Ecological site R102AY021SD

3. Native/Invaded State

4. Invaded State

States 1, 5 and 2 (additional transitions)

1.1. Big Bluestem-Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass

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. Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass-Big Bluestem

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

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Sideoats Grama-Little Bluestem

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass-Big Bluestem

3.2. Green Needlegrass-Kentucky Bluegrass-Big Bluestem

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-Quackgrass

4.3. Annual Pioneer-Perennial Pioneer

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 warm-season and cool-season grasses. 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. In some locations, this site likely received relatively heavy grazing pressure. Tall warm-season grasses would have declined and shorter warm-season grasses would have increased. 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
Big Bluestem-Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass

Interpretations are based primarily on the 1.1 Big Bluestem-Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass 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 warm-season grasses. The major grasses included big bluestem, Green Needlegrass, and Western Wheatgrass. Other grass or grass-like species included porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spartea), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). 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	3215	3780	4245
Forb	185	420	755
Total	3400	4200	5000

Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0207, Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant, lowland..

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	5	13	20	25	18	11	5	3	0	0

Community 1.2
Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass-Big Bluestem

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 75 percent grasses and grass-like species, 15 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. Dominant grasses included green needlegrass, western wheatgrass, and big bluestem. Grasses of secondary importance included Indiangrass, switchgrass, sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), tall dropseed (Sporobolus compositus), little bluestem, and slender wheatgrass. Forbs commonly found in this plant community included Canada goldenrod (Solidago Canadensis), cudweed sagewort (Artemisia ludoviciana), heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides), scurfpea (Psoralidium), stiff goldenrod (Oligoneuron rigidum), and western yarrow (Achillea millefolium). This plant community had similar plant composition to the 3.2 Green Needlegrass-Kentucky Bluegrass-Big Bluestem 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 Big Bluestem-Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase, sideoats grama and little bluestem increased. Production of tall warm-season grasses was 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. Most of the components of the ecological processes would have been functioning at optimum levels. However, the vigor and reproductive capability of the tall warm-season grasses would have been reduced due to grazing pressure or a combination of stressors. A reduction of this dominant functional group allowed for an increase in shorter-statured (and shallower rooted) species.

Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0206, Rolling Till Prairie, lowland cool-season dominant.. Cool-season dominant, lowland..

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	6	15	20	26	17	9	4	3	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 Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass-Big Bluestem 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 Big Bluestem-Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass 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
Sideoats Grama-Little Bluestem

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 80 percent grasses and grass-like species, 15 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Dominant grass and grass-like species included sideoats grama, little bluestem, and sedge. Grasses of secondary importance included big bluestem, switchgrass, green needlegrass, slender wheatgrass, and tall dropseed. Forbs commonly found in this plant community included cudweed sagewort, goldenrod (Solidago), and western yarrow. When compared to the 1.1 Big Bluestem-Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase, tall warm-season grasses were reduced, and the more grazing tolerant species such as sideoats grama, little bluestem and sedge were dominant on this plant community. With the exception of green needlegrass, cool-season grasses decreased significantly. This vegetation state was very resistant to change, especially if the disturbance continued and the short-statured species such as sedge increased. The herbaceous species present were well adapted to grazing. This plant community was less productive than other phases.

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 warm-season grasses with cool-season grasses being subdominant. 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 warm-season species can decline and a corresponding increase in short statured grass will occur.

Community 3.1
Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass-Big Bluestem

This plant community phase is similar to the 1.1 Big Bluestem-Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase but it also contains minor amounts of non-native invasive grass species such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass (up to about 10 percent by air-dry weight). The potential vegetation is about 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. This community is dominated by cool-season grasses. The major grasses include green needlegrass, western wheatgrass, and big bluestem. Other grass or grass-like species include porcupine grass, Indiangrass, switchgrass, slender wheatgrass, and little bluestem. 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 11. 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	2490	3230	3690
Forb	310	570	910
Total	2800	3800	4600

Figure 12. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0206, Rolling Till Prairie, lowland cool-season dominant.. Cool-season dominant, lowland..

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	6	15	20	26	17	9	4	3	0	0

Community 3.2
Green Needlegrass-Kentucky Bluegrass-Big Bluestem

This plant community is a result of heavy continuous grazing or from over utilization during extended drought periods. The potential plant community is made up of approximately 75 percent grasses and grass-like species, 15 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. Dominant grasses include green needlegrass, big bluestem, and Kentucky bluegrass. Grasses of secondary importance include Indiangrass, switchgrass, smooth bromegrass, sideoats grama, green needlegrass, tall dropseed, slender wheatgrass, and sedge. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include cudweed sagewort, heath aster, Canada goldenrod, stiff goldenrod, scurfpea, Indian hemp (Apocynum cannabinum), and western yarrow. When compared to the 1.1 Big Bluestem-Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase, green needlegrass has increased and Kentucky bluegrass has invaded and become a codominant. Production of tall warm-season grasses is 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. Most of the components of the ecological processes are functioning at optimum levels. However, the vigor and reproductive capability of the tall warm-season grasses are reduced due to grazing pressure or a combination of stressors. A reduction of this dominant functional group allows for an increase in shorter-statured (and shallower rooted) species. The introduction of nonnative invasive species such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass results in alterations to the soil profile. Organic matter levels tend to decrease and begin to be concentrated more in the surface layers and the structure will begin to be modified. These changes favor the shallow-rooted species and hasten their eventual dominance if steps are not taken to reduce these species.

Figure 13. 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	1585	2125	2600
Forb	215	375	600
Total	1800	2500	3200

Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0206, Rolling Till Prairie, lowland cool-season dominant.. Cool-season dominant, lowland..

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	6	15	20	26	17	9	4	3	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 Green Needlegrass-Kentucky Bluegrass-Big Bluestem 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 Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Grazing

State 4
Invaded State

This state is a result of encroachment mainly by invasive introduced cool-season grasses. The ecological processes are not functioning, especially the biotic processes and the hydrologic functions. The introduced cool-season grasses cause reduced infiltration and increased runoff. 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. The opportunity for high intensity spring burns is severely reduced by early greenup and increased moisture and humidity at the soil surface and grazing pressure cannot cause a reduction in sodgrass dominance. Production is limited to the sod forming species. Infiltration continues to decrease and runoff increases and energy capture into the system is restricted to early season low producing species. Nutrient cycling is limited by root depth of the dominant species.

Community 4.1
Smooth Bromegrass-Kentucky Bluegrass

This plant community phase is a result of extended periods of nonuse and no fire or occasionally light levels of grazing over several years. It is characterized by dominance of smooth bromegrass and to a lesser extent 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. 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. The dominance of these introduced species has been shown to alter the biotic component of the soil, as well as, organic matter levels and eventually the soil structure. These alterations perpetuate the dominance of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass and tend to make establishment of native species extremely difficult.

Community 4.2
Kentucky Bluegrass-Quackgrass

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 quackgrass. 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. 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.

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.

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 1.2 Green Needlegrass-Western Wheatgrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase within the Reference State to the 2.1 Sideoats Grama-Little Bluestem 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 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-Quackgrass 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 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Wheatgrass			630–2310
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	630–2310	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	0–840	–
2	Grass-likes			210–1260
	clustered field sedge	CAPR5	Carex praegracilis	42–840	–
	manyhead sedge	CASY	Carex sychnocephala	42–630	–
	fox sedge	CAVU2	Carex vulpinoidea	0–630	–
	Sartwell's sedge	CASA8	Carex sartwellii	0–420	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–420	–
	rush	JUNCU	Juncus	0–420	–
	spikerush	ELEOC	Eleocharis	0–336	–
	woolly sedge	CAPE42	Carex pellita	0–168	–
3	Native Cool-season Grasses			630–1050
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	420–840	–
	plains bluegrass	POAR3	Poa arida	42–420	–
	fowl bluegrass	POPA2	Poa palustris	42–420	–
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–210	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	0–126	–
	foxtail barley	HOJU	Hordeum jubatum	0–126	–
4	Warm-season Grasses			0–210
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	0–210	–
	prairie cordgrass	SPPE	Spartina pectinata	0–126	–
Forb
5	Forbs			210–630
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	42–210	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	42–126	–
	Maximilian sunflower	HEMA2	Helianthus maximiliani	42–84	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	42–84	–
	swamp smartweed	POHY2	Polygonum hydropiperoides	0–84	–
	Pennsylvania smartweed	POPE2	Polygonum pensylvanicum	0–84	–
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	42–84	–
	scurfpea	PSORA2	Psoralidium	42–84	–
	Canadian anemone	ANCA8	Anemone canadensis	42–84	–
	Indianhemp	APCA	Apocynum cannabinum	42–84	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	42–84	–
	swamp milkweed	ASIN	Asclepias incarnata	0–84	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	42–84	–
	meadow zizia	ZIAP	Zizia aptera	0–84	–
	white panicle aster	SYLA6	Symphyotrichum lanceolatum	0–84	–
	rough bugleweed	LYAS	Lycopus asper	0–84	–
	western dock	RUAQ	Rumex aquaticus	0–84	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	42–84	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	0–42	–
	mint	MENTH	Mentha	0–42	–
	wild bergamot	MOFI	Monarda fistulosa	0–42	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	0–42	–
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	0–42	–
	scarlet beeblossom	GACO5	Gaura coccinea	0–42	–
	Carolina geranium	GECAC4	Geranium carolinianum var. carolinianum	0–42	–
	false boneset	BREU	Brickellia eupatorioides	0–42	–
	upright prairie coneflower	RACO3	Ratibida columnifera	0–42	–
	Macoun's buttercup	RAMA2	Ranunculus macounii	0–42	–
	Cuman ragweed	AMPS	Ambrosia psilostachya	0–42	–
	Rydberg's sunflower	HENUR	Helianthus nuttallii ssp. rydbergii	0–42	–

Table 9. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Wheatgrass			76–570
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	76–570	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	0–190	–
2	Grass-likes			76–570
	clustered field sedge	CAPR5	Carex praegracilis	38–380	–
	spikerush	ELEOC	Eleocharis	0–304	–
	rush	JUNCU	Juncus	0–190	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–114	–
	manyhead sedge	CASY	Carex sychnocephala	0–114	–
3	Native Cool-season Grasses			190–1330
	reed canarygrass	PHAR3	Phalaris arundinacea	76–1140	–
	plains bluegrass	POAR3	Poa arida	0–114	–
	fowl bluegrass	POPA2	Poa palustris	0–114	–
	foxtail barley	HOJU	Hordeum jubatum	0–114	–
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–114	–
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–76	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	0–38	–
4	Non-Native Grasses			570–1710
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	570–1710	–
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–190	–
Forb
5	Forbs			380–760
	Forb, introduced	2FI	Forb, introduced	38–266	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	38–152	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	38–152	–
	scurfpea	PSORA2	Psoralidium	38–152	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	38–114	–
	Pennsylvania smartweed	POPE2	Polygonum pensylvanicum	0–114	–
	Flodman's thistle	CIFL	Cirsium flodmanii	38–114	–
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	38–114	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	38–114	–
	Cuman ragweed	AMPS	Ambrosia psilostachya	0–114	–
	Indianhemp	APCA	Apocynum cannabinum	38–114	–
	Carolina geranium	GECAC4	Geranium carolinianum var. carolinianum	0–76	–
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	38–76	–
	mint	MENTH	Mentha	0–76	–
	white panicle aster	SYLA6	Symphyotrichum lanceolatum	0–76	–
	meadow zizia	ZIAP	Zizia aptera	0–38	–
	wild bergamot	MOFI	Monarda fistulosa	0–38	–
	swamp smartweed	POHY2	Polygonum hydropiperoides	0–38	–
	Maximilian sunflower	HEMA2	Helianthus maximiliani	0–38	–
	rough bugleweed	LYAS	Lycopus asper	0–38	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	0–38	–
	swamp milkweed	ASIN	Asclepias incarnata	0–38	–

Table 10. Community 3.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Wheatgrass			0–125
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	0–125	–
2	Grass-likes			0–250
	clustered field sedge	CAPR5	Carex praegracilis	0–175	–
	rush	JUNCU	Juncus	0–175	–
	spikerush	ELEOC	Eleocharis	0–125	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–75	–
3	Native Cool-season Grasses			250–625
	foxtail barley	HOJU	Hordeum jubatum	250–625	–
	reed canarygrass	PHAR3	Phalaris arundinacea	0–125	–
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–75	–
4	Non-Native Grasses			625–1750
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	625–1750	–
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–125	–
Forb
5	Forbs			250–500
	Forb, introduced	2FI	Forb, introduced	50–250	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	25–200	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	25–200	–
	scurfpea	PSORA2	Psoralidium	25–175	–
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	0–125	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	25–125	–
	Cuman ragweed	AMPS	Ambrosia psilostachya	25–100	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	0–75	–
	American licorice	GLLE3	Glycyrrhiza lepidota	0–50	–
	swamp smartweed	POHY2	Polygonum hydropiperoides	0–25	–
	Pennsylvania smartweed	POPE2	Polygonum pensylvanicum	0–25	–
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	0–25	–
	Indianhemp	APCA	Apocynum cannabinum	0–25	–

Interpretations

Animal community

Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations
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.

Western Wheatgrass/Green Needlegrass/Sedge (1.1 & 2.1)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry):
4200
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 1.15

Western Wheatgrass/Bluegrass/Foxtail Barley (2.2)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry):
3300
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.90

Kentucky Bluegrass/Reed Canarygrass/Forbs (3.1)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry):
3800
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 1.04

Kentucky Bluegrass/Foxtail Barley/Forbs (3.2)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry):
2500
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.69

Annual/Pioneer, Non-Native Perennial (3.3)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry):
1200
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.33

*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 groups C and D. Infiltration is typically very slow and runoff potential for this site is normally negligible due to the concave feature of the landform.

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

Megan Baxter
Stan Boltz
Lance Howe
Steve Winter

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 5% 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 usually 6. Typically high root content, organic matter, and granular structure. Soil surface is very 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.
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:
Tall warm-season rhizomatous grass >> tall cool-season bunch grass

Sub-dominant:
> mid cool-season rhizomatous grass > mid warm-season bunch grass > short cool-season grass = forb > shrub > tree

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):
85-90%, 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):
4000 – 5200 lbs./acre air-dry weight, average 4,600 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.

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Ecosystem states

3. Native/Invaded State

4. Invaded State

States 1, 5 and 2 (additional transitions)