Physiographic features

This site typically occurs on uplands – eolian sand plains, lake plains, and outwash plains. Some occur on till plains and lake plains mantled with eolian sands. Some areas of this site occur as small, low-relief inclusions in steeper uplands. It is in swales or on concave or linear side slopes. Parent materials are eolian sands, sandy glaciolacustrine sediments, or sandy glaciofluvial sediments; in some areas each of these parent materials have an underlying parent material, either of till or of glaciolacustrine sediments containing more silt and clay. Slopes range from 0 to 6 percent.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

MLRA 55A is considered to have a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are common and characteristic of MLRA 55A. The continental climate is the result of the location of this MLRA in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains, so air masses move unobstructed across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.
 
The average annual precipitation is 17 to 19 inches (432 to 483 millimeters). The normal average annual temperature is 36⁰ to 41⁰ F (2⁰ to 5⁰ C). January is the coldest month with an average low temperature of about ⁻ 3⁰ F (⁻19⁰ C). July is the warmest month with an average high temperature of about 80⁰ F (27⁰ C).
 
About 75 percent of the rainfall occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms during the growing season. Winter precipitation is typically snow. The annual snowfall is 25 to 50 inches (635 to 1,270 millimeters). The frost-free period averages 101 days and ranges from 108 days to 92 days. The freeze-free period averages 124 days and ranges from 128 to 119 days.
 
Growth of native cool-season plants begins in mid-April and continues to mid-July. Native warm-season plants begin growth in late May and continue to the end of August. Green-up of cool-season plants can occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.

Long-term climate data is lacking for Turtle Mountain; however, annual precipitation for the International Peace Garden averaged 27.7 inches (704 millimeters) from 1967-1970 while that for Boissevain, Manitoba averaged 17.1 inches (434 millimeters). Turtle Mountain likely has greater precipitation, cooler temperatures and less evapotranspiration than the adjacent plains.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Climate stations used

• (1) DRAKE 9 NE [USC00322304], Drake, ND

• (2) EDMORE 1NW [USC00322525], Edmore, ND

• (3) MINOT EXP STN [USC00325993], Minot, ND

• (4) TOWNER 2 NE [USC00328792], Towner, ND

• (5) WILLOW CITY [USC00329445], Willow City, ND

• (6) DEVILS LAKE KDLR [USW00014912], Devils Lake, ND

• (7) UPHAM 3 N [USC00328913], Upham, ND

• (8) MINOT INTL AP [USW00024013], Minot, ND

• (9) BOTTINEAU [USC00320941], Bottineau, ND

• (10) GRANVILLE [USC00323686], Granville, ND

• (11) LANGDON EXP FARM [USC00324958], Langdon, ND

• (12) LEEDS [USC00325078], Leeds, ND

• (13) VELVA 3NE [USC00328990], Velva, ND

• (14) WESTHOPE [USC00329333], Westhope, ND

• (15) HANSBORO 4 NNE [USC00323963], Hansboro, ND

• (16) MOHALL [USC00326025], Mohall, ND

• (17) ROLLA 1NE [USC00327664], Rolla, ND

• (18) RUGBY [USC00327704], Rugby, ND

• (19) CROSBY [USC00321871], Crosby, ND

• (20) BOWBELLS [USC00320961], Bowbells, ND

Influencing water features

Under normal climatic conditions, this site receives additional water from a seasonal high water table. The duration of the water table can be prolonged in some soils due a loamy substratum layer which perches some water in the lower root zone and also contributes to lateral flow from surrounding uplands. During the growing season, water table depths typically are 3 to 5 feet during April through June. It commonly lowers to 4 to 6 feet during mid-summer through autumn. Surface infiltration is rapid or very rapid. Saturated hydraulic conductivity through the profile typically is high. In soils with a loamy substratum, the saturated hydraulic conductivity is moderately high in that layer. Water loss is primarily through evapotranspiration. During mid-summer, percolation below the root zone may also occur.

Due to the low relief landscape that typically surrounds this site, additional water received as runoff from adjacent uplands is not a major factor in the soil/hydrology/plant relationship.

Soil features

Soils associated with Subirrigated Sands ES are in the Mollisol and Entisol orders. The Mollisols are classified further as Oxyaquic Hapludolls. The Entisols are classified further as Aquic Udipsamments. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed in glaciolacustrine sediments, glaciofluvial deposits, eolian sands, or eolian deposits over till or glacial lacustrine sediments.

The common features of soils in this site are coarse textures to a depth of greater than 20 inches and a seasonal water table which is moderately high contributing additional water for transpiration. The soils are moderately well drained – redoximorphic features are visible at a depth of 3 to 3.5 feet. These soils are very deep, some have a loamy substratum within a depth of 20 to 60 inches. Most soils in this site have less than 5 percent gravel, but some have as much as 15 percent in the upper 3 feet and as much as 35 percent in the lower substratum.

Soil salinity and sodicity are typically none in the sandy materials; where a loamy substratum occurs, the salinity is very slight (E.C. 2 - <4) and sodicity is low. Soil reaction typically is slightly acid to slightly alkaline (pH 6.1 to 7.8) in the sandy materials; however, a few soils have lower subsoils which are moderately alkaline (pH 7.9 to 8.4) due to calcium carbonate accumulation. Where a loamy substratum occurs, it is slightly to moderately alkaline (pH 7.4 to 8.4). The calcium carbonate content is none to low in the upper part of the soil, but in some soils increases to as much as 30 percent at a depth greater than 2 feet.

This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestaled plants. No water flow paths are seen on this site. The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers are non-restrictive to water movement and root penetration. These soils are susceptible to wind erosion. Loss of the soil surface layer can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.

Major soil series correlated to the Subirrigated Sands site are: Aylmer, Falsen , Hecla, Towner (moderately well drained phase), and Walum.

Access Web Soil Survey (https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx) for specific local soils information.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

Landscape

The MLRA 55A landscape is characterized by mostly nearly level to gently rolling till plains with some steep slopes adjacent to streams. The MLRA includes areas of kettle holes, kames, and moraines. MLRA 55A is considered to have a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are common and characteristic of MLRA 55A. This area supports mid- to tall-grass prairie vegetation with quaking aspen, bur oak, green ash, and willow species growing on the higher elevations in Turtle Mountain, on moraines in proximity south of Devils Lake, Pembina River Gorge, and various drainageways throughout the MLRA. Numerous depressional wetlands are ringed with quaking aspen. Complex, intermingled ecological sites create diverse grass/shrub land habitats interspersed with varying densities of linear, slope, depressional, and in-stream wetlands associated with headwater streams and tributaries of the Mouse and Pembina Rivers. MLRA 55A is located entirely within North Dakota and within the boundaries of the Prairie Pothole Region. The primary land use is cropland. Glacial Lake Souris and the Devils Lake Basin are known for exceptional fertility with major crops including corn, canola, soybeans, corn, and small grains. Together, these two areas make up 73% of the MLRA (Glacial Lake Souris 5500 mi2, 43%; and the Devils Lake Basin 3810 mi2, 30%).

Turtle Mountain (1000 mi2 of which 405 mi2 are found in America), in the north-central part of the MLRA on the Canadian border, is approximately 1,950 to 2,550 feet (595 to 775 meters) in elevation, rising approximately 600 to 800 feet (150 meters) above the adjacent till plain. Home to an extensive forest of quaking aspen, bur oak, green ash, and willows, it has an understory of beaked hazel, with associates of chokecherry, Saskatchewan serviceberry, downy arrowwood, and rose. Turtle Mountain comprises the largest area of quaking aspen forest in North Dakota.

The Pembina Escarpment extends from the Canadian border southeast to Walhalla where the Pembina River enters the floor of the Red River Valley in MLRA 56. Mainly found on steep slopes along the Pembina River, the Pembina Gorge is in a rugged and sheltered setting with bur oak, green ash, cottonwood, and American elm. Encompassing approximately 12,500 acres, the Pembina Gorge is one of the largest uninterrupted blocks of woodlands in North Dakota. This segment of the Pembina River is the longest segment of unaltered river valley in the North Dakota.

Two major Hydrologic Unit Areas make up this MLRA. 56% of the MLRA drains into the Mouse (also known as Souris) River while 44% drains into the Red River via the Pembina or into Devils Lake (out-letting to Sheyenne River via a pump, pipeline, canal system). The North Dakota portion of the Mouse River watershed is in this MLRA. The Mouse River basin drains nearly 23,600 square miles and has a long history of flooding.

By the mid-19th century, over 75% of the MLRA had been converted from mid- to tall-grass prairie or woodland to annual crop production. To alleviate crop production loss from wetlands and overland flow, a system of shallow surface ditches, judicial ditches, and road ditches removes surface water in spring and during high rainfall events. Tile drainage systems have been or are being installed extensively throughout MLRA 55A for sub-surface field drainage to enhance annual crop production.

Historic Communities/Conditions within MLRA 55A:

The northern tall- and mixed-grass prairie along with the quaking aspen forest were disturbance-driven ecosystems with fire, herbivory, and climate functions as the primary ecological drivers - either singly or often in combination. American bison roamed MLRA 55A wintering along the Mouse River and migrating through MLRA 55A into MLRAs 56 and 55B. Many species of grassland birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, elk, moose, pronghorn and large herds of American bison were historically among the inhabitants adapted to this region. Roaming herbivores, as well as several small mammal and insect species, were the primary consumers linking the grassland resources to large predators such as the wolf, American black bear, grizzly bear, and smaller carnivores such as the coyote, bobcat, red fox, and raptors. Extirpated species include free-ranging American bison and gray wolf (breeding). Extinct is the Rocky Mountain locust.

Present Communities/Conditions within MLRA 55A:

This area supports natural prairie vegetation characterized by western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, needle and thread, and blue grama. Little bluestem is an important species on the more sloping and shallower soils. Prairie cordgrass, northern reedgrass, big bluestem, and wheat sedge are important species on wet soils. Western snowberry, leadplant, and prairie rose are commonly interspersed throughout the area. Native forests occur in Turtle Mountain, Pembina Gorge, moraines south of Devils Lake, woody draws, scattered tracts along the Mouse River, and in the sand dunes in west central region of the MLRA.

Over 75% of MLRA 55A has been converted to annual crop production. European influence has impacted remaining grassland, forestland, and shrubland by domestic livestock grazing, elimination of fire, tree harvest, removal of surface and subsurface hydrology via artificial drainage, and other anthropogenic factors influencing plant community composition and abundance.

Hydrological manipulation is extensive throughout the MLRA. Extensive wetland and subsurface tile drainage have taken place. Ephemeral and intermittent streams and the Mouse River have been straightened - removing sinuosity, creating isolated oxbows, and converting riparian zones to annual crop production. These anthropogenic impacts have reduced flood water detention and retention on the landscape. The results have been increasing storm water runoff sediment and nutrient loading impacting the Mouse and Des Lacs Rivers and their tributaries along with Devils Lake and other lakes within the MLRA. The installation of instream structures has reduced aquatic species movement within the MLRA. Two large dams in Saskatchewan, Canada (Rafferty on the Mouse River and the Alameda on Moose Mountain Creek, a major tributary to the Mouse River) were built, in part, to reduce flood peaks on the Mouse River. In addition, three USFWS National Wildlife Refuges were created by building two low-head dams on the Mouse River and one on the Des Lacs River in North Dakota. Numerous low-head dams are located on the Mouse and Des Lacs Rivers in North Dakota. The Eaton Irrigation Project low-head dam, located in the vicinity of Towner, North Dakota, provides flood irrigation to approximately 6,700 acres of hayland and pastureland.

The loss of the American bison and fire, as primary ecological drivers, greatly influenced the character of the remaining native plant communities and the associated wildlife moving towards a less diverse and more homogeneous landscape. Annual cropping is the main factor contributing to habitat fragmentation, reducing habitat quality for area-sensitive species. These influences fragmented the landscape, reduced or eliminated ecological drivers (fire), and introduced exotic species including smooth brome, Kentucky bluegrass, and leafy spurge further impacting plant and animal communities.

Included in this MLRA are over 121,000 acres of National Wildlife Refuges and over 77,000 acres of waterfowl production areas owned and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. White Horse Hill National Game Preserve is a 1,674-acre national wildlife refuge sitting on the south shores of Devils Lake, about 10 miles south of the city of Devils Lake. Numerous state-owned parks, state wildlife management areas, North Dakota Forest Service and Department of Trust Lands are found in the MLRA. Wakopa Wildlife Management Area is the largest WMA covering approximately 6,739 acres.

Some characteristic wildlife species in this area are:

Birds: Common loon, common goldeye, bufflehead, ruffed grouse, broad-winged hawk, alder flycatcher, mourning warbler, mallard, blue-winged teal, red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, killdeer, eastern and western kingbird, American crow, common yellowthroat, clay-colored sparrow, vesper sparrow, red-necked grebe, Savannah sparrow, downy and hairy woodpeckers, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, and brown-headed cowbird.

Mammals: Northern short-tailed shrew, water shrew, beaver, muskrat, mink, long-tailed weasel, American martin, fisher, white-tailed jackrabbit, snowshoe hare, Franklin’s ground squirrel, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, northern pocket gopher, plains pocket gopher, western harvest mouse, deer mouse, meadow vole, meadow jumping mouse, western jumping mouse, coyote, red fox, racoon, American badger, striped skunk, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and woodchuck, red squirrel, porcupine, and northern flying squirrel.

Reptiles/Amphibians: American toad, Great Plains toad, northern leopard frog, chorus frog, tiger salamander, plains garter snake, smooth green snake, wood frog, and common garter snake.

Presence of wildlife species is often determined by ecological site characteristics including grass and forb species, tree and shrub species, hydrology, aspect, and other associated ecological sites. The home ranges of a majority species are usually larger than one ecological site or are dependent on more than one ecological site for annual life requisites. Ecological sites offer different habitat elements as the annual life requisites change. Habitat improvement and creation must be conducted within the mobility limits of a known population for the species.

Insects play an important role providing ecological services for plant community development. Insects that are scavengers or aid in decomposition provide the food chain baseline sustaining the carnivorous insects feeding upon them. Many insects provide the ecological services necessary for pollination, keeping plant communities healthy and productive. Insects provide a protein food source for numerous species including grassland-nesting birds, woodpeckers, woodland edge and interior species and their young. Extensive use of insecticides for specialty crops such as soybeans, corn, and other crops has greatly reduced insects within this MLRA.

Species of Concern within MLRA 55A:

The following is a list of species considered “species of conservation priority” in the North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2015) and “species listed as threatened, endangered, or petitioned” under the Endangered Species Act within MLRA 55A at the time this section was developed:

Invertebrates: Dakota skipper, monarch butterfly, and regal fritillary. Within the MLRA, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service lists 5 areas (in Rolette and McHenry Counties) as critical habitat for the Dakota skipper.

Birds: American avocet, American bittern, American kestrel, American white pelican, Baird’s sparrow, bald eagle, black tern, black-billed cuckoo, bobolink, canvasback, chestnut-collard longspur, ferruginous hawk, Franklin’s gull, grasshopper sparrow, horned grebe, LeConte’s sparrow, lesser scaup, loggerhead shrike, marbled godwit, Nelson’s sparrow, northern harrier, northern pintail, piping plover, sharp-tailed grouse, short-eared owl, Sprague’s pipit, Swainson’s hawk, upland sandpiper, western meadowlark, whooping crane, willet, Wilson’s phalarope, and yellow rail.

Mammals: American martin, Arctic shrew, big brown bat, gray fox, little brown bat, northern long-eared bat, plains pocket mouse, pygmy shrew, Richardson’s ground squirrel, river otter, and Townsend’s big-eared bat.

Amphibians/Reptiles: Canadian toad, common snapping turtle, plains hog-nosed snake, and smooth green snake.

Fish: Finescale dace, hornyhead chub, largescale stoneroller, logperch, northern pearl dace, and trout-perch.

Mussels: Black sandshell, creek heelsplitter, creeper, mapleleaf, and pink heelsplitter.

Grassland and Woodland Management for Wildlife in the MLRA 55A

Management activities within the community phase pathways impact wildlife but are essential for maintenance of healthy grassland ecosystems. Community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways are keys to long-term management within each State and between States. Timing, intensity, and frequency of these inputs can have dramatic positive or negative effects on local wildlife species. Ranchers and other land managers must always consider the long-term beneficial management effects of grassland and woodland resources in comparison to typically short-term negative effects to the habitats of individual species.

Ecological sites occur as intermingled complexes on the landscape with gradual or sometimes abrupt transitions. Rarely do ecological sites exist in large enough acreage to manage independently for wildlife. Conversion to annual cropping and fragmentation due to transportation and electrical transmission corridors and to rural housing are main causes of fragmentation. This MLRA supports ecological sites that are dominated by woody vegetation and can be located adjacent to ecological sites that support tall- to mid-statured grasses (Thin Loamy/Shallow Loamy) or are adjacent to ecological sites that support wetland vegetation (Shallow Marsh and Wet Meadow).

Management of these ecological site complexes challenges managers to properly manage the entire landscape. A management strategy for one ecological site may negatively impact an adjacent site. For example, grazing Upland Hardwood Forest ecological sites along with herbaceous dominated Loamy Overflow ecological sites may degrade one site by under-use, favoring woody vegetation or increasing exotic cool-season grasses.

Life requisites and habitat deficiencies are determined for targeted species. Deficiencies need to be addressed along community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways as presented in specific state-and-transition models. Ecological sites should be managed and restored within the site’s capabilities to provide sustainable habitat for targeted species or species guilds. Managers also need to consider vegetative associations provided by adjacent/intermingled ecological sites for species with home ranges or life requisites that may not be provided by one ecological site. Understanding specific grassland species’ sensitivity to woody encroachment and preferred vegetative structure enables managers to determine which grassland-nesting bird species will avoid grassland habitats adjacent to Upland Hardwood Forest or Loamy Savanna ecological sites or woody dominated, Plant Community Phase 5, Loamy ecological site.

Many passerine species utilize MLRA 55A as a major migratory travel corridor. Grassland species sensitive to woody associations during nesting and brooding may utilize the woodier fragmented sites such as the Wooded State 5.0 in the Loamy ecological site during migration.

Grassland-nesting birds use various grass heights for breeding, nesting, foraging, or winter habitat. While most species use varying heights, many have a preferred vegetative stature height or sensitivity to woody vegetation. Understanding the sensitivity of grassland species to woody vegetation and preferred vegetative structure enables managers to determine which grassland-nesting bird species avoid grassland habitats adjacent to Upland Hardwood Forest or Loamy Savanna ecological sites. The following chart provides sensitivity to woody vegetation and preferred vegetative stature heights.




Grassland-nesting
Bird Species Preferred Vegetative Stature Avoids woody vegetation*
Short < 6 inches Medium 6 - 12 inches Tall >12 inches
Baird's sparrow x x x
Bobolink x x x
Brewer's sparrow x x
Burrowing owl x x
Chestnut-collared longspur x x x
Common yellowthroat x
Dickcissel x x
Ferruginous hawk x x
Grasshopper sparrow x x x
Horned lark x x
Killdeer x x
Lark bunting x x
Lark sparrow x
Le Conte's sparrow x x
Long-bill curlew x x
Marbled godwit x x x
McCown's longspur x x x
Mountain plover x x
Nelson's sparrow x x
Nesting waterfowl x x
Northern harrier x x x
Savannah sparrow x x x
Short-eared owl x x x
Sprague's pipit x x x
Upland sandpiper x x x
Western meadowlark x x
Willet x x x
*Many of the listed species avoid nesting in grassland areas with large amounts of woody vegetation within a grassland or avoid nesting near woody vegetation in adjacent habitats. Although these species avoid areas with woody vegetation, most can tolerate a small amount of woody vegetation within areas dominated by grassland habitat, including short-statured shrubs (e.g., sagebrush, western snowberry) in this MLRA.


Subirrigated Sands Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Subirrigated Sands ecological sites are very deep, moderately well drained, coarse textured soils, found in swales and on concave or linear side slopes on low relief eolian sand plains, lake plains, and outwash plains, as well as on till plains and lake plains mantled with eolian sands. This site has a persistent water table strongly influencing vegetation production. This site does not have any salinity and sodicity limiting plant stature. Associated ecological sites include Limy Subirrigated, Subirrigated, Choppy Sands, Sands, and Wet Meadow.

Subirrigated Sands habitat features, components, and associated ecological sites provide habitat for many edge-sensitive grassland bird species preferring medium- to tall-statured vegetation. Insects rely on associated forbs and grasses for survival and serve as food sources for birds and their young, and forage for small and large herbivores.

Subirrigated sands ecological sites may be found in four plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Invaded State, and 4.0 Go-Back State) within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases exist within this ecological site. Today, these states occur primarily in response to drought, fire, grazing, non-use (lack of management), and other anthropogenic disturbances.

Because there is no known restoration pathway from State 2.0 to State 1.0, it is important to intensively manage using tools in State 1.0 and State 2.0 Community Phase Pathways to prevent further plant community degradation along the T2A Transitional Pathway to State 3.0. Native wildlife generally benefits from the heterogeneous grasslands found in States 1.0 and 2.0 that include diverse grass and forb species of varying stature and density. As plant communities degrade within State 2.0, Kentucky bluegrass increases while native forbs are reduced. When Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30%, the site transitions to 3.0 Invaded State. This transition results in reduced stature and increased plant community homogeneity. When adjacent and/or intermingled ecological sites undergo the same transition, the result can be an expansive, homogenous landscape.

Success along Restoration Pathway R3A from State 3.0 to State 2.0 is very difficult and is dependent upon presence of a remnant native grass population and intensive management. This concept also applies to wildlife as the target species must either be present on adjacent State 1.0 or State 2.0 plant communities or other ecological sites within the mobility limits of the species. Species with limited mobility, such as Dakota skippers, must exist near the plant community to utilize restored sites. Mobile species such as grassland-nesting birds can easily locate isolated, restored plant communities.

Plant Community Phase 3.1 show dramatic increased homogeneity of exotic cool-season grasses and further reduction in native forbs. Reduced forb diversity limits insect populations, negatively affecting foraging opportunities for grassland-nesting birds. Increased exotic grass litter can limit access to bare ground by nesting insects and can limit mobility by small chicks. A homogenous grassland landscape does not provide quality escape or winter cover. As a result, many species are not able to meet life requisites, especially over-wintering species.

Management along community phase, transition, or restoration pathways should focus upon attainable changes. Short- and long-term monetary costs must be evaluated against short- and long-term ecological services in creating and maintaining habitat of sufficient quality to support a sustainable population density.

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Big Bluestem-Needlegrass: This plant community offers excellent vegetative cover for wildlife and every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This phase retains high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing (with adequate recovery period) as well as prescribed fire. Prescribed fire maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. Predominance of grass species in this community favors grazers and mixed-feeders (animals selecting grasses as well as forbs and shrubs). The structural diversity provides habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident birds.

Invertebrates: Insects play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, reptiles, and rodents. Ecological services, historically provided by bison, are simulated by domestic livestock. These services include putting plant material and dung in contact with mineral soil to be used by lower trophic level consumers such as invertebrate decomposers, scavengers, shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal-feeders.

Dakota skippers do not prefer this site since preferred forb species are absent. Regal fritillary do not prefer this site since violet species are absent for larval food. Monarch butterfly may use flowering forbs on this site; milkweed species are generally not available for caterpillar food. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs as a nectar source. This site has minimal bare ground, providing limited nesting sites for ground nesting bee species. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods, as well as prescribed fire, to maintain the 1.1 phase will have long term positive effects on ground dwelling insects.

Birds: This plant community provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by mid- to tallgrass-nesting birds. Prescribed fire maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. This plant community does not provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites, unless grazed, but does provide nesting habitat and brood-rearing, escape, and winter cover. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, rodents, jackrabbits, elk, and white-tailed deer. Tall- to mid-statured vegetation provides excellent food and thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site provides high quality food, foraging, and dispersal habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad since this site is frequently near Wet Meadow ecological sites. Herbaceous vegetation may be too dense or tall for the plains hog-nosed snake and northern prairie skink decreasing sunlight penetration needed to temperature regulation.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site can be located adjacent to streams, rivers, or water bodies, but is more commonly near Wet Meadow ecological sites (temporary wetland). This site receives limited run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and provides hydrology to Limy Subirrigated ecological sites. Management on Subirrigated Sands sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, can have a direct effect on aquatic species found in temporary wetlands while having an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from adjacent sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to the adjacent aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2: Needlegrasses-Prairie Sandreed-Sand Dropseed: This plant community phase develops through heavy season-long grazing with or without drought conditions via Community Phase Pathway 1.1A. Forbs, such as goldenrod, Cuman ragweed, and heath aster increase but overall diversity does not increase.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. Overall diversity of pollinating plants has not increased; however, an increase in late-season bloom period species provide increased pollen and nectar sources for insects late into the growing season. Bare ground increases due to increase in needlegrasses and sand dropseed providing more opportunity for grounds nesting bees.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, ground nesting species may increase with the increase of bunch grasses such as needlegrasses and sand dropseed.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Big Bluestem-Needlegrasses: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1, due to changes in management and the presence of exotic, cool-season grasses. The threshold between States 1.0 and 2.0 is crossed when exotic cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, bromegrass, and quackgrass become established. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Plant Community 1.1, except that it has a minor amount of cool-season exotic grasses and forbs. This phase functions at a high level for native wildlife; therefore, managers should consider management within the State 2.0 Community Phase Pathways to avoid transitioning to State 3.0.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 2.2 Needlegrasses-Prairie Sandreed-Sand Dropseed: Heavy, continuous season-long grazing or continuous seasonal grazing without adequate recovery periods along Community Phase Pathway 2.1A reduces tall, warm-season grasses. The reduction of vigor of warm-season grasses allows for the increase in Kentucky bluegrass and other exotic grasses, the decrease in some native forbs, and an increase in western snowberry. Initiating prescribed grazing and prescribed fire via Community Pathway 2.2A can move this plant community back to 2.1 Big Bluestem-Needlegrass.

This community phase is often found in a mosaic in the pasture in an overgrazed/undergrazed pattern typical of properly stocked pastures grazed season-long. Some areas will be impacted by heavy use while other areas will have a build-up of litter and a high amount of plant decadence. This mosaic of grazed and ungrazed areas provides a short to tall vegetative stature.

Invertebrates: Increased grazing pressure reduces litter amount while increasing grazing tolerant exotic species such as Kentucky bluegrass. Kentucky bluegrass can increase to as much as 30 percent of the community by weight causing a reduction in bare ground - reducing habitat for ground nesting insects. Grazing tolerant, late season forbs have increased such as Cuman ragweed, goldenrods, and white heath aster providing additional late season pollen and nectar sources. However, overall diversity of forbs may decrease. An increase in shrubs, such as western snowberry, provides an excellent late spring pollen and nectar source.

Birds: Dependent upon the abundance of Kentucky bluegrass, the shift to short- to mid-grass statured vegetation favors grassland nesting birds preferring short to medium vegetative stature. Depending on the patch size of overgrazed vs. undergrazed areas, grassland nesting birds preferring short/mid-vegetative stature may prefer this plant community phase. The presence and density of western snowberry should not negatively impact grassland-nesting bird species intolerant to woody vegetation. The loss of bluestem limits nesting opportunities for grassland nesting birds preferring tall structure.

Mammals: The shift to shorter statured grasses reduces habitat for large ungulates such as white-tailed deer. Dependent upon the amount of western snowberry, white-tailed deer browse and habitat may increase.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

3.0 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1 Exotic Grasses/Shrubs/Forbs: Extended periods of non-use or very light grazing and no fire (via Transitional Pathway T2A) allows Kentucky bluegrass, bromegrass, and/quackgrass to become a major component on this site. Warm-season, native grasses may still be present but with reduced vigor and numbers. Restoration via Restoration Pathway R3A includes high levels of long-term prescribed grazing with prescribed burning. Remnant populations of native grasses are required to successfully initiate this restoration pathway. This plant community is resistant to change; time and extensive resources will be needed to accomplish significant change. Managers need to evaluate impacts to wildlife while implementing these management practices. Intensified management along the R3A Pathway will have significant short-term negative impacts on wildlife habitat; however, this is necessary to restore long-term native habitat functions.

Invertebrates: The invasion of Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass, and western snowberry and the loss of bluestems reduces or eliminates habitat for invertebrate species of concern within MLRA 55A. Season-long pollen and nectar availability remains relatively stable as western snowberry, prairie rose, and willows provide some early- to mid-season bloom period nectar and pollen. Forbs, such as goldenrod and heath aster, provide late season pollen and nectar opportunities. Overall, pollinator plant diversity is lower than State 1.0, limiting season-long nectar and pollen production. Litter and thatch levels are high limiting bare ground for ground-nesting bee species. Common forbs include white sagebrush, white heath aster, goldenrod, Cuman ragweed, and prairie clover. Common shrubs may include western snowberry, prairie rose, and prairie willow.

Birds: Dependent upon the density of western snowberry, grassland nesting birds sensitive to woody vegetation encroachment may not tolerate this plant community phase. The tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass to “lay down” limits habitat for grassland nesting birds.

Mammals: Western snowberry density may provide increased year-round cover and browse for white-tailed deer. Due to increased litter, small mammal cover is good.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This site no longer provides life requisites for the northern prairie skink and plains hog-nosed snake due to the dominance of exotic grass species and western snowberry.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

State 4: Go-Back State

Community Phase 4.1 Annual/Pioneer Perennial/Exotics: These plant communities are the result of severe soil disturbance such as cropping, recreational activity, or concentrated livestock activity for a prolonged time. Following cessation of disturbances, the resulting plant community is dominated by early pioneer annual and perennial plant species. Plant species composition and production are highly variable. Weedy plants can provide pollinator habitat along with spring and summer cover for many mammals and birds and their young. Dense weed cover can keep soils moist, increasing the presence of insects. Milkweed can be an early pioneering pollinator species and host plant for monarch butterflies. Tall stature provided by some annual weeds offers thermal cover and seeds throughout winter for deer, small mammals and over-wintering birds. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon plant community composition, vegetative stature, patch size, and management activities (such as prescribed grazing, burning, inter-seeding, haying, or noxious weed control).

Successful restoration of native species along Transition Pathway R4A can result in a native grass and forb community in Native/Invaded State 2.0. Over time, with no management, the exotic cool-season perennial grasses Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and/or quackgrass generally become established and dominate the community. Failed native grass seeding, via Transition Pathway R4B, can result in an invaded plant community Invaded State 3.0.

Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations
This site is well adapted to managed grazing by domestic livestock. The predominance of herbaceous plants across all plant community phases best lends these sites to grazing by cattle, but other domestic grazers with differing diet preferences may also be a consideration depending upon management objectives. Often, the current plant community does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in the ecological site description). Because of this, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. Proper interpretation of this inventory data will permit the establishment of a safe, initial stocking rate for the type and class of animals and level of grazing management. More accurate stocking rate estimates should eventually be calculated using actual stocking rate information and monitoring data.

Grazing levels are noted within the plant community narratives and pathways in reference to prescribed grazing management. “Degree of utilization” is defined as the proportion of the current year’s forage production that is consumed and/or destroyed by grazing animals (may refer to a single plant species or a portion or all the vegetation). “Grazing utilization” is classified as slight, moderate, full, close, and severe (see the following table for description of each grazing use category). The following utilization levels are also described in the Ranchers Guide to Grassland Management IV. Utilization levels are determined by using the landscape appearance method as outlined in the Interagency Technical Reference “Utilization Studies and Residual Measurements” 1734-3.

Hydrological functions

Water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site as the water table drops after the early growing season. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic groups A and B. Infiltration varies from moderately rapid to rapid; runoff potential varies from very low to low for this site depending on hydrologic group, surface texture, slope percent, and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception would be where shortgrasses form a dense sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% 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

Hunting and bird watching: Over 121,000 acres of National Wildlife Refuges and over 77,000 acres of waterfowl production areas owned and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service are available for public hunting, hiking, and bird watching. Thousands of acres of state wildlife management areas, North Dakota Forest Service and Department of Trust Lands are found in the MLRA. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department manages the Wakopa Wildlife Management (WMA) area located on the east side of the Turtle Mountains. This WMA is the main destination for ruffed grouse hunting opportunities within the MLRA and all of North Dakota. Numerous other WMAs are found within this MLRA.

Camping: Lake Metigoshe State Park was constructed in the 1930s and is a popular year-round vacation spot in North Dakota. The park has both modern and primitive camping, as well as picnicking areas. There are group dormitories, kitchen and meeting facilities, and year-round cabins available for rent. The park provides hiking, biking, birding, canoeing, and wildlife viewing. Limited, primitive camping is available on wildlife management areas and North Dakota Forest Service lands.

Recreation: The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area encompasses over 2,800 acres of public land in the Pembina River Gorge. Steep valley cliffs towering over small, isolated prairies and pocketed wetlands surrounded by the largest continuous, undisturbed forest in North Dakota provides opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, wildlife observing, birding and downhill and cross-country skiing. 30 miles of trails provide snowmobiling, mountain biking, and off-highway vehicles (OHV) opportunities. The Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area is located six miles northwest of Bottineau. This recreation area has over 12 miles of trails open to hiking, biking, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and OHV's.

International Peace Garden: The International Peace Garden is a 2,339-acre botanical garden commemorating peace between the United States and Canada along the world's longest unfortified border. It blooms with more than 155,000 flowers and showcases the Peace Chapel, Peace Towers, and Floral Clock.

Other information

Site Development and Testing Plan
• Further evaluation and refinement of the State-and-Transition model may be needed to identify disturbance driven dynamics. Additional states and/or phases may be required to address grazing response.
• Further documentation may be needed for plant communities in all states. Plant data has been collected in previous range-site investigations, including clipping data; however, this data needs review. If geo-referenced sites meeting Tier 3 standards for either vegetative or soil data are not available, representative sites will be selected for further investigation.
• Site concepts will be refined as the above noted investigations are completed.
• The long-term goal is to complete an approved, correlated Ecological Site Description as defined by the National Ecological Site Handbook.

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS and other federal/state agency clipping and inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. All descriptions were peer reviewed and/or field-tested by various private, state and federal agency specialists.

Other references

Bluemle. J.P. 1985. Geology of Bottineau County, North Dakota. North Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 78-Part I. 57 pages. Available at https://www.dmr.nd.gov/ndgs/documents/outofprint/Bulletins/Bulletin%2078.pdf

Bluemle, J.P. 2015. Turtle Mountain. North Dakota Geology- the work of John Bluemle Ph.D. Available at http://johnbluemle.com/21-mountainous-areas-of-nd-turtle-mountain/

Dix, R.L. and F.E. Smeins. 1967. The Prairie, Meadow, and Marsh Vegetation of Nelson County, North Dakota. Canadian Journal of Botany 45:21-57.

Dyke, S.R., S.K. Johnson, and P.T. Isakson. 2015. North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan. North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Bismarck, ND. 468 pages.

Eilers, R.G., L.A. Hopkins, and R.E. Smith. 1978. Soils of the Boissevain-Melita Area. Manitoba Soil Survey Report No. 20, Manitoba Department of Agriculture. Available at http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/publications/surveys/mb/mb20/mb20_report.pdf

Grant, T.A. and R.K. Murphy. 2005. Changes on woodland cover on prairie refuges in North Dakota, USA. Natural Areas Journal 25:359-368.

Higgins, K.F. 1984. Lightning fires in grasslands in North Dakota and in pine-savanna lands in nearby South Dakota and Montana. J. Range Manage. 37:100-103.

Higgins, K.F. 1986. Interpretation and compendium of historical fire accounts in the northern great plains. United States Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Resource Publication 161. 39 pages.

High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska, 830728 Chase Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728. (http://hprcc.unl.edu)

Johnson, Sandra. 2015. Reptiles and Amphibians of North Dakota. North Dakota Game and Fish Department. 64 pages.

Knudson, W. and R. L. Post. 1963. Butterflies of Bottineau County. 29 pages.

Lemke, Richard W., Geology of the Souris River Area North Dakota Geological Survey, Professional Paper, 325 pp. Prepared as a part of a program of the Department of the Interior for development of the Missouri River Basin United States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC:1960.

North Dakota Division of Tourism, Accessed on February 25, 2019. Available at https://www.ndtourism.com/sports-recreation

North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, Accessed on February 25, 2019. Available at http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/recreationareas/recreationareas.html

Royer, R. A., 2003. Butterflies of North Dakota: An Atlas and Guide. Minot State University, Minot, ND.

Seabloom, R. 2011. Mammals of North Dakota. North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies, Fargo, ND. 461 pages.

Severson, K. E. and C. Hull Sieg. 2006. The Nature of Eastern North Dakota: Pre-1880 Historical Ecology. North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies.

USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, 101 SW Main, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204-3224. (http://wcc.nrcs.usda.gov)

USDA, NRCS. National Range and Pasture Handbook, September 1997

USDA, NRCS. National Soil Information System, Information Technology Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526. (http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov)

USDA, NRCS. National Water and Climate Center, 101 SW Main, Suite 1600, Portland, OR 97204-3224. (http://wcc.nrcs.usda.gov)

USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

USDA, NRCS, Various Published Soil Surveys.

Contributors

Dr. Chuck Lura
Alan Gulsvig
Jeffrey Printz
David Dewald
Mark Hayek
Chris Tecklenburg

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 5/09/2025