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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): 102C–Loess Uplands
Most of this area is in the Dissected Till Plains part of the Central Lowland Province of the Interior Plains. This MLRA has broad, undulating to rolling ridgetops and hilly to steep valley sides. The valleys are generally narrow, but broad flood plains and terraces are along the major rivers and the large tributaries. Elevation ranges from 335 to 610 meters (1,100 to 2,000 feet) increasing from southeast to northwest. Peorian age loess covers most of the area with depths ranging from 2 to 20 meters (6 to 70 feet). Glacial till underlies the loess in most areas. Bedrock can be found at or near the surface predominantly along the Missouri River valley found on the eastern side of the MLRA, but some bedrock can also be found in the northern part of 102C in Minnesota and South Dakota. The soils are predominantly Mollisols but Entisols are prominent in the floodplains of the area. Nearly all the area is farmed with 70% of the area being used as cropland for corn and soybeans. Feed grains and hay crops are also grown. The major resource concerns are wind erosion, water erosion, maintenance of organic matter and soil tilth, and soil moisture management. (USDA/NRCS 2006)
Classification relationships
NE Natural Heritage Program/NE Game & Parks Commission: "Lowland Tallgrass Prairie"
*Fenneman (1916) Physiographic Regions*
Division - Interior Plains
East:
Province - Central Lowland
Section - Till Plains
West:
Province - Great Plains
Section - High Plains
*USFS (2007) Ecoregions*
Domain - Humid Temperate
Division - Prairie
Province - Prairie Parkland (Temperate)
Section - North-Central Glaciated Plains (251B)
*EPA Ecoregions (Omernik 1997)*
I - Great Plains (9)
II - Temperate Prairies (9.2)
III - Western Corn Belt Plains (9.2.3) IV - Loess Prairies (47a)
IV - Northeastern Nebraska Loess Hills (47k)
IV - Transitional Sandy Plain (47l)Ecological site concept
This ecological site is a shallow marsh with a reference plant community dominated by sedges. The reference plant community consists of 80-95% grasses and grass-likes, 5-10% forbs and 0-5% shrubs. Dominant grasses include Tapertip flatsedge, Rough barnyard grass and various members of the sedge family (sedges, rushes, bulrushes and spikesedges).
The foremost diagnostic feature of this site is the seasonally high-water table of 0 to 12 inches, and ponding from 12 to 24 inches, with additional moisture received from higher adjacent areas as run-on. This site predominantly occurs on closed depressions mainly on uplands but can also occur on floodplains and stream terraces (0 - 1% slopes). It receives runoff from adjacent sites with almost no runoff from the site, has a seasonally high-water table from 0-12 inches from November-May, ponds frequently, and typically do not flood but a few sites on floodplains may experience flooding. These are predominantly very deep, very poorly drained soils. The surface texture covers typically is loam textures and parent material is sandy alluvium or sandy eolian deposits over alluvium.Associated sites
R102CY048NE Loamy Overflow
Occurs on surrounding higher areas.
R102CY058NE Loamy Upland
Occurs on highest parts of the upland.
Similar sites
R102CY044NE WET LAND
Saturated at or near the surface and often ponded. Gleying is common.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Cyperus acuminatus
(2) Echinochloa muricataPhysiographic features
This site predominantly occurs on closed depression mainly on uplands but can also occur on floodplains and stream terraces (0 - 1% slopes). It receives runoff from adjacent sites with almost no runoff from the site, has a seasonally high-water table from 0-12 inches from November-May, ponds frequently, and typically do not flood but a few sites on floodplains may experience flooding.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Depression
Runoff class Negligible Flooding duration Brief (2 to 7 days) Flooding frequency None Ponding duration Very long (more than 30 days) Ponding frequency Frequent Elevation 1510 – 1720 ft Slope 0 – 1 % Ponding depth 12 – 24 in Water table depth 0 – 12 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Most of the rainfall occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms during the growing season. The maximum precipitation occurs from the middle of spring to early in autumn. Precipitation in winter occurs as snow. The annual snowfall ranges from about 60 centimeters (24 inches) in the southern part of the area to 85 centimeters (34 inches) in the northern part. The average annual temperature gradient trends higher from north (45°F) to south (51°F), and the average annual precipitation gradient trends higher from northwest (25”) to southeast (31”).
The following data summary includes weather stations representing the full geographic extent of the MLRA and is based on 70% probabilities. This means that actual observed climate conditions may fall outside these ranges 30% of the time. Furthermore, climatic events can manifest many ways. For example, abnormally dry periods could occur as 3 consecutive drought years out of 10, 3 individual years separated by “normal” years, or some combination. Tree-ring records indicate that portions of the Great Plains have also historically experienced droughts lasting several decades, so plant community response will largely depend on the way climatic variability is realized in interaction with past and current land management.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 120-130 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 140-160 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 30-30 in Frost-free period (actual range) 120-140 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 140-170 days Precipitation total (actual range) 30-30 in Frost-free period (average) 130 days Freeze-free period (average) 150 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) WALTHILL 1E [USC00258935], Walthill, NE
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(2) HAWARDEN [USC00133718], Hawarden, IA
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(3) LUVERNE [USC00214937], Luverne, MN
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(4) GENOA 2 W [USC00253185], Genoa, NE
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(5) YANKTON 2 E [USW00094911], Yankton, SD
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(6) NORFOLK 4W [USC00255997], Norfolk, NE
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(7) FLANDREAU [USC00392984], Flandreau, SD
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(8) WAYNE [USC00259045], Wayne, NE
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(9) ASHLAND NO 2 [USC00250375], Ashland, NE
">Influencing water features
This site may be included by brief flooding and frequent winter/early spring ponding.
Soil features
These are predominantly very deep and have very poorly drained soils. The surface texture covers typically is loam textures and parent material is sandy alluvium or sandy eolian deposits over alluvium. Rills, gullies, and water flow patterns are not inherent to this site. Pedestalling is none and soil aggregate stability will vary based on the textural classes in this ecological site.
Major soils assigned to this site include: MarlakeTable 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium
(2) Eolian sands
Surface texture (1) Loam
Drainage class Very poorly drained Permeability class Moderately rapid to rapid Depth to restrictive layer 80 – 0 in Soil depth 80 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(Depth not specified)3.1 – 4.2 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 % Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(Depth not specified)6.1 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)Not specified Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)Not specified Ecological dynamics
The foremost diagnostic feature of this site is the seasonally high-water table of 0 to 12 inches, and ponding from 12 to 24 inches, with additional moisture received from higher adjacent areas as run-on. The high-water table and ponding can limit the types of plants that can occupy these areas but also can “buffer” variability in plant production caused by fluctuating weather conditions (droughts). Relatively minor changes in local elevation can dramatically affect the plant community due to changes in the depth to the water table. This site often occurs in complex with other sites, particularly Loamy Overflow and Loamy Upland. Plant community composition may also experience similar changes through disturbances that affect the water table itself, such as extended dry or wet cycles.
This site developed with occasional fires being part of the ecological processes. It is presumed that the historic fires generally occurred every 3-4 years, were randomly distributed, and started by lightning at various times throughout the season when thunderstorms were likely to occur. It is also believed that pre-European inhabitants may have used fire as a management tool for attracting herds of large migratory herbivores (bison, elk, and/or deer.) The impact of fire over the past 100 years has been relatively insignificant due to the human control of wildfires and the lack of acceptance of prescribed fire as a management tool.
The degree of herbivory (feeding on herbaceous plants) has a significant impact on the dynamics of the site. Historically, periodic grazing by herds of large migratory herbivores was a primary influence. Secondary influences of herbivory by species such as grasshoppers and root feeding organisms impacted the vegetation historically and continue to this day. The management of herbivory by humans through grazing of domestic livestock and/or manipulation of wildlife populations has been a major influence on the ecological dynamics of the site. This management coupled with climate largely dictates the plant communities for the site.
The plant community for this site is dynamic due to the complex interaction of many ecological processes. The interpretive plant community for this site is the reference state. The reference state has been determined by the study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance and areas under long term rotational grazing strategies. Trends in plant community dynamics ranging from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts have also been used.
The following is a diagram that illustrates the common plant communities that can occur on the site and the transition pathways among communities. The ecological processes will be discussed in more detail in the plant community descriptions following the diagram.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
States 1, 5 and 2 (additional transitions)
T1A - Reduced native competitiveness allow for introduced grass colonization and expansion. T1B - Severe disturbance makes resources available to opportunistic species. T1C - Woody encroachment leading to woody dominance R2A - Reduced invasive grass competitiveness allows natives to reclaim resources. T2A - Reduced native competitiveness allow for introduced grass colonization and expansion. T2B - Severe disturbance makes resources available to opportunistic species. T2C - Woody encroachment leading to woody dominance T3C - Reduced invasive grass competitiveness allows natives to reclaim resources. T3B - Severe disturbance makes resources available to opportunistic species. T3A - Woody encroachment leading to woody dominance R4A - Successional processes tie up resources in a more stable community T4B - Successional processes tie up resources in a more stable community T4C - Successional processes tie up resources in a more stable community R5A - Woody removal for return to herbaceous dominance T5B - Woody removal for return to herbaceous dominance T5C - Woody removal for return to herbaceous dominance State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A - Reduced tallgrass vigor due to excessive defoliation intensity and frequency; above normal precipitation. 1.2A - Improved tallgrass vigor with adequate rest periods; return of normal precipitation. State 2 submodel, plant communities
2.1A - Reduced native competitiveness allow for introduced grass colonization and expansion. 2.2A - Reduced invasive grass competitiveness allows natives to reclaim resources. State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Shallow MarshThis state comprises the communities within the range of natural variability under historic conditions and disturbance regimes. Patterns created by wildlife use and fire would have created a mosaic of communities across the landscape; however, warm-season tallgrasses are dominant, with a subdominant to minor contribution from native cool- season grasses, forbs, and shrubs.
Fire and bison herbivory were the dominant disturbance regimes that historically maintained the tallgrass dominance with a diverse forb component. Furthermore, bison grazing was closely linked to fire patterns as the animals preferred grazing burned areas offering lush regrowth devoid of decadence and of higher nutritive quality. Thus, historic plant communities were subjected to occasional burning and grazing, with substantial rest/recovery periods as the fuel load rebuilt to eventually start this process again. Fire return intervals of 3-4 years served to suppress woody species, particularly the various tree and shrub species prevalent in adjacent riparian corridors. The degree to which observed conditions represent this state largely depends on how closely the management has mimicked these past disturbance effects.Dominant plant species
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tapertip flatsedge (Cyperus acuminatus), grass
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rough barnyardgrass (Echinochloa muricata), grass
Community 1.1
Tapertip flatsedge - Rough barnyardgrass - Common rivergrass - Slough sedge (Cyperus acuminatus - Echinochloa muricata - Scolochloa festucacea - Carex obnupta)This is the interpretive plant community and can be found on areas that are properly managed with prescribed grazing that allows for adequate recovery periods following each grazing event.
The plant community consists of 80-95% grasses and grass-likes, 5-10% forbs and 0-5% shrubs. Dominant grasses include Tapertip flatsedge, Rough barnyard grass and various members of the sedge family (sedges, rushes, bulrushes and spikesedges). Other grasses and grass-likes are Bluejoint reedgrass, Northern reedgrass, Plains bluegrass.
This plant community is diverse, stable, and productive. Plant community dynamics, nutrient cycles, water cycles, and energy flow are functioning properly. Plant litter is properly distributed with negligible movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. This community is resistant to many disturbances except continuous, season-long heavy grazing, tillage, or non-use. Broadcast herbicide application will dramatically reduce forb diversity and abundance.
Total annual production, during an average year, ranges from 3,000 to 6,000 pounds per acre air-dry weight. (USDA/NRCS 2012)Dominant plant species
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tapertip flatsedge (Cyperus acuminatus), grass
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rough barnyardgrass (Echinochloa muricata), grass
Community 1.2
Willow / Prairie cordgrass – Big bluestem (Salix spp. / Spartina pectinata - Andropogon gerardii)Willows and Prairie cordgrass have replaced Tapertip flatsedge as the dominant species. Other species, such as Reed canarygrass and Big bluestem have also increased. While still within the range of natural variability, energy capture, nutrient cycling, and hydrology are not functioning at their full potential relative to the reference condition.
Dominant plant species
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willow (Salix), shrub
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prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
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big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Grazing management which does not provide adequate recovery periods will cause a shift from Tapertip flatsedge and Rough barnyardgrass towards less palatable species, particularly Prairie cordgrass.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Management that provides adequate recovery periods and does not annually prevent tallgrass seed set or otherwise impair vigor will facilitate a return to community phase 1.1. In the case of above normal precipitation, the return to more typical precipitation patterns will promote shift towards tallgrass species.
State 2
Native/Invaded MixThis state can manifest in three ways: 1) the appearance of introduced cool-season grasses, 2) the expansion of shrubs and/or trees, or 3) some combination of these. Reed canarygrass and Smooth brome are the primary cool-season grass invaders in this region, commonly found in roadsides, disturbed areas, and pastures intentionally seeded for cool-season forage. Management practices and/or environmental conditions that are not favorable to native grass vigor may allow introduced grasses to invade the site thereby decreasing native diversity and abundance, particularly of forbs.
In the absence of the historic fire regime, woody species may also expand to become an influential component of the community. The invasive component tends to have very high resilience, is extremely difficult to eradicate, and what might be considered a new "contemporary" range of natural variability is seen as competition between the native grasses and introduced/woody species for space and resources.Dominant plant species
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reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
Community 2.1
Subdominant Smooth brome - Reed canarygrass (Bromus inermis - Phalaris arundinaceae)While native warm-season grasses still dominate the site, introduced cool-season species have established a foothold in the system and can be found interspersed throughout the stand. The stand may still have a native tallgrass appearance overall, but Reed canarygrass can be easily found.
Shrub/tree species may also have begun to expand into areas where they did not persist historically, but the overall appearance can vary depending on the propagation method of a particular species.Dominant plant species
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
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reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
Community 2.2
Codominant Smooth brome - Reed canarygrass (Bromus inermis - Phalaris arundinaceae)This community is comprised of a relatively even mix of native grasses and invasive species overall. This may manifest as a well-distributed interspersion of natives and invaders, as distinct patches wherein competitors dominate locally, or some combination. Forb diversity and abundance is further diminished.
Dominant plant species
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
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reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2Management and/or environmental conditions have afforded a persisting competitive advantage to introduced cool-season grasses, and they begin to dominate the ecological dynamics of the site. The robust invasive component can quickly and effectively exploit opportunities to outcompete and displace natives. Repeated summer use of an area will place the bulk of stressor impacts on native plants, reducing native vigor and allowing invaders to thrive. Likewise, a climate pattern limiting natural moisture to the spring and fall months coincides with peak cool-season growth and may support a similar process.
Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1The native component remains in an abundance that can facilitate a return towards more historic conditions if management is modified to shift stressor impacts to the invasive species and promote warm-season grass vigor. Environmental conditions and/or disturbance regimes that strongly favor warm-season grasses can also trend the site towards the reference.
State 3
Invasive DominantIntroduced cool-season invasion has progressed to the point that native species comprise a negligible portion of the community and the aggressively rhizomatous invasives preclude native germination and seedling survival. The native component may be completely absent, and the site resembles a seeded pasture. Alternatively, the dominant invasives may be woody species. Woody competitiveness for sunlight, water, space, and other resources continues to increase as desirable herbaceous species are shaded out, crowded out, or otherwise suppressed.
Dominant plant species
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
Community 3.1
Smooth brome - Reed canarygrass (Bromus inermis - Phalaris arundinaceae)This community is typically composed of Reed canarygrass. Warm-season natives, if present, are sparse yet often conspicuous due to pronounced differences in growth habits and metabolic pathways.
Community structure and function have been dramatically simplified relative to the reference condition, and very few biotic functional groups are represented in amounts that would influence ecological function. The invasive grass root skein provides good site stability; however, replacement of the deeper roots and complex bunchgrass canopy with the shallower roots and erect tiller canopy of the invaders results in reduced interception and infiltration rates.Dominant plant species
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
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reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
State 4
Annual/PioneerNutrient cycling, hydrologic function, and/or soil stability have been severely altered, and possibly compromised. This is a highly variable state in which the specific plants observed will depend largely on the original community and the nature of the disturbance. This condition encompasses (but is not necessarily limited to) events such as severe fire impacts, heavy continuous grazing, heavy nutrient inputs, and abandoned cropland.
Dominant plant species
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ragweed (Ambrosia), other herbaceous
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hoary verbena (Verbena stricta), other herbaceous
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pigweed (Amaranthus), other herbaceous
Community 4.1
Variable native and introducedThis community is heavily dominated by annual plants that thrive in disturbed areas and often includes annual ragweed, hoary verbena, or amaranths. It is also particularly vulnerable to noxious weed invasion with the most common species being Leafy spurge, Musk and Canada thistles.
Dominant plant species
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ragweed (Ambrosia), other herbaceous
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hoary verbena (Verbena stricta), other herbaceous
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pigweed (Amaranthus), other herbaceous
State 5
Woody DominantUnder historic disturbance regimes, frequent and uncontrolled fire and wildlife browsing served to keep woody species in check. However, in the absence of fire (either wild or prescribed), it's not uncommon for the woody trees and shrubs normally limited to riparian areas to expand into the floodplains, regardless of herbaceous community composition. Wildlife may introduce a seed source to areas not associated with a waterway, such as interdunal depressions.
Community 5.1
Wooded communityWoody species have encroached and established, typically with species such as willows, maples, cottonwood, boxelder, green ash, and swamp oak.
Dominant plant species
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willow (Salix), tree
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maple (Acer), tree
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eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), tree
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2In the presence of introduced cool-season grasses, environmental conditions and/or management that reduces native vigor and stand resilience, and frees up resources (space, sunlight, nutrients, water) will allow for colonization of Reed canarygrass. Likewise, similar processes may also allow for woody species to expand, particularly willows and cottonwoods.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 4There are many possible triggers for this transition that may occur as acute events (e.g. plowing) or cumulative impacts of chronic events (e.g. long-term undermanaged grazing.) The absence of deep-rooted perennial cover exposes the site to topsoil loss, open nutrient cycle, and free space which collectively allow for opportunistic annual species to dominate.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 5All herbaceous communities are vulnerable to woody encroachment in the absence of fire and/or browsing and hoof action impacts. This is particularly prominent in areas adjacent to riparian corridors which supply a constant seed source. As tree establishment progresses, the conditions grow increasingly favorable for woody germination and growth.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Eradication of introduced cool-season grasses from this site will require long-term, targeted management efforts to create an adverse environment during the spring and late fall when bluegrass and brome are most actively growing, with favorable conditions during the summer to promote native warm-season species. Targeted practices such as prescribed burning, flash grazing, and herbicide are often employed at strategic times of the year to set back undesirable species. The combination of practices should strive to mimic the historic disturbance regimes to which the desirable native species are best adapted.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3If the conditions which initiated and fomented the colonization and expansion of cool- season invasion are not removed or mitigated, stand composition will continue to shift in this direction and begin to resemble a monoculture of canarygrass. Due to the dense rhizomatous root mat of invasives, native species suffer decreasing opportunities to contribute propagules, and individual plants lost are not replaced by desirable natives.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4There are many possible triggers for this transition that may occur as acute events (e.g. plowing) or cumulative impacts of chronic events (e.g. long-term undermanaged grazing.) The absence of deep-rooted perennial cover exposes the site to topsoil loss, open nutrient cycle, and free space which collectively allow for opportunistic annual species to dominate.
Transition T2C
State 2 to 5All herbaceous communities are vulnerable to woody encroachment in the absence of fire and/or browsing impacts. This is particularly prominent in areas adjacent to riparian corridors which supply a constant seed source. As tree establishment progresses, the conditions grow increasingly favorable for woody germination and growth.
Restoration pathway T3C
State 3 to 2Aggressive intervening actions will be required to simultaneously recolonize native grasses and suppress vigor in undesirable species. Restoration follows the same principles as the R2A pathway but may also require native range seeding if the latent seedbank is inadequate.
Transition T3B
State 3 to 4Nutrient cycling, hydrologic function, and/or soil stability have been severely altered, and possibly compromised. This is a highly variable state in which the specific plants observed will depend largely on the original community and the nature of the disturbance.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 5All herbaceous communities are vulnerable to woody encroachment in the absence of fire and/or browsing impacts. This is particularly prominent in areas adjacent to riparian corridors which supply a constant seed source. As tree establishment progresses, the conditions grow increasingly favorable for woody germination and growth.
Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 1Restoration strategies will depend on the nature of the disturbance and the viability of the seedbank. On pastures, changes to grazing management and favorable moisture conditions may produce a perennial community. However, in abandoned cropland range seeding will likely be necessary to recolonize desirable perennial species.
Restoration pathway T4B
State 4 to 2As the site matures from the annual / pioneer stage, it will transition over to a mix of native and invaded species depending on the seed sources available. In many cases this will be a mix of Smooth brome and Reed canarygrass for these sites.
Restoration pathway T4C
State 4 to 3The annual / pioneer stage can transition to an invasive dominant stage if the seed source available after the disturbance is predominantly non-native species.
Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1The combination of tree size, reduced herbaceous understory, and more mesic conditions makes it increasingly difficult for natural disturbances to restore/maintain the historic tallgrass community, and mature woodlands can no longer be restored with fire. Intensive brush management will be required to mechanically remove the established overstory. Woody control and maintenance will be an ongoing process and may also require chemical methods if sprouting species are present.
Restoration pathway T5B
State 5 to 2Any type of natural act or management practices that kill off the woody species can transition the woody dominant site back to a native / invaded mix as the remaining herbaceous plants and seed source thrive due to the introduction of more sunlight and less woody competition.
Restoration pathway T5C
State 5 to 3Any type of natural act or management practices that kill off the woody species can transition the woody dominant site back to invasive dominant regime as the remaining herbaceous plants and seed source thrive due to the introduction of more sunlight and less woody competition.
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 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 5.1 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 RANGE-417 archives, Rangeland NRI, and other inventory data. Meetings and comments of local, state and regional experts convene and created the ES concepts and STMs. Field observations from range-trained personnel were also used. In addition to the multitude of NRCS field office employees and private landowners that helped with site visits and local knowledge, those involved in developing this site include: Nebraska NRCS: Nadine Bishop, State Rangeland Management Specialist Patrick Cowsert, Resource Soil Scientist Cassidy Gerdes, Biologist Dirk Schultz, Soil Conservationist Dan Shurtliff, Asst. State Soil Scientist (retired) South Dakota NRCS: Stan Boltz, State Rangeland Management Specialist Shane Deranleau, Area Rangeland Management Specialist Kevin Luebke, State Biologist Iowa NRCS: Jess Jackson, Area Grazing Specialist Minnesota NRCS: Lance Smith, Area Grazing Specialist MLRA Office 10: Stu McFarland, Ecological Site Inventory Specialist Stacey Clark, Ecological Site Inventory Specialist, QA Michael Whited, Region 10 Director (retired) Jo Parsley, Soil Scientist/ Soil Data Quality Specialist National Soil Survey Center: Mike Kucera, National Agronomist, Soil Quality & Ecosystems Steve Peaslee, GIS Specialist, Soil Survey Interpretations Nebraska Game & Parks Commission: Gerry Steinauer, Botanist Scott Wessel, Biologist Russ Hamer, Biologist Rebekah Jessen, Biologist Nebraska Forest Service: Steve Rasmussen, District Forester
Other references
USDA/NRCS. 2006. 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. 2012. Field Office Technical Guide (Nebraska, Natural Resources Information, Statewide Soil and Site Information, Rangeland Interpretations, Nebraska Range Site Descriptions – Vegetative Zones 3 and 4), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nebraska Ecological Sciences.
Fenneman, Nevin M. 1916. Physiographic Subdivision of the United States. Annals of the Association of American Geographers.
Omernik, J.M. 1997. Ecoregions of the Conterminous United States. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, v.77, no. 1, p.118-125.
Cleland_2007, USDA/USFS. 2007. Ecological Subregions: Sections and Subsections for the Conterminous United States. Washington, DC: USDA - Forest Service.Contributors
Shane Deranleau, Area Rangeland Management Specialist
Greg Clark (Greg.Clark@ne.usda.gov) Soil Survey Office Leader, USDA-NRCS, Stanton NE
Jess Jackson, Area Grazing Specialist
Lance Smith, Area Grazing Specialist
Nadine Bishop, State Rangeland Management Specialist
Stan Boltz
Dana LarsenApproval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 12/10/2024
Acknowledgments
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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) Nadine Bishop, Emily Helms, Jeff Nichols Contact for lead author jeffrey.nichols@usda.gov Date 12/04/2024 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
None. Rills are not expected on this site. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
None. Water flow patterns are not expected on this site. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None. Pedestals and terracettes are not expected to occur on this site. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground is 5 percent or less. During periods of above average precipitation and run-on, this site may be ponded for longer than normal durations and the typical vegetation will be temporarily reduced. Bare ground is exposed mineral soil that is not covered by vegetation (basal and/or foliar canopy), litter, standing dead vegetation, gravel/rock, and visible biological crust (e.g., lichen, mosses, algae). -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None. Gullies are not expected on this site. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. Wind-scoured and/or depositional areas should not be present. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
None. Litter falls into place. Litter movement is not expected on this site. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil stability ratings will be 5 to 6, typically 6. There is typically a high root content and organic matter in the soil surface. Soil surface is very resistant to erosion. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
The thickness of the A-horizon varies significantly with soil series and ranges from 5 to 11 inches (12 to 28 cm) thick. Soil colors may be dark gray to gray (10YR 3 or 4 or 5/1) when dry and black to very dark gray (10YR 2 or 3/1) when moist. Soil structures in the A-horizon are weak fine and/or weak medium, subangular blocky structure parting to weak fine and very fine or medium granular. See Official Soils Descriptions for additional details; major soil series correlated to the site are Baltic, Fillmore, Marlake, and Scott. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Plant community composition is approximately 80-95 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 5 to 10 percent forbs, and 0 to 5 percent shrubs which optimizes infiltration on the site. The grass and grass-like component is composed of grass-likes, cool-season (C3) bunchgrass, warm-season (C4), tallgrass, The functional/structural groups provide a combination of rooting depths and structure which positively influences infiltration. Invasion of introduced cool-season grasses such as reed canarygrass and creeping foxtail may have an adverse impact infiltration and runoff. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Typically, none. Physical impact during wet or ponded periods may cause temporary compaction, but this limited compaction will not restrict root development in the reference state. -
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. Grass-likes (4 species minimum): tapertip flatsedge, slough sedge, rushes, other sedges, bullrushes, spike-sedges. 2. Native, perennial, cool-season, bunchgrass (3 species minimum): northern reedgrass, bluejoint reedgrass, plains bluegrass. Phase 1.2 1. Native, perennial, warm-season tallgrass (3 species minimum): big bluestem, switchgrass, Indiangrass, prairie cordgrass. 2. Grass-likes (4 species minimum): rushes, sedges, bullrushes, spike-sedges.Sub-dominant:
Phase 1.1 1. Native, perennial, warm-season tallgrass (2 species minimum): big bluestem, Indiangrass, prairie cordgrass, switchgrass. 2. Native annual grass (2 species minimum): common rivergrass, rough barnyard grass. Phase 1.2 1. Shrubs (2 species minimum): shrubs present vary from location to location. 2. Native, perennial, cool-season, bunchgrass (2 species minimum): northern reedgrass, bluejoint reedgrass, plains bluegrass.Other:
Minor - Phase 1.1 1. Native forbs: forbs present vary from location to location. 2. Shrubs: willows, indigobush, and other shrubs that vary from location to location. Minor - Phase 1.2 1. Native, annual grasses: common rivergrass, rough barnyard grass. 2. Native forbs: forbs present vary from location to location.Additional:
The Tapertip Flatsedge – Rough barnyardgrass – Common Rivergrass – Slough Sedge Community or Reference Community (1.1) includes six F/S groups which include in order of relative abundance, grass-likes; native, perennial, cool-season (C3), bunchgrass; native annual grass; native, perennial, warm-season (C4) tallgrass; native forbs; and shrubs. The Willow - Prairie Cordgrass – Big Bluestem Community (1.2) includes six F/S groups which include in order of relative abundance, native, perennial, warm-season (C4) tallgrass; grass-likes; shrubs; native, perennial, cool-season (C3) bunchgrass; native, annual grasses; and native forbs. -
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 80 to 90 percent and at a depth of 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1.25 to 3.75 cm). Reed canarygrass or creeping foxtail excessive litter can negatively impact the functionality of this site. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
The representative value (RV) for annual production is 4,500 pounds per acre in a year with normal precipitation and temperatures. Low and High production years should yield 3,000 and 6,000 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. Reed canarygrass, creeping foxtail, and non-native cattails are known invasives that have the potential to become dominant or co-dominant on the site. 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 climatic 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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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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