Physiographic features

This site most commonly occurs on glaciated uplands – ground moraines and lake plains. This site is typically on linear back slopes, concave foot slopes, or on flats. On ground moraines the parent material is either fine-loamy, coarse-loamy, or clayey till. On lake plains the parent material is either fine-silty or clayey glaciolacustrine sediments. Most areas have less than 6 percent slope; but slopes range to 15 percent.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

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

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

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Climate stations used

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• (16) LEEDS [USC00325078], Leeds, ND

• (17) RUGBY [USC00327704], Rugby, ND

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

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

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

Influencing water features

This site does not receive significant additional water, either as runoff from adjacent slopes or from a seasonal high water table. Although the seasonal water table can be as shallow as 3 feet early in the growing season on low-relief areas, the root-restrictive claypan layer prohibits the plants from benefiting significantly from subirrigation. Depth to the water table is typically more than 4 feet through most of the growing season. Surface infiltration is moderately slow to very slow. Saturated hydraulic conductivity in the claypan layer is moderately low. Water loss on this site occurs primarily through evapotranspiration.

Soil features

Soils associated with Claypan ES are in the Mollisol order; they are classified further as Calcic Natrudolls. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed in glaciolacustrine deposits or till. They typically are moderately well drained, but somewhat poorly drained soils are included. The common feature of soils in this site is a dense, claypan layer in the upper part of the subsoil; although these are very deep soils, the claypan is root-restrictive. The depth to the claypan ranges from 6 to 20 inches. Salt accumulations, where present, are deeper than 16 inches and commonly occur within a depth of 24 inches. The texture of the claypan typically is clay loam, clay, or silty clay, but it is loam or silty clay loam in some soils. The claypan layer forms a ribbon 1 to >2 inches long. The texture of the surface layer is loam, silt loam, silty clay loam, or fine sandy loam.

Soil salinity is none to slight (E.C. <8 dS/m) in the upper 16 inches; below this, it typically increases to moderate (E.C. 8 - <16 dS/m) within a depth of 24 inches. Sodicity is low above the claypan layer; but increases significantly in that layer and below. It commonly exceeds an SAR value of 13 in the lower subsoil.

Soil reaction is slightly acid to slightly alkaline (pH 6.1 to 7.8) above the claypan and slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline (pH 7.4 to 9.0) in the subsoil and substratum. Calcium carbonate content is none to moderately low to a depth of 16 inches or more; however, the soil has a layer with 15 to 25 percent CaCO3 within a depth of 40 inches (commonly within a depth 30 inches).

When dry these soils may crack. When the soils are wet, surface compaction can occur with heavy traffic. The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers are restrictive to water movement and root penetration.

These soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion. The hazard of water erosion increases on slopes greater than about 5 percent. Loss of the soil surface layer can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.

Major soil series correlated to the Claypan sites are Cavour, Larson, and Nahon.

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

Landscape:

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

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

The Pembina Gorge extends from the Canadian border southeast to Walhalla where the Pembina River enters the floor of the Red River Valley in MLRA 56. The Pembina Escarpment separates the ground moraine to the west from Glacial Lake Agassiz (Red River Valley) lying 300-400 feet (91-122 meters) below and to the east. Mainly found on steep slopes along the Pembina River, the Pembina Gorge is in a rugged and sheltered setting with bur oak, green ash, cottonwood, and American elm. Encompassing approximately 12,500 acres, the Pembina Gorge is one of the largest uninterrupted blocks of woodlands in North Dakota. This segment of the Pembina River is the longest segment of unaltered river valley in the North Dakota.

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

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

Historic Communities/Conditions within MLRA 55A:

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

Present Communities/Conditions within MLRA 55A:

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

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

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

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

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

Some characteristic wildlife species in this area are:

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

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

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

Presence of wildlife species is often determined by ecological site characteristics including grass and forb species, tree and shrub species, hydrology, aspect, and other associated ecological sites. The home ranges of a majority species are usually larger than one ecological site or are dependent 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, woodpeckers, woodland edge and interior species, and their young. Extensive use of insecticides for specialty crops such as soybeans, corn, and other crops has greatly reduced insects within this MLRA.

Species of Concern within MLRA 55A:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grassland and Woodland Management for Wildlife in the MLRA 55A:

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

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

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

Life requisites and habitat deficiencies are determined for targeted species. Deficiencies need to be addressed along community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways as presented in specific state-and-transition models. Ecological sites should be managed and restored within the site’s capabilities to provide sustainable habitat for targeted species or species guilds. Managers also need to consider vegetative associations provided by adjacent/intermingled ecological sites for species with home ranges or life requisites that may not be provided by one ecological site. Understanding specific grassland species’ sensitivity to woody encroachment and preferred vegetative structure enables managers to determine which grassland-nesting bird species will avoid grassland habitats adjacent to Upland Hardwood Forest or Loamy Savanna ecological sites, or woody dominated Loamy ecological sites as found in Plant Community Phase 5.1.

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

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

The following chart provides sensitivity to woody vegetation and preferred vegetative stature heights. To see the chart please follow the hyperlink:

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/ND/55A_Claypan_ESD_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf

Claypan Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Claypan ecological sites have a dense, claypan layer in the upper part of the subsoil (depth to the claypan ranges from 6 to 14 inches). The claypan is moderately root-restrictive, negatively impacting plant growth. This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge-sensitive grassland bird species. Claypan habitat features support nesting and foraging grassland birds. Overall, they can provide sharp-tailed grouse lek sites except during periods of above normal precipitation when these sites may be too wet. Associated ecological sites include Clayey, Loamy Overflow, Loamy, Saline Lowland, and Thin Claypan.

Claypan ecological sites may be found in four plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Invaded State, and 4.0 Go-Back State). Multiple plant community phases exist within States 1.0 and 2.0. These states occur primarily in response to grazing, drought, and non-use. Secondary influences include fire and anthropogenic disturbances.

Because there is no known restoration pathway from State 2.0 to State 1.0, it is important to intensively manage using tools in State 1.0 and State 2.0 community phase pathways to prevent further plant community degradation along the T2A transitional pathway to Invaded State 3.0. Native grassland associated wildlife generally benefit from a heterogeneous grassland (as found in community phases of States 1.0 and 2.0) that includes diverse grass and forb species with varying structure and density.

As plant communities degrade within State 2.0 and transition to State 3.0, cool-season exotic grasses increase while native forbs are reduced. This transition results in reduced structure, increased plant community homogeneity, and reduced insect populations resulting in a reduction of breeding, nesting, foraging, or winter habitat for grassland birds. When adjacent/intermingled ecological sites undergo the same transition, the result can be an expansive, homogenous landscape. A homogenous grassland landscape does not provide quality escape or winter cover. As a result, many species may not be able to meet life requisites within State 3.0.

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 or successful native range seeding.

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 enough quality to support a sustainable population.

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama: Within this ecological site capabilities, this plant community provides quality wildlife habitat and every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This phase retains high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing (with adequate recovery period) as well as prescribed fire. 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: Claypan ecological sites do not have a high diversity of forbs. However, 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 low trophic level consumers such as invertebrate decomposers, scavengers, shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal-feeders.

Dakota skippers do not prefer this site due to limited host plants, such as little bluestem, prairie dropseed, and preferred forbs. Nuttall’s violet may be found on this site providing potential regal fritillary habitat. Monarch butterfly may use flowering forbs on this site; however, few milkweed species are found on this site to support breeding and larvae development. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs for pollen and nectar and bare ground for nesting amongst bunchgrasses. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods, as well as prescribed fire, to maintain Community Phase 1.1A will have long term positive effect on nests of ground dwelling insects.

Birds: This plant community provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by short- to mid-grass nesting birds. Plant structure may be too dense or tall for species using short-grass habitats; however, it may be used during periods of drought or management such as rotational grazing or fire (resulting in defoliation) along community phase pathway 1.1A. In years with reduced precipitation or drought, nesting recruitment may be compromised. This plant community provides suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse leks and nesting and brood-rearing habitat. The low scattered shrubs present in the plant community phase should not impact woody vegetation sensitive bird species. Diverse prey populations provide good hunting opportunity for grassland raptors. Many passerine species utilize MLRA 55A as a major migratory travel corridor.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores including voles, mice, rodents, jackrabbits, and white-tailed deer. Short- to moderate- stature provides suitable food and thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores such as ground squirrels.

Amphibians/Reptiles: This ecological site and associated plant communities provides habitat for smooth green snakes. This ecological site can provide habitat for the northern leopard frog and Great Plains toad if freshwater habitat such as wetlands, streams, or lakes are adjacent to the site.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site is not directly associated with streams, rivers, or water bodies. This ecological site receives run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and provides hydrology to downslope ecological sites such as Saline Lowland. Management on Claypan sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, can have an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Claypan 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 Blue Grama-Saltgrass/Sedge: This plant community phase occurs under heavy season-long grazing with or without drought. Blue grama and saltgrass increase while western wheatgrass decreases. Overall stature is shorter than Community Phase 1.1 with white sagebrush, silverleaf Indian breadroot, curlycup gumweed, and common yarrow being the common forbs.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, forb diversity is reduced, reducing pollen and nectar availability for many pollinators. White sagebrush is wind-pollinated while western yarrow has small flowers favoring flies and small bees. Curlycup gumweed pollen is widely used by many native bees. An increase in warm-season, sod-forming grasses may negatively impact ground nesting pollinator species.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, the increase of short warm-season grasses favors grassland-nesting birds species preferring short-statured vegetation. Short, warm-season grasses may be more attractive for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, the shorter plant stature reduces or eliminates escape and thermal cover for large ungulates.

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 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1A due to changes in management and the presence of exotic, cool-season grasses. Under complete rest from grazing and no fire events, cool-season exotic grasses are consistently invasive leading to this transition. Chronic season-long or late fall grazing can facilitate this transition. The threshold between States 1.0 and 2.0 is crossed when Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome grass, or other exotic species become established. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Plant Community Phase 1.1, except 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 the 2.0 community phase pathways to avoid transitioning to the Invaded State 3.0. There is no known Community Phase Pathway back to State 1.0 from State 2.0.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

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

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

Community Phase 2.2 Blue Grama-Saltgrass/Sedge/Forbs: This community developed from heavy continuous grazing, continuous season-long grazing, or from over-utilization during extended drought periods. Community Phase Pathway 2.1A leads to a shorter-statured warm-season grass/sedge community with a reduction in forb diversity. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods along Community Phase Pathway 2.2A is an efficient, effective method to regain the cool-season grass and forb diversity components in Community Phase 2.1.

This community phase is often found in a mosaic in the pasture in an overgrazed/ undergrazed pattern typical of properly stocked pastures grazed season long. Some areas will be impacted by heavy use while other areas will have a build-up of litter and a high amount of plant decadence. This mosaic of grazed and ungrazed areas provides a short- to mid- vegetative stature. Dependent upon the patch size of overgrazed vs. undergrazed areas, grassland nesting birds preferring short/mid-vegetative stature may prefer this plant community phase.

Invertebrates: The reduction of native forbs and increase in sod-forming grasses begins to limit foraging and nesting sites for all pollinators. Early-season bloom species become limited. Continuous, season-long grazing or heavy continuous grazing may reduce ground-nesting site availability. Homogeneity of forb species may limit season-long nectar availability. However, dependent upon the amount of overgrazed vs. undergrazed area, the undergrazed areas may provide similar life requisites as Community Phase 2.1.

Birds: Heavy continuous grazing or continuous season-long grazing will reduce nesting sites, forage (invertebrates), and cover. A reduced forb component may limit insect foraging opportunities. The stature is generally short, favoring short-grass nesting birds. However, dependent upon the amount of overgrazed vs. undergrazed area, vegetative stature could favor mid- to mid-grass bird species. Species that prefer mid-grass stature generally will be successful with normal to above normal precipitation and a change in management (implementation of a prescribed grazing system, along the 2.2A Community Pathway). In years with reduced precipitation or heavy grazing during the nesting season, use by mid-grass nesting species may be compromised. This plant community provides areas suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek site development. Heavy grazing and a lack of cover for small mammals reduces hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Suitable food and thermal, protective, and escape cover (reduction in litter) for small mammals also becomes limited. However, dependent upon the amount of overgrazed vs. undergrazed area, vegetative stature in the undergrazed areas could provide thermal and escape cover for mammals, especially small mammals.

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

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

Community Phase 2.3 Western Wheatgrass-Exotic Grasses/Forbs: Extended periods of no use and no fire (via Community Pathway 2.1B or 2.2B) results in a marked increase in the exotic cool-season grasses Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and/or quackgrass. Runoff and available nitrogen increase.

Invertebrates: The increase in sod-forming grasses limits forb production and further limits nesting sites for pollinators.

Birds: Total rest will provide vegetation that is short- to mid-stature. Dependent upon the degree of Kentucky bluegrass invasion, the lack of plant diversity and stature (along with increased litter and the tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass to lay down) limits use by many grassland-nesting birds. This plant community provides areas suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek site development. Non-use or lack of fire provides protective and thermal cover for small mammals and good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: The increased litter from total rest from grazing combined with no fire events provides protective, thermal, and escape cover for small mammals but limited protective, thermal, or escape cover for large mammals.

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

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

3.0 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1 Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Shrubs: Heavy, continuous seasonal grazing or heavy, continuous season-long grazing or extended periods of no use and no fire results (via Transitional Pathway T2) in a plant community phase dominated by Kentucky bluegrass or smooth bromegrass with native species difficult to find on the site. Characterized by a dominance (>30%) of exotic cool-season grasses, such as smooth bromegrass and Kentucky bluegrass, native grasses represent less than 40% of the plant community. Return to State 2.0 (via Restoration Pathway R3A) through prescribed burning and high levels of grazing management requires remnant amounts of native warm- and cool-season and forbs to be successful. The remnant native community needs frequent prescribed burns and high levels of grazing management targeting the exotic cool-season grasses to improve competitiveness and increase vigor and density. Without intensive management, the remnant native plants will not increase adequately to transition back to State 2.0. Intensified management along the R3A Pathway will have significant short-term negative impacts on wildlife habitat; however, this is necessary to restore long-term native habitat functions.

Invertebrates: Exotic grasses limit use by beneficial insects provided in States 1.0 and 2.0. Heavy, continuous season-long grazing causes this plant community to be dominated by sod forming cool- and warm-season grasses creating a thick root layer which eliminates bare ground and nesting sites for native bees and other ground-nesting insects. Lack of grazing and/or fire increase litter leading to limited contact between plant material and mineral soil resulting in a cooler micro-climate, which is unfavorable to most insects. Both management scenarios lead to a lack of nectar-producing plants and native grass host plants which eliminate life requisites for invertebrate species of concern in MLRA 55A. Depending on density of shrubs, early- to mid-season pollen and nectar may be provided by western snowberry and prairie rose.

Birds: The homogeneous community phase, dominated by exotic short statured grass species, provides limited habitat and life requisites for most obligate grassland-nesting birds. Bird species that favor short-statured vegetation may use this site; however, heavy, continuous season-long grazing along with a lack of plant diversity and stature limits use by many grassland-nesting birds. Lack of grazing and/or fire decreases plant diversity and stature and increases litter and the tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass to “lay down” limits use by many grassland-nesting birds. Sharp-tailed grouse may use this plant community for lek sites; however, all other life requisites will need to be met on other nearby or adjacent ecological sites plant communities. The shrub component in this plant community will not reach density or height to be detrimental to grass-land nesting birds that are intolerant to woody vegetation.

Mammals: Heavy, continuous season-long grazing causes this plant community to be dominated by short-statured, sod forming cool- and warm-season grasses providing limited thermal, protective, escape cover for mammals. Limited habitat is available for mammals except for ground dwelling rodent species. Lack of grazing and/or fire decreases plant diversity and stature and increases litter and the tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth bromegrass to lodge favoring thermal, protective, and escape cover for small mammals/rodents. Dependent upon the density of western snowberry, limited thermal, protective, and escape cover may be available for larger mammals.

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

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, runoff increases significantly from the plant community due to thick thatch and sod forming grasses, increasing yield and nutrient loading to adjacent ecological sites and waterbodies.

State 4: Go-Back State

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

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

Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations:

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

Grazing levels are noted within the plant community narratives and pathways in reference to 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 forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group D. Infiltration ranges from moderately slow to very slow; runoff potential for this site varies from medium to very high depending on surface texture, slope shape, slope percent, and ground cover. The dense claypan layer slows water movement through the soil profile. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for higher infiltration and lower runoff. An example of an exception would be where shortgrasses form a strong sod and dominate the site. Dominance by blue grama, Kentucky bluegrass, and/or smooth bromegrass will result in reduced infiltration and increased runoff. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).

Recreational uses

Hunting and Bird Watching: Over 113,000 acres of National Wildlife Refuges and over 77,000 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas owned and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service are available for public hunting and bird watching. In addition, over 22,000 acres of North Dakota Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), approximately 8,000 acres of North Dakota Forest Service, and thou-sands of acres of Department of Trust Lands are scattered throughout the central and western portions of the MLRA; these areas are available for hunting and bird watching. MLRA 55A provides a unique ruffed grouse hunting opportunity in North Dakota on wildlife management areas managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and forest service lands managed by North Dakota Forest Service within the Turtle Mountain.

Camping: Three state parks are located within the MLRA including Lake Metigoshe State Park (Turtle Mt.), Grahams Island State Park (Devils Lake), and the newly designated Pembina Gorge State Park (formerly Pembina Gorge Recreation Area). These Parks provide hiking, biking, birding, canoeing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Many local parks and private parks provide modern and primitive camping opportunities. The approximately 8,000 acres of North Dakota Forest Service provides primitive camping (no electric or water hookups) as well as fishing and canoeing access at various lakes. These forests and lakes provide access to swimming beaches, picnicking, and an extensive trail system open to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing (not groomed). Limited primitive camping is also available on North Dakota Game and Fish Depart-ment 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 on North Dakota Forest Service lands (18.6 miles), Upper Souris NWR (4.25 miles), Des Lacs NWR (8.5 miles), J. Clark NWR (3.3 miles), White Horse Hill Na-tional Game Preserve (3.6 miles), Lake Metigoshe State Park (16 miles), and Grahams Island State Park (2.1 miles; 3 miles cross country skiing). In addition, extensive biking and walking trails are found in local county and city parks. The Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area (ND Forest Service) is located six miles northwest of Bottineau. This recreation area has over 12 miles of trails open to hiking, biking, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and OHV’s.

The Pembina Gorge State Park encompasses over 2,800 acres of public land in the Pembina River Gorge. Steep valley cliffs towering over small, isolated prairies and pocketed wetlands surrounded by the largest continuous, undisturbed forest in North Dakota provide opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, wildlife observing, birding, and downhill and cross- country skiing. Thirty miles of trails provide snowmobiling, mountain biking, and off-highway vehicles (OHV) opportunities.

Canoeing/Kayaking: Designated canoe and kayaking trails are available within the MLRA. J. Clark Sayler NWR has 12.75 miles of designated trails on the Souris River and Pembina Gorge State Park has 14.25 miles on the Pembina River. The Pembina Gorge State Park offers kayak rentals along with kayak transportation. Lake Metigoshe State Park offers canoe and kayak rentals along with standup paddleboards, pontoons, cross country skis, snowshoes, etc.

Downhill Skiing: Downhill skiing is available at Bottineau Winter Park within Turtle Mountain and Frost Fire Park at the Pembina Gorge. Full-service rental shops are available along with alpine trails ranging from beginner to expert. Conveyor lifts on the beginner hills to chairlifts are available for skiers.

International Peace Garden: The only peace garden located on the United States/Canada border, the International Peace Garden is a 2,339-acre botanical garden commemorating peace between the United States and Canada along the world’s longest unfortified border. It blooms with more than 155,000 flowers and showcases the Peace Chapel, Peace Towers, and Floral Clock. The North American Game Wardens Museum if also located within the boundaries of the International Peace Garden.

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

• Further investigation is needed on soil chemistry where this site is in complex with Thin Clay-pan sites. The risk of salinization on these areas is higher than where it is in complex with other sites with lower salt content. Site to site interactions need further study in the following MLRA map units:
o Ferney-Cavour loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes (map unit 2q4gk)
o Cavour-Ferney loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes (map unit 2q4gl)
o Larson-Uranda loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes (map unit 2q3xg)
o Larson-Uranda loams, 3 to 6 percent slopes (map unit 2q3xh)
o Larson-Uranda-Esmond loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes (map unit 2q3xj)
o Uranda-Larson loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes (map unit 2q3xn)
• 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.
• NASIS revisions needed:
o Twelve components of Noonan are currently linked to 53A Claypan (Legacy); these need to be relinked to 55A Claypan ecological site.

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 be-comes 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 Range Management Specialist; Dave Dewald, NRCS State Biologist; Jody Forman, NRCS Range Management Specialist; Jeff Printz, NRCS State Range Management Specialist; Kevin Sedivec, Extension Rangeland Management Specialist; Shawn Dekeyser, North Dakota State University; Rob Self, The Nature Conservancy and Lee Voigt, NRCS Range Management Specialist.

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Contributors

ND NRCS: David Dewald, Jonathan Fettig, Alan Gulsvig, Mark Hayek, Chuck Lura, Jeff Printz, Steve Sieler, and Hal Weiser

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 5/08/2025