Physiographic features

This site occurs on uplands – typically on eolian sand sheets, sandy lake plains, and outwash plains. Some areas are on till plains mantled with eolian sands. The parent materials are coarse-textured to a depth of 20 inches or more. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

MLRA 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) MOHALL [USC00326025], Mohall, ND

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• (14) RUGBY [USC00327704], Rugby, ND

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

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

• (17) LEEDS [USC00325078], Leeds, ND

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

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

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

Influencing water features

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

Soil features

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

The common features of soils in this site are coarse, non-gravelly textures within a depth of 10 inches (soil may form a ball, but it does not form a ribbon) that extend to a depth exceeding 20 inches and limited available water capacity. The soils are very deep; some have medium or moderately fine textured soil materials below a depth of 20 inches and within a depth of 40 inches. They are well drained to excessively drained. The surface layer is most commonly loamy fine sand, fine sand, or coarse sand; loamy sand and loamy coarse sand also occur. A few soils included in this site have a fine sandy loam surface layer that is <10 inches thick.

Salinity is none or very slight (E.C. <2 dS/m) in the sandy materials; where a loamy or silty substratum occurs, it may increase to slight (E.C. <4 dS/m). Sodicity is none. Soil reaction is slightly acid to moderately alkaline (pH 6.1 to 8.4). Calcium carbonate content is none to moderately low in the sandy materials; but where contrasting materials occur deep in the profile, it can be as high as 30 percent.

This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestaled plants. Water flow paths are broken, irregular in appearance, or discontinuous. The soil surface is stable and intact. These soils are susceptible to wind erosion. Loss of the soil surface layer can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.

Major soil series correlated to the Sands site are Claire, Dickey, Lohnes, Maddock, and Serden.

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

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

Landscape:

The MLRA 55A landscape is characterized by mostly nearly level to gently rolling till plains with some steep slopes adjacent to streams. The MLRA includes areas of kettle holes, kames, and ground 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 the MLRA. 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 of Devils Lake, Pembina River Escarpment and 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 Souris 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, 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 North Dakota), in the north-central part of the MLRA on the Canadian border, is approximately 1,950 to 2,541 feet (595 to 775 meters) in elevation, rising approximately 600 to 800 feet (150 meters) above the adjacent till plain. Home to an extensive forest of quaking aspen, bur oak, green ash, and willows, it has an understory of beaked hazel with associates of chokecherry, Saskatchewan serviceberry, downy arrowwood, and rose. Turtle Mountain comprises the largest area of quaking aspen forest in North Dakota.

The Pembina Escarpment extends from the Canadian border southeast to Walhalla where the Pembina River enters the floor of the Red River Valley in MLRA 56A. 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 Souris River while 44% drains into the Red River (via the Pembina River) or into Devils Lake (out-letting to Sheyenne River via a pump, pipeline, canal system). The North Dakota portion of the Souris River watershed is in this MLRA. The Souris 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 Souris River and migrating through MLRA 55A into MLRAs 56A 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 soils with higher water tables. Western snowberry, leadplant, and prairie rose are commonly interspersed throughout the area. Native forests occur in Turtle Mountain, Pembina Gorge, moraines near Devils Lake, woody draws, scattered tracts along the Souris 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 Souris 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 Souris 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 Souris River and Alameda on Moose Mountain Creek, a major tributary to the Souris River) were built, in part, to reduce flood peaks on the Souris River. In addition, three USFWS National Wildlife Refuges were created by building two low-head dams on the Souris River and one on the Des Lacs River in North Dakota. Numerous low-head dams are located on the Souris 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 which further impacted plant and animal communities.

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

Some characteristic wildlife species in this area are:

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

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

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

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

Insects play an important role providing ecological services for plant community development. Insects that are scavengers or aid in decomposition provide the food chain baseline sustaining the carnivorous insects feeding upon them. Many insects provide the ecological services necessary for pollination, keeping plant communities healthy and productive. Insects provide a protein food source for numerous species including grassland- nesting birds, woodpeckers, and 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-collared 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 Savannah ecological sites along with herbaceous dominated Loamy Overflow ecological sites may degrade one site by under-use, favoring woody vegetation or increasing exotic cool-season grasses.

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

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

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

Sands Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Sands ecological sites are very deep, coarse-textured (non-gravelly), well to excessively drained soils. They are usually found on eolian sand sheets, sandy lake plains, and outwash plains but can also occur on till plains mantled with eolian sands. No significant water table or surface run-on influences vegetation production on this site. These soils are susceptible to wind erosion. Associated ecological sites include Sandy, Subirrigated Sands, Choppy Sands, Sandy Claypan and, Thin Loamy. This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge-sensitive, grassland bird species preferring medium- to tall-statured vegetation.

This site is very similar to the Sandy ecological site in plant community structure and wildlife interpretations. Sands ecological sites may be found in four plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Invaded State, and 4.0 Go-Back State) within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases exist within States 1.0, and 2.0. Today, these states occur primarily in response to drought, fire, grazing, non-use, and other anthropogenic disturbances.

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

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

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

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

1.0 Reference State:

Community Phase 1.1 Needlegrasses-Prairie Sandreed-Bluestems: This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wildlife; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This phase retains high functionality through continued grassland management including prescribed grazing (with adequate recovery period), as well as prescribed fire. Predominance of grass species in this community favors grazers and mixed-feeders (animals selecting grasses as well as forbs and shrubs). The structural diversity provides habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident birds.

Invertebrates: Insects play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, reptiles, and rodents. Ecological services, historically provided by bison, are simulated by domestic livestock. These services include putting plant material and dung in contact with mineral soil to be used by lower trophic level consumers (such as invertebrate decomposers, scavengers, shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal-feeders). Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods, as well as prescribed fire, to maintain Community Phase 1.1 phase will have long-term positive effects on ground dwelling insects.

Dakota skippers may use this site due to availability of host plants (such as bluestems, needlegrasses, and upright prairie coneflower). Violet species are not common on this site, not supporting the needed habitat for the regal fritillary. Monarch butterfly may use flowering forbs; however, few milkweed species are found on these sites to support caterpillar food. Bumblebees and other native bees utilize forbs as a nectar source; bare ground and nesting sites are available due to the co-dominance of bunch grasses.

Birds: This plant community provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by mid- to tall grass-nesting birds. Prescribed fire maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. In years with reduced precipitation or drought, nesting recruitment may be compromised. This plant community does not provide suitable lek sites for sharp-tailed grouse due to the tall-statured vegetation. However, it does provide nesting, brood- rearing, escape, and winter habitat. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores. Tall- to mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site is not typically found adjacent to or near Wet Meadow or Shallow Marsh ecological sites. Habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad is dependent upon short distance to these ecological sites. This site provides habitat for the plains hog- nosed snake, preferring sandy sites.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site is not typically adjacent to streams, rivers, or water bodies. This site receives limited run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and provides limited hydrology to adjacent ecological sites. Management on Sands sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, will have an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Sands and adjacent sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to the adjacent aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2 Needle and Thread-Blue Grama/Sedges/Prairie Sandreed: Long-term drought (with or without long-term heavy grazing) favors decreases of tall warm-season grasses and increases in needle and thread, short warm-season grasses, and sedges.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. The forb component remains similar with increases in warm season sod-forming grasses and sedges. Multiyear drought may keep forbs from producing flowers or result in fewer and/or smaller flowers per plant. Increase in sod forming grasses decreases the availability of bare ground for ground nesting insects.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. However, the reduction in big bluestem and increases in sedges and short warm-season grasses moves this plant community to short- to mid-stature favoring grassland-nesting birds species preferring short- to mid-statured vegetation. Winter cover for resident bird species, such as sharp-tailed grouse, is somewhat compromised due to the increases in sedges and cool-season bunch grasses.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. A shift to short- to mid-statured vegetation reduces cover for large herbivores but provides suitable food and thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

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

2.0 Native/Invaded State:

Community Phase 2.1 Needlegrasses-Prairie Sandreed-Bluestems: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1A due to changes in management (reduction in fire frequency) and the presence of exotic, cool-season grasses. The threshold between States 1.0 and 2.0 is crossed when exotic grasses (usually Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and/or quackgrass) or exotic forbs become established. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Plant Community 1.1, except that it has a minor amount of cool-season exotic grasses or forbs. This phase functions at a high level for native wildlife; therefore, managers should consider management within the State 2.0 Community Phase Pathways to avoid transitioning to State 3.0.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

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

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

Community Phase 2.2 Needle and Thread-Blue Grama/Sedges/Prairie Sandreed: Multiyear drought with or without heavy grazing (via Community Phase Pathway 2.1A) results in increases in needle and thread, blue grama, and sedges with corresponding decreases in prairie sandreed and bluestems. The forb component is still diverse. This community phase is often found in a mosaic in the pasture in an overgrazed/undergrazed pattern typical of properly stocked pastures grazed season-long. Some areas will be impacted by heavy use while other areas will have a build-up of litter and a high amount of plant decadence. This mosaic of grazed and ungrazed areas provides a short to tall vegetative stature.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2. Invertebrates will respond to the amount of over-utilized vs. under-utilized areas and the resultant vegetative stature. Reduced litter amounts on the over-utilized area increases bare ground favoring ground nesting insects. Under-utilized areas will have a decrease in bare ground for ground-nesting insects but may have more pollen and nectar producing forbs. An increase in wind-pollinated shrubs, such as field sagewort and prairie sagewort, may reduce pollen and nectar availability. Prairie sagewort provides nesting sites for native bees and larval food butterfly species.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2. Dependent on patch sizes, mid- to tall-statured vegetation may be available to grassland nesting birds.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2. Overall plant stature may be reduced in this phase, reducing cover for large ungulates. Litter depth and residual vegetation provides thermal, protective, escape, and winter cover for small mammals.

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

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

Community Phase 2.3 Needle and Thread/Forbs/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses: This plant community develops through extended periods of non-use or very light grazing, and no fire (via Community Phase 2.1B and 2.2B). Needle and thread and exotic cool-season grasses become the dominant grasses with increases in Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome and/or quackgrass. The plant community is considered an “at risk” plant community. Every effort should be made by managers to avoid implementing a grazing system that may favor Kentucky bluegrass via Transitional Pathways T2A. Continuous, heavy season-long grazing or complete rest could cause this plant community to reach the 30 percent threshold of Kentucky bluegrass crossing over to State 3.0 with little chance of restoration back to State 2.0. Forbs including goldenrod, white heath aster, and white sagebrush are common forbs with increases in western snowberry and rose. Implementation of a prescribed grazing system with adequate recovery periods (via Community Pathway 2.3A) can shift the competitive edge to mid-statured warm-season grasses with a shift back to Community Phase 2.1 or 2.2.

Invertebrates: The reduction of native forbs and increase in sod-forming grasses and mulch limit foraging and ground nesting sites for all pollinators. Dominated by late season bloom period species of forbs, overall pollen and nectar resources become limited. Dependent upon the density of western snowberry and rose, this plant community can provide mid-season pollen and nectar sources.

Birds: An increase in exotic cool-season grasses and needle and thread combines with a corresponding reduction in tall warm-season grasses (such as big bluestem and prairie sandreed). This shift to short- to mid-grass statured vegetation favors grassland nesting birds preferring short to medium vegetative stature. Species that prefer mid-grass stature generally will be successful with normal to above normal precipitation and a change in management along the 2.3A Community Phase 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. Limited stature and diverse prey populations provide good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Increased litter provides habitat for rodents and other small mammals, while the shift to shorter statured vegetation reduces thermal, protective, and escape cover for larger mammals. The loss of diversity of grasses and forbs reduces nutrition levels for small and large herbivores.

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

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

3.0 Invaded State:

Community Phase 3.1 Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: Long-term non-use or very light grazing, with no fire, (via Transition Pathway T2A) causes this plant community to reach the 30 percent threshold of Kentucky bluegrass crossing over to State 3.0. This plant community can also develop under other management, such as season-long heavy grazing. Plant litter accumulation favors shade tolerant exotic cool-season grasses and western snowberry. Non-use will result in extensive areas of Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome and/or quackgrass and litter accumulation, and have the effect of residual cover going prostrate or “laying down”. Forb number and diversity is low, with western snowberry becoming common on the site. Pathway R3A will require intensive management practices, including prescribed fire, grazing, and possible mechanical treatment of western snowberry along with extensive time to bring forb and grass diversity back to State 2.0. Success along this pathway is dependent upon the length of time this community phase has been in place and the amount and vigor of any native cool- and warm-season grasses persisting on the site.

Invertebrates: The invasion of Kentucky bluegrass or other exotic cool-season grasses reduces habitats for all pollinating species of concern within MLRA 55A. Season-long pollen and nectar availability becomes limited on this site. The woody shrub component (western snowberry) will provide an early- to mid- season bloom period. Non-use will increase litter, reducing sites for ground nesting pollinators. Heavy grazing will reduce litter amounts and provide some bare ground for ground nesting insects. Overall, pollinator plant diversity is low, limiting season-long nectar and pollen production.

Birds: As vegetative stature becomes less diverse with an exotic cool-season monoculture (Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome and/or quackgrass), non-use, very light use, and no fire results in extensive areas of grass litter accumulation. In addition, residual cover will have the effect of going prostrate or “laying down” which negatively impacts nesting opportunities. Grassland nesting bird species that favor short- to mid-statured vegetation may use this plant community. Dependent upon use and stature of residual vegetation, this plant community can provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites with limited or no cover for other life requisites. This site provides limited hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Excessive litter build up and the tendency for Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome and/or quackgrass litter accumulation will have the effect of residual cover going prostrate or “laying down”. This provides quality thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores, but limited life requisites for large mammals. If the plant community is managed with heavy, season-long grazing, residual cover is removed, providing limited food and cover for most mammals except ground dwelling mammals (ground squirrels).

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, excessive grazing will negatively impact the plains hog-nosed snake.

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

4.0 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 period). Following cessation of disturbances, the resulting plant community is dominated by early pioneer annual and perennial plant species. Plant species composition and production are highly variable. Weedy plants can provide pollinator habitat along with spring and summer cover for many mammals and birds, and their young. Dense weed cover can keep soils moist, increasing the presence of insects. Milkweed can be an early pioneering pollinator species and host plant for monarch butterflies. Tall stature provided by some annual weeds offers thermal cover and seeds throughout winter for deer, small mammals, and over-wintering birds. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon plant community composition, vegetative stature, patch size, and management activities (such as prescribed grazing, burning, inter-seeding, haying, or noxious weed control).

Successful restoration of native species along Transition Pathway 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 match any particular plant community (as described in the ecological site description). Because of this, a resource inventory is necessary to document plant composition and production. Proper interpretation of this inventory data will permit the establishment of a safe, initial stocking rate for the type and class of animals and level of grazing management. More accurate stocking rate estimates should eventually be calculated using actual stocking rate information and monitoring data.

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

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

Grazing levels are noted within the plant community narratives and pathways in reference to grazing/prescribed grazing management. “Degree of utilization” is defined as the proportion of the current 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 % Use Description
Slight (Light) 0-20 Appears practically undisturbed when viewed obliquely. Only choice areas and forage utilized.

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

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

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

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

Hydrological functions

Available water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group A, but some soils in group B are included. Infiltration varies from moderately rapid to rapid; runoff potential varies from negligible to low for this site depending on soil hydrologic group, surface texture, slope percent, and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception would be where short-grasses form a dense sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).

Recreational uses

Hunting and Bird Watching: 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 thousands 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 Department Wildlife Management Areas.

Hiking/Biking/Horseback Riding: Hiking is permitted on most state and federally owned lands. Developed hiking and biking trails can be found 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 National 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

• Investigation is needed on the slope break of 15% between Sands and Choppy Sands. It is currently thought that the plant community and production on stable landscapes (not dunes) with slopes >15% is similar to that of dune areas. There is also uncertainty about the plant community and productivity of Serden soils (dunes) with slope <15% as compared to other soils in the Sands ecological site. The plant communities and production levels need more documentation to verify the current slope break.
• Further evaluation and refinement of the State-and-Transition model is needed to identify disturbance driven dynamics. Additional states and/or phases may be required to address grazing response.
• Further documentation may be needed for plant communities in all states. Plant data has been collected in previous range-site investigations, including clipping data; however, this data needs review. If geo-referenced sites meeting Tier 3 standards for either vegetative or soil data are not available, representative sites will be selected for further investigation.
• Site concepts will be refined as the above noted investigations are completed.
• The long-term goal is to complete an approved, correlated Ecological Site Description as defined by the National Ecological Site Handbook.
• NASIS revisions needed:
o Three components each of Krem and Lihen are currently linked to 53A Sands (Legacy); these need to be relinked to 55A Sands.

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

Inventory data references

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

Those involved in developing this site description include: Stan Boltz, NRCS 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