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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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 055D–Glacial Lake Dakota
MLRA 55D is in South Dakota (92 percent) and southeastern North Dakota (8 percent). It makes up about 3,059 square miles (7,923 square kilometers). This area, which is part of the glacial till plain region, consists of a large, glacial lake plain that was drained by the James River, which flows southward through the area. The MLRA is dominantly farmland converted from prairie, but some areas of grassland remain. Agricultural drainage practices have impacted shallow depressions in many areas.
MLRA 55D has distinct boundaries. Till plains are on all sides. MLRA 55B borders the area largely to the north and is also between the Lake Dakota Plain and two prominent coteaus—the Missouri Coteau on the west and the Prairie Coteau on the east. To the south is MLRA 55C (Southern Black Glaciated Plains), which has a mesic soil temperature regime.
This area is in the Central Lowland province of the Interior Plains. Elevation ranges from 1,250 to 1,330 feet (380 to 405 meters), generally increasing from south to north. The area is characterized by mostly level to moderately sloping lake plains with many depressions and drainages. Much of the area has integrated drainage; drainage channels are poorly to moderately defined.
The glaciolacustrine sediments of the Lake Dakota Plain range from sandy to clayey and are commonly stratified. Some areas of the lake plain are mantled with wind-deposited materials, which are moderately coarse textured or sandy. Alluvial deposits and low terraces are common along the James River and its major tributaries but also occur in narrow and discontinuous strips along other streams.Classification relationships
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): Southern Black Glaciated Plains (55D) (USDA-NRCS, 2022)
USFS Sub-region: Located mainly within unit 332Bc and 332Ba (Cleland et al., 2007).Ecological site concept
The Very Shallow ecological site is located on uplands – primarily on outwash plains and on terraces and moraines dissected by rivers, streams and drainageways; it also occurs on high beach ridges along some lake shores. The soils are very shallow (<14 inches) to layers high in coarse sand and gravel (15 to 60 percent gravel). In some soils this layer contains significant amounts (>25%) of shale fragments. The thin surface layer is typically sandy loam, gravelly sandy loam, or loamy coarse sand; but gravelly loam, cobbly loam, and coarse sandy loam also occur. Where the soils have been cultivated, the surface layer may be very gravelly. Soil on this site is excessively drained. Slopes range from 0 to 35 percent. On the landscape, this site is above the Shallow Gravel, Loamy, and Subirrigated ecological sites. On moraines, the Thin Loamy site occurs on similar landscape positions; it is highly calcareous with loamy or silty textures to a depth of 40 inches or more.
Associated sites
R055DY003SD Subirrigated
This site occurs lower on the landscape on beach ridges. It has redoximorphic features at a depth of 18 to 30 inches. Where a highly calcareous subsoil layer occurs, it is at a depth >16 inches. All textures are included in this site.
R055DY014SD Shallow Gravel
This site occurs lower on the landscape. The depth to sand and gravel is 14 to 20 inches.
R055DY010SD Loamy
This site typically occurs on linear slopes on till plains and lake plains on run-off landscape positions; it also occurs on high terraces which are no longer impacted by flooding. The surface and subsoil layers form a ribbon 1 to 2 inches long.
R055DY012SD Thin Upland
This site occurs on shoulder slopes of moraines. The soil does not have a sand and gravel layer. The surface and subsoil layers form a ribbon 1 to 2 inches long. It is highly calcareous (strong or violent effervescence) within a depth of 8 inches.
Similar sites
R055DY014SD Shallow Gravel
This site occurs lower on the landscape. The depth to sand and gravel is 14 to 20 inches.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Hesperostipa comata
(2) Bouteloua gracilisPhysiographic features
This site occurs on uplands – on glacial outwash plains, on terraces, on dissected moraines, and on high beach ridges along lake shores. It is on upper back slopes, shoulder slope and summits. Parent materials are gravelly glaciofluvial or beach deposits. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent but generally fall between 7 to 14 percent. .
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Moraine
(2) Beach ridge
(3) Outwash plain
Runoff class Negligible to medium Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 980 – 2130 ft Slope 7 – 14 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The average annual precipitation of MLRA 55D is 22 to 23 inches (549 to 594 millimeters). About 75 percent of the rainfall comes from high-intensity, convective thunderstorms during the growing season. Winter precipitation is typically snow. The average annual snowfall is 25 to 50 inches (635 to 1,270 millimeters). Strong winds commonly deposit the snow unevenly across the landscape. The average annual temperature is 43 to 45 degrees F (6 to 7 degrees C). The freeze-free period averages about 135 days and ranges from 120 to 150 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 110-120 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 130-130 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (actual range) 110-120 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 130-130 days Precipitation total (actual range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (average) 120 days Freeze-free period (average) 130 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 6 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) BRITTON [USC00391049], Britton, SD
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(2) ANDOVER #2 [USC00390120], Andover, SD
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(3) TURTON [USC00398420], Turton, SD
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(4) CONDE [USC00391917], Conde, SD
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(5) REDFIELD [USC00397052], Redfield, SD
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(6) MELLETTE 4 W [USC00395456], Northville, SD
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(7) ABERDEEN [USW00014929], Aberdeen, SD
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(8) COLUMBIA 8 N [USC00391873], Columbia, SD
">Influencing water features
This site does not receive additional water, either as runoff from adjacent slopes or from a seasonal high water table.
Soil features
Soils associated are in the Mollisol and Entisol orders. The Mollisols are classified further as Entic Hapludolls. The Entisols are classified further as Typic Udorthents. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed in glaciofluvial deposits or beach deposits.
The common feature of soils in this site is the very shallow depth (<14 inches) to layers high in coarse sand and gravel (15 to 60 percent gravel). In some soils this layer contains significant amounts (>25%) of shale fragments. Due to the high amounts of gravel, these soils are very droughty and have limited plant production. The soils are excessively drained. The thin surface layer is typically sandy loam, gravelly sandy loam, or loamy coarse sand; but gravelly loam, cobbly loam and coarse sandy loam also occur. Where soils have been cultivated, the surface layer may be very gravelly.
Salinity and sodicity are none. Soil reaction is neutral to moderately alkaline. Calcium carbonate content is none to low in the surface soil and low to moderately high below. Some soils have layers of calcium carbonate accumulation in the upper part of the gravelly layers (typically as coatings on undersides of rock fragments).
This site should show no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestaled plants. If present, water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance, or discontinuous. The soil surface is very unstable but intact. Sub-surface soil layers are restrictive to root penetration. These soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases as slope increases. Very low available water capacity caused by the shallow rooting depth strongly influences the soil/water/pant relationship. Loss of the soil surface layer can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.
Major soil series correlated to the Very Shallow site are: Sioux.
Access Web Soil Survey ( https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx ) for specific local soils information.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Glaciofluvial deposits
Surface texture (1) Sandy loam
(2) Loamy coarse sand
(3) Loam
(4) Coarse sandy loam
Drainage class Excessively drained Permeability class Rapid to very rapid Depth to restrictive layer 10 – 20 in Soil depth 10 – 20 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 13 – 35 % Surface fragment cover >3" 3 – 10 % Available water capacity
(0-60in)1 – 2.5 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)1 – 15 % Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.8 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-40in)14 – 58 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-40in)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), 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.
This ecological site is naturally resilient, and quite resistant to change. Also, due to the relatively steep slopes and naturally low fertility of the soils, this site generally avoids more intensive disturbances such as farming. However, continuous season-long grazing (during the typical growing season of May through October) and/or repeated seasonal grazing (e.g., every spring, every summer) without adequate recovery periods following each grazing occurrence can cause this site to depart from the Needleandthread/Sedge/Blue Grama Plant Community Phase. Sedges and gramas can increase and eventually develop into a sod, while many of the mid statured grasses will decrease (e.g., needleandthread and western wheatgrass). Even with these disturbances, many of the mid statured grasses will remain in the community at reduced levels, allowing recovery to occur once the disturbances are removed.
Interpretations are primarily based on the Needleandthread/Sedge/Blue Grama Plant Community Phase (1.1). 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
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
ReferenceThis state represents the natural range of variability that dominates the dynamics of this ecological site. This state is dominated by cool-season grasses, with warm-season grasses being subdominant. In pre-European times, the primary disturbance mechanisms for this site in the reference condition included grazing by large herding ungulates and fluctuations in levels of precipitation. Grazing coupled with weather events dictated the dynamics that occurred within the natural range of variability. Today, this state 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 dominant tall and mid grass species can decline and a corresponding increase in short statured species will occur.
Dominant plant species
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prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), shrub
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rose (Rosa), shrub
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needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata), grass
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western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
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blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
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threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia), grass
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blazing star (Liatris), other herbaceous
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hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa), other herbaceous
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prairie clover (Dalea), other herbaceous
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blacksamson echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia), other herbaceous
Community 1.1
Needleandthread/Sedge/Blue GramaThe Needleandthread/Blue Grama/Sedge Plant Community Phase is the plant community upon which interpretations are primarily based. This is also considered to be climax. This plant community can be found on areas that are properly managed with prescribed grazing that allows for proper utilization, changes in season of use and adequate recovery periods following each grazing event.
The potential vegetation is about 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 15 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Cool-season grass and grass-like species dominate this plant community, with warm-season grasses being subdominant. The major grass or grass-like species include needleandthread, blue grama, western wheatgrass, and threadleaf sedge. Other grasses occurring on the site include threeawn, plains muhly, slender wheatgrass, sand dropseed, and prairie junegrass. The significant forbs include dotted gayfeather, hairy goldaster, purple coneflower, and prairie clover. Significant shrubs are fringed sagewort and rose.
This plant community is moderately resistant to change. The herbaceous species present are well adapted to grazing; however, species composition can be altered through long-term overgrazing. If the herbaceous component is intact, it tends to be resilient if the disturbance is not long-term. This plant community is stable and protected from excessive erosion.Figure 7. 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 710 1211 1610 Forb 65 140 215 Shrub/Vine 25 49 75 Total 800 1400 1900 Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5502 , Central Black Glaciated Plains, cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant..
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 7 23 42 15 5 4 1 0 0 Community 1.2
Sedge/Blue Grama/Fringed SagewortThis plant community can develop from the adverse effects of heavy, continuous grazing in conjunction with extended periods of below-average precipitation. Short grass and grass-like species increase to dominate the site and annual production decreases. Lack of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and higher evaporation, which gives blue grama and sedges a competitive advantage over cool and warm-season mid-grasses. Blue grama and threadleaf sedge are the dominant grass/grass-like species. Other grasses may include western wheatgrass, needleandthread, prairie junegrass and threeawn. Significant forbs include green sagewort, cutleaf ironplant, scurfpeas, heath aster, and western yarrow. Fringed sagewort is the dominant shrub. Non-native species such as Kentucky bluegrass, cheatgrass, and Japanese bromegrass may begin to invade this phase, but will typically not increase to the point of dominance.
This plant community is relatively stable. The competitive advantage of blue grama and threadleaf sedge prevents other species from establishing. This plant community is less productive than the 1.1 Needleandthread/Sedge/Blue Grama Plant Community Phase. Runoff has increased and infiltration has decreased. Soil erosion does not increase substantially.Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ND5502 , Central Black Glaciated Plains, cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season sub-dominant..
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 7 23 42 15 5 4 1 0 0 Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2Heavy continuous grazing (grazing the same area for extended portions of the growing season well above recommended stocking rates and without adequate recovery periods), especially when coupled with extended periods of below average precipitation will convert the plant community to the 1.2 Sedge/Blue Grama/Fringed Sagewort Plant Community Phase.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1Grazing and fire returned to normal disturbance regime levels and frequencies or prescribed grazing (alternating season of use and providing adequate recovery periods) will convert this plant community to the 1.1 Needleandthread/Sedge/Blue Grama 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 Cool-season Grasses 210–420 needle and thread HECOC8 Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata 140–420 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 28–140 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 0–70 – slender wheatgrass ELTRS Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus 0–70 – 2 Warm-season Grasses 210–420 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 70–280 – plains muhly MUCU3 Muhlenbergia cuspidata 14–140 – Fendler threeawn ARPUL Aristida purpurea var. longiseta 14–42 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 14–28 – 3 Other Native Grasses 14–70 Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 0–42 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 14–28 – 4 Grass-likes 70–210 threadleaf sedge CAFI Carex filifolia 70–182 – Grass-like (not a true grass) 2GL Grass-like (not a true grass) 0–70 – Forb5 Forbs 70–210 blazing star LIATR Liatris 14–112 – hairy false goldenaster HEVI4 Heterotheca villosa 14–56 – silverleaf Indian breadroot PEAR6 Pediomelum argophyllum 0–56 – velvety goldenrod SOMO Solidago mollis 14–42 – prairie clover DALEA Dalea 14–42 – blacksamson echinacea ECAN2 Echinacea angustifolia 14–42 – field sagewort ARCA12 Artemisia campestris 14–28 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 14–28 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 14–28 – white heath aster SYER Symphyotrichum ericoides 14–28 – spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 14–28 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 14–28 – upright prairie coneflower RACO3 Ratibida columnifera 14–28 – rush skeletonplant LYJU Lygodesmia juncea 0–14 – cutleaf anemone PUPAM Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida 0–14 – western yarrow ACMIO Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis 0–14 – onion ALLIU Allium 0–14 – pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 0–14 – plains milkvetch ASGI5 Astragalus gilviflorus 0–14 – scarlet beeblossom GACO5 Gaura coccinea 0–14 – Shrub/Vine6 Shrubs 28–70 prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 14–56 – Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 0–42 – rose ROSA5 Rosa 14–28 – Table 7. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
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. MLRA 55D was split from MLRA 55B in 2022. Many of the site concepts for this MLRA are borrowed from neighboring MLRA 55B pending further vegetation and soils validation.
Other references
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://hpccsun.unl.edu)
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2022. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 296.
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
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
Lee Voigt, NRCS Range Management Specialist
Ezra Hoffman, Ecological Site Specialist, NRCSApproval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 11/14/2024
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 11/14/2024 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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