Natural Resources
Conservation Service
-
Search
Major Land Resource Area or ecological site by name and/or ID.
PreviousSectionsNextGeneral information
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"
General information for MLRA 102C:
*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 wetland with a seasonal high water table, poorly to very poorly drained soils and a reference community of sedges and rushes. The foremost diagnostic feature of this site is the seasonally high-water table from 0 to 51 centimeters (0 to 20 inches), with additional moisture received from higher adjacent areas as run-on. The high-water table and potential frequent ponding can limit the types of plants that can occupy these areas. This site mainly occurs on nearly level to gently sloping floodplains and stream terraces (0-6% slopes). A few areas are on upland drains or interdunal areas in uplands that can range up to 5% slopes. It usually receives runoff from adjacent sites, has a seasonally high-water table from November-May, may flood occasionally for a brief duration and may frequently pond to four inches. These are predominantly very deep, very poorly to poorly drained soils. The surface texture covers a wide range of silty, loamy, and sandy textures from 15 to 76 centimeters (6 to 30 inches) and the Subsurface Texture Groups are Fine, Fine-Loamy, Fine-Silty or Sandy from 30 to 203 centimeters (12 to 80 inches). The reference plant community consists of 80-95% grasses and grass-likes, 5-10% forbs and 0-5% shrubs. Dominant grass-likes include Hardstem bulrush, Broadleaf arrowhead and various other members of the sedge family (sedges, rushes, bulrushes and spikesedges).
Associated sites
R102CY046NE Subirrigated
Occurs on higher relief with a seasonally high-water table between 24 and 40 inches and a marked decrease in hydrophytic vegetation.
R102CY048NE Loamy Overflow
Occurs on surrounding higher areas.
R102CY045NE WET SUBIRRIGATED
Occurs on adjacent slightly higher area with seasonally high-water table between 0 and 20 inches with a slight decrease in hydrophytic vegetation.
Similar sites
R102CY043NE SHALLOW MARSH
Occurs most commonly on closed upland depressions. Similar vegetation and water tables / ponding.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Schoenoplectus acutus
(2) Sagittaria latifoliaPhysiographic features
This site mainly occurs on nearly level to gently sloping floodplains and stream terraces (0-6% slopes). A few areas are on upland drains or interdunal areas in uplands that can range up to 5% slopes. It usually receives runoff from adjacent sites, has a seasonally high-water table from November-May, may flood occasionally for a brief duration and may pond frequently to a depth of four inches.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Flood plain
(2) Swale
(3) Terrace
Runoff class Very low to low Flooding duration Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) Flooding frequency None to frequent Ponding frequency None to frequent Elevation 1200 – 1480 ft Slope 0 – 6 % Ponding depth 0 – 4 in Water table depth 0 – 20 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) 130-130 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 150-150 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 30-30 in Frost-free period (actual range) 130-130 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 150-160 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
-
(1) YANKTON 2 E [USW00094911], Yankton, SD
-
(2) ELGIN [USC00252595], Elgin, NE
-
(3) GENOA 2 W [USC00253185], Genoa, NE
-
(4) WAYNE [USC00259045], Wayne, NE
-
(5) NORFOLK 4W [USC00255997], Norfolk, NE
">Influencing water features
This site has a seasonal high-water table from November to May and may flood occasionally for a brief duration.
Soil features
These are predominantly very deep, very poorly to poorly drained soils. The surface texture covers a wide range of silty, loamy, and sandy textures from 15 to 76 centimeters (6 to 30 inches) and the Subsurface Texture Groups are Fine, Fine-Loamy, Fine-Silty or Sandy from 30 to 203 centimeters (12 to 80 inches). Rills, gullies, and water flow patterns are not inherent to this site. Pedestalling is none to slight. Soil aggregate stability will vary based on the varying textural classes in this ecological site.
Major soils assigned to this site include: Calco, Arlo, Barney, Kezan, James, Loup, Zook, Baltic, Norway, Clarno, Clamo, Colo and Lamo.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
(2) Loam
(3) Fine sandy loam
(4) Loamy fine sand
(5) Silty clay loam
Drainage class Very poorly drained to poorly drained Permeability class Very slow to rapid Soil depth 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(Depth not specified)1 – 9 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(Depth not specified)0 – 40 % Electrical conductivity
(Depth not specified)0 – 8 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(Depth not specified)0 – 15 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(Depth not specified)5.6 – 9 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 from 0 to 51 centimeters (0 to 20 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 Wet Land, Subirrigated, and Loamy Overflow. 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 - Disturbance; colonization of reed canarygrass 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 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; drought. 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
Wet LandThis 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
-
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
-
hardstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus), grass
-
northern reedgrass (Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa), grass
-
broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), other herbaceous
Community 1.1
Hardstem bulrush – Broadleaf arrowhead (Schoenoplectus acutus - Sagittaria latifolia)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 grass-likes include Hardstem bulrush, Broadleaf arrowhead and various other members of the sedge family (sedges, rushes, bulrushes and spikesedges). Other grasses and grass-likes are Big bluestem, Bluejoint, 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
-
northern reedgrass (Calamagrostis stricta ssp. inexpansa), grass
-
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
-
hardstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus), grass
-
broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), other herbaceous
Community 1.2
Water smartweed – Nodding beggartick (Persicaria amphibia – Bidens cernua)Water knotweed and Nodding beggartick have replaced Hardstem bulrush as the dominant species. Other species, such as Reed canarygrass 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. Native warm seasons have decreased in the southern part of the MLRA.
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Grazing management which does not provide adequate recovery periods will cause a shift from towards less palatable species.
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 drought, the return to more typical precipitation patterns will promote shift towards reference species.
State 2
Native/Invaded MixThis state can manifest in three ways: 1) the appearance of cool-season introduced grasses, 2) the expansion of shrubs and/or trees, or 3) some combination of these. Kentucky bluegrass 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. While Reed canarygrass is a native, it may act in much the same way as the introduced species and is the main invader of the wetland sites.
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
-
reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
-
smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
-
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
Community 2.1
Subdominant Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinaceae)While native grasses and grass-likes 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
-
smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
-
reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
-
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
Community 2.2
Codominant Reed canarygrass (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
-
reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
-
smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
-
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), 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
-
smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
-
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
-
reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
Community 3.1
Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinaceae)This community is typically composed of cool-season invasive species. Warm-season natives, if present, are sparse yet often conspicuous due to pronounced differences in growth habits and metabolic pathways.
Dominant plant species
-
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
-
leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), other herbaceous
-
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), other herbaceous
Community 4.1
Variable native and introducedThis community is heavily dominated by annual plants that thrive in disturbed areas. It is also particularly vulnerable to noxious weed invasion with the most common species being Leafy spurge, Musk and Canada thistles.
Dominant plant species
-
leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), other herbaceous
-
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), 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.
Dominant plant species
-
willow (Salix), tree
-
maple (Acer), tree
-
eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), tree
Community 5.1
Native deciduous overstoryWoody species have encroached and established, typically with species such as maples, cottonwood, boxelder, green ash, willow and swamp oak.
Dominant plant species
-
willow (Salix), tree
-
maple (Acer), tree
-
eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), tree
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2In the presence of 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 cool season species 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. Due to the dense rhizomatous root mat of many invasive species, 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 gazing 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 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. 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
Stan Boltz
Dana Larsen
Nadine Bishop
Greg ClarkApproval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 12/10/2024
Acknowledgments
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 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.
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
-
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. This situation will create areas of bare ground for relatively short periods of time (1 growing season or less) after which early successional forbs, grasses, and grass-likes will occupy the site. 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 6 to 50 inches(15 to 127 cm) thick. Soil colors may be very dark gray, dark gray, gray, or grayish brown (10YR 2 to 6/0, 1 or 2 or 2.5Y 3/2 or 5Y 4/1)when dry and black, very dark gray, dark gray, very dark grayish brown (10YR 2 to 4/1 or 2 or 5Y 3/1 or N 2.5/) when moist. Soil structures in the A-horizon are weak fine subangular blocky parting to weak fine granular, weak medium subangular blocky parting to weak fine granular, moderate fine prismatic structure parting to moderate fine subangular blocky weak fine or weak fine and medium granular, or weak thin platy. See Official Soils Descriptions for additional details; major soil series correlated to the site are Calco, Arlo, Barney, Kezan, James, Loup, Zook, Baltic, Norway, Clarno, Clamo, Colo, and Lamo. -
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): hardstem bulrush, sedges, rushes, bulrushes, spikesedges. 2. Native, perennial, cool-season, bunchgrass (3 species minimum): northern reedgrass, bluejoint reedgrass, plains bluegrass. Phase 1.2 1. Native forbs (4 species minimum): water knotweed, nodding beggartick, and other forbs which vary from location to location. 2. Grass-likes (3 species minimum): rushes, sedges, bullrushes, spike-sedges. 3. Native, perennial, cool-season, bunchgrass (2 species minimum): northern reedgrass, bluejoint reedgrass, plains bluegrass.Sub-dominant:
Phase 1.1 1. Native, perennial, warm-season tallgrass (1 species minimum): big bluestem, Indiangrass, prairie cordgrass, switchgrass. 2. Native forbs (4 species minimum): broadleaf arrowhead, and other forbs which vary from location to location. Phase 1.2 1. Native, perennial, warm-season tallgrass (1 species minimum): big bluestem, Indiangrass, prairie cordgrass, switchgrass.Other:
Minor - Phase 1.1 1. Native annual grass: rough barnyard grass, scratchgrass. 2. Shrubs: willows, indigobush, and other shrubs that vary from location to location. Minor - Phase 1.2 1. Native annual grass: rough barnyard grass, scratchgrass. 2. Shrubs: willows, indigobush, and other shrubs that 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, bunchgrass; native annual grass; native, perennial, warm-season, 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. Canada thistle, reed canarygrass, creeping foxtail, common watercress, leafy spurge, quackgrass, redtop, and purple loosestrife 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.
Print Options
Sections
Font
AAAAOther
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.
Accessibility statement
