Ecological site R102DY011SD

3. Native/Invaded State

4. Invaded State

States 1, 5 and 2 (additional transitions)

1.1. Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass

T1A	-	Heavy continuous grazing
T1B	-	Heavy continuous grazing, no fire, non-use, invasion
T1C	-	Tillage
T2A	-	Invasive encroachment
T2B	-	Tillage
T3A	-	Non-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-Sideoats Grama-Green Needlegrass

1.3. Big Bluestem-Little Bluestem-Sideoats Grama

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-Western Wheatgrass

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Green Needlegrass-Little Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass

3.2. Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Kentucky Bluegrass

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

State 4 submodel, plant communities

4.1. Smooth Brome-Kentucky Bluegrass

4.2. Kentucky Bluegrass-Smooth Brome/Snowberry

4.3. Annual Pioneer-Perennial Pioneer

4.1A	-	Heavy continuous grazing
4.2A	-	Prescribed grazing with recovery periods
4.3A	-	Time without disturbances

State 5 submodel, plant communities

5.1. Annual Crops

State 1
Reference State

The Reference State represents the natural range of variability that dominates the dynamics of this ES. This state was codominated by cool- and warm-season grasses. Before European settlement, the primary disturbance mechanisms for this site in the reference condition included periodic fire, grazing by large herding ungulates, and fluctuations in the water table and ponding frequency and duration. Frequent surface fires (3 to 5 years) and grazing 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 cool-season bunchgrasses and short to mid-statured 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.

Dominant plant species

leadplant (Amorpha canescens), shrub
rose (Rosa), shrub
snowberry (Symphoricarpos), shrub
prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), shrub
green needlegrass (Nassella viridula), grass
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), grass
needleleaf sedge (Carex duriuscula), grass
western yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis), other herbaceous
Cuman ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), other herbaceous
white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), other herbaceous
goldenrod (Solidago), other herbaceous

Community 1.1
Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass

Interpretations are based primarily on the Green Needlegrass-Bluestem-Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase (this is also considered to be climax). The potential vegetation was about 85 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. The community was codominated by cool- and warm-season grasses. The major grasses included green needlegrass, big bluestem, western wheatgrass, little bluestem, porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spartea), and sideoats grama. Other grass or grass-like species included slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), tall dropseed (Sporobolus compositus), prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), blue grama, buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), 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 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 5. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (kg/hectare)	Representative value (kg/hectare)	High (kg/hectare)
Grass/Grasslike	2533	3273	3845
Forb	163	278	432
Shrub/Vine	106	148	207
Total	2802	3699	4484

Figure 8. 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 1.2
Western Wheatgrass-Sideoats Grama-Green Needlegrass

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 western wheatgrass, sideoats grama, blue grama, and green needlegrass. Grasses of secondary importance included big bluestem, little bluestem, buffalograss, slender wheatgrass, needleleaf sedge, and porcupinegrass. Forbs commonly found in this plant community included goldenrod (Oligoneuron), cudweed sagewort (Artemisia ludoviciana), heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides), scurfpea (Psoralidium), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), 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 cool-season species. When compared to the 1.1 Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase, western wheatgrass, sideoats grama, and blue grama increased. Production of tall warm-season grasses and needlegrasses 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 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 1.3
Big Bluestem-Little Bluestem-Sideoats Grama

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 big bluestem, little bluestem, sideoats grama, Indiangrass, switchgrass, tall dropseed, and prairie dropseed. Other grass or grass-like species included green needlegrass, porcupine grass, western wheatgrass, blue grama, slender wheatgrass, and needleleaf sedge. This plant community was not resistant to change and would have readily shifted back to the 1.1 Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase with a return of more normal fire return intervals.

Figure 10. 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

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-Sideoats Grama-Green Needlegrass 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-Little Bluestem-Sideoats Grama 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 Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass 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 Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase.

State 2
Degraded State

This state is the result of heavy continuous grazing, and the absence of periodic fire due to fire suppression. This state is dominated by blue grama, buffalograss, and western wheatgrass. The blue gama and buffalograss can form a sod-like layer that effectively blocks introduction of other plants into the system. The western wheatgrass will occur on the outer edges and intermingled within the blue grama and buffalograss sod areas. Taller warm-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 restore the degraded state.

Dominant plant species

blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), grass
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
threeawn (Aristida), grass
white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), other herbaceous
goldenrod (Solidago), other herbaceous
slimflower scurfpea (Psoralidium tenuiflorum), other herbaceous
western yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis), other herbaceous

Community 2.1
Blue Grama-Buffalograss-Western Wheatgrass

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 grasses included blue grama, sideoats grama, buffalograss, western wheatgrass, and needleleaf sedge. Grasses of secondary importance included big bluestem, little bluestem, green needlegrass, slender wheatgrass, tall dropseed, and threeawn (Aristida). Forbs commonly found in this plant community included cudweed sagewort, goldenrod, scurfpea, and western yarrow. When compared to the 1.1 Green Needlegrass-Big BluestemWestern Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase, tall warm-season grasses were reduced, and the more grazing tolerant species such as blue grama, buffalograss, and sideoats grama were dominant on this plant community. With the exception of western wheatgrass, 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 blue grama increased. The herbaceous species present were well adapted to grazing. This plant community was less productive than other phases.

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

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- and warm-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 warm-season species can decline and a corresponding increase in short statured grass will occur.

Dominant plant species

snowberry (Symphoricarpos), shrub
prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), shrub
leadplant (Amorpha canescens), shrub
rose (Rosa), shrub
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
green needlegrass (Nassella viridula), grass
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
goldenrod (Solidago), other herbaceous
white heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides), other herbaceous
white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), other herbaceous
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), other herbaceous
leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), other herbaceous

Community 3.1
Green Needlegrass-Little Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass

This plant community phase is similar to the 1.1 Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase but it also contains minor amounts of nonnative invasive grass species such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass (up to about 10 percent by air-dry weight). The potential vegetation is about 85 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. This community is codominated by cool- and warm-season grasses. The major grasses include green needlegrass, big bluestem, little bluestem, western wheatgrass, porcupine grass, and sideoats grama. Other grass or grass-like species include slender wheatgrass, Indiangrass, tall dropseed, prairie dropseed, switchgrass, blue grama, buffalograss, 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 12. 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 3.2
Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Kentucky Bluegrass

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 western wheatgrass, sideoats grama, blue grama, green needlegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. Grasses of secondary importance include big bluestem, little bluestem, buffalograss, slender wheatgrass, needleleaf sedge, and porcupine grass. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include goldenrod, cudweed sagewort, heath aster, scurfpea, western ragweed, and western yarrow. When compared to the 1.1 Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase, western wheatgrass, sideoats grama and blue grama increased. Production of tall warm-season grasses and needlegrasses was 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 6. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (kg/hectare)	Representative value (kg/hectare)	High (kg/hectare)
Grass/Grasslike	2057	2448	2740
Forb	129	291	516
Shrub/Vine	56	175	331
Total	2242	2914	3587

Figure 14. 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 Green Needlegrass-Little Bluestem-Western Wheatgrass 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.

Dominant plant species

snowberry (Symphoricarpos), shrub
rose (Rosa), shrub
prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), shrub
smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
quackgrass (Elymus repens), grass
goldenrod (Solidago), other herbaceous
white heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides), other herbaceous
Cuman ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), other herbaceous
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), other herbaceous
leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), other herbaceous

Community 4.1
Smooth Brome-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 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. 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.

Figure 15. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 7. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (kg/hectare)	Representative value (kg/hectare)	High (kg/hectare)
Grass/Grasslike	2365	2909	3486
Forb	151	252	387
Shrub/Vine	62	202	387
Total	2578	3363	4260

Figure 16. 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-Smooth Brome/Snowberry

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, smooth bromegrass, and snowberry (Symphoricarpos). 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 may develop 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 17. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 8. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (kg/hectare)	Representative value (kg/hectare)	High (kg/hectare)
Grass/Grasslike	1636	2071	2427
Forb	112	247	432
Shrub/Vine	45	148	280
Total	1793	2466	3139

Figure 18. 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 4.3
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 nonnative 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.

Figure 19. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 9. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (kg/hectare)	Representative value (kg/hectare)	High (kg/hectare)
Grass/Grasslike	1636	2071	2427
Forb	112	247	432
Shrub/Vine	45	148	280
Total	1793	2466	3139

Figure 20. 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

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-Smooth Bromegrass/Snowberry 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-Smooth Bromegrass/Snowberry 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. Cropping on this site is enabled during years with drier than normal precipitation or with artificial drainage (surface or subsurface).

Dominant plant species

corn (Zea), grass
wheat (Triticum), grass
soybean (Glycine), other herbaceous

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-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase within the Degraded 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 T2A
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 T2B
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 Plant 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-Smooth Bromegrass/Snowberry Plant 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 Plant Community Phase 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).

Conservation practices

Prescribed Grazing
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Transition T4
State 4 to 5

Tillage will cause a shift over a threshold leading to the 5.1 Annual Crops Plant 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 10. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Cool-season Bunchgrasses			555–1110
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	370–1110	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	185–555	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	0–111	–
2	Tall Warm-season Grasses			370–1110
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	259–1110	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	0–185	–
	Indiangrass	SONU2	Sorghastrum nutans	37–185	–
	composite dropseed	SPCOC2	Sporobolus compositus var. compositus	37–185	–
3	Mid Warm-season Grasses			370–925
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	185–740	–
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	185–555	–
	prairie dropseed	SPHE	Sporobolus heterolepis	37–185	–
4	Wheatgrass			296–555
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	185–555	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	74–370	–
5	Short Warm-season Grasses			74–185
	buffalograss	BODA2	Bouteloua dactyloides	37–185	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	37–185	–
	threeawn	ARIST	Aristida	0–74	–
6	Other Native Grasses			74–185
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–148	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	37–111	–
	Scribner's rosette grass	DIOLS	Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum	37–74	–
7	Grass-likes			37–185
	needleleaf sedge	CADU6	Carex duriuscula	37–185	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–111	–
Forb
8	Forbs			185–370
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	37–111	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	37–74	–
	Cuman ragweed	AMPS	Ambrosia psilostachya	37–74	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	37–74	–
	false boneset	BREU	Brickellia eupatorioides	0–74	–
	wavyleaf thistle	CIUN	Cirsium undulatum	0–74	–
	purple prairie clover	DAPU5	Dalea purpurea	0–74	–
	blacksamson echinacea	ECAN2	Echinacea angustifolia	37–74	–
	stiff sunflower	HEPA19	Helianthus pauciflorus	37–74	–
	blazing star	LIATR	Liatris	37–74	–
	Northern Idaho biscuitroot	LOOR	Lomatium orientale	37–74	–
	American bird's-foot trefoil	LOUNU	Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus	37–74	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	37–74	–
	beardtongue	PENST	Penstemon	0–74	–
	upright prairie coneflower	RACO3	Ratibida columnifera	37–74	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	37–74	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	37–74	–
	hoary verbena	VEST	Verbena stricta	0–74	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	37–74	–
	rush skeletonplant	LYJU	Lygodesmia juncea	0–37	–
	wild bergamot	MOFI	Monarda fistulosa	0–37	–
	purple locoweed	OXLA3	Oxytropis lambertii	0–37	–
	sanddune wallflower	ERCAC	Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum	0–37	–
	scarlet beeblossom	GACO5	Gaura coccinea	0–37	–
	candle anemone	ANCY	Anemone cylindrica	0–37	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–37	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	0–37	–
Shrub/Vine
9	Shrubs			111–185
	leadplant	AMCA6	Amorpha canescens	37–111	–
	Shrub (>.5m)	2SHRUB	Shrub (>.5m)	0–74	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	37–74	–
	snowberry	SYMPH	Symphoricarpos	37–74	–
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	0–37	–

Table 11. Community 3.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Cool-season Bunchgrasses			29–291
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	29–291	–
	porcupinegrass	HESP11	Hesperostipa spartea	0–146	–
2	Tall Warm-season Grasses			0–233
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	0–233	–
	composite dropseed	SPCOC2	Sporobolus compositus var. compositus	0–87	–
3	Mid Warm-season Grasses			29–437
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	29–437	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–233	–
4	Wheatgrasses			146–729
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	146–729	–
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	0–204	–
5	Short Warm-season Grasses			146–437
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	58–350	–
	buffalograss	BODA2	Bouteloua dactyloides	29–233	–
	threeawn	ARIST	Aristida	0–87	–
6	Other Native Grasses			58–146
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–146	–
	Scribner's rosette grass	DIOLS	Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum	29–58	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	29–58	–
7	Grass-likes			29–204
	needleleaf sedge	CADU6	Carex duriuscula	29–204	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–117	–
8	Non-Native Grasses			146–437
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	87–437	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	0–233	–
	quackgrass	ELRE4	Elymus repens	0–146	–
Forb
9	Forbs			146–437
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	29–117	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	29–87	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	29–87	–
	Forb, introduced	2FI	Forb, introduced	29–87	–
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	29–87	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	29–87	–
	Cuman ragweed	AMPS	Ambrosia psilostachya	29–87	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	29–87	–
	wavyleaf thistle	CIUN	Cirsium undulatum	0–58	–
	hoary verbena	VEST	Verbena stricta	0–58	–
	American vetch	VIAM	Vicia americana	0–29	–
	purple prairie clover	DAPU5	Dalea purpurea	0–29	–
	blacksamson echinacea	ECAN2	Echinacea angustifolia	0–29	–
	blazing star	LIATR	Liatris	0–29	–
	Northern Idaho biscuitroot	LOOR	Lomatium orientale	0–29	–
	American bird's-foot trefoil	LOUNU	Lotus unifoliolatus var. unifoliolatus	0–29	–
	rush skeletonplant	LYJU	Lygodesmia juncea	0–29	–
	purple locoweed	OXLA3	Oxytropis lambertii	0–29	–
	upright prairie coneflower	RACO3	Ratibida columnifera	0–29	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–29	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	0–29	–
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs			58–291
	snowberry	SYMPH	Symphoricarpos	29–233	–
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	0–87	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	29–58	–
	Shrub (>.5m)	2SHRUB	Shrub (>.5m)	0–58	–
	leadplant	AMCA6	Amorpha canescens	0–29	–

Table 12. Community 4.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Cool-season Bunchgrasses			0–235
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–235	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	0–67	–
2	Tall Warm-season Grasses			0–101
	composite dropseed	SPCOC2	Sporobolus compositus var. compositus	0–101	–
3	Mid Warm-season Grasses			0–168
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	0–135	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–67	–
4	Wheatgrass			0–168
	slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	0–168	–
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	0–168	–
5	Short Warm-season Grasses			0–101
	threeawn	ARIST	Aristida	0–101	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	0–101	–
	buffalograss	BODA2	Bouteloua dactyloides	0–67	–
6	Other Native Grasses			0–168
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–168	–
	Scribner's rosette grass	DIOLS	Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum	0–34	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0–34	–
7	Grass-likes			34–235
	needleleaf sedge	CADU6	Carex duriuscula	34–235	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–101	–
8	Non-Native Grasses			1177–2354
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	336–2018	–
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	336–2018	–
	quackgrass	ELRE4	Elymus repens	0–168	–
Forb
9	Forbs			168–336
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	34–101	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	34–101	–
	Cuman ragweed	AMPS	Ambrosia psilostachya	34–101	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	34–101	–
	Forb, introduced	2FI	Forb, introduced	34–101	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	34–101	–
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	0–67	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	34–67	–
	hoary verbena	VEST	Verbena stricta	0–67	–
	upright prairie coneflower	RACO3	Ratibida columnifera	0–34	–
	wavyleaf thistle	CIUN	Cirsium undulatum	0–34	–
	purple prairie clover	DAPU5	Dalea purpurea	0–34	–
	blazing star	LIATR	Liatris	0–34	–
	Northern Idaho biscuitroot	LOOR	Lomatium orientale	0–34	–
	rush skeletonplant	LYJU	Lygodesmia juncea	0–34	–
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs			67–336
	snowberry	SYMPH	Symphoricarpos	67–336	–
	Shrub (>.5m)	2SHRUB	Shrub (>.5m)	0–67	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	0–67	–
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	0–34	–

Table 13. Community 4.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Cool-season Bunchgrasses			0–49
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–49	–
2	Mid Warm-season Grasses			0–148
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	0–123	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–49	–
3	Wheatgrass			0–99
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	0–99	–
4	Short Warm-season Grasses			0–197
	buffalograss	BODA2	Bouteloua dactyloides	0–173	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	0–173	–
	threeawn	ARIST	Aristida	0–123	–
5	Other Native Grasses			0–123
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–123	–
	Scribner's rosette grass	DIOLS	Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum	0–25	–
6	Grass-likes			49–370
	needleleaf sedge	CADU6	Carex duriuscula	49–370	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	0–123	–
7	Non-Native Grasses			740–1480
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	247–1480	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	0–247	–
	quackgrass	ELRE4	Elymus repens	0–247	–
Forb
8	Forbs			123–370
	Forb, introduced	2FI	Forb, introduced	25–123	–
	Cuman ragweed	AMPS	Ambrosia psilostachya	25–123	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	25–123	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	25–123	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	25–99	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	25–74	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	25–74	–
	hoary verbena	VEST	Verbena stricta	0–49	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–25	–
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	0–25	–
Shrub/Vine
9	Shrubs			49–247
	snowberry	SYMPH	Symphoricarpos	49–247	–
	Shrub (>.5m)	2SHRUB	Shrub (>.5m)	0–49	–
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	0–49	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	0–25	–

Table 14. Community 4.3 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Cool-season Bunchgrasses			0–49
	green needlegrass	NAVI4	Nassella viridula	0–49	–
2	Mid Warm-season Grasses			0–148
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	0–123	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–49	–
3	Wheatgrass			0–99
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	0–99	–
4	Short Warm-season Grasses			0–197
	buffalograss	BODA2	Bouteloua dactyloides	0–173	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	0–173	–
	threeawn	ARIST	Aristida	0–123	–
5	Other Native Grasses			0–123
	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	2GRAM	Graminoid (grass or grass-like)	0–123	–
	Scribner's rosette grass	DIOLS	Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum	0–25	–
6	Grass-likes			49–370
	needleleaf sedge	CADU6	Carex duriuscula	–	–
	Grass-like (not a true grass)	2GL	Grass-like (not a true grass)	–	–
7	Non-Native Grasses			740–1480
	Kentucky bluegrass	POPR	Poa pratensis	247–1480	–
	smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	0–247	–
	quackgrass	ELRE4	Elymus repens	0–247	–
Forb
8	Forbs			123–370
	Forb, introduced	2FI	Forb, introduced	25–123	–
	Cuman ragweed	AMPS	Ambrosia psilostachya	25–123	–
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	25–123	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	25–123	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	25–99	–
	white heath aster	SYER	Symphyotrichum ericoides	25–74	–
	silverleaf Indian breadroot	PEAR6	Pediomelum argophyllum	25–74	–
	hoary verbena	VEST	Verbena stricta	0–49	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–25	–
	Forb, native	2FN	Forb, native	0–25	–
Shrub/Vine
9	Shrubs			49–247
	snowberry	SYMPH	Symphoricarpos	49–247	–
	Shrub (>.5m)	2SHRUB	Shrub (>.5m)	0–49	–
	prairie sagewort	ARFR4	Artemisia frigida	0–49	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	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.

Green Needlegrass/Bluestem/Wheatgrass (1.1 & 3.1)
Average Annual Production (lbs./ac, air-dry): 3300
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.90

Wheatgrass/Grama/Kentucky Bluegrass (3.2)
Average Annual Production (lbs./ac, air-dry): 2600
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.71

Smooth Bromegrass/Kentucky Bluegrass (4.1):
Average Annual Production (lbs./ac, air-dry): 3000
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.82

Bluegrass/Bromegrass/Snowberry (4.2):
Average Annual Production (lbs./ac, air-dry): 2200
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.60

Annual/Pioneer, Non-native Perennial (4.3):
Average Annual Production (lbs./ac, air-dry): 1000
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.27

*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 C. Infiltration is typically slow to very slow and runoff potential for this site varies from low to very 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

MLRA 102D was created in 2022 with Agricultural Handbook 296 updated. This area was MLRA 102A prior to this time. Information was copied from MLRA 102A ESDs to create the MLRA 102D ESDs.

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping data and other inventory data. Field observations from range-trained personnel were also used. Those involved in developing this site include: Stan Boltz, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; and Bruce Kunze, Soil Scientist, NRCS.

Data Source Sample Period State County
SCS-Range-417 (4018446051) 1984 SD Grant
SCS-Range-417 (1008546109) 1985 SD Roberts
SCS-Range-417 (1008646051) 1986 SD Marshall

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.

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2022. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 296.

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, 8/14/2024

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	12/07/2004
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):
None.
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 warm-season bunch grass = tall warm-season rhizomatous grass = tall & mid cool-season grasses

Sub-dominant:
>> forb > mid warm-season rhizomatous grass > short cool-season grass = short warm-season grass = 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):
70-80%, 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):
2800 – 3800 lbs./acre air-dry weight, average 3,300 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)