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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.
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Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 106X–Nebraska and Kansas Loess-Drift Hills
Named the “Nebraska and Kansas Loess-Drift Hills,” Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 106 is divided almost evenly between southeastern Nebraska (52%), and northeastern Kansas, (48%). The approximately seven-million-acre landscape covers all or parts of thirty counties between the two states. The northern border is located on the north end of Saunders County, Nebraska, and the MLRA extends into Douglas County, Kansas in the south. The Nebraska cities of Beatrice and Lincoln are the major population centers in the north, while Topeka and Lawrence in Kansas are the primary cities in the south. The Platte, Little Nemaha, and the North Fork of the Big Nemaha Rivers flow through the Nebraska side of the MLRA, while the Black Vermillion, the Soldier, and the Delaware Rivers are the major waterways on the Kansas side. The Big Blue River runs through both states, while the Salt Creek hydrologic system located near Lincoln, Nebraska provides habitat for the only known population of the Federally listed endangered Salt Creek Tiger Beetle.
This dissected glacial drift plain primarily consists of broad, smooth ridgetops, and slopes ranging from nearly level to steep. The elevation in MLRA 106 decreases from west to east, and ranges from nearly 1,650 feet to less than 790 feet above sea level. Stream valleys in this landscape are narrow and bordered by steep hills, with 10 to 20 feet of local relief. The river valleys are broader and may drop up to over 160 feet below the adjacent hilltops. The uplands are primarily comprised of glacial drift underlying a mantle of loess, while alluvial deposits are found in the stream and river valleys. Limestone and shale quarries are also located in MLRA 106. The predominant soil orders in this MLRA are mesic, udic, Mollisols, Alfisols, and Entisols. Loams and clays are the primary soil textures in this landscape.
Sixty-two percent of the land in this MLRA has been broken out of native prairie and farmed, while only 23 percent of the grasslands remain. Livestock grazing, primarily by cattle, is the main industry on these remnants. Corn, wheat, soybeans, and grain sorghum are the primary commodity crops, but a significant number of acres are also planted to alfalfa for harvest as hay. With annual precipitation averaging from 40 inches in the southeast, to 28 inches in the northwest, irrigation for crop production is not a critical factor in most years.
The historical matrix vegetation type is Tallgrass Prairie, and big and little bluestem, switchgrass, Indiangrass, sideoats, and blue grama make up the bulk of the warm season species. Historically, western wheatgrass was the dominant cool-season grass but today the dominant cool-season grasses are introduced grasses, smooth brome in the north and tall fescue in the south. Large and small patch vegetative communities are found primarily along the riparian zones, and on both upland and lowland saline sites. Woodlands make up about six percent of MLRA 106, consisting primarily of green ash, oak, hackberry, boxelder, and maple trees.
Wildlife flourishes in this combination of crop and grassland environments. In a landscape historically occupied by bison herds, white-tailed deer are now the most abundant wild ungulates. A variety of smaller species, including coyote, raccoon, opossum, porcupines, muskrat, beaver, squirrel, and mink thrive in the region. Native grassland bird populations are limited by the lack of contiguous native prairie and the fragmented habitat created by the farmland. The rivers, streams, and lakes harbor excellent fisheries, and migrating and local waterfowl use the wetland complexes. These complexes provide ideal habitat for wading and shore bird species as well.
This landscape serves as a backdrop for a disturbance driven ecosystem, evolving under the influences of herbivory, fire, and variable climate. Historically, these processes created a heterogeneous mosaic of plant communities and structure heights across the region. Any given site in this landscape experienced fire every three to four years. Fires were caused by lightning strikes and were also set by Native Americans, who used fire for warfare, signaling, and to refresh the native grasses. The Indigenous inhabitants understood the value of fire as a tool and that the highly palatable growth following a fire provided excellent forage for their horses and attracted grazing game animals such as bison and elk.
Land use patterns by post European settlers have fragmented the native grasslands through conversion to cropland, transportation corridors, and other developments. This has significantly altered the natural fire regime allowing encroachment by native and introduced shrubs and trees into the native prairie remnants throughout the MLRA. Aggressive fire suppression policies have exacerbated this process to the point that shrub and tree encroachment is a major ecological threat in the majority of both native and reseeded grasslands. Introduction of eastern red cedar as a windbreak species further facilitates invasion by this species. While eastern red cedar is native to the landscape, the historic population in MLRA 106 was limited to isolated pockets in rugged river drainageways that were protected from fire. Widespread plantings of windbreaks with eastern red cedar as a primary component have provided a seed source for the aggressive woody plant. The ensuing encroachment into the native grasslands degrades the native wildlife habit and causes significant forage loss for domestic livestock. Since it does not sprout from the roots, eastern red cedar is very susceptible to fire when under six feet tall. Management with prescribed fire is exceedingly effective if applied before this stage. Larger eastern red cedars can also be controlled with fire, but successful application requires the use of specifically designed ignition and holding techniques.Classification relationships
►USDA-NRCS (2022)◄
Land Resource Region – M, Central Feed Grains and Livestock Region
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) – 106
►Fenneman (1916) Physiographic Regions ◄
Division – Interior Plains
Province – Central Lowland
Section – Dissected Till Plains
►USDA-USFS (2007) Ecoregions◄
Domain – Humid Temperate
Division – Prairie
Province – Prairie Parkland (Temperate)
Section – Central Dissected Till Plains (251C)
►EPA Ecoregions (Omernik 1997)◄
I – Great Plains (9)
II – Temperate Prairies (9.2)
III – Western Corn Belt Plains (9.2.3)
IV – Loess and Glacial Drift Hills (47i)
►Associated Counties◄
Nebraska: Butler, Cass, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward
Kansas: Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Douglas, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Washington, WyandotteEcological site concept
The Subirrigated ecological site is located on run-on landscape positions associated with stream or river valleys and receives additional moisture from runoff or overflow. The slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. Soils are very deep (60 inches or more) with surface textures ranging from fine sandy loam, silt loam, silty clay loam, and silty clay that are typically 11 to 27 inches thick but can be thicker. These very poorly to somewhat poorly drained soils are formed in alluvium. The seasonal high water table ranges from 1.5 to 3 feet during the growing season. In some areas it recedes to a depth of 3 to 6 feet by late summer. The vegetation of the Reference Community is dominated by warm-season, tall grasses. Big bluestem, Indiangrass, prairie cordgrass, and switchgrass are the primary grasses.
Associated sites
R106XY065NE Wet Subirrigated
The Wet Subirrigated ecological site is typically located adjacent to the Subirrigated ecological site but in a lower landscape position.
R106XY070NE Loamy Terrace
The Loamy Terrace ecological occupies a higher landscape position and is often adjacent to the Subirrigated ecological site.
R106XY068NE Loamy Floodplain
The Loamy Floodplain ecological site is often located adjacent to the Subirrigated ecological site.
R106XY067NE Saline Subirrigated
The Saline Subirrigated ecological site may be located adjacent to the Subirrigated ecological site on a similar landscape position but the soils associated with Saline Subirrigated have a presence of salinity in the surface layers.
Similar sites
R106XY068NE Loamy Floodplain
Loamy Floodplain and Subirrigated ecological sites occur on similar landscape positions but Subirrigated sites have a seasonal high water table at 18 to 36 inches while Loamy Floodplains have a deeper water table with production and species composition influenced by flooding.
R106XY065NE Wet Subirrigated
The Wet Subirrigated ecological site has a seasonal water table nearer the surface (18 inches or fewer) as compared to the Subirrigated ecological site (18 to 36 inches).
R106XY067NE Saline Subirrigated
While the Saline Subirrigated and Subirrigated ecological sites both have a seasonal high water table, Saline Subirrigated ecological sites have visible surface salts producing a plant community dominated by salt tolerant species, lower productivity, and lower species diversity.
Figure 1. Block diagram for the Subirrigated Site in MLRA 106.
Table 2. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Andropogon gerardii
(2) Panicum virgatumPhysiographic features
Subirrigated ecological sites are located on nearly level floodplains and terraces in river valleys with slopes ranging from 0 to 2 percent. The soils associated with this site formed in loamy and clayey alluvium. The majority of these deep, fertile soils have been broken out and converted to production agriculture in MLRA 106. The highest seasonal water table ranges from a depth of 18 to 36 inches.
Table 3. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) River valley > Flood plain
(2) River valley > Flood-plain step
(3) River valley > Terrace
Runoff class Low to high Flooding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to long (7 to 30 days) Flooding frequency Very rare to frequent Ponding duration Brief (2 to 7 days) Ponding frequency None to occasional Elevation 730 – 1700 ft Slope 0 – 2 % Ponding depth 0 – 4 in Water table depth 18 – 36 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Like most Great Plains landscapes, the climate in this MLRA is under the sway of the continental effect. This creates a regime of extremes, with summer highs often in the triple digits and winter lows plunging well below zero. Blizzards can occur anytime between early fall and late spring, dropping the temperature more than 50 degrees in just a few hours. These events can pile up several feet of snow, often driven by winds in excess of 50 miles an hour. The resulting huge snow drifts can cause serious hardship for livestock, wildlife, and humans. Winters can be open, with bare ground for most of the season, or closed, with several feet of snow persisting until March. Most winters have a number of warm days interspersed with dropping temperatures, usually associated with approaching cold fronts. Spring brings violent thunderstorms, hail, and high winds. Tornadoes occur frequently.
About three-fourths of the precipitation falls as high intensity, convective thunderstorms from late spring through early autumn. The average annual precipitation gradient trends higher from northwest (28”) to southeast (40”), and the average annual temperature gradient trends higher from north (50°F) to south (55°F). Daily winds range from an average of 14 miles per hour during the spring to 11 miles per hour during the late summer. Occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 80 miles per hour.
Native cool season plants begin growth in early April and continue to about mid-June. Native warm season plants begin growth in early June and continue to early August. Green up of cool season plants may occur in September and October.Table 4 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 160 days Freeze-free period (average) 180 days Precipitation total (average) 40 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 4. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 5 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) ASHLAND NO 2 [USC00250375], Ashland, NE
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(2) MEAD 6S [USC00255362], Ithaca, NE
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(3) RAYMOND 2NE [USC00257055], Raymond, NE
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(4) TABLE ROCK 4 N [USC00258410], Table Rock, NE
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(5) VIRGINIA [USC00258875], Virginia, NE
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(6) LINCOLN MUNI AP [USW00014939], Lincoln, NE
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(7) LINCOLN UNIV PWR PLT [USW00014971], Lincoln, NE
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(8) CENTRALIA [USC00141408], Centralia, KS
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(9) PERRY LAKE [USC00146333], Perry, KS
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(10) BEATRICE 1N [USC00250622], Beatrice, NE
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(11) CRETE [USC00252020], Crete, NE
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(12) SYRACUSE [USC00258395], Syracuse, NE
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(13) BONNER SPRINGS [USC00140957], Bonner Springs, KS
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(14) HOLTON [USC00143759], Holton, KS
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(15) HORTON [USC00143810], Horton, KS
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(16) MARYSVILLE [USC00145063], Marysville, KS
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(17) TECUMSEH 1S [USC00258465], Tecumseh, NE
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(18) WEEPING WATER [USC00259090], Weeping Water, NE
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(19) TOPEKA MUNI AP [USW00013996], Topeka, KS
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(20) CLINTON LAKE [USC00141612], Lawrence, KS
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(21) HIAWATHA 9 ESE [USC00143634], Robinson, KS
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(22) LAWRENCE [USC00144559], Lawrence, KS
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(23) OSKALOOSA 4 NE [USC00146100], Mc Louth, KS
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(24) AUBURN 5 ESE [USC00250435], Auburn, NE
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(25) WAHOO [USC00258905], Wahoo, NE
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(26) FALLS CITY BRENNER FLD [USW00094957], Falls City, NE
">Influencing water features
The water table is in the root zone of the vegetative community during the growing season but is inundated for a shorter duration than the Wet Subirrigated site. This provides adequate hydration for maximum vegetative production without major limitation of species diversity.
Wetland description
System Subsystem Class <br />
Palustrine N/A Emergent WetlandSoil features
The soils correlated to the Subirrigated ecological site are located on terraces, flood plain steps, and flood plains of river valleys. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. These soils formed in alluvium. Soils are very deep (60 or more inches), with fine sandy loam, silt loam, silty clay loam, or silty clay surface textures that are 11 to 27 or more inches thick. Soils are somewhat poorly to very poorly drained and have a slow to moderately slow permeability. Saturated hydraulic conductivity ranges from moderately high to low.
Colo, Kimo, Lamo, Muscotah, and Paxico are the major soil series correlated to this ecological site. Other soil series correlated to the site include Calco and Zook. Additional information can be found in the various soil survey reports. Contact the local USDA Service Center for soil survey reports that include more detail specific to your location or visit Web Soil Survey (https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov).
Figure 6. Muscotah Series Profile, Subirrigated Ecological Site, MLRA 106.
Table 5. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium
Surface texture (1) Silty clay loam
(2) Silty clay
(3) Silt loam
(4) Fine sandy loam
Drainage class Poorly drained to moderately well drained Permeability class Very slow to moderate Soil depth 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)5 – 8 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 30 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)5.6 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-40in)Not specified Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-40in)Not specified Ecological dynamics
Subirrigated ecological sites developed under Central Great Plains climatic conditions, light to severe grazing by bison and other large herbivores, sporadic natural or man caused wildfires, and other biotic and abiotic factors which typically influence soil/site development. This continues to be a disturbance driven site, by herbivory, fire, and variable climate. Changes occur in the plant communities due to weather variations, impacts of native and/or exotic plant and animal species, and management actions.
One of the primary impacts to this site introduced by European settlers is season long, continuous grazing by domestic livestock. This management practice causes the repeated removal of the growing point and excessive defoliation of the leaf area of individual tall warm-season grasses. The resulting reduction of the ability of the plants to harvest sunlight depletes the root reserves, subsequently decreasing the root mass. This negatively impacts the ability of the plants to compete for life sustaining nutrients, resulting in declining vigor and eventual mortality. The space created in the vegetative community is then occupied by a species that evades the negative grazing impacts by a growing season adaptation such as a cool-season, shorter structure, or reduced palatability mechanism.
The State and Transition Model (STM) is depicted following this section and includes a Reference State (1), a Native/Invaded Grass State (2), a Sod-busted State (3), and an Invaded Woody State (4). Each state represents the crossing of a major ecological threshold due to alteration of the functional dynamic properties of the ecosystem. The main properties observed to determine this change are the soil and vegetative communities and the hydrologic cycle. The STM illustrates the common plant communities that can occur on the site and the transition pathways between communities (Bestelmeyer, 2010). The ecological processes will be discussed in more detail in the plant community descriptions following the diagram.
Each state may have one or more vegetative communities which fluctuate in species composition and abundance within the normal parameters of the state. Within each state, communities may degrade or recover in response to natural and man caused disturbances such as variation in the degree and timing of herbivory, presence or absence of fire, and climatic and local fluctuations in the precipitation regime.
Interpretations are primarily based on the Reference State and 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 have been interpreted from heavily grazed to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts. Plant communities, states, transitional pathways, and thresholds have been determined through similar studies and experience.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
1A - Long term, heavy grazing or haying with inadequate growing season recovery periods. 1B - Tillage to facilitate production agriculture. 1C - No fire or woody species management. 2A - Tillage to facilitate production agriculture. 2B - No fire or woody species management. 3A - No fire or woody species management. 4A - Prescribed burning, timber harvest, and brush management. 4B - Prescribed burning, timber harvest, and brush management. 4C - Prescribed burning, timber harvest, and brush management. State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A - Grazing or haying with inadequate growing season recovery periods. 1.1B - Prolonged absence ( five years) of herbivory and fire. 1.2A - Prescribed grazing with grazing during cool season portion of the growing season and deferment during warm season portion. 1.2B - Continued grazing or haying with inadequate growing season recovery periods. 1.2C - Prolonged absence ( five years) of herbivory and fire. 1.3A - Prescribed grazing with early and late season grazing and deferment during the warm-season portion of the growing season. Appropriately timed prescribed burning will accelerate the process. 1.3B - Prolonged absence ( five years) of herbivory and fire. 1.4A - Reintroduction of herbivory and fire. 1.4B - Reintroduction of herbivory and fire. 1.4C - Reintroduction of herbivory and fire. State 2 submodel, plant communities
2.1A - Seeding, excessive grazing, multi-season haying, or spring or fall nitrogen fertilization. 2.2B - Herbicide treatment, seeding, prescribed fire, and prescribed grazing. State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThis state describes the range of vegetative community phases that occur on the Subirrigated ecological site where the natural processes are mostly intact. The Reference Community (1.1) is a representation of the native plant community phase that occupies a site that has been minimally altered by management. The Degraded Native Grass (1.2), the At-Risk (1.3), and the Excessive Litter (1.4) Communities are the phases that result from management decisions that are unfavorable for a healthy Reference Community (1.1).
High perennial grass cover and production allows for increased soil moisture retention, vegetative production, and overall soil quality.Community 1.1
Reference Community
Figure 7. Subirrigated Ecological Site, Reference Community (1.1) in Eastern Nebraska, MLRA 106.
The Reference or Native Tall Grass Prairie Community (1.1) serves as a description of the native plant community that naturally occurs on the site when the natural disturbance regimes are intact or closely mimicked by management practices. This phase is dynamic, with fluid relative abundance and spatial boundaries between the dominant structural vegetative groups. These fluctuations are primarily driven by different responses of the species to changes in precipitation timing and abundance, and to fire and grazing events.
The potential vegetation consists of approximately 70 to 85 percent grasses and grass-likes, 5 to 15 percent forbs, and 0 to 5 percent shrubs. Big bluestem, Indiangrass, prairie cordgrass, and switchgrass are the primary species in this community. Secondary species include little bluestem, sedges, and Canada wildrye. The site has a diverse forb population.
This plant community is highly productive, diverse, and resistant to short term stresses such as drought and short periods of heavy stocking. The well-developed root systems support resiliency when allowed adequate recovery periods between grazing events.
When exposed to long term or frequent overgrazing events without adequate rest, this plant community will degrade. Grazing during wet periods can cause excessive soil compaction, and lead to hummocking.
The average annual vegetative production of this community ranges from 3,500 lbs. per acre in the northern portion of the MLRA to 7,000 lbs. in the southern portion of the MLRA.
.Dominant plant species
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big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
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Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), grass
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switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
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prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE1068 , MLRA 106 Warm-season. *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 3 7 18 30 22 12 6 2 0 0 Community 1.2
Degraded Native Grass Community
Figure 9. Subirrigated Ecological Site, Degraded Native Grass Community (1.2), MLRA 106.
In the Degraded Native Grass Community (1.2), big bluestem, switchgrass, Indiangrass, prairie cordgrass, and other desirable species lose productive capacity through loss of vigor and reproductive potential. Forb diversity is reduced. Subirrigation of the deep-rooted, tall grasses on this site helps to sustain the warm-season, tall grass community. However, mid grasses such as little bluestem, and various sedges will increase to become dominant species. Foxtail barley, Kentucky bluegrass and tall dropseed begin to increase.
This community phase signals a significant loss of production. This is due to continuous season long grazing with inadequate recovery periods. Grazing evasive warm-season and cool-season grasses increase. The composition of the forb component remains diverse, but the potential for encroachment by invasive woody species becomes more likely, due to fewer deep-rooted species and a reduced fuel load to carry fire. While this plant community is less productive and less diverse than the representative plant community, it remains sustainable in regard to soil and site stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity.Dominant plant species
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little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
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sedge (Carex), other herbaceous
Community 1.3
At-Risk Community
Figure 10. Subirrigated Ecological Site, At-Risk Community (1.3), MLRA 106.
In the At-Risk Community (1.3), the more palatable warm-season, tall grasses have been reduced to a minor component of the plant community due to continued defoliation during their critical growth periods. Warm-season, mid grasses and cool-season grasses increase significantly. Little bluestem, composite dropseed, and foxtail barley are the dominant grass species. Non-native, cool-season grasses have invaded the plant community and increased to minor abundance.
Soil health is affected by reduced efficiency in the nutrient, mineral, and hydrologic cycles as a result of decreases in plant litter and rooting depths. Total annual vegetative production declines significantly. Without a management change, this community is at-risk to degrade to the Native/Invaded Grass State (2).Dominant plant species
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little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
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composite dropseed (Sporobolus compositus), grass
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foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass
Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE1069 , MLRA 106 Warm/cool-season mix.
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 1 4 10 23 26 17 8 6 4 1 0 Community 1.4
Excessive Litter CommunityThe Excessive Litter Community (1.4) develops when the natural disturbances of herbivory and fire are removed from the system for extended periods of time (five years or more). Litter significantly exceeds the amount expected on the site and the species present can tolerate a thatch layer. Individual plants tend to be clumped when there is an excessive amount of litter. Species that cannot tolerate an extensive litter layer have low vigor and reduced productivity.
Once the undisturbed litter layer develops to a certain level, a significant amount of precipitation is held in this layer increasing evaporation, limiting soil available moisture, and simulating drought conditions. If herbivory or fire are not reintroduced, the plant community will experience a significant amount of death loss.Dominant plant species
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sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii), grass
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sedge (Carex), other herbaceous
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Reference Community
Degraded Native Grass CommunityA shift from the Reference Community (1.1) to the Degraded Native Grass Community (1.2) occurs with continuous season long grazing, rotational grazing with inadequate growing season recovery periods (deferment), or haying with inadequate recovery time between cuttings.
Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.4Prolonged interruption (five years or more) of the natural disturbances of herbivory and fire will move the Reference Community (1.1) to the Excessive Litter Community (1.4).
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Degraded Native Grass Community
Reference CommunityThe Degraded Native Grass Community (1.2) can be shifted toward the Reference Community (1.1) by implementing prescribed grazing. Applying grazing pressure during the growth period of the undesirable cool-season grasses and grazing deferment during the warm season portion of the growing season favors the desirable warm-season grasses. This grazing strategy will enable the deeply rooted, warm-season, tall grasses to out compete warm-season, mid and short grasses and the cool-season grasses. Appropriately timed prescribed fire will accelerate this process.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.3
Degraded Native Grass Community
At-Risk CommunityContinued grazing with inadequate growing season recovery time (deferment) utilizing either season long, continuous grazing, rotational grazing, or haying further degrades the site and moves the Degraded Native Grass Community (1.2) to the At-Risk Community (1.3).
Pathway 1.2C
Community 1.2 to 1.4Prolonged interruption (more than 5 years) of the natural disturbances of herbivory and fire will convert the Degraded Native Grass Community (1.2) to the Excessive Litter Community (1.4).
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.2
At-Risk Community
Degraded Native Grass CommunityReversing the downward trend and moving the plant community from the At-Risk Community (1.3) to the Degraded Native Grass Community (1.2) can be achieved with prescribed grazing early and late in the growing season to reduce the less productive cool-season grasses. Targeting the peak growth period of cool-season grasses with high intensity grazing events followed by rest will allow the native, warm-season, tall grasses to increase. Appropriately timed prescribed fire will accelerate this process.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Prescribed Grazing Pathway 1.3B
Community 1.3 to 1.4Prolonged interruption (more than five years) of the natural disturbances of herbivory and fire will convert the At-Risk Community (1.3) to the Excessive Litter Community (1.4).
Pathway 1.4A
Community 1.4 to 1.1Reintroduction of the natural processes of herbivory and fire will return the Excessive Litter Community (1.4) to the Reference Community (1.1).
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing Pathway 1.4B
Community 1.4 to 1.2Reintroduction of the natural processes of herbivory and fire will return the Excessive Litter Community (1.4) to the Degraded Native Grass Community (1.2).
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing Pathway 1.4C
Community 1.4 to 1.3Reintroduction of the natural processes of herbivory and fire will return the Excessive Litter Community (1.4) to the At-Risk Community (1.3).
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing State 2
Native/Invaded Grass StateThe Native/Invaded Grass State (2) occurs when an ecological threshold has been crossed and the majority of the native, warm-season tall and mid grasses of the Reference State (1) have been replaced by less desirable native grasses and non-native, invasive grasses. The plant community consists of the more grazing tolerant native species and a significant component of introduced, cool-season grasses such as reed canary grass, smooth brome, tall fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass. Forb diversity is limited to species with low palatability. Plant diversity is low. The Native/Invaded Grass State includes the Native/Invaded Grass Community (2.1) and the Invaded Cool-Season Grass Community (2.2).
The loss of warm-season, tall and mid grasses has negatively impacted energy flow and nutrient cycling. Water infiltration is reduced due to the shallow root system and rapid runoff characteristics of the grazing tolerant plant communities. Impaired energy capture and altered hydrologic function are reflected in reduced vegetative productivity, shallower rooting depth and degraded soil quality. Continuous and heavy grazing pressure will maintain this plant community in a sod bound condition.
Grazing management practices that allow for adequate periods of recovery between grazing events and grazing timed early and late during the growing season will reduce the vigor of the non-native, cool-season grasses and may allow the warm-season, tall grasses to increase in abundance and productivity. Return to the Reference State (1) is unlikely due to the loss of plant diversity, overall soil disturbance, and alterations to hydrologic function.Dominant plant species
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foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass
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composite dropseed (Sporobolus compositus), grass
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Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
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reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
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tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
Community 2.1
Native/Invaded Grass CommunityThe Native/Invaded Grass Community (2.1) occurs when an ecological threshold is crossed, and the plant community moves from the Reference State (1) to the Native/Invaded Grass State (2). Native, cool-season, mid and short grasses are codominant with non-native, invasive, cool-season grasses. The invasive grasses present include reed canary grass, Kentucky bluegrass, and smooth brome in the northern portion of the MLRA or tall fescue in the southern portion of the MLRA. Only trace remnants of the more palatable warm-season, tall grasses are present.
Continuous, heavy grazing pressure will maintain this plant community in a sod bound condition. Forb richness and diversity have decreased. With the decline and loss of deeper penetrating root systems, a compacted layer may form in the soil profile below the shallower replacement root systems. Grazing management practices that allow for adequate periods of growing season recovery (deferment) between grazing events will favor warm-season, tall and mid grasses. Appropriately timed prescribed fire will accelerate this process.Dominant plant species
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foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), grass
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reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
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tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
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Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
Figure 12. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE1067 , Nebraska and Kansas Loess Drift Hills. Invaded 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 5 13 28 28 12 5 6 3 0 0 Community 2.2
Invaded Cool-Season Grass Community
Figure 13. Subirrigated ecological site, Invaded Cool-Season Grass Community (2.2), MLRA 106.
The Invaded Cool-Season Grass Community (2.2) consists of a monoculture or near monoculture of a non-native, cool-season grass. Typically, reed canary grass will dominate the site but, in some cases, the dominant grass will be smooth brome or tall fescue. Native, warm-season, tall grasses or native, cool-season grasses may be present in trace amounts. Production of non-native cool-season dominated plant communities is highly variable, depending upon the percentages of species present and outside inputs such as fertilizer and weed control.
Dominant plant species
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reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
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tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
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smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NE1067 , Nebraska and Kansas Loess Drift Hills. Invaded 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 5 13 28 28 12 5 6 3 0 0 Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2The Native/Invaded Grass Community (2.1) will be converted to an Invaded Cool-Season Grass Community (2.2) through the following practices: introduced grass seeding, excessive warm season grazing, inadequate warm season rest, multiple hay cuttings, and nitrogen fertilization in spring or fall.
Pathway 2.2B
Community 2.2 to 2.1The Invaded Cool-Season Grass Community (2.2) can be moved to the Native/Invaded Grass Community (2.1) by increasing the native, warm-season, tall grasses through herbicide treatment and reseeding. If adequate native remnants are present, appropriately timed prescribed fire and a follow up prescribed grazing program may achieve the desired results.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Prescribed Grazing State 3
Sodbusted StateThe threshold to the Sodbusted State (3) is crossed as a result of mechanical disturbance to facilitate production agriculture. Extensive areas of this ecological site were plowed and converted to crop production by early European settlers and their subsequent generations. In addition to permanently altering the existing vegetative community, repeated tillage negatively impacted soil properties. Reductions in organic matter, mineral levels, soil structure, oxygen levels, and water-holding capacity along with increased runoff and erosion as well as shifts in the populations of soil-dwelling organisms were common on these sites. The extent of these changes depended upon the duration of cropping as well as crops grown and other management practices.
If farming operations are suspended, the site can be abandoned or seeded to permanent vegetation. Seedings are either a tame pasture forage mixture, the Seeded Pasture Community (3.2), or a mixture of native grasses and forbs, the Reseeded Native Grass Community (3.1). Abandonment results in the Natural Reclamation Community (3.3). Permanent alterations of the soil, plant community, and the hydrologic cycle make restoration to the Reference State (1) extremely difficult, if not impossible.Community 3.1
Reseeded Native Grass CommunityThe Reseeded Native Grass Community (3.1) does not contain native remnants, and varies considerably depending upon the seed mixture, the degree of soil erosion, the age of the stand, fertility management, and past grazing management. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods will be required to maintain productivity and desirable species.
Native range and grasslands seeded to native species are ecologically different and should be managed separately. Factors such as functional group, species, stand density, and improved varieties all impact the production level and palatability of the seedings. Species diversity is often limited, and when grazed in conjunction with native rangelands, uneven forage utilization may occur.
Total annual production during an average year varies significantly depending upon precipitation, management, grass species seeded, and the extent to which soils and hydrologic function have been impacted by previous farming operations.Community 3.2
Seeded Pasture CommunityThe Seeded Pasture Community (3.2) does not contain native remnants and varies considerably depending upon the extent of soil erosion, the species seeded, the quality of the stand that was established, the age of the stand, and management of the stand since establishment.
Several factors make seeded tame pasture a different grazing resource than native rangeland and land seeded to a native grass mixture. Factors such as species selected, stand density, improved varieties, and harvest efficiency all impact production levels and palatability. Species diversity on seeded tame pasture is often limited to a few species. When seeded pasture and native rangelands or seeded pasture and seeded rangeland are in the same grazing unit, uneven forage utilization will occur. Improve forage utilization and stand longevity by managing this community separately from native rangelands or land seeded to native grass species.
Total annual production during an average year varies significantly depending upon precipitation, management, grass species seeded, and the extent to which soils and hydrologic function have been impacted by the previous farming operations. Improved varieties of warm-season or cool-season grasses are recommended for optimum forage production.Community 3.3
Natural Reclamation Community
Figure 15. Subirrigated Ecological Site, Natural Reclamation Community (3.3), MLRA 106.
The Natural Reclamation Community (3.3) consists of annual and perennial weeds and less desirable grasses. These sites have been farmed and abandoned without being reseeded. Soil organic matter and carbon reserves are reduced, soil structure is changed, and a plow pan or compacted layer can form, which decreases water infiltration. Residual synthetic chemicals may remain from farming operations. In early successional stages, this community is not stable. The hazard of erosion is a concern.
Total annual production during an average year varies significantly depending on the succession stage of the plant community and any management applied to the system.State 4
Invaded Woody StateOnce the woody canopy cover reaches 15 percent, the threshold is crossed to the Invaded Woody State (4). Woody species are encroaching due to heavy grazing with the lack of prescribed fire or other brush management practices. Typical ecological impacts are a loss of native warm-season grasses, degraded forage productivity, and reduced soil quality. This state consists of the Invaded Woody Community (4.1).
Dominant plant species
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honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos), tree
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Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), tree
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willow (Salix), tree
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roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii), tree
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reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
Community 4.1
Invaded Woody Community
Figure 16. Subirrigated ecological site, Invaded Woody Community (4.1), eastern Nebraska, MLRA 106.
The Invaded Woody Community (4.1) has at least 15 percent of woody cover canopy. Locust, willow, ash, dogwood, and cottonwood are some of the deciduous invaders. Eastern red cedar is often present in the understory. In the absence of fire and brush management, this ecological site is very susceptible to eastern red cedar seedling invasion, especially when adjacent to a seed source. Eastern red cedar can eventually dominate the site resulting in a closed canopy monoculture which drastically reduces forage production, and which has limited value for either livestock grazing or wildlife habitat. Due to fire suppression over many years, this plant community will develop extensive ladder fuels which can lead to a removal of most tree species with a wildfire. With properly managed intensive grazing, encroachment of deciduous trees will be minimal; however, this will not impact encroachment of conifer species. The herbaceous component decreases proportionately in relation to the percent canopy cover, with the reduction being greater under a conifer overstory. Eastern red cedar control can usually be accomplished with prescribed burning while the trees are six feet tall or less and fine fuel production is greater than 1,500 pounds per acres. Larger red cedars can also be controlled with prescribed burning, but successful application requires the use of specifically designed ignition and holding techniques (https://www.loesscanyonsburngroup.com).
Resprouting brush must be chemically treated immediately after mechanical removal to achieve effective treatment. The forb component will initially increase following tree removal. To prevent return to a woody dominated community, ongoing brush management such as hand cutting, chemical spot treatments, or periodic prescribed burning is required. This plant community is resistant to change and resilient given normal disturbances. In higher canopy cover situations, the soil erosion will increase in relation to most of the plant communities from which this plant community originated. The water cycle is also significantly altered under higher canopy cover. Infiltration is reduced and runoff is typically increased because of a lack of herbaceous cover and the rooting structure provided by the herbaceous species. Total annual production during an average year varies significantly, depending on the production level prior to encroachment and the percentage of canopy cover.Transition 1A
State 1 to 2Heavy grazing or haying with inadequate, growing season recovery periods will cause the Reference State (1) to lose a significant proportion of warm-season, tall and mid grass species and cross a threshold to the Native/Invaded State (2). Water infiltration and other hydrologic functions will be reduced due to the root matting presence of sod forming grasses. With the decline and loss of deeper penetrating root systems, soil structure and biological integrity are catastrophically degraded to the point that recovery is unlikely. Once this occurs, it is highly unlikely that grazing management alone will return the community to the Reference State (1).
Transition 1B
State 1 to 3The Reference State (1) is significantly altered by mechanical tillage to facilitate production agriculture shifting site to the Sod-busted State (3). The disruption to the plant community, the soil, and the hydrology of the system make restoration to a true reference state unlikely.
Transition 1C
State 1 to 4Disruption of the natural fire regime and the encroachment of invasive exotic and native woody species can cause the Reference State (1) to shift to the Invaded Woody State (4).
Transition 2A
State 2 to 3The Native/Invaded Grass State (2) is significantly altered by mechanical tillage to facilitate production agriculture shifting site to the Sod-busted State (3). The disruption to the plant community, the soil, and the hydrology of the system make restoration unlikely.
Transition 2B
State 2 to 4Disruption of the natural fire regime and encroachment of invasive exotic and native woody species can cause the Native/Invaded Grass State (2) to shift to the Invaded Woody State (4).
Transition 3A
State 3 to 4Disruption of the natural fire regime and encroachment of invasive exotic and native woody species can cause the Sodbusted State (3) to shift to the Invaded Woody State (4).
Restoration pathway 4A
State 4 to 1Prescribed burning, wildfire, timber harvest, and brush management will move the Invaded Woody State (4) toward the Reference State (1). The forb component of a site with heavy tree density or canopy cover will initially increase following tree removal through mechanical brush management treatments and prescribed fire. If resprouting brush such as honey locust or Siberian elm is present, stumps must be chemically treated immediately after mechanical removal. Ongoing brush management such as hand cutting, chemical spot treatments, or periodic prescribed burning is required to prevent a return to this state. If the Invaded Woody State transitioned from the Native/Invaded Grass State (2) or the Sod-busted State (3), the land cannot be restored back to the Reference State (1) as the native plant community, soils, and hydrologic function have been too severely impacted prior to the woody encroachment to allow restoration back to the Reference State (1).
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Restoration pathway 4B
State 4 to 2Prescribed burning, wildfire, timber harvest, and brush management will move the Invaded Woody State (4) toward the Native/Invaded Grass State (2). The forb component of a site with heavy tree density or canopy cover will initially increase following tree removal through mechanical brush management treatments and prescribed fire. If resprouting brush such as honey locust or Siberian elm is present, stumps must be chemically treated immediately after mechanical removal. Ongoing brush management such as hand cutting, chemical spot treatments, or periodic prescribed burning is required to prevent a return to this state. If the Invaded Woody State (4) transitioned from the Native/Invaded Grass State (2) or the Sod-busted State (3), the land cannot be restored back to the Reference State (1) as the native plant community, soils, and hydrologic function have been too severely impacted prior to the woody encroachment to allow restoration back to the Reference State (1).
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Restoration pathway 4C
State 4 to 3Prescribed burning, wildfire, timber harvest, and brush management will move the Invaded Woody State (4) toward the Sod-busted State (3). The forb component of a site with heavy tree density or canopy cover will initially increase following tree removal through mechanical brush management treatments and prescribed fire. If resprouting brush such as honey locust or Siberian elm is present, stumps must be chemically treated immediately after mechanical removal. Ongoing brush management such as hand cutting, chemical spot treatments, or periodic prescribed burning is required to prevent a return to this state. If the Invaded Woody State (4) transitioned from the Native/Invaded Grass State (2) or the Sod-busted State (3), the land cannot be restored back to the Reference State (1) as the native plant community, soils, and hydrologic function have been too severely impacted prior to the woody encroachment to allow restoration back to the Reference State (1).
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 7. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 1.4 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 3.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 3.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
LIVESTOCK – GRAZING INTERPRETATIONS:
Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income producing industries in the area. Rangeland in this area may provide yearlong forage for cattle, sheep, or horses. During the dormant period, the protein levels of the forage may be lower than the minimum needed to meet livestock (primarily cattle and sheep) requirements. The following table lists suggested stocking rates for cattle under continuous season long grazing under normal growing conditions. These are conservative estimates that should be used only as guidelines in the initial stages of the conservation planning process. Often, the current plant composition does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in this ecological site description). Because of this, a field visit is recommended, in all cases, to document plant composition and production. More precise carrying capacity estimates should eventually be calculated using this information along with animal preference data, 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.
Production and Carrying Capacity*
Community 1.1, Reference Community (North): 3,500 lbs/acre, 1.11 AUM/acre
Community 1.1, Reference Community (North): 7,000 lbs/acre, 2.22 AUM/acre
*Based upon the following conditions: continuous season-long grazing with cattle under average growing conditions, 25 percent harvest efficiency. Air dry forage requirements are based on 3 percent of animal body weight or 790 lbs per animal unit (AU) per month (M). An AU is generally one mature cow of approximately 1,000 pounds and a calf as old as 6 months or their equivalent.
WILDLIFE INTERPRETATIONS:
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 106 lies primarily within the tall-grass prairie ecosystem. Prior to European settlement, this area consisted of diverse grassland habitats interspersed with varying densities of depressional wetlands and limited woody riparian corridors. These habitats provided critical life cycle components for the grassland birds, prairie dogs, and herds of roaming bison, elk, and pronghorn that historically occupied this landscape. Diverse populations of small mammals and insects provided a bountiful prey base for raptors and omnivores such as coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and opossums. Bobcats, wolves, and mountain lions occupied the apex predator niche. In addition, a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians thrived in this landscape.
The tall grass prairie was a disturbance driven ecosystem with fire, herbivory, and climate functioning as the primary disturbances. Following European settlement, elimination of fire, widespread conversion to cropland, and other sources of habitat fragmentation significantly altered the appearance and functionality of the entire ecosystem. The reduced stability of the system is reflected by major changes in the composition and abundance of the native flora and fauna. Introduced and invading species further degrade the ecological integrity of the plant and animal communities. Bison and prairie dogs were historically keystone species, but free-roaming bison herds and nearly all prairie dogs have been extirpated in this MLRA. The loss of bison and fire as ecological drivers greatly influenced the character of the remaining native grasslands and the habitats they provide.
Historically, an ecological mosaic of the sites provided habitat for species requiring unfragmented grasslands. Important habitat features and components found commonly or exclusively on modern day remnants include upland nesting habitat for grassland birds and game birds; nesting and escape cover for waterfowl; forbs and insects for brood rearing habitat; and a forage source for small and large herbivores. Fragmentation has reduced habitat quality for numerous area sensitive species, as highlighted by the decline of the greater prairie chicken. Many grassland nesting bird populations, such as dickcissel and Henslow's sparrow, are also declining. In this fragmented landscape, native grassland bird populations face increasing competition from the opportunistic European starlings and house sparrows and are subject to nest parasitism from brown headed cowbirds. Tree encroachment creates habitat that favors generalist species such as American robin and mourning dove, and provides perches for raptors, increasing the predation mortality. Introduced species such as smooth bromegrass, reed canary grass, Kentucky bluegrass, nodding plumeless (musk) thistle, and Canada thistle further degrade the biological integrity of many of these remnant prairies.
1. REFERENCE STATE: The predominance of tall grasses and forbs in this community makes it ideal for grazers and mixed feeders. Pollinating insects play a significant role in maintaining the forb community and provide a food source for grassland birds and other grassland dependent species. The vegetative structural diversity provides habitat for reptiles, amphibians, and a wide array of native and introduced bird species. The abundant prey base supports populations of Swainson’s hawk, short eared and great horned owls, and other grassland raptors. The grasses, forbs, and shrubs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including moles, mice, ground squirrels, and white-tailed deer. The structure of this plant community provides suitable thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores and grassland birds. Many wide-ranging predators utilize this plant community, including coyote, badger, red fox, and least- and long-tailed weasels. As the plant community degrades to more mid grasses and fewer tall grasses, less winter and escape cover are provided. It also provides less cover for predators.Hydrological functions
The very deep, somewhat poorly drained soils of the Subirrigated ecological site place it in classes C and D of the hydrological rating scale. The proximity of groundwater to the rooting zone during the growing season provides an abundance of water for the vegetative community. Vegetative production can be very high.
Recreational uses
The Subirrigated ecological site provides hunting for upland game species and white-tailed deer, along with hiking, photography, and bird watching. The wide varieties of plants which bloom from spring until fall have an aesthetic value that appeals to visitors.
Wood products
In MLRA 106, the Subirrigated ecological sites often have scattered populations of deciduous trees, including cottonwoods. These stands can provide firewood, select hardwood finishing lumber, and in some cases, the cottonwoods can be used to make pallets. In the invaded woody phase, eastern red cedar may provide posts and cedar boards from the larger trees.
Other products
None of significance.
Other information
Site Development and Testing Plan:
Future work is needed to validate the information in this Provisional Ecological Site Description. Additional data collection and evaluation may also be needed to develop this ESD to the Approved, then Correlated level. This could include field activities to collect low, medium, and high intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of that data. Field reviews of the project plan 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.Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from field observations by trained and experienced range and soils personnel.
Other references
Harms, R. 2009. Recovery Outline for the Salt Creek tiger beetle (Cicindela nevadica lincolniana). Available online. http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/invertebrates/saltcreektiger/FinalRecoveryOutlineFeb2009.pdf. Accessed 1/02/2018.
High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska. Available online. http://hpcc.unl.edu. Accessed 12/05/16.
Johnsgaard, P.A. 2001. “The Nature of Nebraska.” University of Nebraska Press.
Muhs, Daniel R., E. Bettis III, J. Aleinikoff, J. McGeehin, J. Beann, G. Skipp, B. Marshall, H. Roberts, W. Johnson, and R. Benton. "Origin and paleoclimatic significance of late Quaternary loess in Nebraska: Evidence from stratigraphy, chronology, sedimentology, and geochemistry" (2008). USGS Staff -- Published Research, Paper 162. Available online. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub/162. Accessed 12/05/16.
Spomer, S. and L. Higley. 2001. The Salt Creek Tiger Beetle. Bio-graphica International. Available online. http://drshigley.com/lgh/sctb/default.htm. Accessed 1/02/2018.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. NRCS National Ecological Site Handbook. Available online. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/soils/ref/?cid=nrcseprd1291232 Accessed January, 2014.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Section 4. Available online. https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/viewerFS.aspx?hid=21422.
Accessed August, 2011.
Personal communications with professional ecologists and wildlife experts.
Rolfsmeier, S.B. and G. Steinauer. 2010. "Terrestrial Ecological Systems and Natural Communities of Nebraska", (version IV). Nebraska Natural Heritage Program.
USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, Portland, OR. Available online. http://wcc.nrcs.usda.gov. Accessed 12/05/16.
USDA, NRCS.1997. National Range and Pasture Handbook.
USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, Fort Collins, CO. Available online. http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov. Accessed 12/05/16.
USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5. Available online. http://plants.usda.gov. Accessed 12/05/16.
USDA, NRCS Soil Surveys from: Butler, Saunders, Lancaster, Cass, Otoe, Nemaha, Johnson, Gage, Pawnee, Saline, Seward, Saunders and Richardson Counties in Nebraska; and Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Douglas, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Washington, Wyandotte Counties in Kansas.Contributors
Nadine Bishop
Doug WhisenhuntApproval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 6/09/2025
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) Original Authors: Joseph May and Doug Whisenhunt Version V Authors: Anna Ferguson, Aaron Hird, Justin Linder, Dusty Schwandt, Doug Spencer, Chris Tecklenburg, Nadine Bishop, Jeff Nichols Contact for lead author jeffrey.nichols@usda.gov Date 11/30/2024 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
None. Rills are not expected on this site. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
None. Water flow patterns are not expected on this site. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None. Pedestals and terracettes are not expected to occur on this site. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground is 5 percent or less. Bare ground is exposed mineral soil that is not covered by vegetation (basal and/or foliar canopy), litter, standing dead vegetation, gravel/rock, and visible biological crust (e.g., lichen, mosses, algae). -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None. Gullies are not expected on this site. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. Wind scoured and/or depositional areas are not expected on this site. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
None. 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. High root content and organic matter will be present in the soil surface. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
The surface horizon (A) typically is typically 6 to 9 inches thick but may be as thin as 4 inches. Soil colors in the surface horizon are typically black, very dark grayish brown, or very dark gray (hue 10YR, value: 2 or 3, chroma: 1 or 2) when moist and black, very dark gray, or dark gray (hue: 10YR, value: 2 to 4, chroma: 1 or 2) when dry, ( Paxico series is light brownish gray when dry (10YR 6/2). Soil structure in the upper horizon is most often moderate medium granular or moderate fine subangular blocky parting to moderate medium granular but may be moderate fine granular, weak fine granular, weak medium granular or weak medium subangular blocky. See Official Soils Descriptions (OSD) for additional details. The soil series correlated to the site include Colo, Calco, Kimo, Lamo, Muscotah, Paxico, and Zook. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Plant community composition of 70 to 85 percent grasses and grass-likes, 5 to 15 percent forbs, and 0 to 5 percent shrubs will optimize infiltration on the site. The grass and grass-like portion are composed of native, perennial, warm-season, tall grasses; native, perennial, warm-season, mid grasses; native, perennial, cool-season grasses; native, perennial, warm-season, short grasses; and grass-likes. Infiltration can be adversely impacted by the invasion of Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, tall fescue, reed canary grass, and trees when present above 10 percent (subdominant designation). -
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, tall grass (3 species minimum): big bluestem, Indiangrass, prairie cordgrass, eastern gamagrass, switchgrass. Phase 1.2: 1. Native, perennial, warm-season, mid grass (1 species minimum): little bluestem, purple lovegrass, sideoats grama. 2. Native, perennial, warm-season, tall grass (3 species minimum): big bluestem, Indiangrass, prairie cordgrass, eastern gamagrass, switchgrass. Phase 1.3: 1. Native, perennial, warm-season, mid grass (1 species minimum): little bluestem, purple lovegrass, sideoats grama. 2. Native, perennial, cool-season grass (2 species minimum): Canada wildrye, slender wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, foxtail barley.Sub-dominant:
Phase 1.1: 1. Native, perennial, warm season, mid grass (1 species minimum): little bluestem, purple lovegrass, sideoats grama, composite dropseed. 2. Native forbs (6 species minimum): forbs vary from location to location. Phase 1.2: 1. Native, perennial, cool-season grass (2 species minimum): Canada wildrye, slender wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, foxtail barley. 2. Grass-likes (1 species minimum): sedges. Phase 1.3: 1. Native, perennial, warm-season, short grass (1 species minimum): blue grama, buffalograss, tumble grass. 2. Grass-likes (1 species minimum): sedges.Other:
Minor - Phase 1.1: 1. Native, perennial, cool-season grass: Canada wildrye, slender wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, foxtail barley. 2. Grass-likes: sedges. 3. Shrubs: shrubs present vary from location to location. Minor - Phase 1.2: 1. Native forbs: forbs present vary from location to location. 2. Shrubs: shrubs present vary from location to location. 3. Native, perennial, warm-season, short grass: blue grama, buffalograss, tumble grass. Minor - Phase 1.3: 1. Native, perennial, warm-season, tall grass: big bluestem, Indiangrass, prairie cordgrass, eastern gamagrass, switchgrass. 2. Non-native cool-season grass: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, smooth brome, reed canary grass, creeping foxtail. 3. Forbs: forbs present vary from location to location. 4. Shrubs: shrubs present vary from location to location. Trace - Phase 1.1: 1. Native, perennial, warm-season, short grass. Trace - Phase 1.2: 1. Non-native cool-season grass: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, smooth brome, reed canary grass, creeping foxtail.Additional:
The Reference Community (1.1) includes seven F/S groups. These groups in order of abundance are native, perennial, warm-season, tall grass; native, perennial, warm-season, mid grass; forbs; native, perennial, cool-season grass; grass-likes; shrubs; and native, perennial, warm-season, short grass. The Degraded Native Grass Community (1.2) includes eight F/S groups. These groups in order of relative abundance include native, perennial, warm-season mid grass; native, perennial, warm-season, tall grass; native, perennial cool-season grass; grass-likes; forbs; shrubs; native, perennial, warm-season, short grass; and non-native, cool-season grass. The At-Risk Community (1.2) includes eight F/S groups. These groups in order of relative abundance include native, perennial, warm-season, mid grass; native, perennial, cool-season grass; native, perennial, warm-season, short grass; grass-likes; native, perennial, warm-season, tall grass; non-native, cool-season grass; forbs; and shrubs. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
There is a diverse mixture of age classes among the plants. A few (less than 3 percent) dead centers may occur in bunchgrasses. Shrubs and trees may show some dead branches (less than 5 percent) as plants age. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Plant litter is expected to be 70 to 80 percent cover, at a depth of approximately 0.5 to 1.0 inch (1.25 to 2.5cm) and evenly distributed throughout the site. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Production is shown in air dry values. Northern portion of MLRA Representative Value (RV) = 3,800 pounds per acre. Low production years = 3,000 pounds per acre. High production years = 4,500 pounds per acre. Southern portion of MLRA Representative Value (RV) = 7,000 pounds per acre. Low production years = 5,500 pounds per acre. High production years = 8,500 pounds per acre. -
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
No non-native invasive species are present. Reed canary grass, Canada thistle, musk thistle, leafy spurge, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, cottonwood, honey locust, Siberian elm, mulberry, maple, dogwood, and sericea lespedeza are known invasives that have the potential to be dominant or co-dominant on the site. Consult the state noxious weed and state watch lists for potential invasive species on each ecological site. NOTE: Invasive plants (for the purposes of the IIRH protocol) are plant species that are typically not found on the ecological site or should only be in trace or minor categories under the natural disturbance regime and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the site if their establishment and growth are not actively controlled by natural disturbances or management interventions. Species listed characterize degraded states AND have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All perennial species exhibit high vigor relative to climatic conditions. Perennial grasses should have vigorous rhizomes or tillers; vegetative and reproductive structures are not stunted. All perennial species should be capable of reproducing annually.
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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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