Physiographic features

The Badlands Terrace ecological site is in the eroded badlands on nearly level alluvial fans. It is on low terraces that receive runoff from adjacent slopes.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

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 temperatures averaging from about 70 °F (Keeline 3 W, WY: 1953–1986) to about 76 °F (Wood, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 55 °F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of the climate of this area. Wind speed averages about 11 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 13 miles per hour during the spring to about 10 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime winds. Occasionally, strong storms bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.

Growth of cool-season plants begins in early to mid-March, slowing or ceasing in late June. Warm-season plants begin growth about mid-May and continue to early or mid-September. Cool-season plants may green-up in September and October if adequate soil moisture is present.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

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) MARTIN [USC00395281], Martin, SD

• (6) WOOD [USC00399442], Wood, SD

• (7) LUSK 2 SW [USC00485830], Lusk, WY

• (8) CHADRON 3NE [USC00251578], Chadron, NE

• (9) INTERIOR 3 NE [USC00394184], Interior, SD

• (10) TORRINGTON 29N [USC00488997], Jay Em, WY

Influencing water features

The Badlands Terrace ecological site is adjacent to Badlands Overflow (R064XY049NE) sites along stream corridors and drainageways.

Stream Type: B6, C6 (Rosgen System)

Wetland description

Not Applicable.

Soil features

The soils of this site are very deep and well drained. They formed in sodium-enriched alluvium. These soils typically have dispersive characteristics due to the high content of sodium. This feature tends to cause the soils to be naturally erosive because the aggregate stability is low in the surface layer and all horizons lack structure. These soils have moderate or moderately slow permeability. The surface layer is loam or silt loam 2 to 4 inches in depth. Areas of this site receive additional water as runoff from adjacent slopes. Typically, available water capacity is high. This site shows slight to no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestalled plants. Water flow paths are broken, are irregular in appearance, or are discontinuous and have 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.

Soil Correlated to the Badlands Terrace Site: Interior, rarely flooded.

Where the Interior soil is frequently flooded, it is correlated to the Badlands Overflow (R064XY049NE) ecological site. Where it is poorly drained, it is correlated to the Wet Land (R064XY022NE) ecological site.

These soils are susceptible to water erosion. Headcuts may develop if adequate vegetative cover is not maintained or if a sinkhole occurs. They may also develop due to soil sloughing caused by piping as a result of natural features, such as animal burrows and root channels. A drastic loss of soil from the surface layer 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

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 ecosystem 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 insect s, 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 Badlands Terrace ecological site includes upland grassland cover with an associated forb and shrub component. It was typically part of an expansive grassland landscape that included combinations of Thin Breaks, Clayey, Claypan, Dense Clay, Loamy, Saline, Sandy, Shallow, Overflow, Subirrigated, and Overflow ecological sites.

Although this ecological site is primarily dominated by tall and medium warm- and cool-season grasses, it can support a shrub community composed of big sagebrush, silver sagebrush, rose, silver buffaloberry, and western snowberry. The presence or absence of this shrub component is an important factor influencing wildlife species composition.

Some areas of the site contain remnant stands of plains cottonwood and other trees. Multiple successional changes can occur as a result of stream channel aggradation and degradation. During periods of favorable climatic conditions in areas that are not significantly grazed, midgrass- and tallgrass-habitat provides denser cover and stabilizes the area along the stream channel. When present, seeps and springs provide vital water supply and localized wildlife habitat, especially for reptiles, amphibians, bats, and game species (both predators and prey).

This site provides habitat for mule deer and pronghorn antelope; grassland- and shrub-steppe-nesting birds; small mammals; mammalian predators; and a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Within the MLRA, this site provides important riparian habitat. The site also provides foraging and brood rearing habitat for upland game birds, such as the sharp-tailed grouse.

Little Bluestem-Prairie Sandreed-Wheatgrass (1.1)—This site is dominated by medium to tall warm- and cool-season grasses and has a shrub community that is generally dominated by big and silver sagebrush, rose, willow, western snowberry, and silver buffaloberry. The plant community favors grazers and mixed-feeders, such as mule deer and pronghorn antelope. As silver buffaloberry and other fruiting shrub increase in abundance, then species such as brown thrasher, Say’s phoebe, and loggerhead shrike may use this site. The complex diversity of plant structures provides habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident birds. Grasshopper sparrow, lark bunting, western meadowlark, and sharp-tailed grouse are common and benefit from the structure and composition of this plant community.

This site provides a diversity of grasses, forbs, and shrubs for small and large herbivores, including shrews, voles, mice, spotted ground squirrel, desert cottontail rabbit, white-tailed jackrabbit, black-tailed jackrabbit, mule deer, and antelope. Raptors, such as red-tailed hawk, ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, long-eared owl, and barn owl, may use this site. Insects, such as pollinators, play only a limited role in maintaining the forb community. They do, however, provide a significant forage base for birds and various bats, especially such species as the Western small-footed Myotis, the fringe-tailed Myotis, and the Townsend’s big-eared bat. Diverse prey populations are available for grassland raptors and mammalian predators, especially bobcat and mountain lion. Other mammalian predators using this plant community include the coyote, badger, spotted skunk, striped skunk, and to a lesser extent long-tailed weasel and least weasel.

This site provides foraging and brood rearing habitat for sharp-tailed grouse and fawning habitat for deer. The moderate stature of this plant community provides suitable thermal, protective and escape cover for small and large mammals. This plant community provides limited habitat for amphibians, mostly toads (i.e., Great Plains, Woodhouse’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 along with lesser numbers of various lizard species.

Prairie Sandreed-Little Bluestem-Inland Saltgrass (1.2)—Continuous season-long grazing results in the plant community becoming dominated by prairie sandreed and greater abundance of inland saltgrass. The mid-sized cool-season grass component is substantially reduced. However, the reduction of the cool-season mid-height grasses is offset by the increase in little bluestem. The increase in abundance of inland saltgrass does not appreciably change the wildlife community. Grassland nesting birds continue to use this site. Species favoring shorter grass, such as horned lark, lark bunting, and chestnut-collared longspur, increase in abundance. Fewer small mammals and large herbivores use the site. Raptor and mammalian predators continue to use the site. Sharp-tailed grouse may not fully use this site. The diversity and abundance of forbs increases, attracting pollinating insects and providing a forage source for birds and ungulates. Shrub diversity and abundance remain relatively unchanged. However, silver sagebrush and rose may increase in abundance, providing a substantial food source for numerous wildlife species, particularly sharp-tailed grouse, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope.

Inland Saltgrass-Wheatgrass/Bare Ground (2.1)—Heavy, continuous season-long grazing results in the plant community becoming dominated by inland saltgrass. The shift to medium cool-season grass and a higher incidence of inland salt grass does not significantly change the wildlife community. However, the decrease in forb diversity results in less use by pollinators and a decreased forage base for birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals. Use of this site by raptors and mammalian predators diminishes. Sharp-tailed grouse may not fully use the site. The diversity and abundance of shrubs remain relatively unchanged. However, silver sagebrush and rose may increase in abundance, providing a substantial food source for numerous wildlife species, particularly sharp-tailed grouse, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope.

Inland Saltgrass/Annuals/Pioneer Perennials (2.2)—This plant community develops under continuous season-long grazing of wheatgrass. The dominant vegetation includes inland saltgrass, pioneer annual grasses, forbs, invaders, and early successional biennial and perennial species. Plant species from adjacent ecological sites may become minor components of this plant community. The community is susceptible to invasion of annual bromegrasses, crested wheatgrass, and other nonnative species due to severe soil disturbances and relatively high percent of bare ground.

The hazard of soil erosion is high, impacting offsite aquatic habitats through increased runoff, nutrient, and sediment loads. Reduced surface cover, low plant density, low plant vigor, loss of root biomass, and soil compaction all contribute to decreased wildlife abundance and diversity.
Because secondary succession is highly variable, plant and wildlife species 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: Little Bluestem-Prairie Sandreed-Wheatgrass (1.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 2,100
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.58

Plant Community: Prairie Sandreed-Little Bluestem-Inland Saltgrass (1.2)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,800
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.49

*Plant Community: Inland Saltgrass-Wheatgrass/Bare Ground (2.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 1,000
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): Variable

*Plant Community: Inland Saltgrass/Annuals/Pioneer Perennials (2.2)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 700
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): Variable

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 are likely lacking 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 B. Infiltration rate is moderate. Runoff potential for this site varies from moderate to high depending on soil hydrologic group, and ground cover. In many cases, areas that have greater than 75 percent ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception occurs where shortgrasses form a dense sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50 percent have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff. Refer to the USDA-NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Part 630, for hydrologic soil groups, runoff quantities, and hydrologic curves.)

Recreational uses

This site provides hunting opportunities for upland game species. The wide variety of plants that bloom from spring until fall have an aesthetic value that appeals to visitors.

Wood products

No appreciable wood products are on this site.

Other products

Harvesting 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.

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; Rick Peterson, RMS, NRCS; L Michael Stirling, RMS, NRCS; Kent Cooley, soil scientist, NRCS, and Wade Anderson, range professional/rancher.

Other references

Carey, Carol. 2004. Provided art work for State-and-Transition diagram.

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).

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 5 May 2018).

Soil Survey Staff. 2018a. 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. 2018b. Web Soil Survey. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/ (accessed 22 June 2018).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2003. National range and pasture handbook. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1043055.pdf (accessed 7 January 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.

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. 2013a. Climate data. National Water and Climate Center. http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/climate (accessed 30 May 2018).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2013b. National Soil Information System. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/geo/?cid=nrcs142p2_053552 (accessed 25 May 2018).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2017. National ecological site handbook, 1st edition. 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. 2018. The PLANTS database. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC. http://plants.usda.gov (accessed 22 June 2018).

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).

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 1/10/2019.

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