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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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 064X–Mixed Sandy and Silty Tableland and Badlands
The Mixed Sandy and Silty Tableland and Badlands (MLRA 64) is shared almost equally between South Dakota (42 percent) and Nebraska (41 percent). A small portion is in Wyoming (17 percent). The MLRA consists of 11,895 square miles. The towns of Kadoka and Pine Ridge, South Dakota; Chadron and Alliance, Nebraska; and Lusk, Wyoming, are all within the boundaries of this MLRA.
The following areas of special interest are in this MLRA: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Chadron State Park, Fort Robinson State Park, and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation; parts of the Oglala and Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, which are in the Nebraska National Forest; and nearly all of Badlands National Park. The Badlands are internationally renowned for their Oligocene vertebrate fossils.
The northern section of the MLRA consists of old plateaus and terraces that have been deeply eroded by wind, water, and time. The southern section consists of nearly level to broad intervalley remnants of smooth fluvial plains. These two sections are separated by the Pine Ridge escarpment. Elevations gradually increase from 2,950 to 5,073 feet from east to west. The main drainageway through Badlands National Park is the White River. The headwaters of both the White and Niobrara Rivers are in MLRA 64. The Pine Ridge escarpment is at the northernmost extent of the Ogallala Aquifer.
Tertiary continental sediments consisting of sandstone, siltstone, and claystone underlie most of the area. Many of the bedrock units in the southern third of the MLRA are covered by loess. Soils range from shallow to very deep and from generally well drained to excessively drained. They are loamy or sandy. The Badlands consist of stream-laid layers of silt, clay, and sand mixed with layers of volcanic ash.
Average annual precipitation for the area is 14 to 20 inches. Most of the rainfall occurs as frontal storms in the spring and early summer. This area supports a mixture of short-, mid-, and tall-statured warm- and cool-season grasses. On the Pine Ridge Escarpment, these plants grow in association with ponderosa pine, Rocky Mountain juniper, western snowberry, skunkbush sumac, common chokecherry, and rose. Wyoming big sagebrush grows in minor amounts in the drier, far western portion of the MLRA; however, small remnant stands can be found in the eastern portion of the Oglala National Grassland in Nebraska.
Sixty percent of the MLRA is grassland, 11 percent of which is under Federal management. Twenty-two percent of the area is used as cropland, and 4 percent is forested. Major resource concerns include wind erosion, water erosion, and surface water quality (USDA-NRCS, 2006, Ag Handbook 296).
For development of ecological sites, MLRA 64 is divided into two precipitation zones (PZ): 14 to 17 inches per year and 17 to 20 inches per year. The wetter zone extends from the western end of the Pine Ridge Escarpment near Lusk, Wyoming, eastward along the escarpment through Nebraska and into the Big Badlands area of South Dakota. The drier zone extends from Wyoming eastward to Alliance and Oshkosh, Nebraska, south of the Pine Ridge Escarpment. MLRA 64 stops at the western edge of the Nebraska Sand Hills (MLRA 65).
A unique geologic area known as the Hartville Uplift is in the far southwest corner of the 14 to 17 inch precipitation zone. The Hartville Uplift is an elongated, north-northwest-oriented, broad domal arch of Laramide age (70-50 million years ago). It extends approximately 45 miles between Guernsey and Lusk, Wyoming, and is 15 miles wide at its widest point. Erosion has exposed a core of granite and Precambrian metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks (Steele et al., 2018). In addition to the ecological sites in the 14 to 17 inch precipitation zone of MLRA 64, three unique ecological site descriptions were developed to describe the soils and plant community dynamics in the Hartville Uplift.Classification relationships
USDA Land Resource Region G—Western Great Plains Range and Irrigated Region:
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 64—Mixed Sandy and Silty Tableland and Badlands
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Level IV Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States:
High Plains—25:
Pine Ridge Escarpment—25a.
Flat to Rolling Plains—25d.
Pine Bluffs and Hills—25f.
Sandy and Silty Tablelands—25g.
Northwestern Great Plains—43:
White River Badlands—43h.
Keya Paha Tablelands—43i.
USDA Forest Service
Ecological Subregions: Sections and Subsections of Conterminous United States:
Great Plains and Palouse Dry Steppe Province—331:
Western Great Plains Section—331F:
Subsections:
Shale Scablands—331Fb.
White River Badlands—331Fh.
Pine Ridge Escarpment—331Fj.
High Plains—331Fk.
Hartville Uplift—331Fm.
Western Nebraska Sandy and Silty Tablelands—331Fn.
Keye Paha Tablelands—331Ft.
Powder River Basin Section—331G:
Subsection: Powder River Basin—331Ge.Ecological site concept
The Very Shallow ecological site occurs throughout MLRA 64. It is located on terrace remnants, knolls, and ridges on upper slopes of undulating or rolling uplands. Slopes range from 0 to 60 percent and the soil surface texture is loam. The soil formed in 4 to 10 inches of gravelly alluvium. The site is considered a run-off site and does not receive additional moisture from run-in or overflow. This site is typically very droughty due to the amount of rock in the soil profile.
Vegetation in the Reference State (1.0) consists primarily of cool-season needlegrasses, little bluestem, grama, upland sedges, and a variety of perennial forbs, shrub, and half-shrub species.Associated sites
R064XY037NE Thin Upland
The Thin Upland ecological site can be found on lower landscape positions down slope of the Very Shallow site.
R064XY050NE Thin Breaks
The Thin Breaks ecological site can be found adjacent to the Very Shallow site.
R064XY040NE Shallow
The Shallow ecological site can be found adjacent to or intermingled with the Very Shallow site.
R064XY039NE Shallow Clay
The Shallow Clay ecological site can be found adjacent to or intermingled with the Very Shallow site.
Similar sites
R064XY040NE Shallow
The Shallow ecological site will occur on similar landscapes positions and slopes. Soils will be greater than 10 inches deep. The plant community will have less needle and thread, more bluestems, and higher forage production than the Very Shallow site.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Hesperostipa comata
(2) Schizachyrium scopariumPhysiographic features
The Very Shallow ecological site occurs on nearly level to steeply sloping uplands.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Upland > Stream terrace
(2) Knoll
(3) Ridge
Runoff class Very low to medium Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 2900 – 5000 ft Slope 0 – 60 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
MLRA 64 has a continental climate consisting of cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and ample sunshine. Extremes in temperature are common in some years. The climate results from MLRA 64 being near the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the Northern Great Plains. Air masses move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.
Average annual precipitation ranges from 14 to 20 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 47 °F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 21 °F (Wood, SD) to about 25 °F (Hemingford, NE). July is the warmest month with average temperatures ranging from about 70 °F (Keeline 3 W, WY: 1953–1986) to about 76 °F (Wood, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 55 °F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of the climate of this area. Wind speeds 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 winds. Occasionally, strong storms bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.
Growth of cool-season plants begins in early to mid-March, slowing or ceasing in late June. Warm-season plants begin growth about mid-May and continue to early or mid-September. Cool-season plants may green-up in September and October if adequate soil moisture is present.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 90-120 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 120-140 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (actual range) 90-120 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 110-150 days Precipitation total (actual range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (average) 110 days Freeze-free period (average) 130 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) HARRISON 20 SSE [USW00094077], Harrison, NE
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(2) ALLIANCE 1WNW [USC00250130], Alliance, NE
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(3) HARRISON [USC00253615], Harrison, NE
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(4) HEMINGFORD [USC00253755], Hemingford, NE
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(5) INTERIOR 3 NE [USC00394184], Interior, SD
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(6) MARTIN [USC00395281], Martin, SD
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(7) WOOD [USC00399442], Wood, SD
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(8) LUSK 2 SW [USC00485830], Lusk, WY
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(9) TORRINGTON 29N [USC00488997], Jay Em, WY
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(10) CHADRON 3NE [USC00251578], Chadron, NE
">Influencing water features
No riparian or wetland features are directly associated with the Very Shallow ecological site.
Wetland description
Not Applicable.
Soil features
The common features of soils in this site is the 4 to 10-inch gravelly loam surface layer. Slopes range from 0 to 60 percent. Subsoils are gravelly sand to gravelly clay loam texture. The soils in this site are well-drained and formed in late Pleistocene terraces, terrace remnants, or alluvium. The soils have a moderate infiltration rate. This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestalled plants. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance, or discontinuous with numerous debris dams or vegetative barriers. The soil surface is stable and intact. Subsurface soil layers are restrictive to water movement and root penetration.
Major soils correlated to the Very Shallow ecological site: Dix, Nihill, Schamber, and Vivian.
These soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases on slopes greater than about 15 percent. Low available water capacity caused by the shallow rooting depth strongly influences the soil-water-plant relationship.
More information regarding the soil is available in soil survey reports. Contact the local USDA Service Center for details specific to your area of interest, or go online to access USDA’s Web Soil Survey.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – metamorphic and sedimentary rock
(2) Outwash – igneous and metamorphic rock
Surface texture (1) Gravelly loam
(2) Very gravelly
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained to excessively drained Permeability class Moderate to moderately rapid Depth to restrictive layer 5 – 10 in Soil depth 5 – 10 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 25 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 10 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)1 – 3 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 15 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 4 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.1 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)20 – 70 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)6 – 65 % Ecological dynamics
The Very Shallow ecological site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions, light to ecological site developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions; light to severe grazing by bison and other large herbivores; sporadic, natural or human-caused wildfire (often of light intensities); and other biotic and abiotic factors that typically influence soil and site development. Changes occur in the plant communities due to short-term weather variations, effects of native and exotic plant and animal species, and management actions. Although the following plant community descriptions are typical of the transitions between communities, severe disturbances, such as periods of well below average precipitation and the introduction of non-native cool-season grasses, can cause significant shifts in plant communities and species composition.
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 causes this site to depart from the Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama Plant Community (1.1). Species such as threadleaf sedge and blue grama will initially increase. Needlegrass, plains muhly, western wheatgrass, little bluestem, and sideoats grama will decrease in frequency and production and later disappear. Heavy continuous grazing causes blue grama and/or threadleaf sedge to dominate. Bluebunch wheatgrass will occur on this site in the western portion of the MLRA. It will also decrease in frequency and production as grazing pressure increases.
In some areas, shrubs will be common on the Very Shallow ecological site. They occur when this site is on steep slopes or adjacent to rock outcrops. Shrubs species may include skunkbush sumac and alderleaf mountain mahogany. Rocky Mountain juniper and ponderosa pine may also occur in minor amounts.
Interpretations are primarily based on the Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama Plant Community. 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 communities, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds have been determined through similar studies and experience.
The following state-and-transition diagram illustrates the common plant communities on the site and the transition pathways between communities. The ecological processes are discussed in more detail in the plant community descriptions following the diagram.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagramMore 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
Reference StateThe Reference State represents the best estimate of the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics in Very Shallow ecological site prior to European settlement. This site, in the Reference State, is dominated by a mix of cool-season needlegrass, warm-season bunch- and shortgrasses, and sedge. On steep slopes and areas with rock outcrops, alderleaf mountain mahogany and sumac may occur. Rocky Mountain juniper and ponderosa pine may also occur in minor amounts. Heavy grazing will cause the plant community to transition to a community dominated by the upland sedges and warm-season shortgrasses. Erosion of the surface horizon is a potential outcome with heavy grazing. In pre-European settlement times the primary disturbances included grazing by large ungulates and small mammals, and drought. Favorable growing conditions occurred during the spring and the warm months of June through August. Today a similar state can be found in areas where proper livestock use has occurred.
Community 1.1
Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-GramaInterpretations are based primarily on the Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama Plant Community (1.1). This plant community is also considered to be the Reference Plant Community. This community evolved with grazing by large herbivores and occasional prairie fire and 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 75 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 15 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs and trees. An even mix of both cool- and warm-season grasses or grass-likes dominates this plant community. The major grasses or grass-likes include needle and thread, western wheatgrass, threadleaf sedge, little bluestem, and both sideoats and blue grama. Other grasses occurring on the site include thickspike wheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, plains muhly, and prairie Junegrass. The significant forbs include gayfeather, purple coneflower, prairie clover, and cutleaf ironplant. Significant shrubs are fringed sagewort, rose, skunkbush sumac, and yucca.
This plant community is well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. Individual species can vary greatly in production depending upon growing conditions (timing and amount of precipitation and temperature). Community dynamics, nutrient and water cycles, and energy flow are functioning at the potential of the site. Plant litter is properly distributed with some movement offsite and natural plant mortality is low. The diversity in plant species allows for high tolerance to drought.Figure 8. 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 330 640 845 Forb 35 80 125 Shrub/Vine 35 60 85 Tree 0 20 45 Total 400 800 1100 Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6403 , Pine Ridge/Badlands, cool-season/warm-season co-dominant. Cool-season, warm-season co-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 5 10 20 25 20 10 5 5 Community 1.2
Blue Grama/SedgeThis plant community can develop from continuous season-long grazing, or annual, spring seasonal grazing, or heavy grazing in combination with drought. Shortgrasses and sedges increase to dominate the site and annual production decreases dramatically. Lack of litter and short plant heights result in higher soil temperatures, poor water infiltration rates, and high evaporation, which gives blue grama a competitive advantage over cool-season midgrasses. Blue grama and threadleaf sedge are the dominant grass/grass-like species. Other grasses may include western wheatgrass, needle and thread, little bluestem, prairie Junegrass, and threeawn. Significant forbs include green sagewort, cutleaf ironplant, rush skeletonweed, false hairy goldenaster, pussytoes, Hood’s phlox, and scarlet globemallow. The significant shrubs include broom snakeweed, cactus, and fringed sagewort.
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 Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama Plant Community (1.1). Runoff has increased and infiltration has decreased. Soil erosion does not increase appreciably.Figure 10. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 260 388 510 Forb 20 50 80 Shrub/Vine 20 49 80 Tree 0 13 30 Total 300 500 700 Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE6403 , Pine Ridge/Badlands, cool-season/warm-season co-dominant. Cool-season, warm-season co-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 5 10 20 25 20 10 5 5 Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Continuous season-long grazing, continuous seasonal grazing, or heavy grazing in combination with drought will convert this plant community to the Blue Grama/Sedge Plant Community (1.2).
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Prescribed grazing that includes proper stocking rates, change in season of use, and adequate time for plant recovery following grazing and a return to normal precipitation patterns following drought will convert this plant community to the Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama Plant Community (1.1).
Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Cool-Season Bunchgrasses 80–160 needle and thread HECOC8 Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata 80–160 – porcupinegrass HESP11 Hesperostipa spartea 0–40 – 2 Mid- Warm-Season Grasses 160–320 little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 80–160 – sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 80–120 – plains muhly MUCU3 Muhlenbergia cuspidata 16–40 – 3 Short Warm-Season Grasses 80–240 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 40–160 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 40–80 – 4 Rhizomatous Wheatgrass 40–80 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 40–80 – thickspike wheatgrass ELLAL Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus 0–40 – 5 Other Native Grasses 8–40 prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 8–40 – prairie sandreed CALO Calamovilfa longifolia 0–40 – Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 0–40 – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 0–40 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 0–16 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 8–16 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–16 – threeawn ARIST Aristida 0–8 – 6 Grass-Likes 40–120 threadleaf sedge CAFI Carex filifolia 40–120 – sedge CAREX Carex 0–16 – 7 Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses 0 cheatgrass BRTE Bromus tectorum – – field brome BRAR5 Bromus arvensis – – crested wheatgrass AGCR Agropyron cristatum – – Forb8 Forbs 40–120 dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 8–40 – hairy false goldenaster HEVI4 Heterotheca villosa 8–32 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 0–24 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 8–24 – stemless four-nerve daisy TEACA2 Tetraneuris acaulis var. acaulis 8–24 – white heath aster SYER Symphyotrichum ericoides 8–24 – upright prairie coneflower RACO3 Ratibida columnifera 8–24 – blacksamson echinacea ECAN2 Echinacea angustifolia 8–24 – purple prairie clover DAPU5 Dalea purpurea 8–24 – pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 8–16 – rush skeletonplant LYJU Lygodesmia juncea 0–16 – scarlet beeblossom GACO5 Gaura coccinea 0–16 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 0–16 – beardtongue PENST Penstemon 8–16 – old man's whiskers GETR Geum triflorum 0–16 – spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 8–16 – Indian breadroot PEDIO2 Pediomelum 0–16 – field sagewort ARCA12 Artemisia campestris 0–16 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–16 – cutleaf anemone PUPAM Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida 0–16 – ragwort PACKE Packera 0–8 – sandwort ARENA Arenaria 0–8 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 0–8 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 0–8 – onion ALLIU Allium 0–8 – deathcamas ZIGAD Zigadenus 0–8 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–8 – Shrub/Vine9 Shrubs 40–80 alderleaf mountain mahogany CEMO2 Cercocarpus montanus 0–64 – prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 8–24 – rose ROSA5 Rosa 8–24 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–24 – soapweed yucca YUGL Yucca glauca 8–24 – Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 0–24 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 0–16 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 0–16 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–8 – spinystar ESVI2 Escobaria vivipara 0–8 – Tree10 Trees 0–40 Rocky Mountain juniper JUSC2 Juniperus scopulorum 0–24 – ponderosa pine PIPO Pinus ponderosa 0–24 – Table 8. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Cool-Season Bunchgrasses 0–25 needle and thread HECOC8 Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata 0–25 – porcupinegrass HESP11 Hesperostipa spartea 0–5 – 2 Mid- Warm-Season Grasses 10–50 little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 0–40 – sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 5–40 – plains muhly MUCU3 Muhlenbergia cuspidata 0–5 – 3 Short Warm-Season Grasses 125–200 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 100–200 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 25–75 – 4 Rhizomatous Wheatgrass 5–25 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 5–25 – thickspike wheatgrass ELLAL Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus 0–10 – 5 Other Native Grasses 10–50 threeawn ARIST Aristida 5–25 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 0–25 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 0–15 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 5–15 – Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 0–15 – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 0–10 – prairie sandreed CALO Calamovilfa longifolia 0–5 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 0–5 – 6 Grass-Likes 100–175 threadleaf sedge CAFI Carex filifolia 100–175 – sedge CAREX Carex 0–75 – 7 Non-Native Cool-Season Grasses 0–50 cheatgrass BRTE Bromus tectorum 0–50 – field brome BRAR5 Bromus arvensis 0–25 – crested wheatgrass AGCR Agropyron cristatum 0–25 – Forb8 Forbs 25–75 field sagewort ARCA12 Artemisia campestris 0–40 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 5–30 – dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 5–25 – white heath aster SYER Symphyotrichum ericoides 5–25 – hairy false goldenaster HEVI4 Heterotheca villosa 5–25 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 0–15 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 5–15 – pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 5–15 – rush skeletonplant LYJU Lygodesmia juncea 0–15 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 5–15 – spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 5–15 – stemless four-nerve daisy TEACA2 Tetraneuris acaulis var. acaulis 0–10 – deathcamas ZIGAD Zigadenus 5–10 – ragwort PACKE Packera 5–10 – scarlet beeblossom GACO5 Gaura coccinea 0–10 – upright prairie coneflower RACO3 Ratibida columnifera 0–10 – old man's whiskers GETR Geum triflorum 0–10 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 0–10 – cutleaf anemone PUPAM Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida 0–10 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 0–5 – sandwort ARENA Arenaria 0–5 – beardtongue PENST Penstemon 0–5 – onion ALLIU Allium 0–5 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–5 – blacksamson echinacea ECAN2 Echinacea angustifolia – – purple prairie clover DAPU5 Dalea purpurea – – Indian breadroot PEDIO2 Pediomelum – – Shrub/Vine9 Shrubs 25–75 prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 10–40 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 5–40 – soapweed yucca YUGL Yucca glauca 10–40 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 5–25 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 0–25 – alderleaf mountain mahogany CEMO2 Cercocarpus montanus 0–25 – Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 0–15 – rose ROSA5 Rosa 5–15 – spinystar ESVI2 Escobaria vivipara 0–5 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata – – Tree10 Trees 0–25 Rocky Mountain juniper JUSC2 Juniperus scopulorum 0–15 – ponderosa pine PIPO Pinus ponderosa 0–15 – Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations:
MLRA 64 is in the drier areas of a northern mixed-grass prairie ecosystem in which sagebrush steppes to the west yield to grassland steppes to the east. Prior to European settlement, this MLRA consisted of diverse grassland and shrubland habitats interspersed with varying densities of depressional, instream wetlands and woody riparian corridors. These habitats provided critical life cycle components for many users. Many species of grassland birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians and herds of roaming bison, elk, and pronghorn were among the inhabitants adapted to this semi-arid region. Roaming herbivores, as well as several species of small mammals and insects, were the primary consumers linking the grassland resources to large predators, such as the wolf, mountain lion, and grizzly bear, and to smaller carnivores, such as the coyote, bobcat, fox, and raptors. The prairie dog was once abundant and remains a keystone species within its range. The black-footed ferret, burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk, mountain plover, and swift fox are associated with prairie dog complexes.
Historically, the northern mixed-grass prairie was a disturbance-driven ecosystem in which fire, herbivory, and climate functioned as the primary disturbance factors, either singly or in combination. Following European settlement, livestock grazing, cropland conversion, elimination of fire, energy development, and other anthropogenic factors influenced species composition and abundance. Introduced and invasive species further affected plant and animal communities. The bison was a historical keystone species but has been extirpated in this area as a free-ranging herbivore. The loss of the bison and the reduction of prairie dog populations and fire as ecological drivers greatly influenced the character of the remaining native plant communities and altered wildlife habitats. Human development reduced habitat quality for area-sensitive species.
Within MLRA 64, the Very Shallow ecological site provides upland grassland cover with an associated forb, shrub, and tree component. It was typically part of an expansive grassland landscape that included combinations of Badlands, Thin Breaks, Clayey, Claypan, Dense Clay, Loamy, Saline, Sandy, Overflow, Subirrigated, and Terrace ecological sites. This site provided habitat for species requiring unfragmented grassland. Important habitat features, and components found commonly or exclusively on this site may include sharp-tailed grouse leks; upland nesting habitat for grassland birds, forbs, and insects for brood habitat; and a forage source for small and large herbivores. Many grassland- and shrub steppe-nesting bird populations are declining. Extirpated species include free-ranging American bison, grizzly bear, gray wolf, black-footed ferret, mountain plover, Rocky Mountain locust, and swift fox.
The majority of the Very Shallow ecological site remains intact and provides increasingly important habitat for grassland- and shrub steppe-nesting birds, small rodents, coyote, and a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Invasive species such as cheatgrass and field brome have impacted the biological integrity of the site for some grassland birds. Changes in historic fire regime and domestic grazing have impacted the forb/shrub/grass percentages.
Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama (1.1): The predominance of grasses in this community favors herbivores. Insects, such as pollinators, play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds and other species. The plant structural diversity provides habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident birds. Grasshopper sparrow, chestnut-collared longspur, Sprague’s pipit, horned lark, lark bunting, and sharp-tailed grouse are common and benefit from the structure and composition this plant community provides. Diverse prey populations are available for grassland raptors such as ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, golden eagle, and prairie falcon.
The diversity of grasses, forbs, and shrubs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, spotted ground squirrel, white- and black-tailed jackrabbit, and deer. The higher stature of this plant community provides thermal, protective, and escape cover for herbivores and grassland birds. Predators utilizing this plant community include coyote, American badger, red fox, and long-tailed weasel. This plant community provides habitat for herptiles such as the spade foot toad, gopher snake, milk snake, and prairie rattlesnake.
Blue Grama/Sedge (1.2): Resulting from continuous season-long grazing the warm-season grass component has been substantially reduced and a shift to a short statured plant community occurs. Both forb and shrub diversity and abundance are substantially increased.
The predominance of short grass and bare spots makes this site ideal for shortgrass-nesting bird species. The increase of grass-like species, forbs, and shrubs causes an increase in insect populations such as pollinators. Grasshopper sparrow, horned lark, lark bunting, and sharp-tailed grouse are common and benefit from the structure and composition this plant community provides. Diverse prey populations are available for grassland raptors such as ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, golden eagle, and prairie falcon.
The diversity of grasses provides adequate nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, spotted ground squirrel, and white- and black-tailed jackrabbit. Predators utilizing this plant community include coyote, American badger, red fox, and long-tailed weasel. This plant community provides habitat for herptiles such as the spade foot toad, gopher snake, milk snake, short-horned lizard, and prairie rattlesnake.
Grazing Interpretations:
The following list suggests annual, initial stocking rates for average growing conditions. These estimates are conservative and should be used only as guidelines in the initial stages of conservation planning. Commonly, the current plant composition does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in this ecological site description). Therefore, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. More accurate estimates of carrying capacity should eventually be calculated using the following stocking rate information along with animal preference data and actual stocking records, particularly when grazers other than cattle are involved. In consultation with the land manager, a more intensive grazing management program that results in improved harvest efficiencies and increased carrying capacity may be developed.
The following suggested initial stocking rates are based on 912 lb/acre (air-dry weight) per animal-unit-month (AUM) with a 25 percent harvest efficiency of preferred and desirable forage species (refer to USDA-NRCS, National Range and Pasture Handbook). An AUM is defined as the equivalent amount of forage required by a 1,000-pound cow, with or without calf, for one month.
Plant Community: Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama (1.1)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 800
Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.22
Plant Community: Blue Grama/Sedge (1.2)
Average Production (lb/acre, air-dry): 500
* Stocking Rate (AUM/acre): 0.14
Plant Community: All other plant communities identified in this document have variable annual production values and require onsite sampling to determine initial stocking rates.
* Total annual production and stocking rates are highly variable and require onsite sampling.
** Total onsite annual production may contain vegetation deemed undesirable or untargeted by the grazing animal. Therefore, AUM values may have been reduced to reflect only preferred or desirable forage species.
Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income-producing industries in the area. Rangeland in this area may provide yearlong forage for livestock. During the dormant period, the forage for livestock likely have insufficient protein to meet livestock requirements. Added protein allows ruminants to better utilize the energy stored in grazed plant materials. A forage quality test (either directly or through fecal sampling) should be used to determine the level of supplementation needed.Hydrological functions
Water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B. Infiltration varies from rapid to very rapid and runoff varies from very low to medium depending upon soil hydrologic group, slope, and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75 percent ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception would be where shortgrasses form a dense sod and dominate the site. Areas with less than 50 percent ground cover have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff. Refer to the USDA-NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Part 630, for hydrologic soil groups, runoff quantities, and hydrologic curves.
Recreational uses
This site provides hunting opportunities for upland game species. The wide variety of plants that bloom from spring until fall have aesthetic value that appeals to visitors.
Wood products
No appreciable wood products are present on the site.
Other products
Harvesting the seeds of native plants can provide additional income on this site.
Other information
Revision Notes: “Previously Approved” Provisional
This Provisional ecological site description (ESD) has passed Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) to ensure the it meets the 2014 NESH standards for a Provisional ecological site description.
This ESD is an updated “Previously Approved” ESD that represented a first-generation tier of documentation that, prior to the release of the 2014 National Ecological Site Handbook (NESH), met all requirements as an “Approved” ESD as laid out in the 1997 National Range and Pasture Handbook (NRPH). The document fully described the Reference State and Community Phase in the State-and-Transition model. All other alternative states are at least described in narrative form. The “Previously Approved” ESD has been field-tested for a minimum of five years and is a proven functional document for conservation planning. The “Previously Approved” ESD may not contain all tabular and narrative entries as required in the current “Approved” level of documentation, but it is expected that it will continue refinement toward an “Approved” status.
Site Development and Testing Plan
Future work, as described in an official project plan, is necessary to validate the information in this provisional ecological site description. The plan will include field activities for low-, medium-, and high-intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of the data. Annual field reviews should be done by soil scientists and vegetation specialists. Final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews are required to produce the final document.Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping data and other inventory data. Field observations from range-trained personnel were also used. Those involved in developing this site include: Stan Boltz, range management specialist (RMS), NRCS; Jill Epley, RMS, NRCS; Rick Peterson, RMS, NRCS; David Steffen, RMS, NRCS; Jeff Vander Wilt; RMS, NRCS; Phil Young, soil scientist, NRCS, Wade Anderson, range professional and rancher, and Kent Cooley, area resource soil scientist, NRCS.
Other references
Cleland, D.T., J.A. Freeouf, J.E. Keys, G.J. Nowacki, C.A. Carpenter, and W.H McNab. 2007. Ecological subregions: Sections and subsections of the conterminous United States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-76D. https://www.fs.fed.us/research/publications/misc/73326-wo-gtr-76d-cleland2007.pdf (accessed 31 January 2019).
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2018. EPA level III and level IV ecoregions of the conterminous United States. https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions- conterminous-united-states (accessed 26 April 2018).
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska. 2018. http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/ (accessed 6 April 2018).
Steele, Ken, M.P. Fisher, and D.D. Steele. 2018. Fort Laramie and the Hartville Uplift. In: Geology of Wyoming. https://www.geowyo.com/fort-laramie--hartville-uplift.html (accessed 14 November 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. Electronic field office technical guide. https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov (accessed 3 August 2018).
Soil Survey Staff. 2018. Official soil series descriptions. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/home/?cid=nrcs142p2_053587 (accessed 3 August 2018).
Soil Survey Staff. 2018. Web Soil Survey. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx (accessed 3 August 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. Agriculture Handbook 296. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_050898.pdf (accessed 17 January 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2014. National ecological site handbook, 1st Ed. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcseprd1291232 (accessed 27 January 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2012. National engineering handbook, part 630. Hydrology chapters from e-Directives. https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/viewerFS.aspx?hid=21422 (accessed 17 January 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. Climate data. National Water and Climate Center. http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ (accessed 30 May 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1997. National range and pasture handbook, rev. 1, 2003. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1043055.pdf (accessed 7 January 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center. http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov (accessed 1 June 2018).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2018. PLANTS database. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC. http://plants.usda.gov (accessed 7 August 2018).Contributors
Stan C. Boltz
Rick L. PetersonApproval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 12/16/2024
Acknowledgments
This ecological site was reviewed and approved at the Provisional Level by David Kraft, Regional ESS, Salina, KS on 1/10/2019. Nondiscrimination Statement: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, available online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632- 9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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) Stan Boltz, Mitch Faulkner, Emily Helms, John Hartung, Ryan Murray, George Gamblin, Rick Peterson, Nadine Bishop, Jeff Nichols Contact for lead author jeffrey.nichols@usda.gov Date 12/12/2024 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
Typically, none. Rills may occur on steeper slopes (greater than 15%). When rills do occur, they will be discontinuous. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Typically, none. When water flow patterns are present, they will barely visible and discontinuous. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestalled plants and terracettes are not expected on gentle slopes but will occur on slopes steeper than 15 percent becoming more evident as slopes increase. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground is typically 15 percent or less and bare ground patches will be 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) in diameter. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None. Gullies should not be present. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. Wind scoured areas and depositional areas should not be present. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Small size litter classes will generally move short distances (less than 6 inches or 12.5 cm), some medium size class litter will move very short distances (less than 3 inches or 6.25 cm). On the steepest slopes (greater than 30 percent) litter will travel greater distances. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil aggregate stability ratings should typically 3 or greater. Surface organic matter adheres to the soil surface. Soil surface fragments will typically retain structure for 1 minute or longer when dipped in distilled water. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
A-horizon should be 4 to 10 inches (10.2 to 25.4 cm) thick gravelly loam. Soil colors range from dark brown to grayish brown (values of 4 to 5) dry and very dark grayish brown to dark grayish brown (vales of 3 to 4) when moist. Structure should typically be weak fine granular at least in the upper A-horizon. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Combination of shallow and deep rooted species (mid and tall rhizomatous and tufted perennial cool season grasses) with fine and coarse roots positively influences infiltration. Infiltration is typically high due to gravelly nature of soils. Relative composition is approximately 75 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 15 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs and trees. The grass component is composed of 20-40% C4, tall- and midgrasses, 10-20% C3 bunchgrasses, 10-20% C4 shortgrasses, 5-10% C3, rhizomatous grasses, and 5-15% grass-likes. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. Site is very shallow to gravel, but no platy structure will be present. -
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:
Phase 1.1 1. Native, perennial, C4, midgrass, 160-320 #/ac, 20-40% (3 species minimum): little bluestem, plains muhly, sideoats grama, sand dropseed. 2. Native, perennial, C4, shortgrass, 80-240 #/ac, 10-30% (2 species minimum): blue grama, hairy grama, threeawn. 3. Native, perennial, C3, bunchgrass, 80-200 #/ac, 100-5% (2 species minimum): needle and thread, porcupinegrass, prairie Junegrass, Sandberg bluegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass. Phase 1.2 1. Native, perennial, C4, shortgrass, 125-200 #/ac, 25-40%, (2 species minimum): blue grama, hairy grama, threeawn. 2. Native grass-like, 100-175 #/ac (20-35%): threadleaf sedge, other sedges.Sub-dominant:
Phase 1.1 1. Native grass-likes, 40-120 #/ac, 5-15% (1 species minimum): threadleaf sedge, other sedges. 2. Native forbs, 40-120 #/ac, 5-15% (10 species minimum): cudweed sagewort, dotted gayfeather, hairy goldaster, prairie coneflower, purple coneflower, purple prairie clover, pussytoes, spiny phlox, stemless hymenoxys, and penstemon and other forbs which vary from location to location. Phase 1.2 1. Native, perennial, C4, tall- and midgrass, 10-75 #/ac, 2-15%, (1 species minimum): little bluestem, sideoats grama, plains muhly, sand dropseed, prairie sandreed. 2. Native forb , 25-75 #/ac, 5-15% (9 species minimum): white sagebrush, dotted blazing star, white heath aster, hairy false goldenaster, pussytoes, scarlet globemallow, spiny phlox, deathcamas, ragwort, and other forbs which vary from location to location. 3. Shrub, 25-75 #/ac, 5-15% (5 species minimum): prairie sagewort, broom snakeweed, soapweed yucca, plains pricklypear, rose and other shrubs which vary from location to location.Other:
Minor - Phase 1.1 1. Native, perennial, C3, rhizomatous grasses, 40-80 #/ac, 5-10%: western wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass 2. Shrub, 40-80 #/ac, 5-10%: shrubs present will vary from location to location. 3. Native, perennial, C4, tallgrass, 0-40 #/ac, 0-5%: prairie sandreed. 4. Native, coniferous trees, 0-40 #/ac, 0-5%: Rocky Mountain juniper, ponderosa pine. Minor - Phase 1.2 1. Native, perennial, C3, bunchgrass, 0-50 #/ac, 0-10%: needle and thread, porcupinegrass, prairie Junegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass. 2. Native, perennial, C3, rhizomatous grass, 5-25 #/ac, 1-5%: western wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass. 3. Non-native, C3 grass, 0-50 #/ac (0-10%): cheatgrass, field brome, crested wheatgrass. 4. Native coniferous tree, 0-25 #/ac, 0-5%: Rocky Mountain juniper, ponderosa pine.Additional:
The Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama Community or Reference Community (1.1) is composed of nine F/S groups. These groups, in order of relative abundance, are native, perennial, C4, midgrass; native, perennial, C4, shortgrass; native, perennial, C3, bunchgrass; native grass-like; native forb; native, perennial, C3, rhizomatous grass; shrub; native, perennial, C4 tallgrass; and native, coniferous tree. The Blue Grama-Sedge Community (1.2) also consists of nine F/S groups. These groups are, in order of relative abundance, native, perennial, C4 shortgrass; native grass-like; native, perennial, C4, tall- and midgrass; native forb; shrub; native, perennial, C3, bunchgrass; native, perennial, C3, rhizomatous grass; non-native, C3 grass; and native, coniferous trees. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Bunchgrasses have strong, healthy centers with few (less than 3 percent) dead centers. Shrubs may show some dead branches (less than 5 percent) as plants age. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Plant litter cover is evenly distributed throughout the site and is expected to be 20 to 40 percent and at a depth of approximately 0.25 inch (0.65 cm). -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
The representative value (RV) for annual production is 800 pounds per acre in a year with normal precipitation and temperatures. Low and High production years should yield 400 and 1,100 pounds per acre respectively. -
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:
No non-native invasive species are present. Annual bromes, crested wheatgrass, and eastern red cedar are known invasives that have the potential to become dominant or co-dominant on this site. Consult the state noxious weed and state watch lists for potential invasive species. Note: species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All perennial species exhibit high vigor relative to recent weather conditions. Perennial grasses should have vigorous rhizomes or tillers; vegetative and reproductive structures are not stunted. All perennial species should be capable of reproducing annually.
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