marsh elder | IVAN2 | Iva annua | 12–60 | – | ||
| aster | ASTER | Aster | 12–60 | – | ||
| cocklebur | XANTH2 | Xanthium | 0–60 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 12–60 | – | ||
| povertyweed | IVAX | Iva axillaris | 12–60 | – | ||
| Pursh seepweed | SUCA2 | Suaeda calceoliformis | 12–60 | – | ||
| red swampfire | SARU | Salicornia rubra | 0–60 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–60 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–60 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 0–36 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Shrubs | 12–120 | ||||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 12–120 | – | ||
| greasewood | SARCO | Sarcobatus | 0–96 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–60 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | – | – | ||
| Gardner's saltbush | ATGA | Atriplex gardneri | – | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 9 | Trees | 0–12 | ||||
| plains cottonwood | PODEM | Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera | 0–12 | – | ||
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.
Within MLRA 64, the Saline Lowland ecological site provides upland grassland cover with associated forb, shrub, and tree components. It was typically part of an expansive grassland landscape that included combinations of Thin Breaks, Clayey, Claypan, Dense Clay, Loamy, Saline, Sandy, Shallow, Overflow, Subirrigated, and Terrace ecological sites.
In places, this site has sufficient hydrology to support hydrophytic vegetation and wildlife species associated with saturated saline soil conditions. Due to high salinity concentrations, both plant and wildlife species diversity is limited.
Reference State (1.0): The predominance of saline-tolerant hydrophytic vegetation, including shrubs, does not favor any particular wildlife group. However, the site may receive limited shorebird use. This plant community provides habitat for limited invertebrate populations. Reptile use is either extremely limited or nonexistent. Raptors, such as northern harrier, short-eared owl, Swainson’s hawk, and American kestrel, use this site. Prey populations are limited to small mammals, such as Hayden’s shrew, masked shrew, and spotted ground squirrel, and invertebrates.
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-Alkali Sacaton-Cordgrass (1.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 2,800
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.77
Plant Community: Inland Saltgrass-Rhizomatous Wheatgrass (1.2)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,800
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.49
*Plant Community: Inland Saltgrass-Foxtail Barley (2.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,200*
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.33*
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. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic groups B and C with localized areas of 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
No appreciable wood products are present on the 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, 7/19/2024
Acknowledgments
This ecological site was reviewed and approved at the Provisional Level by David Kraft, Regional ESS, Salina, KS on 2/15/2019.
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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 | 03/31/2004 |
| Approved by | Suzanne Mayne-Kinney |
| 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:
None. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground normally less than 10 percent. Some slickspots may be associated with this site, and are not a part of this site. These slickspots will have higher amounts of bare ground and salt crusting. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Litter falls in place. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil aggregate stability ratings typically 3 or greater. Surface organic matter adheres to the soil surface. Soil surface fragments will typically retain structure at least for short periods when dipped in distilled water. Some fragments will dissolbe in less than 1 minute. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Surface horizon is a dark gray E-horizon (leached) 3 to 6 inches thick. Structure is platy parting to fine granular. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Deep rooted species (mid and tall rhizomatous cool- and warm-season grasses and grass-likes) with fine and coarse roots positively influences infiltration. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None – when dry, B horizons can be hard or pan-like, and appear to be compacted, but no platy structure will be present. -
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Mid, cool-season rhizomatous grasses > mid and tall, warm-season rhizomatous grasses >Sub-dominant:
Mid, warm-season bunchgrasses > mid, cool-season bunchgrasses = shrubs > short, warm-season grasses >Other:
Forbs > grass-like species = treesAdditional:
Other grasses in other functional groups occur in minor amounts. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Very little evidence of decadence or mortality. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
About 50 to 70 percent litter cover, litter in contact with soil surface. Depth of litter is about 0.25 to 0.5 inches. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Total annual production ranges from 2,200 pounds/acre to 3,400 pounds/acre, with the reference value 2,800 pounds/acre (air-dry basis). -
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
State and local noxious weeds; Russian olive can dominate this site in localized areas. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species exhibit high vigor relative to climatic conditions. Do not rate based solely on seed production. Perennial grasses and grass-likes should have vigorous rhizomes or tillers.
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