Physiographic features

This site typically occurs in deep depressions on uplands – till plains, lake plains, outwash plains, and eolian sand plains; however, it also occurs in drainageways and on depressional areas of flood plains. Parent materials are alluvium, glaciolacustrine sediments, glaciofluvial deposits, or eolian sands. Slope is less than 1 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 is very poorly drained. Under average climatic conditions, it is inundated for very long periods (>30 days) during the growing season. Some soils in this site have endosaturation (apparent water table) and others have episaturation (perched water table above a subsoil layer with very slow or slow permeability). Water tables in endosaturated soils typically range from 1.5 feet above to 18 inches below the surface during most of the growing season. The depth of ponding on episaturated soils, typically, is less than 3 feet in the spring and less than 1.5 feet in late summer. Surface water may not be evident in late summer; but saturation is generally within a depth of 18 inches during this time.

Water on the site is typically received from upland runoff and lateral flow through the soil profile, but on flood plains it is from stream overflow. Soils occurring on flood plains have frequent, long or very long flooding. Surface infiltration and permeability though the profile ranges from very slow to very rapid. These typically are flowthrough wetlands but can also be recharge wetlands. See Site Development and Testing plan for discussion of discharge wetlands.

Wetlands receive water from different sources including ground water movement. Recharge wetlands have groundwater flow predominantly away from the wetland moving toward or into a flowthrough or discharge wetland basin. Flowthrough wetlands have groundwater flowing away from the wetland basin but is balanced with water flowing into the basin.

Water loss is primarily through evapotranspiration. During periods of drought or extreme wetness, water table fluctuations will also have an impact on depth of ponding, especially in sandy soils. During periods of drawdown (e.g. prolonged drought), soil and water chemistry may significantly impact the soil/water/vegetation dynamics of the site (see Site Development and Testing Plan).

Fluctuations in specific conductance are less pronounced during average or normal water conditions than during periods of excessive water depth or extreme drought. The approximate normal and extreme range in specific conductance (micromhos/cm3) of surface water in plant communities that are indicators of differences in average salinity are as follows:

Plant Community Normal Range (micromhos/cm3) Electroconductivity (dS/m)
Fresh <40 - 500 0.5
Slightly brackish 500 - 2,000 0.5 to 2.0
Moderately brackish 2,000 - 5,000 2.1 to 5.0
Brackish 5,000 - 15,000 5.1 to 15.0
Sub-saline 15,000 - 45,000 15.1 to 45.0
Saline 45,000 -100,000 > 45.0

These depressions are considered seasonal wetlands; however, during wetter than average climate cycles, these soils may have continuous, deep ponding throughout the growing season (or through multiple growing seasons).

Wetland description

Cowardin, et al., 1979
System: Palustrine
Subsystem: N/A
Class: Emergent
Sub-class: Persistent
Water Regime: Seasonally Flooded

Soil features

Soils associated with Shallow Marsh ES are in the Mollisol and Vertisol orders; however, a few Histosols are also included. The Mollisols are classified further as Vertic Argiaquolls, Cumulic Vertic Epiaquolls, Typic Endoaquolls, Cumulic Endoaquolls, Typic Calciaquolls, and Histic Endoaquolls. The Vertisols are classified further as Typic Endoaquerts, Typic Epiaquerts, and Typic Calciaquerts. The Histosols are further classified as Terric Haplosaprists and Typic Haplosaprists. These soils were developed under wetland vegetation associated with very long periods of inundation. They formed in glaciolacustrine sediments, glaciofluvial deposits, eolian deposits, local alluvium from till, or flood plain alluvium. A few inches of organic materials are common on the surface of mineral soils that have never been cultivated. Histosols (soils with organic materials ranging from 8 inches to more than 3 feet thick) are not extensive.

The common feature of soils in this site is frequent seasonal inundation (typically extends into mid-summer or longer). Some are in deep depressions and potholes that are ponded through most of the growing season and some are on flood plains with frequent, long or very long flooding. The soils are very deep and very poorly drained. Since hydrology (surface and sub-surface) is the primary factor used in identifying this site, all textures are included. Therefore, soil physical properties associated with texture vary widely. The dark- colored surface soil is more than 7 inches thick and generally more than 20 inches thick; however, soils with thin topsoil layers (<7 inches thick) also occur.

Soil salinity is typically none to slight (E.C. <8 dS/m), but a few soils may have moderate salinity (E.C. 8 - <16 dS/m) in a subsoil layer. Sodicity is typically none or low; but in a few soils, the SAR may exceed 13 in a subsoil layer. Soil reaction typically is slightly acid to moderately alkaline (pH 6.1 to 8.4); but in a few soils may be strongly alkaline (pH 8.5 to 9.0) in a subsoil layer. The calcium carbonate content typically ranges from 0 to 35 percent; some soils have a subsoil layer with CaCO3 accumulations as high as 45 percent.

This site should show no evidence of rills, wind-scoured areas, or pedestaled plants. The soil surface is stable and intact. Sub-surface soil layers are non-restrictive to root penetration, but in some soils water movement downward is slowed. These soils are not susceptible to water erosion. Ponded water conditions strongly influence the soil/water/plant relationship.

Major soil series correlated to the Shallow Marsh site are Dovray, Parnell, Rauville, and Venlo. Very poorly drained phases of the Borup, Colvin, Fargo, Fossum, Hegne, Lowe, Manfred, Marysland, and Totten are also included in the site. Also included are Markey and Seelyeville which have surface organic materials greater than 8 inches thick.

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 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 a minor amount 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 States of ecological sites 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:
https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/ND/55B_Shallow_Marsh_Narrative_FINAL_Ref_FSG.pdf

Shallow Marsh Wildlife Habitat Interpretation:

Shallow Marsh ecological sites are very poorly drained soils located in deep depressions and on floodplains. Associated ecological sites include Clayey, Limy Subirrigated, Loamy Overflow, Saline Lowland, Loamy, Subirrigated, Subirrigated Sands, and Wet Meadow. Shallow Marsh habitat features and components commonly support grassland-nesting birds, notably birds utilizing wetland vegetation habitats (such as Nelson’s and LeConte’s sparrow, sedge wren, and water and wading birds using uplands for nesting). 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. Shallow Marsh ecological sites support a diversity of invertebrates important in the diet of water birds.

Shallow Marsh ecological sites may be found in four plant community states within a local landscape. Multiple plant community phases exist within this ecological site dependent upon water levels, saturation, water and soil chemistry, and management. Today, these states occur primarily in response to precipitation (extended periods of above average precipitation or drought), water chemistry, fire, grazing, non-use, and other anthropogenic disturbances.

Restoration pathway from State 2.0 back 1.0 may occur, however rare. Restoration Pathway R2A’s main ecological driver is increased water levels above plant height causing plant mortality - drowning out exotic forbs and grasses. Restoration Pathway R3A is dependent upon a combination of a successful wetland restoration or seeding, increased water regime, chemical treatment, and/or sediment/nutrient removal. However, maintenance and/or restoration of adjacent upland ecological sites is critical for full restoration of the Shallow Marsh ecological site to Reference.

Non-anthropogenic Community Phase, Transition, and Restoration Pathways rely predominantly on water regime, either increasing or decreasing water depth with associated saturation. While tillage is the main anthropogenic impact to Shallow Marsh ecological sites within MLRA 55B, heavy season- long grazing during a drawdown phase can cause saline soils, especially on discharge or flow- through sites. Degree of tillage and the length of time the site is tilled will have a significant impact on the ability of the site to follow Restoration Pathways R3A, R4A, and R4B. The longer the wetland is tilled, the fewer native wetland plant propagules are available to recolonize the wetland. Increased salinity due to tillage will also negatively impact restoration.

Native wildlife, dependent upon shallow wetlands found in the Shallow Marsh ecological site, generally benefit from the heterogeneous grasslands/graminoids found in Community Phases in States 1.0 and 2.0. Plant communities within States 1.0 and 2.0 are dependent upon long-term changes in precipitation and impacted by grazing intensity and frequency.

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.

Hydrological manipulation (surface or tile drainage, pumping, surface water diversion, etc.) modifies this ecological site’s functions, having a significant negative impact to wetland dependent wildlife (such as invertebrates, amphibians, and water birds). Without restoring hydrologic function (which may include range seeding), managers need to reference state and transition models within those sites. Hydrology will need to be fully restored in Wet Meadow and Shallow Marsh ecological sites for these sites to properly function. It is recommended that managers review the appropriate State and Transition Models prior to wetland restoration.

1.0 Reference State

Community Phase 1.1 Normal Emergent Phase: Grasses/Sedges-Spikerushes-Bulrushes/Rushes: This plant community offers quality vegetative cover for wetland associated wildlife; every effort should be made to maintain this ecological site within this community phase in State 1.0. Water level is the main ecological driver maintaining this plant community. However, this phase retains high functionality through continued maintenance including prescribed grazing with adequate recovery period as well as prescribed burning.

Invertebrates: Shallow Marsh ecological sites provide habitat for a diverse suite of aquatic invertebrates providing an important trophic link between macrophytes and vertebrates that depend upon them as food. The structure provided by vegetated wetlands increases the abundance of aquatic invertebrates compared to less vegetated sites. Maximum invertebrate production occurs when emergent and submergent vegetation are interspersed.

Insects play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, wetland birds, and rodents. Early season pollinator plants are limited; however, a variety of forbs provide mid- to late-season pollen and nectar. Wet soil does not provide habitat for ground nesting pollinator species. This site does not provide habitat for Dakota skippers, regal fritillaries, or monarch butterflies. Depending on forb species composition, this site may be visited for nectar.

Birds: This plant community provides quality nesting, foraging, and escape habitats favored by mid- to tallgrass-nesting birds, especially those species preferring wetter (hydric) habitats (such as Nelson’s sparrow, black tern, northern harrier, sedge wren, waterfowl, and other water birds). This site provides waterfowl pair bonding sites, excellent invertebrate food source for egg-laying water bird hens, and water bird brood habitat. This plant community provides winter cover and escape for many upland birds. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors, especially northern harrier.

Mammals: The diversity of grasses and forbs provide high nutrition levels for small and large herbivores. In addition, it provides foraging opportunities for raccoon, skunks, coyotes, and other mammals that use wetlands and wetland edges for food resources. Tall- to mid-statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: This ecological site can provide habitat for the northern leopard frog, Canadian toad, and tiger salamander. Duration of surface water provides for successful egg laying and tadpole development.

Fish and Mussels: This ecological site is directly associated with streams, rivers, or water bodies. As a seasonal wetland, it ponds water into mid-summer or longer. This site receives run-on hydrology from adjacent ecological sites and provides hydrology to shallow ground water and other surface waterbodies. Management on Shallow Marsh sites, in conjunction with neighboring run-off sites, will have a direct effect on aquatic species within the site and in streams and/or tributaries receiving water from Shallow Marsh sites. Optimum hydrological function and nutrient cycling limit potential for sediment yield and nutrient loading to the adjacent aquatic ecosystems from State 1.0.

Community Phase 1.2 Open Water: Submergent Vegetation-Buttercups: This plant community phase occurs during periods of increased water depth, usually associated with prolonged periods of above average precipitation. The increased ponded water depth favors submerged vegetation and may create a mosaic of vegetation in conjunction with Plant Community Phase 1.1 and 1.3. The forb community is limited to submerged vegetation with flowers borne just above the water surface.

Invertebrates: Invertebrate abundance and diversity will increase with submerged vegetation, while pollen and nectar sources for bees and butterflies is limited to mid- to late-season when flowers are borne on submerged vegetation above the water surface.

Birds: Dominated by submerged vegetation, this site provides high protein source for egg-laying waterfowl hens. Dependent upon the duration of ponding into the growing season, the site will provide an excellent protein source for waterfowl broods with escape cover when associated with Plant Community Phase 1.1. This site provides good hunting opportunities for grassland raptors, especially northern harrier.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, this Plant Community Phase no longer provides thermal, protective, escape, and winter habitat for a big game animals and other small herbivores.

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

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

Community Phase 1.3 Drawdown Phase, Fresh: Grasses/Sedges-Spikerushes: This plant community occurs during the drawdown phase associated with prolonged periods of below average precipitation. The plant community is dominated by short- to mid-statured vegetation. This phase retains high functionality and, with average or above average precipitation via Community Phase Pathway 1.3A, will revert to Plant Community Phase 1.1.

Invertebrates: Insects play a role in maintaining the forb community and provide a forage base for grassland birds, wetland birds, and rodents. This plant community contains a variety of forbs providing season-long pollen and nectar. However, due to wet soils, ground nesting pollinator species do not prefer this site. Dakota skippers, regal fritillaries, or monarch butterflies will use this site when swamp milkweed, New England aster, or goldenrods occupy this site.

A diverse suite of aquatic invertebrates still occurs in this plant community phase; however, abundance is reduced due to loss of emergent vegetation. Rapid warming during spring snowmelt allows the invertebrate population to flourish.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, a shorter statured plant community favors bird species that prefer short- to mid-statured vegetation.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, the shorter-statured vegetation limits thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1; however, the lack of surface water does not provide the opportunity for successful egg-laying and tadpole development habitat.

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

Community Phase 1.4 Drawdown Phase, Brackish: Foxtail Barley/Spikerushes/Docks-Goosefoots: This plant community phase occurs during the drawdown phase caused by multi-year, below average precipitation coupled with season-long grazing. Increased salinity occurs allowing grazing tolerant foxtail barley to become one of the dominant species in this plant community. Grazing tolerant spikerush species increase along with weedy native forbs (goosefoot/dock).

Invertebrates: Pollinator friendly forbs decrease as salinity and foxtail barley increase - limiting pollen and nectar availability. Bare ground increases but few ground nesting species, if any within MLRA 55B, use saline soils for nesting sites. This shift to drier soil conditions reduces or eliminates aquatic invertebrates.

Birds: This plant community phase does not provide waterfowl brood habitat. Depending on spring moisture conditions, waterfowl may find adequate invertebrate populations during the breeding season. As the site draws down, wading bird habitat increases as shallow water increases and as taller vegetation is replaced with increasing amount of bare ground. Invertebrates may remain abundant early in the growing season unless prolonged below average precipitation persists drying of the soil, reducing invertebrate abundance and diversity.

Mammals: A shift to short-grass species, drier soil conditions, and increased salinity reduces habitat for large mammals (such as white-tailed deer) while still providing vegetative cover for small mammals. Thermal, escape, and winter cover is no longer provided for larger ungulates. Foraging opportunities for raccoon, skunks, coyotes and other mammals becomes limited.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Loss of surface water and increased salinity reduces habitat for amphibians and reptiles. Tiger salamander habitat is lost while saline soils are not favored by frogs and toad species.

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

2.0 Native Invaded State

Community Phase 2.1 Normal Emergent Phase: Grasses/Sedges-Spikerushes-Bulrushes/Exotics: This transition from the State 1: Reference State to State 2: Native/Invaded State results from the colonization and establishment of exotic plants, often exotic strains of reed canarygrass. Exotic forbs that may occur include the hybrid cattail (cross between narrowleaf and broadleaf cattail), Canada thistle, and purple loosestrife.

Heavy season-long grazing, prolonged periods of no use and no fire, and a decrease in the water regime of the site are often involved with this transition. Excessive litter accumulation provides conditions favorable to exotic strains and/or hybrids of reed canarygrass and/or cattails which can quickly spread to form virtual monocultures. As a result, the transition to State 3: Invaded State can be expected. This plant community phase has a very similar appearance and function to the Plant Community 1.1. Managers should consider management within the State 2.0 Community Phase Pathways to avoid transitioning to State 3.0.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.1.

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

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

Community Phase 2.2 Drawdown Phase, Brackish: Foxtail Barley/Spikerushes/Exotics: This plant community phase occurs with heavy season-long grazing combined with a drawdown phase and increased salinity. Grazing and salt tolerant foxtail barley and assorted forbs dominate the site while wheat sedge and other native grasses decline.

Invertebrates: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.4. Heavy season-long grazing and saline soils do not allow flowering plants to recover, limiting pollen and nectar resources for bees and other pollinating insects. In addition, a shift from perennial to annual forbs reduces season-long pollen and nectar sources for pollinating insect species. These annual forbs do not provide pollen and nectar resources at the same high level as native forbs provide. Prolonged periods of reduced precipitation favor ground nesting pollinators; however, increased compaction from mechanical impacts or increased livestock presence negatively impacts ground nesting pollinator opportunities. This shift to drier soil conditions reduces or eliminates aquatic invertebrates.

Birds: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.4.

Mammals: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.4.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.4.

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

Community Phase 2.3 Drawdown Phase, Fresh: Spikerushes/Hybrid Cattail: This plant community phase occurs with heavy season-long grazing combined with a drawdown phase. This combination favors spike rushes and annual forbs.

Invertebrates: Heavy season-long grazing coupled with reduced to no ponding favors annual forbs and spikerushes limiting pollen and nectar resources for bees and other pollinating insects. These annual forbs do not provide pollen and nectar resources at the same high level as native forbs provide. Prolonged periods of reduced precipitation favor ground nesting pollinators; however, increased compaction from mechanical impacts or increased livestock presence negatively impacts ground nesting pollinator opportunities. This shift to drier soil conditions reduces or eliminates aquatic invertebrates until the site is inundated again.

Birds: This shorter, drier plant community reduces or eliminates nesting, brooding, or feeding opportunities for waterfowl and other water birds.

Mammals: Short spikerushes and annual forbs provide limited resources for mammals of all sizes.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Provides similar life requisites as Community Phase 1.3.

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

3.0 Invaded State

Community Phase 3.1 Hybrid Cattail and/or Reed Canarygrass: Eutrophication and sedimentation of the site, often due to tillage on or adjacent to the site, transitions this plant community to one dominated hybrid cattails or exotic strains/hybrids of reed canarygrass. Monotypic stands of hybrid cattail generally develop and out-compete other grasses, graminoids or forbs. Mechanical treatment, sediment removal, prescribed burning, reseeding, and buffer reestablishment may all be needed to restore this site to State 1.0 (via Restoration Pathway R3A) or State 2.0 (via Restoration Pathway R3B). Extended periods of above average precipitation along with mechanical treatment, sediment removal, prescribed burning, and reseeding (via Restoration Pathway R3A or R3B) can move this plant community back to State 1.0 or 2.0.

Invertebrates: Saturated to ponded soils favor aquatic invertebrates. Monotypic stands of hybrid cattail or reed canarygrass limit forb species, providing a decrease in pollen and nectar sources for insects. Restoration efforts, including prescribed grazing, can reduce hybrid cattail and reed canarygrass while increasing forb diversity. The initial flush of forbs may be Canada thistle and field sowthistle resulting from restoration efforts, especially prescribed grazing.

Birds: Monotypic stands of hybrid cattail or reed canarygrass reduce water bird use. LeConte’s and Nelson’s sparrow, marsh wren, and yellow rail favor this plant community. American bittern may use this site. Yellow-headed and red-winged black birds use cattail dominated wetlands for roosting, especially late summer and early fall prior to migration. This plant community can provide winter cover for ring-necked pheasant when located near a winter food source. Restoration efforts, including prescribed grazing, can reduce hybrid cattail and reed canary grass - increasing open water providing foraging and breeding habitat for dabbling ducks and shore birds including an excellent food source of aquatic invertebrates.

Mammals: Monotypic stands of hybrid cattail or reed canarygrass provide winter cover for large herbivores including white-tailed deer and moose. Depending on degree of ponding or saturation, this plant community may provide season-long escape cover for white-tailed deer. Tall- to mid- statured vegetation provides suitable food, thermal, protective, and escape cover for small and large herbivores.

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

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

4.0 Go-Back State

Community Phase 4.1 Annual/Pioneer Perennial/Exotics: Following cropland abandonment, these plant communities are dominated by early pioneer annual and perennial plant species. Plant species composition and production are highly variable and dependent upon water depth and length of time the wetland has been in crop production contributing to eutrophication and sedimentation of wetland basin. Hybrid cattail, Canada thistle, field sowthistle, other annual weeds (dock, smartweed, barnyard grass, etc.), quackgrass, foxtail barley, slough grass, and pioneering spikerush species are typical pioneer species. 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 offers thermal cover and seeds throughout winter. The response by wildlife species will be dependent upon ponded water depth, plant community composition, vegetative stature, patch size, and management activities (such as wetland restoration, sediment removal, 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. Management activities within State 2.0 are needed to avoid a transition out of State 2.0. Unsuccessful wetland restoration or unsuccessful native forb and grass seeding along Transition Pathway R4B will result in State 3.0.

Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations

Note: When interpreting plant production regarding stocking rate, several things must be taken into consideration. Annual production is highly variable and subject to wide fluctuations; palatability is generally low and seasonally quite variable; and access to the forage can be limited due to water levels. As a result, caution must be exercised so that the stocking rate is based on a realistic inventory or a reasonable estimate of useable forage. 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 prescribed grazing management. “Degree of utilization” is defined as the proportion of the current year’s 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

Under unaltered hydrologic conditions, the site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group D; where significantly impacted by drainage practices, these soils are in hydrologic group A/D, B/D, or C/D depending upon soil texture. Infiltration varies from very slow to very rapid; runoff potential for this site is none to very low.

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

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

Recreational uses

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

No appreciable wood products are present on the site.

Other products

Seed harvest of native plant species can provide additional income on this site. In addition, cattails can provide a variety of other uses including edible pollen and roots, paper, and ethanol.

Other information

• Further investigation is needed on the wide range of landforms and soil textures (and associated properties) and their relationship to hydrology/plant dynamics.
• Further investigation is needed on areas of this site associated with drainageways and flood plains. Rauville soils occur on flood plains of streams and rivers. Very poorly drained phases of Lowe soils occur in drainageways. The impact of occasional or frequent flooding on these areas needs evaluation. MLRA map units needing investigation are:
 Lowe loam, very poorly drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded (map unit 2q5pb)
 Rauville silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded (map unit 2q3v7)
• Further investigation is needed on soils formed in organic materials. Two Histosols are currently included in the Shallow Marsh. Due to the uniqueness of organic soils and associated plants in the prairie pothole region, as well as the landform of the Seelyeville soils (foot slopes of uplands), a separate ecological site should be considered for these soils (even though they are not extensive). MLRA map units needing investigation are:
 Markey muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes (map unit 2q3v6)
 Seelyeville mucky peat, 0 to 9 percent slopes (map unit 2q5n2)
• Further investigation is needed on the influence of water chemistry on the soil/water/plant dynamics of this site. Currently wetlands with fresh water and those with brackish water are both included in the Shallow Marsh site. During the drawdown phase, in particular, the chemistry of both water and soil will likely significantly impact the plant community. Soils with some accumulation of carbonates and/or salts are included in this site; however, these accumulations are more typical of discharge wetlands which are not considered the central concept of Shallow Marsh. Calciaquolls form where soil water movement is more upward than downward, creating the layer of carbonate accumulation near the surface. It is believed the duration of ponding on the Typic Calciaquolls included in this site is significantly longer now than when these soils were forming. Extensive cultivation of the surrounding uplands contributes to more runoff into these wetlands now than under prairie conditions. In addition, periodic cultivation of the wetland soils likely has altered soil structure significantly – slowing infiltration. A separate ecological site may be needed to adequately address the brackish water/discharge wetland areas included in this site.
• Further investigation is needed on soils with nearly continuous, deep ponding and open water (Southam series). The hydrology and plant community on this site is likely not well-represented by the Shallow Marsh site. A Deep Marsh ecological site may need to be developed.
• 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.

Other references

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Contributors

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

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 4/25/2025