Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R066XY058NE
Loamy 22-25 P.Z.
Accessed: 04/25/2024
General information
Approved. An approved ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model, enough information to identify the ecological site, and full documentation for all ecosystem states contained in the state and transition model.
Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
Classification relationships
This site has been correlated with South Dakota and Nebraska in MLRA 66.
Associated sites
| R066XY026NE |
Loamy Overflow Loamy Overflow |
|---|---|
| R066XY054NE |
Sandy 22-25 P.Z. Sandy 22-25” P.Z. |
| R066XY062NE |
Shallow To Gravel Shallow to Gravel |
| R066XY066NE |
Loamy Terrace Thin Upland |
Similar sites
| R066XY026NE |
Loamy Overflow Loamy Overflow [big bluestem dominant; occurs in concave positions; more productive] |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pascopyrum smithii |
Physiographic features
This site occurs on gently undulating to moderately steep rolling plains and low hills.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Plain
(2) Terrace (3) Hill |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,900 – 3,000 ft |
| Slope | 30% |
| Water table depth | 80 in |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
MLRA 66 is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature may also abound. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location near the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains and the winds move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.
Annual precipitation ranges from 22 to 25 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 48° F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 19° F (Bonesteel, SD) to about 23° F (Ainsworth, NE). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 74° F (Lynch, NE) to about 75° F (Gregory, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 54° F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this area's climate. Hourly winds average about 10 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 11 miles per hour during the spring to about 9 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.
Growth of native cool season plants begins mid to late March and continues to late June. Native warm season plants begin growth in early May and continue to late August. Green up of cool season plants may occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 154 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 173 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 25 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
No significant water features influence this site.
Soil features
The features common to soils of this site are the silt loam to fine sandy loam textured surface layers and slopes of 0 to 30 percent. These well drained soils formed primarily in eolian deposits. The surface layer is 7 to 20 inches thick. The texture of the soil subsurface generally ranges from clay loam to fine sandy loam. This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas or pedestalled plants. Water flow paths are broken should not be distinguishable, and litter should fall and mainly remain in place. The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers are not restrictive to water movement and root penetration.
These soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases on slopes greater than about 10 percent.
More information can be found in the various soil survey reports. Contact the local USDA Service Center for soil survey reports that include more detail specific to your location.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Loam (2) Fine sandy loam (3) Silt loam |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately slow to moderate |
| Soil depth | 40 – 80 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 10% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
6 – 8 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
20% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
Not specified |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
5.1 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
55% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
Ecological dynamics
This plant community developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, and included natural influence of large herbivores and occasional fire. Changes will occur in the plant communities due to management actions and/or climatic conditions.
Natural fire played a significant role in the maintenance of this site by limiting conifer establishment. The recent control of fire and the increased seed source from shelterbelts results in occasional encroachment by Juniperus species and/or ponderosa pine.
The plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based is the Needlegrass/Bluestem/Western Wheatgrass Plant Community. This plant community has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance, and areas managed 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.
The following is a diagram that illustrates the common plant communities that can occur on the site and the transition pathways between communities. The ecological processes will be discussed in more detail in the plant community descriptions following the diagram.
State and transition model
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State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Needlegrass/Bluestem/Western Wheatgrass Plant Community
Community 1.1
Needlegrass/Bluestem/Western Wheatgrass Plant Community
Interpretations are primarily based on the Needlegrass/Bluestem/Western Wheatgrass Plant Community, which is also considered climax. The site evolved with grazing by large herbivores and occasional fire. The potential vegetation is about 80% grasses or grass-like plants, 10% forbs, and 10% shrubs. This plant community is dominated by mid and tall cool-season grasses. Warm season mid and tall grasses are sub-dominant. Principal grasses are green needlegrass, big bluestem, needleandthread, western wheatgrass, little bluestem, porcupine grass and sideoats grama. Grama grasses and sedges occur as an understory. Common forbs include cudweed sagewort, dotted gayfeather, prairie coneflower, goldenrod and green sagewort. Leadplant and rose are common shrubs, with western snowberry occurring in patches across the site. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending on growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle and energy flow are functioning at the sites potential. Plant litter is evenly distributed with little movement and plant mortality is low. This plant community is highly drought tolerant due to factors such as high species diversity, varied root structures, and high soil quality. Transitional pathways and/or community pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: - Continuous season-long grazing or continuous seasonal grazing (grazing at the same time of year every year) will convert the plant community to the Blue Grama/Western Wheatgrass/Bluegrass Plant Community. - Management intensive grazing, prescribed spring burning with managed grazing, or favorable weather patterns (above average summer precipitation) will shift this plant community to the Bluestem/Needlegrass/Western Wheatgrass Plant Community.
Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 1600 | 2635 | 3550 |
| Shrub/Vine | 150 | 233 | 325 |
| Forb | 150 | 233 | 325 |
| Total | 1900 | 3101 | 4200 |
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6635, Eroded Tableland, cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 5 | 10 | 25 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
State 2
Conifer/Deciduous Plant Community
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Needlegrasses | 465–2790 | ||||
| green needlegrass | NAVI4 | Nassella viridula | 310–930 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 155–465 | – | ||
| porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | 62–310 | – | ||
| 2 | Tall Warm-Season Grasses | 310–620 | ||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 155–620 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 0–310 | – | ||
| Indiangrass | SONU2 | Sorghastrum nutans | 0–310 | – | ||
| 3 | Rhizomatous Wheatgrass | 155–465 | ||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 155–465 | – | ||
| 4 | Mid Warm-Season Grasses | 155–465 | ||||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 155–465 | – | ||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 62–310 | – | ||
| plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | 0–155 | – | ||
| prairie dropseed | SPHE | Sporobolus heterolepis | 0–155 | – | ||
| 5 | Short Warm-Season Grasses | 62–217 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 62–217 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 0–155 | – | ||
| 6 | Other Native Grasses | 31–155 | ||||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–93 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 31–93 | – | ||
| composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 0–62 | – | ||
| Scribner's rosette grass | DIOLS | Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum | 0–62 | – | ||
| 7 | Grass-Likes | 62–248 | ||||
| threadleaf sedge | CAFI | Carex filifolia | 62–248 | – | ||
| Grass-like (not a true grass) | 2GL | Grass-like (not a true grass) | 0–155 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 9 | Forbs | 155–310 | ||||
| Forb, native | 2FN | Forb, native | 0–155 | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 31–93 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 31–93 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 31–93 | – | ||
| goldenrod | SOLID | Solidago | 31–93 | – | ||
| dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 31–93 | – | ||
| Maximilian sunflower | HEMA2 | Helianthus maximiliani | 0–93 | – | ||
| stiff sunflower | HEPA19 | Helianthus pauciflorus | 31–93 | – | ||
| hairy false goldenaster | HEVI4 | Heterotheca villosa | 0–62 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 31–62 | – | ||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | 31–62 | – | ||
| large Indian breadroot | PEES | Pediomelum esculentum | 0–62 | – | ||
| beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–62 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 31–62 | – | ||
| groundplum milkvetch | ASCR2 | Astragalus crassicarpus | 0–62 | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 31–62 | – | ||
| prairie clover | DALEA | Dalea | 31–62 | – | ||
| western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 0–62 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 0–62 | – | ||
| Nuttall's sensitive-briar | MINU6 | Mimosa nuttallii | 0–62 | – | ||
| scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 0–31 | – | ||
| blue-eyed grass | SISYR | Sisyrinchium | 0–31 | – | ||
| prairie groundsel | PAPL12 | Packera plattensis | 0–31 | – | ||
| American bird's-foot trefoil | LOUNU | Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus | 0–31 | – | ||
| rush skeletonplant | LYJU | Lygodesmia juncea | 0–31 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–31 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 10 | Shrubs | 155–310 | ||||
| western snowberry | SYOC | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | 31–155 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–155 | – | ||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | 62–155 | – | ||
| prairie sagewort | ARFR4 | Artemisia frigida | 31–93 | – | ||
| rose | ROSA5 | Rosa | 31–93 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 0–62 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
As this site improves in condition through proper management (from the more shortgrass dominated plant communities to the Needlegrass/Bluestem/Western Wheatgrass Plant Community), the advantage for livestock production includes: higher forage production from cool season grasses, improved early spring forage production and higher water infiltration. The disadvantage for livestock include: reduction in cool/warm season grass mix which would provides better management flexibility, less plant diversity, and a potential increase in soil erosion. The Threeawn/Forbs Plant Community is of limited value for livestock production.
Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income-producing industries in the area. Rangeland in this area may provide yearlong forage. During the dormant period, the forage for livestock will likely be lacking protein to meet livestock requirements, and added protein will allow ruminants to better utilize the energy stored in grazed plant materials. A forage quality test (either directly or through fecal sampling) should be used to determine the level of supplementation needed.
Hydrological functions
Water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B. Infiltration and runoff potential for this site varies from moderate to high depending on soil hydrologic group, slope and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An example of an exception would be where shortgrasses form a strong sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).
For the interpretive plant community, rills and gullies should not typically be present. Water flow patterns should be barely distinguishable if at all present. Pedestals are only slightly present in association with bunchgrasses such as little bluestem. Litter typically falls in place, and signs of movement are not common. Chemical and physical crusts are rare to non-existent. Cryptogamic crusts are present but only cover 1-2% of the soil surface. Overall this site has the appearance of being very stable and productive.
Recreational uses
This site provides hunting opportunities for upland game species. The wide variety of plants which bloom from spring until fall have an esthetic value that appeals to visitors.
Other products
Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping data and other inventory data. Field observations from range trained personnel was also used. Those involved in developing this site include: Wayne Bachman, Soil Scientist, NRCS; Stan Boltz, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Chuck Markley, Soil Scientist, NRCS; Anna Ferguson, Soil Conservationist, NRCS; Roger Hammer, Soil Scientist, NRCS; Dana Larsen, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Dave Schmidt, Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS; Kim Stine, Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS.
Other references
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/)
USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, 101 SW Main, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204-3224. (http://wcc.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. National Range and Pasture Handbook, September 1997
USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS, 2002. National Soil Survey Handbook, title 430-VI. (http://soils.usda.gov/technical/handbook/)
Contributors
SCB
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
| Author(s)/participant(s) | Stan Boltz |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | Stan Boltz, stanley.boltz@sd.usda.gov, 605-352-1236 |
| Date | 08/01/2006 |
| Approved by | Stan Boltz |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
None, or barely visible and discontinuous. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground typically less than 5 percent, and patches less than 2 inches in diameter. -
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):
Slight amount of movement of smallest size class litter is possible, but not normal. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil aggregate stability ratings are 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 6 to 20 inches thick with mollic (dark) colors when moist. Structure typically is medium to fine granular at least in the upper A-horizon (some soils may have subangular blocky structure parting to granular in the surface). -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Combination of shallow and deep rooted species (mid & tall rhizomatous and tufted perennial cool-season grasses) with fine and coarse roots positively influences infiltration. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None – when dry, B horizons can be hard and appear to be compacted, but no platy structure will be present. -
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Needlegrasses (mid and tall, cool-season bunchgrasses >Sub-dominant:
Tall, warm-season rhizomatous grasses > mid, cool-season rhizomatous grasses = mid, warm-season grasses >Other:
Forbs = shrubs > grass-like species > short, warm-season grassesAdditional:
Other grasses in other functional groups occur but in minor amounts. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Very little evidence of decadence or mortality. Bunch grasses have strong, healthy centers and shrubs are vigorous. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter cover about 80 to 90 percent, with depths about 0.5 to 1 inch. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Total annual production ranges from 1,800 pounds/acre to 3,600 pounds/acre, with the reference value being 2,600 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; also Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Perennial grasses should have vigorous rhizomes or tillers.
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