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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): 088X–Northern Minnesota Glacial Lake Basins
MLRA 88 consists of the lake beds of glacial Lakes Agassiz, Upham, and Aitkin. These vast glacial lake beds were formed by meltwaters associated with the last glaciation of the Wisconsin age. The large, flat, wet landscapes are filled with lacustrine lake sediments, wave-washed glacial till, and vast expanses of organic soils. This area is entirely in Minnesota and makes up about 11,590 square miles (30,019 square kilometers).
The western boundary of MLRA 88 with MLRA 56B is gradual. MLRA 56B is a portion of the Red River Valley that was formed by glacial Lake Agassiz and is dominantly prairie. The southern boundary of MLRA 88 with MLRA 57 consists of distinct moraines that formed from the glacial drift sediments of Late Wisconsin age. The eastern and southeastern boundaries are with portions of MLRAs 90A and 93A. These MLRAs are in a distinct glaciated region of sediments of the Rainy and Superior Lobes, and much of MLRA 93A is bedrock controlled (USDA-Ag Handbook 296, 2022).Classification relationships
MN DNR Native Plant Community (MN DNR, 2003); the reference community of this Provisional Ecological Site is most similar to:
OPn81 Northern Shrub Shore Fen
OPn91 Prairie Rich Fen
OPn92 Northern Rich Feb (Basin)Ecological site concept
Open Peatland sites typically occur on level to gently sloping surfaces on all landforms through the area. Soils have greater than 16” of organic material and soil pH values are greater than 4.5.
Associated sites
F088XY002MN Marsh
Marsh occurs on level or slightly concave landscape positions in closed depressions, shallow wetland basins, drainage ways, and adjacent to open water. They are very poorly drained soils and are frequently inundated with water for long durations. Soil surface textures are typically muck or mucky-modified surface layers over variable parent materials.
F088XY004MN Acid Peatland
Acid Peatland occurs in shallow wetland basins, closed depressions, and along drainage ways. Soils and water content have lower pH than the open peatland sites, lending to different vegetation. Soils are occasionally ponded with standing water in spring but tend to recede by late summer. Soil surface layers are typically muck 8 to 16” thick over variable parent materials.
F088XY005MN Forestland Peatland
Forestland Peatland occurs on level to gently sloping surfaces. Soils have greater than 16” of organic material and soil pH values are greater than 4.5. This site has a water table typically below the peat surface that drops during the summer to allow for the establishment of significant tree cover.
Similar sites
F088XY004MN Acid Peatland
Acid Peatland occurs in shallow wetland basins, closed depressions, and along drainage ways. Soils and water content have lower pH than the open peatland sites, lending to different vegetation. Soils are occasionally ponded with standing water in spring but tend to recede by late summer. Soil surface layers are typically muck 8 to 16” thick over variable parent materials.
F088XY005MN Forestland Peatland
Forestland Peatland occurs on level to gently sloping surfaces. Soils have greater than 16” of organic material and soil pH values are greater than 4.5. This site has a water table typically below the peat surface that drops during the summer to allow for the establishment of significant tree cover.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Larix laricina
(2) Picea marianaShrub (1) Salix pedicellaris
(2) Chamaedaphne calyculataHerbaceous (1) Carex lasiocarpa
(2) Comarum palustrePhysiographic features
Open Peatland sites typically occur on level to gently sloping surfaces on all landforms through the area. Soils have greater than 16” of organic material and soil pH values are greater than 4.5.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Slope shape across (1) Concave
Slope shape up-down (1) Concave
Landforms (1) Depression
(2) Swamp
(3) Bog
(4) Lake plain
Runoff class Negligible Flooding frequency None Ponding duration Long (7 to 30 days) to very long (more than 30 days) Ponding frequency Frequent Elevation 980 – 1610 ft Slope 0 – 1 % Ponding depth 4 – 12 in Water table depth 0 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The average annual precipitation is 25 to 28 inches (635 to 711 millimeters). Most of the rainfall comes from convective thunderstorms during the growing season. Snowfall generally occurs from October through April. The average annual temperature is 43 to 46 degrees F (6 to 8 degrees C). The mean frost free period ranges from 86 to 110 days, with the mean freeze-free period ranging from 118 to 136 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 90-110 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 120-140 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 30-30 in Frost-free period (actual range) 80-110 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 110-140 days Precipitation total (actual range) 20-30 in Frost-free period (average) 100 days Freeze-free period (average) 130 days Precipitation total (average) 30 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) WARROAD [USC00218679], Warroad, MN
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(2) CAMP NORRIS DNR [USC00211250], Beltrami Isl State for, MN
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(3) WASKISH 4NE [USC00218700], Big Falls, MN
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(4) BIG FALLS [USC00210746], Big Falls, MN
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(5) RED LAKE INDIAN AGCY [USC00216795], Ponemah, MN
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(6) LITTLEFORK 10 SW [USC00214809], Big Falls, MN
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(7) INTL FALLS INTL AP [USW00014918], International Falls, MN
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(8) LEECH LAKE [USC00214652], Bena, MN
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(9) POKEGAMA DAM [USC00216612], Cohasset, MN
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(10) GRAND RPDS FOREST LAB [USC00213303], Grand Rapids, MN
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(11) FLOODWOOD 3 NE [USC00212842], Floodwood, MN
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(12) EVELETH WWTP [USC00212645], Eveleth, MN
">Influencing water features
These sites are typically groundwater recharged and are highly influenced by the abundant concentration of minerals such as calcium found in the ground water that has percolated through the highly calcareous parent material that typically occurs throughout the region. These sites have minimal slopes with minimal runoff potential.
Wetland description
Under the Cowardin System of Wetland Classification, or National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), these sites could be classified as:<br />
1) Palustrine, scrub-shrub, broad-leaved deciduous, saturated, or<br />
2) Palustrine, moss-lichen, saturated, or<br />
3) Palustrine, scrub-shrub, broad-leaved evergreen, saturated, or<br />
4) Palustrine emergent, persistent, saturated<br />
<br />
NRCS Hydrologic group: A/D, B/D, C/D.<br />
Many of these sites have hydric soils.Soil features
Open Peatland soils developed as organic materials over Till and Glaciolacustrine deposits. Open peatlands have minimal runoff potential and deep soils. Surface soils are often made up of herbaceous organic material or other highly decomposed organic material. These sites are very poorly drained, and have a relatively high available water capacity (13.4 to 17.7).
All soils in the Open Peatland ecological site are Histosols. Soils for this site can be further described as Terric Haplohemists, Terric Haplosaprists, and Typic Haplohemists. The soil series included in the Open Peatland ecological site include Dora, Cathro, Rifle, Berner, Merwin, Markey, and Beseman.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Organic material
(2) Till
(3) Glaciolacustrine deposits
Surface texture (1) Muck
(2) Mucky peat
(3) Peat
Drainage class Very poorly drained Permeability class Moderately rapid to rapid Depth to restrictive layer Not specified Soil depth 80 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)13.3 – 17.7 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(10-40in)5.1 – 7.3 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-40in)0 – 4 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-40in)0 – 1 % Ecological dynamics
Open Peatland sites typically occur on level to gently sloping surfaces on all landforms through the area. Soils have greater than 16” of organic material and soil pH values are greater than 4.5. The organic material ranges in decomposition from muck, mucky peat to peat textures underlain by variable parent material. These sites are typically groundwater recharged and are highly influenced by the abundant concentration of minerals such as calcium found in the ground water that has percolated through the highly calcareous parent material that typically occurs throughout the region. Plant communities typical with Open Peatland tend to be dominated by sedges, ericaceous shrubs, bog willow, or bog birch.
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
T1B - Impoundment of water on-site, maintenance of water on-site, and/or establishment of invasive species T1C - Tile drainage, tilling, seeding, herbicide T2A - Tile drainage, tilling, seeding, herbicide. State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A - Lack of fire and/or periodic drought 1.1C - Seasonal water oscillations becomes high compared to the more stable groundwater 1.1B - Beaver dam off-site restricts water flow or contributes to ponding on-site 1.2A - Fire, higher than average precipitation. and/or decreased frequency of inundation by surface runoff. 1.2C - Seasonal water oscillations becomes high compared to the more stable groundwater. 1.2B - Beaver dam off-site restricts water flow or contributes to ponding on-site 1.3A - Accumulating of peat and water levels stabilize (but still remain fairly high) with stable groundwater influence. 1.3B - Lack of fire and/or periodic drought. 1.4C - Increased beaver dam off-site restricts water flow and contributes to ponding on-site or fire. 1.3A - Removal of beaver or beaver dam. State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThis community is dominated by fine-leaved sedges, graminoids, and shrubs. Soils are mucky peat or peat.
Dominant plant species
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tamarack (Larix laricina), tree
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black spruce (Picea mariana), tree
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bog birch (Betula pumila), shrub
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leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), shrub
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woollyfruit sedge (Carex lasiocarpa), grass
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
Community 1.1
Graminoid dominatedThe peatland system of Minnesota forms a mosaic of plant community variations across the landscape. Community 1.1. describes those area that are dominated by a diversity of wet-tolerant graminoid species. Multiple species of native sedges are present on site. The shrub layer is variable but usually sparse to scattered.
Dominant plant species
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sedge (Carex), grass
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woollyfruit sedge (Carex lasiocarpa), grass
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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hairy sedge (Carex lacustris), grass
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Northwest Territory sedge (Carex utriculata), grass
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upright sedge (Carex stricta), grass
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slimstem reedgrass (Calamagrostis stricta), grass
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Buxbaum's sedge (Carex buxbaumii), grass
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purple marshlocks (Comarum palustre), other herbaceous
Community 1.2
Shrub dominatedWater depth, microtopography, peat depth, and other soil characteristics will influence the plant community composition.
Dominant plant species
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bog birch (Betula pumila), shrub
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leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), shrub
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gray alder (Alnus incana), shrub
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sweetgale (Myrica gale), shrub
Community 1.3
Wet MeadowDominated by dense cover of broad-leaved graminoids or tall shrubs.
Dominant plant species
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bog birch (Betula pumila), shrub
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bog willow (Salix pedicellaris), shrub
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woollyfruit sedge (Carex lasiocarpa), grass
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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creeping sedge (Carex chordorrhiza), grass
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Northwest Territory sedge (Carex utriculata), grass
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eastern marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris), other herbaceous
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Fraser's marsh St. Johnswort (Triadenum fraseri), other herbaceous
Community 1.4
MarshZones within this site may have areas that can be described as a sedge-cattail marsh. Areas of open water may be present. Areas of deeper water will contain floating and submerged forbs such as duckweed (Lemna spp.), smartweed (Polygonum spp.), and American white water lily (Nymphaea odorata).
Dominant plant species
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Lack of fire and/or periodic drought. Also, if frequency of inundation by surface runoff or rising lake levels increases (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (2003)). Perhaps the stability of water level favors graminoids but the stochastic nature of fluctuating water favors shrubs.
Pathway 1.1C
Community 1.1 to 1.3Plant community 1.1 to 1.4 conversion occurs when substrate changes from one that is sphagnum peat dominated to one that is more sedimentary peat, sapric peat, muck or mineral soil dominated. This can occur when seasonal water oscillations becomes high compared to the more stable groundwater influenced plant communities. Beaver dam off-site restricts water flow or contributes to ponding on-site.
Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.4Beaver dam off-site restricts water flow or contributes to ponding on-site
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Fire, higher than average precipitation. and/or decreased frequency of inundation by surface runoff.
Pathway 1.2C
Community 1.2 to 1.3Plant community 1.1 to conversion 1.4 occurs when substrate changes from one that is sphagnum peat dominated to one that is more sedimentary peat, sapric peat, muck or mineral soil dominated. This can occur when seasonal water oscillations becomes high compared to the more stable groundwater influenced plant communities. Beaver damming can cause this to happen.
Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.4Beaver dam off-site restricts water flow or contributes to ponding on-site
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1The wet meadow, if it changes to be actively accumulating peat and water levels stabilize (but still remain fairly high) with stable groundwater influence, can transition to plant community 1.1.
Pathway 1.3B
Community 1.3 to 1.2Lack of fire and/or periodic drought
Pathway 1.4C
Community 1.3 to 1.4Increased beaver dam off-site restricts water flow and contributes to ponding on-site or fire.
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.4 to 1.1Removal of beaver or beaver dam
State 2
Impounded/Invaded StateThe plant community is still an open peatland dominated by shrubs and graminoids; however, invasive species are now present on site and will increase with the absence of management inputs.
Dominant plant species
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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sedge (Carex), grass
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reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
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American white waterlily (Nymphaea odorata), other herbaceous
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watershield (Brasenia schreberi), other herbaceous
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pondweed (Potamogeton), other herbaceous
Community 2.1
Invaded NativeNative species with invaders starting to emerge.
Dominant plant species
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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sedge (Carex), grass
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reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
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American white waterlily (Nymphaea odorata), other herbaceous
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watershield (Brasenia schreberi), other herbaceous
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pondweed (Potamogeton), other herbaceous
State 3
Cropland StateAnnual Crops
Dominant plant species
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corn (Zea mays), grass
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soybean (Glycine max), other herbaceous
Community 3.1
Annual CropsDisturbances related to agricultural activities have altered the site to a state suitable for annual crop production.
Dominant plant species
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corn (Zea mays), grass
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soybean (Glycine max), other herbaceous
Transition T1B
State 1 to 2Impoundment of water on-site, maintenance of water on-site, and/or establishment of invasive species.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 3Tile drainage, tilling, seeding, herbicide.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Tile drainage, tilling, seeding, herbicide.
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 6. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 7. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 1.4 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented was derived from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota, USDA-NRCS soil survey information, and USDA Plants Database.
Other references
Cleland, D.T.; Freeouf, J.A.; Keys, J.E., Jr.; Nowacki, G.J.; Carpenter, C; McNab, W.H. 2007. Ecological Subregions: Sections and Subsections of the Conterminous United States.[1:3,500,000], Sloan, A.M., cartog. Gen. Tech. Report WO-76. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
Eggers, Steve D. and Donald M. Reed. 1997. Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2003. Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. MNDNR St. Paul, MN.
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions. Available online. Accessed March 2018.
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 Handbook 296.
USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 27 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2013, Level III and IV ecoregions of the continental
United States: Corvallis, Oregon, U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, map scale 1:3,000,000, https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions-continental-united-states.Contributors
Kade Anderson, Ecological Site Specialist for North Central Region
Patty Burns, Soil Scientist, USDA-NRCS-Bemidji, MN.
Stacey Clark, Regional Ecologist, USDA-NRCS-St.Paul, MN.
Landon Wolter, Rangeland Management Specialist for North Central Region
Ezra Hoffman, Ecological Site Specialist for North Central RegionApproval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 8/12/2024
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 08/12/2024 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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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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