Physiographic features

This site typically occurs on till plains, lake plains, outwash plains, and sand plains where they are on flats, slight rises, and on slightly convex slopes adjacent to shallow depressions. It occurs on some low terraces of drainageways; flooding on these drainageways is rare to occasional with a brief duration. Additionally, it occurs on some lake shores and upland seeps. The subsurface hydrology of this site has been considered more determinative of the plant community than landform or soils variability; further investigation and documentation of the landform/soils/ hydrology/plant relationship is needed. Slopes typically are less than 3 percent; however, areas of seeps and lake shores have slopes up to 6 percent.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

MLRA 55B is considered to have a continental climate – cold winters and hot summers, low humidity, light rainfall, and much sunshine. Extremes in temperature are characteristic. The climate is the result of this MLRA’s location in the geographic center of North America. There are few natural barriers on the northern Great Plains. The air masses move unobstructed across the plains and account for rapid changes in temperature.

Annual precipitation ranges from 18 to 23 inches per year. The normal average annual temperature is about 41.5° F. January is the coldest month with average low temperature ranging from about -4.3° F (Petersburg, ND) to about 2.5° F (Mellette, SD). July is the warmest month with temperatures averaging from about 79° F (Petersburg, ND) to about 84° F (Mellette, SD). The range of normal average monthly temperatures between the coldest and warmest months is about 64° F. This large annual range attests to the continental nature of this MLRA’s climate. Winds average about 11 miles per hour annually, ranging from about 13 miles per hour during the spring to about 10 miles per hour during the summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour.

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

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Climate stations used

• (1) BUTTE 5SE [USC00321225], Butte, ND

• (2) CARRINGTON [USC00321360], Carrington, ND

• (3) FORMAN 5 SSE [USC00323117], Forman, ND

• (4) HARVEY 4NE [USC00324013], Harvey, ND

• (5) LA MOURE [USC00324937], Lamoure, ND

• (6) MELLETTE 4 W [USC00395456], Northville, SD

• (7) PETERSBURG 2 N [USC00327027], Petersburg, ND

• (8) COLUMBIA 8 N [USC00391873], Columbia, SD

Influencing water features

This Limy Subirrigated site does receive additional water from a seasonal high water table. The high level of carbonates near the surface indicates that the soils formed with a dominantly upward direction of water movement through the soil. During the growing season, water table depths typically are 1.5 to 3.5 feet during April through June. As a result of evapotranspiration and reduced precipitation, the water table lowers to 4 to 6 feet during July and August. It commonly starts to rise again in the fall (commonly at 2.5 to 5 feet during September through November). Surface infiltration rates range from moderately slow to rapid. Saturated hydraulic conductivity through the profile typically is moderately high or high, but it is very high in the substratum of some coarse-textured soils. Water loss on this site is through evapotranspiration.

Soil features

Soils associated with this site are in the Mollisol and Entisol orders. The Mollisols are classified further as Aeric Calciaquolls. The Entisols are classified further as Aeric Endoaquents. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. Typically, they formed in glacial till, glaciolacustrine sediments, glaciofluvial deposits, or eolian deposits; a few formed in alluvium along drainageways.

The common features of soils in this site are a highly calcareous subsoil within a depth of 16 inches and a seasonal high-water table which contributes additional water for transpiration. This site is somewhat poorly drained – soil matrix colors are brown or yellow (not gray) within a depth of 30 inches; redoximorphic features (primarily concentrations) typically occur at a depth between 18 and 30 inches. These soils are very deep. Since sub-surface hydrology and calcium carbonate accumulation are the primary factors used in identifying this site, all textures are included. Therefore, soil physical properties associated with texture vary widely.

Soil salinity is none to slight (E.C. <8 dS/m) to a depth 16 inches in the non-saline phases; in saline phases (Salinized Sate), E.C. exceeds 8 and may exceed 16 in some areas. Sodicity is typically low (SAR <5) to a depth >16 inches in the non-saline state but may be >5 in saline phases. Both salinity and sodicity commonly increase with depth in moderately fine to moderately coarse textured soils.

Soil reaction typically is neutral to moderately alkaline (pH 6.6 to 8.4) in the surface layer and slightly or moderately alkaline (pH 7.4 to 8.4) below. The soil is highly calcareous within a depth 16 inches. Calcium carbonate content is typically less than 15 percent in the surface layer (in a few soils, it may be <5%). It is commonly 15 to 45 percent in the highly calcareous subsoil; however, in sandy soils, this layer may have 5 to 15 percent carbonates. Calcium carbonate content decreases in the substratum.

Soils on this site are moderately susceptible to highly susceptible to wind erosion. This site should show slight to no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestaled plants. No water flow paths are seen on this site. The soil surface is stable and intact.

Major soil series correlated to the Limy Subirrigated site are: Bearden, Divide, Fram, Gilby, Glyndon, Grimstad, Hamerly, Karlsruhe, Mauvais, Moritz, Ulen, Wyndmere, and Wyrene.

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 55B landscape is characterized by mostly nearly level to gently rolling till plains with some steep slopes adjacent to streams and many poorly defined drainage channels. The continental drainage divide occurs in the east-central part of the MLRA. The MLRA is located within the Prairie Pothole Region with temporary, seasonal, and semi-permanent wetlands throughout the MLRA. The MLRA includes areas of kettle holes, kames, and moraines. MLRA 55B 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 55B. This area supports mid- to tall-grass prairie vegetation with quaking aspen, American elm, bur oak, green ash, and willow species growing along the riparian zones of river systems found throughout the MLRA. 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 James, Pipestem, Maple, Goose, Sheyenne, Wild Rice, and Elm Rivers. MLRA 55B is located within North and South Dakota and within the boundaries of the Prairie Pothole Region.

Three Hydrologic Unit Areas make up this MLRA. Approximately 6% drains into the Mouse River into MLRA 55A, with the balance split between the James and Sheyenne Rivers.

By the mid-19th century the over 76% of the MLRA had been converted from mid- to tall-grass prairie to annual crop production. To alleviate crop production loss from wetlands and overland flow, a system of shallow surface ditches, judicial ditches, and road ditches removes surface water in spring and during high rainfall events. Tile drainage systems have been or are being installed extensively throughout MLRA 55B for sub-surface field drainage to enhance annual crop production.

Historic Communities/Conditions within MLRA 55B:

The northern tall- and mixed-grass prairie 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 55B wintering along the Mouse River in MLRA 55A and migrating through MLRA 55B and into MLRA 56A. 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 mammals 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 55B:

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 (slough sedge) are important species on wet soils. Western snowberry, leadplant, and prairie rose are commonly interspersed throughout the area.

Over 80% of MLRA 55B has been converted to annual crop production. These influences fragmented the landscape, reduced or eliminated ecological drivers (fire), and introduced exotic plant species including smooth brome, crested wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and leafy spurge; this further impacted plant and animal communities. The loss of the bison and fire as primary ecological drivers greatly influenced the character of the remaining native plant communities and the associated wildlife, moving towards a less diverse and more homogeneous landscape. Annual cropping is the main factor contributing to habitat fragmentation, reducing habitat quality for area-sensitive species.

Hydrological manipulation is extensive throughout the MLRA. Extensive wetland and subsurface tile drainage have taken place. Straightened segments of ephemeral and intermittent tributary streams of the James, Wild Rice, and Sheyenne River have reduced sinuosity, created oxbows, and enabled the conversion of riparian ecological sites 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 to the James and Sheyenne Rivers and their tributaries (along with lakes and reservoirs within the MLRA). Large dams on the James, Pipestem and Sheyenne rivers, along with installation of instream structures have reduced aquatic species movement within the MLRA.

National wildlife refuges, waterfowl production areas, state wildlife management areas, and North and South Dakota Department of Trust Lands provide herbaceous and woody cover for wildlife. In addition, the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Bureau of Reclamation manage three man-made reservoirs - Jamestown Reservoir, Pipestem Reservoir, and Lake Ashtabula for flood control, also providing fish habitat and adjacent uplands for wildlife cover. Lonetree Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is the largest state managed wildlife area covering 32,800 acres. Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge is the largest refuge consisting of 16,000 acres.

Some characteristic wildlife species in this area are:

Birds: Common goldeye, bufflehead, broad-winged hawk, alder flycatcher, mourning warbler, mallard, blue-winged teal, red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, killdeer, eastern and western kingbird, western meadowlark, 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, white-tailed jackrabbit, 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, beaver, muskrat, mink, weasel, woodchuck, and red, eastern gray and fox squirrels.

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 in 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 55B:

The following is a list of species considered “species of conservation priority” in the North Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2015) and South Dakota State Wildlife Action Plan (2014); and species listed as “threatened, endangered, or petitioned” under the Endangered Species Act within MLRA 55B at the time this section was developed:

Invertebrates: Dakota skipper, Iowa skipper, monarch butterfly, northern sandy tiger beetle, Ottoe skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, regal fritillary, yellow-banded bumble bee, and western bumble bee.

Birds: America avocet, American bittern, American kestrel, American white pelican, Baird’s sparrow, bald eagle, black-billed cuckoo, black tern, bobolink, burrowing owl, canvasback, chestnut-collared longspur, Dickcissel, ferruginous hawk, Franklin’s gull, grasshopper sparrow, horned grebe, lark bunting, LeConte’s sparrow, lesser scaup, marbled godwit, Nelson’s sparrow, northern goshawk, northern harrier, northern pintail, osprey (migration), peregrine falcon (migration), piping plover (migration), red knot (migration), sharp-tailed grouse, short-eared owl, Swainson’s hawk, upland sandpiper, western meadowlark, willet, Wilson’s phalarope, whooping crane (migration), and yellow rail.

Mammals: Arctic shrew, big and little brown bats, Franklin’s ground squirrel, northern river otter, plains pocket mouse, pygmy shrew, Richardson’s ground squirrel, and silver-haired bat.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Canadian toad, plains hognose snake, smooth green snake, and snapping turtle.

Fish and Mussels: Black sandshell, blacknose shiner, Carmine shiner, creek heelsplitter, creeper, deertoe, fragile papershell, mapleleaf, northern pearl dace, northern redbelly dace, pink heelsplitter, threeridge, trout-perch, yellow sandshell, and Wabash pigtoe.

Grassland Management for Wildlife in MLRA 55B

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. Ecological sites supporting a dominance of herbaceous vegetation (Loamy/Sandy) can be located adjacent to ecological sites that support medium to tall shrubs (Invaded Wooded States). Conversely, ecological sites that are dominated by short- to mid-statured grasses (Claypan) can be adjacent to sites with bare soil only supporting minor amounts of short grasses and forbs (Thin Claypan).

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

Life requisites and habitat deficiencies are determined for targeted species. Deficiencies need to be addressed along community phase, transitional, and restoration pathways as presented in specific state-and-transition models. Ecological sites should be managed and restored within the site’s capabilities to provide sustainable habitat 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.

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 woody dominated plant community phases as found in Loamy Overflow Wooded Community Phase 4. 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/55B_Limy_Subirrigated_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf

Limy Subirrigated Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Limy Subirrigated ecological sites are somewhat poorly drained. They are usually found on flats, slight rises, and slightly convex slopes adjacent to shallow depressions on till plains, lake plains, outwash plains, and sand plains (including deltas); they also occur on some low terraces of drainageways and on seeps and lake shores. This site has a persistent water table strongly influencing vegetation production. These soils typically are calcareous in the surface layer and have a highly calcareous upper subsoil; they are dominated by tall and mid warm-season grasses and forbs. Little bluestem and big bluestem are the dominant mid warm-season grasses. Associated ecological sites include Saline Lowland, Wet Meadow, Loamy, Shallow Marsh, Subirrigated, and Subirrigated Sands.

Limy Subirrigated habitat features and components commonly support many edge-sensitive grassland bird species preferring medium- to tall-statured vegetation. Insects rely on associated forbs and grasses for survival. High insect populations provide food sources for birds and their young. Limy Subirrigated ecological sites provide quality forage for small and large herbivores. Dakota skippers use Limy Subirrigated ecological sites in MLRA 55B.

Limy Subirrigated ecological sites may be found in five plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Invaded State, and 4.0 Go-Back State and 5.0 Salinized State) within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases exist within States 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0. Today, these states occur primarily in response to drought, fire, grazing, nonuse, and other anthropogenic disturbances.

Because there is no known restoration pathway from 2.0 Native/Invaded State to 1.0 Reference State, it is important to intensively manage using tools within these state’s Community Phase Pathways to prevent further plant community degradation along the T2A Transitional Pathways to 3.0 Invaded State. Native wildlife generally benefits from the heterogeneous grasslands found in States 1.0 and 2.0 that include grass and forb species of varying stature and density. As plant communities degrade within State 2.0, Kentucky bluegrass increases, while native forbs are reduced. When Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30%, the site transitions to 3.0 Invaded State. This transition results in reduced stature and increased plant community homogeneity. When adjacent and/or intermingled ecological sites undergo the same transition, the result can be an expansive, homogenous landscape. State 5.0 Salinized State often results from long-term overgrazing or annual haying on high-water table soils leading to an increase in lower statured shallow-rooted plants, decreased litter, increased bare ground. Salinity greater than 8 dS/m favors foxtail barley, salt grass, and bare ground. Short statured vegetation reduces cover for many wildlife species.

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

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

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Little Bluestem-Big Bluestem-Needlegrasses: This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wildlife; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. These phases retain high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing with adequate recovery period as well as prescribed fire. Prescribed fire frequency maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation. Predominance of grass species in these communities 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. Plant structure within Plant Community Phase 2.1 is very similar to 1.1, except for the invasion of minor amounts of cool-season exotic grasses (mainly Kentucky bluegrass).

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).

Dakota skippers may use the site due to host plants, such as little and big bluestem and harebell. Ottoe skippers may use these sites since it contains host plants (such as big bluestem, little bluestem and various thistles) for nectar species. Regal fritillary can make use of violet species and other nectar producing forbs on these sites. 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 dominance of bunch grasses. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods, as well as prescribed fire, to maintain the 1.1 phase, will have long term positive effects on ground dwelling insects.

Birds: These plant communities provide quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by mid- to tallgrass-nesting birds. Prescribed fire maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species sensitive to woody vegetation and limits litter accumulations. These plant communities do not provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites, but do provide quality nesting habitat, brood-rearing, and escape habitat. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

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

Amphibians and Reptiles: These ecological sites can provide habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad since this site is frequently found adjacent to Wet Meadow and Shallow Marsh ecological sites. It also provides habitat for the plains hog-nosed snake.

Fish and Mussels: These ecological sites can be located adjacent to streams, rivers, or water bodies. These sites receive run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and provide hydrology to Wet Meadow or Shallow Marsh ecological sites. Management on Limy Subirrigated sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, can have a direct effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Limy Subirrigated 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 Needlegrasses/Forbs/Little Bluestem: This plant community phase occurs during periods of multiyear drought with or without heavy, long-term grazing. Warm season grasses decrease with a corresponding increase in cool-season bunch grasses.

Invertebrates: Heavy grazing and drought reduce nectar and pollen availability for many pollinators. A decrease in warm-season grasses (big and little bluestem host plants) my reduce use by Dakota and Ottoe skipper.

Birds: A decrease in tall warm-season grasses, combined with heavy grazing and drought, provides nesting habitat to species that prefer short to medium vegetative structure.

Mammals: Shorter statured vegetation reduces thermal, protective, and escape 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 Little Bluestem-Big Bluestem-Needlegrasses: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1 due to changes in management and the presence of exotic, cool- season grasses. Chronic season-long or late fall grazing can facilitate this transition. Complete rest from grazing and no fire events can also lead to this transition. The threshold between States 1.0 and 2.0 is crossed when Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, or other exotic species become established. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Reference State of Community 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 Reference State of Community 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.

Community Phase 2.2 Needlegrasses/Forbs/Little Bluestem/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses: Extended, heavy season-long grazing, with/without drought, (along Community Phase Pathway 2.1A) reduces tall, warm-season grasses (such as big bluestem) with a corresponding increase in cool-season grasses (such as green needlegrass). The reduction amount and vigor of tall, warm-season grasses allow for the increase in exotic cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass. 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. Dependent upon the patch size of overgrazed vs. undergrazed, grassland nesting birds preferring short/mid-vegetative stature may prefer this plant community phase.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2 depending on degree of Kentucky bluegrass invasion. Invertebrates will respond to the amount of over-utilized vs. under- utilized area and the resultant vegetative stature. Reduced litter amounts on the over-utilized area will have an increase in bare ground will favor ground nesting insects. While under-utilized areas will have a decrease in bare ground for ground-nesting insects but may have more pollen and nectar producing forbs.

Birds: Dependent upon the amount of over-utilized vs. under-utilized area, vegetative stature could favor short- to tall-grass bird species.

Mammals: Loss of tall- to mid-statured vegetation reduces thermal, protective, and escape cover for larger 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.

Community Phase 2.3 Forbs/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Shrubs: This community phase occurs under extended periods of no use and no fire which results in an increase in shrubs, exotic cool- season grasses, and forbs along with a corresponding decrease in the native grasses. Western snowberry, prairie rose, redosier dogwood, and willows alone or in combination dominate the site. Native graminoids continue to decline while the exotic cool-season species increase. Forbs are few and may include goldenrods, silverweed cinquefoil, scouring rush, common yarrow, Flodman’s thistle, and others.

Invertebrates: Shrubs provide early spring nectar and pollen availability. Mid- to late-season pollen will be limited. Woody material will be available for wood nesting bees. Limited pollinator resources will be available after shrubs have flowered.

Birds: Grassland nesting birds tolerant of woody species may still use this site depending on the density of shrubs. Shrubs provide increase cowbird using increasing nest parasitism on adjacent grassland nesting birds. Shrubs may provide winter and escape cover for native birds, such as sharp-tailed grouse.

Mammals: Increase shrub cover will provide thermal, escape, protective, and parturition cover for large ungulates. Racoons, porcupines, and other mammals attracted to woody cover may also benefit from this community phase.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This plant community provides limited to now benefit to species of conservation priority in the MLRA.

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: Community Phase Pathway T2A is characterized by extended periods of non-use or very light grazing, and no fire, when exotic cool-season grasses are present (as in Community Phase 2.3). This plant community phase is characterized by a dominance (>30%) of exotic cool-season grasses (such as Kentucky bluegrass, crested wheatgrass, and smooth brome). Restoration Pathway R3A requires remnant amounts of native warm- and cool-season grasses and forbs. The remnant native community requires frequent prescribed burns and high levels of grazing management targeting the exotic cool-season grasses to improve competitiveness and increase vigor and density. This plant community is very resistant to changes and 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: Extended periods of non-use and elimination of fire reduces or eliminates forbs, limiting use by beneficial insects found in States 1.0 and 2.0. Increased litter and lack of grazing leads to limited contact between plant material and mineral soil resulting in a cooler micro-climate, which is unfavorable to most insects. Lack of bare soil limits ground-nesting sites for native bees and other ground-nesting insects. The lack of nectar-producing plants limits forage opportunities for bumblebees, regal fritillary, monarch butterfly, and other pollinating species.

Birds: This homogeneous community phase, dominated by exotic plant species, provides limited habitat and life requisites for most obligate grassland-nesting birds. Lack of stature and plant diversity, along with increased litter and the tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome to lay down, limits use by many grassland-nesting birds. Litter accumulations reduce use by chestnut-collared and McCown’s longspurs. Sharp-tailed grouse leks can be found on this plant community; however, brood and winter cover must be provided by adjacent ecological sites or plant communities.

Mammals: Litter accumulation favors thermal, protective, and escape cover for small rodents. Thermal, protective, and escape cover becomes limit for larger 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.

Community Phase 3.2 Shrubs/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses: The long-term elimination of fire and grazing (via Community Phase Pathway 3.1A) allows for shrubs, such as western snowberry, to become a major component on this site. Shade-tolerant Kentucky bluegrass dominates the understory and warm-season; native grasses may still be present but with reduced vigor and numbers not allowing for recovery without prescribed grazing and burning (via Restoration Pathway R3A).

Invertebrates: The invasion of woody vegetation reduces or eliminates habitat for all species of concern within MLRA 55B. Season-long pollen and nectar availability becomes limited on this site. Western snowberry will provide some early- to mid-season bloom period. Forbs (such as white sagebrush, silverleaf Indian breadroot, and common yarrow) will provide limited season-long pollen and nectar opportunities. Overall, pollinator plant diversity is low, limiting season-long nectar and pollen production.

Birds: Low-statured western snowberry can become dominant on this site. Dependent upon the density of western snowberry, grassland-nesting birds sensitive to woody vegetation encroachment may be negatively impacted and discontinue use of this community phase. Bird species preferring woodland edge will have limited use since only low statured woody vegetation is available.

Mammals: Western snowberry will provide year-round, low statured cover including parturition cover and browse for white-tailed deer and high litter amounts providing food and thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Depending upon the density of the woody component, amphibians and reptiles may not use this plant community as shrubs density increases.

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 insect presence. Tall stature provided by some weeds, such as marsh elder and ragweed, offer thermal cover and seeds throughout winter. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon plant community composition, vegetative stature, patch size, and management activities (such as prescribed grazing, burning, interseeding, haying, or noxious weed control). Successful range planting, via Transition Pathway R4A, can result in State 2.0. Prescribed grazing and/or fire will be needed to maintain this plant community within State 2.0. Failed native grass planting, via Transition Pathway R4B, will lead to plant community within State 3.0. The Go-back State may also transition to State 5.0 Salinized State, if salinity levels do not allow native grasses to establish or no native grasses are planted. Vegetation will be dominated by foxtail barley, saltgrass, and areas of bare ground.

5.0 Salinized State

Community Phase 5.1 Foxtail Barley-Saltgrass/Bare Ground: Multiyear drought, with heavy grazing, with lack of recovery periods gives foxtail barley and other salt tolerant grasses a competitive edge. This plant community is adapted to increased salinity and is relatively stable. No known restoration pathway or technology currently exists to restore this site.

Invertebrates: Drought, coupled with heavy continuous grazing, limits forb production and nectar and pollen availability. Salinity and wetness limits ground nesting invertebrate habitat.

Birds: Structural diversity and density reduce habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident birds. Heavy continuous grazing with lack of recovery periods gives foxtail barley, inland saltgrass, and other salt tolerant grasses a competitive edge reducing density and stature of grasses. Grassland nesting birds, favoring short statured structure, may use this plant community. Dependent upon water depth and duration, this plant community may be attractive to various shorebirds.

Mammals: This site is no longer favored by large herbivores and provides limited life requests for small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Due to potential high salinity levels and wetness, this plant community does not provide suitable habitat for many amphibians and reptiles except during periods of above normal precipitation reducing the effects of high salinity levels. Ponded water during above average precipitation events will provide foraging habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad, depending upon salinity levels. Ponded water will not be deep enough to provide breeding habitat.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, increased bare ground will yield additional sediment to nearby water bodies.

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

Water is the principal factor limiting herbage production on this site. The site is dominated by soils in hydrologic groups B and C. Infiltration varies from moderately slow to moderately rapid and runoff potential varies from negligible to medium for this site depending on hydrologic group, surface texture, slope percent, slope shape, and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75% ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An exception would be where shortgrasses form a dense sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Section 4, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).

Hydrological manipulation (surface or tile drainage, pumping, surface water diversion, etc.) modifies this ecological site. Under natural conditions, this ecological site includes a wide range of soil textures; after hydrologic manipulation, soil texture often becomes a more significant factor in vegetative response. If the degree of manipulation allows soil texture to influence the plant community or if altered soil properties (i.e., salinization or the addition of fill material) results in vegetation change, a transition to a completely different ecological site may have occurred. The transition to an altogether different ecological site will depend upon severity of altered hydrology, soil properties, and corresponding vegetation. Due to the many variables (e.g. hydrology, success and type of drainage, etc.), impacts to the ecological site will be site-specific. As a result, each situation will require field investigation to determine what (if any) change in ecological site designation is necessary and proceed accordingly.

Without restoring hydrologic function (which may include range seeding), managers need to reference state and transition models within those sites. Hydrology will need to be fully restored in the associated Wet Meadow and Shallow Marsh ecological sites in order for these sites to properly function. It is recommended that managers review the appropriate State and Transition Models prior to wetland restoration.

Recreational uses

Hunting and Bird Watching: National wildlife refuges, waterfowl production areas, state wildlife management areas (WMA), and North Dakota and South Dakota Department of Trust Lands provide herbaceous and woody cover for wildlife. National Wildlife Refuges and waterfowl production areas are owned and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and are available for public hunting, hiking, and bird watching. In addition, the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Bureau of Reclamation manage three man-made reservoirs - Jamestown Reservoir (2,036 acres), Pipestem Reservoir (1,027 acres), and Lake Ashtabula (5,174 acres) for flood control, also providing fish habitat and adjacent uplands for wildlife cover.

Fishing: Approximately 100 lakes are managed for public fishing within MLRA 55B. Most of these lakes offer boat docks and ramps. These lakes contain various sport fish including walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, catfish, trout, crappie, and bluegill. Many of these lakes are known for excellent round-around walleye and yellow perch fishery.

Camping: Fort Ramson State Park, Pipestem Reservoir, Jamestown Reservoir, Spiritwood Lake, Clausen Springs, Little Yellowstone, Richmond Lake State Recreation Area, Mina Lake State Recreation Area, and other public and private campgrounds are found within the MLRA. Limited, primitive camping is available on wildlife management areas. Ft. Ransom State Park (North Dakota), located along the Sheyenne River has a designated horse park with 15 miles of trails.

Hiking/Biking/Horseback Riding: Horseback riders, hikers, and biker can enjoy over 15 miles of multi-use trails at Fort Ransom State Park. The Jamestown Reservoir (5 miles), Pipestem Reservoir (8 miles) and Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge (9.4 miles) maintain hiking trails. The Lonetree Wildlife Management Area has a 32- mile segment of the North Country Trail. It is designed for hiking and non-motorized travel including mountain bikes or horseback riding.

Canoeing/Kayaking: The Sheyenne River offers 278 miles of canoeing/kayaking from May-July. A kayak kiosk is located at Valley City and canoe/kayak rentals are available at Fort Ransom State Park. The James River has a canoe trail starting in Grand Rapids and canoeing down to the James River Dam site in LaMoure; no rentals are available.

Auto Tour: A 63-mile scenic drive starts north of Valley City and heading south through Sheyenne River Valley. Audubon National Wildlife Refuge offers a 5.5-mile auto-tour route winding through both prairie grassland and wetland habitats of the lower portion of the James River Valley.

Wood products

There are no significant wood products found on this site.

Other products

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

Other information

Site Development and Testing Plan
North Dakota and South Dakota have had overlapping ecological site concepts for calcareous soils with risk of salinization. North Dakota had separated moderately saline phases of Aeric Calciaquolls from their non-saline to slightly saline phases. Components with E.C. >8 dS/m had been assigned to the Saline Lowland ecological site. Components with E.C. <8 dS/m were assigned to Limy Subirrigated. In South Dakota, components with an E.C. <4 dS/m were assigned to Limy Subirrigated and those with E.C. >4 dS/m were assigned to Saline Subirrigated (an ecological site that has not been recognized in North Dakota). Some investigation and considerable discussion have taken place attempting to resolve these differing concepts.

A primary issue has been the similarity of plant communities in the Reference State between Limy Subirrigated and Saline Subirrigated and the observation that salinity is spatially highly variable within a soil map unit. Saline Subirrigated allows an E.C. range as high as 16 dS/m. Big Bluestem and Indiangrass are particularly sensitive to salinity; production is likely significantly reduced at E.C. of 4 to 8 dS/m and most plants will die at E.C. >8 dS/m. It is believed that this likely constitutes a threshold; a pathway back to a less salt-affected state may not exist or is at least impractical from a management standpoint.

Questions have been raised as to soil survey mapping criteria – if ecological site (or range site) was the principle interpretive focus of soils assigned to Saline Subirrigation or if cropland and the impacts of salinity on salt-sensitive annual crops was the primary interpretive focus. This question has not yet been answered.

As a way to move forward and harmonize ESDs until further investigations can be conducted, a Saline State has been added to the STM for Limy Subirrigated with an enhanced narrative concerning salinization risk and related management strategies. The Saline Subirrigated ESD will not be used in MLRAs for which ND has responsibility until further investigations are completed and consistent soil/plant community criteria can be developed.

Further investigation of areas of this site is recommended where it occurs on lake shores. These areas are periodically inundated for extended periods. When many of the soil surveys were completed, these soils were not inundated; currently many of them are inundated and have been for many consecutive years. The major component in this site affected by recent inundation is Mauvais. Some delineations of these soils have been impacted the construction of a dike along the shores of Devils Lake protecting some areas from flooding while maintaining inundation on other areas. Along with ecological site investigations, a MLRA project is needed for these areas with some soil spatial data review - spatial data revisions may be needed. MLRA map units needing investigation are:
-Mauvais loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes (map unit 2q5cm)
-Wamduska-Mauvais complex, 0 to 9 percent slopes (map unit 2q5cp)
-Mauvais-Minnewaukan, saline complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes (map unit 2q5mv)
• During the recently completed Ecological Site Description update, Mauvais soil was reassigned from Subirrigated to Limy Subirrigated; all Mauvais components need to be relinked in NASIS.
• Further investigation is needed on the wide range of soil textures and associated properties and their relationship to hydrology/plant dynamics.
• Further investigation in need on areas of this site associated with drainageways. Divide soils occur on some low terraces of drainageways. Moritz soils occur along the outer edges of some channeled drainageways. The impact of occasional flooding on these areas needs evaluation.
• 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:
-During the recently completed Ecological Site Description update, saline phases of Aeric Calciaquolls were reassigned from Saline Lowland to the Salinized State of Limy Subirrigated. Numerous components of Bearden, Fram, Glyndon, Hamerly, and Wyndmere need to be relinked, as well as one component of Moritz.
-Components of the Mauvais soil series need to be re-linked to the Limy Subirrigated ES; they are currently linked to the Subirrigated ES.

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.

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Contributors

David Dewald
Jonathan Fettig
Alan Gulsvig
Mark Hayek
Chuck Lura
Jeff Printz
Steve Sieler
Hal Weiser

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 4/25/2025