Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R064XY035NE
Clayey 17-20 PZ
Accessed: 04/25/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
Classification relationships
Level IV Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States: 25a – Pine Ridge Escarpment, 43h – White River Badlands, and 43i – Keya Paha Tablelands.
Associated sites
R064XY027NE |
Clayey Overflow |
---|---|
GX064X01X036 |
Loamy 17-20" PZ |
R064XY037NE |
Thin Upland |
R064XY039NE |
Shallow Clay |
Similar sites
GX064X01X036 |
Loamy 17-20" PZ [Less green needlegrass; more needleandthread.] |
---|---|
R064XY027NE |
Clayey Overflow [More big bluestem; higher production.] |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
Not specified |
---|---|
Shrub |
Not specified |
Herbaceous |
(1) Pascopyrum smithii |
Physiographic features
This site occurs on nearly level to steeply sloping uplands.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms |
(1)
Alluvial fan
(2) Plain (3) Stream terrace |
---|---|
Flooding frequency | None |
Ponding frequency | None |
Elevation | 2,900 – 4,000 ft |
Slope | 20% |
Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
MLRA 64 is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature may also abound. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location near the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains and air masses move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.
Annual precipitation ranges from 17 to 20 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 47° F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 21° F (Wood, SD) to about 25° F (Hemingford, NE). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 72° F (Hemingford, NE) to about 76° F (Wood, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 55° F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this area's climate. Hourly winds are estimated to average about 11 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 13 miles per hour during the spring to about 10 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.
Growth of cool season plants begins in early to mid March, slowing or ceasing in late June. Warm season plants begin growth about mid May and continue to early or mid September. Green up of cool season plants may occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) | 140 days |
---|---|
Freeze-free period (average) | 162 days |
Precipitation total (average) | 19 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
No riparian areas or wetland features are directly associated with this site.
Soil features
The common features of soils in this site are the silty clay to clay textured subsoils and slopes of 0 to 20 percent. The soils in this site are well drained and formed in alluvium, colluvium, and residuum derived primarily from shale. The silt loam to clay surface layer is 3 to 7 inches thick. The soils have a moderately slow to slow infiltration rate. When dry these soils crack. When wet surface compaction can occur with heavy traffic. This site typically should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas or pedestalled plants. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance or discontinuous with numerous debris dams or vegetative barriers. The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers are non-restrictive to water movement and root penetration.
These soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases on slopes greater than about 5 percent. Loss of 50 percent or more of the surface layer of the soils on this site can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.
More information can be found in the various soil survey reports. Contact the local USDA Service Center for soil survey reports that include more detail specific to your location.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture |
(1) Silt loam (2) Silty clay loam (3) Clay |
---|---|
Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
Drainage class | Well drained |
Permeability class | Slow to moderately slow |
Soil depth | 20 – 80 in |
Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
Available water capacity (0-40in) |
4 – 7 in |
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
15% |
Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
4 mmhos/cm |
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
10 |
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.1 – 9 |
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
13% |
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
6% |
Ecological dynamics
This site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, light to severe grazing by bison and other large herbivores, sporadic natural or man-caused wildfire (often of light intensities), and other biotic and abiotic factors that typically influence soil/site development. Changes will occur in the plant communities due to short-term weather variations, impacts of native and/or exotic plant and animal species, and management actions. While the following plant community descriptions describe more typical transitions between communities that will occur, severe disturbances, such as periods of well-below average precipitation, can cause significant shifts in plant communities and/or species composition. Encroachment may occur from associated sites. Ponderosa pine and Rocky Mountain juniper have the potential to shift site characteristics. These shifts can alter the site dynamics and potential. These species may occur in small amounts on several plant communities.
Continuous season-long grazing (during the typical growing season of May through October) and/or repeated seasonal grazing (e.g., every spring, every summer) without adequate recovery periods following each grazing occurrence causes this site to depart from the Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass Plant Community. Blue grama and buffalograss will increase and eventually develop into a sod. Western wheatgrass will increase initially and then begin to decrease. Green needlegrass, needleandthread, porcupine grass, sideoats grama, big bluestem and little bluestem will decrease in frequency and production. Excessive defoliation can cause threeawns and annuals to increase and dominate the site. Extended periods of non-use and/or lack of fire will result in excessive litter and a plant community dominated by cool season grasses such as western wheatgrass, bluegrass and cheatgrass.
Interpretations are primarily based on the Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass Plant Community. It has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance, and areas under long-term rotational grazing regimes. Trends in plant community dynamics ranging from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts also have been used. Plant communities, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds have been determined through similar studies and experience.
The following is a diagram that illustrates the common plant communities that can occur on the site and the transition pathways between communities. The ecological processes will be discussed in more detail in the plant community descriptions following the diagram.
State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass
Community 1.1
Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass
Interpretations are based primarily on the Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass Plant Community (this is also considered to be climax). This plant community can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and/or prescribed burning, and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest. The potential vegetation is about 85% grasses or grass-like plants, 10% forbs, and 5% woody plants. The community is dominated by cool season grasses. The major grasses include western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, needleandthread, and porcupine grass. Other grasses include sideoats grama, sedges, and buffalograss. This plant community is extremely resilient and well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species allows for high drought tolerance. This is a sustainable plant community in regards to site/soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity.
Figure 4. 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 | 1105 | 1800 | 2590 |
Forb | 95 | 150 | 205 |
Shrub/Vine | 0 | 50 | 105 |
Total | 1200 | 2000 | 2900 |
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6401, Pine Ridge/Badlands, cool-season dominant. Cool-season dominant.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
5 | 15 | 28 | 30 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
State 2
Western Wheatgrass/Blue Grama/Buffalograss
Community 2.1
Western Wheatgrass/Blue Grama/Buffalograss
This plant community evolved under continuous season-long grazing or from over utilization during extended drought periods. The potential plant community is made up of approximately 80% grasses and grass-like species, 10% forbs, and 10% shrubs. Dominant grasses include western wheatgrass, blue grama, and buffalograss. Grasses of secondary importance include sedge, sideoats grama, green needlegrass, and needleandthread. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include fringed sagewort, cudweed sagewort, prairie coneflower, and western yarrow. Shrub canopy ranges from 0% to 10%. When compared to the Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass Plant Community, blue grama and buffalograss have increased. Green needlegrass and sideoats grama have decreased, and production of mid and tall warm-season grasses has also been reduced. This plant community is moderately resistant to change. The herbaceous species present are well adapted to grazing; however, species composition can be altered through long-term overgrazing. If the herbaceous component is intact, it tends to be resilient if the disturbance is not long-term.
Figure 6. 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 | 870 | 1424 | 2170 |
Shrub/Vine | 0 | 80 | 165 |
Forb | 30 | 96 | 165 |
Total | 900 | 1600 | 2500 |
Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6403, Pine Ridge/Badlands, cool-season/warm-season co-dominant. Cool-season, warm-season co-dominant.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
5 | 10 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
State 3
Blue Grama/Buffalograss Sod
Community 3.1
Blue Grama/Buffalograss Sod
This plant community evolved under heavy continuous season long grazing or from over utilization during extended drought periods. The potential plant community is made up of approximately 80% grasses and grass-like species, 10% forbs, and 10% shrubs. Dominant grasses include blue grama and buffalograss. Grasses of secondary importance include sedge and western wheatgrass. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include fringed sagewort, wild parsley and scarlet globemallow. Shrub canopy ranges from 0% to 10%. When compared to the Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass Plant Community, blue grama and buffalograss are dominant on this plant community. Cool season grasses have decreased significantly. This vegetation state is very resistant to change. The herbaceous species present are well adapted to grazing; however, composition can be altered through long-term prescribed grazing.
Figure 8. 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 | 545 | 930 | 1215 |
Forb | 50 | 110 | 170 |
Shrub/Vine | 5 | 60 | 115 |
Total | 600 | 1100 | 1500 |
Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6405, Pine Ridge/Badlands, warm-season dominant. Warm-season dominant.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
3 | 7 | 15 | 20 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 5 |
State 4
Excessive Litter
Community 4.1
Excessive Litter
This plant community developed under the absence of grazing and fire. At first, excessive litter builds up shading out some plants. Other plants become decadent with low vigor. Bunch grasses often develop dead centers, and rhizomatous grasses form small colonies due to the lack of tiller stimulation. Eventually, the interspaces between plants increase in size leaving more soil surface exposed. Dominant grasses include bluegrass and western wheatgrass. Other species include dropseed and threadleaf sedge. Dominant forbs include sweetclover, cudweed sagewort and marestail. The dominant shrub is snowberry. Compared to the Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass Plant Community, non-native species, cool-season grasses and sedges have increased. Rodent disturbance (from mice and gophers) results in an increase of soil disturbance. Noxious weeds such as Canada thistle or leafy spurge may invade the site if a seed source is present. Plant diversity is moderate to high.
Figure 10. 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 | 790 | 1253 | 1510 |
Shrub/Vine | 0 | 70 | 145 |
Forb | 10 | 77 | 145 |
Total | 800 | 1400 | 1800 |
Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6401, Pine Ridge/Badlands, cool-season dominant. Cool-season dominant.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
5 | 15 | 28 | 30 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
Additional community tables
Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Western Wheatgrass | 600–1000 | ||||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 600–1000 | – | ||
2 | Big Bluestem | 0–200 | ||||
big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–200 | – | ||
3 | Little Bluestem | 0–200 | ||||
little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–200 | – | ||
4 | Needlegrasses | 300–700 | ||||
green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 200–500 | – | ||
needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 100–300 | – | ||
porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 100–300 | – | ||
5 | Short Grasses & Grass-Likes | 100–300 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 40–160 | – | ||
sedge | CAREX | Carex | 40–100 | – | ||
6 | Other Native Grasses | 100–300 | ||||
sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 100–200 | – | ||
prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–100 | – | ||
Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–100 | – | ||
threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 0–60 | – | ||
Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 0–60 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
8 | Forbs | 100–200 | ||||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 20–100 | – | ||
false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–100 | – | ||
upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–100 | – | ||
scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 20–100 | – | ||
scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 0–60 | – | ||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–60 | – | ||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–60 | – | ||
common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 20–60 | – | ||
onion | ALLIU | Allium | 0–40 | – | ||
tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–40 | – | ||
blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 0–40 | – | ||
dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 0–40 | – | ||
desertparsley | LOMAT | Lomatium | 0–40 | – | ||
leafy wildparsley | MUDI | Musineon divaricatum | 20–40 | – | ||
beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–40 | – | ||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 0–40 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–40 | – | ||
spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–40 | – | ||
vetch | VICIA | Vicia | 0–40 | – | ||
deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 0–20 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
9 | Shrubs | 0–100 | ||||
leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–100 | – | ||
snowberry | SYMPH | Symphoricarpos | 0–100 | – | ||
rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–60 | – | ||
broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–40 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–40 | – | ||
Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–40 | – |
Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Western Wheatgrass | 240–560 | ||||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 240–560 | – | ||
2 | Big Bluestem | 0–80 | ||||
big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–80 | – | ||
3 | Little Bluestem | 0–80 | ||||
little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–80 | – | ||
4 | Needlegrasses | 160–320 | ||||
needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 80–160 | – | ||
green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 80–160 | – | ||
porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 0–128 | – | ||
5 | Short Grasses & Grass-Likes | 240–400 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 160–320 | – | ||
sedge | CAREX | Carex | 80–160 | – | ||
6 | Other Native Grasses | 32–160 | ||||
sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 32–128 | – | ||
threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 16–80 | – | ||
prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–48 | – | ||
Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 0–48 | – | ||
Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–48 | – | ||
dropseed | SPORO | Sporobolus | 0–32 | – | ||
sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–16 | – | ||
7 | Non-Native Grasses | 0–80 | ||||
cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–48 | – | ||
bluegrass | POA | Poa | 0–48 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
8 | Forbs | 32–160 | ||||
sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | 0–160 | – | ||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 32–128 | – | ||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–80 | – | ||
false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–80 | – | ||
Canadian horseweed | COCA5 | Conyza canadensis | 0–80 | – | ||
common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 16–80 | – | ||
tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–80 | – | ||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 0–80 | – | ||
upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–80 | – | ||
scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 16–80 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–80 | – | ||
goatsbeard | TRAGO | Tragopogon | 0–48 | – | ||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–48 | – | ||
onion | ALLIU | Allium | 0–48 | – | ||
blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 0–48 | – | ||
dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 0–48 | – | ||
beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–48 | – | ||
desertparsley | LOMAT | Lomatium | 0–32 | – | ||
vetch | VICIA | Vicia | 0–32 | – | ||
deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 0–32 | – | ||
leafy wildparsley | MUDI | Musineon divaricatum | 16–32 | – | ||
spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–32 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
9 | Shrubs | 0–160 | ||||
broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–80 | – | ||
snowberry | SYMPH | Symphoricarpos | 0–80 | – | ||
leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–48 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–48 | – | ||
rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–48 | – | ||
Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–32 | – |
Table 11. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Western Wheatgrass | 55–165 | ||||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 55–165 | – | ||
2 | Big Bluestem | 0–33 | ||||
big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–33 | – | ||
3 | Little Bluestem | 0–55 | ||||
little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–55 | – | ||
4 | Needlegrasses | 0–110 | ||||
needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 0–88 | – | ||
green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–55 | – | ||
porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 0–22 | – | ||
5 | Short Grasses & Grass-Likes | 220–550 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 165–275 | – | ||
sedge | CAREX | Carex | 110–165 | – | ||
6 | Other Native Grasses | 55–165 | ||||
threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 55–110 | – | ||
sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 0–55 | – | ||
dropseed | SPORO | Sporobolus | 0–55 | – | ||
sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 11–33 | – | ||
prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–33 | – | ||
Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 0–33 | – | ||
Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–33 | – | ||
7 | Non-Native Grasses | 33–110 | ||||
cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 33–110 | – | ||
bluegrass | POA | Poa | 0–22 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
8 | Forbs | 55–165 | ||||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 33–110 | – | ||
sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | 0–110 | – | ||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 0–77 | – | ||
upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–55 | – | ||
scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 11–55 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–55 | – | ||
goatsbeard | TRAGO | Tragopogon | 0–55 | – | ||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–55 | – | ||
false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–55 | – | ||
Canadian horseweed | COCA5 | Conyza canadensis | 0–55 | – | ||
tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–55 | – | ||
leafy wildparsley | MUDI | Musineon divaricatum | 11–44 | – | ||
beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–33 | – | ||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–33 | – | ||
common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 11–33 | – | ||
onion | ALLIU | Allium | 0–33 | – | ||
scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 0–33 | – | ||
dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 0–33 | – | ||
deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 0–33 | – | ||
desertparsley | LOMAT | Lomatium | 0–22 | – | ||
vetch | VICIA | Vicia | 0–22 | – | ||
spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–11 | – | ||
blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 0–11 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
9 | Shrubs | 11–110 | ||||
broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 11–55 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–55 | – | ||
snowberry | SYMPH | Symphoricarpos | 0–33 | – | ||
rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–22 | – | ||
Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–22 | – | ||
leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–22 | – |
Table 12. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Western Wheatgrass | 140–700 | ||||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 140–700 | – | ||
2 | Big Bluestem | 0–70 | ||||
big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–70 | – | ||
3 | Little Bluestem | 0–70 | ||||
little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–70 | – | ||
4 | Needlegrasses | 70–280 | ||||
needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 14–140 | – | ||
porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 14–140 | – | ||
green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 14–140 | – | ||
5 | Short Grasses & Grass-Likes | 70–210 | ||||
sedge | CAREX | Carex | 70–140 | – | ||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 14–70 | – | ||
6 | Other Native Grasses | 42–140 | ||||
dropseed | SPORO | Sporobolus | 28–140 | – | ||
threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 14–70 | – | ||
sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 28–70 | – | ||
prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–70 | – | ||
Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 0–56 | – | ||
Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–42 | – | ||
sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–42 | – | ||
7 | Non-Native Grasses | 70–560 | ||||
cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 42–420 | – | ||
bluegrass | POA | Poa | 42–420 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
8 | Forbs | 70–560 | ||||
sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | 0–140 | – | ||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 14–112 | – | ||
Canadian horseweed | COCA5 | Conyza canadensis | 14–112 | – | ||
goatsbeard | TRAGO | Tragopogon | 0–98 | – | ||
false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–70 | – | ||
common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | 0–70 | – | ||
tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–70 | – | ||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 0–70 | – | ||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 0–70 | – | ||
upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–70 | – | ||
scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 0–70 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–70 | – | ||
leafy wildparsley | MUDI | Musineon divaricatum | 0–42 | – | ||
beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–42 | – | ||
scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 0–42 | – | ||
dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 0–42 | – | ||
onion | ALLIU | Allium | 0–42 | – | ||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–42 | – | ||
blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 0–28 | – | ||
desertparsley | LOMAT | Lomatium | 0–28 | – | ||
spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–28 | – | ||
vetch | VICIA | Vicia | 0–28 | – | ||
deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 0–28 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
9 | Shrubs | 0–140 | ||||
snowberry | SYMPH | Symphoricarpos | 0–70 | – | ||
leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–42 | – | ||
broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–42 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–42 | – | ||
rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–42 | – | ||
Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–28 | – |
Interpretations
Hydrological functions
Water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic groups C and D. Infiltration varies from very low to moderate, and runoff potential varies from moderate to very high depending on soil hydrologic group, slope and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An example of an exception would be high runoff when short grasses form a strong sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).
Recreational uses
This site provides hunting, hiking, photography, bird watching and other opportunities. The wide variety of plants that bloom from spring until fall have an esthetic value that appeals to visitors.
Wood products
No appreciable wood products are present on the site.
Other products
Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping data and other inventory data. Field observations from range-trained personnel were also used. Those involved in developing this site include: Stan Boltz, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Jill Epley, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Rick Peterson, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; David Steffen, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Jeff Vander Wilt; Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Phil Young, Soil Scientist, NRCS.
Data Source Number of Records Sample Period State County
SCS-RANGE-417 1 1970 NE Dawes
Other references
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://hpccsun.unl.edu)
USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, 101 SW Main, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204-3224. (http://wcc.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. National Range and Pasture Handbook, September 1997
USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
USDA, NRCS, Various Published Soil Surveys.
Contributors
SCB
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) | Stan Boltz |
---|---|
Contact for lead author | Stan Boltz, stanley.boltz@sd.usda.gov, 605-352-1236 |
Date | 07/20/2009 |
Approved by | Stan Boltz |
Approval date | |
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
None, or barely visible and discontinuous. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
0 to 10 percent is typical. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None should be present. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Litter should fall in place. Slight amount of movement of smallest size class litter is possible, but not normal. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil aggregate stability ratings should typically be 5 to 6, normally 6. Surface organic matter adheres to the soil surface. Soil surface fragments will typically retain structure indefinitely when dipped in distilled water. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
A-horizon should be 3 to 7 inches thick with mollic (dark) colors when moist. Structure typically is medium to fine granular at least in the upper A-horizon. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Combination of shallow and deep rooted species (mid & tall rhizomatous and tufted perennial cool-season grasses) with fine and coarse roots positively influences infiltration. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None – when dry, B horizons can be hard and appear to be compacted, but no platy structure will be present. -
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Rhizomatous wheatgrasses > mid cool-season bunchgrasses >>Sub-dominant:
Mid warm-season grasses > short warm-season grass >Other:
Tall warm-season grass = Forbs = shrubs > short cool-season bunchgrassesAdditional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Very little evidence of decadence or mortality. Bunch grasses have strong, healthy centers and shrubs are vigorous. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter cover typically 50 to 70 percent, with depth 0.25 to 0.5 inches. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Total annual production ranges from 1,200 to 2,900 pounds/acre, with the refernce value being 2,000 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, Kentucky bluegrass. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species exhibit high vigor relative to climatic conditions. Do not rate based solely on seed production. Perennial grasses should have vigorous rhizomes or tillers.
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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