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Ecological site R106XY067NE

Saline Subirrigated

Last updated: 6/09/2025
Accessed: 12/06/2025

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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.

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Figure 1. Mapped extent

Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 106X–Nebraska and Kansas Loess-Drift Hills

Named the “Nebraska and Kansas Loess-Drift Hills,” Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 106 is divided almost evenly between southeastern Nebraska (52%), and northeastern Kansas, (48%). The approximately seven-million-acre landscape covers all or parts of thirty counties between the two states. The northern border is located on the north end of Saunders County, Nebraska, and the MLRA extends into Douglas County, Kansas in the south. The Nebraska cities of Beatrice and Lincoln are the major population centers in the north, while Topeka and Lawrence in Kansas are the primary cities in the south. The Platte, Little Nemaha, and the North Fork of the Big Nemaha Rivers flow through the Nebraska side of the MLRA, while the Black Vermillion, the Soldier, and the Delaware Rivers are the major waterways on the Kansas side. The Big Blue River runs through both states, while the Salt Creek hydrologic system located near Lincoln, Nebraska provides habitat for the only known population of the Federally listed endangered Salt Creek Tiger Beetle.

This dissected glacial drift plain primarily consists of broad, smooth ridgetops, and slopes ranging from nearly level to steep. The elevation in MLRA 106 decreases from west to east, and ranges from nearly 1,650 feet to less than 790 feet above sea level. Stream valleys in this landscape are narrow and bordered by steep hills, with 10 to 20 feet of local relief. The river valleys are broader and may drop up to over 160 feet below the adjacent hilltops. The uplands are primarily comprised of glacial drift underlying a mantle of loess, while alluvial deposits are found in the stream and river valleys. Limestone and shale quarries are also located in MLRA 106. The predominant soil orders in this MLRA are mesic, udic, Mollisols, Alfisols, and Entisols. Loams and clays are the primary soil textures in this landscape.

Sixty-two percent of the land in this MLRA has been broken out of native prairie and farmed, while only 23 percent of the grasslands remain. Livestock grazing, primarily by cattle, is the main industry on these remnants. Corn, wheat, soybeans, and grain sorghum are the primary commodity crops, but a significant number of acres are also planted to alfalfa for harvest as hay. With annual precipitation averaging from 40 inches in the southeast, to 28 inches in the northwest, irrigation for crop production is not a critical factor in most years.

The historical matrix vegetation type is Tallgrass Prairie, and big and little bluestem, switchgrass, Indiangrass, sideoats, and blue grama make up the bulk of the warm-season species. Historically, western wheatgrass was the dominant cool-season grass but today the dominant cool-season grasses are introduced grasses, smooth brome in the north and tall fescue in the south. Large and small patch vegetative communities are found primarily along the riparian zones, and on both upland and lowland saline sites. Woodlands make up about six percent of MLRA 106, consisting primarily of green ash, oak, hackberry, boxelder, and maple trees.

Wildlife flourishes in this combination of crop and grassland environments. In a landscape historically occupied by bison herds, white-tailed deer are now the most abundant wild ungulates. A variety of smaller species, including coyote, raccoon, opossum, porcupines, muskrat, beaver, squirrel, and mink thrive in the region. Native grassland bird populations are limited by the lack of contiguous native prairie and the fragmented habitat created by the farmland. The rivers, streams, and lakes harbor excellent fisheries, and migrating and local waterfowl use the wetland complexes. These complexes provide ideal habitat for wading and shore bird species as well.

This landscape serves as a backdrop for a disturbance driven ecosystem, evolving under the influences of herbivory, fire, and variable climate. Historically, these processes created a heterogeneous mosaic of plant communities and structure heights across the region. Any given site in this landscape experienced fire every three to four years. Fires were caused by lightning strikes and also were set by Native Americans, who used fire for warfare, signaling, and to refresh the native grasses. The Indigenous inhabitants understood the value of fire as a tool and that the highly palatable growth following a fire provided excellent forage for their horses and attracted grazing game animals such as bison and elk.

Land use patterns by post European settlers have fragmented the native grasslands through conversion to cropland, transportation corridors, and other developments. This has significantly altered the natural fire regime allowing encroachment by native and introduced shrubs and trees into the native prairie remnants throughout the MLRA. Aggressive fire suppression policies have exacerbated this process to the point that shrub and tree encroachment is a major ecological threat in the majority of both native and reseeded grasslands. Introduction of eastern red cedar as a windbreak species further facilitates invasion by this species. While eastern red cedar is native to the landscape, the historic population in MLRA 106 was limited to isolated pockets in rugged river drainageways that were protected from fire. Widespread plantings of windbreaks with eastern red cedar as a primary component have provided a seed source for the aggressive woody plant. The ensuing encroachment into the native grasslands degrades the native wildlife habit and causes significant forage loss for domestic livestock. Since it is not a root-sprouter, eastern red cedar is very susceptible to fire when under six feet tall. Management with prescribed fire is exceedingly effective if applied before this stage. Larger eastern red cedars can also be controlled with fire, but successful application requires the use of specifically designed ignition and holding techniques.

Classification relationships

►USDA-NRCS (2022)◄
Land Resource Region – M, Central Feed Grains and Livestock Region
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) – 106

►Fenneman (1916) Physiographic Regions ◄
Division – Interior Plains
Province – Central Lowland
Section – Dissected Till Plains

►USDA-USFS (2007) Ecoregions◄
Domain – Humid Temperate
Division – Prairie
Province – Prairie Parkland (Temperate)
Section – Central Dissected Till Plains (251C)

►EPA Ecoregions (Omernik 1997)◄
I – Great Plains (9)
II – Temperate Prairies (9.2)
III – Western Corn Belt Plains (9.2.3)
IV – Loess and Glacial Drift Hills (47i)

►Associated Counties◄
Nebraska: Butler, Cass, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward

Kansas: Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Douglas, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Washington, Wyandotte

Ecological site concept

The Saline Subirrigated ecological site is located on nearly level floodplains and receives additional moisture from runoff or overflow. The site is occasionally to frequently flooded. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. Soils are very deep (greater than 60 inches) with surface textures ranging from silty clay loam to silt loam. Soils contain high amounts of sodium. The distinguishing characteristics of the site are the accumulation of salts within the root zone and a seasonal or perennial high water table within three feet of the surface.

Vegetation in the Reference State (1) fluctuates between a marsh zone, a salt flat zone, and a wet meadow zone. In wetter years, the predominant zone is the marsh zone which is semi-permanently flooded and dominated by saltmarsh bulrush, prairie bulrush, narrowleaf cattail, and other grass-likes. In dryer years, the predominant zone is the wet meadow zone which is a seasonally wet meadow dominated by salt tolerant grasses including saltgrass, prairie cordgrass, and western wheatgrass. As the flooded areas recede a salt flat zone dominated by forbs will develop and then be replaced by the vegetation of the wet meadow zone. Depending upon local conditions, at any point in time, a site may be exclusively marsh zone, exclusively wet meadow zone, or a combination of the three zones.

The Saline Subirrigated ecological sites in Lancaster County, Nebraska provide critical habitat for the only known population of the federally endangered Salt Creek Tiger Beetle.

Associated sites

R106XY083NE	Saline Lowland The Saline Lowland ecological site is often found adjacent to Saline Subirrigated ecological site but located on a higher landscape position.
R106XY032NE	Subirrigated The Subirrigated ecological site may be found in association with and adjacent to the Saline Subirrigated ecological site but Subirrigated sites are found on areas with no visible surface salts.
R106XY065NE	Wet Subirrigated The Wet Subirrigated ecological site may be found in association with the Saline Subirrigated ecological site but Wet Subirrigated sites are located in a lower landscape position and on areas with no visible surface salts.

R106XY083NE

Saline Lowland

The Saline Lowland ecological site is often found adjacent to Saline Subirrigated ecological site but located on a higher landscape position.

R106XY032NE

Subirrigated

The Subirrigated ecological site may be found in association with and adjacent to the Saline Subirrigated ecological site but Subirrigated sites are found on areas with no visible surface salts.

R106XY065NE

Wet Subirrigated

The Wet Subirrigated ecological site may be found in association with the Saline Subirrigated ecological site but Wet Subirrigated sites are located in a lower landscape position and on areas with no visible surface salts.

Similar sites

R106XY083NE	Saline Lowland Saline Lowland ecological site has an accumulation of salts within the root zone but does not have a seasonal high water table at 36 inches or higher that is present on Saline Subirrigated ecological sites. The absence of a seasonally high water table results in a significantly different plant community as compared to Saline Subirrigated ecological sites.
R106XY032NE	Subirrigated The Subirrigated ecological site also has seasonal high water table which is typically at 18 to 36 inches but the site has no visible surface salts. The absence of salts results in significantly different plant community and higher vegetative production as compared to the Saline Subirrigated ecological site.
R106XY065NE	Wet Subirrigated The Wet Subirrigated ecological site also has seasonal high water table which typically ranges from the surface to 18 inches deep but has no visible surface salts. The absence of salts results in a significantly different plant community and higher vegetative production as compared to the Saline Subirrigated ecological site.

R106XY083NE

Saline Lowland

Saline Lowland ecological site has an accumulation of salts within the root zone but does not have a seasonal high water table at 36 inches or higher that is present on Saline Subirrigated ecological sites. The absence of a seasonally high water table results in a significantly different plant community as compared to Saline Subirrigated ecological sites.

R106XY032NE

Subirrigated

The Subirrigated ecological site also has seasonal high water table which is typically at 18 to 36 inches but the site has no visible surface salts. The absence of salts results in significantly different plant community and higher vegetative production as compared to the Saline Subirrigated ecological site.

R106XY065NE

Wet Subirrigated

The Wet Subirrigated ecological site also has seasonal high water table which typically ranges from the surface to 18 inches deep but has no visible surface salts. The absence of salts results in a significantly different plant community and higher vegetative production as compared to the Saline Subirrigated ecological site.

Figure 2. Block diagram for the Saline Subirrigated Ecological Site in MLRA 106.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Spartina pectinata (2) Distichlis spicata

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Physiographic features

The Saline Subirrigated ecological site occurs on nearly level floodplains adjacent to streams and rivers. These soils are seasonally wet, have an accumulation of salts within the root zone, and are subject to flooding. These soils receive runoff from areas higher on the landscape.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Valley > Flood plain (2) River valley > Flood-plain step
Runoff class	Negligible to medium
Flooding frequency	Occasional
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	730 – 1,700 ft
Slope	2%
Water table depth	36 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

Like most Great Plains landscapes, the climate in this MLRA is under the sway of the continental effect. This creates a regime of extremes, with summer highs often in the triple digits and winter lows plunging well below zero. Blizzards can occur anytime between early fall and late spring, dropping the temperature more than 50 degrees in just a few hours. These events can pile up several feet of snow, often driven by winds in excess of 50 miles an hour. The resulting huge snow drifts can cause serious hardship for livestock, wildlife, and humans. Winters can be open, with bare ground for most of the season, or closed, with several feet of snow persisting until March. Most winters have a number of warm days interspersed with dropping temperatures, usually associated with approaching cold fronts. Spring brings violent thunderstorms, hail, and high winds. Tornadoes occur frequently.

About three-fourths of the precipitation falls as high intensity, convective thunderstorms from late in spring through early in autumn. The average annual precipitation gradient trends higher from northwest (28”) to southeast (40”), and the average annual temperature gradient trends higher from north (50°F) to south (55°F). Daily winds range from an average of 14 miles per hour during the spring to 11 miles per hour during the late summer. Occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 80 miles per hour.

Native cool-season plants begin growth in early April and continue to about mid-June. Native warm-season plants begin growth in early June and continue to early August. Green-up of cool-season plants may occur in September and October.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	136-150 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	161-186 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	31-38 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	129-157 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	154-191 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	29-40 in
Frost-free period (average)	143 days
Freeze-free period (average)	173 days
Precipitation total (average)	34 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 8. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) BEATRICE 1N [USC00250622], Beatrice, NE
(2) MEAD 6S [USC00255362], Ithaca, NE
(3) RAYMOND 2NE [USC00257055], Raymond, NE
(4) TABLE ROCK 4 N [USC00258410], Table Rock, NE
(5) ASHLAND NO 2 [USC00250375], Ashland, NE
(6) TECUMSEH 1S [USC00258465], Tecumseh, NE
(7) LINCOLN UNIV PWR PLT [USW00014971], Lincoln, NE
(8) AUBURN 5 ESE [USC00250435], Auburn, NE
(9) VIRGINIA [USC00258875], Virginia, NE
(10) WAHOO [USC00258905], Wahoo, NE
(11) WEEPING WATER [USC00259090], Weeping Water, NE
(12) LINCOLN MUNI AP [USW00014939], Lincoln, NE
(13) PAWNEE CITY [USC00256570], Pawnee City, NE
(14) FALLS CITY BRENNER FLD [USW00094957], Falls City, NE
(15) HOLTON [USC00143759], Holton, KS
(16) HORTON [USC00143810], Horton, KS
(17) TOPEKA FORBES FLD [USW00013920], Berryton, KS
(18) TOPEKA MUNI AP [USW00013996], Topeka, KS
(19) LAWRENCE [USC00144559], Lawrence, KS
(20) LAWRENCE MUNI AP [USW00003997], Lawrence, KS
(21) BONNER SPRINGS [USC00140957], Bonner Springs, KS
(22) OSKALOOSA 4 NE [USC00146100], Mc Louth, KS

Influencing water features

The Saline Subirrigated site is by definition connected to the water table, and subsequently affected by seasonal and periodic fluctuations. The associated vegetative communities are highly influenced by both the water level fluctuations and the high degree of salinity. These two factors limit both the species diversity and the overall vegetative production on the site.

Soil features

The soils associated with the Saline Subirrigated ecological site were formed on floodplains in clayey and silty alluvium. The soils are very deep and poorly to somewhat poorly drained. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. The soils contain high amounts of sodium. The soils have low to moderately high saturated hydraulic conductivity. The depth to the water table ranges from the surface to three feet.

The soil series correlated to this site are Salmo, Saltillo, and Zoe. Additional information can be found in the various soil survey reports. Contact the local USDA Service Center for soil survey reports that include more detail specific to your location or visit Web Soil Survey (https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov).

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Alluvium
Surface texture	(1) Silty clay loam (2) Silt loam
Drainage class	Poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained
Permeability class	Very slow to moderately slow
Soil depth	80 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	4.1 – 8.5 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	25%
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	16 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)	2 – 75
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	6.1 – 8.4
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)	Not specified
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)	Not specified

Ecological dynamics

Saline Subirrigated ecological sites developed under Central Great Plains climatic conditions, light to severe grazing by bison and other large herbivores, sporadic natural or man caused wildfires, and other biotic and abiotic factors which typically influence soil and site development. This continues to be a disturbance driven site, by herbivory, fire, and variable climate. Changes occur in the plant communities due to weather variations, impacts of native and exotic plant and animal species, and management actions.

One of the primary impacts to this site introduced by European man is season long continuous grazing by domestic livestock. This management practice causes the repeated removal of the growing point and excessive defoliation of the leaf area of individual tall warm-season grasses. The resulting reduction of the ability of the plants to harvest sunlight depletes the root reserves, subsequently decreasing the root mass. This negatively impacts the ability of the plants to compete for life sustaining nutrients, resulting in declining vigor and eventual mortality. The space created in the vegetative community is then occupied by a species that evades the negative grazing impacts by a growing season adaptation such as a cool season, shorter structure, or reduced palatability mechanism.

The State and Transition Model (STM) is depicted below and includes a Reference State (1), a Native/Invaded State (2), and a Sod-busted State (3). Each state represents the crossing of a major ecological threshold due to alteration of the functional dynamic properties of the ecosystem. The main properties observed to determine this change are the soil and vegetative communities and the hydrologic cycle. The STM illustrates the common plant communities that can occur on the site and the transition pathways between communities (Bestelmeyer, 2010). The ecological processes will be discussed in more detail in the plant community descriptions following the diagram.

Each state may have one or more vegetative communities which fluctuate in species composition and abundance within the normal parameters of the state. Within each state, communities may degrade or recover in response to natural and man caused disturbances such as variation in the degree and timing of herbivory, presence or absence of fire, and climatic and local fluctuations in the precipitation regime.

Interpretations are primarily based on the Reference State and have been determined by study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance, and areas under long term rotational grazing regimes. Trends in plant community dynamics have been interpreted from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts. Plant communities, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds have been determined through similar studies and experience.

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. Native/Invaded Grass State

3. Sodbusted State

T1A	-	Heavy grazing or haying with inadequate growing season recovery periods.
T1B	-	Tillage to facilitate production agriculture.
T2A	-	Tillage to facilitate production agriculture.

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Reference Community

1.2. Wet Meadow Community

1.3. At-Risk Community

1.4. Excessive Litter Community

1.5. Salt Flat Community

Communities 1, 5 and 2 (additional pathways)

1.1. Reference Community

1.5. Salt Flat Community

1.2. Wet Meadow Community

1.1A	-	Extended period of drier weather.
1.2A	-	Extended period of above normal precipitation.
1.2B	-	Grazing or haying with inadequate, growing season recovery periods.
1.2C	-	Prolonged absence (> 5 years) of herbivory and fire.
1.3A	-	Extended above normal precipitation with semi-permanent flooding.
1.3B	-	Prescribed grazing or haying with adequate, growing season recovery periods.
1.3C	-	Prolonged absence (> 5 years) of herbivory and fire.
1.4A	-	Reintroduction of herbivory and fire.
1.4B	-	Reintroduction of herbivory and fire.
1.5A	-	Extended period of above average precipitation.
1.5B	-	Continued drier conditions
1.5C	-	Continuous, heavy, season-long grazing.

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Degraded Community

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Reseeded Native Grass Community

3.2. Seeded Pasture Community

3.3. Natural Reclamation Community

State 1
Reference State

The Reference State (1) describes the range of vegetative community phases that occur on the Saline Subirrigated ecological site where the natural processes are mostly intact. Under natural conditions, vegetation in the Reference State (1) fluctuates between a Marsh Community (1.1), a Salt Flat Community (1.5), and a Wet Meadow Community (1.2). In wetter years, the site is dominated by the Reference or Marsh Community (1.1) which is semi-permanently flooded and dominated by grass-likes and dominated by forbs including cosmopolitan (saltmarsh) bulrush, narrowleaf cattail, broadleaf cattail, and sago pondweed. In dryer years, the predominant zone is the Wet Meadow Community (1.2) which is a seasonally wet meadow zone dominated by salt tolerant grasses including saltgrass, prairie cordgrass, and western wheatgrass. As the flooded areas recede a Salt-Flat Community (1.5) which is dominated by forbs will develop. The plant composition of the Salt Flat Community (1.5) is often in concentric rings around the flooded portion of the site with the inner ring being dominated by Pursh seepweed and saltwort, the next ring dominated by marsh elder, spikerush, spearscale, and foxtail barley, and the outer ring is dominated by saltgrass. This is followed by a transition area that is diverse and includes panicled aster, saltmarsh aster, silver-scale saltbush, spearscale, spikerush, seaside heliotrope, marsh elder, and grasses including Texas dropseed, bearded sprangletop, plains bluegrass, and western wheatgrass. Depending upon local conditions, at any point in time, a site may be exclusively marsh zone, exclusively wet meadow zone, or a combination of the two zones and with the Salt Flat Community (1.5) acting as a bridge between the Reference or Marsh (1.1) and Wet Meadow (1.2) Communities. All three communities are a representation of the native plant community phases that occupy the site when it has been minimally altered by management. The At-Risk (1.4) and the Excessive Litter (1.5) Communities are the phases that result from management decisions that are unfavorable for a healthy Reference Community (1.1). High perennial grass cover and production allows for increased soil moisture retention, vegetative production, and overall soil quality.

Dominant plant species

saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
Texas dropseed (Sporobolus texanus), grass
foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass
cosmopolitan bulrush (Bolboschoenus maritimus), other herbaceous
narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), other herbaceous
broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia), other herbaceous
sago pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata), other herbaceous
red swampfire (Salicornia rubra), other herbaceous
Pursh seepweed (Suaeda calceoliformis), other herbaceous
annual marsh elder (Iva annua), other herbaceous

Community 1.1
Reference Community

Figure 9. The Reference or Marsh Community (1.1) of the Saline Subirrigated ecological site. Saunders County, Nebraska, MLRA 106.

The Reference Community or Marsh Community (1.1) represents the community that occupies the semi-permanently flooded areas of this site. The presence of water and the excessive salinity make this site less vulnerable to management practices. Cosmopolitan bulrush (salt marsh bulrush), narrow-leaf cattail, broadleaf cattail, and sago pondweed are the dominant vegetative species in this community. This community is present during wetter climatic periods. As the weather pattern moves to a drier cycle, the shallower portions of this zone will move to the Salt Flat Community (1.5).

Dominant plant species

cosmopolitan bulrush (Bolboschoenus maritimus), other herbaceous
narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), other herbaceous
broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia), other herbaceous
sago pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata), other herbaceous

Community 1.2
Wet Meadow Community

Figure 10. The Wet Meadow Zone of the Saline Subirrigated Site at Arbor Lake in Lancaster County, Nebraska, MLRA 106.

The Wet Meadow Community (1.2) represents the community that occupies the seasonally wet or non-flooded areas of the site. This community is vulnerable to impact by management practices and is dominated by salt tolerant plants. Prairie cordgrass, saltgrass, switchgrass, and western wheatgrass are the primary grass species. Heath aster, salt marsh aster, prairie ironweed, panicled aster, and seaside heliotrope are common forbs. The average annual vegetative production of this community is 3,800 lbs. per acre.

Dominant plant species

silverscale saltbush (Atriplex argentea), shrub
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
plains bluegrass (Poa arida), grass
bearded sprangletop (Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis), grass
Texas dropseed (Sporobolus texanus), grass
eastern annual saltmarsh aster (Symphyotrichum subulatum), other herbaceous
white panicle aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum), other herbaceous
seaside heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum var. obovatum), other herbaceous
prairie ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata), other herbaceous
white heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides), other herbaceous
pale spikerush (Eleocharis macrostachya), other herbaceous

Community 1.3
At-Risk Community

Figure 11. Saline Subirrigated ecological site. At-Risk Community (1.3). Little Salt West, Lancaster County NE., MLRA 106

In the At-Risk Community (1.3) most of the warm-season, tall and mid grasses have been replaced by saltgrass and foxtail barley. Forbs are increasing. Due to excessive livestock hoof action and the loss of the deeper-rooted grass species, a compaction layer may begin to develop. The energy cycle and the hydrological cycle are beginning to be negatively impacted as well. Without a change in management, this community will cross an ecological threshold and move into the Native/Invaded State (2).

Dominant plant species

saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass
plains bluegrass (Poa arida), grass

Community 1.4
Excessive Litter Community

Figure 12. Excessive Litter Phase on a Saline Subirrigated Site in MLRA 106.

The Excessive Litter Community (1.4) develops when the natural disturbances of herbivory and fire are removed from the system for extended periods of time (five years or more). Litter significantly exceeds the amount expected on the site and the species present can tolerate a thatch layer. Individual plants tend to be clumped and there is an excessive amount of litter. Species that cannot tolerate an extensive litter layer have low vigor and reduced productivity. Once the undisturbed litter layer develops to a certain level, a significant amount of precipitation is held in this layer increasing evaporation, limiting soil available moisture, and simulating drought conditions. If herbivory or fire are not reintroduced, the plant community will experience a significant amount of death loss.

Dominant plant species

plains bluegrass (Poa arida), grass
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass

Community 1.5
Salt Flat Community

Figure 13. Saline Subirrigated ecological site, Salt Flat Community (1.5). Lancaster County, NE, MLRA 106.

The Salt Flat Community (1.5) describes a plant community that colonizes the bare areas that occur as flooded areas subside leaving a bare, salt-crusted soil. The plants of the Salt Flat Community (1.5) tend to occur in concentric rings around the flooded portion of the Saline Wetland. The inner most ring or portion closest to the flooded Marsh Community (1.1) is dominated by Pursh seepweed (sea blite) and red swampfire (saltwort). The next ring is dominated by marsh elder, saline saltbush (spearscale), foxtail barley, and saltgrass. The outer ring contains more grasses and is dominated by western wheatgrass, spikerush, bearded sprangletop, plains bluegrass, Texas dropseed, and forbs. As conditions continue to dry the community transitions to the Wet Meadow Community (1.2) which is dominated by salt-tolerant grasses.

Dominant plant species

foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass
saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
plains bluegrass (Poa arida), grass
Texas dropseed (Sporobolus texanus), grass
bearded sprangletop (Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis), grass
Pursh seepweed (Suaeda calceoliformis), other herbaceous
red swampfire (Salicornia rubra), other herbaceous
annual marsh elder (Iva annua), other herbaceous
saline saltbush (Atriplex subspicata), other herbaceous

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.5

Reference Community

Salt Flat Community

When the weather enters a drier precipitation cycle, flooding recedes leaving a dry, crusted salt flat which is colonized by the Salt Flat Community (1.5).

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Wet Meadow Community

Reference Community

When the weather enters a wetter cycle, the land becomes semi-permanently flooded and too wet to support the Wet Meadow Community (1.2). Plants of the Reference Community (1.1) that can withstand extended flooding and the accompanying saturated soils replace the plants of the Wet Meadow Community (1.2).

Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.3

Wet Meadow Community

At-Risk Community

A shift from the Wet Meadow Community (1.2) to the At-Risk Community (1.3) occurs with continuous season-long grazing or rotational grazing with inadequate growing season recovery periods. This shift will also occur when the land is hayed without allowing adequate time between harvests for the warm-season, tall and mid grasses to recover.

Pathway 1.2C
Community 1.2 to 1.4

Wet Meadow Community

Excessive Litter Community

Prolonged interruption (greater than five years) of the natural disturbances of herbivory and fire will convert the Wet Meadow Community (1.2) to the Excessive Litter Community (1.4).

Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1

At-Risk Community

Reference Community

The At-Risk Community (1.3) can move to the Reference Community (1.1) with an extended period of above normal precipitation and the resulting semi-permanent flooding of the site.

Pathway 1.3B
Community 1.3 to 1.2

At-Risk Community

Wet Meadow Community

With the implementation of prescribed grazing with appropriate stocking rates and adequate growing season recovery for warm-season, tall and mid grass species, the At-Risk Community (1.3) can move to the Wet Meadow Community (1.2). When the land is hayed, forage harvest management that incorporates growing season recovery periods will facilitate this change in the plant community.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Grazing

Pathway 1.3C
Community 1.3 to 1.4

At-Risk Community

Excessive Litter Community

Prolonged interruption of the natural disturbances of herbivory and fire will convert the At-Risk Community (1.3) to the Excessive Litter Community (1.4).

Pathway 1.4A
Community 1.4 to 1.2

Excessive Litter Community

Wet Meadow Community

Reintroduction of the natural processes of herbivory and fire will allow the vegetation of the Excessive Litter Community (1.4) return to the Wet Meadow Community (1.2).

Conservation practices

Prescribed Burning
Prescribed Grazing

Pathway 1.4B
Community 1.4 to 1.3

Excessive Litter Community

At-Risk Community

Reintroduction of the natural processes of herbivory and fire will allow the vegetation of the Excessive Litter Community (1.4) return to the At-Risk Community (1.3).

Conservation practices

Prescribed Burning
Prescribed Grazing

Pathway 1.5A
Community 1.5 to 1.1

Salt Flat Community

Reference Community

During extended periods of above normal precipitation the land becomes semi-permanently flooded and soils become saturated. The plants of the Reference or Marsh Community (1.1) which can withstand extended flooding and saturated soils replace the plants of the Salt Flat Community (1.5).

Pathway 1.5B
Community 1.5 to 1.2

Salt Flat Community

Wet Meadow Community

As the sites dry and the soils become moist rather than saturated, the Wet Meadow Community (1.2) replaces the Salt Flat Community (1.5)

Pathway 1.5C
Community 1.5 to 1.3

Salt Flat Community

At-Risk Community

A shift from the Salt Flat Community (1.5) to the At-Risk Community (1.3) occurs with continuous, heavy season-long grazing. This management may also cause a compaction layer which will contribute toward further degradation of the site.

State 2
Native/Invaded Grass State

This Reference State (1) has crossed a major ecological threshold and transitioned to the Native/Invaded Grass State (2). This transition is the result of long-term management strategies that cause a major and almost irreversible shift in the species composition of the vegetative community. Native tall and mid grasses and grass-likes have been replaced by warm-season, sod forming short grasses, primarily inland saltgrass, and salt tolerant forbs. Non-native grasses may also be subdominant or dominant. The Native/Invaded Grass State (2) includes the Shortgrass Sod/Non-Native Grass Community (2.1) community phase.

Dominant plant species

saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
European common reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis), grass
reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
hybrid cattail (Typha ×glauca), other herbaceous

Community 2.1
Degraded Community

In the Degraded Community (2.1), most of the native warm-season, tall and mid grasses and native cool-season grasses have been replaced by native warm-season short grasses. The plant community is dominated by saltgrass and weedy forb species in the most saline areas. Non-native cool-season grasses may be present and subdominant or dominant in areas with lower salinity levels. The loss of warm-season, tall and mid grasses has negatively impacted energy flow and nutrient cycling. A compaction layer may be present due to excessive livestock hoof action. Permanent alterations of the soil community and the hydrologic cycle make restoration to the original native Reference Community (1.1) extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Dominant plant species

saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
European common reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis), grass
reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass

State 3
Sodbusted State

The threshold to the Sod-busted State (3) is crossed as a result of mechanical disturbance to facilitate production agriculture. Extensive areas of this ecological site were plowed and converted to crop production by early European settlers and their subsequent generations. In addition to permanently altering the existing vegetative community, repeated tillage negatively impacted soil properties. Reductions in organic matter, mineral levels, soil structure, oxygen levels, and water holding capacity along with increased runoff and erosion as well as shifts in the populations of soil dwelling organisms were common on these sites. The extent of these changes depended upon the duration of cropping as well as crops grown and other management practices. If farming operations are suspended, the site can be abandoned or seeded to permanent vegetation. Seedings are either a tame pasture forage mixture, the Seeded Pasture Community (3.2), or a mixture of native grasses and forbs, the Reseeded Native Grass Community (3.1). Abandonment results in the Natural Reclamation Community (3.3). Permanent alterations of the soil, plant community, and the hydrologic cycle make restoration to the Reference State (1) extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Community 3.1
Reseeded Native Grass Community

The Reseeded Native Grass Community (3.1) does not contain native remnants, and varies considerably depending upon the seed mixture, the degree of soil erosion, the age of the stand, fertility management, and past grazing management. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods will be required to maintain productivity and desirable species. Native range and grasslands seeded to native species are ecologically different and should be managed separately. Factors such as functional group, species, stand density, and improved varieties all impact the production level and palatability of the seedings. Species diversity is often limited, and when grazed in conjunction with native rangelands, uneven forage utilization may occur. Total annual production during an average year varies significantly depending upon precipitation, management, and grass species seeded.

Community 3.2
Seeded Pasture Community

The Seeded Pasture Community (3.2) does not contain native remnants and varies considerably depending upon the extent of soil erosion, the species seeded, the quality of the stand that was established, the age of the stand, and management of the stand since establishment. Several factors make seeded tame pasture a different grazing resource than native rangeland and land seeded to a native grass mixture. Factors such as species selected, stand density, improved varieties, and harvest efficiency all impact production levels and palatability. Species diversity on seeded tame pasture is often limited to a few species. When seeded pasture and native rangelands or seeded pasture and seeded rangeland are in the same grazing unit, uneven forage utilization will occur. Improve forage utilization and stand longevity by managing this community separately from native rangelands or land seeded to native grass species. Total annual production during an average year varies significantly depending on the level of management and species seeded. Improved varieties of warm-season or cool-season grasses are recommended for optimum forage production.

Community 3.3
Natural Reclamation Community

The Natural Reclamation Community (3.3) consists of annual and perennial weeds and less desirable grasses. These sites have been farmed and abandoned without being reseeded. Soil organic matter and carbon reserves are reduced, soil structure is changed, and a plowpan or compacted layer can form, which decreases water infiltration. Residual synthetic chemicals may remain from farming operations. In early successional stages, this community is not stable. The hazard of erosion is a concern. Total annual production during an average year varies significantly depending on the succession stage of the plant community and any management applied to the system.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Heavy grazing or haying without adequate growing season recovery periods will cause a significant loss of warm-season, tall and mid grass species and cause the Reference State (1) to cross a threshold to the Native/Invaded Grass State (2). Water infiltration and other hydrologic functions will be reduced due to the root matting presence of sod forming grasses. With the decline and loss of deeper penetrating root systems, soil structure and biological integrity are catastrophically degraded to the point that recovery is unlikely. Once this occurs, it is highly unlikely that grazing management alone will return the community to the Reference State (1).

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

The Reference State (1) is significantly altered by mechanical tillage converting site to the Sod-Busted State (3) to facilitate production agriculture. The disruption to the plant community, the soil, and the hydrology of the system make restoration to a true reference state unlikely.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

The Native/Invaded Grass State (2) is significantly altered by mechanical tillage converting site to the Sod-Busted State (3) to facilitate production agriculture. The disruption to the plant community, the soil, and the hydrology of the system make restoration unlikely.

Additional community tables

Interpretations

Animal community

LIVESTOCK – GRAZING INTERPRETATIONS:
Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income producing industries in the area. Rangeland in this area may provide yearlong forage for cattle, sheep, or horses. During the dormant period, the protein levels of the forage may be lower than the minimum needed to meet livestock (primarily cattle and sheep) requirements. The following table lists suggested stocking rates for cattle under continuous season long grazing under normal growing conditions. These are conservative estimates that should be used only as guidelines in the initial stages of the conservation planning process. Often, the current plant composition does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in this ecological site description). Because of this, a field visit is recommended, in all cases, to document plant composition and production. More precise carrying capacity estimates should eventually be calculated using this information along with animal preference data, 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.

Production and Carrying Capacity*
Community 1.2, Wet Meadow Community): 3,800 lbs/acre, 1.20 AUM/acre

*Based upon the following conditions: continuous season long grazing with cattle under average growing conditions, 25 percent harvest efficiency. Air dry forage requirements are based on 3 percent of animal body weight or 790 lbs per animal unit (AU) per month (M). An AU is generally one mature cow of approximately 1,000 pounds and a calf as old as 6 months or their equivalent.

WILDLIFE INTERPRETATIONS:
Some of the Saline Subirrigated sites in Lancaster County, Nebraska are home to the only known population of the federally endangered Salt Creek Tiger beetle.

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 106 lies primarily within the tall grass prairie ecosystem. Prior to European settlement of North America, this area consisted of diverse grassland habitats interspersed with varying densities of depressional wetlands and limited woody riparian corridors. These habitats provided critical life cycle components for the grassland birds, prairie dogs, and herds of roaming bison, elk, and pronghorn that historically occupied this landscape. Diverse populations of small mammals and insects provided a bountiful prey base for raptors and omnivores such as coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and opossums. Bobcats, wolves, and mountain lions occupied the apex predator niche. In addition, a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians thrived in this landscape.

The tall grass prairie was a disturbance driven ecosystem with fire, herbivory, and climate functioning as the primary disturbances. Following European settlement of North America, elimination of fire, widespread conversion to cropland, and other sources of habitat fragmentation significantly altered the appearance and functionality of the entire ecosystem. The reduced stability of the system is reflected by major changes in the composition and abundance of the native flora and fauna. Introduced and invading species further degrade the ecological integrity of the plant and animal communities. Bison and prairie dogs were historically keystone species, but free roaming bison herds and nearly all prairie dogs have been extirpated in this region. The loss of bison and fire as ecological drivers greatly influenced the character of the remaining native grasslands and the habitat they provide.

Historically, an ecological mosaic of the sites provided habitat for species requiring unfragmented grasslands. Important habitat features and components found commonly or exclusively on modern day remnants include upland nesting habitat for grassland birds and game birds; nesting and escape cover for waterfowl; forbs and insects for brood rearing habitat; and a forage source for small and large herbivores. Fragmentation has reduced habitat quality for area sensitive species, as highlighted by the decline of the greater prairie chicken. Grassland nesting bird populations such as dickcissel and Henslow's sparrow are also declining. In this fragmented landscape, native grassland bird populations face increasing competition from the opportunistic European starlings and house sparrows and are subject to nest parasitism from brown headed cowbirds.

Tree encroachment creates habitat that favors generalist species such as American robin and mourning dove, and provides perches for raptors, increasing the predation mortality. Introduced species such as smooth bromegrass, reed canarygrass, Kentucky bluegrass, nodding plumeless thistle (musk thistle), and Canada thistle further degrade the biological integrity of many remnant prairies.

1. REFERENCE STATE: The predominance of tall and mid grasses plus a high diversity of forbs and shrubs in this community makes it ideal for grazers and mixed feeders. Pollinating insects play a significant role in maintaining the forb community and provide a food source for grassland birds and other grassland dependent species. The vegetative structural diversity provides habitat for reptiles, amphibians, and a wide array of native and introduced bird species. The abundant prey base supports populations of Swainson’s hawk, burrowing, short-eared, and great horned owls, and other grassland raptors.

The diversity of grasses, forbs, and shrubs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including moles, mice, ground squirrels, and whitetail deer. The structure of this plant community provides suitable thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores and grassland birds. Wide ranging predators: including coyote, badger, red fox, and least and long tailed weasels, utilize this plant community. As the plant community degrades to more mid grasses and fewer tall grasses, less winter and escape cover are provided. It also provides less cover for predators. As the plant community shifts from warm-season tall grasses to mid height grasses, it favors grassland birds that prefer shorter vegetation.

Hydrological functions

The deep, poorly and somewhat poorly drained soils of the Saline Subirrigated ecological site place it in classes C and D of the hydrological rating scale. The proximity of groundwater to the rooting zone during the growing season provides an abundance of water for the vegetative community, but the degree of salinity in the soils restrict both the production and the species composition.

Recreational uses

This site provides hunting for upland game species and white-tailed deer, along with hiking, photography, and bird watching. The wide varieties of plants which bloom from spring until fall have an aesthetic value that appeals to visitors.

Wood products

Wood products from this site are negligible.

Other products

None of significance.

Other information

Site Development and Testing Plan:
Future work is needed to validate the information in this Provisional Ecological Site Description. Additional data collection and evaluation may also be needed to develop this ESD to the Approved, then Correlated level. This could include field activities to collect low, medium, and high intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of that data. Field reviews of the project plan should be done by soil scientists and vegetation specialists. A final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews of the ESD will be needed to produce the final document.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from field observations by trained and experienced range and soils personnel.

Other references

Forsberg, Michael. 2018. Success in the Salt Marsh. Nebraskaland Magazine. September 2018.

Harms, R. 2009. Recovery Outline for the Salt Creek tiger beetle (Cicindela nevadica lincolniana) . On the internet at http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/invertebrates/saltcreektiger/FinalRecoveryOutlineFeb2009.pdf. Accessed 1/02/2018.

High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska. http://hpcc.unl.edu. Accessed 12/05/16.

Johnsgaard, P.A. 2001. “The Nature of Nebraska.” University of Nebraska Press.

Muhs, Daniel R., E. Bettis III, J. Aleinikoff, J. McGeehin, J. Beann, G. Skipp, B. Marshall, H. Roberts, W. Johnson, and R. Benton. "Origin and paleoclimatic significance of late Quaternary loess in Nebraska: Evidence from stratigraphy, chronology, sedimentology, and geochemistry" (2008). USGS Staff -- Published Research. Paper 162. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub/162. Accessed 12/05/16.

Nebraskaland Magazine, Nebraska Salt Marshes: Last of the Least.

Spomer, S. and L. Higley. 2001. The Salt Creek Tiger Beetle. Bio-graphica International. On the internet at: http://drshigley.com/lgh/sctb/default.htm. Accessed 1/02/2018.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. NRCS National Ecological Site Handbook. January, 2014.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Section 4. August, 2011.
Personal communications with professional ecologists and wildlife experts.

Rolfsmeier, S.B. and G. Steinauer. 2010. "Terrestrial Ecological Systems and Natural Communities of Nebraska", (version IV). Nebraska Natural Heritage Program.

USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, Portland, OR. http://wcc.nrcs.usda.gov. Accessed 12/05/16.

USDA, NRCS.1997. National Range and Pasture Handbook.

USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, Fort Collins, CO. http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov. Accessed 12/05/16.

USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 http://plants.usda.gov. Accessed 12/05/16.

USDA, NRCS Soil Surveys from: Saunders, Lancaster, Cass, Otoe, Nemaha, Johnson, Gage, Pawnee and Richardson Counties in Nebraska.

Contributors

Nadine Bishop
Doug Whisenhunt

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 6/09/2025

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)	Original Authors: Doug Whisenhunt, Bruce Evans, Casey Latta, Isabelle Giuliani Update for Version V: Nadine Bishop, Jeff Nichols
Contact for lead author	jeffrey.nichols@usda.gov
Date	11/30/2024
Approved by	Suzanne Mayne-Kinney
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production