Physiographic features

This site occurs on uplands – typically on sandy lake plains and deltas and on glacial lake beaches and beach ridges. The parent materials are coarse textured to a depth of 20 inches or more. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

MLRA 56A is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and relatively hot summers, low to moderate humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature may also abound. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location near the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains and air masses move freely across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.

Annual precipitation typically ranges from 18 to 23 inches per year. The average annual temperature is about 40°F. January is the coldest month with average temperatures ranging from about 1°F (Pembina, North Dakota (ND) to about 11°F (Wheaton, Minnesota (MN). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 68°F (Pembina, ND) to about 73°F (Wheaton, MN). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 65°F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this area's climate. Winds are estimated to average about 13 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 15 miles per hour during the spring to about 11 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.

Growth of cool season plants begins in early to mid-March, slowing or ceasing in late June. Warm season plants begin growth about mid-May and continue to early or mid-September. Greening up of cool season plants may occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Climate stations used

• (1) VICTOR 4 NNE [USC00398652], Rosholt, SD

• (2) PARK RIVER [USC00326857], Park River, ND

• (3) GRAFTON [USC00323594], Grafton, ND

• (4) WHEATON [USC00218907], Wheaton, MN

• (5) AGASSIZ REFUGE [USC00210050], Grygla, MN

• (6) PEMBINA [USW00014924], Pembina, ND

Influencing water features

This site does not receive significant additional water, either as runoff from adjacent slopes or from a seasonal high-water table. Depth to the water table exceeds 4 feet in the spring and commonly exceeds 6 feet in the summer months. Surface infiltration is moderately rapid to very rapid. Permeability through the profile is rapid or very rapid in the sandy materials; where a contrasting texture is present below a depth 20 inches, it is moderately slow to moderate in that layer. Water loss is through percolation below the root zone and through evapotranspiration.

Soil features

Soils associated with Sands ES are in the Mollisol and Entisol orders. The Mollisols are classified further as Calcic Hapludolls and Entic Hapludolls. The Entisols are classified further as Typic Udipsamments. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed in glaciolacustrine deposits, deltaic deposits, beach deposits, and eolian sands.

The common features of soils in this site are coarse textures within a depth of 10 inches (soil may form a ball, but it does not form a ribbon) that extend to a depth exceeding 20 inches and limited available water capacity. Most soils in the site have <5% gravel (predominantly fine gravel); however, soils on beaches can have as much as 10 percent in the upper 20 inches and higher amounts below that depth. The soils are very deep; some have medium or moderately fine textured soil materials below a depth of 20 inches and within a depth of 40 inches. They are well drained to excessively drained. The surface layer is most commonly fine sand, loamy fine sand or loamy sand; coarse sandy loam also occurs. A few soils included in this site have a fine sandy loam or sandy loam surface layer that is <10 inches thick. Wind-worked areas may have buried A horizons.

Salinity is none in the sandy materials; where a loamy or silty substratum occurs, it may increase to slight (E.C. <4 dS/m). Sodicity is none. Soil reaction is slightly acid to moderately alkaline (pH 6.1 to 8.4). Calcium carbonate content is none to moderately low in the sandy materials; but where loamy or silty materials occur deep in the profile, it can be as high as 30 percent.

The soil surface is stable and intact. 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 Sands site are Dickey, Lohnes, Maddock, and Serden. Also, currently included are Radium and Sandberg soils (see Site Development and Testing Plan).

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 56A landscape is characterized by a nearly level glacial lake plain bordered on the east and west by outwash plains, till plains, gravelly beaches, and dunes. MLRA 56A 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 the MLRA. This area supports natural tall-grass prairie vegetation with bur oak, green ash, and willow growing in drainageways. This area is formed in silty and clayey lacustrine sediments from the former Glacial Lake Agassiz. 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 to the Red River of the North. MLRA 56A is located within the boundaries of the Prairie Pothole Region and is an ecotone between the humid east and the sub-humid west regions. The primary land use is annual cropland (~80%). The Red River Valley is known for its exceptional fertility with major crops including corn, soybeans, small grains, and sugar beets.

By the mid-19th century, the majority of the Red River Valley had been converted from tall-grass prairie 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. The major soils are poorly drained with extensive areas of saline soils. Tile drainage systems have been or are being extensively installed throughout MLRA 56A for sub-surface field drainage to enhance annual crop production.

The east and west side of the Red River Valley formed in a complex pattern of sandy beach material, stratified inter-beach material, lacustrine silts, and lake washed glacial till. The soils vary from excessively drained on ridges to very poorly drained organic basins. Surface ditches serve to drain some of the area, although much of the area lacks adequate drainage for maximum crop production. Calcareous fens and saline seeps can occur at the base of beach ridges and result in rare plant communities. Native vegetation was mixed- and tall-grass prairie with scattered woodland and brush.

Historic Communities/Conditions within MLRA 56A:

The northern tall- and mixed-grass prairie was a disturbance-driven ecosystem with fire, herbivory, and climate functioning as the primary ecological drivers - either singly or often in combination. Frequent and expansive flooding along the Red River and its tributaries provided abundant opportunities for Native Americans to harvest wild rice. American bison roamed MLRA 56A wintering along the Red River and migrating west into MLRA 55A and 55B for parts of the season. Many species of grassland birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and large herds of roaming American bison, elk, and pronghorn 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 and American black 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 from the region is the Rocky Mountain locust.

Present Communities/Conditions within MLRA 56A:

MLRA 56A has the most conversion to cropland of any MLRA within Region F-Northern Great Plains. European influence has impacted remaining grassland and shrubland by domestic livestock grazing, elimination of fire, removal of surface and subsurface hydrology via artificial drainage, and other anthropogenic factors influencing plant community composition and abundance.

Extensive drainage has taken place. Streams have been straightened, removing sinuosity, and riparian zones have been converted to annual crop production. These anthropogenic impacts have reduced flood water detention and retention on the landscape, increasing storm water runoff, sediment, and nutrient loading to the Red River and its tributaries. The installation of instream structures has reduced aquatic species movement within the MLRA.

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 which further impacted plant and animal communities. The loss of the 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.

Included in this MLRA are approximately 70,000 acres of the United States Forest Service, Sheyenne National Grassland (southern portion of MLRA) with an additional 65,000 acres of intermingled privately owned land of sandy soils providing a large tract of intact tall grass prairie within the MLRA. United Fish and Wildlife Service refuges and waterfowl production areas, along with and state wildlife management areas cover approximately 67,000 acres within the MLRA. Two of three largest cities in North Dakota are located within the MLRA.

USDA conservation programs have seeded thousands of cropland acres in riparian zones to native herbaceous vegetation. Natural succession is replacing the planted native herbaceous vegetation to native woody vegetation re-establishing native wooded riparian areas on previously cropland. Most of the plantings have been along the Red River and its tributaries in the northern portions of the MLRA within the United States. These areas are privately owned and protected from annual agricultural production with perpetual conservation easements.

Some characteristic wildlife species in this area are:

Birds: Mallard, blue-winged teal, red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, ring-necked pheasant, western meadowlark, killdeer, eastern and western kingbird, American crow, common yellowthroat, downy and hairy woodpecker, clay-colored sparrow, vesper sparrow, Savannah sparrow, and brown- headed cowbird.

Mammals: Northern short-tailed shrew, 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, raccoon, American badger, striped skunk, white-tailed deer, North American beaver, and moose.

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

Presence of wildlife species is often determined by ecological site characteristics including grass and forb species, hydrology, aspect, and other associated ecological sites. The home ranges of most species are usually larger than one ecological site or are dependent upon 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 and their young. Extensive use of insecticides for specialty crops (such as potatoes, sugar beets, and other crops) has greatly reduced insects within this MLRA.

Species of Concern within MLRA 56A:

The following is a list of species considered “species of conservation priority” in the North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2015); “species of greatest conservation need” in the Minnesota State Wildlife Action Plan, Conservation Focus Areas, Target Species (2015) and the South Dakota State

Wildlife Action Plan (2014); and “species listed as threatened, endangered, or petitioned” under the Endangered Species Act within MLRA 56A at the time this section was developed:

Invertebrates: Arogos skipper, Assiniboia skipper, Dakota skipper, dusted skipper, Leonard’s skipper, monarch butterfly, Poweshiek skippering, red-tailed leafhopper, regal fritillary, and Uhler’s Arctic.

Birds: American kestrel, American bittern, bobolink, American white pelican, bald eagle, black- billed cuckoo, chestnut-collared longspur, Dickcissel, grasshopper sparrow, greater prairie- chicken, Henslow’s sparrow, LeConte’s sparrow, loggerhead shrike, marbled godwit, Nelson’s sparrow, northern harrier, northern pintail, red-headed woodpecker, sharp-tailed grouse, short- eared owl, Swainson’s hawk, upland sandpiper, western meadowlark, willet, Wilson’s phalarope, and yellow rail.

Mammals: Arctic shrew, big brown bat, eastern spotted skunk, gray fox, little brown bat, northern grasshopper mouse, plains pocket mouse, prairie vole, pygmy shrew, Richardson’s ground squirrel, and river otter.

Amphibians/Reptiles: Canadian toad, common snapping turtle, northern prairie skink, and plains hognose snake.

Fish: Blacknose shiner, blue sucker, burbot, chestnut lamprey, finescale dace, hornyhead chub, largescale stoneroller, logperch, northern pearl dace, northern redbelly dace, pearl dace, shortnose gar, sickle-fin chub, sliver chub, silver lamprey, trout-perch, and yellow bullhead.

Mussels: Black sandshell, creek heelsplitter, creeper, mapleleaf, pink heelsplitter, pink papershell, threeridge, and Wabash pigtoe.

Grassland Management for Wildlife in MLRA 56A:

Management activities within the community phase pathways have both short and long term positive and negative impacts on wildlife. Community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways are keys to long-term management within each State and between States. Significant inputs must occur to cross the threshold between States (e.g., State 3.0 to 2.0) requiring substantial economic inputs and management (grazing intensity, reseeding, prescribed fire, woody vegetation removal, etc.). Timing, intensity, and frequency of these inputs can have dramatic positive or negative effects on vegetative structure impacting local wildlife species’ habitats. Ranchers and other land managers must always consider the long-term beneficial effects of management on the habitat in comparison to potential short-term negative effects to 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. Ecological sites supporting a dominance of herbaceous vegetation (Wet Meadow, Subirrigated Sands) can be located adjacent to ecological sites that support trees (Choppy Sands and Loamy Overflow).

Management of these complex ecological sites can provide a heterogeneous or a homogenous landscape. Grassland bird use reduces as the plant community transitions to a homogenous state or increases in woody vegetation. Managers need to recognize ecological sites and the complexes they occur in to properly manage the landscape. A management regime for one ecological site may negatively impact an adjacent site (e.g., alteration of a grazing regime within a Choppy Sands ecological site to encourage understory growth may encourage exotic cool-season grasses to increase or dominate an adjacent ecological site).

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. Managers also must consider habitat provided by adjacent/intermingled ecological sites for species with home ranges or life requisites that cannot be provided by one ecological site.

With populations of many grassland-nesting birds in decline, it is important to maintain these ecological sites in a 1.0 Reference State or the 2.0 Native/Invaded State. Plant communities optimal for a guild of grassland species serve as a population source where the birth rate exceeds mortality. Species may use marginal plant communities; however, these sites may function as a population sink where mortality exceeds the birth rate.

Understanding preferred vegetative stature and sensitivity to woody encroachment is necessary to manage for the specific grassland species. Various grass heights may be used for breeding, nesting, or foraging habitat. While most species use varying heights, many have a preferred vegetative stature height. The following chart provides preferred vegetative stature heights and sensitivity to woody vegetation encroachment.

To see the chart please follow the hyperlink. (
https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/ND/56A_Sands_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf )

*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., western snowberry) in this MLRA.

Sands Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Sands ecological sites are very deep, well to excessively drained, coarse textured (non-gravelly) soils usually found on sandy lake plains and deltas, as well as on beaches and beach ridges. These soils are highly susceptible to water and wind erosion. No significant water table or surface run-on influences vegetation production on this site. Associated ecological sites include Limy Subirrigated, Sandy, Subirrigated, Subirrigated Sands, and Choppy Sands. This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge-sensitive grassland bird species which prefer 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 as forage for small and large herbivores. Monarch butterfly and Regal fritillary use Sands ecological sites in MLRA 56A.

Sands ecological sites may be found in five plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Invaded State, 4.0 Wooded State, and 5.0 Go-Back State) within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases exist within States 1.0, and 2.0. Today, these states occur primarily in response to drought, fire, grazing, non-use, 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 Pathways to 4.0 Wooded State or T2B Transitional Pathway to 3.0 Invaded State. Native wildlife generally benefits from the heterogeneous grasslands found in States 1.0 and 2.0 that includes 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. 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 shows 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 non-migrating bird 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 Prairie Sandreed-Porcupinegrass-Bluestems: This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wildlife; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This phase retains high functionality through continued grassland management including prescribed grazing with adequate recovery period, as well as prescribed fire. 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).

Arogos skippers may use these sites since it contains host plants, such as big bluestem and little bluestem, and can use nectar from various forbs including thistles. Violet species are limited but, when available, regal fritillary can make use of this site. Monarch butterfly may use flowering forbs on this site; however, few milkweed species are found on this site to support caterpillar food. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs as a nectar source; however, bare ground and nesting sites are limited due to the dominance of sod-forming grasses.

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. In years with reduced precipitation or drought, nesting recruitment may be compromised. This plant community provides suitable lek sites for sharp-tailed grouse or greater prairie chicken but do not provide nesting, brood-rearing, and escape habitat. 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, jackrabbits, white-tailed deer, and elk. Tall- to mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site is not typically found adjacent to Wet Meadow ecological sites. Habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad is dependent on distance to the Wet Meadow ecological site. This site provides habitat for the northern prairie skink and plains hog-nosed snake.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site is not typically adjacent to streams, rivers, or water bodies. This site receives limited run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites (Choppy Sands) and provides hydrology to Limy Subirrigated, Subirrigated Sands, and Subirrigated ecological sites. Management on Sands sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, will have an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Sands and 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 Needle and Thread-Prairie Sandreed-Blue Grama: Short- to mid-statured grasses dominate this plant community phase because of repeated heavy grazing via Community Phase Pathway 1.1A. Facilitated by periods of below average precipitation, the tall warm-season grass component has decreased with increases in green sagewort, goldenrod, Cuman ragweed, and common yarrow. The forb component provides pollinator habitat and a food source for grassland-nesting birds.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, an increase in bare ground may provide additional habitat for ground nesting species.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, an increase in short- to mid-grass species favors grassland-nesting birds that prefer short- to mid-statured vegetation.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1, however cover for large ungulates maybe somewhat reduced.

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 Prairie Sandreed-Porcupinegrass-Bluestems: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1A due to changes in management (reduction in fire frequency) and the presence of exotic, cool-season grasses. The threshold between States 1.0 and 2.0 is crossed when Kentucky bluegrass or smooth brome become established. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Plant Community 1.1, except that it has minor amounts of cool-season exotic grasses and forbs with declines in cool- and warm-season bunch grasses. 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.

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

Community Phase 2.2 Needle and Thread-Prairie Sandreed-Blue Grama/Sun Sedge/Forbs: Heavy grazing increases grazing-tolerant needle and thread while decreasing porcupinegrass. Short, sod/turf forming grasses and sedges begin to dominate the site. The forb component is still diverse; however, leguminous native forbs are decreasing while less desirable, native pollinator forb species (such as common yarrow, tarragon, and white sagebrush) are increasing. Every effort should be made by managers to avoid implementing a grazing system that may favor Kentucky bluegrass (via Community Phase Pathway 2.2B or Transitional Pathway T2B). Continuous, heavy season-long grazing or complete rest could cause this plant community to reach the 30 percent threshold of Kentucky bluegrass, crossing over to State 3.0. Once in State 3.0, prescribed grazing with prescribed burning may help restore this plant community to State 2.0.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, the forb community is shifting toward less desirable species, such as common yarrow and white sagebrush, which are less desirable for native bees.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2.

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

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

Community Phase 2.3 Blue Grama/Sun Sedge/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: Continuous heavy grazing without adequate recovery periods (along Community Phase Pathway 2.2B) allows short-statured grasses (blue grama) and sedges to be more competitive and dominate this community phase. Grazing tolerant forbs (such as goldenrods, tarragon, yellow salsify, and white heath aster) increase, thus reducing pollen and nectar sources. This is an “at risk” plant community with high amounts of Kentucky bluegrass out-completing native grasses. Every effort should be made by managers to avoid implementing a grazing system that may favor reaching the 30 percent Kentucky bluegrass threshold via Transitional Pathways T2B. When this plant community transitions over to State 3.0. Once in State 3.0, prescribed grazing with prescribed burning may help restore this plant community to State 2.0.

Invertebrates: Reduced litter amounts with slight increase in bare ground will favor ground nesting insects. Abundant forbs still provide for season-long pollen and nectar source for insects and increase bare ground for ground-nesting insects.

Birds: Grassland-nesting birds that favor short-statured vegetative cover will use this site.

Mammals: This site does not provide thermal or escape cover but provides limited forage or browse for large herbivores. Due to heavy continuous grazing and/or heavy continuous season- long grazing reducing litter depth and residual vegetation, thermal, protective, escape, and winter cover is limited for small mammals.

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 Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: Heavy grazing without adequate recovery periods, extended periods of non-use, or cropland allowed to “go-back” can cause Community Phase 3.1 to establish. Kentucky bluegrass will dominate the site. Potential use by wildlife will be dependent upon management. Non-use will result on extensive areas of Kentucky bluegrass litter accumulation and have the effect of residual cover flopping. Heavy grazing without adequate recovery periods will result in little, if any, residual cover.

Community Phase 3.1 can also result via Restoration Pathway R4b from Community Phase 4.1 when shrubs are removed, resulting in a Kentucky bluegrass dominated plant community. Management following shrub removal will determine the quality of wildlife habitat. Extensive management using prescribed grazing, herbicide treatments, range seedings, and prescribed fire will be needed to move this plant community to State 2.0 (via Restoration Pathway R3A).

Invertebrates: Litter amounts will vary in this community phase. Non-native forbs dominate with goldenrods and Cuman ragweed also present. A reliable amount of season-long pollen and nectar sources will not be present. Intense grazing will reduce litter amounts and provide some bare ground for ground nesting insects. Non-use will increase litter, reduce sites for ground nesting pollinators, and limit pollen and nectar availability. Overall, this community phase will not favor pollinating species in either management scenario (heavy use or non-use). This plant community will not provide life requisites for Dakota skippers or Regal fritillary, but it may support monarch butterfly’s depending on availability of milkweed.

Birds: Heavy grazing will favor short-grass bird species. Short- to mid-grass bird species will also be favored with the non-use management scenario. Lack of pollinator forb species limits invertebrate use, reducing protein sources for food. This plant community does not provide suitable areas for lek sites or for brood or escape cover for sharp-tailed grouse or greater prairie chicken. This site provides hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Lacking residual cover under the over-grazing management scenario, this short- statured community provides limited food and thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores. Under the non-use management scenario, exotic cool-season grasses will provide residual cover for small mammals (such as mice, ground squirrels, and voles). Use by large mammals will be limited under either management scenario.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Kentucky bluegrass litter accumulations may become too heavy for northern prairie skink and plains hog-nose snake under the non-use scenario. Under heavy grazing, cover for amphibians and reptiles can be eliminated.

Fish and Mussels: When grazed heavily, runoff increases and is the highest of any plant community phase on this ecological site, increasing run-off to adjacent ecological sites and into neighboring water bodies. Nutrient cycling is severely limited to the rooting depth of the Kentucky bluegrass, increasing nutrient loading to neighboring water bodies.

4.0 Invaded Wooded State

Community Phase 4.1 Shrub/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: Long-term non-use or very light grazing and no fire, enhanced by above average precipitation (via Transitional Pathways T2A) causes this plant community to be dominated by shrubs. Plant litter accumulation favors shade-tolerant grasses and western snowberry. Forb number and diversity is low with western snowberry and other flowering shrubs beginning to dominate or dominating the site. Pathway R4A will require intensive management practices and extensive time to bring forb and grass diversity back to State 2.0.

Invertebrates: The invasion of western snowberry reduces or eliminates habitats for all pollinating species of concern within MLRA 56A. Season-long pollen and nectar availability becomes limited on this site. The woody shrub component (western snowberry) provides an early season bloom period. Non-use will increase litter, reducing sites for ground nesting pollinators. Overall, pollinator plant diversity is low, limiting season-long nectar and pollen production. Shrubs, mainly western snowberry, provide early-season pollen sources. Season-long pollen and nectar is typically not available. This site no longer provides life requisites for butterfly and bee species. Overall, this community phase will not favor pollinating species in either management scenario (heavy use or no use).

Birds: This site may still provide habitat needs for many grassland nesting birds, dependent upon the density and height the shrubs. Many grassland nesting birds are tolerant or positively correlated with western snowberry. Northern harrier, lark bunting, and Dickcissel use western snowberry for nesting sites. This plant community does not provide suitable areas for sharp- tailed grouse or greater prairie chicken lek sites but does provide brood rearing and escape habitat. Winter cover is mainly provided by the western snowberry. This site provides hunting opportunities for grassland raptors. Management along Restoration Pathway R3A will require intensive mechanical and management practices and extensive time to bring forb and grass diversity back to this plant community phase.

Mammals: Western snowberry will provide increased year-round cover and browse for white- tailed deer. The short stature and density of western snowberry will not provide habitat for porcupines or other mammals that prefer woody habitat.

Amphibians and Reptiles: The increase in western snowberry will not provide life requisites for amphibians or reptiles.

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

5.0 Go-Back State

Community Phase 5.1 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 R5A 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 range planting, via Transition Pathway R5B, 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.

NRCS defines prescribed grazing as “managing the harvest of vegetation with grazing and/or browsing animals with the intent to achieve specific ecological, economic, and management objectives”. As used in this site description, the term ‘prescribed grazing’ is intended to include multiple grazing management systems (e.g., rotational grazing, twice-over grazing, conservation grazing, targeted grazing, etc.) provided that, whatever management system is implemented, it meets the intent of prescribed grazing definition.

The basic grazing prescription addresses balancing forage demand (quality and quantity) with available forage, varying grazing and deferment periods from year-to-year, matching recovery/deferment periods to growing conditions when pastures are grazed more than once in a growing season, implementation of a contingency (e.g., drought) plan, and a monitoring plan. When the management goal is to facilitate change from one plant community phase or state to another, then the prescription needs to be designed to shift the competitive advantage to favor the native grass and forb species.

Grazing levels are noted within the plant community narratives and pathways in reference to grazing prescribed grazing management. “Degree of utilization” is defined as the proportion of the current year’s 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.

Utilization Level % Use Description

Slight (Light) 0-20 Appears practically undisturbed when viewed obliquely. Only choice areas and forage utilized.

Moderate 20-40 Almost all of accessible range shows grazing. Little or no use of poor forage. Little evidence of trailing to grazing.

Full 40-60 All fully accessible areas are grazed. The major sites have key forage species properly utilized (about half taken, half left). Points of concentration with overuse limited to 5 to 10 percent of accessible area.

Close (Heavy) 60-80 All accessible range plainly shows use and major sections closely cropped. Livestock forced to use less desirable forage, considering seasonal preference.

Severe > 80 Key forage species completely used. Low-value forages are dominant.

Hydrological functions

Available water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group A, but some soils in group B are included. Infiltration varies from moderately rapid to rapid; runoff potential varies from negligible to medium for this site depending on soil 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 short-grasses 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: The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages approximately 4,000 acres of National Wildlife Refuges for hiking and bird watching and approximately 24,000 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas for public hunting, hiking, and bird watching. States within MLRA 56A manage approximately 39,000 acres of wildlife management areas for multiple use including hunting, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, berry picking, and other non-motorized uses. Of the 39,000 acres, approximately 21,400 are in Minnesota with approximately 16,000 acres in North Dakota and approximately 1,700 acres in South Dakota.

In North Dakota, the United States Forest Service manages 70,000 acres on the Sheyenne National Grassland for multiple uses including camping, hunting, photography, backpacking birdwatching, biking, horseback riding, and other non-motorized recreation. The Sheyenne National Grassland is also managed for livestock grazing. The Choppy Sands and Sands ecological sites dominate the Grassland. It is the only National Grassland in the tallgrass prairie region of the United States. The grassland provides habitat for greater prairie chickens as well as several other sensitive species, such as the Dakota skipper and regal fritillary. It also contains one of largest populations of the western prairie fringed orchid which is listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Fishing: Approximately 20 lakes are managed for public fishing MLRA 56A. Most of these lakes offer boat docks and ramps. These lakes contain various sport fish including walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, crappie, and bluegill. The Red River runs from south to north through the center of the MLRA. The Red River is best known for channel catfish but also has walleye, sauger, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. The Red River is 550 miles long from its source in the southern end of the MLRA near Breckenridge, Minnesota to Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. Between North Dakota and Minnesota, there are 32 public access points along the Red River with 18 having boat ramps.

Camping: Four state parks or recreation areas provide of modern and primitive camping facilities. Minnesota hosts the Buffalo River State Park and Red River State Park. North Dakota hosts the Icelandic State Park and Turtle River State Park. These Parks provide hiking, biking, birding, canoeing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Many local parks and private parks provide modern and primitive camping opportunities. Limited primitive camping is also available on North Dakota Game and Fish Department Wildlife Management Areas.

Hiking/Biking/Horseback Riding: Hiking is permitted on most state and federally owned lands. Developed hiking and biking trails can be found the four state parks. The Grand Forks Greenway has over 22 miles of trials while municipalities along the Red River have extensive walking and hiking trails. A 30-mile segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail leads hikers through the Sheyenne National Grassland’s unique landforms and plant communities. This trail has three trailheads along its route; it is a graveled, marked trail. The entire North Country National Scenic Trail stretches from Crown Point, New York to Lake Sakakawea near Garrison, North Dakota.

Canoeing/Kayaking: The Red River has six designated canoe/kayaking trials. Public access, with limited rentals, is available at these segments. Sheyenne River Water Trail has a segment within the MLRA Sheyenne National Grasslands. Canoe/kayak rentals are available at Icelandic State Park.

Wood products

No appreciable wood products are present on the site.

Other products

Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site.

Other information

Site Development and Testing Plan
• Further investigation may be needed on beach and beach ridge soils which have higher amounts of gravel-sized rock fragments than typical for this ESD. In particular, Sandberg soils can overlap the concepts of Sands and Shallow Gravel ESDs due to the variability of depth to gravel and the amount of gravel within a depth of 20 inches. MLRA map units needing investigation are:
o Radium-Sandberg-Garborg complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes (map unit vx9x)
o Sandberg loamy sand, 15 to 25 percent slopes (map unit 2sw8y)
o Sandberg loamy sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes (map unit 2sw8z)
o Sandberg-Radium complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes (map unit prpd)
• Further evaluation and refinement of the State-and-Transition model is 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.

Those involved in developing this site description include: Stan Boltz, NRCS State Rangeland Management Specialist; Bernadette Braun, USFS Rangeland Management Specialist; Stacey Swenson, USFS Rangeland Management Specialist; Jeff Printz, NRCS State Rangeland Management Specialist; Dr. Kevin Sedivec, Extension Rangeland Management Specialist; Dr. Shawn Dekeyser, North Dakota State University; Rob Self, The Nature Conservancy; Lee Voigt, NRCS Area Rangeland Management Specialist; Dr. Mark Gonzales, USFS Hydrologist; David Dewald, NRCS State Biologist; Keith Anderson, NRCS Soil Scientist, Fred Aziz; NRCS Area Resource Soil Scientist; and Steve Sieler, NRCS Soil Scientist.

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Contributors

ND NRCS: Keith Anderson, Fred Aziz, Stan Boltz, David Dewald, Jonathan Fettig, Alan Gulsvig, Mark Hayek, Chuck Lura, Jeff Printz, Steve Sieler, Lee Voigt, and Hal Weiser.

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 5/21/2025

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge Bernadette Braun, Dr. Mark Gonzales, Jamie Kienzle, Stacy Swenson, USFS; and Rob Self, The Nature Conservancy; for their helpful comments and suggestions.