Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R102CY047NE
SALINE SUBIRRIGATED
Last updated: 12/10/2024
Accessed: 08/17/2026
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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"
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 subirrigated with saline soils and a reference community dominated by grasses. The foremost diagnostic feature of this site is the high salt levels that limit plants that can occupy these sites and a seasonally high-water table from 60 to 102 centimeters (24 to 40 inches), with additional moisture received from higher adjacent areas as run-on. This site predominantly occurs on nearly level to gently sloping floodplains and stream terraces (0-2% slopes). A few areas are in micro-lows on toeslopes or flat basins on uplands. It predominantly receives runoff from adjacent sites, has a seasonally high-water table from 60 to 102 centimeters (24 to 40 inches) from November-May, does not pond, and may flood occasionally. These are mostly very deep, somewhat poorly to moderately well drained soils. The surface texture is predominantly silt loam or silty clay loam or silty clay from 0 to 20 centimeters (0 to 8 inches) and the Subsurface Texture Groups are Loamy or Silty from 18 to 203 centimeters (7 to 80 inches). These are saline soils with sodium absorption rate of 0 to 99.. The plant community consists of 80-95% grasses and grass-likes, 5-10% forbs and 0-5% shrubs. Dominant grasses include Western wheatgrass, Switchgrass, Slender wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Plains bluegrass. Other grasses and grass-likes are Blue grama, Canada wildrye, Foxtail barley, Fowl mannagrass, and sedges. Forb species are diverse and often include Western ragweed and Dandelion.
Associated sites
R102CY053NE LIMY SUBIRRIGATED
Occurs on similar landforms but have secondary carbonates throughout the profile.
R102CY044NE WET LAND
Typically occurs in the lowest areas, or where hydrology otherwise supports a community heavily dominated by hydrophytic vegetation.
R102CY045NE WET SUBIRRIGATED
Occurs on lower relief with a seasonally high-water table within 24 inches and a marked increase in hydrophytic vegetation.
R102CY048NE Loamy Overflow
Occurs on surrounding higher areas with significantly lower production.
Similar sites
R102CY053NE LIMY SUBIRRIGATED
Seasonally saturated 24 to 40 inches of the surface and secondary carbonates throughout the profile.
R102CY046NE Subirrigated
Seasonally saturated 24 to 40 inches of the surface
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Pascopyrum smithii
(2) Panicum virgatumPhysiographic features
This site predominantly occurs on nearly level to gently sloping floodplains and stream terraces (0-2% slopes). A few areas are in micro-lows on toeslopes or flat basins on uplands. It predominantly receives runoff from adjacent sites, has a seasonally high-water table from 60 to 102 centimeters (24 to 40 inches) from November-May, does not pond, and may flood occasionally.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Flood plain
(2) Terrace
Runoff class Negligible to medium Flooding duration Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) Flooding frequency None to occasional Elevation 1120 – 1890 ft Slope 0 – 2 % Water table depth 24 – 40 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 (7°C / 45°F) to south (11°C / 51°F), and the average annual precipitation gradient trends higher from northwest (64 centimeters / 25 inches) to southeast (79 centimeters / 31 inches).
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) FLANDREAU [USC00392984], Flandreau, SD
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(2) YANKTON 2 E [USW00094911], Yankton, SD
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(3) WALTHILL 1E [USC00258935], Walthill, NE
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(4) ASHLAND NO 2 [USC00250375], Ashland, NE
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(5) ELGIN [USC00252595], Elgin, NE
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(6) NORFOLK 4W [USC00255997], Norfolk, NE
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(7) LUVERNE [USC00214937], Luverne, MN
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(8) GENOA 2 W [USC00253185], Genoa, NE
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(9) WAYNE [USC00259045], Wayne, NE
">Influencing water features
This site has a seasonal high water table and may flood occasionally.
Soil features
These are mostly very deep, somewhat poorly to moderately well drained soils. The surface texture is predominantly silt loam or silty clay loam or silty clay from 0 to 20 centimeters (0 to 8 inches) and the Subsurface Texture Groups are Loamy or Silty from 18 to 203 centimeters (7 to 80 inches).
Rills, gullies, and water flow patterns are not inherent to this site. Pedestalling is none to slight. Soil aggregate stability should be low due to the high saline amounts.
Major soils assigned to this site include Gayville, Lute, Napa, Salmo and Saltine.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
(2) Silty clay loam
(3) Silty clay
Drainage class Somewhat poorly drained to moderately well drained Permeability class Very slow to moderately slow 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)1 – 8 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(Depth not specified)0 – 25 % Electrical conductivity
(Depth not specified)0 – 16 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(Depth not specified)0 – 99 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(Depth not specified)6.1 – 9.6 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 high salt levels that limit plants that can occupy these sites and a seasonally high-water table from 60 to 102 centimeters (24 to 40 inches), with additional moisture received from higher adjacent areas as run-on. The high-water table increases plant production while also “buffering” variability caused by fluctuating weather conditions, but the salt content is a detriment to many plants. Relatively minor changes in local elevation can dramatically affect the plant community. This site often occurs in complex with other sites, particularly Loamy Overflow, Limy Subirrigated, and Wet Subirrigated. 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
T1A - Disturbances makes resources available to opportunistic species. T1B - Woody encroachment leading to woody dominance R2A - Restoration inputs; state transitioned to grassland T2A - Woody encroachment leading to woody dominance R3A - Woody removal for return to native herbaceous dominance T3B - 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
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Native TallgrassThis 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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western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
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switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
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slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), grass
Community 1.1
Western Wheatgrass – Switchgrass – Slender Wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii – Panicum virgatum - Elymus trachycaulus)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 Western wheatgrass, Switchgrass, Slender wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Plains bluegrass. Other grasses and grass-likes are Blue grama, Canada wildrye, Foxtail barley, Fowl mannagrass, and sedges. Forb species are diverse and often include Western ragweed and Dandelion.
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 4300 to 5600 pounds per acre air-dry weight and will average 5100 pounds. (USDA/NRCS 2012)Dominant plant species
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western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
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switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
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slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), grass
Community 1.2
Switchgrass – Inland saltgrass (Panicum virgatum – Distichlis spicata)Switchgrass has replaced Western wheatgrass as the dominant species. Other species, such as Inland saltgrass, and Little 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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switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
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saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Grazing management which does not provide adequate recovery periods will cause a shift from Western wheatgrass, Switchgrass and Slender wheatgrass towards less palatable species, particularly Inland saltgrass.
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 tallgrass species.
State 2
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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saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
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foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass
Community 2.1
Inland saltgrass – Foxtail barley – various annuals (Distichlis spicate - Hordeum jubatum)This community is heavily dominated by Inland saltgrass, Foxtail barley and various 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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saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
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foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass
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leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), other herbaceous
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thistle (Cirsium), other herbaceous
State 3
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
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maple (Acer), tree
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eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), tree
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boxelder (Acer negundo), tree
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ash (Fraxinus), tree
Community 3.1
Native deciduous overstory and/or Eastern red cedarWoody species have encroached and established, typically with species such as maples, cottonwood, boxelder, green ash, eastern red cedar and swamp oak.
Dominant plant species
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maple (Acer), tree
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eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), tree
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boxelder (Acer negundo), tree
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ash (Fraxinus), tree
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2There 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 T1B
State 1 to 3All 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 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.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3All 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 R3A
State 3 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 T3B
State 3 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.
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 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Meetings and comments of local, state and regional experts convene and created the ES concepts and STMs. Information presented here has been derived from RANGE-417 archives, Rangeland NRI, and other inventory data. 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
Dana Larsen
Nadine Bishop
Greg Clark
Stan BoltzApproval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 12/10/2024
Acknowledgments
Future work, as described in a Project Plan, to validate the information in this Provisional Ecological Site Description is needed. This will include field activities to collect low and medium intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of that data. Annual field reviews should be done by soil scientists and vegetation specialists. A final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews of the ESD will be needed to produce the final document. Vegetative states represented in the state and transition models (STMs) need to be evaluated and updated by a trained botanist or ecologist to verify the accuracy. Additional field work needs to be conducted to check the vegetation populations and to test the soil sorts and groupings for the PESDs as part of completing the approved ESDs. The details of this additional work still need to be fleshed out. Some discrepancies in NASIS between the drainage class and the wet layer depth for some components noticed during the soil sorting. This needs to be corrected at some future point. Non-discrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, available online 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
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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. Bunchgrasses may have a hummocky appearance, which may appear to be pedestalled. -
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. 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. Surface organic matter adheres to the soil surface. Soil surface fragments will typically retain structure indefinitely when dipped in distilled water. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
The A-horizon varies significantly with soil series; as salinity increases, the horizon decreases in depth. Typically, the combined thickness of the A-horizons ranges from 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm). The surface layer of Gayville, Lute, and Napa soils is an E-horizon which ranges from 0.5 to 3 inches (1.5 to 8 cm) thick. Soil colors are gray to very dark gray when dry (Hue: 10YR; value: 3 to 6; chroma: 1) and black, very dark gray, dark gray, very dark grayish brown when moist (Hue: 10YR; value: 2 to 4; chroma: 1 or 2). Soil structure in the A-horizon ranges from weak thin platy to weak fine granular. See Official Soils Descriptions for additional details; major soil series correlated to the site are Gayville, Lute, Napa, Salmo, and Saltine. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Plant community composition is approximately 80 to 95 percent perennial grasses and grass-likes, 5 to 10 percent forbs, and 0 to 5 percent shrubs which optimizes infiltration on the site. The perennial grass and grass-like component is made up of cool-season (C3), rhizomatous grasses, warm-season (C4), tallgrasses; cool-season (C3), bunchgrasses, warm-season (C4), shortgrasses, warm-season (C4), midgrasses, and grass-likes. The functional/structural groups provide a combination of rooting depths and structure which positively influences infiltration. Invasion of introduced cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and increase of native grasses such as foxtail barley may have an adverse impact infiltration and runoff. Woody encroachment of native tree species may also negatively 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):
None. No compaction layers are expected on this site. -
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Phase 1.1 1.Native, perennial, cool-season, rhizomatous grass (1 species minimum): western wheatgrass. 2. Native, perennial, warm-season, tallgrasses (1 species minimum): switchgrass, alkali cordgrass. 3. Native, perennial, cool-season bunchgrass (2 species minimum): Slender wheatgrass, Canada wildrye, foxtail barley, fowl manna grass, Indian ricegrass, plains bluegrass. Phase 1.2 1. Native, perennial, warm-season, tallgrasses (1 species minimum): switchgrass, alkali cordgrass. 2. Native, perennial, warm-season, shortgrass (1 species minimum): inland saltgrass, alkali muhly (scratchgrass).Sub-dominant:
Phase 1.1 1. Native, perennial, warm-season, shortgrass (1 species minimum): inland saltgrass, alkali muhly (scratchgrass). Phase 1.2 1. Native, perennial, cool-season, rhizomatous grass (1 species minimum): western wheatgrass. 2. Native, perennial, cool-season bunchgrass (2 species minimum): Slender wheatgrass, Canada wildrye, foxtail barley, fowl manna grass, Indian ricegrass, plains bluegrass. 3. Native, perennial, warm-season, midgrass (1 species minimum): little bluestem.Other:
Minor - Phase 1.1 1. Native, perennial, warm-season, midgrass (1 species minimum): little bluestem. 2. Grass-likes: sedges 3. Native forbs: forbs present vary from location to location. 4. Shrubs: shrubs present vary from location to location. Minor - Phase 1.2 1. Native forbs: forbs present will vary from location to location. 2. Grass-likes: sedges. 3. Shrubs: shrubs present will vary from location to location.Additional:
The Western-Wheatgrass – Switchgrass – Slender wheatgrass Community or Reference Community (1.1) includes eight F/S groups which include in order of relative abundance, native, perennial, cool-season (C3), rhizomatous grass; native, perennial, warm-season (C4) tallgrass; native, perennial, cool-season (C3), bunchgrass; grass-likes, native, perennial, warm-season (C4), shortgrass; native, perennial, warm-season (C4), midgrass; native forbs; and shrubs. The Switchgrass – Inland Saltgrass Community (1.2) includes eight F/S groups which include in order of relative abundance, native, perennial, warm-season (C4) tallgrass; native, perennial, cool-season (C3), bunchgrass; native, perennial, cool-season (C3), rhizomatous grass; native, perennial, warm-season (C4), mid-grass; native, perennial, warm-season (C4), shortgrass; native forbs; grass-likes; and shrubs. -
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 60 to 80 percent and at a depth of approximatelyinch (0.65 to 1.3 cm). -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
The representative value (RV) for annual production is 5,000 pounds per acre in a year with normal precipitation and temperatures. Low and High production years should yield 4,300 and 5,600 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, Russian thistle, kochia, and eastern red cedar, 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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