Ecological site R102AY013SD

3. Native/Invaded State

4. Invaded State

States 1, 5 and 2 (additional transitions)

1.1. Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem

T1A	-	Heavy continuous grazing
T1B	-	Heavy continuous grazing, no use, no fire, invasion
T1C	-	Tillage
T2	-	Tillage
T3A	-	No use, no fire, heavy continuous grazing
T3C	-	Tillage
R4	-	Long term prescribed grazing, prescribed burning
T4	-	Tillage
R5A	-	Seeding
R5B	-	Seeding, abandonment of cropping

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.2. Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Buffalograss

1.3. Big Bluestem-Switchgrass-Western Wheatgrass

1.1A	-	Heavy continuous grazing
1.1B	-	Prescribed burning
1.2A	-	Prescribed grazing with recovery periods, prescribed burning
1.3A	-	Prescribed grazing with recovery periods, prescribed burning

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Blue Grama-Buffalograss Sod

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem

3.2. Western Wheatgrass/Blue Grama/Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community Phase

3.1A	-	Heavy continuous grazing
3.2A	-	Prescribed grazing with recovery periods

State 4 submodel, plant communities

4.1. Smooth Bromegrass-Kentucky Bluegrass

4.2. Kentucky Bluegrass-Blue Grama

4.3. Annual Pioneer-Perennial Pioneer

4.1A	-	Heavy continuous grazing
4.2A	-	Prescribed grazing with recovery periods
4.3A	-	Time, w/wo disturbances

State 5 submodel, plant communities

5.1. Annual Crops

State 1
Reference State

The Reference State represents the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics of this ecological site (ES). This state was dominated by cool-season grasses, with warm-season grasses being subdominant. In pre-European times, the primary disturbance mechanisms for this site in the reference condition included periods of below and/or above average precipitation, periodic fire, and herbivory by insects and large ungulates. Timing of fires and herbivory coupled with weather events dictated the dynamics that occurred within the natural range of variability. Cool-season and taller warm-season grasses would have declined and a corresponding increase in short, warm-season grasses would have occurred. Today, a similar state, the Native/Invaded State (State 3) 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.

Community 1.1
Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem

Interpretations are based primarily on the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase (this is also considered to be climax). The potential vegetation was about 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. The community was dominated by cool-season grasses. The major grasses included western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, porcupine grass, and big bluestem. Other grass or grass-like species included needleandthread (Hesperostipa comata), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), little bluestem, sideoats grama, slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), and needleleaf sedge (Carex duriuscula). This plant community was resilient and well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species allowed for high drought tolerance. This was a sustainable plant community in regards to site/soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity.

Figure 8. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 5. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	1735	2249	2710
Forb	115	195	295
Shrub/Vine	50	156	295
Total	1900	2600	3300

Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0202, Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant.. 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
0	0	3	10	23	34	15	6	5	4	0	0

Community 1.2
Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Buffalograss

This plant community evolved under heavy continuous grazing or from over utilization during extended drought periods. The potential plant community was made up of approximately 85 percent grasses and grass-like species, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Dominant grasses included western wheatgrass, blue grama, buffalograss, green needlegrass, sideoats grama, and needleandthread. Grasses of secondary importance included little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, and sedge (Carex). Forbs commonly found in this plant community included cudweed sagewort (Artemisia ludoviciana), prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera), and western yarrow (Achillea millefolium). This plant community had similar plant composition to the 3.2 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community Phase. The main difference is that this plant community phase did not have the presence of nonnative invasive species such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass. When compared to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase, blue grama and buffalograss increased. Green needlegrass and porcupine grass decreased and production of mid and tall warm-season grasses was also reduced. This plant community was moderately resistant to change. The herbaceous species present were well adapted to grazing; however, species composition could be altered through long-term overgrazing. If the herbaceous component was intact, it tended to be resilient if the disturbance was not long-term.

Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0203, Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season/warm-season codominant.. Cool-season, warm-season codominant..

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
0	0	3	10	20	28	21	10	5	3	0	0

Community 1.3
Big Bluestem-Switchgrass-Western Wheatgrass

This plant community was a result of fire occurring at relatively frequent intervals. This phase could have also resulted from a combination of grazing events immediately following early season fire (i.e., large ungulates attracted to highly nutritious vegetative growth following a fire). These events would have caused a reduction in cool-season grasses and an increase in warm-season grasses. The warm-season grasses were more tolerant of shorter return intervals of fire and would have increased in vigor and production leading to a temporary shift to this phase. Needlegrasses would have decreased most significantly amongst the cool-season grasses. The potential vegetation was about 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 15 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. The community was dominated by warm-season grasses. The major grasses included little bluestem, big bluestem, switchgrass, Indiangrass (Sorhgastrum nutans), sideoats grama, and western wheatgrass. Other grass or grass-like species included green needlegrass, porcupine grass, needleandthread, blue grama, slender wheatgrass, tall dropseed (Sporobolus compositus), and sedges. This plant community was not resistant to change and would have readily shifted back to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase with a return of more normal fire return intervals.

Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0204, Rolling Till Prairie, warm-season dominant, cool-season subdominant.. Warm-season dominant, cool-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
0	0	3	7	17	25	25	15	7	1	0	0

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Heavy continuous grazing which includes herbivory at moderate to heavy levels at the same time of year each year without adequate recovery periods, or during periods of below normal precipitation when grazing frequency and intensity increases on these sites due to limited forage availability on adjacent upland sites will shift this community to the 1.2 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Buffalograss Plant Community Phase.

Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.3

Prescribed Burning occurring at relatively frequent intervals (3 to 5 years), and occasional grazing events immediately following early season fire caused a reduction in cool-season grasses and an increase in warm-season grasses. The warm-season grasses were more tolerant of shorter return intervals of fire, and would increase in vigor and production leading to a temporary shift to the 1.3 Big Bluestem-Switchgrass-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Prescribed grazing, and/or prescribed burning returned to normal disturbance regime levels and frequencies or periodic light to moderate grazing possibly including periodic rest will convert this plant community to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase.

Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1

Prescribed grazing (alternating season of use and providing adequate recovery periods) or periodic light to moderate grazing possibly including periodic rest and/or prescribed burning with late season fire or at infrequent intervals (greater than 5 years) will convert this plant community to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase.

State 2
Shortgrass Sod State

This state is the result of heavy continuous grazing, and in the absence of periodic fire due to fire suppression. This state is dominated by blue grama and buffalograss forming a dense sod layer that effectively blocks introduction of other plants into the system. Taller cool-season species will decline and a corresponding increase in short statured grass will occur. Once the threshold is crossed, a change in grazing management alone cannot cause a reduction in the sod grass dominance.

Community 2.1
Blue Grama-Buffalograss Sod

This plant community evolved under heavy continuous season grazing or from over utilization during extended drought periods. The potential plant community was made up of approximately 85 percent grasses and grass-like species, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Dominant grasses typically included blue grama and buffalograss. Grasses of secondary importance included sedge and western wheatgrass. Forbs commonly found in this plant community included cudweed sagewort, scurfpea, and western yarrow. When compared to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase, blue grama and buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) were dominant on this plant community. Cool-season grasses decreased significantly. This vegetation state was very resistant to change. The herbaceous species present were well adapted to grazing. This plant community was less productive than other phases. The thick sod prevented other species from getting established.

Figure 12. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0205, Rolling Till Prairie, warm-season dominant.. Warm-season dominant..

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
0	0	2	5	15	25	30	15	7	1	0	0

State 3
Native/Invaded State

This state represents the more common range of variability that exists with higher levels of grazing management but in the absence of periodic fire due to fire suppression. This state is dominated by cool-season grasses. It 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. Taller cool-season species can decline and a corresponding increase in short statured grass will occur.

Community 3.1
Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem

This plant community phase is similar to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase but it also contains minor amounts of nonnative invasive grass species such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass (up to about 15 percent by air-dry weight). The potential vegetation is about 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. The community is dominated by cool-season grasses, with warm-season grasses being subdominant. The major grasses include western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, porcupine grass, and big bluestem. Other grass or grass-like species include needleandthread, blue grama, switchgrass, little bluestem, sideoats grama, slender wheatgrass, and needleleaf sedge. This plant community is resilient and well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species allows for high drought tolerance. This is a sustainable plant community in regards to site/soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity.

Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0202, Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant.. 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
0	0	3	10	23	34	15	6	5	4	0	0

Community 3.2
Western Wheatgrass/Blue Grama/Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community Phase

This plant community is a result of heavy continuous grazing, continuous season-long grazing, or from over utilization during extended drought periods. The potential plant community is made up of approximately 80 percent grasses and grass-like species, 15 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Dominant grasses include western wheatgrass, blue grama, and Kentucky bluegrass. Grasses of secondary importance include sideoats grama, little bluestem, green needlegrass, needleandthread, porcupine grass, big bluestem, buffalograss, smooth bromegrass, and sedge. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include cudweed sagewort, prairie coneflower, and western yarrow. When compared to the Wheatgrass/Needlegrass/Bluestem Plant Community Phase (1.1), blue grama has increased. Green needlegrass and sideoats grama have decreased and production of mid- and tall warm-season grasses has also been reduced. This plant community is moderately resistant to change. The herbaceous species present are well adapted to grazing; however, species composition can be altered through long-term overgrazing. If the herbaceous component is intact, it tends to be resilient if the disturbance is not long-term.

Figure 14. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 6. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	1105	1521	1920
Forb	80	128	190
Shrub/Vine	15	51	90
Total	1200	1700	2200

Figure 15. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0202, Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant.. 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
0	0	3	10	23	34	15	6	5	4	0	0

Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2

Heavy continuous grazing which includes herbivory at moderate to heavy levels at the same time of year each year without adequate recovery periods, or during periods of below normal precipitation when grazing frequency and intensity increases on these sites due to limited forage availability on adjacent upland sites will shift this community to the 3.2 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community Phase.

Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1

Prescribed grazing (alternating season of use and providing adequate recovery periods) or periodic light to moderate grazing possibly including periodic rest will convert this plant community to the 3.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Little Bluestem Plant Community Phase.

State 4
Invaded State

This state is the result of invasion and dominance of introduced species. This state is characterized by the dominance of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass and an increasing thatch layer that effectively blocks introduction of other plants into the system. Plant litter accumulation tends to favor the more shade tolerant introduced grass species. The nutrient cycle is also impaired and the result is typically a higher level of nitrogen which also favors the introduced species. Increasing plant litter decreases the amount of sunlight reaching plant crowns thereby shifting competitive advantage to shade tolerant introduced grass species. Studies indicate that soil biological activity is altered and this shift apparently exploits the soil microclimate and encourages growth of the introduced grass species. Once the threshold is crossed, a change in grazing management alone cannot cause a reduction in the invasive grass dominance. Preliminary studies would tend to indicate this threshold may exist when Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30 percent of the plant community and native grasses represent less than 40 percent of the plant community composition. Once the state is well established, even drastic events such as high intensity fires driven by high fuel loads of litter and thatch will not result in more than a very short-term reduction of Kentucky bluegrass. These events may reduce the dominance of Kentucky bluegrass but due to the large amount of rhizomes in the soil there is no opportunity for the native species to establish and dominate before Kentucky bluegrass rebounds and again dominates the system.

Community 4.1
Smooth Bromegrass-Kentucky Bluegrass

This plant community phase is a result of extended periods of nonuse and no fire. It is characterized by a dominance of smooth bromegrass and Kentucky bluegrass. The dominance is at times so complete that other species are difficult to find on the site. A thick duff layer also accumulates at or above the soil surface and eventually a thatch-mat layer may develop at the surface. Nutrient cycling is greatly reduced and native plants have great difficulty becoming established. When dominated by smooth bromegrass, infiltration is moderately reduced and runoff is moderate. Production can be equal to or higher than the interpretive plant community. However, when dominated by Kentucky bluegrass, infiltration is greatly reduced and runoff is high. Production in this case will likely be significantly less. In either case, the period that palatability is high is relatively short, as these cool-season species mature rapidly. Energy capture is also reduced.

Figure 16. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 7. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	1550	2506	2925
Forb	125	210	320
Shrub/Vine	25	84	155
Total	1700	2800	3400

Figure 17. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0201, Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season dominant.. Cool-season dominant..

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
0	0	4	12	25	36	10	5	4	4	0	0

Community 4.2
Kentucky Bluegrass-Blue Grama

This plant community phase is a result of heavy, continuous seasonal grazing or heavy, continuous season-long grazing. It is characterized by a dominance of Kentucky bluegrass and blue grama. The dominance is at times so complete that other species are difficult to find on the site. A relatively thick duff layer can sometimes accumulate at or above the soil surface and a thatch-mat layer often develops at the surface. Nutrient cycling is greatly reduced and native plants have great difficulty becoming established. Infiltration is greatly reduced and runoff is high. Production will be significantly reduced when compared to the interpretive plant community. The period that palatability is high is relatively short as Kentucky bluegrass matures rapidly. Energy capture is also reduced. Biological activity in the soil is likely reduced significantly in this phase.

Figure 18. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 8. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	735	1044	1335
Forb	55	120	200
Shrub/Vine	10	36	65
Total	800	1200	1600

Figure 19. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0202, Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant.. 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
0	0	3	10	23	34	15	6	5	4	0	0

Community 4.3
Annual Pioneer-Perennial Pioneer

This plant community developed under continuous heavy grazing or other excessive disturbances. The potential plant community is made up of approximately 40 to 80 percent grasses and grass-like species, 20 to 60 percent forbs, and 0 to 5 percent shrubs. The species present in this phase are highly variable but often include non-native invasive and/or early seral species. Plant diversity is low (plant richness may be high, but areas are often dominated by a few species). The ecological processes are difficult to restore because of the loss of plant diversity and overall soil disturbance. Soil erosion is potentially very high because of the bare ground and shallow rooted herbaceous plant community. Water runoff will increase and infiltration will decrease due to animal related soil compaction and loss of root mass due to low plant diversity and vigor. This plant community will require significant economic inputs and time to move towards another plant community. This movement is highly variable in its succession. This is due to the loss of diversity (including the loss of the seed bank), within the existing plant community, and the plant communities on adjacent sites. This community can be renovated to improve the production capability; however, if management changes are not made the vegetation could revert back to early seral species.

Pathway 4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2

Heavy continuous grazing which includes herbivory at moderate to heavy levels at the same time of year each year without adequate recovery periods, or during periods of below normal precipitation when grazing frequency and intensity increases on these sites due to limited forage availability on adjacent upland sites will shift this community to the 4.2 Kentucky Bluegrass-Blue Gama Plant Community Phase.

Pathway 4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.1

Prescribed grazing (alternating season of use and providing adequate recovery periods) or periodic light to moderate grazing possibly including periodic rest will convert this plant community to the 4.1 Smooth Bromegrass-Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community Phase.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Grazing

Pathway 4.3A
Community 4.3 to 4.2

This community pathway occurs with the passage of time as successional processes take place and perennial plants gradually begin to establish on the site again. This pathway will lead to the 4.2 Kentucky Bluegrass-Blue Grama Plant Community Phase.

Conservation practices

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

State 5
Crop Production State

This state is characterized by the production of annual crops using a variety of tillage and cropping systems along with management practices.

Community 5.1
Annual Crops

This plant community developed with the use of a variety of tillage systems and cropping systems for the production of annual crops including corn, soybeans, wheat, sugar beet and a variety of other crops.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Heavy continuous grazing (stocking levels well above carrying capacity for extended portions of the growing season, and often at the same time of year each year, typically beginning early in the season) will convert this plant community to the 2.1 Blue Grama-Buffalograss Sod Plant Community Phase within the Shortgrass Sod State.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

Non-use and/or no surface fire for extended periods of time (typically for 10 or more years) causing litter levels to become high enough to reduce native grass vigor, diversity, and density, and/or heavy continuous grazing or invasion of non-native plant species will likely lead this state over a threshold resulting in the Native/Invaded State (State 3).

Transition T1C
State 1 to 5

Tillage will cause a shift over a threshold leading to the 5.1 Annual Crops within the Crop Production State (State 5).

Transition T5
State 2 to 4

Encroachment of non-native invasive/noxious species, abandonment of cropping, or seeding of introduced and/or native improved varieties of forage species may lead this plant community phase over a threshold to the Invaded State (State 4) and more specifically to the 4.3 Annual/Pioneer, Non-native Perennial Plant Community Phase. In the case of a seeding, refer to the corresponding Forage Suitability Group (FSG) description for adapted species and expected production (production estimates in the FSG description may be unrealistically high due to the degraded condition of the site at this phase).

Transition T2
State 2 to 5

Tillage will cause a shift over a threshold leading to the 5.1 Annual Crops within the Crop Production State (State 5).

Transition T3A
State 3 to 4

Non-use and/or no surface fire for extended periods of time (typically for 10 or more years) causing litter levels to become high enough to reduce native grass vigor, diversity, and density, will likely lead this state over a threshold leading to the 4.1 Smooth Bromegrass-Kentucky Bluegrass Community Phase within the Invaded State (State 4). Heavy continuous grazing (stocking levels well above carrying capacity for extended portions of the growing season and often at the same time of year each year), will likely lead this state over a threshold leading to the 4.2 Kentucky Bluegrass-Blue Grama Community Phase within the Invaded State (State 4). Grazing repeatedly in the early growing season can expedite this shift by causing mechanical disturbance due to trampling.

Transition T3C
State 3 to 5

Tillage will cause a shift over a threshold leading to the 5.1 Annual Crops within the Crop Production State (State 5).

Restoration pathway R4
State 4 to 3

Long-term prescribed grazing (moderate stocking levels coupled with adequate recovery periods, or other grazing systems such as high-density, low-frequency intended to treat specific species dominance, or periodic light to moderate stocking levels possibly including periodic rest) coupled with prescribed burning may lead this plant community phase over a threshold to the Native/Invaded State (State 3).

Transition T4
State 4 to 5

Tillage will cause a shift over a threshold leading to the 5.1 Annual Crops Community Phase within the Crop Production State (State 5).

Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 3

Seeding may lead this Crop Production State (State 5) over a threshold to the Native/Invaded State (State 3).

Restoration pathway R5B
State 5 to 4

Seeding may lead this Crop Production State (State 5) over a threshold to the Invaded State (State 4). Cropping followed by abandonment may lead this plant community phase over a threshold to the Invaded State (State 4) and more specifically to the 4.3 Annual Pioneer-Perennial Pioneer Plant Community Phase.

Additional community tables

Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Cool-season Bunchgrasses			260–780
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	130–650	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	130–520	–
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	0–260	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	0–130	–
2	Wheatgrass			260–780
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	130–780	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	130–520	–
3	Tall Warm-season Grasses			260–520
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	130–390	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	26–260	–
	composite dropseed	SPCOC2	Sporobolus compositus var. compositus	0–130	–
	prairie sandreed	CALO	Calamovilfa longifolia	0–130	–
4	Short Warm-season Grasses			52–260
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	52–260	–
	saltgrass	DISP	Distichlis spicata	0–130	–
	buffalograss	BODA2	Bouteloua dactyloides	0–130	–
	threeawn	ARIST	Aristida	0–52	–
5	Mid Warm-season Grasses			52–260
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	52–260	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	52–260	–
6	Other Native Grasses			26–130
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–130	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	26–78	–
	Scribner's rosette grass	DIOLS	Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum	0–52	–
7	Grass-likes			26–130
	needleleaf sedge	CADU6	Carex duriuscula	26–130	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–78	–
Forb
8	Forbs			130–260
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	26–78	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	26–78	–
	milkweed	ASCLE	Asclepias	26–52	–
	false boneset	BREU	Brickellia eupatorioides	26–52	–
	wavyleaf thistle	CIUN	Cirsium undulatum	26–52	–
	purple prairie clover	DAPU5	Dalea purpurea	26–52	–
	scarlet beeblossom	GACO5	Gaura coccinea	26–52	–
	western marbleseed	ONBEO	Onosmodium bejariense var. occidentale	0–52	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	26–52	–
	upright prairie coneflower	RACO3	Ratibida columnifera	26–52	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	26–52	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	26–52	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	26–52	–
	Nuttall's violet	VINU2	Viola nuttallii	0–26	–
	scarlet globemallow	SPCO	Sphaeralcea coccinea	0–26	–
	cutleaf anemone	PUPAM	Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida	0–26	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	0–26	–
	rush skeletonplant	LYJU	Lygodesmia juncea	0–26	–
	leafy wildparsley	MUDI	Musineon divaricatum	0–26	–
	mouse-ear chickweed	CERAS	Cerastium	0–26	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	0–26	–
	textile onion	ALTE	Allium textile	0–26	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–26	–
	field sagewort	ARCA12	Artemisia campestris	0–26	–
Shrub/Vine
9	Shrubs			52–260
	leadplant	AMCA6	Amorpha canescens	26–130	–
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	0–78	–
	snowberry	SYMPH	Symphoricarpos	0–78	–
	Shrub (>.5m)	2SHRUB	Shrub (>.5m)	0–78	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	26–52	–

Table 10. Community 3.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Cool-season Bunchgrasses			85–255
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	34–255	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	17–136	–
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	0–85	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	0–51	–
2	Wheatgrass			255–510
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	255–510	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	0–170	–
3	Tall Warm-season Grasses			0–85
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	0–85	–
	prairie sandreed	CALO	Calamovilfa longifolia	0–51	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	0–51	–
	composite dropseed	SPCOC2	Sporobolus compositus var. compositus	0–51	–
4	Short Warm-season Grasses			255–425
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	170–425	–
	buffalograss	BODA2	Bouteloua dactyloides	34–204	–
	saltgrass	DISP	Distichlis spicata	0–85	–
	threeawn	ARIST	Aristida	0–51	–
5	Mid Warm-season Grasses			0–85
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	0–85	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–85	–
6	Other Native Grasses			17–85
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–85	–
	Scribner's rosette grass	DIOLS	Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum	0–34	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	17–34	–
7	Grass-likes			17–170
	needleleaf sedge	CADU6	Carex duriuscula	17–170	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–51	–
8	Non-Native Grasses			85–425
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	51–425	–
	brome	BROMU	Bromus	17–170	–
	quackgrass	ELRE4	Elymus repens	0–85	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	0–85	–
Forb
9	Forbs			85–170
	Forb, introduced	2FI	Forb, introduced	0–68	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	17–68	–
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	17–51	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	17–51	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	17–51	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	17–51	–
	scarlet globemallow	SPCO	Sphaeralcea coccinea	17–34	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	0–34	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	17–34	–
	field sagewort	ARCA12	Artemisia campestris	0–34	–
	upright prairie coneflower	RACO3	Ratibida columnifera	0–17	–
	rush skeletonplant	LYJU	Lygodesmia juncea	0–17	–
	leafy wildparsley	MUDI	Musineon divaricatum	0–17	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	0–17	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–17	–
	false boneset	BREU	Brickellia eupatorioides	0–17	–
	mouse-ear chickweed	CERAS	Cerastium	0–17	–
	wavyleaf thistle	CIUN	Cirsium undulatum	0–17	–
	purple prairie clover	DAPU5	Dalea purpurea	0–17	–
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs			17–85
	snowberry	SYMPH	Symphoricarpos	17–51	–
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	0–51	–
	Shrub (>.5m)	2SHRUB	Shrub (>.5m)	0–34	–
	leadplant	AMCA6	Amorpha canescens	0–17	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	0–17	–

Table 11. Community 4.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Cool-season Bunchgrasses			0–224
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–196	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	0–84	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	0–28	–
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	0–28	–
2	Wheatgrass			0–280
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	0–280	–
3	Short Warm-season Grasses			0–196
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	0–140	–
	saltgrass	DISP	Distichlis spicata	0–84	–
	threeawn	ARIST	Aristida	0–56	–
	buffalograss	BODA2	Bouteloua dactyloides	0–56	–
4	Other Native Grasses			0–140
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–140	–
	Scribner's rosette grass	DIOLS	Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum	0–28	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0–28	–
5	Grass-likes			0–140
	needleleaf sedge	CADU6	Carex duriuscula	0–140	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–84	–
6	Non-Native Grasses			840–1960
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	560–1820	–
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	140–700	–
	brome	BROMU	Bromus	28–420	–
	quackgrass	ELRE4	Elymus repens	0–224	–
Forb
7	Forbs			140–280
	Forb, introduced	2FI	Forb, introduced	0–168	–
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	0–84	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	0–84	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	28–84	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	28–84	–
	scarlet globemallow	SPCO	Sphaeralcea coccinea	0–56	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	28–56	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	0–56	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–28	–
	field sagewort	ARCA12	Artemisia campestris	0–28	–
	mouse-ear chickweed	CERAS	Cerastium	0–28	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	0–28	–
Shrub/Vine
8	Shrubs			28–140
	snowberry	SYMPH	Symphoricarpos	28–112	–
	Shrub (>.5m)	2SHRUB	Shrub (>.5m)	0–56	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	28–56	–
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	0–28	–

Table 12. Community 4.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Cool-season Bunchgrasses			0–60
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	0–36	–
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–36	–
2	Wheatgrass			0–60
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	0–60	–
3	Short Warm-season Grasses			120–300
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	60–300	–
	buffalograss	BODA2	Bouteloua dactyloides	12–120	–
	saltgrass	DISP	Distichlis spicata	0–96	–
	threeawn	ARIST	Aristida	0–36	–
4	Other Native Grasses			12–60
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–60	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	12–24	–
	Scribner's rosette grass	DIOLS	Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum	0–12	–
5	Grass-likes			36–180
	needleleaf sedge	CADU6	Carex duriuscula	36–180	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–24	–
6	Non-Native Grasses			300–600
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	120–540	–
	brome	BROMU	Bromus	24–240	–
	quackgrass	ELRE4	Elymus repens	24–144	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	0–96	–
Forb
7	Forbs			60–180
	Forb, introduced	2FI	Forb, introduced	12–96	–
	curlycup gumweed	GRSQ	Grindelia squarrosa	12–60	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	12–48	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	12–48	–
	field sagewort	ARCA12	Artemisia campestris	0–36	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	12–36	–
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	0–24	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	12–24	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	0–24	–
	scarlet globemallow	SPCO	Sphaeralcea coccinea	0–12	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–12	–
Shrub/Vine
8	Shrubs			12–60
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	12–36	–
	snowberry	SYMPH	Symphoricarpos	0–36	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	0–12	–
	Shrub (>.5m)	2SHRUB	Shrub (>.5m)	0–12	–

Interpretations

Animal community

The following table lists annual, suggested initial stocking rates with average growing conditions. These are conservative estimates that should be used only as guidelines in the initial stages of conservation planning. Often, the current plant composition does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in this ES description). Because of this, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. More accurate carrying capacity estimates 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. With consultation of the land manager, more intensive grazing management may result in improved harvest efficiencies and increased carrying capacity.

Wheatgrass/Needlegrass/Bluestem (1.1 & 3.1)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 2600
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.71

Western Wheatgrass/Blue Grama/Kentucky Bluegrass (3.2)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 1700
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.47

Smooth Bromegrass/Kentucky Bluegrass (4.1)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 2800
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.77

Kentucky Bluegrass/Blue grama (4.2)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 1200
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.33

Annual/Pioneer, Non-Native Perennial (4.3)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 800
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.22

*Based on 912 lbs./acre (air-dry weight) per Animal Unit Month (AUM), and on 25 percent harvest efficiency (refer to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Range and Pasture Handbook).

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 D. Infiltration is typically slow to very slow and runoff potential for this site varies from negligible to high depending on soil hydrologic group, slope, and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75 percent ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An example of an exception would be where shortgrasses form a strong sod and dominate the site. Dominance by blue grama, buffalograss, bluegrass, and/or smooth bromegrass will result in reduced infiltration and increased runoff. Areas where ground cover is less than 50 percent have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).

Recreational uses

This site provides hunting, hiking, photography, bird watching, and other opportunities. The wide varieties of plants that bloom from spring until fall have an esthetic value that appeals to visitors.

Wood products

No appreciable wood products are typically present on this site.

Other products

Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

There is no NRCS clipping data and other inventory currently available for this site. Information presented here has been derived using field observations from range-trained personnel. Those involved in developing this site include: Stan Boltz, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; and Bruce Kunze, Soil Scientist, NRCS.

Other references

Cleland, D.T., J.A. Freeouf, J.E. Keys, G.J. Nowacki, C. Carpenter, and W.H. McNab. 2007. Ecological Subregions: Sections and Subsections of the Coterminous United States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-76. Washington, DC. 92 pps.

Gilbert, M. C., Whited, P. M., Clairain Jr, E. J., & Smith, R. D. (2006). A Regional Guidebook for Applying the Hydrogeomorphic Approach to Assessing Wetland Functions of Prairie Potholes. Washington DC.

Samson, F. B., & Knopf, F. L. (1996). Prairie Conservation Preserving North America's Most Endagered Ecosystem. Washington D.C.: Island Press.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions. Available online. Accessed March 2018.

United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2003. National Range and Pasture Handbook, Revision 1. Grazing Lands Technology Institute. 214 pps.

United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296. 672pps.

USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (http://soils.usda.gov/technical/nasis/)

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 27 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]. 2013. Level III and Level IV Ecoregions of the Continental United States. Corvallis, OR, U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, map scale 1:3,000,000. Available at http://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions- continental-united-states. (Accessed 1 March 2018).

Contributors

Lance Howe
Steve Winter
Megan Baxter
Stan Boltz

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 6/27/2024

Acknowledgments

Contact for Lead Authors: Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Redfield Soil Survey Office Redfield, SD; Lance Howe (Lance.Howe@usda.gov), Soil Survey Office Leader, USDA-NRCS, Redfield, SD; and Steve Winter (Steven.Winter@usda.gov), Soil Scientist, USDA-NRCS, Redfield, SD

Additional Information Acknowledgment: Jason Hermann (Jason.Hermann@usda.gov), Area Rangeland Management Specialist, USDA-NRCS, Redfield, SD.

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)	David Schmidt, Tim Nordquist, Stan Boltz
Contact for lead author
Date	12/04/2007
Approved by	Suzanne Mayne-Kinney
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Rills should not be present.
Presence of water flow patterns:
Barely observable.
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Essentially, non-existent.
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground less than 15% and less than 2 inches in diameter.
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Active gullies should not be present.
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None.
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Little to no plant litter movement. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosional forces.
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Stability class roughly 3-5. Relatively high root content. Soil surface is resistant to erosion.
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Use soil series description for depth and color of A-horizon.
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Healthy, deep rooted native grasses enhance infiltration and reduce runoff.
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
No compaction layer should be evident. At less than 8 inches, an extremely dense clay B horizon with round-topped columnar or prismatic structure exists.
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 cool-season rhizomatous grass > tall cool-season bunch grass

Sub-dominant:
> tall warm-season rhizomatous grass = short warm-season grass = short cool-season grass = forbs > shrubs

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Very little to no evidence of decadence or mortality.
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
60-70%, roughly 0.5 inch thick or less. Litter cover is in contact with soil surface.
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
2200 – 3000 lbs./acre air-dry weight, average 2,600 lbs./acre air-dry weight
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:
Refer to State and Local Noxious Weed List, also Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species are capable of reproducing.

Download reference sheet

Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.

Ecosystem states

3. Native/Invaded State

4. Invaded State

States 1, 5 and 2 (additional transitions)