Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site GX064X01X036
Loamy 17-20" PZ
Last updated: 12/16/2024
Accessed: 12/24/2024
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 consists of 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 (PZ): 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—331Fh.
Pine Ridge Escarpment—331Fj.
High Plains—331Fk.
Hartville Uplift—331Fm.
Western Nebraska Sandy and Silty Tablelands—331Fn.
Keye Paha Tablelands—331Ft.
Powder River Basin Section—331G:
Subsection: Powder River Basin—331Ge.
Ecological site concept
The Loamy 17-20" PZ ecological site occurs throughout the wetter portion of MLRA 64. It is located on upland landscapes and does not receive additional moisture from runoff or overflow. The typical slopes range is from 0 to 10 percent. Soils are deep (greater than 20 inches), with surface textures ranging from very fine sandy loam to silt loam that are 4 to 15 inches thick. Subsurface soil textures range from loamy very fine sand to clay loam.
The vegetation in the Reference State consists of a mix of cool- and warm-season grasses, however, mid-statured cool-season grasses will be the dominant group. Western wheatgrass and needle and thread are the dominant cool-season grasses, while blue grama and sideoats grama are the dominant warm-season grasses. Forbs are common and diverse. Dominant shrubs include leadplant, rose, and western snowberry. An occasional conifer may also be present. The Loamy 17-20” PZ site is susceptible to invasion of non-native cool-season grasses.
Associated sites
| R064XY037NE |
Thin Upland The Thin Upland ecological site can be found on steeper slopes adjacent to the Loamy 17-20” PZ ecological site. |
|---|---|
| R064XY040NE |
Shallow The Shallow ecological site can be found on ridge tops and steep slopes adjacent to the Loamy 17-20” PZ ecological site. |
| R064XY026NE |
Loamy Overflow The Loamy Overflow ecological site can be found below the Loamy 17-20” PZ ecological site in flood plains and creek channels. |
| R064XY035NE |
Clayey 17-20 PZ The Clayey 17-20” PZ ecological site can be found on the same landscape position adjacent to the Loamy 17-20” PZ. |
Similar sites
| R064XY026NE |
Loamy Overflow The Loamy Overflow ecological site will have less needle and thread, more big bluestem, and greater forage production than the Loamy 17-20” PZ ecological site. |
|---|---|
| R064XY037NE |
Thin Upland The Thin Upland ecological site will have more little bluestem and sideoats grama, and less western wheatgrass than the Loamy 17-20” PZ ecological site. |
| R064XY035NE |
Clayey 17-20 PZ The Clayey 17-20” PZ ecological site will have more green needlegrass, and needle and thread will be a minor component when compared to the Loamy 17-20” PZ ecological site. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pascopyrum smithii |
Legacy ID
R064XY036NE
Physiographic features
The Loamy 17-20” PZ ecological site occurs on gently undulating to moderately steep rolling plains and low hills.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Plains
> Alluvial fan
(2) Upland > Plain (3) Hill |
|---|---|
| Runoff class | Negligible to medium |
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 2,900 – 5,000 ft |
| Slope | 30% |
| 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 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 average temperatures ranging 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 the climate of this area. Wind speeds 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 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) | 101-114 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 121-134 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 18-20 in |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 92-119 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 118-148 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 17-20 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | 107 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 130 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 19 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) CHADRON 3NE [USC00251578], Chadron, NE
-
(2) PORCUPINE 11 N [USC00396736], Kyle, SD
-
(3) HARRISON 4NW [USC00253617], Harrison, NE
-
(4) FT ROBINSON [USC00253015], Crawford, NE
-
(5) GORDON 6N [USC00253355], Gordon, NE
-
(6) PINE RIDGE AP [USW00094039], Pine Ridge, SD
-
(7) INTERIOR 3 NE [USC00394184], Interior, SD
-
(8) LONGVALLEY [USC00394983], Long Valley, SD
-
(9) MARTIN 5 E [USC00395285], Martin, SD
-
(10) CEDAR BUTTE 1NE [USC00391539], White River, SD
Influencing water features
No riparian areas or wetland features are directly associated with the Loamy 17-20” PZ ecological site.
Wetland description
Not Applicable.
Soil features
The features common to soils in this site are the very fine sandy loam to silt loam textured surface layers and the slopes of 0 to 30 percent. The soils in this site are well to somewhat excessively drained and formed in soft siltstone, sandstone, or alluvium. The surface layer is 4 to 15 inches thick. The texture of the subsurface layer’s ranges from loamy very fine sand to clay loam. The soils have a moderate infiltration rate. This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestalled plants. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance, or discontinuous with numerous 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 Loamy 17-20” PZ site: Alvaton, Blackpipe, Bridget, Cedarpass, Dawes, Kadoka, Keith, Kube, Norka, Nuncho, Oglala, Recluse, Richfield, Rosebud, Satanta, Savo, Thirtynine, and Ulysses.
These soils are susceptible to wind and water erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases on slopes greater than about 15 percent. Loss of 50 percent or more of the surface layer of the soils on this site can result in a shift in species composition and production.
More information regarding the soil is available in soil survey reports. Contact the local USDA Service Center for details specific to your area of interest, or go online to access USDA’s Web Soil Survey.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
–
sandstone and siltstone
(2) Colluvium – limestone and siltstone (3) Residuum – sandstone and siltstone (4) Loess – limestone and siltstone |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Very fine sandy loam (2) Loam (3) Silt loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained to somewhat excessively drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately slow to moderate |
| Soil depth | 20 – 80 in |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
5 – 8 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
15% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
4 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
5 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.1 – 9 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
30% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
15% |
Ecological dynamics
The Loamy 17-20” PZ 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.
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 causes this site to depart from the Western Wheatgrass-Needle and Thread Plant Community (1.1). Blue grama and buffalograss will increase and eventually develop into a sod. Western wheatgrass will increase initially and then begin to decrease. Needle and thread, green needlegrass, and sideoats grama 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 lack of fire or continuous seasonal grazing will result in a plant community dominated by cool-season grasses such as western wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and annual brome grasses.
Interpretations are primarily based on the Western Wheatgrass-Needle and Thread Plant Community (1.1). 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 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
States 1, 6 and 2 (additional transitions)
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 6 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 in the Reference State (1.0) is dominated by cool-season grasses and subdominant warm-season grasses. Grazing or the lack of grazing, fire, and drought are the major drivers between plant communities. Continuous season-long grazing can push this State to a warm-season shortgrass-dominated State (2.0). Non-use, no fire, and invasion of non-native cool-season grasses will result in a transition to a Native/Invaded State (4.0).
Community 1.1
Western Wheatgrass-Needle and Thread
Interpretations are based primarily on the Western Wheatgrass-Needle and Thread Plant Community which is also considered to be the Reference Plant Community (1.1). This plant community can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing or prescribed burning, and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest. The potential vegetation consists of about 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 15 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Cool-season grasses dominate the plant community. The major grasses include western wheatgrass and needle and thread. Other grasses occurring on the site include green needlegrass, blue grama, little bluestem, sideoats grama, and sedge. Significant forbs include vetch, white sagebrush (cudweed sagewort), scurfpea, Cuman ragweed, and goldenrod. The significant shrub that occurs in patchy mosaics is western snowberry. Other shrubs include rose, leadplant, and broom snakeweed. 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). Plant litter is properly distributed with some movement off-site and natural plant mortality is low. The diversity in plant species allows for high tolerance to drought. Moderate or high available water capacity provides 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 | 1365 | 2076 | 2975 |
| Forb | 115 | 240 | 375 |
| Shrub/Vine | 20 | 72 | 125 |
| Tree | 0 | 12 | 25 |
| Total | 1500 | 2400 | 3500 |
Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6402, Pine Ridge/Badlands, cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant. Cool-season dominant, warm season, sub-dominant.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 5 | 10 | 25 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Community 1.2
Blue Grama-Buffalograss-Western Wheatgrass
This plant community develops under continuous seasonal grazing (i.e., grazing an area during the same season every year), winter grazing that extends into the early growing season, or from overutilization during extended periods of drought. The potential vegetation is made up of approximately 80 percent grasses and grass-like species, 15 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. The dominant grasses include blue grama, buffalograss, western wheatgrass, and threadleaf sedge. Other grasses may include needle and thread, sideoats grama, prairie Junegrass, red threeawn, and little bluestem. The dominant forbs include scurfpeas, Cuman ragweed, sagewort, scarlet globemallow, and other perennial aster species. Dominant shrubs in this community include western snowberry and wild rose. Broom snakeweed may also be present in significant amounts. Compared to the Western Wheatgrass-Needle and Thread Plant Community (1.1), the shortgrass species including blue grama and buffalograss have increased. The cool-season species including western wheatgrass and needlegrasses have decreased in composition. Annual bromes, woolly plantain, and other annual grasses and forbs can invade the site. While plant diversity is relatively high, the structure of the community is dominated by shortgrasses. This plant community is resistant to change. The dominant herbaceous species are very adapted to grazing; however, the mid- to tallgrass species and the more palatable forbs will decrease in the community through long-term overgrazing. Soil erosion is low to moderate. Because of the sod-forming habit of the dominant shortgrass species, water infiltration is low, and runoff is moderate to high. Typically, the runoff is very clean because of the low potential for soil erosion.
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 | 1110 | 1384 | 1645 |
| Forb | 75 | 160 | 250 |
| Shrub/Vine | 15 | 48 | 85 |
| Tree | 0 | 8 | 20 |
| Total | 1200 | 1600 | 2000 |
Figure 11. 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 |
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Continuous seasonal grazing (every spring), winter grazing that extends into the early part of the growing season, continuous season-long grazing without adequate recovery periods, or heavy grazing in combination with drought will convert this Plant Community to the Blue Grama-Buffalograss-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community (1.2).
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Prescribed grazing with proper stocking rates, change in season of use, adequate time for recovery following grazing, and a return to normal precipitation patterns after drought will convert this Plant Community to the Western Wheatgrass-Needle and Thread Plant Community (1.1).
State 2
Shortgrass State
The Shortgrass Sod State is dominated by shortgrass species and upland sedges. This State is the result of grazing patterns that did not provide adequate recovery time for cool-season wheat and needlegrasses. The hydrologic function of this site is dramatically altered. Runoff is high and infiltration is low. This State is very resistant to change through grazing management alone. Historically, rangeland mechanical treatment of this site has been an option used to improve forage production and plant species composition on rangeland. These mechanical treatments include such things as contour furrowing, contour pitting, terracing, chiseling, and disking. The purpose of the practice is to mechanically break up a sod-bound vegetative condition or compacted soils, resulting in less runoff and better infiltration. Many of these treatments were implemented during the 1930s through the 1970s with mixed results. This is primarily due to improper grazing management following the renovation practice. Other drawbacks, in addition to the cost, is these practices result in a near-permanently roughed ground surface.
Community 2.1
Blue Grama-Buffalograss Sod
This plant community is the result of heavy grazing in combination with drought, continuous season-long grazing, or repeated seasonal grazing (typically in the spring or in the spring and fall). The potential vegetation is made up of approximately 80 percent grasses and grass-like species, 15 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Blue grama and buffalograss are the dominant species, with the balance made up of a few species of cool-season grasses, warm-season grasses, and forbs. Some of the minor species are western wheatgrass, threeawn, sedges, needle and thread, prairie Junegrass, sideoats grama, and annual brome. Forbs include Cuman ragweed, white sagebrush (cudweed sagewort), fringed sagewort, scurfpea, and scarlet globemallow. The dominant shrubs include broom snakeweed and cactus. There is usually less than 10 percent bare ground. When compared to the Western Wheatgrass-Needle and Thread Plant Community (1.1), blue grama and buffalograss have increased significantly. The mid- to tallgrasses have declined dramatically, and annual production has decreased significantly. This plant community is resistant to change, as the dominant species are resistant to overgrazing. The thick sod prevents other species from becoming established. This plant community has diminished potential for grazing use. Infiltration will decrease and runoff will increase. Soil erosion will be minimal due to the sod-forming habit of blue grama and buffalograss.
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 | 555 | 845 | 925 |
| Forb | 45 | 125 | 205 |
| Shrub/Vine | 0 | 25 | 55 |
| Tree | 0 | 5 | 15 |
| Total | 600 | 1000 | 1200 |
Figure 13. 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 3
Early Successional State
The Early Successional State is the result of very heavy, concentrated disturbance such as intense rodent activity, or livestock concentration areas. This State can also develop as a result of invasion by highly competitive or noxious weed species. Extended periods of drought accompanied by heavy grazing can also push an at-risk plant community phase to this state. In most cases, this phase is dominated by pioneer perennial and annual grass and forb species. Bare ground is also much higher than on any other plant community phase.
Community 3.1
Threeawn-Annuals
This plant community developed under heavy, continuous season-long grazing, frequent and severe defoliation, or heavy disturbances (e.g., heavy use areas, etc.). The potential plant community is made up of approximately 80 percent grasses and grass-like species and 20 percent forbs. The dominant grasses include threeawn, cheatgrass, and panicum species. Other grasses may include little bluestem, blue grama, buffalograss, sedges, western wheatgrass, and sixweeks fescue. The dominant forbs include fringed sagewort, fetid marigold, Cuman ragweed, pussytoes, prostrate verbena, and other invader-like species. Other plant species from adjacent ecological sites can become minor components of this plant community. This plant community is susceptible to invasion of Canada thistle and other non-native species because of the relatively high percentage of bare ground. Compared to the Western Wheatgrass-Needle and Thread Plant Community (1.1), red threeawn, annual brome grasses, and the percentage of bare ground has increased. Western wheatgrass, needlegrasses and other cool-season grasses and grass-like species have decreased as have the warm-season species including little bluestem, sideoats grama, blue grama and buffalograss. Plant diversity is low: plant richness may be high, but areas are often dominated by a few species and evenness is lacking. This plant community is difficult to return to the Western Wheatgrass-Needlegrass Plant Community (1.1) because of the loss of plant diversity and overall soil disturbance. Soil erosion is potentially very high because of the bare ground and shallow-rooted herbaceous plant community. Water runoff will increase and infiltration will decrease due to animal related soil compaction and loss of root mass due to low plant diversity and vigor. This plant community will require significant economic inputs and time to move toward another plant community. This movement is highly variable in its succession. This is due to the loss of diversity (including the loss of the seed bank) within the existing plant community and the plant communities on adjacent sites. This community can be renovated to improve the production capability; however, if management changes are not made the vegetation could revert back to a threeawn-annual community. This community produces from 400 to 1,000 lbs./ac. (air-dry weight) annually depending upon the growing conditions.
Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6404, Pine Ridge/Badlands, warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant. Warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 5 | 8 | 15 | 24 | 23 | 15 | 5 | 5 |
State 4
Native/Invaded State
The Native/Invaded State is dominated by native cool- and warm-season grasses, and subdominant non-native cool-season grasses. It can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and possibly prescribed burning, and on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest. If the native cool-season species decline, a corresponding increase in non-native cool-season grasses can occur. The non-native cool-season grasses will include Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, cheatgrass, field brome, and possibly crested wheatgrass.
Community 4.1
Western Wheatgrass-Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses (<15%)
This plant community develops when non-native cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass or smooth brome invade and become established on the site. This may occur due to the close proximity of the site to seed sources, expansion from road ditches, improved pastures, other invaded sites, or from contaminated hay. Repeated seasonal grazing (typically during the summer), extended periods of non-use and no fire, or long-term light grazing will allow these non-native cool-season grasses to increase in the plant community. Plant litter accumulates in large amounts when this community first develops. Litter buildup reduces mature native plant vigor and density, and seedling recruitment declines. Eventually litter levels become high enough that plant density decreases. Typically, rhizomatous grasses form small colonies because of a lack of tiller stimulation. The potential vegetation is made up of 85 percent grass or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs and trees. The dominant grasses will be western wheatgrass and non-native cool-season grasses, primarily smooth brome or Kentucky bluegrass. Warm-season grasses will include patches of little bluestem and sideoats grama. Forbs will be common and diverse, and some shrubs will persist. Forage production can be variable.
Figure 15. 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 | 1365 | 1593 | 1785 |
| Forb | 35 | 153 | 300 |
| Shrub/Vine | 0 | 45 | 95 |
| Tree | 0 | 9 | 20 |
| Total | 1400 | 1800 | 2200 |
Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6402, Pine Ridge/Badlands, cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant. Cool-season dominant, warm season, sub-dominant.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 5 | 10 | 25 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
State 5
Invaded State
The Invaded State is the result of invasion and dominance of non-native cool-season grass species. This State is characterized by the dominance of smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass. Heavy grazing or long-term light grazing (understocked) will tend to result in an increase of smooth bromegrass. Non-use and no fire will tend to benefit Kentucky bluegrass due to an increasing thatch layer that effectively blocks the introduction of other plants into the system. Plant litter accumulation tends to favor the more shade-tolerant introduced grass species. The nutrient cycle is 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 soil biological activity is altered, 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 cause a reduction in the invasive grass dominance. Preliminary studies tend to indicate this threshold may exist when Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30 percent of the plant community and native grasses represent less than 40 percent of the plant community composition. Plant communities dominated by Kentucky bluegrass have significantly less cover and diversity of native grasses and forb species (Toledo, D. et al., 2014).
Community 5.1
Smooth Brome-Kentucky Bluegrass (>30%)
This plant community evolved under no use and no fire or heavy, continuous season-long grazing with no change in season of use, or long-term light grazing. This plant community is typically dominated by smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass. This plant community is made up of approximately 85 percent grasses and grass-like species, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Dominant grasses include Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome. Western wheatgrass and some needlegrass may still be found in the plant community. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include white sagebrush (cudweed sagewort), goldenrod, scurfpea, and Cuman ragweed. Infiltration and runoff will be moderately reduced as will energy capture. Production can be relatively high; however, the period that palatability is high is relatively short, as these cool-season species mature rapidly.
State 6
Disturbed State
The Disturbed State can be transitioned to from any plant community. The two separate vegetative plant communities, Go-back and Seeded, are highly variable in nature. They are derived through different management scenarios and are not related successionally. Infiltration, runoff, and soil erosion will vary depending upon the vegetation present on the site. The Go-back Plant Community (6.1) was previously tilled for crop production and then abandoned. The plant community that develops on this site will be greatly influenced by the plant communities that are located on adjacent land. The Seeded Plant Community (6.2) was typically tilled and then seeded to a perennial forage species or mix of species.
Community 6.1
Go-Back
The Go-back Plant Community can be reached whenever severe mechanical disturbance occurs (e.g., tilled and abandoned cropland). During the early successional stages, the species that mainly dominate the plant community are annual grasses and forbs, later replaced by both native and introduced perennials. The vegetation on this site varies greatly, sometimes dominated by threeawn, bluegrass, smooth brome, annual bromegrass, broom snakeweed, sweetclover, and non-native thistles. Other plants that commonly occur on the site can include western wheatgrass, prickly lettuce, horseweed, mullein, kochia, foxtail, and sunflowers. Bare ground is prevalent due to the loss of organic matter and lower overall soil health.
Community 6.2
Seeded
The Seeded Plant Community normally consists of those areas seeded to pubescent or intermediate wheatgrass, alfalfa, switchgrass, or other forage species. For adapted species and expected production, refer to the USDA-NRCS eFOTG (electronic Field Office Technical Guide) for the appropriate Forage Suitability Group description.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 2
Continuous season-long grazing, continuous seasonal grazing, or heavy grazing in combination with drought will transition the Reference State to the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0). This transition is most likely to occur from the Blue Grama-Buffalograss-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community (1.2).
Transition T1C
State 1 to 3
Heavy, continuous season-long grazing, frequent and severe defoliation, or heavy disturbance will transition the Reference State to the Early Successional State (3.0).
Transition T1A
State 1 to 4
Continuous summer seasonal grazing, long-term light grazing, or no use and no fire, and the invasion of non-native cool-season grasses will transition the Reference State (1.0) to the Native/Invaded State (4.0).
Transition T7A
State 1 to 6
Heavy disturbance including soil erosion, tillage, abandoned cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species result in a transition to the Disturbed State (6.0).
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Long-term prescribed grazing may potentially convert the plant community to the Reference State (1.0), most probably to the Blue Grama-Buffalograss-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community (1.2), assuming adequate seed and vegetative sources are present. This could require significant time and inputs to achieve and, in the end, may not meet management objectives.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
Heavy, continuous season-long grazing, frequent severe defoliation, or heavy disturbance will likely move this plant community to the Early Successional State (3.0).
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4
Long-term prescribed grazing with change in season of use, adequate time for recovery, and a return to normal precipitation patterns will cause a transition. Due to the invasion of non-native cool-season perennial grasses the trajectory of this transition will be towards the Native/Invaded State (4.0). This transition may not be fast or feasible.
Transition T7A
State 2 to 6
Heavy disturbance including soil erosion, tillage, abandoned cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species result in a transition to the Disturbed State (6.0).
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2
Removal of management-induced disturbance coupled with long-term prescribed grazing with change in season of use, and adequate recovery time following grazing may return the Threeawn-Annual plant community to the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0). Herbaceous weed control may also be needed. This transition could require significant time and input to achieve and, in the end, may not meet management objectives.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 5
Removal of management-induced disturbance and herbaceous weed control, followed by prescribed grazing that includes proper stocking, change in season of use, and deferment that provides time for adequate recovery will cause a transition. The invasion of non-native cool-season perennial grasses will likely transition this plant community to the Invaded State (5.0). This transition may not meet management objectives.
Transition T7A
State 3 to 6
Heavy disturbance including soil erosion, tillage, abandoned cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species will result in a transition to the Disturbed State (6.0).
Transition T4A
State 4 to 2
Continuous season-long grazing, continuous seasonal grazing, or heavy grazing in combination with drought will transition the Native/Invaded State to the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0).
Transition T4B
State 4 to 3
Heavy, continuous season-long grazing, frequent and severe defoliation, or heavy disturbance will transition the Native/Invaded State to the Early Successional State (3.0).
Transition T4C
State 4 to 5
Continuous seasonal grazing, heavy, continuous season-long grazing, or long-term light grazing will transition the Native/Invaded State to the Invaded State (5.0). With extended periods of non-use and no fire, heavy litter layer build-up will favor cool-season non-native grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and other non-native species, and will transition the Native/Invaded State to the Invaded State (5.0).
Transition T7A
State 4 to 6
Heavy disturbance including soil erosion, tillage, abandoned cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species result in a transition to the Disturbed State (6.0).
Transition T5A
State 5 to 4
Herbaceous weed control, followed by long-term prescribed grazing that includes proper stocking, change in season of use, and deferment that provides time for adequate recovery may transition this plant community to the Native/Invaded State (4.0). This transition could require significant time and input to achieve and, in the end, may not meet management objectives.
Transition T7A
State 5 to 6
Heavy disturbance including soil erosion, tillage, abandoned cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species result in a transition to the Disturbed State (6.0).
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 | 480–720 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 480–720 | – | ||
| 2 | Cool-Season Bunchgrasses | 360–600 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 360–600 | – | ||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–120 | – | ||
| 3 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 120–240 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 120–240 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 0–48 | – | ||
| 4 | Other Native Grasses and Grass-Likes | 120–600 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 120–240 | – | ||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 48–168 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–120 | – | ||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–120 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–120 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 0–24 | – | ||
| dropseed | SPORO | Sporobolus | 0–24 | – | ||
| plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | 0–24 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–24 | – | ||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | – | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | – | – | ||
| 5 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 0 | ||||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | – | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | – | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | – | – | ||
| field brome | BRAR5 | Bromus arvensis | – | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | – | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Forbs | 120–360 | ||||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 24–120 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–120 | – | ||
| vetch | VICIA | Vicia | 24–72 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 24–72 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 24–72 | – | ||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 0–72 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 24–48 | – | ||
| field sagewort | ARCA12 | Artemisia campestris | 0–48 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–48 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–48 | – | ||
| spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–48 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 0–48 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 0–48 | – | ||
| vervain | VERBE | Verbena | 0–48 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–24 | – | ||
| beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–24 | – | ||
| leafy wildparsley | MUDI | Musineon divaricatum | 0–24 | – | ||
| textile onion | ALTE | Allium textile | 0–24 | – | ||
| thistle | CIRSI | Cirsium | 0–24 | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 0–24 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–24 | – | ||
| corn gromwell | BUAR3 | Buglossoides arvensis | 0–24 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–24 | – | ||
| dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 0–24 | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–24 | – | ||
| western marbleseed | ONBEO | Onosmodium bejariense var. occidentale | 0–24 | – | ||
| fetid marigold | DYPA | Dyssodia papposa | – | – | ||
| Canadian horseweed | COCA5 | Conyza canadensis | – | – | ||
| mullein | VERBA | Verbascum | – | – | ||
| goatsbeard | TRAGO | Tragopogon | – | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | – | – | ||
| deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | – | – | ||
| sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | – | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 7 | Shrubs | 24–120 | ||||
| snowberry | SYMPH | Symphoricarpos | 24–120 | – | ||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–120 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–72 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–72 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–24 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–24 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 8 | Trees | 0–24 | ||||
| ponderosa pine | PIPO | Pinus ponderosa | 0–24 | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | 0–24 | – | ||
| eastern redcedar | JUVI | Juniperus virginiana | – | – | ||
Table 10. Community 1.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Rhizomatious Wheatgrass | 80–320 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 80–320 | – | ||
| 2 | Cool-Season Bunchgrasses | 32–160 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 32–128 | – | ||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–80 | – | ||
| 3 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 320–640 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 160–480 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 160–480 | – | ||
| 4 | Other Native Grasses and Grass-Likes | 80–320 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 80–160 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–80 | – | ||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 16–80 | – | ||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–48 | – | ||
| dropseed | SPORO | Sporobolus | 0–48 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–48 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–48 | – | ||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 0–32 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–16 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 0–16 | – | ||
| plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | – | – | ||
| 5 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 0–160 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–80 | – | ||
| field brome | BRAR5 | Bromus arvensis | 0–80 | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 0–80 | – | ||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | – | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | – | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Forb | 80–240 | ||||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 16–80 | – | ||
| sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | 0–80 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–80 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 0–64 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–48 | – | ||
| vetch | VICIA | Vicia | 16–48 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 16–48 | – | ||
| goatsbeard | TRAGO | Tragopogon | 16–48 | – | ||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 16–48 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 16–48 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 0–48 | – | ||
| vervain | VERBE | Verbena | 16–48 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 0–32 | – | ||
| field sagewort | ARCA12 | Artemisia campestris | 16–32 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–32 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–32 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 16–32 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 16–32 | – | ||
| thistle | CIRSI | Cirsium | 0–32 | – | ||
| textile onion | ALTE | Allium textile | 0–16 | – | ||
| spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–16 | – | ||
| leafy wildparsley | MUDI | Musineon divaricatum | 0–16 | – | ||
| Canadian horseweed | COCA5 | Conyza canadensis | 0–16 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–16 | – | ||
| mullein | VERBA | Verbascum | 0–16 | – | ||
| beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–16 | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 0–16 | – | ||
| corn gromwell | BUAR3 | Buglossoides arvensis | 0–16 | – | ||
| deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 0–16 | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–16 | – | ||
| dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 0–16 | – | ||
| western marbleseed | ONBEO | Onosmodium bejariense var. occidentale | 0–16 | – | ||
| fetid marigold | DYPA | Dyssodia papposa | – | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 7 | Shrubs | 16–80 | ||||
| snowberry | SYMPH | Symphoricarpos | 16–80 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–48 | – | ||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–48 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 16–48 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–48 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–16 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 8 | Trees | 0–16 | ||||
| Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | 0–16 | – | ||
| ponderosa pine | PIPO | Pinus ponderosa | 0–16 | – | ||
| eastern redcedar | JUVI | Juniperus virginiana | – | – | ||
Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Rhizomatous Wheatgrass | 10–40 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–40 | – | ||
| 2 | Cool-Season Bunchgrasses | 0–20 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 0–20 | – | ||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | – | – | ||
| 3 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 400–650 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 200–500 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 200–500 | – | ||
| 4 | Other Native Grasses and Grass-Likes | 100–200 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 50–150 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–50 | – | ||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 20–50 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–40 | – | ||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 0–30 | – | ||
| dropseed | SPORO | Sporobolus | 0–20 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–20 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–20 | – | ||
| plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | – | – | ||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | – | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | – | – | ||
| 5 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 20–80 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 10–50 | – | ||
| field brome | BRAR5 | Bromus arvensis | 0–50 | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 0–50 | – | ||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | – | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | – | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Forbs | 50–200 | ||||
| sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | 0–50 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 10–50 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–50 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–50 | – | ||
| leafy wildparsley | MUDI | Musineon divaricatum | 0–30 | – | ||
| thistle | CIRSI | Cirsium | 0–30 | – | ||
| vervain | VERBE | Verbena | 10–30 | – | ||
| vetch | VICIA | Vicia | 10–30 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 10–30 | – | ||
| goatsbeard | TRAGO | Tragopogon | 10–30 | – | ||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 10–30 | – | ||
| field sagewort | ARCA12 | Artemisia campestris | 10–30 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 10–30 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 10–30 | – | ||
| deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 10–30 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 0–20 | – | ||
| Canadian horseweed | COCA5 | Conyza canadensis | 0–20 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–20 | – | ||
| textile onion | ALTE | Allium textile | 0–20 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–20 | – | ||
| spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–10 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 0–10 | – | ||
| mullein | VERBA | Verbascum | 0–10 | – | ||
| beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–10 | – | ||
| corn gromwell | BUAR3 | Buglossoides arvensis | 0–10 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–10 | – | ||
| fetid marigold | DYPA | Dyssodia papposa | 0–10 | – | ||
| dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 0–10 | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–10 | – | ||
| western marbleseed | ONBEO | Onosmodium bejariense var. occidentale | – | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | – | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 7 | Shrubs | 0–50 | ||||
| snowberry | SYMPH | Symphoricarpos | 0–50 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–30 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–30 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 10–30 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–20 | – | ||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | – | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 8 | Trees | 0–10 | ||||
| Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | 0–10 | – | ||
| ponderosa pine | PIPO | Pinus ponderosa | 0–10 | – | ||
| eastern redcedar | JUVI | Juniperus virginiana | 0–10 | – | ||
Table 12. Community 4.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Rhizomatous Wheatgrass | 180–900 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 180–900 | – | ||
| 2 | Cool-Season Bunchgrasses | 18–180 | ||||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 18–180 | – | ||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–90 | – | ||
| 3 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 0–180 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–144 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 0–90 | – | ||
| 4 | Other Native Grasses and Grass-Likes | 180–540 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 36–180 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–90 | – | ||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 0–90 | – | ||
| dropseed | SPORO | Sporobolus | 0–90 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 18–90 | – | ||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 18–90 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–54 | – | ||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–36 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–36 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | – | – | ||
| plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | – | – | ||
| 5 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 90–360 | ||||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | 90–270 | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 0–180 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 18–90 | – | ||
| field brome | BRAR5 | Bromus arvensis | 0–90 | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 0–90 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Forb | 36–270 | ||||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 18–180 | – | ||
| vervain | VERBE | Verbena | 18–90 | – | ||
| sweetclover | MELIL | Melilotus | 0–90 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–90 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–90 | – | ||
| textile onion | ALTE | Allium textile | 18–54 | – | ||
| thistle | CIRSI | Cirsium | 0–54 | – | ||
| vetch | VICIA | Vicia | 0–54 | – | ||
| spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 18–54 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 18–54 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 0–54 | – | ||
| deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 18–54 | – | ||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 18–54 | – | ||
| field sagewort | ARCA12 | Artemisia campestris | 18–54 | – | ||
| goatsbeard | TRAGO | Tragopogon | 18–54 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–36 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–36 | – | ||
| Canadian horseweed | COCA5 | Conyza canadensis | 0–36 | – | ||
| mullein | VERBA | Verbascum | 0–36 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 0–36 | – | ||
| western marbleseed | ONBEO | Onosmodium bejariense var. occidentale | 0–36 | – | ||
| leafy wildparsley | MUDI | Musineon divaricatum | 0–36 | – | ||
| pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–36 | – | ||
| scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 0–36 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 0–18 | – | ||
| corn gromwell | BUAR3 | Buglossoides arvensis | 0–18 | – | ||
| beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–18 | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 0–18 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 0–18 | – | ||
| dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 0–18 | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–18 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | – | – | ||
| fetid marigold | DYPA | Dyssodia papposa | – | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 7 | Shrub | 0–90 | ||||
| snowberry | SYMPH | Symphoricarpos | 18–90 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–54 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–54 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–36 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–18 | – | ||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | – | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 8 | Tree | 0–18 | ||||
| Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | 0–18 | – | ||
| ponderosa pine | PIPO | Pinus ponderosa | 0–18 | – | ||
| eastern redcedar | JUVI | Juniperus virginiana | 0–18 | – | ||
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 Loamy 17-20” PZ ecological site provides upland grassland cover with an associated forb component. It was typically part of an expansive grassland landscape that included combinations of Badlands, Thin Breaks, Clayey, Claypan, Dense Clay, Saline, Sandy, Shallow, Overflow, Subirrigated, and Terrace ecological sites.
This site provided habitat for species that require unfragmented grassland. Important habitat features and components found commonly or exclusively on this site may include sharp-tailed grouse leks; upland nesting habitat for grassland birds; forbs and insects for brood habitat; and a forage source for small and large herbivores. Many grassland- and shrub steppe-nesting bird populations are declining. Species extirpated in MLRA 64 include free-ranging American bison, grizzly bear, gray wolf, black-footed ferret, mountain plover, Rocky Mountain locust, and swift fox.
The majority of the Loamy 17-20” PZ ecological site has remained relatively intact and provides increasingly important habitat for grassland- and shrub steppe-nesting birds, small rodents, coyote, and a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Invasive species such as annual brome grasses and cheatgrass have impacted the biological integrity of the site for some grassland birds. Changes in historic fire regime and domestic grazing have impacted the forb/shrub/grass percentages.
Western Wheatgrass-Needle and Thread (1.1): The predominance of grasses plus high diversity of forbs in this community favors grazers and mixed-feeders such as pronghorn. Insects, such as pollinators, play a large role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds and other species. The complex plant structural diversity provides habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident birds. Grasshopper sparrow, savannah sparrow, lark bunting, western meadowlark, and sharp-tailed grouse are common and benefit from the structure and composition this plant community provides. This site provides important breeding habitat for the loggerhead shrike. This site provides excellent nesting and brood rearing habitat for sharp-tailed grouse. Diverse prey populations are available for grassland raptors such as ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, golden eagle, and prairie falcon.
The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, least chipmunk, spotted ground squirrel, desert cottontail rabbit, white-tailed and black-tailed jackrabbit, and deer. This ecological site provides excellent wintering habitat for pronghorn. The moderate stature of this plant community provides suitable thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores and grassland birds. Predators utilizing this plant community include coyote, American badger, red fox, and long-tailed weasel. This plant community provides habitat for spade foot toad and Great Plains toads. Prey abundance and shade opportunities may attract multiple reptile species such as gopher snake, milk snake, prairie rattlesnake, and western ornate box turtle to this site along with lesser numbers of various lizard species.
Blue Grama-Buffalograss-Western Wheatgrass (1.2): Resulting from continuous season-long grazing or from overutilization during extended drought periods, blue grama and buffalograss will become dominant. Forb diversity increases but shrub diversity and abundance remain relatively unchanged. Density of species such as sharp-tail grouse and desert cottontail should remain unchanged. However, the shift to shorter plant structure will favor prairie dog expansion and associate species such as ferruginous hawk, burrowing owl, tiger salamander, and swift fox. Species such as the horned lark, long-billed curlew, upland sandpiper, and white-tailed and black-tailed jackrabbit, will increase. This plant community may provide areas suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek site development. The short stature of this plant community limits thermal, protective, and escape cover. Predators utilizing this plant community include the coyote, American badger, red fox, and long-tailed weasel.
Blue Grama-Buffalograss Sod (2.1): This plant community develops under continuous season-long grazing or continuous seasonal grazing with concentrated use in the spring. Forb abundance increases while both forb and shrub diversity declines. A shift to short plant structure can favor prairie dog expansion with prairie dog town sites and associate species such as ferruginous hawk, burrowing owl, tiger salamander, and swift fox. Species such as the horned lark, long-billed curlew, upland sandpiper, and white-tailed and black-tailed jackrabbit will increase. This plant community may provide areas suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek site development. The short stature of this plant community limits thermal, protective, and escape cover. Predators utilizing this plant community include the coyote, American badger, red fox, and long-tailed weasel. Species, such as the desert cottontail, will rarely use this site.
Extreme impairment of the ecological processes impacts offsite aquatic habitats through excessive runoff and nutrient loads. Elevated surface temperatures resulting from reduced cover and litter will greatly reduce habitat for most amphibian species, grassland birds, and mammals.
Threeawn-Annuals (3.1): Resulting from heavy, continuous season-long grazing over many years or frequent and severe defoliation, threeawn and annuals will dominate. The forb and shrub abundance has increased; however, diversity has substantially decreased. A shift to short plant structure and relatively high percentage of bare ground will favor prairie dog expansion with prairie dog town sites and associate species such as swift fox, ferruginous hawk and burrowing owl. Species such as horned lark, long-billed curlew, upland sandpiper, and white-tailed jackrabbit will increase. Species such as desert cottontail and grassland-nesting birds that require moderate cover height will rarely use this site.
The short stature of this plant community limits suitable thermal, protective, and escape cover. Prey populations are reduced and are more vulnerable to raptor and mammalian predation. Predators utilizing this plant community include the coyote, American badger, red fox, and long-tailed weasel.
Extreme impairment of the ecological processes impacts offsite aquatic habitats through excessive runoff, nutrient, and sediment loads. Elevated surface temperatures resulting from reduced cover and litter will greatly reduce habitat for most amphibian species, grassland birds, and mammals.
Western Wheatgrass-Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses (<15%) (4.1): Resulting from continuous seasonal grazing or non-use or no fire, western wheatgrass, bluegrass, and annuals will dominate. The forb diversity has increased; however, while forb abundance declines. Both shrub diversity and abundance remain relatively unchanged. A grass diversity shift to favor invasive species and excessive litter buildup substantially diminishes wildlife habitat quality for grassland-nesting songbirds. Scattered juniper and ponderosa pine provide habitat for various small mammals and songbirds when present on the site.
The Invaded State (5.0) includes areas that have been invaded and are dominated by species such as smooth brome, Kentucky bluegrass, crested wheatgrass, non-native thistles, field bindweed, hoary cress, and other introduced species. These sites greatly reduce foraging, reproductive, and escape cover for grassland-nesting bird species.
Go-back (6.1) and Seeded (6.2)
This group includes separate vegetation states that are highly variable in nature. They are derived through distinct management scenarios. These plant communities have been or are highly susceptible to invasion of annual bromegrasses, bluegrasses, crested wheatgrass, and other non-native species.
Since secondary succession is highly variable plant and wildlife species will vary. This plant community provides habitat for generalist or early successional species.
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: Western Wheatgrass-Needle and Thread (1.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 2,400
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.66
Plant Community: Blue Grama-Buffalograss-Western Wheatgrass (1.2)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,600
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.44
Plant Community: Blue Grama-Buffalograss Sod (2.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,000
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.27
Plant Community: Western Wheatgrass-Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses (4.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,800
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.49
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 have 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 forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B, with localized areas in hydrologic group C. Infiltration and runoff potential for this site varies from moderate to high depending upon soil hydrologic group, slope, and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75 percent ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An example of an exception would be where shortgrasses form a strong 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 hunting opportunities for 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 on 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 Approved Level by David Kraft, Regional ESS, Salina, KS on 6/06/2019.
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.
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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:
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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, 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 | 12/16/2024 |
| Approved by | Suzanne Mayne-Kinney |
| 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. Water flow patterns may be present on slopes of 10% or greater. When present, they will be no longer than 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 cm), less than 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide, and discontinuous. Water flow patterns, when present, are often associated with animal activity. -
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 5 to 10 percent or less, and bare ground patches are less than 2 inches (5.1 cm) in diameter. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None. Gullies should not be present -
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 in place. Slight amount of movement (less than 6 inches or 15 cm) of fine litter from water is possible, but not normal. Litter movement from wind is not expected. -
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 15 inches (10.2 to 38.1 cm) thick. Colors range from gray, brown, grayish brown to dark grayish brown (values of 4 or 5) when dry and dark brown, very dark grayish brown to very dark gray (values of 3) 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 and tall rhizomatous and tufted perennial cool season grasses) with fine and coarse roots positively influences infiltration. Invasion of introduced cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and crested wheatgrass may have an adverse impact infiltration and runoff.
Relative composition is approximately 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 15 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. The grass component is composed of C3, rhizomatous grasses (20-30%), C3, bunch grasses (15-25%), C4, tall- and midgrasses (5-20%), C4, shortgrasses (5-10%), grass-likes (2-7%). -
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, 480-720 #/ac, 20-30% (1 species minimum): western wheatgrass.
2. Native, perennial, C3, bunchgrass, 360-600 #/ac, 15-25% (1 species minimum): green needlegrass, needle and thread, prairie Junegrass, Scribner's rosette grass.
Phase 1.2
1. Native, perennial, C4 shortgrass, 320-640 #/ac, 20-40%, (2 species minimum): buffalograss, blue grama, threeawn.Sub-dominant:
Phase 1.1
1. Native, perennial, C4, tall- and midgrass, 120-480 #/ac, 5-20% (1 species minimum): sideoats grama, big bluestem, little bluestem, dropseed, plains muhly.
2. Native forbs, 120-360 #/ac, 5-15% (5 species minimum): vetch, Cuman ragweed, white sagebrush, goldenrod, scurfpea other species that vary from location to location.
Phase 1.2
1. Native, perennial, C3, rhizomatous grass, 80-320 #/ac, 5-20%, (1 species minimum): western wheatgrass.
2. Native forbs, 80-240 #/ac, 5-15% (12 species minimum): Cuman ragweed, verbena, vetch, scurfpea, goatsbeard, prairie sagewort, field sagewort, white sagebrush, curlycup gumweed, deathcamas, scarlet globemallow, pussytoes, and other forbs that vary from location to location.Other:
Minor - Phase 1.1
1. Native, perennial, C4, shortgrass, 120-240 #/ac, 5-10%: blue grama, buffalograss.
2. Grass-likes, 48-240 #/ac, 2-10%: threadleaf sedge, other grass-likes.
3. Shrubs, 24-120 #/ac, 1-5%: snowberry, leadplant, rose, broom snakeweed, pricklypear.
Minor - Phase 1.2
1. Grass-likes, 80-160 #/ac, 5-10%: threadleaf sedge, other grass-likes.
2. Native, perennial, C3 bunchgrass, 32-160 #/ac, 2-10%: needle and thread, green needlegrass, prairie Junegrass, Scribner's rosette grass.
3. Native, perennial, C4 tall- and midgrass, 16-160 #/ac, 1-10%: sideoats grama, big bluestem, little bluestem, dropseed, plains muhly.
4. Non-native grass, 0-160 #/ac, 0-10%: cheatgrass, field brome, crested wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome.
5. Shrub, 16-80 #/ac, 1-5%: shrubs present vary from location to location.
Trace - Phase 1.1
1. Native trees, 0-24 #/ac, 0-1%: ponderosa pine, Rocky Mountain juniper.
Trace - Phase 1.2
1. Native, coniferous tree, 0-16 #/ac, 0-1%: Rocky Mountain juniper, ponderosa pine.Additional:
The Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Needle and Thread Community or Reference Community (1.1) consists of eight F/S groups. These groups, in order of relative abundance are native, perennial, C3, rhizomatous grass: native, perennial, C3, bunchgrass; native, perennial, C4 tall- and midgrass; native forbs; native, perennial, C4 shortgrass; grass-likes; shrubs; and native, coniferous trees.
The Blue Grama-Buffalograss-Western Wheatgrass Community (1.2) includes nine F/S groups. These groups, in order of relative abundance are native, perennial, C4 shortgrass; native, perennial, C3 rhizomatous grass; native forbs; grass-likes; native, perennial, C3 bunchgrass; native, perennial, C4 tall- and midgrass; non-native grass; shrub; and native, coniferous tree. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Bunch grasses 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 0.25 inch (0.65 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 2,400 pounds per acre in a year with normal precipitation and temperatures. Low and High production years should yield 1,500 and 3,500 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, smooth brome, crested wheatgrass, sweet clover, and eastern red cedar 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.
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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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