Physiographic features

This site typically occurs on uplands – on sandy delta plains, lake plains, and till-floored lake plains and on ground moraines mantled with eolian sands; a few areas also occur on outwash plains and glacial lake beaches. Parent materials are sandy glaciolacustrine or glaciofluvial sediments and eolian sands; 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 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) AGASSIZ REFUGE [USC00210050], Grygla, MN

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

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

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

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

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

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; however, it can be as shallow as 2.5 feet in early spring. 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 or clayey substratum, the saturated hydraulic conductivity is moderately high to moderately low in that layer; this slows percolation and can prolong subirrigation in spring and early summer. 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

Most soils associated with Subirrigated Sands ES are in the Mollisol and Entisol orders. The Mollisols are classified further as Oxyaquic Hapludolls and Calcic Hapludolls. The Entisols are classified further as Aquic Udipsamments and Aquic Udorthents. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed in sandy glaciolacustrine or glaciofluvial sediments and eolian sands; 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.

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. Surface and subsoil textures typically are loamy fine sand, fine sand or loamy sand; these textures do not form a ribbon. Fine sandy loam or sandy loam surface textures are allowable if <10 inches thick. Some soils have loamy or silty substratum layers deeper than 20 inches. 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 or clayey 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 dS/m) and sodicity is low (SAR <3). Soil reaction typically is slightly acid to slightly alkaline (pH 6.1 to 7.8) in the sandy materials; however, a few soils are moderately acid (pH 5.6 to 6.0). Also, some soils have lower subsoils which are moderately alkaline (pH 7.9 to 8.4) due to calcium carbonate accumulation. Where a loamy or clayey substratum occurs, it is slightly to moderately alkaline (pH 7.4 to 8.4). The calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content is none to low (<5%) 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.

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, Foldahl, Hecla, Hilaire, Poppleton, and Towner (moderately well drained phase).

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

Permeability note: The permeability class of the Foldahl, Hilaire, and Towner soils is rapid or very rapid in the upper part and moderate to slow in the lower part. Depth to the layer of reduced permeability is 20 to 40 inches in these soils.

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_Subirrigated_Sands_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf )

Subirrigated Sands Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Subirrigated Sands ecological sites are moderately well drained, coarse textured soils usually found on sandy delta plains, lake plains, and till-floored lake plains and on ground moraines mantled with eolian sands; a few areas also occur on outwash plains and glacial lake beaches. This site has a seasonally high-water table during months April, May, June influencing vegetation production. The soils are highly susceptible to wind erosion but are well suited for tall warm-season grasses, as well as mid-statured cool-season grasses and forbs. Associated ecological sites include Limy Subirrigated, Sands, Subirrigated, Choppy Sands, and Wet Meadow. This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge- sensitive grassland bird species preferring medium- to tall-statured vegetation.

Subirrigated sands habitat features and components commonly support grassland-nesting birds, notably sharp-tailed grouse and greater prairie chicken nesting sites. 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.

Subirrigated sands ecological sites may be found in five plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, and 3.0 Invaded State, 4.0 Invaded Wooded State, and 5.0 Go-Back State) within a local landscape. 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 Transitional Pathway T2B to State 3.0 and Transitional Pathway T2A to State 4.0. 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 and woody vegetation increases, while native forbs are reduced.

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 on 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 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 Bluestems-Needlegrasses-Indiangrass: 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 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).

This site supports Dakota skippers preferred host plants, such as little and big bluestem, but does not support preferred forb species. Arogos skippers may use this site since it contains host plants, such as big bluestem and little bluestem, and can nectar on forb species found on the site. Regal fritillary will not use this site since violet species are absent for larval food. Monarch butterfly may use flowering forbs on this site, with smooth milkweed available for caterpillar food. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs as a nectar source. Five to ten percent of the site is bare ground, providing nesting sites for ground nesting bee species.

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 or greater prairie chicken lek sites, unless grazed; but it does provide nesting habitat, 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. Tall- to mid-statured vegetation provides quality food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Ecological site provides high quality food, foraging and dispersal habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad since this site is frequently found adjacent to 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 for temperature regulation.

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 (Sands) and provides hydrology (mainly subsurface) to Limy Subirrigated, Subirrigated, and Wet Meadow ecological Sites. Management on Subirrigated 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 Subirrigated 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-Little Bluestem: This plant community phase occurs after a spring burn followed by intense grazing. An increase in forbs favors pollinator insects providing an increase food source for grassland nesting birds. Indiangrass slightly decreases while forbs increase significantly.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, an increase in forbs provides increased pollen and nectar sources for insects and increased bare ground for ground-nesting insects.

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.

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Bluestems-Needlegrasses-Indiangrass: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1A 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, 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 Prairie Sandreed-Blue Grama/Exotic Grasses/Forbs: Heavy grazing (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, decrease in some native forbs, and an increase in western snowberry. This plant community can also occur from Community Phase 2.3 (via Community Phase Pathway 2.3B) by use of prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods. However, the shrub component in 2.3 will persist unless prescribed fire or mechanical treatment is initiated.

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 of native forbs and bare ground favoring ground nesting insects. Forb abundance still provides for season-long pollen and nectar source for insects, while the addition of western snowberry provides a quality late spring pollen and nectar source.

Birds: Depending on the abundance of Kentucky bluegrass and blue grama, the shift to short- to mid-statured vegetation favors grassland nesting birds preferring short to medium vegetative stature. The presence and density of western snowberry may negatively impact grassland-nesting bird species intolerant to woody vegetation while the loss of little bluestem limits nesting opportunities for greater prairie chicken.

Mammals: The shift to shorter statured grasses reduces habitat for large ungulates such as elk. However, the increase in western snowberry provides white-tailed deer browse and habitat.

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 Bluestems/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Western Snowberry: Removal of disturbances such as grazing and fire (via Community Phase Pathway 2.1B or 2.2B) allows for the increase in shade-tolerant Kentucky bluegrass and accumulation of litter. Kentucky bluegrass approaches the 30 percent level. Western snowberry increases, thus increasing shade and decreasing native warm-season grasses. Every effort should be made by managers to avoid reaching the 30 percent Kentucky bluegrass threshold or transitioning to aspen as found in Invaded State 3.0 by implementing a prescribed grazing system and introducing prescribed fire.

Invertebrates: Increase in Kentucky bluegrass and western snowberry reduces native forbs diversity and moves the pollen availability window to late spring dominated by western snowberry. Introduced forbs (such as yellow and white sweet clover and black medic) increase, providing mid- to late-season pollen and nectar sources.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, as this community phase approaches the 30 percent Kentucky bluegrass threshold, grassland nesting bird species that favor mid-grass statured vegetation increase. Depending on the density of western snowberry, grassland nesting bird species intolerant to woody vegetation will decrease.

Mammals: The reduction of tall- to mid-statured vegetation reduces thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores. However, dependent upon the increase of western snowberry the reduction of thermal, protective, and escape cover may be mitigated. 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 shifts the competitive edge to Kentucky bluegrass via Transitional Pathway T2B. Introduced forbs increase, while native forbs decrease in diversity and extent. Removal of all disturbance increases litter and cools the soil surface giving the competitive edge to cool-season exotic species shifting this plant community to 3.1, increasing shrubs. Non-use will also result in extensive areas of Kentucky bluegrass litter accumulation and have the effect of residual cover going prostrate or “laying down”. Management along Restoration Pathway R3A will require intensive prescribed grazing and prescribed fire over a long period to bring forb and grass diversity back to this plant community phase. Remnant native species are required to move this plant community back to State 2.0.

Invertebrates: Heavy grazing without adequate recovery periods will result in little, if any, residual cover. Native and non-native forbs provide season-long pollen and nectar sources; however, diversity and extent may be reduced by heavy continuous season-long grazing. Heavy grazing will reduce litter amounts and provide some bare ground for ground nesting insects. This plant community will not provide reliable nectar or pollen sources for any butterfly species of greatest conservation need.

Birds: Heavy grazing without adequate recovery periods will result in little, if any, residual cover favoring short-grass bird species. A continuous over-grazing management scenario favors Kentucky bluegrass and other non-native, cool-season exotic grazing tolerant grasses. Lack of pollinator forb species limits invertebrate use. This plant community does not provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse or greater prairie chicken lek sites, or for brood or escape cover. Continuous season-long grazing reduces cover, providing little hunting opportunity for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Lacking residual cover under the over-grazing management scenario, this short- statured community provides limited food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores.

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

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

4.0 Invaded Wooded State

Community Phase 4.1 Shrubs/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: Complete rest from grazing and the elimination of fire (via Transitional Pathway T2A) allow for western snowberry, roses, willows and other shrubs to dominate the site. Shade-tolerant Kentucky bluegrass dominates the understory exceeding 30 percent by weight while native grasses are less than 40 percent with reduced vigor and diversity. Recovery back to State 2.0 requires high levels of grazing management along with repeated prescribed burns via Restoration Pathway R4A.

Invertebrates: The invasion of woody vegetation reduces or eliminates habitat for all species of concern within MLRA 56A. Season-long pollen and nectar availability becomes limited on this site. Early season pollen and nectar is provided by willow, western snowberry and rose species but mid-to late season pollen and nectar is limited to absent. Overall, pollinator plant diversity is low, limiting season-long nectar and pollen production.

Birds: Grassland nesting birds sensitive to woody vegetation encroachment will discontinue use of this community phase; bird species preferring woodland edge may begin to use this site, especially where willow species dominate. This site will provide winter food (buds) and cover for sharp-tailed grouse but will not provide any habitat needs for greater prairie chicken.

Mammals: Aspen will provide increased year-round cover for white-tailed deer and elk. Mammals, such as porcupines, that prefer woody habitat will use this site.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, sod-forming Kentucky bluegrass and aspen may become too dense for northern prairie skink and plains hognose snake.

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: This plant community is the result of severe soil disturbance (such as cropping, recreational activity, or concentrated livestock activity for a prolonged period). 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

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, but also includes a few soils in group C. Infiltration varies from moderately rapid to rapid; runoff potential is very low or 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).

Tile drainage is common where soils in this site occur in complex with wetter soils (Limy Subirrigated, Subirrigated, and Wet Meadow ecological sites). Depending on the depth to tile, this hydrological manipulation can modify the ecological site. If the water table is effectively lowered (beyond 40 inches throughout the growing season) the site conditions would better fit the Sands ecological site. A field investigation may be needed to determine the appropriate ecological site and proceed accordingly.

Without restoring hydrologic function (which may include range planting), managers need to reference state and transition model of the Sands site. Hydrology will need to be fully restored in the associated Wet Meadow ecological sites for this site to properly function. It is recommended that managers review that State and Transition Model prior to wetland restoration.

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 chicken 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 trails 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 trails. 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

• Review of water table depths for Hecla and Radium components is needed. Currently, it is populated in NASIS with a range of 76 to 152 cm and an RV of 114 cm. This range overlaps ESD criteria for Subirrigated Sands and Sands. MLRAs 55A and 55B have linked Hecla to Subirrigated Sands while MLRA 56A has linked Hecla to Sands. It is not known if the populated water table depths reflect natural hydrology or hydrology affected by drainage. If affected by drainage, components should be relinked to Subirrigated Sands.
• 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.

This ESD is the best available knowledge. The site concept and species composition table have been used in the field and tested for more than five years. It is expected that as additional information becomes available revisions may be required.

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.