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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): 102D–Prairie Coteau
This area makes up about 7,867 square miles (20,375 square kilometers), consisting mostly of nearly level to undulating till plains with potholes and moraines. Elevation ranges from 1,150 to 2,130 feet (350 to 650 meters). The average annual precipitation is 22 to 29 inches (559 to 734 millimeters). The average annual temperature is 42 to 45 degrees F (6 to 7 degrees C). The dominant soil order in this MLRA is Mollisols. The soils in this area dominantly have a frigid temperature regime, and an aquic or udic moisture regime. They are generally very deep and loamy. Soils range from well drained to very poorly drained. Parent materials are dominantly fine-loamy till to clayey material, with smaller amounts of outwash, glaciofluvial deposits, eolian deposits, alluvium, and, to a lesser extent, loess and organic materials.
Classification relationships
*Fenneman (1916) Physiographic Regions*
Division - Interior Plains
East:
Province - Central Lowland
Section - Western Lake / Dissected Till Plains (12b/12e)
*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 - Aspen Parkland/Northern Glaciated Plains (9.2.1)Ecological site concept
The Claypan ecological site typically occurs on nearly level slopes in the upland areas. Soils are moderately well drained and has a claypan (columnar structure) within 16 inches of the soil surface due to the sodium affected subsoil. The natric horizon in the subsoil typically has a Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) greater than 13 and/or an Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) greater than 15. The root restriction of the Natric horizon limits plant growth, production is lower, and species composition will tend towards shallow rooted and more tolerant of the higher sodium levels. Slopes can range from 0 to 3 percent. Vegetation in the Reference State includes western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, and big bluestem. Non-native grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome may invade the site due to changes in disturbance regime.
Associated sites
R102DY010SD Loamy
These sites occur on upland areas. The soils are well drained and have less than 40 percent clay in the surface and subsoil.
R102DY011SD Clayey
These sites occur on upland areas. The soils are well drained and have greater than 40 percent clay in the surface and subsoil.
Similar sites
R102DY011SD Clayey
The Clayey site occurs in a similar landscape position and does not have a claypan (columnar structure) within 16 inches of the soil surface. The Clayey site will have more green needlegrass, less blue grama, and higher production than a Claypan site.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Pascopyrum smithii
(2) Nassella viridulaPhysiographic features
This site occurs on nearly level upland positions, such as plains and swales.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Plain
(2) Swale
Runoff class High Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 1600 – 1670 ft Slope 0 – 1 % Water table depth 40 – 60 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)
Runoff class Not specified Flooding frequency Not specified Ponding frequency Not specified Elevation 1000 – 2025 ft Slope 0 – 2 % Water table depth 0 in Climatic features
The average annual precipitation is 22 to 28 inches. Half or more of the precipitation falls during the growing season. Rainfall typically occurs during high-intensity, convective thunderstorms in summer. In the western part of the MLRA, rainfall is less abundant and not always adequate for full maturation of crops. Precipitation in winter is typically snow. The average annual temperature is 42 to 45 degrees F. The freeze-free period averages 141 days and ranges from 130 to 147 days.
Table 4 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 110-130 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 140-150 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 20-30 in Frost-free period (actual range) 110-130 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 130-150 days Precipitation total (actual range) 20-30 in Frost-free period (average) 120 days Freeze-free period (average) 140 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) ROY LAKE [USC00397326], Lake City, SD
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(2) WEBSTER [USC00399004], Webster, SD
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(3) WATERTOWN 1W [USC00398930], Watertown, SD
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(4) WATERTOWN RGNL AP [USW00014946], Watertown, SD
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(5) CASTLEWOOD [USC00391519], Castlewood, SD
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(6) CLEAR LAKE [USC00391777], Clear Lake, SD
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(7) ASTORIA 4S [USC00390422], White, SD
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(8) BROOKINGS 2 NE [USC00391076], Brookings, SD
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(9) TYLER [USC00218429], Tyler, MN
">Influencing water features
No wetland features are associated with this site.
Soil features
Soils are formed in till and have surface textures of clay loam, loam, or silt loam. Soils are moderately well drained.
Table 5. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Till
Surface texture (1) Clay loam
(2) Loam
(3) Silt loam
Drainage class Moderately well drained Permeability class Very slow to slow Soil depth 0 – 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)5.4 – 5.6 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-10in)6.1 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-60in)0 – 2 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-60in)0 – 1 % Ecological dynamics
The site which is located in the Prairie Pothole Region developed under Northern Great Plains climatic conditions and included natural influence of large herding herbivores and occasional fire. Changes will occur in the plant communities due to weather fluctuations and/or management actions. Under adverse impacts, a relatively rapid decline in vegetative vigor and composition can occur. Under favorable conditions the site has the potential to resemble the Reference State. Interpretations for this site are based primarily on the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Blustem Plant Community Phase. This community phase and the Reference State have been determined by study of rangeland relic areas, areas protected from excessive disturbance, and areas under long-term rotational grazing regimes. Trends in plant community dynamics ranging from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts also have been considered. Plant community phases, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds have been determined through similar studies and experience.
This ecological site (ES) has been grazed by domestic livestock since they have been introduced into the area. The introduction of domestic livestock and the use of fencing and reliable water sources have changed the ecological dynamics of this site. Continuous season-long grazing (during the typical growing season of May through October) and/or repeated seasonal grazing (e.g., every spring, every summer) without adequate recovery periods following grazing events causes departure from the 3.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Little Bluestem Plant Community Phase. Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) will increase and eventually develop into a sod. Western wheatgrass will increase initially and then begin to decrease. Green needlegrass, needleandthread (Hesperostipa comata), porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spartea), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), big bluestem, and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) will decrease in frequency and production. Extended periods of nonuse and/or lack of fire will result in excessive litter and a plant community dominated by cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis), green needlegrass, and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum).
Following the state and transition diagram are narratives for each of the described states and community phases. These may not represent every possibility, but they are the most prevalent and repeatable states/community phases. The plant composition tables shown below have been developed from the best available knowledge at the time of this revision. As more data are collected, some of these community phases and/or states may be revised or removed, and new ones may be added. The main purpose for including the descriptions here is to capture the current knowledge and experience at the time of this revision.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 - Heavy continuous grazing T1B - Heavy continuous grazing, non-use, no fire, invasion T1C - Tillage T2A - Non-native encroachment/seeding T2B - Tillage T3A - Non-use, no fire, heavy continuous grazing T3C - Tillage R4 - Long-term prescribed grazing, prescribed burning T4 - Tillage R5A - Seeding R5B - Seeding, abandonment of cropping State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A - Heavy continuous grazing 1.1B - Prescribed burning 1.2A - Prescribed grazing with recovery periods, prescribed burning 1.3A - Prescribed grazing with recovery periods, prescribed burning State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
3.1A - Heavy continuous grazing 3.2A - Prescribed grazing with recovery periods State 4 submodel, plant communities
4.1A - Heavy continuous grazing 4.2A - Prescribed grazing with recovery periods 4.3A - Time without disturbances State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThe Reference State represents the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics of this ecological site (ES). This state was dominated by cool-season grasses, with warm-season grasses being subdominant. In pre-European times, the primary disturbance mechanisms for this site in the reference condition included periods of below and/or above average precipitation, periodic fire, and herbivory by insects and large ungulates. Timing of fires and herbivory coupled with weather events dictated the dynamics that occurred within the natural range of variability. Cool-season and taller warm-season grasses would have declined and a corresponding increase in short, warm-season grasses would have occurred. Today, a similar state, the Native/Invaded State (State 3) can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and/or prescribed burning and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest.
Dominant plant species
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leadplant (Amorpha canescens), shrub
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prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), shrub
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snowberry (Symphoricarpos), shrub
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western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
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green needlegrass (Nassella viridula), grass
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big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
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sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
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needleleaf sedge (Carex duriuscula), grass
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white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), other herbaceous
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milkweed (Asclepias), other herbaceous
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false boneset (Brickellia eupatorioides), other herbaceous
Community 1.1
Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big BluestemInterpretations are based primarily on the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase (this is also considered to be climax). The potential vegetation was about 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. The community was dominated by cool-season grasses. The major grasses included western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, porcupine grass, and big bluestem. Other grass or grass-like species included needleandthread (Hesperostipa comata), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), little bluestem, sideoats grama, slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), and needleleaf sedge (Carex duriuscula). This plant community was resilient and well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species allowed for high drought tolerance. This was a sustainable plant community in regards to site/soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity.
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1735 2249 2710 Forb 115 195 295 Shrub/Vine 50 156 295 Total 1900 2600 3300 Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0202 , Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 3 10 23 34 15 6 5 4 0 0 Community 1.2
Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-BuffalograssThis plant community evolved under heavy continuous grazing or from over utilization during extended drought periods. The potential plant community was made up of approximately 85 percent grasses and grass-like species, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Dominant grasses included western wheatgrass, blue grama, buffalograss, green needlegrass, sideoats grama, and needleandthread. Grasses of secondary importance included little bluestem, porcupine grass, big bluestem, and sedge (Carex). Forbs commonly found in this plant community included cudweed sagewort (Artemisia ludoviciana), prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera), and western yarrow (Achillea millefolium). This plant community had similar plant composition to the 3.2 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community Phase. The main difference is that this plant community phase did not have the presence of nonnative invasive species such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass.
When compared to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase, blue grama and buffalograss increased. Green needlegrass and porcupine grass decreased and production of mid and tall warm-season grasses was also reduced. This plant community was moderately resistant to change. The herbaceous species present were well adapted to grazing; however, species composition could be altered through long-term overgrazing. If the herbaceous component was intact, it tended to be resilient if the disturbance was not long-term.Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0203 , Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season/warm-season codominant.. Cool-season, warm-season codominant..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 3 10 20 28 21 10 5 3 0 0 Community 1.3
Big Bluestem-Switchgrass-Western WheatgrassThis plant community was a result of fire occurring at relatively frequent intervals. This phase could have also resulted from a combination of grazing events immediately following early season fire (i.e., large ungulates attracted to highly nutritious vegetative growth following a fire). These events would have caused a reduction in cool-season grasses and an increase in warm-season grasses. The warm-season grasses were more tolerant of shorter return intervals of fire and would have increased in vigor and production leading to a temporary shift to this phase. Needlegrasses would have decreased most significantly amongst the cool-season grasses. The potential vegetation was about 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 15 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. The community was dominated by warm-season grasses. The major grasses included little bluestem, big bluestem, switchgrass, Indiangrass (Sorhgastrum nutans), sideoats grama, and western wheatgrass. Other grass or grass-like species included green needlegrass, porcupine grass, needleandthread, blue grama, slender wheatgrass, tall dropseed (Sporobolus compositus), and sedges. This plant community was not resistant to change and would have readily shifted back to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase with a return of more normal fire return intervals.
Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0204 , Rolling Till Prairie, warm-season dominant, cool-season subdominant.. Warm-season dominant, cool-season subdominant..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 3 7 17 25 25 15 7 1 0 0 Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Heavy continuous grazing which includes herbivory at moderate to heavy levels at the same time of year each year without adequate recovery periods, or during periods of below normal precipitation when grazing frequency and intensity increases on these sites due to limited forage availability on adjacent upland sites will shift this community to the 1.2 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Buffalograss Plant Community Phase.
Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.3Prescribed Burning occurring at relatively frequent intervals (3 to 5 years), and occasional grazing events immediately following early season fire caused a reduction in cool-season grasses and an increase in warm-season grasses. The warm-season grasses were more tolerant of shorter return intervals of fire, and would increase in vigor and production leading to a temporary shift to the 1.3 Big Bluestem-Switchgrass-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community Phase.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Prescribed grazing, and/or prescribed burning returned to normal disturbance regime levels and frequencies or periodic light to moderate grazing possibly including periodic rest will convert this plant community to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase.
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1Prescribed grazing (alternating season of use and providing adequate recovery periods) or periodic light to moderate grazing possibly including periodic rest and/or prescribed burning with late season fire or at infrequent intervals (greater than 5 years) will convert this plant community to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase.
State 2
Shortgrass Sod StateThis state is the result of heavy continuous grazing, and in the absence of periodic fire due to fire suppression. This state is dominated by blue grama and buffalograss forming a dense sod layer that effectively blocks introduction of other plants into the system. Taller cool-season species will decline and a corresponding increase in short statured grass will occur. Once the threshold is crossed, a change in grazing management alone cannot cause a reduction in the sod grass dominance.
Dominant plant species
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leadplant (Amorpha canescens), shrub
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blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
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buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), grass
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needleleaf sedge (Carex duriuscula), grass
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western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
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white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), other herbaceous
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scurfpea (Psoralidium), other herbaceous
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western yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis), other herbaceous
Community 2.1
Blue Grama-Buffalograss SodThis plant community evolved under heavy continuous season grazing or from over utilization during extended drought periods. The potential plant community was made up of approximately 85 percent grasses and grass-like species, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Dominant grasses typically included blue grama and buffalograss. Grasses of secondary importance included sedge and western wheatgrass. Forbs commonly found in this plant community included cudweed sagewort, scurfpea, and western yarrow. When compared to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase, blue grama and buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) were dominant on this plant community. Cool-season grasses decreased significantly. This vegetation state was very resistant to change. The herbaceous species present were well adapted to grazing. This plant community was less productive than other phases. The thick sod prevented other species from getting established.
Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0205 , Rolling Till Prairie, warm-season dominant.. Warm-season dominant..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 2 5 15 25 30 15 7 1 0 0 State 3
Native/Invaded StateThis state represents the more common range of variability that exists with higher levels of grazing management but in the absence of periodic fire due to fire suppression. This state is dominated by cool-season grasses. It can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and/or prescribed burning, and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest. Taller cool-season species can decline and a corresponding increase in short statured grass will occur.
Dominant plant species
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snowberry (Symphoricarpos), shrub
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prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), shrub
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western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
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blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
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Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
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green needlegrass (Nassella viridula), grass
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white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), other herbaceous
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western yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis), other herbaceous
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goldenrod (Solidago), other herbaceous
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Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), other herbaceous
Community 3.1
Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big BluestemThis plant community phase is similar to the 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Big Bluestem Plant Community Phase but it also contains minor amounts of nonnative invasive grass species such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass (up to about 15 percent by air-dry weight). The potential vegetation is about 80 percent grasses or grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. The community is dominated by cool-season grasses, with warm-season grasses being subdominant. The major grasses include western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, porcupine grass, and big bluestem. Other grass or grass-like species include needleandthread, blue grama, switchgrass, little bluestem, sideoats grama, slender wheatgrass, and needleleaf sedge. This plant community is resilient and well adapted to the Northern Great Plains climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species allows for high drought tolerance. This is a sustainable plant community in regards to site/soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity.
Figure 12. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0202 , Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 3 10 23 34 15 6 5 4 0 0 Community 3.2
Western Wheatgrass/Blue Grama/Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community PhaseThis plant community is a result of heavy continuous grazing, continuous season-long grazing, or from over utilization during extended drought periods. The potential plant community is made up of approximately 80 percent grasses and grass-like species, 15 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Dominant grasses include western wheatgrass, blue grama, and Kentucky bluegrass. Grasses of secondary importance include sideoats grama, little bluestem, green needlegrass, needleandthread, porcupine grass, big bluestem, buffalograss, smooth bromegrass, and sedge. Forbs commonly found in this plant community include cudweed sagewort, prairie coneflower, and western yarrow.
When compared to the Wheatgrass/Needlegrass/Bluestem Plant Community Phase (1.1), blue grama has increased. Green needlegrass and sideoats grama have decreased and production of mid- and tall warm-season grasses has also been reduced. This plant community is moderately resistant to change. The herbaceous species present are well adapted to grazing; however, species composition can be altered through long-term overgrazing. If the herbaceous component is intact, it tends to be resilient if the disturbance is not long-term.Figure 13. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 7. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1105 1521 1920 Forb 80 128 190 Shrub/Vine 15 51 90 Total 1200 1700 2200 Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0202 , Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 3 10 23 34 15 6 5 4 0 0 Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2Heavy continuous grazing which includes herbivory at moderate to heavy levels at the same time of year each year without adequate recovery periods, or during periods of below normal precipitation when grazing frequency and intensity increases on these sites due to limited forage availability on adjacent upland sites will shift this community to the 3.2 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community Phase.
Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1Prescribed grazing (alternating season of use and providing adequate recovery periods) or periodic light to moderate grazing possibly including periodic rest will convert this plant community to the 3.1 Western Wheatgrass-Green Needlegrass-Little Bluestem Plant Community Phase.
State 4
Invaded StateThis state is the result of invasion and dominance of introduced species. This state is characterized by the dominance of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass and an increasing thatch layer that effectively blocks introduction of other plants into the system. Plant litter accumulation tends to favor the more shade tolerant introduced grass species. The nutrient cycle is also impaired and the result is typically a higher level of nitrogen which also favors the introduced species. Increasing plant litter decreases the amount of sunlight reaching plant crowns thereby shifting competitive advantage to shade tolerant introduced grass species. Studies indicate that soil biological activity is altered and this shift apparently exploits the soil microclimate and encourages growth of the introduced grass species. Once the threshold is crossed, a change in grazing management alone cannot cause a reduction in the invasive grass dominance. Preliminary studies would tend to indicate this threshold may exist when Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30 percent of the plant community and native grasses represent less than 40 percent of the plant community composition.
Once the state is well established, even drastic events such as high intensity fires driven by high fuel loads of litter and thatch will not result in more than a very short-term reduction of Kentucky bluegrass. These events may reduce the dominance of Kentucky bluegrass but due to the large amount of rhizomes in the soil there is no opportunity for the native species to establish and dominate before Kentucky bluegrass rebounds and again dominates the system.Dominant plant species
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snowberry (Symphoricarpos), shrub
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
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Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
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western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
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silverleaf Indian breadroot (Pediomelum argophyllum), other herbaceous
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goldenrod (Solidago), other herbaceous
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white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), other herbaceous
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Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), other herbaceous
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leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), other herbaceous
Community 4.1
Smooth Brome-Kentucky BluegrassThis plant community phase is a result of extended periods of nonuse and no fire. It is characterized by a dominance of smooth bromegrass and Kentucky bluegrass. The dominance is at times so complete that other species are difficult to find on the site. A thick duff layer also accumulates at or above the soil surface and eventually a thatch-mat layer may develop at the surface. Nutrient cycling is greatly reduced and native plants have great difficulty becoming established. When dominated by smooth bromegrass, infiltration is moderately reduced and runoff is moderate. Production can be equal to or higher than the interpretive plant community. However, when dominated by Kentucky bluegrass, infiltration is greatly reduced and runoff is high. Production in this case will likely be significantly less. In either case, the period that palatability is high is relatively short, as these cool-season species mature rapidly. Energy capture is also reduced.
Figure 15. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1550 2506 2925 Forb 125 210 320 Shrub/Vine 25 84 155 Total 1700 2800 3400 Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0201 , Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season dominant.. Cool-season dominant..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 4 12 25 36 10 5 4 4 0 0 Community 4.2
Kentucky Bluegrass-Blue GramaThis plant community phase is a result of heavy, continuous seasonal grazing or heavy, continuous season-long grazing. It is characterized by a dominance of Kentucky bluegrass and blue grama. The dominance is at times so complete that other species are difficult to find on the site. A relatively thick duff layer can sometimes accumulate at or above the soil surface and a thatch-mat layer often develops at the surface. Nutrient cycling is greatly reduced and native plants have great difficulty becoming established. Infiltration is greatly reduced and runoff is high. Production will be significantly reduced when compared to the interpretive plant community. The period that palatability is high is relatively short as Kentucky bluegrass matures rapidly. Energy capture is also reduced. Biological activity in the soil is likely reduced significantly in this phase.
Figure 17. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 9. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 735 1044 1335 Forb 55 120 200 Shrub/Vine 10 36 65 Total 800 1200 1600 Figure 18. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). SD0202 , Rolling Till Prairie, cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant.. Cool-season dominant, warm-season subdominant..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 3 10 23 34 15 6 5 4 0 0 Community 4.3
Annual Pioneer-Perennial PioneerThis plant community developed under continuous heavy grazing or other excessive disturbances. The potential plant community is made up of approximately 40 to 80 percent grasses and grass-like species, 20 to 60 percent forbs, and 0 to 5 percent shrubs. The species present in this phase are highly variable but often include non-native invasive and/or early seral species. Plant diversity is low (plant richness may be high, but areas are often dominated by a few species). The ecological processes are difficult to restore because of the loss of plant diversity and overall soil disturbance. Soil erosion is potentially very high because of the bare ground and shallow rooted herbaceous plant community. Water runoff will increase and infiltration will decrease due to animal related soil compaction and loss of root mass due to low plant diversity and vigor. This plant community will require significant economic inputs and time to move towards another plant community. This movement is highly variable in its succession. This is due to the loss of diversity (including the loss of the seed bank), within the existing plant community, and the plant communities on adjacent sites. This community can be renovated to improve the production capability; however, if management changes are not made the vegetation could revert back to early seral species.
Pathway 4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2Heavy continuous grazing which includes herbivory at moderate to heavy levels at the same time of year each year without adequate recovery periods, or during periods of below normal precipitation when grazing frequency and intensity increases on these sites due to limited forage availability on adjacent upland sites will shift this community to the 4.2 Kentucky Bluegrass-Blue Gama Plant Community Phase.
Pathway 4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.1Prescribed grazing (alternating season of use and providing adequate recovery periods) or periodic light to moderate grazing possibly including periodic rest will convert this plant community to the 4.1 Smooth Bromegrass-Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community Phase.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Pathway 4.3A
Community 4.3 to 4.2This community pathway occurs with the passage of time as successional processes take place and perennial plants gradually begin to establish on the site again. This pathway will lead to the 4.2 Kentucky Bluegrass-Blue Grama Plant Community Phase.
Conservation practices
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) State 5
Crop Production StateThis state is characterized by the production of annual crops using a variety of tillage and cropping systems along with management practices.
Community 5.1
Annual CropsThis plant community developed with the use of a variety of tillage systems and cropping systems for the production of annual crops including corn, soybeans, wheat, sugar beet and a variety of other crops.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Heavy continuous grazing (stocking levels well above carrying capacity for extended portions of the growing season, and often at the same time of year each year, typically beginning early in the season) will convert this plant community to the 2.1 Blue Grama-Buffalograss Sod Plant Community Phase within the Shortgrass Sod State.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Non-use and/or no surface fire for extended periods of time (typically for 10 or more years) causing litter levels to become high enough to reduce native grass vigor, diversity, and density, and/or heavy continuous grazing or invasion of non-native plant species will likely lead this state over a threshold resulting in the Native/Invaded State (State 3).
Transition T1C
State 1 to 5Tillage will cause a shift over a threshold leading to the 5.1 Annual Crops within the Crop Production State (State 5).
Transition T2A
State 2 to 4Encroachment of non-native invasive/noxious species, abandonment of cropping, or seeding of introduced and/or native improved varieties of forage species may lead this plant community phase over a threshold to the Invaded State (State 4) and more specifically to the 4.3 Annual/Pioneer, Non-native Perennial Plant Community Phase. In the case of a seeding, refer to the corresponding Forage Suitability Group (FSG) description for adapted species and expected production (production estimates in the FSG description may be unrealistically high due to the degraded condition of the site at this phase).
Transition T2B
State 2 to 5Tillage will cause a shift over a threshold leading to the 5.1 Annual Crops within the Crop Production State (State 5).
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4Non-use and/or no surface fire for extended periods of time (typically for 10 or more years) causing litter levels to become high enough to reduce native grass vigor, diversity, and density, will likely lead this state over a threshold leading to the 4.1 Smooth Bromegrass-Kentucky Bluegrass Community Phase within the Invaded State (State 4). Heavy continuous grazing (stocking levels well above carrying capacity for extended portions of the growing season and often at the same time of year each year), will likely lead this state over a threshold leading to the 4.2 Kentucky Bluegrass-Blue Grama Community Phase within the Invaded State (State 4). Grazing repeatedly in the early growing season can expedite this shift by causing mechanical disturbance due to trampling.
Transition T3C
State 3 to 5Tillage will cause a shift over a threshold leading to the 5.1 Annual Crops within the Crop Production State (State 5).
Restoration pathway R4
State 4 to 3Long-term prescribed grazing (moderate stocking levels coupled with adequate recovery periods, or other grazing systems such as high-density, low-frequency intended to treat specific species dominance, or periodic light to moderate stocking levels possibly including periodic rest) coupled with prescribed burning may lead this plant community phase over a threshold to the Native/Invaded State (State 3).
Transition T4
State 4 to 5Tillage will cause a shift over a threshold leading to the 5.1 Annual Crops Community Phase within the Crop Production State (State 5).
Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 3Seeding may lead this Crop Production State (State 5) over a threshold to the Native/Invaded State (State 3).
Restoration pathway R5B
State 5 to 4Seeding may lead this Crop Production State (State 5) over a threshold to the Invaded State (State 4). Cropping followed by abandonment may lead this plant community phase over a threshold to the Invaded State (State 4) and more specifically to the 4.3 Annual Pioneer-Perennial Pioneer Plant Community Phase.
Additional community tables
Table 10. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Cool-season Bunchgrasses 260–780 green needlegrass NAVI4 Nassella viridula 130–650 – porcupinegrass HESP11 Hesperostipa spartea 130–520 – needle and thread HECOC8 Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata 0–260 – Canada wildrye ELCA4 Elymus canadensis 0–130 – 2 Wheatgrass 260–780 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 130–780 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 130–520 – 3 Tall Warm-season Grasses 260–520 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii 130–390 – switchgrass PAVI2 Panicum virgatum 26–260 – composite dropseed SPCOC2 Sporobolus compositus var. compositus 0–130 – prairie sandreed CALO Calamovilfa longifolia 0–130 – 4 Short Warm-season Grasses 52–260 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 52–260 – saltgrass DISP Distichlis spicata 0–130 – buffalograss BODA2 Bouteloua dactyloides 0–130 – threeawn ARIST Aristida 0–52 – 5 Mid Warm-season Grasses 52–260 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 52–260 – little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 52–260 – 6 Other Native Grasses 26–130 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 0–130 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 26–78 – Scribner's rosette grass DIOLS Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum 0–52 – 7 Grass-likes 26–130 needleleaf sedge CADU6 Carex duriuscula 26–130 – Grass-like (not a true grass) 2GL Grass-like (not a true grass) 0–78 – Forb8 Forbs 130–260 Forb, native 2FN Forb, native 26–78 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 26–78 – milkweed ASCLE Asclepias 26–52 – false boneset BREU Brickellia eupatorioides 26–52 – wavyleaf thistle CIUN Cirsium undulatum 26–52 – purple prairie clover DAPU5 Dalea purpurea 26–52 – scarlet beeblossom GACO5 Gaura coccinea 26–52 – western marbleseed ONBEO Onosmodium bejariense var. occidentale 0–52 – silverleaf Indian breadroot PEAR6 Pediomelum argophyllum 26–52 – upright prairie coneflower RACO3 Ratibida columnifera 26–52 – goldenrod SOLID Solidago 26–52 – white heath aster SYER Symphyotrichum ericoides 26–52 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 26–52 – Nuttall's violet VINU2 Viola nuttallii 0–26 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 0–26 – cutleaf anemone PUPAM Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida 0–26 – curlycup gumweed GRSQ Grindelia squarrosa 0–26 – rush skeletonplant LYJU Lygodesmia juncea 0–26 – leafy wildparsley MUDI Musineon divaricatum 0–26 – mouse-ear chickweed CERAS Cerastium 0–26 – western yarrow ACMIO Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis 0–26 – textile onion ALTE Allium textile 0–26 – pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 0–26 – field sagewort ARCA12 Artemisia campestris 0–26 – Shrub/Vine9 Shrubs 52–260 leadplant AMCA6 Amorpha canescens 26–130 – prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 0–78 – snowberry SYMPH Symphoricarpos 0–78 – Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 0–78 – rose ROSA5 Rosa 26–52 – Table 11. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 3.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Cool-season Bunchgrasses 85–255 green needlegrass NAVI4 Nassella viridula 34–255 – porcupinegrass HESP11 Hesperostipa spartea 17–136 – needle and thread HECOC8 Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata 0–85 – Canada wildrye ELCA4 Elymus canadensis 0–51 – 2 Wheatgrass 255–510 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 255–510 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 0–170 – 3 Tall Warm-season Grasses 0–85 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii 0–85 – prairie sandreed CALO Calamovilfa longifolia 0–51 – switchgrass PAVI2 Panicum virgatum 0–51 – composite dropseed SPCOC2 Sporobolus compositus var. compositus 0–51 – 4 Short Warm-season Grasses 255–425 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 170–425 – buffalograss BODA2 Bouteloua dactyloides 34–204 – saltgrass DISP Distichlis spicata 0–85 – threeawn ARIST Aristida 0–51 – 5 Mid Warm-season Grasses 0–85 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 0–85 – little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 0–85 – 6 Other Native Grasses 17–85 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 0–85 – Scribner's rosette grass DIOLS Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum 0–34 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 17–34 – 7 Grass-likes 17–170 needleleaf sedge CADU6 Carex duriuscula 17–170 – Grass-like (not a true grass) 2GL Grass-like (not a true grass) 0–51 – 8 Non-Native Grasses 85–425 Kentucky bluegrass POPR Poa pratensis 51–425 – brome BROMU Bromus 17–170 – quackgrass ELRE4 Elymus repens 0–85 – smooth brome BRIN2 Bromus inermis 0–85 – Forb9 Forbs 85–170 Forb, introduced 2FI Forb, introduced 0–68 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 17–68 – Forb, native 2FN Forb, native 17–51 – western yarrow ACMIO Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis 17–51 – goldenrod SOLID Solidago 17–51 – white heath aster SYER Symphyotrichum ericoides 17–51 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 17–34 – curlycup gumweed GRSQ Grindelia squarrosa 0–34 – silverleaf Indian breadroot PEAR6 Pediomelum argophyllum 17–34 – field sagewort ARCA12 Artemisia campestris 0–34 – upright prairie coneflower RACO3 Ratibida columnifera 0–17 – rush skeletonplant LYJU Lygodesmia juncea 0–17 – leafy wildparsley MUDI Musineon divaricatum 0–17 – American vetch VIAM Vicia americana 0–17 – pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 0–17 – false boneset BREU Brickellia eupatorioides 0–17 – mouse-ear chickweed CERAS Cerastium 0–17 – wavyleaf thistle CIUN Cirsium undulatum 0–17 – purple prairie clover DAPU5 Dalea purpurea 0–17 – Shrub/Vine10 Shrubs 17–85 snowberry SYMPH Symphoricarpos 17–51 – prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 0–51 – Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 0–34 – leadplant AMCA6 Amorpha canescens 0–17 – rose ROSA5 Rosa 0–17 – Table 16. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Cool-season Bunchgrasses 0–224 green needlegrass NAVI4 Nassella viridula 0–196 – porcupinegrass HESP11 Hesperostipa spartea 0–84 – Canada wildrye ELCA4 Elymus canadensis 0–28 – needle and thread HECOC8 Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata 0–28 – 2 Wheatgrass 0–280 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 0–280 – 3 Short Warm-season Grasses 0–196 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 0–140 – saltgrass DISP Distichlis spicata 0–84 – threeawn ARIST Aristida 0–56 – buffalograss BODA2 Bouteloua dactyloides 0–56 – 4 Other Native Grasses 0–140 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 0–140 – Scribner's rosette grass DIOLS Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum 0–28 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 0–28 – 5 Grass-likes 0–140 needleleaf sedge CADU6 Carex duriuscula 0–140 – Grass-like (not a true grass) 2GL Grass-like (not a true grass) 0–84 – 6 Non-Native Grasses 840–1960 smooth brome BRIN2 Bromus inermis 560–1820 – Kentucky bluegrass POPR Poa pratensis 140–700 – brome BROMU Bromus 28–420 – quackgrass ELRE4 Elymus repens 0–224 – Forb7 Forbs 140–280 Forb, introduced 2FI Forb, introduced 0–168 – Forb, native 2FN Forb, native 0–84 – silverleaf Indian breadroot PEAR6 Pediomelum argophyllum 0–84 – goldenrod SOLID Solidago 28–84 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 28–84 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 0–56 – white heath aster SYER Symphyotrichum ericoides 28–56 – western yarrow ACMIO Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis 0–56 – pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 0–28 – field sagewort ARCA12 Artemisia campestris 0–28 – mouse-ear chickweed CERAS Cerastium 0–28 – curlycup gumweed GRSQ Grindelia squarrosa 0–28 – Shrub/Vine8 Shrubs 28–140 snowberry SYMPH Symphoricarpos 28–112 – Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 0–56 – rose ROSA5 Rosa 28–56 – prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 0–28 – Table 17. Community 4.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Cool-season Bunchgrasses 0–60 needle and thread HECOC8 Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata 0–36 – green needlegrass NAVI4 Nassella viridula 0–36 – 2 Wheatgrass 0–60 western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 0–60 – 3 Short Warm-season Grasses 120–300 blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 60–300 – buffalograss BODA2 Bouteloua dactyloides 12–120 – saltgrass DISP Distichlis spicata 0–96 – threeawn ARIST Aristida 0–36 – 4 Other Native Grasses 12–60 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 0–60 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 12–24 – Scribner's rosette grass DIOLS Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum 0–12 – 5 Grass-likes 36–180 needleleaf sedge CADU6 Carex duriuscula 36–180 – Grass-like (not a true grass) 2GL Grass-like (not a true grass) 0–24 – 6 Non-Native Grasses 300–600 Kentucky bluegrass POPR Poa pratensis 120–540 – brome BROMU Bromus 24–240 – quackgrass ELRE4 Elymus repens 24–144 – smooth brome BRIN2 Bromus inermis 0–96 – Forb7 Forbs 60–180 Forb, introduced 2FI Forb, introduced 12–96 – curlycup gumweed GRSQ Grindelia squarrosa 12–60 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 12–48 – goldenrod SOLID Solidago 12–48 – field sagewort ARCA12 Artemisia campestris 0–36 – western yarrow ACMIO Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis 12–36 – Forb, native 2FN Forb, native 0–24 – silverleaf Indian breadroot PEAR6 Pediomelum argophyllum 12–24 – white heath aster SYER Symphyotrichum ericoides 0–24 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 0–12 – pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 0–12 – Shrub/Vine8 Shrubs 12–60 prairie sagewort ARFR4 Artemisia frigida 12–36 – snowberry SYMPH Symphoricarpos 0–36 – rose ROSA5 Rosa 0–12 – Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 0–12 – Table 18. Community 4.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 19. Community 5.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
The following table lists annual, suggested initial stocking rates with average growing conditions. These are conservative estimates that should be used only as guidelines in the initial stages of conservation planning. Often, the current plant composition does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in this ES description). Because of this, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. More accurate carrying capacity estimates should eventually be calculated using the following stocking rate information along with animal preference data and actual stocking records, particularly when grazers other than cattle are involved. With consultation of the land manager, more intensive grazing management may result in improved harvest efficiencies and increased carrying capacity.
Wheatgrass/Needlegrass/Bluestem (1.1 & 3.1)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 2600
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.71
Western Wheatgrass/Blue Grama/Kentucky Bluegrass (3.2)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 1700
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.47
Smooth Bromegrass/Kentucky Bluegrass (4.1)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 2800
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.77
Kentucky Bluegrass/Blue grama (4.2)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 1200
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.33
Annual/Pioneer, Non-Native Perennial (4.3)
Average Annual Production (lbs./acre, air-dry): 800
Stocking Rate* (AUM/acre): 0.22
*Based on 912 lbs./acre (air-dry weight) per Animal Unit Month (AUM), and on 25 percent harvest efficiency (refer to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Range and Pasture Handbook).
Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income-producing industries in the area. Rangeland in this area may provide yearlong forage. During the dormant period, the forage for livestock will likely be lacking protein to meet livestock requirements and added protein will allow ruminants to better utilize the energy stored in grazed plant materials. A forage quality test (either directly or through fecal sampling) should be used to determine the level of supplementation needed.Hydrological functions
Water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group D. Infiltration is typically slow to very slow and runoff potential for this site varies from negligible to high depending on soil hydrologic group, slope, and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75 percent ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An example of an exception would be where shortgrasses form a strong sod and dominate the site. Dominance by blue grama, buffalograss, bluegrass, and/or smooth bromegrass will result in reduced infiltration and increased runoff. Areas where ground cover is less than 50 percent have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).
Recreational uses
This site provides hunting, hiking, photography, bird watching, and other opportunities. The wide varieties of plants that bloom from spring until fall have an esthetic value that appeals to visitors.
Wood products
No appreciable wood products are typically present on this site.
Other products
Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
MLRA 102D was created in 2022 with Agricultural Handbook 296 updated. This area was MLRA 102A prior to this time. Information was copied from MLRA 102A ESDs to create the MLRA 102D ESDs. There is no NRCS clipping data and other inventory currently available for this site. Information presented here has been derived using field observations from range-trained personnel. Those involved in developing this site include: Stan Boltz, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; and Bruce Kunze, Soil Scientist, NRCS.
Other references
Cleland, D.T., J.A. Freeouf, J.E. Keys, G.J. Nowacki, C. Carpenter, and W.H. McNab. 2007. Ecological Subregions: Sections and Subsections of the Coterminous United States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-76. Washington, DC. 92 pps.
Gilbert, M. C., Whited, P. M., Clairain Jr, E. J., & Smith, R. D. (2006). A Regional Guidebook for Applying the Hydrogeomorphic Approach to Assessing Wetland Functions of Prairie Potholes. Washington DC.
Samson, F. B., & Knopf, F. L. (1996). Prairie Conservation Preserving North America's Most Endagered Ecosystem. Washington D.C.: Island Press.
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions. Available online. Accessed March 2018.
United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2003. National Range and Pasture Handbook, Revision 1. Grazing Lands Technology Institute. 214 pps.
United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (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. 672pps.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2022. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 296.
USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (http://soils.usda.gov/technical/nasis/)
USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 27 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]. 2013. Level III and Level IV Ecoregions of the Continental United States. Corvallis, OR, U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, map scale 1:3,000,000. Available at http://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions- continental-united-states. (Accessed 1 March 2018).Contributors
Megan Baxter
Stan Boltz
Lance Howe
Steve WinterApproval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 8/14/2024
Acknowledgments
Contact for Lead Authors: Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Redfield Soil Survey Office Redfield, SD; Lance Howe (Lance.Howe@usda.gov), Soil Survey Office Leader, USDA-NRCS, Redfield, SD; and Steve Winter (Steven.Winter@usda.gov), Soil Scientist, USDA-NRCS, Redfield, SD Additional Information Acknowledgment: Jason Hermann (Jason.Hermann@usda.gov), Area Rangeland Management Specialist, USDA-NRCS, Redfield, SD.
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) David Schmidt, Tim Nordquist, Stan Boltz Contact for lead author Date 12/04/2007 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
Rills should not be present. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Barely observable. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Essentially, non-existent. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground less than 15% and less than 2 inches in diameter. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Active gullies should not be present. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Little to no plant litter movement. Plant litter remains in place and is not moved by erosional forces. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Stability class roughly 3-5. Relatively high root content. Soil surface is resistant to erosion. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Use soil series description for depth and color of A-horizon. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Healthy, deep rooted native grasses enhance infiltration and reduce runoff. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
No compaction layer should be evident. At less than 8 inches, an extremely dense clay B horizon with round-topped columnar or prismatic structure exists. -
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:
Mid cool-season rhizomatous grass > tall cool-season bunch grassSub-dominant:
> tall warm-season rhizomatous grass = short warm-season grass = short cool-season grass = forbs > shrubsOther:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Very little to no evidence of decadence or mortality. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
60-70%, roughly 0.5 inch thick or less. Litter cover is in contact with soil surface. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
2200 – 3000 lbs./acre air-dry weight, average 2,600 lbs./acre air-dry weight -
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:
Refer to State and Local Noxious Weed List, also Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species are capable of reproducing.
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