Physiographic features

This site occurs on uplands – outwash plains and terraces. On outwash plains it is on flats, rises, and hills. The parent material is glaciofluvial deposits; some areas have fine-loamy alluvium as thick as 20 inches over the gravel and sand deposits. Slopes typically range from 0 to 15 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 of the MLRA. 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 site does not receive significant additional water, either as runoff from adjacent slopes or from a seasonal high-water table. Typically, depth to the water table exceeds 4 feet during the months of May through June and exceeds 6 feet the rest of the growing season. Although the water table may be as shallow as 3.5 feet early in the growing season in a few soils in this site, the shallow depth to gravel prohibits the plants from benefiting significantly from subirrigation. Surface infiltration is moderate or moderately rapid. Permeability is moderate or moderately rapid in layers above gravel; it is very rapid in the gravelly layers. Water loss is through evapotranspiration and percolation below the root zone.

Soil features

Soils associated with Shallow Gravel ecological site are in the Mollisol order and are classified further as Calcic Hapludolls, Typic Hapludolls, and Oxyaquic Hapludolls. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed in glaciofluvial deposits on broad outwash plains or in alluvium over glaciofluvial deposits on terraces along drainageways through glacial till uplands.

The common feature of soils in this site is the shallow depth (14 to 20 inches) to coarse-textured layers with significant amounts of gravel (10 to 60 percent) and/or coarse and very coarse sand (25 to 75 percent). The abrupt change in texture and structure in these soils has the effect of a restrictive layer; even though a few roots may penetrate these layers, available water capacity is very low. The soils are moderately well drained to somewhat excessively drained; redoximorphic features, where present, are deeper than 3.5 feet.

The surface and subsoil layers above the gravel/coarse sand contact have medium or moderately coarse textures – most commonly loam or sandy loam. The gravel/coarse sand layers in some soils contain significant amounts (>25%) of shale fragments. In some soils, loamy till is within a depth of 5 feet, but this has little impact on plant available water due to thick layer of gravel and sand in the upper substratum.

Salinity and sodicity are typically none. Soil reaction is neutral or slightly alkaline (pH 6.6 to 7.8) in the surface and upper subsoil; it is slightly or moderately alkaline (pH 7.4 to 8.4) in the lower subsoil and substratum. Calcium carbonate content is none or very low in the surface and subsoil; it is low to moderately high in the substratum.

The soil surface is stable and intact. These soils are moderately susceptible to water and 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 Shallow Gravel site are Arvilla, Binford, Brantford, Osakis, Renshaw, and Warsing.

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 eskers, kames, and ground 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 the MLRA. This area supports mid- to tall-grass prairie vegetation with 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, 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, white-tailed deer, 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 (aka 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 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.

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.

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 of species are usually larger than one ecological site or are dependent upon more than one ecological site for annual life requisites. Ecological sites offer different habitat elements as the annual life requisites change. Habitat improvement and creation must be conducted within the mobility limits of a known population for the species.

Insects play an important role 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 (Loamy Overflow or Loamy-Wooded State). 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; for example, alteration of a grazing regime within the Invaded Wooded State of Loamy 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. 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_Shallow_Gravel_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf

Shallow Gravel Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Shallow Gravel ecological sites are moderately well drained to somewhat excessively drained and have gravel within 14 to 20 inches of the surface. This site occurs on uplands – outwash plains and terraces. On outwash plains, it is on flats, rises and hills. Associated ecological sites include Limy Subirrigated, Loamy, Sandy, and Very Shallow. The high amounts of gravels within the shallow depth make the soils droughty and limit plant production. Needlegrasses are the dominant mid cool- season grass. This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge-sensitive grassland bird species preferring medium- to short-statured vegetation with bare ground.

Shallow Gravel habitat features and components commonly support grassland-nesting birds. Use as lek sites by sharptailed grouse may be limited due to bare ground and (in some areas) steep slopes. Insects rely on associated forbs and grasses for survival. Insect populations provide food sources for birds and their young. Shallow Gravel ecological sites provide forage for small and large herbivores but can become limited due to droughty soils, especially during periods of drought or below normal precipitation.

Shallow Gravel 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 Phases within 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.

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

Plant Community Phase 3.1 shows dramatic increased homogeneity of exotic cool-season grasses and further reduction in native forbs. Reduced forb diversity limits insect populations, negatively affecting foraging opportunities for grassland-nesting birds. Shallow Gravel ecological sites will have increased exotic grass litter or dense sod but not to the degree as more productive sites. Access to bare ground by nesting insects is still available and small chick mobility is not as restricted as on more productive ecological sites. 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 for 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 Needlegrasses-Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama: This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wildlife; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This phase retains high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing (with adequate recovery period) as well as prescribed fire. Prescribed fire frequency maintains a grass-dominated plant community providing habitat for bird species reliant on a diverse plant community (structure and native composition). Predominance of grass species in this community favor 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 American 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 the 1.1 phase will have long-term positive effects on ground dwelling insects.

Lack of host plants, such as little bluestem, limits use by Dakota skippers. 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 this site 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.

Birds: This plant communities provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by mid- to short-grass nesting birds. This plant community can provide suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites and nesting, brood-rearing, and loafing habitat; although, winter cover is lacking. This ecological site can occur on steeper slopes not suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites. 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 including voles, mice, jackrabbits, and white-tailed deer. Mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site is not typically found near Wet Meadow or Shallow Marsh ecological sites; therefore, they commonly do not provide habitat for the northern leopard frog and Canadian toad. This plant community provides habitat for the plains hog-nosed snake.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site typically is not located adjacent to streams, rivers, or water bodies. This site typically does not receive run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites but does provide hydrology to adjacent down-slope ecological sites, such as Limy Subirrigated. Management on Shallow Gravel sites will have an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from adjacent sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to the adjacent aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2 Blue Grama/Sedges/Prairie Sagewort: Multiyear drought with or without heavy, long-term grazing (via Community Phase Pathway 1.1A) causes evident increases in short grasses and sedges and a corresponding decrease in mid-grass species. The reduction in bunch grasses and the increase in sod forming warm season-grasses and sedges decrease bare ground and create a shorter statured plant community. Prairie sagewort becomes the principal shrub. Return to normal precipitation and reduced grazing pressure with adequate recovery periods (via Community Phase Pathway 1.2A) will shift the competitive edge back to a green needlegrass and western wheatgrass dominated plant community.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1. Wind-pollinated prairie sagewort reduces nectar and pollen availability but may provide nesting sites for native bees and larval food butterfly species. Multiyear drought may cause forb species to produce fewer flowers - reducing overall pollen and nectar sources.

Birds: A shift to shorter statured grasses provides nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by short- to mid- statured grassland nesting birds. This plant community provides suitable areas for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses, shrubs, and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small herbivores including voles, mice, and jackrabbits. Foliage and stems of prairie sagewort provide browse for jackrabbits, cottontails, ground squirrels, and various mice species. A shift to short- 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.

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Needlegrasses-Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama: This plant community develops through Transition Pathway T1A due to changes in management and the presence of exotic, cool-season grasses. Lack of fire or heavy season-long grazing can facilitate 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 exotic cool- season grasses and forbs. This phase functions at a high level for native wildlife; therefore, managers should consider the State 2.0 community phase pathways to avoid transitioning to the 3.0 Invaded State. There is no known Community Phase Pathway back to 1.0 Reference State from 2.0 Native/Invaded State.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

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

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

Community Phase 2.2 Blue Grama/Sedges/Prairie Sagewort: Multiyear drought with or without heavy grazing, via Community Phase Pathway 2.1A, resulted in decreases in western wheatgrass and the needlegrasses along with corresponding increases in blue grama, sedges, and prairie sagewort. The reduction in bunch grasses and the increases in turf-forming warm season-grasses, sedges, and cool-season exotic grasses decrease bare ground and create a shorter statured plant community. Prairie sagewort becomes the principal shrub. Return to normal precipitation and reduced grazing pressure with adequate recovery periods (via Community Phase Pathway 2.2A) will shift the competitive edge back to a green needlegrass and western wheatgrass dominated plant community.

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 areas, grassland nesting birds preferring short/mid-vegetative stature may prefer this plant community phase.

Invertebrates: White sagebrush, field sagewort, and prairie sagewort are the dominant species reducing pollen and nectar sources for pollinating species. Sufficient bunch grasses remain to provide bare ground for ground nesting bees.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.2. However, depending on the amount of overgrazed vs. undergrazed area, vegetative stature could favor short-grass nesting bird species on over-grassed areas.

Mammals: Vegetation stature is reduced due to the increase in sedges and Kentucky bluegrass reducing cover. However, depending on the amount of overgrazed vs. undergrazed area, vegetative stature in the undergrazed areas could provide thermal and escape cover for mammals, especially small mammals.

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

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

Community Phase 2.3 Needlegrasses/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: Extended periods of non-use or very light grazing, and no fire (via Community Pathway 2.1B) allows exotic cool-season grasses to increase while western wheatgrass and blue grama decrease. However, the reduction in fire frequency will allow forbs to increase. Multiyear prescribed fire and prescribed grazing can move this plant community back to 2.1.

This is an “at risk” plant community with high amounts of Kentucky bluegrass out-completing native grasses. Every effort should be made by managers to avoid implementing a grazing system that may favor reaching the 30 percent threshold for Kentucky bluegrass via Transitional Pathway T2A. When this plant community transitions over to State 3.0, it has little chance of restoration back to State 2.0 by implementing a prescribed grazing system and introducing prescribed fire.

Invertebrates: An increase exotic cool-season grass and a reduction in forb diversity reduces pollen and nectar sources, limiting use by pollination insect species. Common forbs include common yarrow, white sagebrush, and field sagewort.

Birds: Grassland-nesting birds that favor short-statured vegetative cover will use this site. However, continuous non-use, no fire, increases exotic cool-season exotic grasses reducing use by grassland nesting birds.

Mammals: As exotic cool-season grasses increase, thermal, protective or escape cover becomes limited.

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

Fish and Mussels: Although, this ecological site is not typically adjacent to streams, rivers, or water bodies, runoff from Community Phase 2.3 increases due to management that increases short- statured grass and reduces bunch grasses. Management of this community phase, in conjunction with neighboring run-on sites, will have an indirect negative effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Sands and adjacent sites.

3.0 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1 Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: Complete rest from grazing and elimination of fire (via Transitional Pathway T2A) are the two major contributors to this transition, allowing exotic cool-season grasses to dominate this site. Native grasses may still be present but with reduced vigor and numbers - not allowing for recovery without multiyear prescribed grazing and burning (via Restoration Pathway R3A). Continued non-use may allow Kentucky bluegrass to become the dominant herbaceous component.

Invertebrates: Overall, pollinator plant diversity is reduced, with forbs (such as common yarrow) and shrubs (such as rose) providing limited pollen and nectar production. Light or no grazing will increase litter amounts; dense Kentucky bluegrass sod and sedges limit bare ground for ground nesting bees. Pollinator species may need to rely on adjacent ecological sites to meet their habitat needs.

Birds: This homogenous landscape provides limited structural diversity and insect production for grassland nesting birds. Grassland nesting birds preferring increased plant litter and favoring short-statured grasses will benefit, but long-term continued rest reduces nesting habitat for most species. This site provides limited hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: This short-statured community provides limited food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for large herbivores; life requisites will not be met in this plant community. Higher litter amounts provide food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This site should provide similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, increased runoff from this plant community may increase water yields to adjacent ecological sites.

4.0 Go-Back State

Community Phase 4.1 Annual/Pioneer Perennial/Exotics: This plant community is the result of severe soil disturbance (such as cropping, recreational activity, or concentrated livestock activity for a prolonged period). Following cessation of disturbances, the resulting plant community is dominated by early pioneer annual and perennial plant species. Plant species composition and production are highly variable dependent upon duration of disturbance. Weedy plants can provide pollinator habitat along with spring and summer cover for many mammals and birds, and their young. Shallow Gravel ecological sites do not provide the tall-statured annual weeds for thermal cover 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 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 or with grazing and time, this annual/pioneer perennial plant community will result in an invaded plant community within Invaded State 3.0.

Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations

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

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

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

Grazing levels are noted within the plant community narratives and pathways in reference to grazing/prescribed grazing management. “Degree of utilization” is defined as the proportion of the current 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 forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B. Infiltration varies from moderate to moderately rapid; runoff potential varies from very low to medium depending upon 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 and grass-likes 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: 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.

Lonetree WMA is the largest state managed wildlife area covering 32,800 acres. Numerous WMAs in North Dakota and Game Production Areas in South Dakota are found within this MLRA. The largest refuges managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife service are Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex consists of 75,000 acres and Tewaukon National NWR covers 8,363 acres.

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
• 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.

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