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Conservation Service

Ecological site R150AY740TX

Northern Blackland

Last updated: 9/22/2023
Accessed: 11/21/2024

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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.

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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): 150A–Gulf Coast Prairies

MLRA 150A is in the West Gulf Coastal Plain Section of the Coastal Plain Province of the Atlantic Plain in Texas (83 percent) and Louisiana (17 percent). It makes up about 16,365 square miles (42,410 square kilometers). It is characterized by nearly level plains that have low local relief and are dissected by rivers and streams that flow toward the Gulf of Mexico. Elevation ranges from sea level to about 165 feet (0 to 50 meters) along the interior margin. It includes the towns of Crowley, Eunice, and Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Beaumont, Houston, Bay City, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Robstown, and Kingsville, Texas. Interstates 10 and 45 are in the northeastern part of the area, and Interstate 37 is in the southwestern part. U.S. Highways 90 and 190 are in the eastern part, in Louisiana. U.S. Highway 77 passes through Kingsville, Texas. The Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge and the Fannin Battleground State Historic Site are in the part of the area in Texas.

Classification relationships

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2006.
-Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 150A

Ecological site concept

The Northern Blackland ecological site shows an intact grass community with small clumped dispersal of woody species. The soils are very deep, richly black in color, and characterized by their shrink-swell nature. The sites are widely distributed across the uplands and terraces throughout the region. The site is correlated to areas with mean annual rainfall that ranges from 41 to 57 inches.

Associated sites

R150AY741TX	Northern Loamy Prairie The Northern Loamy Prairie is characterized by very deep loamy soils occurring on uplands. The site is correlated to areas with mean annual rainfall from 48 to 57 inches. They are vegetatively productive and provide good grazing for livestock. This site is typically in a similar landform.
R150AY537TX	Lowland As named, the Lowland ecological site occurs on the lowest part of the landscape. It receives excess water from surround landforms and may stay wet for extended periods throughout the year. This site is in a lower, water receiving, position on the landscape.
R150AY527TX	Clayey Bottomland The Clayey Bottomland site has very deep, clayey surface textured soils that occur on flood plains. The areas can be flooded and ponded for lengthy durations throughout the year. This site is not similar in soils, landscape positions or vegetation to any other sites in MLRA 150A.

R150AY741TX

Northern Loamy Prairie

The Northern Loamy Prairie is characterized by very deep loamy soils occurring on uplands. The site is correlated to areas with mean annual rainfall from 48 to 57 inches. They are vegetatively productive and provide good grazing for livestock. This site is typically in a similar landform.

R150AY537TX

Lowland

As named, the Lowland ecological site occurs on the lowest part of the landscape. It receives excess water from surround landforms and may stay wet for extended periods throughout the year. This site is in a lower, water receiving, position on the landscape.

R150AY527TX

Clayey Bottomland

The Clayey Bottomland site has very deep, clayey surface textured soils that occur on flood plains. The areas can be flooded and ponded for lengthy durations throughout the year. This site is not similar in soils, landscape positions or vegetation to any other sites in MLRA 150A.

Similar sites

R150AY526TX	Southern Blackland The Southern Blackland ecological site shows an intact grass community with small clumped dispersal of woody species. The soils are very deep, richly black in color, and characterized by their shrink-swell nature. The sites are widely distributed across the uplands in areas with mean annual precipitation from 32 to 41 inches.
R150AY013LA	Clayey Terrace Prairie These sites are low broad flats having clayey-textured soils in MLRA 150A. This site was historically tallgrass prairie but is now predominantly utilized for pasture and cropland. This area is in the thermic soil temperature regime.

R150AY526TX

Southern Blackland

The Southern Blackland ecological site shows an intact grass community with small clumped dispersal of woody species. The soils are very deep, richly black in color, and characterized by their shrink-swell nature. The sites are widely distributed across the uplands in areas with mean annual precipitation from 32 to 41 inches.

R150AY013LA

Clayey Terrace Prairie

These sites are low broad flats having clayey-textured soils in MLRA 150A. This site was historically tallgrass prairie but is now predominantly utilized for pasture and cropland. This area is in the thermic soil temperature regime.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Schizachyrium scoparium (2) Andropogon gerardii

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Physiographic features

This site was formed from clayey sediments in the Beaumont Formation of Late Pleistocene age. The nearly level to very gently sloping soils of this site are on the upper Texas coastal plain. Slopes are mainly less than 1 percent but can range up to 8 percent in some areas. Runoff is high . Undisturbed areas exhibit gilgai micro-relief. Elevation ranges from 10 to 100 feet.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Coastal plain > Flat > Circular gilgai
Runoff class	Medium to high
Flooding duration	Very brief (4 to 48 hours)
Flooding frequency	None to rare
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	3 – 30 m
Slope	0 – 8%
Water table depth	15 – 89 cm
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The climate of MLRA 150A is humid subtropical with mild winters. The average annual precipitation in the northern two-thirds of this area is 45 to 63 inches. It is 28 inches at the extreme southern tip of the area and 30 to 45 inches in the southwestern third of the area. The precipitation is fairly evenly distributed, but it is slightly higher in late summer and midsummer in the western part of the area and slightly higher in winter in the eastern part. Rainfall typically occurs as moderate intensity, tropical storms that produce large amounts of rain during the winter. The average annual temperature is 66 to 72 degrees F. The freeze-free period averages 325 days and ranges from 290 to 365 days, increasing in length to the southwest.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	233-265 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	365 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	1,219-1,448 mm
Frost-free period (actual range)	231-365 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	264-365 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	1,168-1,524 mm
Frost-free period (average)	259 days
Freeze-free period (average)	352 days
Precipitation total (average)	1,346 mm

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 7. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) ALVIN [USC00410204], Alvin, TX
(2) HOUSTON CLOVER FLD [USW00012975], Pearland, TX
(3) HOUSTON NWSO [USC00414333], Dickinson, TX
(4) THOMPSONS 3 WSW [USC00418996], Richmond, TX
(5) HOUSTON-PORT [USC00414326], Houston, TX
(6) HOUSTON HOBBY AP [USW00012918], Houston, TX
(7) SUGAR LAND [USC00418728], Sugar Land, TX
(8) SEALY [USC00418160], Sealy, TX
(9) HOUSTON HOOKS MEM AP [USW00053910], Tomball, TX
(10) HOUSTON INTERCONT AP [USW00012960], Houston, TX
(11) HOUSTON SAN JACINTO DA [USC00414328], Houston, TX
(12) BAYTOWN [USC00410586], Crosby, TX
(13) ANAHUAC [USC00410235], Anahuac, TX
(14) BEAUMONT RSCH CTR [USC00410613], Beaumont, TX
(15) BEAUMONT CITY [USC00410611], Vidor, TX
(16) PORT ARTHUR SE TX AP [USW00012917], Port Arthur, TX
(17) NEW GULF [USC00416286], Boling, TX
(18) BAY CITY WTR WKS [USC00410569], Bay City, TX
(19) DANEVANG 1 W [USC00412266], El Campo, TX
(20) EL CAMPO [USC00412786], El Campo, TX
(21) PIERCE 1 E [USC00417020], El Campo, TX
(22) ANGLETON 2 W [USC00410257], Angleton, TX

Influencing water features

Water enters the soil rapidly when it is dry and cracked and very slowly when it is wet and sealed. Although ponding is not shown as a characteristic for the soils of this site, ponding may occur for brief to long periods during the growing season on micro-lows of gilgai and influence the plant community. Some soils associated with this site are hydric or have hydric inclusions and may be wetlands.

Wetland description

The Beaumont and Bacliff soils are hydric. All other soils associated with this site are hon-hydric. Some sites associated with the non-hydric soils may have small areas of hydric soils. These usually occur in microdepressions, gilgai, or in low lying water receiving areas. Onsite investigation is necessary to determine exact local conditions.

Soil features

This site consists of very deep, poorly drained to moderately well drained, very slowly permeable, very strongly acid to moderately alkaline soils. The surface color is black to very dark gray. Water enters the soil rapidly when it is dry and cracked and very slowly when it is moist. Undisturbed areas exhibit gilgai micro-relief. Disturbed areas may begin to re-form gilgai in as little as 5 years but may take 40 to 50 years to match undisturbed sites. Soils correlated to this site include: Bacliff, Beaumont, Bernard, China, Lake Charles, and League.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Fluviomarine deposits – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock
Surface texture	(1) Clay
Family particle size	(1) Fine
Drainage class	Poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained
Permeability class	Very slow
Soil depth	203 cm
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0%
Surface fragment cover >3"	0%
Available water capacity (0-152.4cm)	17.78 – 25.4 cm
Calcium carbonate equivalent (101.6-152.4cm)	0 – 5%
Electrical conductivity (0-152.4cm)	0 – 4 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-152.4cm)	0 – 4
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm)	4.5 – 7
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-152.4cm)	0%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-152.4cm)	0%

Ecological dynamics

The reference plant communities of the Blackland are stable tall and midgrass prairies that were in dynamic equilibrium with the ecological forces that formed them. These forces included grazing by native wild herbivores, natural and anthropogenic fire, and periodic drought and wet cycles. Bison were the primary large ungulates that grazed but companion species included antelope and whitetail deer. The typical bison grazing pattern was short but very intense, followed by total deferment until herds migrated back into the area. Long deferments allowed the tallgrasses time to recover carbohydrate reserves and produce a seed crop. A fire regime and frequency of 3 to 8 years was likely and was a more important factor in shaping this prairie than was grazing.

Under the influences mentioned above, this prairie site was dominated by tall and midgrasses. Major tallgrass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), yellow Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), and plume grasses (Sacchrum sp.). Dominant midgrass species include Florida paspalum (Paspalum floridanum), brownseed paspalum (Paspalum plicatulum), bushy bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus), longspike tridens (Tridens strictus), and meadow dropseed (Sporobolus compositus). Perennial forbs important to the site include herbaceous mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa), bundleflower (Desmanthus spp.), button snakeroot (Eryngium yuccifolium), and gayfeather (Liatris spp.). The micro-highs and lows (gilgai micro-relief) on this site contribute to the diverse plant community; the micro-highs are slightly drier and the micro-lows slightly wetter. Elevation differences between highs and lows range from 6 to 15 inches. Vegetation tolerant of moist soil grows on the lower elevations of the gilgai while less water-tolerant vegetation grows on the higher elevations.

Excessive grazing by domestic livestock contributes to the reduction or elimination of eastern gamagrass, big bluestem, yellow Indiangrass, switchgrass, and little bluestem. As the site transitions, species such as brownseed paspalum, bushy bluestem, knotroot bristlegrass (Setaria parviflora), longspike tridens and carpetgrass (Axonopus sp.) increase. Nonnatives such as Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum), smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus), and Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) increase. In addition to site degradation due to excessive grazing, farming has had a significant influence on the site. The site was not only changed through the loss of native plant communities from cultivation, but also through the change in soils, hydrology, and topography by land leveling, ditching, and leveeing.

Continued overuse of the site by livestock, lack of fire, or abandonment of cropping allows woody plants to invade. These woody pioneers include huisache (Acacia farnesiana), yaupon (Ilex vomitoria), eastern baccharis (Baccharis halamifolia), hackberry (Celtis sp.), cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia), and ash (Fraxinus sp.). Nonnative invaders include McCartney Rose (Rosa bracteata) and Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera). As the plant community transitions from Tallgrass Prairie (1.1) to Tall/Midgrass Prairie (1.2) to Mid/Shortgrass Prairie (1.3) to Shrub/Tree Complex state (2), changes occur in plant composition, biomass production, litter accumulation, and water infiltration and storage. These changes influence most treatment alternatives including the ability to use fire as a management tool. The result has been the transition of from a true prairie to wooded grassland to woodland.

The resulting increase in woody cover signifies that thresholds have been crossed. Once these thresholds are crossed, restoration back to the reference plant community becomes more difficult and expensive. Even though the reference community may be restored using a combination of practices, such as mechanical and herbicidal brush management, planned grazing, and fire, this community cannot be maintained without the use of these tools on a frequent basis.

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. Grassland

2. Tree/Shrubland Complex

3. Converted

T1A	-	Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time
T1B	-	Extensive soil disturbance followed by the introduction of non-native species
R2A	-	Reintroduction of fire and regular disturbance return intervals
T2A	-	Extensive soil disturbance followed by the introduction of non-native species
T3A	-	Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time

State 1
Grassland

Dominant plant species

little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), grass

Community 1.1
Native Tallgrass Prairie

The reference plant community is a grassland composed of tall and midgrasses. Tallgrasses make up over 60 percent, midgrasses approximately 30 percent, and other associated grasses, forbs, and shrubs make up the remainder of the plant community. Annual forbs occur in differing amounts in response to disturbance from grazing, fire, and/or drought. Chronic overgrazing results in a reduction of biomass, reduced litter accumulation, loss of reference grasses, and less ability to use fire effectively for management. Some mid and shortgrasses increase because of this overgrazing. Prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, application of herbicides, or mowing is necessary to keep invading woody species such as huisache, Macartney rose, or Chinese tallow in check.

Figure 8. 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	6557	8070	9583
Shrub/Vine	364	448	532
Forb	364	448	532
Tree	–	–	–
Total	7285	8966	10647

Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX6550, Tallgrass Prairie Community. Warm-season tallgrass dominates the community along with forbs and less than 10% woody canopy..

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
1	1	4	12	24	24	8	5	12	4	3	2

Community 1.2
Tall/Midgrass Prairie

This community develops as heavy grazing or over haying removes the tallgrass component of the reference community. As tallgrasses decrease, midgrasses such as meadow dropseed, brownseed paspalum, and longspike tridens increase. Vaseygrass (Paspalum urvillei) is an introduced plant that commonly invades. As reduced fuel loads occur, the incidence of accidental or intentional fires decreases. Annual and perennial forbs, sedges, flat sedges, and other grass-likes often increase. Continued heavy grazing contributes to further degradation and loss of more palatable midgrasses. Invasion of woody species begins. Prescribed grazing along with prescribed burning or weed control is necessary to move back towards the tallgrass plant community. Where haying occurs, less frequent cutting (once per year) and timing of cutting (prior to July 1st) may improve species composition and vigor.

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Heavy continuous grazing and lack of fire will transition the site to Community 1.2.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Prescribed grazing with correct stocking rates and a return of fire will transition Community 1.2 back to the reference community.

State 2
Tree/Shrubland Complex

Dominant plant species

sweet acacia (Acacia farnesiana), shrub
hackberry (Celtis), shrub

Community 2.1
Shrubland/Savannah

This community occurs because of continuous heavy grazing, loss of fire as a tool, greatly altered water and energy cycles, and invasion of woody plants. A threshold has been crossed between Community 1.2 and Community 2.1. If prescribed grazing is implemented, fire re-introduced, and seedling woody plants controlled, this community can be quite productive for cattle and wildlife. To do so will require judicious grazing, periodic fire, and frequent applications of herbicide or mechanical treatments on an individual plant basis. This state offers different resources to a different wildlife community than the reference state because of the increased amount of woody cover and the increased production of both perennial and annual forbs.

Community 2.2
Shrubland/Woodland

Over time, with continued heavy grazing, lack of fire, and/or no brush management, the site will transition into a huisache, hackberry, and elm woodland with canopies more than 90 percent. Chinese tallow is a common introduced invader. The community may be a monoculture of one woody species or a combination of many. The herbaceous community will be greatly reduced and comprised of Texas wintergrass, gaping panicum, winter bentgrass, sedges, and flat sedges. Major inputs, both chemical and mechanical, are required to restore this community to a grassland or savannah. A common practice is the use of aerially-applied herbicides to reduce the canopy followed by prescribed fire or mechanical treatments to remove the woody vegetation and maintain semi-open wooded grassland for several years following treatment. Although these practices kill some of the woody vegetation, much of it remains and re-sprouts from the crown. Often with this community, mechanical treatments such as rootplowing, treedozing, and raking are employed and the land is converted to cropland or pasture.

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Heavy grazing and lack of fire will cause an increase in brush density. The transition occurs when brush canopy cover is over 25 percent.

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1

To return to Community 2.1, brush density needs to be removed below 25 percent. Return of fire and prescribed grazing also help in this transition.

State 3
Converted

Dominant plant species

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), grass
corn (Zea mays), grass

Community 3.1
Converted Land

This is the most common community and occurs when other communities are manipulated through practices such as mechanical brush control, land leveling, cultivation, and pasture planting. If not converted to crops such as rice, corn, cotton, or soybeans, introduced grasses are planted for livestock forage. Some cropland acres have been converted into pastureland situations. Introduced grasses adapted to the site include Bermudagrass, Dallisgrass, bahiagrass, kleingrass, and yellow bluestems. Cultural practices such as weed control, brush control, and fertility maintenance must be applied to keep this state in a cropable condition or as grassland. Invasion by woody species, sedges, and flatsedges is a continuous threat. Not only is there a long-lived seed source of Chinese tallow, huisache, elm, and other woody species, additional seed are brought in by grazing animals, wildlife and domestic livestock. Macartney rose seed and canes, where present, are also left behind following mechanical control and will re-establish quickly.

Community 3.2
Converted Land Community with Woody Encroachment

The transition from community 3.1 to 3.2 requires only time and the absence of woody seedling control. Due to the seed bank present in the soil and the constant addition of new seed from grazing/browsing animals and seed-eating birds, re-infestation of woody seedlings happens in a relatively short time period of 3 to 5 years. If woody seedlings are controlled on a semi-regular basis, this state can be maintained indefinitely, and the state can switch back and forth from 3.2 to 3.1. If this site has been planted to introduced species such as Bermudagrass, yellow bluestems, or kleingrass, and fertilization and weed control are stopped, pioneer native grasses and forbs will begin to establish and over long periods of time this state will begin to move back towards State 1.3. Some degree of woody plant control would be required for this to occur. If no woody plant management is practiced, then State 3.2 will revert to State 2.2 with a dominance of huisache, Chinese tallow, hackberry, and baccharis species.

Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2

With heavy grazing and no brush control, woody species will encroach the site.

Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1

Seedling brush control, prescribed grazing, and possibly prescribed fire will transition the community back to 3.1.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Heavy grazing, lack of fire, and brush invasion over 10 percent canopy signal the transition to State 2.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

Conversion signals this transition by preparing a seedbed and planting to pasture.

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

Restoration occurs when brush management reduces the canopy cover below 10 percent, prescribed grazing restores correct stocking rates, and once grasses have created enough biomass, prescribed fire returns.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Conversion signals this transition by clearing brush, preparing a seedbed, and planting to pasture.

Transition T3A
State 3 to 2

Without brush control to manage encroaching woody seedlings, the site will transition to State 2.

Additional community tables

Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Tallgrasses			3587–5268
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	3587–5268	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	3587–5268	–
	shortbeard plumegrass	SABR18	Saccharum brevibarbe	3587–5268	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	3587–5268	–
	Indiangrass	SONU2	Sorghastrum nutans	3587–5268	–
	eastern gamagrass	TRDA3	Tripsacum dactyloides	3587–5268	–
2	Midgrasses			1345–1849
	gulfhairawn muhly	MUFI3	Muhlenbergia filipes	1345–1849	–
	Florida paspalum	PAFL4	Paspalum floridanum	1345–1849	–
	brownseed paspalum	PAPL3	Paspalum plicatulum	1345–1849	–
	composite dropseed	SPCO16	Sporobolus compositus	1345–1849	–
3	Midgrasses			673–1065
	buffalograss	BODA2	Bouteloua dactyloides	673–1065	–
	silver beardgrass	BOLAT	Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana	673–1065	–
	longtom	PADE24	Paspalum denticulatum	673–1065	–
	marsh bristlegrass	SEPA10	Setaria parviflora	673–1065	–
	saltmeadow cordgrass	SPPA	Spartina patens	673–1065	–
	gulf cordgrass	SPSP	Spartina spartinae	673–1065	–
	white tridens	TRAL2	Tridens albescens	673–1065	–
	longspike tridens	TRST2	Tridens strictus	673–1065	–
4	Cool-season grasses			560–841
	sedge	CAREX	Carex	560–841	–
	flatsedge	CYPER	Cyperus	560–841	–
	Virginia wildrye	ELVI3	Elymus virginicus	560–841	–
	gaping grass	STHI3	Steinchisma hians	560–841	–
5	Shortgrasses			392–560
	winter bentgrass	AGHY	Agrostis hyemalis	392–560	–
	fall witchgrass	DICO6	Digitaria cognata	392–560	–
	Scribner's rosette grass	DIOLS	Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum	392–560	–
	panicgrass	PANIC	Panicum	392–560	–
	crowngrass	PASPA2	Paspalum	392–560	–
Forb
6	Forbs			280–364
	Cuman ragweed	AMPS	Ambrosia psilostachya	280–364	–
	whitemouth dayflower	COER	Commelina erecta	280–364	–
	wedgeleaf prairie clover	DAEM2	Dalea emarginata	280–364	–
	Illinois bundleflower	DEIL	Desmanthus illinoensis	280–364	–
	velvet bundleflower	DEVE2	Desmanthus velutinus	280–364	–
	blacksamson echinacea	ECAN2	Echinacea angustifolia	280–364	–
	Engelmann's daisy	ENPE4	Engelmannia peristenia	280–364	–
	button eryngo	ERYU	Eryngium yuccifolium	280–364	–
	beeblossom	GAURA	Gaura	280–364	–
	coastal indigo	INMI	Indigofera miniata	280–364	–
	lespedeza	LESPE	Lespedeza	280–364	–
	prairie blazing star	LIPY	Liatris pycnostachya	280–364	–
	littleleaf sensitive-briar	MIMI22	Mimosa microphylla	280–364	–
	powderpuff	MIST2	Mimosa strigillosa	280–364	–
	yellow puff	NELU2	Neptunia lutea	280–364	–
	fogfruit	PHYLA	Phyla	280–364	–
	white milkwort	POAL4	Polygala alba	280–364	–
	upright prairie coneflower	RACO3	Ratibida columnifera	280–364	–
	violet wild petunia	RUNU	Ruellia nudiflora	280–364	–
	green feathershank	SCDR	Schoenocaulon drummondii	280–364	–
	Baldwin's ironweed	VEBA	Vernonia baldwinii	280–364	–
7	Forbs			67–101
	spiny chloracantha	CHSP11	Chloracantha spinosa	67–101	–
	eastern annual saltmarsh aster	SYSU5	Symphyotrichum subulatum	67–101	–
8	Forbs			17–67
	great ragweed	AMTR	Ambrosia trifida	17–67	–
	partridge pea	CHFAF	Chamaecrista fasciculata var. fasciculata	17–67	–
	Dakota mock vervain	GLBIB	Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida	17–67	–
	annual marsh elder	IVAN2	Iva annua	17–67	–
	bagpod	SEVE	Sesbania vesicaria	17–67	–
	herb of the cross	VEOF	Verbena officinalis	17–67	–
Shrub/Vine
9	Shrubs/Vines			364–532
	eastern baccharis	BAHA	Baccharis halimifolia	364–532	–
	sorrelvine	CITR2	Cissus trifoliata	364–532	–
	southern dewberry	RUTR	Rubus trivialis	364–532	–
	greenbrier	SMILA2	Smilax	364–532	–

Interpretations

Animal community

The Coastal Prairie communities support a wide array of animals. Cattle and many species of wildlife make extensive use of the site. White-tailed deer may be found scattered across the prairie and are found in heavier concentrations where woody cover exists. Feral hogs are present and at times abundant. Coyotes are abundant and fill the mammalian predator niche. Rodent populations rise during drier periods and fall during periods of inundation. Attwater’s pocket gophers are abundant and have an important impact on the ecology of the site. The badger is present but not abundant in locations at the southern extent of the site. Locally unique species alligators and bullfrogs.

The region is a major flyway for waterfowl and migrating birds. Hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese, and sandhill cranes abound during winter. Two important endangered species occur in the area, the whooping crane and Attwater’s prairie chicken. Many other species of avian predators including northern harriers, ferruginous hawks, red-tailed hawks, white-tailed kites, kestrels, and, occasionally, swallow-tailed kites utilize the vast grasslands. Many species of grassland birds use the site, including blue grosbeaks, dickcissels, eastern meadowlarks, several sparrows, including, vesper sparrow, lark sparrow, savannah sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, and Le Conte’s sparrow.

Hydrological functions

Peak rainfall periods occur in May and June from thunderstorms and in September and October from tropical systems. Rainfall events may be high (3 to 5 inches per event) and intense. Because of the flat topography of this site, erosion is minimal; however, on more sloping aspects (greater than 3 percent), erosion may be very significant. This site provides little water for aquifer recharge because when wet, infiltration is very slow.

Recreational uses

The site may be used for hunting, camping, hiking, horseback riding, or off-road vehicle use.

Wood products

In the prairie state, no wood products are available. Most species of woody vegetation found on this site have no commercial use although yaupon may be harvested for landscape plantings.

Other products

Fruit from dewberries may be harvested.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Vegetative data for this site was obtained from existing Range Site Descriptions and SCS-417 data. SCS-417’s were available for this site in ten different counties. Extensive field work was done on-site to catalog the plant community. Several range-trained personnel with state and federal agencies and in private enterprise were consulted on the plant communities as well. Personal contact with ranchers and foreman was utilized to ascertain the use of plants by both cattle and wildlife.

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Contributors

Mike Stellbauer, RMS, NRCS, Bryan, TX

Approval

Bryan Christensen, 9/22/2023

Acknowledgments

Reviewers:
Justin Clary, RMS, NRCS, Temple, TX

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	11/21/2024
Approved by	Bryan Christensen
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

Download reference sheet

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

Ecosystem states

1. Grassland

2. Tree/Shrubland Complex

3. Converted

T1A	-	Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time
T1B	-	Extensive soil disturbance followed by the introduction of non-native species
R2A	-	Reintroduction of fire and regular disturbance return intervals
T2A	-	Extensive soil disturbance followed by the introduction of non-native species
T3A	-	Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time