Sandy Terrace

Description

The Reference State (1.0) represents what is believed to show the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics of the ecological site prior to European settlement. The vegetation in the Reference State (1.0) is a near equal mix of cool- and warm-season grasses. In pre-European times, the primary disturbance mechanisms included periodic fire and grazing by large herding ungulates. Timing of fires and grazing coupled with weather events dictated the dynamics that occurred within the natural range of variability. Taller cool- and warm-season grasses would decline and a corresponding increase in short statured grass and grass-like species would have occurred. Sliver sagebrush and western snowberry will almost always be present. Deciduous trees will likely be found scattered across this site, but regeneration is unlikely. Today, a similar state can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest.

Dominant plant species

1. plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera), tree

2. boxelder (Acer negundo), tree

3. American elm (Ulmus americana), tree

4. silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana), shrub

5. western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis), shrub

6. green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), shrub

7. prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia), grass

8. western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass

9. needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata), grass

10. blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass

11. white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), grass

12. Maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani), grass

13. mint (Mentha), grass

14. white prairie aster (Symphyotrichum falcatum), grass

Submodel

Description

The Shortgrass Sod State (2.0) is dominated by shortgrass species, and upland sedges. This State is the result of grazing management that does not provide adequate recovery time for cool-season wheatgrasses and needlegrass. The hydrologic function of this state is dramatically altered. Runoff is high and infiltration is low. This State is very resistant to change through grazing management alone.

Dominant plant species

1. green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), tree

2. plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera), tree

3. boxelder (Acer negundo), tree

4. silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana), shrub

5. western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis), shrub

6. blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass

7. western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass

8. (Stipa), grass

9. white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), grass

10. goldenrod (Solidago), grass

11. tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), grass

12. scurfpea (Psoralidium), grass

13. common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), grass

Submodel

Description

The Native/Invaded State has been invaded by Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and annual bromes, but not at the level to which the plant community is dominated by these species. The plant community in this State looks very similar to the Reference Plant Community (1.1) and it functions very much like the Reference State. It is ‘At Risk’ of transitioning to the Invaded State (4.0), which is dominated by Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome.

Dominant plant species

1. plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera), tree

2. boxelder (Acer negundo), tree

3. American elm (Ulmus americana), tree

4. silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana), shrub

5. western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis), shrub

6. green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), shrub

7. western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass

8. (Stipa), grass

9. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass

10. smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass

Submodel

Description

Any plant community can transition to the Disturbed State (4.0). The three separate vegetative plant communities found in this State are highly variable in nature. They are derived through different management scenarios and are not related successionally. Infiltration, runoff, and soil erosion vary depending upon the vegetation present on the site.

Dominant plant species

1. broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), shrub

2. threeawn (Aristida), grass

3. dropseed (Sporobolus), grass

4. field brome (Bromus arvensis), grass

5. crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), grass

6. smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass

7. western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass

8. foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass

9. sweetclover (Melilotus), grass

10. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), grass

11. prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), grass

12. forage kochia (Bassia prostrata), grass

13. common sunflower (Helianthus annuus), grass

Submodel