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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.
Classification relationships
Level IV Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States: 42a – Missouri Coteau; 42b – Collapsed Glacial Outwash; 42c – Missouri Coteau Slope; 42d – Northern Missouri Coteau; 42f – Southern Missouri Coteau Slope; 42g – Ponca Plains; and 42h – Southern River Breaks.
Associated sites
R055BY065ND Subirrigated
R055BY070ND Shallow Marsh
R055BY071ND Wet Meadow
Similar sites
R055BY070ND Shallow Marsh
(R055BY070ND) – Shallow Marsh [less prairie cordgrass, whitetop co-dominant; higher production]
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Carex aquatilis
(2) Spartina pectinataPhysiographic features
This site occurs on nearly level flood plains or drainageways.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Flood plain
(2) Outwash plain
Flooding duration Long (7 to 30 days) Flooding frequency Frequent Ponding frequency None Elevation 1000 – 2100 ft Slope 0 – 1 % Water table depth 0 – 20 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
MLRA 55B is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are characteristic. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains. The air masses move unobstructed across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.
Annual precipitation ranges from 16 to 21 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 41.5° F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 2° F (Maddock, ND) to about 11° F (Mellette, SD). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 67° F (Maddock, ND) to about 73° F (Redfield 2 NE, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 64° F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this MLRA's climate. Winds average about 11 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 13 miles per hour during the spring to about 10 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.
Growth of native cool-season plants begins in late March and continues to early to mid July. Native warm-season plants begin growth in mid May and continue to the end of August. Green up of cool-season plants can occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 140 days Freeze-free period (average) 160 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
Soil features
These are very deep, poorly and very poorly drained, medium to fine textured soils. Salinity and sodicity are none to slight. Water tables on this site range from the surface to about 20 inches below the surface during most of the growing season. This site occurs on flood plains and along drainageways. Slope ranges from zero to one percent. This site should show no evidence of rills, wind scoured areas or pedestalled plants. The soil surface is stable and intact. Subsurface soil layers are nonrestrictive to water movement and root penetration. The soils have a slow to moderately slow infiltration rate. These soils are not typically susceptible to water erosion. The high water table, flooding and slow permeability strongly influences the soil-water-plant relationship.
Access Web Soil Survey (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm) for specific local soils information.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Silty clay loam
(2) Silty clay
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Poorly drained Permeability class 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)7 – 8 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 15 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 4 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 3 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.1 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)Not specified Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)Not specified Ecological dynamics
This site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, light to severe grazing by bison and other large herbivores, sporadic natural or man-caused wildfire (often of light intensities), fluctuating water tables and flooding events, and other biotic and abiotic factors that typically influence soil/site development. Changes will occur in the plant communities due to short-term weather variations, impacts of native and/or exotic plant and animal species, and management actions. While the following plant community descriptions describe more typical transitions that will occur, severe disturbances, such as periods of well below average precipitation, can cause significant shifts in plant communities and/or species composition that may not be described within this document.
Heavy continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods following each grazing occurrence over several years causes this site to depart from the interpretive plant community. Species such as sedge and rush will initially increase. Prairie cordgrass, northern reedgrass, bluejoint reedgrass, and narrow reedgrass will decrease in frequency and production. Heavy continuous grazing causes reed canarygrass to increase and eventually dominate the site. Extended periods of nonuse and no fire will result in a plant community having high litter levels, which also favors an increase in reed canarygrass, spikerush and bluegrass.
Interpretations are primarily based on the 1.1 Sedge/Prairie Cordgrass/Reedgrass Plant Community Phase. It has 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 ranging from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts also have been used. Plant community phases, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds have been determined through similar studies and experience.
The following is a diagram that illustrates the common plant community phases that can occur on the site and the transition pathways between communities. These are the most common plant community phases based on current knowledge and experience, and changes may be made as more data is collected. Narratives following the diagram contain more detail pertaining to the ecological processes.
State and transition model
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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
1.1 Sedge/Prairie Cordgrass/ReedgrassCommunity 1.1
1.1 Sedge/Prairie Cordgrass/ReedgrassThis community evolved with grazing by large herbivores, occasional prairie fires and relatively frequent flooding and can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and/or prescribed burning, and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest. The potential vegetation is about 40 percent grasses, 40 percent grass-like species, 15 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs by air-dry weight. Water sedge is typically the dominant grass-like species. Prairie cordgrass is the dominant tall warm-season grass occupying this plant community. Reedgrasses are the dominant tall cool-season species. A variety of sedges and rushes occur throughout this community as well as fowl mannagrass, switchgrass, reed canarygrass, plains bluegrass, and fowl bluegrass. Key forbs include broadfruit burreed, giant goldenrod, New England aster, Maximilian sunflower, white panicle aster, and cinquefoil.
This plant community phase is diverse, stable, and productive, and is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains. The high water table supplies much of the moisture for plant growth. Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle, and energy flow are functioning properly. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. The diversity in plant species allows for the variability of both the fluctuations of water table and reoccurring flooding. This is a sustainable plant community in terms of soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity.
Community Pathway
1.1a – Heavy continuous grazing which includes herbivory at moderate to heavy levels at the same time of year each year without adequate recovery periods, or during periods of below normal precipitation when grazing frequency and intensity increases on these sites due to limited forage availability on adjacent upland sites will shift this community to the 1.2 Sedge/Rush/Prairie Cordgrass/Reed Canarygrass Plant Community Phase.
Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 4690 5220 5695 Forb 255 600 960 Shrub/Vine 55 180 345 Total 5000 6000 7000 Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5508 , Central Black Glaciated Plains, lowland cool-season/warm-season co-dominant.. Cool-season, warm-season co-dominant, lowland..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 0 3 35 35 15 5 5 2 0 0 State 2
1.2 Sedge/Rush/Prairie Cordgrass/Reed CanarygrassCommunity 2.1
1.2 Sedge/Rush/Prairie Cordgrass/Reed CanarygrassThis community develops with periods of heavy continuous grazing with lack of adequate recovery periods during the growing season following periods of below normal precipitation. Lack of litter and reduced plant heights result in higher soil temperatures and reduced water infiltration rates. Recognition of this plant community will enable the land user to implement key management decisions before a significant ecological threshold is crossed. Prairie cordgrass has been reduced in this plant community, but still persists. Sedge, rush, and other grass-like species are dominant. The grass-like species have increased while the reedgrass species have been significantly reduced. Switchgrass may be removed at this stage. Reed canarygrass may begin to increase significantly. Forb species would include asters, goldenrod, and cinquefoil, as well as, a possible invasion of Canada thistle. Plant production and frequency have been reduced. The water cycle, nutrient cycle, and energy flow are slightly reduced but continue to function adequately.
Community Pathway
1.2a – Prescribed grazing (alternating season of use and providing adequate recovery periods) or periodic light to moderate grazing possibly including periodic rest will convert this plant community to the 1.1 Sedge/Prairie Cordgrass/Reedgrass Plant Community Phase. This pathway could also occur with a return to more normal precipitation levels and frequencies.
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5507 , Central Black Glaciated Plains, cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant, lowland..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 2 7 36 35 10 3 6 1 0 0 State 3
2.1 Reed Canarygrass/Spikerush/BluegrassCommunity 3.1
2.1 Reed Canarygrass/Spikerush/BluegrassThis plant community phase develops either with increased sedimentation, heavy continuous grazing, or with a long-term lack of grazing and/or fire. In each case, native plant vigor is reduced allowing the increase of competitive species and eventually the introduction of nonnative species. Spikerush and other grass-like species, as well as, bluegrasses will increase. The more competitive forbs will also increase. Reed canarygrass often will increase to the point of dominance while prairie cordgrass will diminish significantly. Other invasive plants such as creeping meadow foxtail or Canada thistle may become prevalent if a seed source is present or nearby. Nutrient cycling will be greatly diminished and the energy flow will shift significantly and be reduced as well. Infiltration will be reduced somewhat compared to the Reference State. This plant community is somewhat resistant to change. The combination of both grazing and fire is most effective in moving this plant community towards the Reference State.
Community Pathway
2.1a – Heavy continuous grazing which includes herbivory at moderate to heavy levels at the same time of year each year without adequate recovery periods, or during periods of below normal precipitation when grazing frequency and intensity increases on these sites due to limited forage availability on adjacent upland sites will shift this community to the 2.2 Annual/Pioneer Perennial Plant Community Phase.
Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5506 , Central Black Glaciated Plains, lowland cool-season dominant.. Cool-season dominant, lowland..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 3 10 37 35 5 2 8 0 0 0 State 4
2.2 Annual/Pioneer PerennialCommunity 4.1
2.2 Annual/Pioneer PerennialThis plant community develops under severe disturbance, typically abandonment after cropping. The dominant vegetation includes pioneer annual or perennial grasses, forbs, invaders, and early successional biennial and perennial species. Grasses may include inland saltgrass, foxtail barley, barnyardgrass, quackgrass, fowl bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Baltic rush, and sedges. The dominant forbs may include cocklebur, Canada thistle, and other early successional species. The community is susceptible to invasion of non-native species due to severe soil disturbances and relatively high percent of bare ground. This plant community is resistant to change as long as soil disturbance or severe vegetation defoliation persists, thus holding back secondary plant succession.
Significant economic inputs, management, and time would be required to move this plant community toward a higher successional stage. Secondary succession is highly variable, depending upon availability and diversity of a viable reproductive source of higher successional species. This plant community may be renovated to improve the production capability but management changes would be needed to maintain the new plant community. The total annual production ranges from 500 to 1,500 lbs./ac. (air-dry weight) depending upon growing conditions. No growth curve has been assigned to this plant community phase due to the highly variable nature of the plant community.
Community Pathway
2.2a – This community pathway occurs with the passage of time as successional processes take place and perennial plants gradually begin to establish on the site again. This pathway will lead to the 2.1 Reed Canarygrass/Spikerush/Bluegrass Plant Community Phase.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Grass-likes 1800–2400 water sedge CAAQ Carex aquatilis 600–2100 – awlfruit sedge CAST5 Carex stipata 60–600 – Grass-like (not a true grass) 2GL Grass-like (not a true grass) 0–480 – woolly sedge CAPE42 Carex pellita 60–480 – bottlebrush sedge CAHY4 Carex hystericina 0–300 – smoothcone sedge CALA12 Carex laeviconica 0–300 – green bulrush SCAT2 Scirpus atrovirens 0–300 – flatsedge CYPER Cyperus 60–180 – spikerush ELEOC Eleocharis 60–180 – rush JUNCU Juncus 60–180 – 2 Tall Warm-season Grasses 300–1200 prairie cordgrass SPPE Spartina pectinata 300–1200 – spiked muhly MUGL3 Muhlenbergia glomerata 0–300 – switchgrass PAVI2 Panicum virgatum 0–180 – 3 Cool-season Grasses 600–1200 northern reedgrass CASTI3 Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa 120–900 – bluejoint CACA4 Calamagrostis canadensis 60–480 – reed canarygrass PHAR3 Phalaris arundinacea 60–300 – slimstem reedgrass CASTS5 Calamagrostis stricta ssp. stricta 0–300 – Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 0–300 – Canada wildrye ELCA4 Elymus canadensis 60–180 – fowl mannagrass GLST Glyceria striata 60–180 – fowl bluegrass POPA2 Poa palustris 60–180 – Forb4 Forbs 300–900 Forb, native 2FN Forb, native 60–300 – milkweed ASCLE Asclepias 60–180 – American licorice GLLE3 Glycyrrhiza lepidota 60–180 – goldenrod SOLID Solidago 60–180 – broadfruit bur-reed SPEU Sparganium eurycarpum 60–180 – New England aster SYNO2 Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 60–180 – broadleaf cattail TYLA Typha latifolia 0–180 – prairie ironweed VEFA2 Vernonia fasciculata 0–120 – meadow zizia ZIAP Zizia aptera 60–120 – white panicle aster SYLA6 Symphyotrichum lanceolatum 60–120 – marsh skullcap SCGA Scutellaria galericulata 0–120 – marsh fleabane SECO2 Senecio congestus 0–120 – hemlock waterparsnip SISU2 Sium suave 60–120 – Maximilian sunflower HEMA2 Helianthus maximiliani 60–120 – common boneset EUPE3 Eupatorium perfoliatum 60–120 – wild mint MEAR4 Mentha arvensis 0–120 – water knotweed POAM8 Polygonum amphibium 0–120 – curlytop knotweed POLA4 Polygonum lapathifolium 60–120 – northern water plantain ALTR7 Alisma triviale 0–120 – Canadian anemone ANCA8 Anemone canadensis 60–120 – Indianhemp APCA Apocynum cannabinum 60–120 – silverweed cinquefoil ARAN7 Argentina anserina 60–120 – nodding beggartick BICE Bidens cernua 0–60 – spotted water hemlock CIMA2 Cicuta maculata 0–60 – Illinois bundleflower DEIL Desmanthus illinoensis 0–60 – Macoun's buttercup RAMA2 Ranunculus macounii 0–60 – western dock RUAQ Rumex aquaticus 0–60 – Virginia strawberry FRVI Fragaria virginiana 0–60 – rough bugleweed LYAS Lycopus asper 0–60 – Shrub/Vine5 Shrubs 60–300 false indigo bush AMFR Amorpha fruticosa 60–300 – willow SALIX Salix 0–180 – Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 0–180 – Table 7. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 55B lies within the Northern mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. Prior to European settlement, 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 many of its users. Many species of grassland birds and herds of roaming bison, elk, and pronghorn were among the inhabitants. These species, as well as several small mammal and insect species, were the primary consumers linking the grassland resources to predators such as wolves, mountain lions, and grizzly bears as well as smaller carnivores such as coyotes, bobcats, foxes and raptors. In addition, a wide variety of small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects were adapted to this semi-arid climate.
Historically, the Northern mixed-grass prairie was a disturbance-driven ecosystem with fire, herbivory and climate functioning as the primary disturbance factors either singly or in combination. Following European settlement, widespread conversion to cropland, elimination of fire, and habitat fragmentation influenced species composition and abundance. Introduced and invasive species further impacted plant and animal communities. Bison were historically a keystone species but have been extirpated as a free-ranging herbivore. The loss of bison and fire as ecological drivers greatly influenced the character of the remaining native plant community and the habitats that they provide. Fragmentation has reduced habitat quality for area-sensitive species.
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.
Hydrological functions
Water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic groups C and D. Infiltration is very slow and runoff is negligible due to the concave nature of the landscape on which this site occurs.
Recreational uses
This site provides hunting opportunities for upland game species. The wide variety of plants which bloom from spring until fall have an esthetic value that appeals to visitors.
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.
Supporting information
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; David 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.
Other references
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://hpccsun.unl.edu)
USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, 101 SW Main, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204-3224. (http://wcc.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. National Range and Pasture Handbook, September 1997
USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov)
USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
USDA, NRCS, Various Published Soil Surveys.
Contributors
Jeff Printz & Stan Boltz
Megan BaxterRangeland 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 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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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:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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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:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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