Animal community

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

Landscape:

The MLRA 55A landscape is characterized by mostly nearly level to gently rolling till plains with some steep slopes adjacent to streams. The MLRA includes areas of kettle holes, kames, and ground moraines. MLRA 55A is considered to have a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are common and characteristic of the MLRA. This area supports mid- to tall-grass prairie vegetation with quaking aspen, bur oak, green ash, and willow species growing on the higher elevations in Turtle Mountain, on moraines in proximity of Devils Lake, Pembina River Escarpment and Gorge, and various drainageways throughout the MLRA. Numerous depressional wetlands are ringed with quaking aspen. Complex intermingled ecological sites create diverse grass/shrub land habitats interspersed with varying densities of linear, slope, depressional, and in-stream wetlands associated with headwater streams and tributaries of the Souris and Pembina Rivers. MLRA 55A is located entirely within North Dakota and within the boundaries of the Prairie Pothole Region. The primary land use is cropland. Glacial Lake Souris and the Devils Lake Basin are known for exceptional fertility with major crops including corn, canola, soybeans, and small grains. Together, these two areas make up 73% of the MLRA (Glacial Lake Souris 5500 mi2, 43%; and the Devils Lake Basin 3810 mi2, 30%).

Turtle Mountain (1000 mi2 of which 405 mi2 are found in North Dakota), in the north-central part of the MLRA on the Canadian border, is approximately 1,950 to 2,541 feet (595 to 775 meters) in elevation, rising approximately 600 to 800 feet (150 meters) above the adjacent till plain. Home to an extensive forest of quaking aspen, bur oak, green ash, and willows, it has an understory of beaked hazel with associates of chokecherry, Saskatchewan serviceberry, downy arrowwood, and rose. Turtle Mountain comprises the largest area of quaking aspen forest in North Dakota.

The Pembina Escarpment extends from the Canadian border southeast to Walhalla where the Pembina River enters the floor of the Red River Valley in MLRA 56A. Mainly found on steep slopes along the Pembina River, the Pembina Gorge is in a rugged and sheltered setting with bur oak, green ash, cottonwood, and American elm. Encompassing approximately 12,500 acres, the Pembina Gorge is one of the largest uninterrupted blocks of woodlands in North Dakota. This segment of the Pembina River is the longest segment of unaltered river valley in the North Dakota.

Two major Hydrologic Unit Areas make up this MLRA. 56% of the MLRA drains into the Souris River while 44% drains into the Red River (via the Pembina River) or into Devils Lake (out-letting to Sheyenne River via a pump, pipeline, canal system). The North Dakota portion of the Souris River watershed is in this MLRA. The Souris River basin drains nearly 23,600 square miles and has a long history of flooding.

By the mid-19th century, over 75% of the MLRA had been converted from mid- to tall-grass prairie or woodland to annual crop production. To alleviate crop production loss from wetlands and overland flow, a system of shallow surface ditches, judicial ditches, and road ditches removes surface water in spring and during high rainfall events. Tile drainage systems have been or are being installed extensively throughout MLRA 55A for sub-surface field drainage to enhance annual crop production.

Historic Communities/Conditions within MLRA 55A:

The northern tall- and mixed-grass prairie along with the quaking aspen forest were disturbance-driven ecosystems with fire, herbivory, and climate functions as the primary ecological drivers (either singly or often in combination). American bison roamed MLRA 55A wintering along the Souris River and migrating through MLRA 55A into MLRAs 56A and 55B. Many species of grassland birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, elk, moose, pronghorn, and large herds of American bison were historically among the inhabitants adapted to this region. Roaming herbivores, as well as several small mammal and insect species, were the primary consumers linking the grassland resources to large predators (such as the wolf, American black bear, grizzly bear) and smaller carnivores (such as the coyote, bobcat, red fox, and raptors). Extirpated species include free-ranging American bison and gray wolf (breeding). Extinct is the Rocky Mountain locust.

Present Communities/Conditions within MLRA 55A:

This area supports natural prairie vegetation characterized by western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, needle and thread, and blue grama. Little bluestem is an important species on the more sloping and shallower soils. Prairie cordgrass, northern reedgrass, big bluestem, and wheat sedge are important species on soils with higher water tables. Western snowberry, leadplant, and prairie rose are commonly interspersed throughout the area. Native forests occur in Turtle Mountain, Pembina Gorge, moraines near Devils Lake, woody draws, scattered tracts along the Souris River, and in the sand dunes in west central region of the MLRA.

Over 75% of MLRA 55A has been converted to annual crop production. European influence has impacted remaining grassland, forestland, and shrubland by domestic livestock grazing, elimination of fire, tree harvest, removal of surface and subsurface hydrology via artificial drainage, and other anthropogenic factors influencing plant community composition and abundance.

Hydrological manipulation is extensive throughout the MLRA. Extensive wetland and subsurface tile drainage have taken place. Ephemeral and intermittent streams and the Souris River have been straightened - removing sinuosity, creating isolated oxbows, and converting riparian zones to annual crop production. These anthropogenic impacts have reduced flood water detention and retention on the landscape. The results have been increasing storm water runoff sediment and nutrient loading impacting the Souris and Des Lacs Rivers and their tributaries along with Devils Lake and other lakes within the MLRA. The installation of instream structures has reduced aquatic species movement within the MLRA. Two large dams in Saskatchewan, Canada (Rafferty on the Souris River and Alameda on Moose Mountain Creek, a major tributary to the Souris River) were built, in part, to reduce flood peaks on the Souris River. In addition, three USFWS National Wildlife Refuges were created by building two low-head dams on the Souris River and one on the Des Lacs River in North Dakota. Numerous low-head dams are located on the Souris and Des Lacs Rivers in North Dakota. The Eaton Irrigation Project low-head dam, located in the vicinity of Towner, North Dakota, provides flood irrigation to approximately 6,700 acres of hayland and pastureland.

The loss of the American bison and fire, as primary ecological drivers, greatly influenced the character of the remaining native plant communities and the associated wildlife moving towards a less diverse and more homogeneous landscape. Annual cropping is the main factor contributing to habitat fragmentation, reducing habitat quality for area-sensitive species. These influences fragmented the landscape, reduced or eliminated ecological drivers (fire), and introduced exotic species including smooth brome, Kentucky bluegrass, and leafy spurge which further impacted plant and animal communities.

Included in this MLRA are over 121,000 acres of National Wildlife Refuges and over 77,000 acres of waterfowl production areas owned and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. White Horse Hill National Game Preserve is a 1,674-acre national wildlife refuge sitting on the south shores of Devils Lake, about 10 miles south of the city of Devils Lake. Numerous state-owned parks, state wildlife management areas, North Dakota Forest Service and Department of Trust Lands are found in the MLRA. Wakopa Wildlife Management Area is the largest WMA covering approximately 6,739 acres.

Some characteristic wildlife species in this area are:

Birds: Common loon, common goldeye, bufflehead, ruffed grouse, broad-winged hawk, alder flycatcher, mourning warbler, mallard, blue-winged teal, red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, killdeer, eastern and western kingbird, American crow, common yellowthroat, clay-colored sparrow, vesper sparrow, red-necked grebe, Savannah sparrow, downy and hairy woodpeckers, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, and brown-headed cowbird.

Mammals: Northern short-tailed shrew, water shrew, beaver, muskrat, mink, long-tailed weasel, American martin, fisher, white-tailed jackrabbit, snowshoe hare, Franklin’s ground squirrel, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, northern pocket gopher, plains pocket gopher, western harvest mouse deer mouse, meadow vole, meadow jumping mouse, western jumping mouse, coyote, red fox, racoon, American badger, striped skunk, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and woodchuck, red squirrel, porcupine, and northern flying squirrel.

Reptiles/Amphibians: American toad, Great Plains toad, northern leopard frog, chorus frog, tiger salamander, plains garter snake, smooth green snake, wood frog, and common garter snake.

Presence of wildlife species is often determined by ecological site characteristics including grass and forb species, tree and shrub species, hydrology, aspect, and other associated ecological sites. The home ranges of a majority species are usually larger than one ecological site or are dependent on more than one ecological site for annual life requisites. Ecological sites offer different habitat elements as the annual life requisites change. Habitat improvement and creation must be conducted within the mobility limits of a known population for the species.

Insects play an important role providing ecological services for plant community development. Insects that are scavengers or aid in decomposition provide the food chain baseline sustaining the carnivorous insects feeding upon them. Many insects provide the ecological services necessary for pollination, keeping plant communities healthy and productive. Insects provide a protein food source for numerous species including grassland- nesting birds, woodpeckers, and woodland edge and interior species, and their young. Extensive use of insecticides for specialty crops (such as soybeans, corn, and other crops) has greatly reduced insects within this MLRA.

Species of Concern within MLRA 55A:

The following is a list of species considered “species of conservation priority” in the North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2015) and “species listed as threatened, endangered, or petitioned” under the Endangered Species Act within MLRA 55A at the time this section was developed:

Invertebrates: Dakota skipper, monarch butterfly, and regal fritillary. Within the MLRA, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service lists 5 areas (in Rolette and McHenry Counties) as critical habitat for the Dakota skipper.

Birds: American avocet, American bittern, American kestrel, American white pelican, Baird’s sparrow, bald eagle, black tern, black-billed cuckoo, bobolink, canvasback, chestnut-collared longspur, ferruginous hawk, Franklin’s gull, grasshopper sparrow, horned grebe, LeConte’s sparrow, lesser scaup, loggerhead shrike, marbled godwit, Nelson’s sparrow, northern harrier, northern pintail, piping plover, sharp-tailed grouse, short- eared owl, Sprague’s pipit, Swainson’s hawk, upland sandpiper, western meadowlark, whooping crane, willet, Wilson’s phalarope, and yellow rail.

Mammals: American martin, Arctic shrew, big brown bat, gray fox, little brown bat, northern long-eared bat, plains pocket mouse, pygmy shrew, Richardson’s ground squirrel, river otter, and Townsend’s big-eared bat.

Amphibians/Reptiles: Canadian toad, common snapping turtle, plains hog-nosed snake, and smooth green snake.

Fish: Finescale dace, hornyhead chub, largescale stoneroller, logperch, northern pearl dace, and trout-perch.

Mussels: Black sandshell, creek heelsplitter, creeper, mapleleaf, and pink heelsplitter.

Grassland and Woodland Management for Wildlife in the MLRA 55A:

Management activities within the community phase pathways impact wildlife but are essential for maintenance of healthy grassland ecosystems. Community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways are keys to long- term management within each State and between States. Timing, intensity, and frequency of these inputs can have dramatic positive or negative effects on local wildlife species. Ranchers and other land managers must always consider the long-term beneficial management effects of grassland and woodland resources in comparison to typically short-term negative effects to the habitats of individual species.

Ecological sites occur as intermingled complexes on the landscape with gradual or sometimes abrupt transitions. Rarely do ecological sites exist in large enough acreage to manage independently for wildlife. Conversion to annual cropping and fragmentation due to transportation and electrical transmission corridors and to rural housing are main causes of fragmentation. This MLRA supports ecological sites that are dominated by woody vegetation and can be located adjacent to ecological sites that support tall- to mid- statured grasses (Thin Loamy/Shallow Loamy) or are adjacent to ecological sites that support wetland vegetation (Shallow Marsh and Wet Meadow).

Management of these ecological site complexes challenges managers to properly manage the entire landscape. A management strategy for one ecological site may negatively impact an adjacent site. For example, grazing Upland Hardwood Forest or Loamy Savannah ecological sites along with herbaceous dominated Loamy Overflow ecological sites may degrade one site by under-use, favoring woody vegetation or increasing exotic cool-season grasses.

Life requisites and habitat deficiencies are determined for targeted species. Deficiencies need to be addressed along community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways as presented in specific state-and- transition models. Ecological sites should be managed and restored within the site’s capabilities to provide sustainable habitat for targeted species or species guilds. Managers also need to consider vegetative associations provided by adjacent/intermingled ecological sites for species with home ranges or life requisites that may not be provided by one ecological site. Understanding specific grassland species’ sensitivity to woody encroachment and preferred vegetative structure enables managers to determine which grassland- nesting bird species will avoid grassland habitats adjacent to Upland Hardwood Forest or Loamy Savannah ecological sites or woody dominated, Plant Community Phase 5, Loamy ecological site.

Many passerine species utilize MLRA 55A as a major migratory travel corridor. Grassland species sensitive to woody associations during nesting and brooding may utilize the woodier fragmented sites, such as the Wooded State 5.0 in the Loamy ecological site, during migration.

Grassland-nesting birds use various grass heights for breeding, nesting, foraging, or winter habitat. While most species use varying heights, many have a preferred vegetative stature height or sensitivity to woody vegetation. Understanding the sensitivity of grassland species to woody vegetation and preferred vegetative structure enables managers to determine which grassland-nesting bird species avoid grassland habitats adjacent to Upland Hardwood Forest or Loamy Savannah ecological sites.

The following chart provides sensitivity to woody vegetation and preferred vegetative stature heights. To see the chart please follow the hyperlink:

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/ND/55A_Thin_Loamy_Narrative_Final_Ref_FSG.pdf

Thin Loamy Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Thin Loamy ecological sites are moderately well to well drained, moderately coarse to moderately fine textured soils usually found on shoulder slopes, convex rises, and summits on gently sloping to very steep till plains, lake plains, and escarpments. This site is calcareous within a depth of 8 inches and has a highly calcareous upper subsoil. It is dominated by mid- to short-statured warm-season grasses and forbs. Little bluestem is the dominant mid warm-season grass. Associated ecological sites include Clayey, Loamy Overflow, Sands, Sandy, Loamy, Loamy Savannah, and Shallow Loamy. This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge-sensitive grassland bird species preferring medium- to short-statured vegetation.

Thin Loamy habitat features and components commonly support grassland-nesting birds, notably sharp-tailed grouse lekking sites. Insects rely on associated forbs and grasses for survival. High insect populations provide food sources for birds and their young. Thin Loamy ecological sites provide quality forage for small and large herbivores. Dakota skippers may use Thin Loamy ecological sites in MLRA 55A.

Thin Loamy ecological sites may be found in three plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Invaded State) within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases exist within States 1.0 and 2.0. Today, these States occur primarily in response to drought, fire, grazing, and non-use, and other anthropogenic disturbances.

Because there is no known restoration pathway from State 2.0 to State 1.0, it is important to intensively manage using tools in State 1.0 and State 2.0 Community Phase Pathways to prevent further plant community degradation along the T2 Transitional Pathway to 3.0 Invaded State. Native wildlife generally benefits from the heterogeneous grasslands found in States 1.0 and 2.0 that include grass and forb species of varying stature and density. As plant communities degrade within State 2.0, Kentucky bluegrass increases, while native forbs are reduced. When Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30%, the site transitions to 3.0 Invaded State. This transition results in reduced stature and increased plant community homogeneity. When adjacent and/or intermingled ecological sites undergo the same transition, the result can be an expansive, homogenous landscape.

Success along Restoration Pathway R3A from State 3.0 to State 2.0 is very difficult and is dependent upon presence of a remnant native grass population. This concept also applies to wildlife, as the target species must either be present on adjacent State 1.0 or State 2.0 plant communities or ecological sites within the mobility limits of the species. Species with limited mobility, such as Dakota skippers, must exist near the plant community to utilize restored sites. Mobile species (such as grassland-nesting birds) can easily locate isolated, restored plant communities.

Plant Community Phase 3.1 shows a dramatic increased homogeneity of exotic cool-season grasses and further reduction in native forbs. Reduced forb diversity limits insect populations, negatively affecting foraging opportunities for grassland-nesting birds. Increased exotic grass litter or dense sod can limit access to bare ground by nesting insects and can limit mobility by small chicks. A homogenous grassland landscape does not provide quality escape or winter cover. As a result, many species are not able to meet life requisites, especially non-migratory species.

Management along community phase, transition, or restoration pathways should focus upon attainable changes. Short- and long-term monetary costs must be evaluated against short- and long- term ecological services in creating and maintaining habitat of enough quality to support a sustainable population density.

1.0 Reference State:

Community Phase 1.1 Little Bluestem-Needlegrasses-Sideoats Grama: This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wildlife; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This phase retains high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing with adequate recovery period as well as prescribed fire. Prescribed fire frequency maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. Predominance of grass species in these communities favors grazers and mixed feeders (animals selecting grasses as well as forbs and shrubs). The structural diversity provides habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident birds. Plant structure within Plant Community Phase 2.1 is very similar to 1.1 except for the invasion of minor amounts of cool-season exotic grasses, mainly Kentucky bluegrass.

Invertebrates: Insects play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, reptiles, and rodents. Ecological services, historically provided by bison, are simulated by domestic livestock. These services include putting plant material and dung in contact with mineral soil to be used by lower trophic level consumers (such as invertebrate decomposers, scavengers, shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal feeders).

Dakota skippers may prefer this site due presence of host plants, such as little bluestem and blacksamson echinacea. Violet species are not common on this site and may not support the needed habitat for the regal fritillary. Monarch butterfly may use flowering forbs; however, few milkweed species are found on these sites to support caterpillar food. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs as a nectar source; bare ground and nesting sites are available due to the dominance of bunch grasses. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods, as well as prescribed fire, to maintain the 1.1 phase will have long term positive effects on ground dwelling insects.

Birds: This plant community provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by mid- to short-grass nesting birds. Prescribed fire maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation and limits litter accumulations. This plant community can provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites and nesting, brood-rearing, and escape habitat. This plant community provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, jackrabbits, and white-tailed deer. Mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site is not found adjacent to Wet Meadow or Shallow Marsh ecological sites; therefore, they do not provide habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad. This site does not provide habitat for the northern prairie skink and plains hog-nosed snake.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site is not typically located adjacent to streams, rivers, or water bodies. This site typically does not receive run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites but do provide hydrology to adjacent down-slope ecological sites. Management on Thin Loamy sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, will have an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from adjacent sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to the adjacent aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2 Blue Grama/Sedges/Needlegrasses-Little Bluestem: Heavy, season-long grazing over several years or several years of below normal precipitation results in a shorter, warm- season dominated plant community. Forbs (such as silverleaf Indian breadroot, white sagewort, and tarragon) become more prevalent. Prairie sagewort and broom snakeweed become the principal shrubs. The amount of bare ground increases from Community Phase 1.1. A return to normal precipitation patterns and prescribed grazing system can return this plant community to Community Phase 1.1.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: A shift to shorter statured grasses provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by short- to mid- statured grassland nesting birds. This plant community provides suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores. Short- to mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

2.0 Native/Invaded State:

Community Phase 2.1 Little Bluestem-Needlegrasses-Sideoats Grama: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1A due to changes in management and the presence of exotic, cool-season grasses. Lack of fire or heavy season-long grazing can facilitate this transition. The threshold between States 1.0 and 2.0 is crossed when Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, or other exotic species become established. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Reference State of Community 1.1, except it has a minor amount of exotic cool- season grasses and forbs. This phase functions at a high level for native wildlife; therefore, managers should consider the State 2.0 community phase pathways to avoid transitioning to the 3.0 Invaded State. There is no known Community Phase Pathway back to 1.0 Reference State from 2.0 Native/Invaded State.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 2.2 Needlegrasses-Blue Grama/Sedges/Little Bluestem: Heavy, season-long grazing or heavy late seasonal grazing results in a cool season needlegrass and sedge plant community that is somewhat shorter in stature than Community Phase 2.1. This plant community becomes dispersed throughout the site causing an over-grazed/under-grazed pattern referred to as patch grazing. Under this grazing system, Kentucky bluegrass begins to increase. Common forbs include upright prairie coneflower, silverleaf Indian breadroot, goldenrod, white heath aster, tarragon, white sagebrush, and wavyleaf thistle. Leadplant, rose, and prairie sagewort become the principal shrubs. The amount of bare ground decreases as sod-forming cool- and warm-season grasses increases from Community Phase 1.1. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods will shift the competitive edge back to mid-statured warm-season bunch grasses via Community Pathway 2.2A.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: The mosaic of over-grazed/under-grazed pattern provides both mid- and short statured grasses providing nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by short- to mid-statured grassland nesting birds. This plant community provides suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small herbivores including voles, mice, and jackrabbits. Short- to mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 2.3 Blue Grama/Sedges/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses: Heavy seasonal-long grazing results in a short-statured plant community. Blue grama becomes the dominant grass with the increase in Kentucky bluegrass causing this plant community to be at risk of crossing the threshold to Invaded State 3.0. Forbs including goldenrod, tarragon, yellow salsify, white heath aster, common yarrow, silverleaf Indian breadroot, and annual ragweed become more prevalent. Prairie sagewort and prairie rose become the principal shrubs. The amount of bare ground decreases as blue grama and Kentucky bluegrass increase. Implementation of a prescribed grazing system with adequate recovery period (via Community Pathway 2.3A) can shift the competitive edge to mid- statured warm-season grasses with a shift back to Community Phase 2.2.

Invertebrates: The reduction of native forbs and increase in sod-forming grasses limit foraging and nesting sites for all pollinators. Dominated by late season bloom period species of forbs, pollen and nectar resources will be limited during early and mid-season bloom periods. Continuous, heavy season-long grazing or heavy seasonal grazing may reduce ground-nesting site availability. Increase in wind pollinated shrubs, such as prairie sagewort, may reduce pollen and nectar availability. Prairie sagewort provides nesting sites for native bees and larval food butterfly species.

Birds: Heavy, season-long grazing reduces nesting sites, forage (invertebrates), and cover. The stature is generally short, serving short-grass nesting birds. Species that prefer mid-grass stature generally will be successful with normal to above normal precipitation and a change in management along the 2.3A Community Phase Pathway. In years with reduced precipitation or heavy grazing during the nesting season, use by mid-grass nesting species may be compromised. This plant community provides areas suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek site development. Limited stature and diverse prey populations provide good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover (reduction in litter) for most mammals becomes limited. The loss of diversity of grasses and forbs reduces nutrition levels for small and large herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

3.0 Invaded State:

Community Phase 3.1 Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Shrubs/Forbs: The elimination of fire and grazing via Transitional Pathway T2 allows for shrubs (such as western snowberry, leadplant, and silverberry) to dominate this site. Shade-tolerant Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome dominate the understory and warm-season, native grasses may still be present but with reduced vigor and numbers not allowing for recovery without prescribe grazing and burning via Restoration Pathway R3A. Continued non-use may allow smooth brome to become the dominant herbaceous component. Managers need to evaluate impacts to wildlife while implementing these management practices. Intensified management along the R3A Pathway will have significant short-term negative impacts on wildlife habitat; however, this is necessary to restore long-term native habitat functions.

Invertebrates: The invasion of woody vegetation reduces or eliminates habitats for all invertebrate species of concern within MLRA 55A. Forbs will provide limited early- and mid-season pollen and nectar; however, silverberry and western snowberry will provide early and mid-season pollen availability. Overall, pollinator plant diversity provides season-long nectar and pollen production.

Birds: Western snowberry and taller statured silverberry density can negatively impact grassland- nesting birds sensitive to woody vegetation encroachment. Dependent on the density of these two shrub species, grassland nesting birds may discontinue use of this community phase. Bird species preferring woodland edge will have limited use since only low statured woody vegetation is available. This plant community will no longer provide lek sites for sharp-tailed grouse but may provide winter cover.

Mammals: Western snowberry and silverberry will provide year-round cover and browse for white- tailed deer. High litter amounts coupled with shrub cover provide food and thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

4.0 Go-Back State:

Community Phase 4.1 Annual/Pioneer Perennial/Exotics: These plant communities are the result of severe soil disturbance (such as cropping, recreational activity, or concentrated livestock activity for a prolonged period). Following cessation of disturbances, the resulting plant community is dominated by early pioneer annual and perennial plant species. Plant species composition and production are highly variable dependent upon duration of disturbance. Weedy plants can provide pollinator habitat along with spring and summer cover for many mammals and birds, and their young. Tall stature provided by some annual weeds offers thermal cover and seeds throughout winter for deer, small mammals, and over-wintering birds. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon plant community composition, vegetative stature, patch size, and management activities (such as prescribed grazing, burning, inter-seeding, haying, or noxious weed control).

Successful restoration of native species along Transition Pathway R4A can result in a native grass and forb community in State 2.0. Over time, with no management, the exotic cool-season perennial grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and/or quackgrass) generally become established and dominate the community. Failed native grass seeding, via Transition Pathway R4B, can result in an invaded plant community Invaded State 3.0.

Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations:

This site is well adapted to managed grazing by domestic livestock. The predominance of herbaceous plants across all plant community phases best lends these sites to grazing by cattle, but other domestic grazers with differing diet preferences may also be a consideration depending upon management objectives. Often, the current plant community does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in the ecological site description). Because of this, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. Proper interpretation of this inventory data will permit the establishment of a safe, initial stocking rate for the type and class of animals and level of grazing management. More accurate stocking rate estimates should eventually be calculated using actual stocking rate information and monitoring data.

NRCS defines prescribed grazing as “managing the harvest of vegetation with grazing and/or browsing animals with the intent to achieve specific ecological, economic, and management objectives”. As used in this site description, the term ‘prescribed grazing’ is intended to include multiple grazing management systems (e.g., rotational grazing, twice-over grazing, conservation grazing, targeted grazing, etc.) provided that, whatever management system is implemented, it meets the intent of prescribed grazing definition.

The basic grazing prescription addresses balancing forage demand (quality and quantity) with available forage, varying grazing and deferment periods from year-to-year, matching recovery/deferment periods to growing conditions when pastures are grazed more than once in a growing season, implementation of a contingency (e.g., drought) plan, and a monitoring plan. When the management goal is to facilitate change from one plant community phase or state to another, then the prescription needs to be designed to shift the competitive advantage to favor the native grass and forb species.

Grazing levels are noted within the plant community narratives and pathways in reference to grazing management. “Degree of utilization” is defined as the proportion of the current years forage production that is consumed and/or destroyed by grazing animals (may refer to a single plant species or a portion or all the vegetation). “Grazing utilization” is classified as slight, moderate, full, close, and severe (see the following table for description of each grazing use category). The following utilization levels are also described in the Ranchers Guide to Grassland Management IV. Utilization levels are determined by using the landscape appearance method as outlined in the Interagency Technical Reference “Utilization Studies and Residual Measurements” 1734-3.

Utilization Level % Use Description

Slight (Light) 0-20 Appears practically undisturbed when viewed obliquely. Only choice areas and forage utilized.

Moderate 20-40 Almost all of accessible range shows grazing. Little or no use of poor forage. Little evidence of trailing to grazing.

Full 40-60 All fully accessible areas are grazed. The major sites have key forage species properly utilized (about half taken, half left). Points of concentration with overuse limited to 5 to 10 percent of accessible area.

Close (Heavy) 60-80 All accessible range plainly shows use and major sections closely cropped. Livestock forced to use less desirable forage, considering seasonal preference.

Severe > 80 Key forage species completely used. Low-value forages are dominant.

Hydrological functions

Available water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B. Infiltration varies from moderately slow to moderate; runoff potential varies from low to high depending upon slope percent and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception would be where short grasses form a strong sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).

Recreational uses

Hunting and Bird Watching: Over 113,000 acres of National Wildlife Refuges and over 77,000 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas owned and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service are available for public hunting and bird watching. In addition, over 22,000 acres of North Dakota Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), approximately 8,000 acres of North Dakota Forest Service, and thousands of acres of Department of Trust Lands are scattered throughout the central and western portions of the MLRA; these areas are available for hunting and bird watching. MLRA 55A provides a unique ruffed grouse hunting opportunity in North Dakota on wildlife management areas managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and forest service lands managed by North Dakota Forest Service within the Turtle Mountain.

Camping: Three state parks are located within the MLRA including Lake Metigoshe State Park (Turtle Mt.), Grahams Island State Park (Devils Lake), and the newly designated Pembina Gorge State Park (formerly Pembina Gorge Recreation Area). These Parks provide hiking, biking, birding, canoeing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Many local parks and private parks provide modern and primitive camping opportunities. The approximately 8,000 acres of North Dakota Forest Service provides primitive camping (no electric or water hookups) as well as fishing and canoeing access at various lakes. These forests and lakes provide access to swimming beaches, picnicking, and an extensive trail system open to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing (not groomed). Limited primitive camping is also available on North Dakota Game and Fish Department Wildlife Management Areas.

Hiking/Biking/Horseback Riding: Hiking is permitted on most state and federally owned lands. Developed hiking and biking trails can be found on North Dakota Forest Service lands (18.6 miles), Upper Souris NWR (4.25 miles), Des Lacs NWR (8.5 miles), J. Clark NWR (3.3 miles), White Horse Hill National Game Preserve (3.6 miles), Lake Metigoshe State Park (16 miles), and Grahams Island State Park (2.1 miles; 3 miles cross country skiing). In addition, extensive biking and walking trails are found in local county and city parks. The Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area (ND Forest Service) is located six miles northwest of Bottineau. This recreation area has over 12 miles of trails open to hiking, biking, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and OHV’s.

The Pembina Gorge State Park encompasses over 2,800 acres of public land in the Pembina River Gorge. Steep valley cliffs towering over small, isolated prairies and pocketed wetlands surrounded by the largest continuous, undisturbed forest in North Dakota provide opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, wildlife observing, birding, and downhill and cross-country skiing. Thirty miles of trails provide snowmobiling, mountain biking, and off-highway vehicles (OHV) opportunities.

Canoeing/Kayaking: Designated canoe and kayaking trails are available within the MLRA. J. Clark Sayler NWR has 12.75 miles of designated trails on the Souris River and Pembina Gorge State Park has 14.25 miles on the Pembina River. The Pembina Gorge State Park offers kayak rentals along with kayak transportation. Lake Metigoshe State Park offers canoe and kayak rentals along with standup paddleboards, pontoons, cross country skis, snowshoes, etc.

Downhill Skiing: Downhill skiing is available at Bottineau Winter Park within Turtle Mountain and Frost Fire Park at the Pembina Gorge. Full-service rental shops are available along with alpine trails ranging from beginner to expert. Conveyor lifts on the beginner hills to chairlifts are available for skiers.

International Peace Garden: The only peace garden located on the United States/Canada border, the International Peace Garden is a 2,339-acre botanical garden commemorating peace between the United States and Canada along the world’s longest unfortified border. It blooms with more than 155,000 flowers and showcases the Peace Chapel, Peace Towers, and Floral Clock. The North American Game Wardens Museum if also located within the boundaries of the International Peace Garden.

Wood products

No appreciable wood products are present on the site.

Other products

Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.

Other information

• Further investigation is recommended on Thin Loamy sites which exceed 35 percent slopes. Most Thin Loamy sites have slopes <35%. However, very steep slopes (>35%) may occur on escarpments and moraines. The plant communities and forage production of areas with very steep slope should be compared with that of the typical slope range of Thin Loamy ecological sites. One MLRA map unit has a major component of Buse soils with slope as steep as 60 percent.
o Brantford-Bottineau-Buse loams, 15 to 60 percent slopes (map unit 2q5lr)
• Further investigation is needed on areas that have become wooded. During the MLRA update, a few map units with a wooded phase of Buse soils were identified. While these have been removed as a distinct map unit phase, the current State and Transition Model does not adequately represent the wooded conditions of some areas of this site.
• Further evaluation and refinement of the State-and-Transition model may be needed to identify disturbance driven dynamics. Additional states and/or phases may be required to address grazing response.
• Further documentation may be needed for plant communities in all states. Plant data has been collected in previous range-site investigations, including clipping data; however, this data needs review. If geo-referenced sites meeting Tier 3 standards for either vegetative or soil data are not available, representative sites will be selected for further investigation.
• Site concepts will be refined as the above noted investigations are completed.
• The long-term goal is to complete an approved, correlated Ecological Site Description as defined by the National Ecological Site Handbook.
• NASIS revisions needed:
o Two components of Sakakawea and eight of Zahl are currently linked to 53A Thin Loamy (Legacy); these need to be relinked to 55A or 53B Thin Loamy.

This ESD is the best available knowledge. The site concept and species composition table have been used in the field and tested for more than five years. It is expected that as additional information becomes available revisions may be required.

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS and other federal/state agency clipping and inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. All descriptions were peer reviewed and/or field tested by various private, state and federal agency specialists. Those involved in developing this site description include: Stan Boltz, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Dave Dewald, NRCS State Biologist; Jody Forman, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Jeff Printz, NRCS State Range Management Specialist; Kevin Sedivec, Extension Rangeland Management Specialist; Shawn Dekeyser, North Dakota State University; Rob Self, The Nature Conservancy and Lee Voigt, NRCS Range Management Specialist. Data Source Number of Records Sample Period State Counties SCS-Range-417 23 1968-1973 ND 4

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Contributors

ND NRCS: David Dewald, Jonathan Fettig, Alan Gulsvig, Mark Hayek, Chuck Lura, Jeff Printz, Steve Sieler, and Hal Weiser

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 5/08/2025

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge Tom Pabian, Upper Souris River National Wildlife Refuge manager for making the refuge available for field work in developing the ESD.

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