Physiographic features

This site typically occurs on glaciated uplands – till plains, lake plains, and outwash plains. It most commonly occurs in micro-lows in swales and on foot slopes; but also occurs on side slopes of escarpments. Parent materials are till, glaciolacustrine sediments, glaciofluvial deposits, or colluvium from weathered shale residuum. Slopes 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. Although the seasonal water table can be as shallow as 1.5 feet early in the growing season on some low-relief areas, the root-restrictive claypan layer and soil salinity prohibit the plants from benefiting from subirrigation. Depth to the water table typically exceeds 3 feet in during April through June and is more than 4 feet during the remainder of the year. Surface infiltration and the permeability in the claypan layer are slow to very slow. Water loss is primarily through evapotranspiration.

Soil features

Soils associated with Thin Claypan ecological site are in the Mollisol order; they are classified further as Leptic Natrudolls. These soils were developed under prairie vegetation. They formed in till, glaciolacustrine sediments, glaciofluvial deposits, or colluvium over soft sedimentary shale bedrock. Typically, the soils are moderately well drained, but somewhat poorly drained soils are included in the site.

The common features of soils in this site are the shallow depth (typically less than 6 inches) to a dense, root- restrictive, claypan layer and salt accumulations within a depth of 16 inches (typically near the surface). Although these soils are very deep to moderately deep, the dense claypan severely limits the rooting depth of plants and the salts limit plant-available water. The texture of the surface is typically loam or silt loam, but silty clay loam and sandy loam also occur. The dense claypan typically is clay, silty clay, or clay loam (forms a ribbon >1.5 inches long); but it is sandy loam or loam in a few soils (forms a ribbon <1.5 inches long).

Soil salinity may be slight or less (E.C. <8 dS/m) at the surface, but it is moderate or stronger (E.C. >8 dS/m) within a depth of 16 inches. Sodicity is low to moderate (SAR <10) in the surface layer but moderately high or high (SAR 10 to 25) in the claypan layer. Soil reaction is slightly acid to moderately alkaline (pH 5.6 to 8.4) above the claypan and slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline (pH 7.4 to 9.0) in the claypan. Calcium carbonate content is none to low in the surface layer and typically low to moderate in the upper part of the claypan; in the lower part of the claypan there is commonly an accumulation of calcium carbonate (as much as 25 percent).

Wet surface compaction can occur with heavy traffic. These soils are mainly susceptible to water erosion. Loss of the soil surface layer can result in a shift in species composition and/or production.

Major soil series correlated to the Thin Claypan site are Exline, Ferney, Lemert, Mekinock, and Uranda.

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 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 he 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 an Invaded Wooded State 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_Thin_Claypan_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf

Thin Claypan Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Thin Claypan ecological sites are identified by the presence of a claypan within 6 inches of the soil surface making the site very droughty with salt accumulations within a depth of 16 inches (typically near the surface). In addition, the depth to claypan will cause a mosaic of non-vegetated (slick spots) with vegetated areas within the ecological site creating a mosaic of short- and mixed-grass habitat components that commonly support grassland nesting birds. This mosaic of slick spots and vegetated areas occurs in all states. Also, Thin Claypan sites commonly occur in a complex with Claypan ecological sites. These mosaics of ecological sites and slick spots commonly support grassland nesting birds including lek sites, nest sites, and brood rearing habitat for sharp-tailed grouse but lack sufficient vegetative stature for winter cover. Insects rely on associated forbs and grasses for survival and serve as food sources for birds and their young, and forage for small and large herbivores. Other associated ecological sites include Clayey, Claypan, Loamy, Loamy Overflow, and Saline Lowland. This complex of ecological sites provides habitat for many edge- sensitive, grassland bird species.

Thin Claypan ecological sites may be found in four plant community states (1.0 Reference State, 2.0 Native/Invaded State, 3.0 Invaded State, and 4.0 Go-back State) within a local landscape. Multiple plant communities are found in States 1.0 and 2.0. In addition, slick spots (bare ground) occur in patches of varying size scattered across the ecological site and in all plant communities. Today, these states occur primarily in response to grazing and drought. Secondary influences include anthropogenic disturbances and fire.

Because there is no known restoration pathway from State 2.0 to State 1.0, it is important to intensively manage, using tools in the community phase pathways in States 1.0 and 2.0 to prevent further plant community degradation along either the T1A Transitional Pathway to the Native/Invaded State 2.0 or T2A Transitional Pathway to the Invaded State 3.0 thresholds. Native wildlife generally benefits from grasslands that are heterogeneous in species composition and stature found in States 1.0 and 2.0 that include diverse grass and forb species with varying stature and density. As plant communities degrade within State 2.0, warm-season grasses, particularly short-statured grasses, increase along with cool-season exotic grasses while native forbs are reduced. 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.

Restoration success along pathway R3A from State 3.0 to State 2.0 is very difficult and is dependent upon range planting of native grasses and intensive management to control cool-season exotic grasses. This restoration effort will have a significant negative short-term impact on wildlife species. Target species must either be present on adjacent State 1.0 or State 2.0 plant communities or on other ecological sites within the species’ mobility limits. Species with limited mobility, such as some butterflies, 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 Phases 3.1 shows dramatically increased homogeneity of exotic cool-season grasses and further reduction in native forbs. Reduced forb diversity limits insect populations, negatively affecting grassland-nesting bird foraging opportunities. Increased exotic grass litter can limit access to bare ground to 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.

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

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama: Even though this ecological site is not very productive or have a large diversity of plant species, this plant community offers quality habitat for grassland nesting birds; effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase. This phase retains high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing with adequate recovery period as well as prescribed fire. Predominance of grass species in this community favors grazers and mixed-feeders (animals selecting grasses as well as forbs and shrubs).
The structural diversity provides habitat for a wide array of migratory and resident grassland nesting birds preferring short to mid-structure vegetation and bare ground.

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 mirrored 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 shredders, predators, herbivores, dung beetles, and fungal-feeders).

Dakota skippers do not prefer this site due to limited host plants, such as little bluestem and prairie dropseed. Regal fritillary habitat is limited due to short stature of this plant community and Nuttall’s and prairie violets are uncommon. Monarch butterflies may use flowering forbs on this site; however, few milkweed species are found on this site to support caterpillar food. The ecological site does not provide habitat for the northern sandy tiger beetle which prefer dry, sandy dunes and sandy areas away from water. This plant community does not provide habitat for the Ottoe Skipper preferring mid-statured grasses containing little bluestem, prairie dropseed, and sideoats grama which are lacking in this plant community. Bumblebees and other native bee utilize forbs as a nectar source and bare ground for nesting amongst bunchgrasses. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods, as well as prescribed fire, to maintain Community Phase 1.1 will have long term positive effects on ground dwelling insects.

Birds: This plant community provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by short- to midgrass nesting birds. However, areas of slick or bare spots provide limited nesting, foraging, and winter cover. Several species of grassland birds, preferring short- to mid-grass stature, will use this site. In years with reduced precipitation or drought, nesting recruitment may be compromised. This plant community provides suitable areas for sharp-tailed lek sites, nesting, and brood-rearing habitat. Limited stature and diverse prey populations provide good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores. Short to moderate stature provides suitable food and thermal, protective, and escape cover for small herbivores.

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

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site is not directly associated with streams, rivers, or water bodies. It receives run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and may provide hydrology to other ecological sites lower on the landscape (Saline Lowland). Management on Thin Claypan sites, in conjunction with nearby run-on sites, can have an indirect effect on aquatic species in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Thin Claypan and nearby sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to any nearby aquatic ecosystems from Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 1.2 Blue Grama-Western Wheatgrass: Blue grama and western wheatgrass will dominate with heavy grazing, with or without drought, via Community Pathway 1.1A; this favors a decrease of cool season, mid statured grasses and an increase of warm season, short statured grasses. The dominant forbs include common yarrow, curlycup gumweed, and rose pussytoes. Prairie sagewort is a common shrub.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, heavy, continuous seasonal grazing may negatively impact ground-nesting sites for bumble bees, other native bees, and other ground-nesting insects due to reduction of forbs, timing of forb flowering, or increased soil compaction.

Birds: A shift to shorter herbaceous plant statures and a short shrub component along Community Phase Pathway 1.1A provides nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by short-grass nesting birds. Species that prefer midgrass statures will be generally successful with normal to above normal precipitation and a change in management along the Community Phase Pathway 1.2A. In years with reduced precipitation and/or continued heavy grazing, nesting recruitment may be compromised even for short-grass nesting species. This plant community provides areas suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek sites. Limited cover and diverse prey populations provide good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, heavy season-long grazing reduces protective and thermal cover for small mammals.

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

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar secondary resource benefits as Community Phase 1.1.

1.3 Bare Ground/Curlycup Gumweed/Saltgrass: This plant community phase is characterized by bare ground and saltgrass. Heavy grazing with or without drought increases bare ground and grazing tolerant grasses and forbs, curlycup gumweed. Bare ground increases and litter amounts and infiltration rates decline while soil surface temperatures increase. Although, this plant community is resilient, retaining sufficient grazing sensitive native plant species to return to Community Phase 1.1 (via Community Phase Pathway 1.3A) will take long term management.

Invertebrates: A switch to mainly grazing tolerant grasses and forbs will have a significant impact to invertebrates due to the reduction of season-long nectar and pollen. Season-long nectar sources may be found on adjacent plant communities or ecological sites for mobile species. Increased bare ground provides increased nesting sites for bumble bees and other ground-nesting insects.

Birds: Dependent upon the amount of bare ground, adequate habitat for grassland nesting birds, maybe compromised. This plant community may be attractive grassland nesting birds preferring short-statured vegetation.

Mammals: Bare ground and short-statured grasses provides limited food, thermal, shelter, and escape cover for most mammals.

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

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

2.0 Native/Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama: This plant community develops through Transitional Pathway T1A, which has been colonized by the exotic cool-season grasses. The threshold between states 1.0 and 2.0 is crossed when Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, crested wheatgrass, 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 still functions at a high level for native wildlife; therefore, managers should consider the 2.0 community phase pathways to avoid transitioning to State 3.0.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

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

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar secondary resource benefits as Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 2.2 Blue Grama-Western Wheatgrass: Extended heavy season-long grazing, with or without drought, leads to shorter-statured grasses (such as blue grama). Forbs commonly found in this plant community include white sagebrush, upright prairie coneflower, and common yarrow. Prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods along Community Phase Pathway 2.2A may reduce blue grama and increase western wheatgrass and also increase diversity of forb components found in Community Phase 2.1.

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

Invertebrates: The loss of native forb diversity and increase in turf forming grasses (blue grama) limit foraging and nesting sites for all pollinators. Extended heavy season-long grazing reduces ground-nesting site availability and cause increased soil compaction. Homogeneity of forb species may limit season-long nectar availability. Increase in field sagewort, a wind-pollinated forb, reduces pollen availability; common yarrow favors flies and small native bees. However, depending on the amount of overgrazed vs. undergrazed area, the undergrazed areas may provide similar life requisites as Community Phase 2.1.

Birds: Long-term heavy season-long grazing will reduce forage (invertebrates) and cover. Heavy late- season grazing reduces residual cover available for the following year’s nesting season. Stature is generally short, serving both mid- and short-grass nesting birds. Short-grass nesting birds favor this phase. Species that prefer a midgrass stature will be generally successful with normal to above normal precipitation and a change in management along the 2.2A Community Phase Pathway. In years with reduced precipitation or heavy grazing during the nesting season, use by mid-grass nesting species may be compromised. This plant community provides areas suitable for sharp-tailed grouse lek site development. Limited stature and diverse prey populations provide good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors.

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

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

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar secondary resource benefits as Community Phase 1.1.

Community Phase 2.3 Bare Ground/Curlycup Gumweed/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Saltgrass: This plant community phase is characterized by bare ground and saltgrass with an increase of exotic cool- season grasses. Long-term, heavy season-long grazing with or without drought increases bare ground and grazing tolerant grasses and forbs, curlycup gumweed. Bare ground increases and litter amounts and infiltration rates decline while soil surface temperatures increase. Although, this plant community is resilient, retaining sufficient grazing sensitive native plant species to return to Community Phase 2.1 (via Community Phase Pathway 2.3A) will take long term management.

Invertebrates: A switch to mainly grazing tolerant grasses and forbs will have a significant impact to invertebrates due to the reduction of season-long nectar and pollen. Season-long nectar sources may be found on adjacent plant communities or ecological sites for mobile species. Increased bare ground provides increased nesting sites for bumble bees and other ground-nesting insects.

Birds: Dependent upon the amount of bare ground, adequate habitat for grassland nesting birds, maybe compromised. This plant community may be attractive grassland nesting birds preferring short-statured vegetation.

Mammals: Bare ground and short-statured grasses provides limited food, thermal, shelter, and escape cover for most mammals.

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

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

Community Phase 2.4 Western Wheatgrass/Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: Community Phase Pathway 2.1B is characterized by light or non-use and elimination of fire. Plant community diversity is reduced with a decline of deeper-rooted native species being replaced by shallow-rooted exotic cool- season grasses with increased plant litter. This plant community is on the cusp of crossing the threshold to the 3.0 Invaded State. The most effective method to regain diverse cool-season grass and forb components in Community Phase 2.1 is prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods between grazing to shift the competitive edge to native species along Community Phase Pathway 2.4A. Every effort should be used to manage within Community Phase Pathway 2.4A to avoid crossing the threshold into State 3.0. If the threshold is crossed to Invaded State 3.0, the Restoration Pathway R3A requires intensive management and economic inputs to successfully cross back to State 2.0.

Insects: The loss of native tap rooted forbs and increase in sod-forming grasses limit foraging and nesting sites for all pollinators. Homogeneity of forb species may limit season-long nectar availability. Litter buildup, resulting from complete rest or light utilization, may reduce ground-nesting site availability and plant litter contact with the soil surface.

Birds: An increase in cool-exotic cool-season grasses moves this plant community toward homogeneity. Native grasses still dominate this plant community; however, the increase in cool-season exotic grasses reduces plant stature. With reduced amounts of native grasses and forbs, reduced plant stature, and increased litter, bird species shift from mid- to short-grass species. Sharp-tailed grouse may still use this plant community for leks and brood rearing; however, winter cover must be provided by adjacent ecological sites or plant communities. Management for bird species that prefer mid-statured grasses should follow Community Phase Pathway 2.4A.

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

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

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar secondary resource benefits as Community Phase 1.1.

3.0 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1 Exotic Cool-Season Grasses/Forbs: Community phase pathway T2B is characterized by complete rest from grazing and elimination of fire. This plant community phase is characterized by a dominance (>30%) of exotic cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass. However, due to soil chemistry and structure issues of this site, native grasses (such as saltgrass and blue grama) may still be present. Range planting and intensive management to control invasive species along Restoration pathway R3A may be required to cross back to Native/Invaded 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 habitat functions.

Invertebrates: Exotic grasses limits use by beneficial insects provided 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. Lack of nectar-producing plants and native forb and grass host plants eliminates life requisites for invertebrate species of concern in MLRA 55B.

Birds: The homogeneous community phase, dominated by exotic plant species, provides limited habitat and life requisites for most obligate grassland-nesting birds. Lack of plant diversity and stature (along with increased litter and the tendency of Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome to go prostrate or “lay down”) limits use by many grassland-nesting birds. Sharp-tailed grouse may use this plant community for lek sites and nesting cover; however, winter cover must be provided by adjacent ecological sites or plant communities.

Mammals: Litter accumulation and exotic grass cover favors thermal, protective, and escape cover for small rodents. Thermal, protective, or escape cover is limited for large mammals.

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

Fish and Mussels: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 3.1.

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.

Successful restoration of native species along Transition Pathway R4A results in a native grass and forb community in State 2.0. Failed restoration to native species through Restoration Pathway R4B results in Invaded State 3.0. Wildlife species response 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).

Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations

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

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

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

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


Utilization Level % Use Description
Slight (Light) 0-20 Appears practically undisturbed when viewed obliquely. Only choice areas and forage utilized.

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

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

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

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

Hydrological functions

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

Recreational uses

Hunting and Bird Watching: 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 productions on the site.

Other products

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

Other information

Site Development and Testing Plan
• Further investigation is recommended on somewhat poorly drained areas of this site. The current plant community and production data may only reflect the moderately well drained areas and may need revision after field investigations are completed.
• 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.

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