Physiographic features

This ecological site occurs on sideslopes of ridges (draws), as well as on slumps and hillslopes in badlands and associated sedimentary uplands. Parent materials are colluvium from weathered, sedimentary bedrock (siltstone, mudstone, shale, sandstone, and/or porcelanite). The landscape position and aspect strongly influenced the development of this ecological site. Slope ranges from 9 to 70 percent.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

MLRA 58C 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. The continental climate is the result of the location of this MLRA in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains, so air masses move unobstructed across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.

Annual precipitation ranges from 14 to 17 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 41° F. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of about 17° F. July is the warmest month with an average temperature of about 70° F. The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is 53° F. This large temperature range attests to the continental nature of the MLRA 58C climate. Wind speeds average about 11 miles per hour, ranging from about 13 miles per hour during the spring to about 10 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime wind speeds are generally stronger than nighttime wind speeds, and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.

Growth of native cool-season plants begins in late March and continues to early to mid-July. Native warm- season plants begin growth in mid-May and continue to the end of August. Greening up of cool-season plants can occur in September and October when adequate soil moisture is present.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Climate stations used

• (1) AMIDON [USC00320209], Amidon, ND

• (2) TROTTERS 3 SSE [USC00328812], Beach, ND

• (3) WATFORD CITY 14S [USC00329246], Grassy Butte, ND

• (4) MEDORA 7 E [USW00094080], Fairfield, ND

• (5) CARLYLE 13 NW [USC00241518], Wibaux, MT

Influencing water features

This ecological is on a runoff landscape position; however, it does receive extra moisture by holding more snowfall than non-wooded sites. The seasonal ground water table is typically deeper than 6 feet throughout the growing season. Surface infiltration and permeability through the profile are moderate or moderately slow. Water loss is through evapotranspiration and percolation below the root zone. The primary north and east aspect and tree canopy provides benefit by keeping the soil surface shaded and cooler than non-wooded sites, thus reducing the rate of evaporation.

Soil features

Soils associated with the Steep-Sided Wooded Draw ES are in the Mollisol and Inceptisol orders. The Mollisols are classified further as Alfic Argiustolls. The Inceptisols are classified further as Aridic Haplustepts and Typic Haplustepts. The Argiustoll soils were developed under long-term, densely woodland conditions. The Haplustept soils were developed under a mix of prairie and woodland conditions. The variability of classification of soils on this site is due to the varying influence of landscape/landform position, fire, and drought on the plant community (forest vs grassland) during soil development. Some soils have obvious indicators of forest influence (alfic properties); other soils have minimal or no clear indicators. They formed in colluvium from badlands and associated uplands. The soft sedimentary bedrock is primarily siltstone, mudstone, or shale, but sandstone and porcelanite (scoria) also occur. The soils on this site are very deep or deep and are well drained.

The soils commonly have a thin surface layer (<3 inches thick) of slightly decomposed organic material and leaf litter. Textures of the mineral A horizon are typically loam, silt loam, or clay loam. Below the A horizon, there is commonly an argillic horizon (Bt) with bleached sand grains. Some soils have a B/E horizon. In this

B/E horizon, bleached sand grains or gray coatings which are leached of organic matter and clay (E) cover subsoil peds where organic matter and clay (B) have accumulated. However, some soils do not have this evidence of leaching; they have either a Bw horizon with texture similar to the A horizon. Textures of these horizons are primarily loam, clay loam, silt loam, or clay loam textures (soil forms a ribbon 1 to 2 inches long). A few included soils may have fine sandy loam A and B horizons. Some soils have pieces of charcoal in the soil profile which indicates the influence of fire. Some soils have soft sedimentary bedrock as shallow as 3.5 feet.

Soil reaction in the mineral A and B/E, Bw, or Bt horizons typically is slightly acid to slightly alkaline (pH 6.1 to 7.8). Below these horizons, soil reaction is commonly slightly alkaline or moderately alkaline (pH 7.4 to 8.4). Soil salinity is none to slight (E.C. <4 dS/m); sodicity is typically none to low (SAR < 5); however, is some soils the SAR ranges to 20) in the lower substratum. Calcium carbonate content is none in A and upper B horizon. Typically, a layer of accumulated carbonates occurs within a depth of 24 inches (5 to 15 percent CaCO3).

Soils, on the Steep-Sided Wooded Draw ecological site, are typically not susceptible to erosion under reference conditions.

The major soil series which characterizes the Steep-Sided Wooded Draw ecological site is an aridic taxadjunct to Arikara (established in the ustic moisture regime). Also included are soils with more soil development (translocation of clays into Bt horizons); a new soil series has been considered for these soils but has not yet been established.

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

Wildlife Interpretations

Landscape:

The MLRA 58C landscape is characterized by moderately dissected rolling plains with areas of local Badlands, buttes, and isolated hills. MLRA 58C 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 mixed-grass prairie vegetation with prairie rose, leadplant, and patches of western snowberry interspersed throughout the area. Green ash, chokecherry, and buffaloberry occur in draws and narrow valleys, creating woody riparian corridors. Complex/intermingled ecological sites create diverse grass- and shrubland habitats interspersed with varying densities linear, slope, depressional, and in-stream wetlands associated with headwater streams and tributaries to the Missouri River. These habitats provide critical life-cycle components for many wildlife species.

Historic Communities/Conditions within MLRA 58C:

The northern 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). Many species of grassland birds, small mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and large herds of Audubon bighorn sheep, roaming bison, elk, and pronghorn were historically among the inhabitants adapted to this semi-arid region. Bighorn sheep have been re-introduced. 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, mountain lion, and grizzly bear) and smaller carnivores (such as the coyote, bobcat, red fox, and raptors). The black-tailed prairie dog was once abundant and provided ecological services by manipulating the plant and soil community providing habitat for the black-footed ferret, burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk, mountain plover, swift fox, small mammals, and amphibians and reptiles. Extirpated species include free-ranging American bison, Canada lynx, common raven, grizzly bear, gray wolf, black-footed ferret, mountain plover, and peregrine falcon (breeding). Extinct from the region is the Rocky Mountain locust.

Present Communities/Conditions within MLRA 58C:

Following European influence, domestic livestock grazing, elimination of fire, energy development, and other anthropogenic factors influenced plant community composition and abundance. Transportation corridors, energy development, and Rocky Mountain juniper and ponderosa pine encroachment are the main factors 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 plant species including smooth brome, crested wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and leafy spurge further impacting plant and animal communities. The loss of the bison, reduction of black-tailed prairie dogs, 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, lacking diverse species composition and stature.

Extensive fragmentation by annual cropping has not occurred within the MLRA. Limited fragmentation from annual cropping or tame hay production has occurred within the Little Missouri River flood plain and the higher, flat plateaus. Fragmentation east and west of MLRA 58C has funneled many species into this area in search of expansive grasslands.

Some wildlife species in this area are: mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, mountain lion, coyote, red fox, bobcat, prairie rattlesnake, American badger, raccoon, North American porcupine, beaver, striped skunk, American mink, white-tailed jackrabbit, black-tailed prairie dog, Eastern and Merriam’s wild turkey, golden eagle, ferruginous hawks, sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage-grouse, black-billed magpie, and numerous species of grassland-nesting birds and pollinating insects. The highest diversity of bats in North Dakota also occurs in this MLRA, where eleven species have been documented.

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

Insects play an important role providing ecological services for plant community development. Insects that are scavengers or aid in decomposition provide the food chain baseline sustaining the carnivorous insects feeding upon them. Many insects provide the ecological services necessary for pollination, keeping plant communities healthy and productive. Insects provide a protein food source for numerous species including grassland nesting birds and their young.

Species unique to the MLRA:

Mountain Lions: Mountain lions were relatively common in the Badlands but disappeared from the state by the early 20th Century. Sightings resumed in the 1950’s and have subsequently increased since that time. The species has recently taken up permanent residency within the region. Mountain lions occur in of the Little Missouri Badlands and woody habitat in MLRA 58C. Rugged terrain and forest provide excellent stalking cover to hunt large mammals and other prey. Mountain lions make use of caves for escape and loafing cover.

Bighorn sheep: Bighorn sheep make use of the rugged terrain, rocky outcrops, and high plateaus of MLRA 58C along the Little Missouri River. North Dakota bighorn sheep populations are almost exclusively within MLRA 58C. Bighorn sheep were once extirpated from North Dakota but were successfully reintroduced in the mid-twentieth century. They now occur in several distinct populations within MLRA 58C. Rocky Mountain juniper encroachment degrades the limited habitat for bighorn sheep. Managers should consider bighorn sheep association with domestic sheep, since transfer of pneumonia and other diseases is known to occur.

Golden eagle: The badlands within MLRA 58C are key areas for Golden eagle nesting. Adjacent grasslands, shrublands, and black-tailed prairie dog towns are used for hunting.

Bats: MLRA 58C provides life requisites for several bat species, in part due to presence of riparian forest, wooded draws, caves, and rocky outcrops. Hibernacula of six bat species have been found in MRLA 58C; however, additional work is needed to further understand utilization of hibernacula by bats during the winter months in North Dakota.

Short-horned lizard and sagebrush lizard: This MLRA provides preferred habitat for these two species. The short-horned lizard prefers semi-arid, shortgrass prairie in rough terrain, and is uncommon to locally abundant in MLRA 58C. The rare sagebrush lizard prefers sagebrush and rocky areas provided by this MLRA and adjacent MLRA 58D.

Greater sage-grouse and Brewer’s sparrow: The extreme southwest extension of MLRA 58C have ecological sites capable of producing sufficient big sage canopy cover to provide greater sage-grouse life requisites. MLRA 58C and 58D are the only MLRAs in North Dakota that support Wyoming big sage brush (big sage) production. Research data indicates greater sage-grouse prefer big sagebrush canopy cover for nesting at ≥8% with an average height of around 16 inches. The species prefers winter cover canopy that averages 15% with an average height of around 8 inches. Soil site potential, management, climate, and other factors all play a role in the amount, if any, of big sagebrush on an ecological site. Changes in big sage canopy cover occur slowly (30-50 years) unless the site is impacted by fire or cultivation. Big sage recovery after a burn can take 30 to 100 years. Greater sage- grouse and Brewer’s sparrow habitat and populations are reduced or eliminated when big sagebrush canopy is reduced to less than 8% for greater sage-grouse and 10% cover for Brewer’s sparrow. As conifer encroachment increases, greater sage-grouse lekking activity decreases. Once conifer encroachment exceeds 4% canopy cover, no leks remain.

Species of Concern within the MLRA:

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 Montana State Wildlife Action Plan (2015); and species listed as “threatened, endangered, or petitioned” under the Endangered Species Act within MLRA 58C at the time this section was developed:

Invertebrates: Dakota skipper, monarch butterfly, regal fritillary, yellow-banded bumble bee, and western bumble bee.

Birds: American kestrel, Baird’s sparrow, bald eagle, black-billed cuckoo, bobolink, Brewer’s sparrow, burrowing owl, chestnut-collared longspur, common poorwill, eastern screech-owl ferruginous hawk, golden eagle, grasshopper sparrow, greater sage-grouse, lark bunting, loggerhead shrike, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, McCown’s longspur, mountain plover, northern harrier, northern pintail, peregrine falcon (migration), prairie falcon, red knot (migration), red-headed woodpecker, sharp-tailed grouse, short-eared owl, Sprague’s pipit, Swainson’s hawk, upland sandpiper, western meadowlark, Wilson’s phalarope, whooping crane (migration), and willet.

Mammals: Big brown bat, black-footed ferret, black-tailed prairie dog, dwarf shrew, gray wolf, hispid pocket mouse, little brown bat, long-eared bat, long-legged bat, meadow jumping mouse, Merriam’s shrew, northern long-eared bat, porcupine, sagebrush vole, swift fox, Townsend’s big- eared bat, and western small-footed bat.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, Great Plains toad, greater short-horned lizard, milk snake, northern leopard frog, plains hognose snake, plains spadefoot, sagebrush lizard, smooth softshell, smooth green snake, and spiny softshell.

Fish and Mussels: Blue sucker, burbot, Flathead chub, northern redbelly dace, sickle-fin chub, pearl dace, shortnose gar, sturgeon chub, and sauger.

Steep-Sided Wooded Draw Wildlife Interpretation:

Steep-Sided Wooded Draw ecological sites, commonly known as woody, hardwood, wooded, or green ash draws support a diverse structure of trees and shrubs with a minor understory of grasses. The Steep-Sided Wooded Draw ecological site provides a connection between Flat Bottom Wooded Draw, Riparian Complex, and Loamy Overflow ecological sites. These forested associations form a dendritic pattern extending into herbaceous uplands.

Forest associations - created where Steep-Sided Wooded Draws are found adjacent to Flat Bottomed Wooded Draws and Loamy Overflow - provide excellent loafing, escape, and winter cover for small and large herbivores and excellent year-round habitat for elk and deer (white-tailed and mule). These sites provide nesting habitat for many migratory passerines and excellent winter cover for sharp-tailed grouse, eastern screech owl, great horned owl, wild turkey, and non-migrating passerine birds (such as black-capped chickadee and white-breasted nuthatch).

Steep-Sided Wooded Draws are usually associated with Flat Bottom Wooded Draws - typically expressed as woody travel corridors. Wild turkey, deer, elk, small mammals, passerine birds, etc., use this ecological site to move across the landscape for food, cover, and water. Steep-Sided Wooded Draws also occur as detached woody blocks on steep slopes (9 to 50 percent) in concave or convex landscape positions providing excellent loafing, escape, and winter cover for small and large herbivores. Steep-Sided Wooded Draws associated with Flat Bottom Wooded Draws augment expansive year-round habitat for elk and deer.

Steep-Sided Wooded Draws do not support big sagebrush; therefore, it is not appropriate to manage these sites for big sagebrush. Greater sage-grouse do not utilize these sites for foraging, loafing, or winter habitat. Ecological sites associated with the Steep-Sided Wooded Draw sites in MLRA 58C include Claypan, Limy Residual, Loamy, Loamy Overflow, Very Shallow, Shallow Loamy, Flat Bottom Wooded Draw, and Badland. In combination, these sites provide a landscape generally dominated by grassland with intermingled woody draws. Historically these sites provided woodland edge vegetation adjacent to grassland.

This ecological site exists in four plant community states (1.0 Reference, 2.0 Native/Invaded, 3.0 Invaded, and 4.0 Conifer Invaded) within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases occur in State 1.0 and 2.0. Today, these states occur primarily in response to grazing, above or below average precipitation, and Rocky Mountain juniper invasion. Secondary influences include anthropogenic disturbances such as energy development and fire.

It is important to intensively manage, using tools in the Community Phase Pathways of State 1.0, to prevent further plant community degradation. When degradation occurs along Transitional Pathways T2B, or T3A, the plant community crosses the threshold to Conifer Invaded State 4.0. Success along Restoration Pathway R4A State 2.0 is very difficult; it is dependent upon a stand replacing fire or mechanical treatment and prescribed fire. Mechanical treatment may only be possible on lower gradient slopes.

Management goals along community phase, transition, or restoration pathways should focus on attainable changes. Short- and long-term monetary costs must be evaluated against short- and long- term ecological services in creating and maintaining vegetative communities of sufficient quality to support sustainable wildlife populations.

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Green Ash/Chokecherry (Multi-Age Class):
This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wildlife; every effort should be made to maintain the Steep-Sided Wooded Draw ecological site within this community phase. Multi-aged and multi-layered deciduous trees (such as green ash, American elm, and boxelder) and shrubs (such as chokecherry, American plum, western snowberry, and Saskatoon serviceberry) dominate this site. This phase only occurs where infrequent disturbances (grazing, drought, fire, etc.) permit establishment and growth of green ash seedlings in the herbaceous layer. Prescribed grazing, with adequate recovery periods, as well as prescribed burning will sustain high functionality.

These wooded draws are an important habitat type used by many large herbivorous mammals. Multi- level canopy, high edge-to-area ratio, and prevalence of preferred forage species provides high quality wildlife vegetative associations. Wooded draws within MLRA 58C, such as those in Community Phase 1.1, receive various levels of seasonal use by American bison (Theodore Roosevelt National Park), Rocky Mountain elk, and deer. In general, wooded draws provide important travel corridors, security cover, foraging, loafing, and parturition (birthing) areas.

Invertebrates: Dominated by early season flowering shrubs, pollinating insects will need adjacent herbaceous- and forb-dominated ecological sites for mid- to late-season pollen sources. Lower trophic-level consumers (such as invertebrate decomposers, scavengers, shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal-feeders) will use woody plant material, leaves, and limited amounts of grasses in contact and mineral soil. The woody component of this site is not conducive to use by the Dakota skipper, regal fritillary, or monarch butterfly. Woody plant material is available for wood-nesting bees. These wind-protected, moist plant communities provide favorable habitat for flying insects (flies, mosquitoes, moths, etc.). Favorable climatic conditions can lead to large hatches of insects providing forage.

Birds: This site does not provide habitat requisites for grassland-nesting bird species due the dominance of woody vegetation. Bird species that use and benefit from woodland edge (such as wild turkey, black-billed cuckoo, red-headed woodpecker, black-capped chickadee, gray catbird, and loggerhead shrike) can be found in this community phase. These sites provide quality winter thermal cover for sharp-tailed grouse. Wildlife use increases as the depth of snow increases during the winter, thereby becoming critical to the sustainment of winter resident bird populations. The presence of woody plant species may increase mammalian and avian predation and may increase brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds on adjacent grassland ecological sites.

Mammals: Nearly all bat species use Community Phase 1.1 for roost sites and forage. Small herbivores that can use or tolerate woodland edge (such as least chipmunks, American porcupine, and cotton-tail rabbit) will benefit from this plant community phase.

Shrubs and trees provide security and thermal cover used by elk and deer and for foraging, loafing, and rearing young-of-the-year. Multi-layer shrub/tree communities provide concealment protection from predators during parturition. Plant species provide highly nutritious forage during peak lactation, one of the most energy-demanding time periods of the year for female ungulates.

Elk utilizes Community Phase 1.1 as a source of cover during daylight hours - only emerging early/late in the day to forage in adjacent grasslands - then returning to the relative security provided by this plant community to ruminate and loaf during daylight hours. At times of drought, elk forage heavily on western snowberry found within Community Phase 1.1.

Deer utilize Community Phase 1.1 as primary foraging areas during all seasons of the year. Research at Theodore Roosevelt National Park found utilization of chokecherry and western snowberry by mule deer peaks during the fall accounting for 20 to 25 percent of their total dietary intake. In addition, mule deer also utilize rose, gooseberry, and Saskatoon serviceberry during the growing season. Winter white-tailed deer diets are dominated by chokecherry, western snowberry, Saskatoon serviceberry, rose, and various species of gooseberry. However, utilization of green ash as a forage by elk and deer was minimal, accounting for <3 percent total dietary intake during all seasons.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site and associated plant communities provides limited habitat for smooth green snakes. This ecological site can provide habitat for the northern leopard frog and Great Plains toad if freshwater habitats (such as stock water ponds) are located in or adjacent to the site. Dominated by woody species, this site provides limited habitat for sagebrush lizard, short-horned lizard, plains hog-nosed snake, and plains spadefoot.

Fish and Mussels: Detached Steep-Sided Wooded Draws have little effect on streams, rivers, or water bodies. However, this ecological site is usually associated with Flat Bottom Wooded Draws, which are directly associated with streams, rivers, or water bodies. When associated with Flat Bottom Wooded Draws, this site receives run-on water from adjacent ecological sites. Management on Steep-Sided Wooded Draw sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, has a direct effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries or water bodies. Optimum hydrologic function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to the adjacent aquatic ecosystems.

Community Phase 1.2 Green Ash/Chokecherry/Herbaceous Understory:
Multiyear or short-term drought, coupled with low-intensity fires, reduces or eliminates green ash recruitment. As drought continues, the severity of a fire is reduced due to a lack of fine fuels. This community still offers quality woodland edge vegetation; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within the 1.0 Reference State. A predominance of woody species favors browsing ungulates and migratory and resident birds which depend upon some degree of woody vegetation to fulfill life requisites.

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 1.3 Chokecherry/Herbaceous Understory:
Several years of above-average precipitation leads to high amounts of fine fuels setting up conditions for moderate- to high-intensity fire. Fire largely eliminates green ash in the understory layer and reduces the density in the tree layer. Green ash that survives fire would likely occur as multi-stemmed trees.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, a reduction in the tree and shrub canopy will increase sunlight to the shrub and herbaceous layer, increasing nectar opportunities for pollinating insects. Increased sunlight may reduce soil moisture which is preferred by some ground- dwelling invertebrates.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, a reduction or complete loss of green ash and other trees will impact canopy-nesting species. Cavity-nesting bird species may benefit from remaining decadent trees. The presence of snags or live trees with patches of decay or cavities from limb breakage will determine cavity-nesting bird use. Cavity-nesting bird species use existing natural or excavated cavities, or they build their own.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, elk habitat may be impacted with a reduction of the tree canopy as a source of cover during daylight hours. Forage for elk and deer may increase as western snowberry increases.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, increased sunlight may promote use by some reptiles.

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

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Green Ash/Chokecherry (Multi-Age Class):
Similar in appearance to Community Phase 1.1, this plant community phase is characterized by a presence of cool-season exotic grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome.

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 Chokecherry/Exotic Herbaceous Understory:
Similar in appearance to Community Phase 1.3, this plant community phase is characterized by a decreasing presence of green ash in the herbaceous, shrub, and eventually the sapling layers. In this phase, chokecherry dominates the sapling, shrub, and herbaceous layers. This state has been invaded by exotic cool-season grasses and forbs including Kentucky bluegrass (<10 percent), smooth brome, Canada thistle, leafy spurge, etc. Kentucky bluegrass sod and thatch inhibits seed/soil contact, impacting green ash seedling recruitment, and restoration potential.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3.

3.0 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1 Decadent Green Ash/Chokecherry/Exotic Herbaceous Understory: This state often develops in association with heavy continuous grazing on adjacent sites, or when livestock activity on this site significantly impacts the woody vegetation. Green ash recruitment is reduced or eliminated and chokecherry, along with other shrubs, may be trampled. Scattered, decadent green ash exists in the tree layer, but no longer as saplings. Exotic herbaceous species begin to dominate.

Invertebrates: Increased livestock use reduces availability of pollinator species for nectar and pollen. Increased livestock compaction may reduce site availability for ground-nesting bees.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3; however, increased livestock use reduces use of this plant community bird species.

Mammals: Thermal, loafing, and escape cover has been significantly reduced or eliminated for most mammal species.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This plant community phase provides limited life requisites for most amphibians and reptiles.

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

4.0 Conifer Invaded State

Community Phase 4.1 Juniper-Pine:
This phase results from Transitional Pathways T2B and T3A with the continued lack of fire and the presence of a conifer seed source (e.g., Rocky Mountain juniper, ponderosa pine) from a nearby site; conifers will invade this site and eventually dominate the site. This phase is dependent upon seed dispersal by birds and mammals from nearby sites. A dense stand of conifers leads to changes in soil chemistry and a change in the associated herbaceous plant community. A detritus layer of juniper needles, shade, a shallow root system, and interception of precipitation with a possible soil chemistry change (decrease in pH), can reduce or eliminate an herbaceous or forb understory. A stand- replacing fire is required to move this plant community to State 2.0 (via Restoration Pathway R4A).

Invertebrates: Flowering shrubs, such as chokecherry and silver buffaloberry, are outcompeted by conifers (mainly Rocky Mountain juniper). Depending upon the degree of dominance by Rocky Mountain juniper, pollinating insects will only be supported if flowering shrubs or forbs remain within or on the edge of the plant community.

Birds: Dominated by Rocky Mountain juniper, some canopy-dwelling/nesting birds will benefit. Lack of shrub and sapling layer will limit use by forest-edge bird species that depend upon forest understory.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, the reduction of the shrub understory reduces browse availability for deer and thermal cover for other large and small mammals.

Amphibians/Reptiles: This plant community phase provides limited life requisites for most amphibians and reptiles.

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

Grazing Interpretations

Due to site conditions (e.g., steep slopes, limited forage production, etc.), grazing on this site is limited. Therefore, grazing management efforts should be concentrated on adjacent sites and should be applied that enhances the competitive advantage of native grass and forb species. This may include: (1) grazing when exotic cool-season grasses are actively growing and native cool-season grasses are dormant; (2) applying proper deferment periods allowing native grasses to recover and maintain or improve vigor; (3) adjusting overall grazing intensity to reduce excessive plant litter (above that needed for rangeland health indicator #14 – see Rangeland Health Reference Worksheet); (4) incorporating early heavy spring utilization which focuses grazing pressure on exotic cool-season grasses and reduces plant litter provided that livestock are moved when grazing selection shifts from exotic cool-season grasses to native grasses.

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

Utilization Level:
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. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B. Infiltration is moderate or moderately slow; runoff potential is medium or high or depending on 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

The largest acreage of public land available for recreation in the MLRA is owned and managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS) within the Little Missouri National Grasslands in North Dakota (525,211 acres). These areas are available for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, horse and bike riding, nature viewing, etc. In addition, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 30,895 acres in North Dakota and Montana with the same recreational opportunities as the USFS lands. North Dakota and Montana Department of Trust Lands (80,220 acres) provide hunting, bird watching, hiking, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. North Dakota Wildlife Management Areas (3,447 acres) of land managed by the states for wildlife habitat in MLRA 58C.

MLRA 58C is home to the North and South Units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Park encompasses approximately 70,000 acres and welcomes approximately 900,000 visitors annually. 29,920 acres of the park is designated Wilderness Area. The south unit of the park has a 48-mile scenic drive while the north unit has a 28-mile scenic drive. The Badland and associated ecological sites provide the main scenery attraction.

Bird watching: Public and private grasslands within MLRA 58C provide essential habitat for prairie-dependent bird species (such as Sprague's pipits, western meadowlark, and Baird's sparrow) along with some of the larger, showy members of the upland prairie including marbled godwits, upland sandpipers, and willets. The abundance of publicly owned lands (such as Theodore Roosevelt National Park, USFS, North Dakota Department of Trust Lands, BLM, etc.) provide excellent birding opportunities. MLRA 58C is in the Central Flyway.

Hunting/Fishing: MLRA 58C is a fall destination for upland game bird hunters, especially sharp-tailed grouse. This MLRA also provides excellent white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn, elk, coyote, and mountain lion hunting opportunities along with the only bighorn sheep hunting units in the North Dakota. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department manages three man-made fishing lakes within the MLRA. Available species include rainbow and brown trout, bluegill, and largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Camping: Many camping opportunities exist in the MLRA. Modern and primitive camping is available at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Sully’s Creek State Park, Little Missouri State Park, Buffalo Gap Campground, BLM land, and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands. The Sully’s Creek and Little Missouri State Parks are designated horse parks.

Hiking/Biking: Over 150 miles of the May-Daah-Hey Trail provide some of the best single-track trails in the world for biking, hiking, or horseback riding. The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) has designated the hiking, biking, and horseback riding trail as EPIC - meaning it’s one of the top mountain biking trails in the United States. The trail has nine fenced campgrounds, each accessible by gravel surfaced roads; they include camping spurs, potable water, hitching rails, picnic tables, fire rings, and accessible toilets. They are spaced about every 20 miles along the trail. The North and South Units of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park provide 38.9 and 49.6 miles, respectively, of hiking trails for walkers, bikers, or horseback riders. The Little Missouri State Park has 45 miles of trails that run through the North Dakota Badlands.

Canoeing: Traversing 274 miles through MLRA 58C, the Little Missouri River provides early spring canoeing and kayaking. The Little Missouri River is the only designated State Scenic River in the MLRA. The river passes through Sully Creek State Park, the Little Missouri National Grassland, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Wood products

Rocky Mountain juniper may be used for fence posts, wood mulch, rails and similar wood products.

Other products

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

Other information

Site Development and Testing Plan

Steep-Sided Wooded Draw needs additional production and cover data to more accurately depict the plant communities listed above in collaboration with the USFS.

Established Arikara series is planned to be reclassified according to the collected soil data for Steep- Sided Wooded Draw.

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.

Other references

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Contributors

ND NRCS: David Dewald, Johnthan Fettig, Alan Gulsvig, Mark Hayek, Jeanne Heilig, John Kempenich, Chuck Lura, Jeff Printz, Steve Sieler, and Hal Weiser.

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 4/21/2025

Acknowledgments

NRCS would like to acknowledge the United State Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS) for access to USFS and NPS properties and technical assistance in ESD development. USFS: Jack Dahl, Nickole Dahl, Chad Prosser, Jack Butler; NPS: Chad Sexton.