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Ecological site R103XY023MN

Clayey Wet Savannas

Last updated: 10/04/2023
Accessed: 12/22/2024

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General information

Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 103X–Central Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies

MLRA 103 is in Minnesota (56 percent) and Iowa (44 percent) and consists of approximately 18 million acres. It is in the Western Lake Section of the Central Lowland Province of the Interior Plains in an area known as the "Des Moines Lobe" of the Wisconsin-age ice sheet. The MLRA is mostly on a young, nearly level to gently rolling, glaciated till plain that has moraines and glacial lake plains in some areas. The plain is covered with glacial till, outwash, and glacial lake deposits. Recent alluvium consisting of clay, silt, sand, and gravel fill the bottoms of most of the major river valleys. Paleozoic bedrock sediments, primarily shale and limestone, underlie the glacial deposits in most of the area.

The annual precipitation increases from northwest to southeast. Most of the rainfall occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms during the summer. Two-thirds or more of the precipitation falls during the freeze-free period. Snowfall is common in winter. Ground water supplies are adequate for the domestic, livestock, municipal, and industrial needs. Nearly all of this area is farmland, and about four-fifths is cropland.

Classification relationships

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): Central Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies (103) (USDA Handbook 296, 2006)

USFS Subregions: North Central Glaciated Plains Section (251B); Upper Minnesota River-Des Moines Lobe (251BA) and Southern Des Moines Lobe (251Be) Subsections (Cleland et al. 2007)

Ecological site concept

The Clayey Wet Savannas ecological site is characterized by poorly drained, fine-textured soils that developed under a mix of native wet tolerant grasses and scattered trees. No flooding or ponding occurs on this site, but the seasonal high depth to soil saturation is between 0-30 cm. Grazing, drought, and periodic fires are important disturbance triggers that influence plant community structure and composition.

Associated sites

R103XY021MN	Clayey Upland Savannas The Clayey Upland Savannas ecological site is characterized by a savanna community on soils derived from clayey till and lacustrine materials. Drainage class ranges from moderately well to somewhat poorly drained.

R103XY021MN

Clayey Upland Savannas

The Clayey Upland Savannas ecological site is characterized by a savanna community on soils derived from clayey till and lacustrine materials. Drainage class ranges from moderately well to somewhat poorly drained.

Similar sites

R103XY022MN	Loamy Wet Savannas The Loamy Wet Savannas ecological site is located on soils that are derived from fine loamy till. Soils are classified as poorly drained. This site occurs on morainal ridges or in slight concavities and linear segments with a slope of less than 2 percent.

R103XY022MN

Loamy Wet Savannas

The Loamy Wet Savannas ecological site is located on soils that are derived from fine loamy till. Soils are classified as poorly drained. This site occurs on morainal ridges or in slight concavities and linear segments with a slope of less than 2 percent.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Populus tremuloides
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Andropogon gerardii (2) Carex pellita

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Physiographic features

The Clayey Wet Savannas ecological site occurs adjacent to the Big Woods ecoregion in northeastern MLRA 103. Landform positions are depressions, low gradient linear slopes, or toeslopes. These positions are linear to slightly concave both vertically and horizontally.

Figure 1. Block diagrams of the representative Clayey Wet Savannas and associated ecological sites.

Figure 2. Distribution of the Clayey Wet Savannas ecological site within MLRA 103. In many cases, the data set is not spatially consistent across political boundaries due to the method by which soils were mapped; e.g. due to county subsets.

Figure 3. The Big Woods ecoregion in dark green. (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Hillslope profile	(1) Toeslope
Landforms	(1) Ground moraine (2) Lateral moraine (3) End moraine (4) Lake plain (5) Depression
Runoff class	Very low to low
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	698 – 1,574 ft
Slope	3%
Water table depth	47 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The soil temperature regime of MLRA 103 is classified as “mesic” (i.e., mean annual soil temperature between 46 and 59°F). The average freeze-free period of this site is 157 days, while the frost-free period is 129 days. The average mean annual precipitation is 32 inches, which includes rainfall plus the water equivalent from snowfall. Cold air drainage and the fact that wet soils are colder than dry soils make this ecological site slightly colder than adjacent sloping landforms.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	126-133 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	153-161 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	31-33 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	123-136 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	152-161 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	31-34 in
Frost-free period (average)	129 days
Freeze-free period (average)	157 days
Precipitation total (average)	32 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 4. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 5. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 6. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 7. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 8. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 9. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) AMBOY [USC00210157], Amboy, MN
(2) CHANHASSEN WSFO [USC00211448], Chanhassen, MN
(3) ALBERT LEA 3 SE [USC00210075], Albert Lea, MN
(4) WELLS [USC00218808], Wells, MN

Influencing water features

The Clayey Wet Savannas ecological site receives water via precipitation, lateral subsurface flow, and runoff. Since some of these components have little for contributing area, direct precipitation may be the only water source that some of them receive. Spring is the wettest time of the year in the region.

The Clayey Wet Savannas ecological site is primarily a groundwater recharge area. Soil components that make up the central concept of this site are poorly drained (Minnetonka series) with a seasonal high water table is at or very near the soil surface. Soils are classified as endosaturated. Soil saturation is at or very near the soil surface during the spring months and may drop to as low as four feet later in the growing season. In the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system, this site is considered a Mineral Flat wetland, producing ground water recharge to adjacent ecological sites. (USDA-NRCS, 2008; Gilbert et al., 2006). This site has a Cowardin Hydrologic classification of Palustrine Emergent Wetland. It also has a United States Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Plant Community of B; Fresh (wet) Meadows.

Figure 10. Representation of hydrological factors in a typical area of the Clayey Wet Savannas and associated ecological sites on the Des Moines Lobe (MLRA 103).

Soil features

The soils associated with the Clayey Wet Savannas ecological site developed under scattered trees and grasslands. The soils are often in slight depressions and accumulated slope alluvium. As a result, dark surface epipedons (at times thicker than many prairie soils) formed in these savanna areas. Also, clay particles were illuviated from albic horizons higher in the profile and accumulated deeper. Argillic horizons form readily in Des Moines Lobe materials after leaching of all carbonates from the upper portion of the soil takes place (Grimm, 1984). The soils are classified as Vertic Argiaquolls.

These soils formed under saturated conditions that produced anaerobic conditions during at least part of the year. Organic matter tends to mask the redoximorphic features that are used to determine seasonal high depth to saturation. The primary hydric soil indicator is Thick Dark Surface (A12; USDA-NRCS, 2010). The parent materials are lacustrine or lacustrine materials over loamy glacial till. The soils are very deep (>60 inches to bedrock). The drainage class is poorly drained, with a seasonal high water table that is at or very near the surface.

Typical surface textures are silty clay loam and silty clay. The soil family particle size class is fine. Coarse fragments are between 0 and 11 percent by volume. Soil pH classes are very moderately acid to moderately alkaline throughout the series control section. The most dominant soil series correlated to this ecological site is Minnetonka.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Lacustrine deposits (2) Till
Surface texture	(1) Silty clay loam (2) Silty clay
Drainage class	Poorly drained
Permeability class	Very slow to moderate
Soil depth	80 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-60in)	10.4 – 10.9 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	20%
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	5.6 – 8.2
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)	Not specified
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)	Not specified

Ecological dynamics

The Clayey Wet Savannas ecological site is primarily located in areas adjacent to the Big Woods ecoregion and near rivers and streams, which partially protected the site from fire. Natural fire disturbance was suppressed but not eliminated in these areas resulting in a savanna landscape.

The state and transition model (STM) consists of three states: Reference State, Tillage State, and the Degraded Woodland State. The Reference State describes a site with wet tolerant native grasses and scattered hardwoods. State 2 is the Tillage State which describes land transitioned to agricultural production. This is the most common state in MLRA 103 for this site. Some areas within this State have been reseeded to warm-season or cool-season grasses. State 3 is a Degraded Woodland State in which disturbances have modified the plant community composition and structure. Lack of natural fire, hydrological alterations, unmanaged grazing, and invasive species are common triggers transitioning a site to State 3.

State and transition model

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

1. Reference State

2. Tillage State

3. Degraded Woodland

T1A	-	Tillage, drainage, planting crops
T1B	-	Absence of natural fire regime, increase in woody vegetation, and invasion of non-native species
R3A	-	Restoration activities
T3A	-	Tillage, drainage, planting crops

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Reference Community

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Tillage Community

2.2. Seeded Grassland Community

2.1A	-	Establishment of grass species
2.2A	-	Transition to row crop agriculture

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Degraded Woodland Community

State 1
Reference State

The Clayey Wet Savannas ecological site reference state exhibits a diversity of wet-tolerant native grasses and forbs along with scattered hardwood species. Plant community structure and composition within the reference state are variable and dependent upon the impacts of drought, grazing, fire events, and human disturbance. Fire was historically present on these savanna sites but to a lesser degree than the prairie ecological sites. This reduced occurrence of fire resulted in a plant community that included more woody vegetation and scattered trees. A secondary trigger for maintenance or conversion of this ecological site is grazing. Intensive grazing can reduce the extent of highly palatable species thereby allowing the growth of less desirable plants to increase. Characteristic vegetation includes big bluestem, prairie cordgrass, woolly sedge, and native forbs. Aspen and other hardwoods are present. High-quality, untilled areas of the Clayey Wet Savannas ecological site are uncommon in MLRA 103 as most sites have been transitioned to agricultural production.

Dominant plant species

quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
woolly sedge (Carex pellita), grass

Community 1.1
Reference Community

The Wet Clayey Savannas ecological site is characterized by a diversity of wet-tolerant native grasses, forbs, and scattered hardwoods. Common reference species include big bluestem, prairie cordgrass, woolly sedge, and an array of forbs. Interspersed trees include aspen and other hardwoods. The vegetative composition is influenced primarily by drought, grazing, fire, and human disturbances. Variations within the plant community structure and composition will occur on these sites depending on the disturbance regime. Fire events will reduce the extent of woody species and increase native grasses.

Dominant plant species

quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
woolly sedge (Carex pellita), grass

State 2
Tillage State

Soil tillage is the primary mechanism to transition a site to the Tillage State. Tillage alters dynamic soil properties such as bulk density, structure, organic carbon content, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Certain conservation practices can mitigate the impacts of traditional agricultural practices on soil health. Conservation tillage minimizes soil disturbance and can improve soil structure and overall soil health. Corn or soybean plantings and a cover crop rotation can build soil structure, improve infiltration rates, reduce runoff and erosion, and protect water quality. Drainage modifications such as ditching and tiling are often present. A few areas within this ecological site have been seeded to grass. Under NRCS conservation programs, some previously tilled areas have been converted to warm-season grasses. Native forbs are commonly included in seed mixes to benefit wildlife and pollinators. Cool-season grasses are also feasible. Species selection will depend on the landowner’s objectives and site specifics. Common species include reed canarygrass and Kentucky bluegrass. Although cool-season grasslands are not as species rich or biologically diverse as warm-season grasslands, they still offer soil health and wildlife benefits. Most areas in this state will remain in use for crop production in the foreseeable future – primarily in an intensive corn and soybean rotation.

Dominant plant species

corn (Zea mays), grass
soybean (Glycine max), other herbaceous

Community 2.1
Tillage Community

The Tillage Community typically consists of intensively produced, traditional row crops. Tillage, hydrological modifications, and intentional plant establishment (crop seeding) are the primary triggers for this community. The most common crops are corn and soybeans on an annual rotation. Multiple crops, however, are feasible for these areas with appropriate management.

Dominant plant species

corn (Zea mays), grass
soybean (Glycine max), other herbaceous

Community 2.2
Seeded Grassland Community

The primary mechanism of change to this community is the seeding of desired grass species. This pathway may be triggered in conjunction with a NRCS conservation program through the planting of warm-season grasses such as big bluestem and Indiangrass. A few areas within this ecological site have been seeded to cool-season grasses. Common cool-season species including Kentucky bluegrass and reed canarygrass.

Resilience management. Multiple resilience management practices may be needed after establishment of warm-season grasses. Examples include prescribed fire, brush management, and herbaceous weed treatment. Resilience management practices for cool-season grass sites include planned grazing, invasive plant management, and appropriate disturbance/harvest management.

Dominant plant species

big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), grass
reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

The mechanism of change is the seeding of grass species. Warm-season or cool-season grasses may be planted depending on the landowner's objectives.

Conservation practices

Forage and Biomass Planting

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1

The site is transitioned back to cropland through tillage and seeding.

State 3
Degraded Woodland

This State is characterized by a disturbed and degraded woodland. Characteristics include an increase in shrubs and hardwood trees (no longer a true savanna community), the presence of invasive plant species, and a reduction in the diversity of native understory species. Hardwood trees have increased and invasives, such as Kentucky bluegrass and common buckthorn, may dominant the understory. As the tree and shrub density increases, the ground layer plant diversity decreases and transitions to more shade-tolerant species.

Dominant plant species

quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), grass

Community 3.1
Degraded Woodland Community

This plant community exhibits an increase in woody species and invasive plants. Native plant diversity is decreasing. Due to the increasing shade levels, ground flora is transitioning to more shade-tolerant species. The community is no longer a savanna but a woodland.

Dominant plant species

quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), grass

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

The site is transitioned to agricultural production through tillage, drainage, and seeding of desired crops.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

Transition mechanisms include absence of a natural fire regime, invasion of non-native plant species, and a continual increase in woody species. The community transitions from a open savanna to a more closed, shaded woodland.

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1

Long-term restoration of the site to include non-native vegetation control, woody vegetation removal, establishment of desired native species. Natural hydrology must be present for a full restoration.

Transition T3A
State 3 to 2

Site is transitioned to agricultural production via tillage, drainage, and seeding of desired crops.

Additional community tables

Supporting information

Inventory data references

No field plots were available for this site. A review of the scientific literature and professional experience were used to approximate the plant communities for this provisional ecological site. Information for the state-and-transition model was obtained from the same sources. All community phases are considered provisional based on these plots and the sources identified in ecological site description.

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 Conterminous United States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-76. Washington, DC.

Eggers, S.D. and Reed, D.M. 2015. Wetland Plans and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin Version 3.2. United States Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch; St. Paul District.

Gilbert, M.C., P.M. Whited, E.J. Clairain, Jr., and D.R. Smith. 2006. A Regional Guidebook for Applying the Hydrogeomorphic Approach to Assessing Wetland Functions of Prairie Potholes. ERDC/EL TR-06-5, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS.

Gucker, C.L. 2011. Quercus macrocarpa. In: Fire Effects Information System [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: https://www.feis-crs.org/feis/. Accessed September 25, 2017.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2005. Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota: the Prairie Parkland and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands Provinces. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. St. Paul, Minnesota.

Ojakangas, R.W. and C.L. Matsch. 1982. Minnesota’s Geology. University of Minnesota Press. Minneapolis, MN.

Tirmenstein, D.A. 1991. Quercus alba. In: Fire Effects Information System [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Available: https://www.feis-crs.org/feis/. Accessed September 25, 2017.

USDA-NRCS. 2010. Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States, A Guide for Identifying and Delineating Hydric Soils, Version 7.0. Washington, DC.

USDA-NRCS. 2008. Hydrogeomorphic Wetland Classification System: An Overview and Modification to Better Meet the Needs of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Technical Note No. 190–8–76. Washington D.C.

USDA-NRCS. 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean and the Pacific Basin. United States Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.

Contributors

Clayton Johnson (Clayton.Johnson@usda.gov), Soil Survey Office Leader, USDA-NRCS, Albert Lea, MN
Myles Elsen (Myles.Elsen@usda.gov), Soil Scientist, USDA-NRCS, Albert Lea, MN
Anita Arends (Anita.Arends@usda.gov), USDA-NRCS, Springfield, IL

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 10/04/2023

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)
Contact for lead author
Date	10/06/2023
Approved by	Suzanne Mayne-Kinney
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production