![IMG_6125](https://edit.jornada.nmsu.edu/uploads/large/hl/op/1549387199_105389.jpg)
![](/images/logos/USDA-logo.png)
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R064XY040NE
Shallow
Last updated: 7/19/2024
Accessed: 08/17/2024
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.
![Location map](/images/maps/R064XY040NE.png)
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 Shallow ecological site occurs throughout MLRA 64. It is located on hills and ridges and does not receive additional moisture from run off or overflow. Typical slopes range from 0 to 60 percent. The soils are formed in soft siltstone or sandstone. They are shallow, between 10 and 20 inches deep, with very fine sandy loam to silt loam surface textures, 2 to 10 inches thick. Soils are typically calcareous to the surface.
The vegetation in the Reference State (1.0) consists of a mix of warm- and cool-season grasses. Little bluestem, sideoats grama, and blue grama are dominant. Cool-season grasses and grass-like species including needle and thread, rhizomatous wheatgrass, and threadleaf sedge make up a significant portion of the composition. Forbs are common and diverse, and shrubs are common. Ponderosa pine and Rocky Mountain juniper can occur on this site but in minor amounts. Conifers will typically occur on steep slopes and ridgetops that are adjacent to rock outcrops.
Associated sites
R064XY037NE |
Thin Upland The Thin Upland ecological site can be found adjacent to or intermixed with the Shallow site. |
---|---|
R064XY011NE |
Sandy 14-17" PZ The Sandy 14-17” PZ ecological site can be found on less sloping landscapes adjacent to or down slope of the Shallow site. |
GX064X01X015 |
Loamy 14-17" PZ The Loamy 14-17” PZ ecological site can be found on less sloping landscapes adjacent to or down slope of the Shallow site. |
R064XY032NE |
Sandy 17-20" PZ The Sandy 14-17” PZ ecological site can be found on less sloping landscapes adjacent to or down slope of the Shallow site. |
GX064X01X036 |
Loamy 17-20" PZ The Sandy 17-20” PZ ecological site can be found on less sloping landscapes adjacent to or down slope of the Shallow site. |
Similar sites
R064XY047NE |
Very Shallow The Very Shallow ecological site will occur on similar landscape positions, but the soils are less than 10 inches deep. The plant community will have less little bluestem and considerably less forage production than the Shallow site. |
---|---|
R064XY037NE |
Thin Upland The Thin Upland ecological site will occur on similar landscape positions, but the soils are greater than 20 inches deep. The plant community will have more little bluestem and higher forage production than the Shallow site. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
Not specified |
---|---|
Shrub |
Not specified |
Herbaceous |
(1) Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium |
Physiographic features
The Shallow ecological site occurs on side slopes, and on ridgetops of hills, plains, and uplands.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms |
(1)
Hill
(2) Ridge (3) Plain |
---|---|
Runoff class | Very low to high |
Flooding frequency | None |
Elevation | 884 – 1,524 m |
Slope | 0 – 60% |
Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
MLRA 64 has a continental climate consisting of cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and ample sunshine. Extremes in temperature are common in some years. The climate results from MLRA 64 being near the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the Northern Great Plains. Air masses move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.
Average annual precipitation ranges from 14 to 20 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 47 °F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 21 °F (Wood, SD) to about 25 °F (Hemingford, NE). July is the warmest month with average temperatures ranging from about 70 °F (Keeline 3 W, WY: 1953–1986) to about 76 °F (Wood, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 55 °F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of the climate of this area. Wind speeds 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) | 92-120 days |
---|---|
Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 119-139 days |
Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 406-483 mm |
Frost-free period (actual range) | 87-122 days |
Freeze-free period (actual range) | 110-149 days |
Precipitation total (actual range) | 381-508 mm |
Frost-free period (average) | 107 days |
Freeze-free period (average) | 130 days |
Precipitation total (average) | 432 mm |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) HARRISON 20 SSE [USW00094077], Harrison, NE
-
(2) ALLIANCE 1WNW [USC00250130], Alliance, NE
-
(3) HARRISON [USC00253615], Harrison, NE
-
(4) HEMINGFORD [USC00253755], Hemingford, NE
-
(5) INTERIOR 3 NE [USC00394184], Interior, SD
-
(6) MARTIN [USC00395281], Martin, SD
-
(7) WOOD [USC00399442], Wood, SD
-
(8) LUSK 2 SW [USC00485830], Lusk, WY
-
(9) TORRINGTON 29N [USC00488997], Jay Em, WY
-
(10) CHADRON 3NE [USC00251578], Chadron, NE
Influencing water features
No riparian or wetland features are directly associated with the Shallow ecological site.
Wetland description
Not Applicable.
Soil features
The common features of soils in this site are the very fine sandy loam to silt loam surface layer with slopes of 0 to 60 percent. The soils in this site are shallow (10-20 inches in depth), well to somewhat excessively drained, and formed in soft siltstone or sandstone. The surface layer is 2 to 10 inches thick and has moderate infiltration rates. These soils are typically calcareous at or near the surface; however, carbonates are not always distinguishable in the surface layer. The textures of the subsoil range from very fine sandy loam to silt loam.
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. Sub-surface soil layers are restrictive to water movement and root penetration.
Major soils correlated to the Shallow ecological site: Canyon, Enning, Epping, Fairburn, Imlay, Tassel, Trelona, and an unnamed Torriorthentic Haplustolls soil in eastern Wyoming.
Soils that have the potential for conifer (forest-like) plant communities, especially when adjacent to rock outcrop, include Canyon, Epping, Enning, Tassel, and an unnamed, Torriorthentic Haplustolls.
These soils are susceptible to water erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases on slopes greater than about 15 percent. Low available water capacity caused by the shallow rooting depth strongly influences the soil-water-plant relationship.
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)
Residuum
–
sandstone and siltstone
|
---|---|
Surface texture |
(1) Loam (2) Silt loam (3) Very fine sandy loam |
Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
Drainage class | Well drained to somewhat excessively drained |
Permeability class | Moderate to moderately rapid |
Soil depth | 25 – 51 cm |
Surface fragment cover <=3" | 0 – 10% |
Surface fragment cover >3" | 0 – 20% |
Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
5.08 – 7.62 cm |
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 15% |
Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 2 mmhos/cm |
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 |
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
6.6 – 8.4 |
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 15% |
Ecological dynamics
The Shallow ecological site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions; light to severe grazing by bison and other large herbivores; sporadic, natural or human-caused wildfire (often of light intensities); and other biotic and abiotic factors that typically influence soil and site development. Changes occur in the plant communities due to short-term weather variations, effects of native and exotic plant and animal species, and management actions. Although the following plant community descriptions are typical of the transitions between communities, severe disturbances, such as periods of well below average precipitation and the introduction of non-native cool-season grasses, can cause significant shifts in plant communities and species composition.
The Shallow ecological site can have minor amounts of ponderosa pine and/or Rocky Mountain juniper in the plant community. Conifers typically occur on cool, steep slopes and ridgetops adjacent to rock outcrops. On the Pine Ridge Escarpment, the Shallow ecological site with north- or east-facing slopes with periodic fire can look like an open ponderosa pine woodland or savanna. Prior to 1900, fire frequency was 5-15 years (Nebraska Forest Service, 2013). In the absence of periodic fire, these trees have the potential to expand or encroach onto adjacent sites, and over time have the potential to produce marketable timber. Currently, ponderosa pine density can be high in the Pine Ridge Area, with excessive ladder fuels in the understory and an increased potential for large crown fires (Nebraska Forest Service, 2013). Once hot fires remove ponderosa pine from the plant communities they may not regenerate for many decades, if ever. Post-fire regeneration in open areas can only be found in favorable microsites, such as next to logs or under the cover of litter, and near available seed sources (Haffey et al 2018). Pockets of ponderosa pine will endure after fire, and the species won't disappear from the Pine Ridge landscape, but regeneration will be slow, and a return of a pine woodland will take a very long time (Gaarder, 2013). Soils adjacent to rock outcrops provide a refugia for pine and juniper during fire and surviving mature trees will be a seed source for future regeneration.
In the far western portion of the MLRA 64, alderleaf mountain mahogany can also occur on this site. It will typically be seen on ridges and steeper north- and east-facing slopes that tend to have cooler and wetter micro climates.
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 Bluestem-Sideoats Grama-Needlegrass-Wheatgrass Plant Community (1.1).
Interpretations are primarily based on the Bluestem-Sideoats Grama-Needlegrass-Wheatgrass 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 state-and-transition diagram illustrates the common plant communities on the site and the transition pathways between communities. The ecological processes are discussed in more detail in the plant community descriptions following the diagram.
State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 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, is dominated by warm-season grasses and subdominant cool-season grass. Forbs will be common and diverse, shrubs species will vary depending on precipitation, and slope aspect. Ponderosa pine and Rocky Mountain juniper can occur naturally on steep slopes and ridges adjacent to rock outcrops. Grazing or the lack of grazing, fire, and drought are the major drivers between plant communities.
Community 1.1
Bluestem-Sidoats Grama-Needlegrass-Wheatgrass
![](https://edit.jornada.nmsu.edu/uploads/med/hl/op/1549387199_105389.jpg)
Figure 8. PCP 1.1 - Pine Ridge Escarpment
Interpretations are based primarily on the Bluestem-Sideoats Grama-Needlegrass-Wheatgrass Plant Community. This 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 and/or prescribed burning, and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest. The potential vegetation is about 85 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs and trees. A mixture of cool- and warm-season grasses dominates the site. The major grasses include sideoats grama, needle and thread, little bluestem, big bluestem, western wheatgrass, and blue grama. Other grasses and grass-likes that occur in this community include hairy grama, plains muhly and sedge. Significant forbs include purple coneflower and purple prairie clover. Shrubs that occuring in this plant community are fringed sagewort and yucca. Refer to the Plant Community Composition and Group Annual Production table for species composition and production. This plant community is extremely resilient and well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species allows for high tolerance to drought. Community dynamics, nutrient and water cycles, and energy flow are functioning properly. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. The diversity in plant species allows for high tolerance to drought.
Figure 9. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike | 678 | 1480 | 1827 |
Forb | 78 | 127 | 174 |
Shrub/Vine | 28 | 58 | 90 |
Tree | – | 17 | 39 |
Total | 784 | 1682 | 2130 |
Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6404, Pine Ridge/Badlands, warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant. Warm-season dominant, cool-season sub-dominant.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
5 | 8 | 15 | 24 | 23 | 15 | 5 | 5 |
Community 1.2
Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama
This plant community evolved under continuous seasonal grazing or in some cases with low stock densities under continuous season-long grazing. The potential vegetation is about 85 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs and trees. A mixture of cool- and warm-season grasses dominates the site. Needle and thread, little bluestem, and blue grama are significant species in this plant community. Big bluestem and sideoats grama will decrease, while the short grasses and grass-likes, such as blue grama, hairy grama, and sedge will increase. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include purple coneflower and purple prairie clover. Significant shrubs include yucca, cactus, rose, and fringed sagewort. Refer to the Plant Community Composition and Group Annual Production table for species composition and production. 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 11. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike | 577 | 1246 | 1681 |
Forb | 67 | 109 | 151 |
Shrub/Vine | 28 | 87 | 151 |
Tree | – | 15 | 34 |
Total | 672 | 1457 | 2017 |
Figure 12. 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 |
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Continuous seasonal grazing or low stock densities under continuous season-long grazing will convert this plant community to the Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama Plant Community (1.2).
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Prescribed grazing that included proper stocking rates, change in season of use, and adequate time for plant recovery following grazing will convert this plant community to the Bluestem-Sideoats Grama-Needlegrass Plant Community (1.1).
State 2
Shortgrass Sod State
The Shortgrass State is dominated by warm-season shortgrass species and upland sedges. This State is the result of grazing management that does not provide adequate recovery time for tall- and mid-statured warm- and cool-season grasses. The hydrologic function of this state may be altered. Runoff is high, and infiltration is low. The Shortgrass State is very resistant to change through grazing management alone.
Community 2.1
Grama/Sedge/Fringed Sagewort
This plant community evolves from continuous seasonal grazing, or continuous season-long grazing over several years. Diversity is lost, as the shortgrasses become dominant in the plant community. The grazing-tolerant blue or hairy grama and sedges replace big bluestem, little bluestem, western wheatgrass, and the needlegrasses. Sideoats grama remains in the plant community but is less productive because of the mid-summer grazing pressure. Because of the grazing pressure, fringed sagewort, broom snakeweed, yucca, woolly Indianwheat, pussytoes, Cuman ragweed, and cactus become more prevalent in the plant community. Non-native species such as cheatgrass will tend to invade this plant community. This plant community is typically resistant to change. Runoff will increase, and infiltration will decrease. Continued overuse results in considerable bare ground and high potential for erosion.
Figure 13. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 7. Annual production by plant type
Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike | 370 | 699 | 1026 |
Forb | 39 | 90 | 140 |
Shrub/Vine | 39 | 90 | 140 |
Tree | – | 18 | 39 |
Total | 448 | 897 | 1345 |
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 3
Early Successional State
The Early Successional State is dominated by weedy annuals and biennials, sand dropseed, threeawn, and field sagewort (green sagewort). This State is the result of heavy disturbance such as frequent and severe defoliation or heavy livestock concentrations coupled with grazing management that does not provide adequate time for recovery in the Reference State (1.0). It can also be the result of a high-intensity fire and subsequent soil erosion in the Conifer State (3.0). The hydrologic function is also likely to be dramatically altered. Runoff is high, and infiltration is low. The Early Succesional State is very resistant to change through grazing management alone.
Community 3.1
Sand Dropseed-Threeawn/Field Sagewort/Annuals and Biennials
![](https://edit.jornada.nmsu.edu/uploads/med/aa/dh/1549387502_955420.jpg)
Figure 15. PCP 3.1 - Pine Ridge Escarpment
This plant community develops where the rangeland is grazed year-round at high stock densities or upon occupation by prairie dogs. The plant composition is made up of annuals with a few species of perennial forbs and grasses that are tolerant to frequent and severe defoliation. Dominant species are sand dropseed, threeawn, and blue grama. Most of the mid-statured grasses have been eliminated or severely reduced. Cheatgrass has invaded the site. Perennial forbs are Cuman ragweed, rush skeleton plant, curlycup gumweed, and hairy false goldenaster. Field sagewort (green sagewort), broom snakeweed, and cactus can be abundant here. This plant community can also transition from a conifer-dominated plant community following a high-intensity fire resulting in the removal of most, if not all, conifers from the plant community. Initially, weedy species such as common mullein, thistle, and annual grasses and forbs will occupy the site, but in time, upland sedges, shortgrass species, and dropseed will become dominant. This transition is most likely to come from the Ponderosa Pine-Juniper > 20 Percent Cover/Duff Build Up Plant Community (4.2). This plant community is resistant to change due to the lack of perennial species present and the amount of annuals and invaders occupying the site. Soil erosion is high due to the increased bare ground. Infiltration is low, and runoff is high from the lack of litter and viable plant population.
Figure 16. 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
Conifer State
The Conifer State occurs when ponderosa pine, Rocky Mountain juniper, or eastern red cedar become established or expand on this site. As conifer canopy cover increases, the herbaceous component will decrease, bare ground increases and pine needles build up and create a thick duff layer. As competition from herbaceous species decrease, conifers can establish more readily under the canopy. Heavy grazing can contribute to this transition, but it may also occur independently without human influence other than through fire suppression. The Pine Ridge area of Nebraska is drier than the Black Hills (MLRA 62) where expansive stands of ponderosa pine occur, and pine regenerates readily following fire. Nebraska is not an area where ponderosa pines thrive as the state is at the southern and eastern edge of ponderosa pine range (Gaarder, 2013). Replanting is difficult because of the limited growing conditions for the species in Nebraska. Previous efforts to replant ponderosa pine in burned areas of northwest Nebraska, notably near Fort Robinson State Park (Gaarder, 2013), Chadron State Park, and East Ask Creek watershed have been largely unsuccessful (Nebraska Forest Service, 2013). It would not appear that MLRA 64 has consistent climatic conditions necessary for ponderosa pine germination and regeneration. Those conditions may be episodic as they are in the drier American southwest. Regeneration of ponderosa pine in New Mexico and Arizona are strongly episodic and the basis of these pulses are at least partly controlled by climate. Ponderosa pine in the Southwest require a warm wet spring and an above-average water supply throughout the year for germination to occur and seedlings to establish. One study from northern Arizona showed a large cohort of ponderosa pine that established within a two-year period between 1919 and 1920 when optimal combination of temperature and precipitation factors occurred. This episodic event was not repeated for 73 years (Savage, M., et al, 1996). The Conifer State on the Shallow ecological sites may be limited in extent, especially those plant communities having large ponderosa pine components. As high intensity, medium to large sized wildfires occur, these plant communities may become less common as grassland communities replace these woodlands.
Community 4.1
Ponderosa Pine-Juniper < 15 Percent Cover/Herbaceous Understory
![](https://edit.jornada.nmsu.edu/uploads/med/uw/al/1549387660_135845.jpg)
Figure 17. PCP 4.1 - Fort Robinson State Park
Historically, ponderosa pine and juniper were confined to ridges and steep, north- or east-facing slopes that were located adjacent to rock outcrops. This plant community is produced due to fire suppression and the expansion of ponderosa pine and juniper on the ecological site. Ponderosa pine/juniper canopy make up approximately 15 percent mature trees in this plant community. The understory is made up of about 80 percent grasses and grass-like species, 10 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. Dominant grasses and grass-likes include needle and thread, little bluestem, sideoats grama, blue grama and sedge. Grasses of secondary importance include Canada wildrye, green needlegrass and western wheatgrass. Forbs commonly found in this community include white sagebrush (cudweed sagewort), western yarrow, and pussytoes. Shrubs can include fringed sagewort, western snowberry, chokecherry, and poison ivy. When compared to the Bluestem-Sideoats Grama-Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community (1.1), ponderosa pine or juniper increases. The grass component has decreases as the buildup of pine and juniper needles increases. Annual herbaceous production has also decreased. While the conifer canopy provides excellent protection from the weather for both livestock and wildlife, it is not capable of supporting large numbers of wildlife and livestock due to decreased production. This plant community is resistant to change. A significant reduction of conifers can only be accomplished through fire, or mechanical removal. The vegetation in the understory is capable of enduring fire without a detrimental effect to the site and the associated plant community.
Figure 18. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike | 185 | 841 | 1721 |
Tree | 50 | 112 | 174 |
Shrub/Vine | 50 | 84 | 118 |
Forb | 50 | 84 | 118 |
Total | 335 | 1121 | 2131 |
Figure 19. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6411, Pine Ridge/Badlands, heavy conifer canopy. Mature ponderosa pine/juniper overstory.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
1 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 28 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Community 4.2
Ponderosa Pine-Juniper > 20 Percent Cover/Duff Buildup
This plant community develops with long-term fire suppression resulting in the expansion of ponderosa pine and juniper on the ecological site. Before European settlement, an acre that once had 30 to 50 ponderosa pines might now have 2,000 to 3,000 trees (Gaarder, 2013). Ponderosa pine/juniper canopy in this plant community is greater than 20 percent mature trees. A thick duff layer, composed of pine needles, branches, and cones, can develop under the pine canopy, which will limit the growth of the herbaceous understory. The understory will be made up of about 75 percent grasses and grass-like species, 10 percent forbs, and 15 percent shrubs and immature trees. Dominant grasses and grass-likes include upland sedges, and needle and thread. Grasses of secondary importance include Canada wildrye, and green needlegrass. Forbs commonly found in this community include white sagebrush (cudweed sagewort), and pussytoes. Shrubs can include western snowberry, chokecherry, yucca, and poison ivy. Kentucky bluegrass can become the dominate grass species in this plant community and dominate the plant community dynamics and adversely affect ecological recovery. When compared to the Bluestem-Sideoats Grama-Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community (1.1), ponderosa pine and/or juniper increases significantly. The grass component decreases dramatically as the buildup of pine and juniper needles increases. Annual production also decreases significantly. This plant community is resistant to change. A significant reduction of conifers can only be accomplished through fire, mechanical brush management, or thinning. The vegetation in the understory is capable of enduring fire; however, very hot crown fires will have a detrimental effect to the site and the associated plant community that can last for many years.
Pathway 4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2
Long-term fire suppression, the expansion of conifers, and time will likely move this plant community to the Ponderosa Pine-Juniper > 20 Percent Canopy Cover/Duff Buildup Plant Community (4.2). Conifers will expand, and the herbaceous understory will decline.
Pathway 4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.1
Insect or disease epidemics, low-intensity fires, thinning and/or timber harvest, periodic prescribed burning, followed by long-term prescribed grazing, and time, may move this plant community back to the Ponderosa Pine-Juniper < 15 Percent Canopy Cover/Herbaceous Understory Plant Community (4.1).
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Continuous seasonal grazing, or continuous season-long grazing without change in season of use, or heavy grazing in combination with drought, will convert the plant community to Shortgrass Sod State (2.0).
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
Frequent and severe defoliation or heavy disturbance including livestock feeding areas, prairie dog towns, and calving pastures will transition this the Reference State (1.0) to the Early Successional State (3.0).
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4
Long-term fire suppression, favorable climatic conditions that allow for pine regeneration and establishment, expansion of conifers, and time will lead to the Conifer State (3.0).
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Long-term prescribed grazing, including proper stocking rates, change in season of use, and adequate time for plant recovery after grazing, may convert this plant community to the Reference State (1.0). A return to normal precipitation patterns following drought will help with recovery. This transition may not be rapid or meet management objectives.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
Frequent and severe defoliation or heavy disturbance including livestock feeding areas, prairie dog towns, and calving pastures will transition this the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0) to the Early Successional State (3.0).
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2
Removal of any management-induced disturbance coupled with long-term prescribed grazing, including proper stocking rates, change in season of use, and adequate time for plant recovery after grazing, may convert this plant community to the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0). A return to normal precipitation patterns following drought will help with recovery. This transition may not be rapid or meet management objectives.
Transition T4A
State 4 to 1
Prescribed burning or wildfire followed by long-term prescribed grazing will move this plant community towards the herbaceous dominated Reference State (1.0). Mechanical removal of pine/juniper, either through bush management, timber harvest, or thinning, followed by long-term prescribed grazing may also allow the understory to develop and transition to the Reference State (1.0). Trees located on the steeper escarpments and deeper canyons may escape most fires and provide a seed source for ponderosa pine expansion in the future. This transition is most likely to occur from the Ponderosa Pine-Juniper < 15 Percent Cover/Herbaceous Understory Plant Community (4.1).
Transition T4B
State 4 to 3
High-intensity fire, followed by excessive soil erosion will cause a transition to the Early Successional State (3.0). Initially weedy species including annual grasses and forbs, common mullein, and thistles will become established, eventually, upland sedges, shortgrasses, and dropseeds will dominate the plant community. Trees located on the steeper escarpments and deeper canyons may escape most fires and provide a seed source for ponderosa pine to expansion in the future. This transition can occur from any plant community within the Conifer State (4.0) but is more likely to occur from the Ponderosa Pine-Juniper > 20 Percent Cover/Duff Buildup Plant Community (4.2).
Additional community tables
Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Tall and Mid- Warm-Season Grasses | 252–841 | ||||
little bluestem | SCSCS | Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium | 84–336 | – | ||
sideoats grama | BOCUC2 | Bouteloua curtipendula var. curtipendula | 84–252 | – | ||
big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 34–168 | – | ||
prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 0–168 | – | ||
2 | Mid- Cool-Season Grasses | 84–588 | ||||
needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 84–252 | – | ||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–252 | – | ||
thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | 0–84 | – | ||
bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 0–84 | – | ||
green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–84 | – | ||
porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 0–84 | – | ||
3 | Short- Warm Season Grasses | 84–336 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 135–252 | – | ||
hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–168 | – | ||
buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 0–84 | – | ||
4 | Other Native Grasses and Grass-Likes | 34–168 | ||||
threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 84–252 | – | ||
plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | 0–84 | – | ||
prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–50 | – | ||
Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 0–34 | – | ||
composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 0–17 | – | ||
Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | – | – | ||
5 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | – | ||||
Forb
|
||||||
6 | Forbs | 84–168 | ||||
purple prairie clover | DAPU5 | Dalea purpurea | 50–84 | – | ||
blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 50–84 | – | ||
large Indian breadroot | PEES | Pediomelum esculentum | 0–84 | – | ||
pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–84 | – | ||
spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–84 | – | ||
Indian breadroot | PEDIO2 | Pediomelum | 0–84 | – | ||
dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 17–84 | – | ||
upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–50 | – | ||
Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 17–50 | – | ||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 17–50 | – | ||
field sagewort | ARCA12 | Artemisia campestris | 0–34 | – | ||
scarlet beeblossom | OESU3 | Oenothera suffrutescens | 17–34 | – | ||
scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 17–34 | – | ||
stiff sunflower | HEPA19 | Helianthus pauciflorus | 0–34 | – | ||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 17–34 | – | ||
groundplum milkvetch | ASCR2 | Astragalus crassicarpus | 17–34 | – | ||
prairie milkvetch | ASLAR | Astragalus laxmannii var. robustior | 0–34 | – | ||
prairie clover | DALEA | Dalea | 17–34 | – | ||
American bird's-foot trefoil | LOUNU | Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus | 0–34 | – | ||
western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 0–34 | – | ||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–34 | – | ||
hoary verbena | VEST | Verbena stricta | 0–17 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–17 | – | ||
white penstemon | PEAL2 | Penstemon albidus | 0–17 | – | ||
woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–17 | – | ||
large beardtongue | PEGR7 | Penstemon grandiflorus | 0–17 | – | ||
hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 0–17 | – | ||
stemless four-nerve daisy | TEACA2 | Tetraneuris acaulis var. acaulis | 0–17 | – | ||
milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–17 | – | ||
prairie thermopsis | THRH | Thermopsis rhombifolia | 0–17 | – | ||
creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | – | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
7 | Shrubs | 34–84 | ||||
leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–84 | – | ||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 17–84 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–84 | – | ||
skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–84 | – | ||
rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–84 | – | ||
soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 0–84 | – | ||
winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 0–50 | – | ||
alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 0–50 | – | ||
chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | 0–17 | – | ||
Tree
|
||||||
8 | Trees | 0–34 | ||||
Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | 0–34 | – | ||
ponderosa pine | PIPO | Pinus ponderosa | 0–34 | – |
Table 10. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Tall and Mid- Warm-Season Grasses | 146–583 | ||||
little bluestem | SCSCS | Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium | 146–364 | – | ||
sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 73–219 | – | ||
prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 0–117 | – | ||
big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–73 | – | ||
2 | Mid- Cool-Season Grasses | 73–364 | ||||
needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 73–291 | – | ||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 29–146 | – | ||
bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 0–146 | – | ||
thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | 0–73 | – | ||
porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 0–73 | – | ||
green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–44 | – | ||
3 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 219–437 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 146–291 | – | ||
buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 0–73 | – | ||
hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 29–73 | – | ||
4 | Other Native Grasses and Grass-Likes | 146–291 | ||||
threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 146–291 | – | ||
Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 15–73 | – | ||
composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 0–44 | – | ||
plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | 0–44 | – | ||
plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | 0–44 | – | ||
5 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 0–29 | ||||
cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 0–29 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
6 | Forbs | 73–146 | ||||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 44–87 | – | ||
dotted blazing star | LIPUP | Liatris punctata var. punctata | 15–73 | – | ||
Indian breadroot | PEDIO2 | Pediomelum | 0–73 | – | ||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 29–73 | – | ||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 29–73 | – | ||
scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 15–44 | – | ||
Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 15–44 | – | ||
western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 15–44 | – | ||
upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–44 | – | ||
blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 15–44 | – | ||
purple prairie clover | DAPU5 | Dalea purpurea | 0–44 | – | ||
milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 15–44 | – | ||
groundplum milkvetch | ASCR2 | Astragalus crassicarpus | 15–44 | – | ||
prairie milkvetch | ASLAR | Astragalus laxmannii var. robustior | 15–44 | – | ||
field sagewort | ARCA12 | Artemisia campestris | 15–44 | – | ||
white prairie clover | DACA7 | Dalea candida | 15–44 | – | ||
American bird's-foot trefoil | LOUNU | Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus | 0–29 | – | ||
pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–29 | – | ||
scarlet beeblossom | OESU3 | Oenothera suffrutescens | 15–29 | – | ||
stemless four-nerve daisy | TEACA2 | Tetraneuris acaulis var. acaulis | 0–29 | – | ||
prairie thermopsis | THRH | Thermopsis rhombifolia | 0–29 | – | ||
woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 15–29 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 15–29 | – | ||
hoary verbena | VEST | Verbena stricta | 0–15 | – | ||
stiff sunflower | HEPA19 | Helianthus pauciflorus | 0–15 | – | ||
spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–15 | – | ||
hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 0–15 | – | ||
white penstemon | PEAL2 | Penstemon albidus | 0–15 | – | ||
large beardtongue | PEGR7 | Penstemon grandiflorus | 0–15 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
7 | Shrubs | 29–146 | ||||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 29–117 | – | ||
rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 15–73 | – | ||
skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–73 | – | ||
soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 15–73 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 15–73 | – | ||
alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 0–44 | – | ||
leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–44 | – | ||
broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–44 | – | ||
skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–29 | – | ||
chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | 0–15 | – | ||
Tree
|
||||||
8 | Trees | 0–29 | ||||
ponderosa pine | PIPO | Pinus ponderosa | 0–29 | – | ||
Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | 0–29 | – |
Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Tall and Mid- Warm-Season Grasses | 0–135 | ||||
little bluestem | SCSCS | Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium | 0–90 | – | ||
sideoats grama | BOCUC2 | Bouteloua curtipendula var. curtipendula | 0–90 | – | ||
2 | Mid- Cool-Season Grasses | 18–90 | ||||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 4–90 | – | ||
bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 0–45 | – | ||
thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | 0–18 | – | ||
3 | Short- Warm-Season Grasses | 179–359 | ||||
hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 90–314 | – | ||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 90–314 | – | ||
buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 0–45 | – | ||
4 | Other Native Grasses and Grass-Likes | 90–269 | ||||
threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 90–269 | – | ||
Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 18–90 | – | ||
composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 18–90 | – | ||
prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–27 | – | ||
plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | 0–18 | – | ||
5 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 18–135 | ||||
cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 18–135 | – | ||
field brome | BRAR5 | Bromus arvensis | 0–18 | – | ||
crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 0–18 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
6 | Forbs | 45–135 | ||||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 45–72 | – | ||
field sagewort | ARCA12 | Artemisia campestris | 27–45 | – | ||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 18–45 | – | ||
Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 9–45 | – | ||
western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 18–45 | – | ||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 18–45 | – | ||
scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 9–36 | – | ||
stemless four-nerve daisy | TEACA2 | Tetraneuris acaulis var. acaulis | 0–27 | – | ||
prairie thermopsis | THRH | Thermopsis rhombifolia | 0–27 | – | ||
woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 18–27 | – | ||
pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 9–27 | – | ||
scarlet beeblossom | OESU3 | Oenothera suffrutescens | 9–27 | – | ||
American bird's-foot trefoil | LOUNU | Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus | 0–27 | – | ||
dotted blazing star | LIPUP | Liatris punctata var. punctata | 0–27 | – | ||
Indian breadroot | PEDIO2 | Pediomelum | 0–27 | – | ||
milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 9–27 | – | ||
groundplum milkvetch | ASCR2 | Astragalus crassicarpus | 9–27 | – | ||
prairie milkvetch | ASLAR | Astragalus laxmannii var. robustior | 9–27 | – | ||
upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–18 | – | ||
blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 9–18 | – | ||
purple prairie clover | DAPU5 | Dalea purpurea | 0–18 | – | ||
white prairie clover | DACA7 | Dalea candida | 9–18 | – | ||
hoary verbena | VEST | Verbena stricta | 0–18 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 9–18 | – | ||
stiff sunflower | HEPA19 | Helianthus pauciflorus | 0–9 | – | ||
hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 0–9 | – | ||
spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–9 | – | ||
white penstemon | PEAL2 | Penstemon albidus | 0–9 | – | ||
large beardtongue | PEGR7 | Penstemon grandiflorus | 0–9 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
9 | Shrubs | 45–135 | ||||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 45–135 | – | ||
broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 9–45 | – | ||
skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–45 | – | ||
soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 18–45 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 9–45 | – | ||
alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 0–27 | – | ||
rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 0–27 | – | ||
winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 0–18 | – | ||
chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | 0–9 | – | ||
Tree
|
||||||
8 | Trees | 0–36 | ||||
ponderosa pine | PIPO | Pinus ponderosa | 0–36 | – | ||
Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | 0–36 | – |
Table 12. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Tall and Mid- Warm-Season Grasses | 0–336 | ||||
sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 0–224 | – | ||
prairie sandreed | CALO | Calamovilfa longifolia | 0–112 | – | ||
little bluestem | SCSCS | Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium | 0–112 | – | ||
big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 0–56 | – | ||
2 | Mid- Cool-Season Grasses | 22–336 | ||||
needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 22–224 | – | ||
porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 0–112 | – | ||
green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 0–90 | – | ||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–56 | – | ||
thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | 0–56 | – | ||
bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 0–56 | – | ||
3 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 0–224 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–168 | – | ||
hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–112 | – | ||
buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 0–22 | – | ||
4 | Other Native Grasses and Grass-Likes | 56–224 | ||||
threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 22–168 | – | ||
Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | 11–56 | – | ||
Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 0–45 | – | ||
plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | 11–45 | – | ||
prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 11–34 | – | ||
composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 0–22 | – | ||
5 | Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses | 22–168 | ||||
cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 22–112 | – | ||
field brome | BRAR5 | Bromus arvensis | 0–90 | – | ||
Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | 0–90 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
6 | Forbs | 56–112 | ||||
white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 22–56 | – | ||
field sagewort | ARCA12 | Artemisia campestris | 34–56 | – | ||
scurfpea | PSORA2 | Psoralidium | 22–56 | – | ||
western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 22–56 | – | ||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 22–56 | – | ||
Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 11–34 | – | ||
woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 22–34 | – | ||
scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 0–34 | – | ||
pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–34 | – | ||
dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 0–34 | – | ||
Indian breadroot | PEDIO2 | Pediomelum | 0–34 | – | ||
milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 11–34 | – | ||
groundplum milkvetch | ASCR2 | Astragalus crassicarpus | 11–34 | – | ||
prairie milkvetch | ASLAR | Astragalus laxmannii var. robustior | 11–34 | – | ||
white prairie clover | DACA7 | Dalea candida | 11–34 | – | ||
American bird's-foot trefoil | LOUNU | Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus | 0–34 | – | ||
scarlet beeblossom | OESU3 | Oenothera suffrutescens | 0–22 | – | ||
creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 0–22 | – | ||
upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 0–22 | – | ||
blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 11–22 | – | ||
purple prairie clover | DAPU5 | Dalea purpurea | 0–22 | – | ||
stemless four-nerve daisy | TEACA2 | Tetraneuris acaulis var. acaulis | 0–22 | – | ||
prairie thermopsis | THRH | Thermopsis rhombifolia | 0–22 | – | ||
stiff sunflower | HEPA19 | Helianthus pauciflorus | 0–11 | – | ||
spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–11 | – | ||
large beardtongue | PEGR7 | Penstemon grandiflorus | 0–11 | – | ||
hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 0–11 | – | ||
hoary verbena | VEST | Verbena stricta | 0–11 | – | ||
white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 0–11 | – | ||
white penstemon | PEAL2 | Penstemon albidus | 0–11 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
7 | Shrubs | 56–112 | ||||
skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–90 | – | ||
prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 11–78 | – | ||
western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 11–56 | – | ||
alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 0–56 | – | ||
soapweed yucca | YUGL | Yucca glauca | 34–56 | – | ||
chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | 11–56 | – | ||
leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 0–34 | – | ||
rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 11–34 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–22 | – | ||
winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 0–22 | – | ||
western poison ivy | TORY | Toxicodendron rydbergii | 11–22 | – | ||
broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–11 | – | ||
Tree
|
||||||
8 | Trees | 56–168 | ||||
ponderosa pine | PIPO | Pinus ponderosa | 56–168 | 5–15 | ||
Rocky Mountain juniper | JUSC2 | Juniperus scopulorum | 56–112 | 5–15 | ||
eastern redcedar | JUVI | Juniperus virginiana | 0–56 | 0–5 |
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 Shallow ES provides upland grassland cover with an associated forb, shrub, and tree component. It was typically part of an expansive grassland landscape that included combinations of Badlands, Thin Breaks, Clayey, Claypan, Dense Clay, Loamy, Saline, Sandy, Overflow, Subirrigated, and Terrace ecological sites. This site provided habitat for species requiring 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. Extirpated species include free-ranging American bison, grizzly bear, gray wolf, black-footed ferret, mountain plover, Rocky Mountain locust, and swift fox.
The majority of the Shallow ecological site remains 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 bromegrasses 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.
Bluestem-Sideoats Grama-Needlegrass-Wheatgrass (1.1) and Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama (1.2): The predominance of grasses plus high diversity of forbs and shrubs in this community favors grazers and mixed-feeders, such as deer and 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, chestnut-collared longspur, Sprague’s pipit, horned lark, lark bunting, and sharp-tailed grouse are common and benefit from the structure and composition this plant community provides. Diverse prey populations are available for grassland raptors such as ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, golden eagle, and prairie falcon.
The diversity of grasses, forbs, and shrubs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, spotted ground squirrel, desert cottontail, white-tailed and black-tailed jackrabbit, and deer. The higher stature of this plant community provides thermal, protective, and escape cover for herbivores and grassland birds. Predators utilizing this plant community include coyote, American badger, red fox, and long-tailed weasel. This plant community provides limited habitat for amphibians, mostly toads (i.e., Great Plains, Woodhousi’s, and Plains spade-foot). 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. Several species of sand loving lizards such as the lesser earless lizard, prairie lizard, many-lined skink, and six-lined racerunner utilize this site. Resulting from continuous seasonal grazing the grass component a shift to a medium to short height plant community occurs. Forb and shrub abundance increases; however, the plant community changes do not significantly change the wildlife community form the Reference Plant Community (1.1).
Grama/Sedge/Fringed Sagewort (2.1): Resulting from continuous heavy grazing grama species (e.g., blue grama) and sedges will dominate. Forb and shrub abundance increases and provides valuable wildlife cover in the absence of adequate grass cover. However, the decrease in diversity of grasses will result in less seed production or lower quality nutrition for small herbivores including voles, mice, and spotted ground squirrel. Species such as desert cottontail may frequently 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.
Conifer State (3.0): Resulting from no fire, and the expansion or encroachment of ponderosa pine and juniper. Forb diversity has decreased while shrub abundance has increased. Juniper and ponderosa pine increase significantly. Grass species decline dramatically while the grass species composition shifts and can become dominated by invasive species. Juniper and ponderosa pine stands provide nesting cover, escape cover, and den sites for a variety of species. Species such as mule deer, white-footed mice, bushy-tailed woodrat, black-billed magpie, Townsend’s solitaire, western meadowlark, Bohemian waxwing, dark-eyed junco, brown thrasher, lark sparrow, and white-crowned sparrow will increase. Species such as meadow voles, spotted ground squirrel, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, northern grasshopper mice, and western harvest mice will not utilize this site. Grassland nesting songbirds will be significantly reduced. Raptors, such as the long-eared owl, will increase.
If the tree canopy is high enough then bare ground will likely increase and excessive runoff, nutrient and sediment loads may impact offsite aquatic habitat.
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: Bluestem-Sideoats Grama-Wheatgrass (1.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,500
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.41
Plant Community: Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama (1.2)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,300
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.36
Plant Community: Grama/Sedge/Fringed Sagewort (2.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 800
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.22
*Plant Community: Ponderosa Pine-Juniper < 15% Cover/Herbaceous Understory (3.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,000
**Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.22
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 herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group D. Infiltration varies from moderately slow to moderate and runoff varies from low to high depending upon 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 exception would be where short grasses form a dense sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50 percent have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff. Refer to the USDA-NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Part 630, for hydrologic soil groups, runoff quantities, and hydrologic curves.
Recreational uses
This site provides 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
The Pine Ridge Escarpment is the primary source of wood products in MLRA 64. Some soils in this area may produce marketable ponderosa pine, however, steep slopes may make this resource inaccessible to modern timber harvesting equipment. Management of this forest resource for watershed protection, grazing, wildlife, recreation, and timber harvest may be the most critical issues land managers and owners currently face.
Before the 1950s, ponderosa pines covered approximately 250,000 acres of the Pine Ridge Escarpment. Wildfires have reduced that to less than 120,000. Much of the remaining acres are also at risk of catastrophic fire because dense stands of pine and cedar have creating dense stands of fuel (Gaarder, 2013). Forest and grazing land specialist stress the need to create and manage fire-tolerant forests on a landscape basis. They recommend fuels mitigation treatments through grazing management, forest thinning, prescribed burning, and managed timber harvest. They also recommend additional access roads for fire protection, the expansion of defensible space around homes and building, and education on Fire Wise practices (Nebraska Forest Service, 2013).
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, Kent Cooley, resource soils scientist, NRCS; George Gamblin, RMS, NRCS; James O’Rouke, range professional and rancher; and Wade Anderson, range professional and rancher.
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).
Gaarder, Nancy. 2013. After wildfires, ponderosa pine burned out of Pine Ridge. Omaha World-Herald, January 7, 2013. https://www.omaha.com/news/after-wildfires-ponderosa-pines-burned-out-of-pine-ridge/article_5a3638c7-bdf4-5237-8b40-4afbf7e28f64.html (accessed 19 June 2018).
Haffey, Collin, Thomas D. Sisk, Craig D. Allen, Andrea E. Thode, and Ellis Q. Margolis. 2018. Limits to ponderosa pine regeneration following large high-severity forest fires in the United States Southwest. Fire Ecology 14(1).
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska. 2018. http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/ (accessed 6 April 2018).
Nebraska Forest Service. 2013. Pine Ridge Area community wildfire protection plan. https://nfs.unl.edu/documents/CWPP/Pine%20Ridge%20Area%20CWPP%20Update%20Jan%202014.pdf (accessed 18 June 2018).
Savage, Melissa, Peter M. Brown, and Johannes Feddema. 1996. The role of climate in a pine forest regeneration pulse in the Southwestern United States. Ecoscience 3(3):310–318.
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 23 May 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 22 June 2018).
Soil Survey Staff. 2018. Web Soil Survey. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx (accessed 22 June 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 30 May 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 January 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center. http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov (accessed 25 May 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. PLANTS database. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC. http://plants.usda.gov (accessed 22 June 2018).
Contributors
Rick L. Peterson
Stan C. Boltz
Approval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 7/19/2024
Acknowledgments
This ecological site was reviewed and approved at the Provisional Level by David Kraft, Regional ESS, Salina, KS on 2/15/2019.
Nondiscrimination Statement:
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, available online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632- 9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) | Stan Boltz |
---|---|
Contact for lead author | Stan Boltz, stanley.boltz@sd.usda.gov, 605-352-1236 |
Date | 06/18/2008 |
Approved by | Suzanne Mayne-Kinney |
Approval date | |
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
Slight to none, typically on steeper slopes and discontinuous. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
None, or barely visible and discontinuous with numerous debris dams when present. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Few pedastalled plants typically on steeper slopes. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
0 to 15 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):
Small size litter classes will generally move short distances, some medium size class litter will move very short distances. Litter debris dams are occasionally present. -
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 2 to 5 inches thick with light to dark brownish gray colors. Structure should typically be 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- and warm-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:
Mid/tall warm-season grasses >Sub-dominant:
Mid/tall cool-season bunchgrasses = short warm-season grasses > rhizomatous cool-season grasses >Other:
Short cool-season grass-likes > forbs > shrubsAdditional:
-
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 40 to 60 percent, with depth about 0.25 inches. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Total annual production ranges from 700 to 1,900 pounds/acre, with the reference value being 1,400 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 -
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.
Print Options
Sections
Font
Other
The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.