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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)
Ecological site concept
This upland ecological site has sandy soils and a reference community of warm season grasses. The foremost diagnostic feature of this site is the high sand content that begins at or near the surface. The sites do not receive additional moisture from higher adjacent areas, so these soils can be drouthy. This site predominantly occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping old stream terraces and upland positions (0-15% slopes). A few areas can range up to 30% slopes or higher, but these sites are rare. Water typically runs off these sites to adjacent lower overwash or lowland sites. It has a seasonally high-water table that is below 180 centimeters year around, does not pond, and does not flood. These are predominantly very deep, well drained to excessively drained soils. The surface texture is predominantly loamy fine sand or fine sandy loam from 10 to 51 centimeters (4 to 20 inches) and the Subsurface Texture Groups are coarse-loamy or sandy from 30 to 203 centimeters (12 to 80 inches).
The plant community consists of 75-90% grasses and grass-likes, 5-10% forbs and 0-5% shrubs. Dominant grasses include Sand bluestem, Prairie sandreed, and Needleandthread. Other grasses and grass-likes are Indiangrass, Blue/Hairy grama, Little blustem and Switchgrass. Forb species are diverse and include Verbenas, Puccoons, and Western ragweed. Dominant shrubs that occupy this community include Leadplant and Plain pricklypear.Associated sites
R102CY055NE SANDS
Occurs on similar upland areas with loamy sand, sand and fine sand textures.
R102CY058NE Loamy Upland
Occurs on similar upland areas with silty and loamy textures
Similar sites
R102CY055NE SANDS
Sandier textures (loamy sand, sand, fine sand) than this PESD.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Andropogon hallii
(2) Schizachyrium scopariumPhysiographic features
This site predominantly occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping old stream terraces and upland positions (0-15% slopes). A few areas can range up to 30% slopes or higher, but these sites are rare. Water typically runs off these sites to adjacent lower overwash or lowland sites. It has a seasonally high-water table that is below 180 centimeters year around, does not pond, and does not flood.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Stream terrace
(2) Upland slope
Runoff class Negligible to high Elevation 1100 – 1732 ft Slope 0 – 15 % Water table depth 70 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) HAWARDEN [USC00133718], Hawarden, IA
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(2) YANKTON 2 E [USW00094911], Yankton, SD
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(3) FLANDREAU [USC00392984], Flandreau, SD
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(4) ELGIN [USC00252595], Elgin, NE
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(5) WALTHILL 1E [USC00258935], Walthill, NE
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(6) NORFOLK 4W [USC00255997], Norfolk, NE
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(7) GENOA 2 W [USC00253185], Genoa, NE
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(8) ASHLAND NO 2 [USC00250375], Ashland, NE
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(9) WAYNE [USC00259045], Wayne, NE
">Influencing water features
This site is not influenced by any water features.
Soil features
These are predominantly very deep, well drained to excessively drained soils. The surface texture is predominantly loamy fine sand or fine sandy loam from 10 to 51 centimeters (4 to 20 inches) and the Subsurface Texture Groups are coarse-loamy 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 should be low due to the high sand amounts.
Major soils assigned to this site include Bazile, Blendon, Boelus, Dickman, Doger, Hadar, Henkin, Hersh, Leisy, Libory and Ortello.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Eolian deposits
Surface texture (1) Loamy fine sand
(2) Fine sandy loam
(3) Loamy fine sand
Drainage class Well drained to excessively drained Permeability class Moderately slow 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 – 7 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(Depth not specified)0 – 20 % Sodium adsorption ratio
(Depth not specified)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(Depth not specified)4.5 – 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 high sand content that begins at or near the surface. The sites do not receive additional moisture from higher adjacent areas, so these soils can be drouthy. Relatively minor changes in local elevation do not dramatically affect the plant community. This site often occurs in complex with the Sands and Loamy Upland sites.
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 without adequate recovery time; 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
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 deciduous 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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sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii), grass
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little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
Community 1.1
Sand bluestem – Little bluestem (Andropogon hallii – Schizachyrium scoparium)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 75-90% grasses and grass-likes, 5-10% forbs and 0-5% shrubs. Dominant grasses include Sand bluestem, Prairie sandreed, and Needleandthread. Other grasses and grass-likes are Indiangrass, Blue/Hairy grama, Little blustem and Switchgrass. Forb species are diverse and include Verbenas, Puccoons, and Western ragweed. Dominant shrubs that occupy this community include Leadplant and Plain pricklypear.
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 2,400 to 3,700 pounds per acre air-dry weight. (USDA/NRCS 2012)Dominant plant species
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sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii), grass
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little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
Community 1.2
Little bluestem – Prairie sandreed (Schizachyrium scoparium – Calamovilfa longifolia)Little bluestem has replaced Sand bluestem as the dominant species. Other species, such as Switchgrass, and Western wheatgrass 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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little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
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prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia), grass
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Grazing management which does not provide adequate recovery periods will cause a shift from Sand bluestem and Little bluestem towards less palatable species, particularly Prairie sandreed.
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
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. 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.
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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little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
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prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia), grass
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
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Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
Community 2.1
Subdominant Smooth brome – Kentucky bluegrass (Bromus inermis - Poa pratensis)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 brome and/or bluegrass 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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little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
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prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia), grass
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
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Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
Community 2.2
Codominant Smooth brome - Kentucky bluegrass (Bromus inermis - Poa pratensis)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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little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
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prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia), grass
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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
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
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Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
Community 3.1
Smooth brome – Kentucky bluegrass (Bromus inermis - Poa pratensis)This community is typically composed of smooth brome with bluegrass interspersed among the brome tillers. 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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Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), 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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leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), other herbaceous
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thistle (Cirsium), other herbaceous
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plumeless thistle (Carduus), 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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leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), other herbaceous
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thistle (Cirsium), other herbaceous
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plumeless thistle (Carduus), 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
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eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), tree
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sumac (Rhus), tree
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elm (Ulmus), tree
Community 5.1
Eastern red cedar and/or Native deciduous overstoryWoody species have encroached and established, typically with species such as Eastern red cedar, sumac, and elms.
Dominant plant species
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eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), tree
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sumac (Rhus), tree
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elm (Ulmus), 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 Kentucky bluegrass and Smooth brome. Likewise, similar processes may also allow for woody species to expand, particularly Eastern red cedar.
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 brome and/or bluegrass. Due to the dense rhizomatous root mat of brome and bluegrass, 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 a mix of Smooth Brome and Kentucky bluegrass 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
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. Further investigation is needed on abiotic factors differentiating this site from the Sands PESD. 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
Stan Boltz/Dana Larsen
Nadine Bishop
Greg ClarkApproval
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 Nichol 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):
0 to 5 percent is typical. Bare ground may increase up to 10 percent during and immediately after multi-year drought. 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 curst (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 in 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 thickness of the A-horizon is highly variable depending upon soil series and ranges from 5 to 18 inches (13 to 45 cm) thick. Soil surface color typically ranges from very dark grayish brown, dark grayish brown, grayish brown, very dark gray to gray (hue: 10 YR, value: 3, 4 or 5, chroma: 1 or 2) when dry and black, very dark grayish brown, or very dark brown, (hue: 10 YR, value: 2 or 3, chroma: 1 or 2) when moist. Structure varies significantly with soil series from moderate fine or weak fine and medium, or weak fine granular to weak medium and coarse subangular blocky structure parting to weak medium granular to weak fine or weak medium or weak medium and fine subangular blocky. See Official Soil Description for more information. Major soil series assigned to this site include Bazile, Blendon, Boelus, Dickman, Doger, Hadar, Henkin, Hersh, Leisy, Libory, and Ortello. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Plant community composition is approximately 75 to 90 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 warm-season (C4), tallgrass, warm-season (C4), midgrass, cool-season (C3) grasses, warm-season shortgrass and grass-likes (5-10%). 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 smooth brome 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):
None. No compaction layers are expected for 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, warm-season tallgrass (3 species minimum): sand bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass, prairie sandreed. 2. Native, perennial, warm-season, midgrass, (2 species minimum): Little bluestem, sideoats grama. Phase 1.2 1. Native, perennial, warm-season, midgrass (1 species minimum): Little bluestem, sideoats grama. 2. Native, perennial, warm-season tallgrass, (2 species minimum): sand bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass, prairie sandreed. 3. Native, perennial, cool-season grass (3 species minimum): needleandthread, western wheatgrass, Canada wildrye, Scribner’s rosettegrass, prairie Junegrass.Sub-dominant:
Phase 1.1 1. Native, perennial, cool-season grass (2 species minimum): needleandthread, western wheatgrass, Canada wildrye, Scribner’s rosettegrass, prairie Junegrass. Phase 1.2 1. Native, perennial, warm-season, shortgrass (1 species minimum): Blue grama, buffalograss, hairy grama, threeawn.Other:
Minor - Phase 1.1 1. Native, perennial, warm-season shortgrass: blue grama, hairy grama, Fendler threeawn, thin paspalum. 2. Native forbs: western ragweed, Carolina puccoon, narrowleaf stoneseed, hoary verbena, and other forbs which vary from location to location. 3. Grass-likes: sedges. 4. Shrubs: leadplant, pricklypear. Minor - Phase 1.2 1. Native forbs: western ragweed, Carolina puccoon, narrowleaf stoneseed, hoary verbena and other forbs which vary from location to location. 2. Grass-likes: sedges. 3. Shrubs: leadplant, twist-spine pricklypear.Additional:
The Sand Bluestem – Little Bluestem Reference Community (1.1) includes seven F/S groups which include in order of relative abundance, native, perennial, warm-season (C4) tallgrass; native, perennial, warm-season (C4) midgrass; native, perennial, cool-season (C3) grass; native, perennial, warm-season (C4) shortgrass; native forbs; grass-likes; shrubs. The Little Bluestem – Prairie Sandreed Community (1.2) includes seven F/S groups which include in order of relative abundance, native, perennial, warm-season (C4), midgrass; native, perennial, warm-season (C4), tallgrass; native, perennial, cool-season (C3) 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):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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