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NRCS-Month, Year

Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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MLRA 72 – Updated February 12, 2018

MLRA 72 Location Map Page 3

Ecological Site Key Page 4

Chalk Fans* R072XY105KS (new) Page 5

Choppy Sands R072XY110KS (was R072XA003KS) Page 7

Closed Upland Depression R072XY115KS (was R072XA011KS) Page 10

Gravelly Hills R072XY113KS (was R072XA010KS) Page 12

Limy Slopes (previously Limy Upland) R072XY101KS (was R072XA012KS) Page 16

Loamy Lowland R072XY108KS (was R072XA013KS) Page 20

Loamy Tableland (previously Loamy Upland) R072XY100KS (was R072XA015KS) Page 24

Loess Breaks R072XY114KS (was R072XA016KS) Page 27

Rolling Sands (previously Sands or Deep Sand) R072XY109KS (was R072XA021KS) Page 30

Saline Lowland R072XY104KS (was R072XA019KS) Page 33

Saline Subirrigated R072XY102KS (was R072XA020KS) Page 36

Salt Flat* R072XY116KS (new) Page 38

Sandy Lowland R072XY107KS (was R072XA023KS) Page 40

Sandy Plains (previously Sandy) R072XY111KS (was R072XA022KS) Page 44

Shallow Limy R072XY112KS (was R072XA028KS) Page 48

Subirrigated R072XY103KS (was R072XA032KS) Page 51

Tableland Swale R072XY117KS (new) Page 54

Brief Ecological Site Descriptions Page 57

Definitions Page 62

MLRA 72 Plant List Page 63

*These sites do not occur in Nebraska

Additional information is available at: https://esis.sc.egov.usda.gov or click on site name above to go to specific site information.

In the following tables, the list of plants and their relative proportions are based on near normal years. Fluctuations in species composition and relative production may change from year to year dependent upon precipitation or other climatic variations. AUM values are based on the following:

• 1 Animal Unit (1 AU) is equivalent to a 1000 # grazing animal. • Forage consumption by one AU is estimated at 30 pounds of air dry forage (26 # oven dry) per day or 912.5# per month. • 50% use equates to 25% harvest efficiency and 60% use equates to 30% harvest efficiency.

Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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Location Map for Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 72 – Central High Tableland

Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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MLRA 72 Ecological Site Key I. Alluvial Soils (floodplains, terraces, and interdunes)

A. Soils that have a seasonal or perennial high water table (<6 feet from surface)

i. Soils with high concentration of salts Saline Subirrigated (R072XY102KS) ii. Soils with a water table <6 feet Subirrigated (R072XY103KS)

B. Soils that do not have a seasonal or perennial high water table (>6 feet from surface) i. Soils with high concentration of salts Saline Lowland (R072XY104KS) ii. Niobrara chalk slope alluvium Chalk Fans (R072XY105KS) iii. Soils with >55% sand in the surface………………………………Sandy Lowland (R072XY107KS) iv. All other soils with a water table >6 feet…………………………..Loamy Lowland (R072XY108KS)

II. Sandy Soils (generally soils with >52% sand)

A. Rolling Hills, texture is sand, fine sand, loamy sand; slopes <24%..........Rolling Sands (R072XY109KS) B. >24% slope, short, steep, hummocky landform Choppy Sands (R072XY110KS) C. Occurs on plains, texture is loamy sand, fine sandy loam; slopes <8% Sandy Plains (R072XY111KS)

III. Breaks (area between tableland and river valley highlighted by cliff faces)

A. Soil depth <20 inches Shallow Limy (R072XY112KS) B. Rock fragments >15% in surface horizon Gravelly Hills (R072XY113KS) C. Soils with slopes >30% Loess Breaks (R072XY114KS) D. All other soils with slopes <30% and depth to free carbonates < 4”.........Limy Slopes (R072XY101KS)

IV. Tablelands (broad upland divides)

A. Closed depressions on tablelands (playas) Closed Upland Depression (R072XY115KS) B. Salt affected soils on tablelands Salt Flat (R072XY116KS) C. Located in swales and run in positions Tableland Swale (R072XY117KS) D. Loess, wind-blown silts and very fine sands Loamy Tableland (R072XY100KS)

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SITE: CHALK FANS (R072XY105KS) Does not occur in Nebraska. SITE DESCRIPTION: This site occurs on nearly level to gently sloping alluvial fans, fan aprons, and colluvial aprons below raw exposures of Niobrara Chalk formations. The site is dominated by calcareous slope alluvium and residuum weathered from chalk, shale or soft limestone. The slope is 1-10%. The soils are moderately deep to deep, and strongly calcareous with silty or loamy surface layers and subsoils over soft chalky bedrock.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Plant Community

(Little Bluestem, Sideoats Grama, Big Bluestem)

The reference plant community consists of warm season sod forming and bunch grasses, cool season sod forming grasses, forbs, and shrubs. The potential vegetation is 90% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and a trace of woody plants. Primary grasses are little bluestem, big bluestem and sideoats grama. Secondary species include blue grama, buffalograss, switchgrass, inland saltgrass and western wheatgrass. Common forbs include Cuman ragweed, white sagebrush, woolly locoweed, narrowleaf milkvetch, desert princes plume and white heath aster. Shrubs include spreading buckwheat, broom snakeweed, winterfat and fourwing saltbush.

2200 0.60 0.72

1.2 Shortgrass-Mid-grass Community

(Sideoats Grama, Blue Grama, Buffalograss and

Inland Saltgrass)

The shortgrass-mid-grass plant community is made up of primarily warm season mid-grass, short grasses and few forbs. The primary grasses are sideoats grama, blue grama, buffalograss and inland saltgrass.

1500 0.41 0.49

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Chalk Fans: Little Bluestem–Sideoats Grama–Big Bluestem Plant community (Reference Community) COMMON/GROUP

NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight

Midgrass-Tall grass Warm Season 1 900 1320 40 60 Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii ANGE 1 225 330 10 15 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 1 252 770 11 35 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 1 300 440 14 20 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 1 50 110 2 5 Short grasses and Cool Season Grasses 2 375 550 17 25 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 2 225 330 10 15 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 2 150 220 7 10 Inland Saltgrass Distichlis spicata DISP 2 75 110 3 5 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 2 75 110 3 5 Short grasses and Cool Season Grasses 3 75 110 3 5 Composite Dropseed Sporobolus compositus SPCO16 3 20 40 1 2 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 3 20 40 1 2 Threeawn Aristida sp. ARIST 3 20 40 1 2 Forbs 4 150 220 7 10 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 4 30 60 1.5 3 Desert Princesplume Stanleya pinnata STPI 4 30 60 1.5 3 Missouri Milkvetch Astragalus missouriensis AMMI10 4 0 15 0 0.5 Narrowleaf Milkvetch Astragalus pectinatus ASPE5 4 0 15 0 0.5 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides SYERE 4 30 60 1.5 3 White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana ARLU 4 30 60 1.5 3 Woolly Locoweed Astragalus mollissimus ASMO7 4 0 15 0 0.5 Shrubs 5 0 45 0 2 Broom Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae GUSA2 5 0 45 0 2 Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens ATCA2 5 0 15 0 0.5 Spreading Buckwheat Eriogonum effusum EREF 5 0 45 0 2 Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata KRLA2 5 0 15 0 0.5

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative

Value* HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 1340 1960 2670 FORBS 150 220 300

SHRUBS 10 20 30 TOTAL 1500 2200 3000

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SITE: CHOPPY SANDS (R072XY110KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: This site occurs on steep to very steep (24-60% slopes), sometimes unstable sand dunes. The sites are fragile and may have blowouts scattered throughout. Hillslopes are broken with a series of slope slips referred to as catsteps giving it the appearance of large stair steps. Soils are very deep with sandy surface layers and subsoils. Organic matter is very low to low. Soil structure is often loose and single-grained below the surface. Soils are excessively drained, and the available water capacity is low. Slopes range from 24-60%. Drought cycles have a major impact on the vegetation of this site. The species composition changes with the duration and severity of the drought.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1. 1 Reference Plant Community Prairie Sandreed, Sand Bluestem, Little Bluestem

The potential vegetation is 75-85% grasses and grass-likes, 5-10% forbs and 5-10% shrubs. Primary grasses are sand bluestem, prairie sandreed, little bluestem, sand lovegrass and switchgrass. Secondary species include blue grama, hairy grama, needleandthread and a diverse population of forbs. Common forbs include Cuman ragweed, silky prairie clover, ten petal blazingstar, and lemon scurfpea. Shrubs include leadplant, sand sagebrush and soapweed yucca. Blowouts are infrequent. When sand bluestem, little bluestem and switchgrass are reduced use the lower numbers on the chart.

1900 0.52 0.63

1.2 Community Sandhill Muhly, Sand Sagebrush, Small Soapweed

Dominant grasses are prairie sandreed and sandhill muhly. Sand sagebrush and small soapweed have increased are a major portion of the plant community. 900 0.25 0.30

1.3: Community Sand Dropseed, Annual Forbs, Annual Grasses

Tall grasses exist only as remnants. Sand dropseed and sandhills muhly are the predominant perennial grasses. Annual forbs and annual grasses make up a large portion of the production. Blowouts are frequent and may be quite large.

375 0.10 0.12

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Choppy Sands: Prairie Sandreed-Sand Bluestem-Little Bluestem Plant Community (Reference Community) COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight Tall and Midgrass Warm Season 1 970 1330 50 70 Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans SONU2 1 0 90 0 5 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 1 90 160 5 8 Prairie Sandreed Calamovilfa longifolia CALO 1 200 400 11 21 Sand Bluestem Andropogon hallii ANHA 1 300 600 16 32 Sand Lovegrass Eragrostis trichodes ERTR3 1 90 160 5 8 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 1 90 160 5 8 Mid and Short warm and cool season 2 0 190 0 10 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 2 0 50 0 3 Hairy Grama Bouteloua hirsuta BOHI2 2 0 50 0 3 Needle and Thread Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata HECOC8 2 0 50 0 3 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 2 0 50 0 3 Other Grasses and Grasslikes 3 0 95 0 5 Blowout Grass Redfieldia flexuosa REFL 3 0 15 0 1 Giant Dropseed Sporobolus giganteus SPGI 3 0 15 0 1 Indian Ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides ACHY 3 0 15 0 1 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 3 0 15 0 1 Sandhill Muhly Muhlenbergia pungens MUPU2 3 0 15 0 1 Scribner’s Rosette Grass Dichanthelium oligosanthes scribnerianum DIOLS 3 0 15 0 1 Sedge Carex sp. CAREX 3 0 15 0 1 Thin Paspalum Paspalum setaceum PASE5 3 0 15 0 1 Forbs and Legumes 4 50 190 3 10 Annual Buckwheat Eriogonum annuum ERAN4 4 0 5 0 0.5 Beardtongue Penstemon sp. PENST 4 0 5 0 0.5 Bush Morning Glory Ipomoea leptophylla IPLE 4 0 5 0 0.5 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 4 10 25 0 2.5 Curlycup gumweed Grindelia squarrosa GRSQ 4 0 5 1 0.5 4point Evening Primrose Oenothera rhombipetala OERH 4 0 10 0 1 Lemon Scurfpea Psoralidium lanceolatum PSLA3 4 10 25 1 2.5 Longbract Spiderwort Tradescantia bracteata TRBR 4 0 5 0 0.5 Manystem Pea Lathyrus polymorphus LAPO2 4 0 5 0 0.5 Nineanther Prairie Clover Dalea enneandra DAEN 4 0 5 0 0.5 Othake Palafoxia sphacelata PASP 4 0 5 0 0.5 Prairie Sagewort Artemisia frigida ARFR4 4 10 25 1 2.5 Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea DAPUP 4 0 5 1 0.5 Sand Milkweed Asclepias arenaria ASAR 4 0 5 0 0.5 Silky Prairie Clover Dalea villosa DAVI 4 10 25 1 2 Snowball Sand Verbena Abronia fragrans ABFR2 4 0 5 0 0.5 Spiked Ipomopsis Ipomopsis spicata IPSP 4 0 5 0 0.5 Tarragon Artemisia dracunculus ARDR4 4 0 5 0 0.5 Bracted Blazingstar Mentzelia nuda MENU 4 10 25 1 2.5 Texas Croton Croton texensis CRTE 4 0 5 0 0.5 Whorled Milkweed Asclepias verticillata ASVE 4 0 5 0 0.5 Shrubs 5 0 95 0 5 American Plum Prunus Americana PRAM 5 0 20 0 2 Brittle Pricklypear Opuntia fragilis OPFR 5 0 20 0 2 Leadplant Amorpha canescens AMCA6 5 0 5 0 0.5 Sand Sagebrush Artemisia filifolia ARFI2 5 0 20 0 2 Prairie Sagewort Artemisia frigida ASAR 4 10 25 1 2.5 Soapweed Yucca Yucca glauca YUGL 5 0 20 0 2 Western Sandcherry Prunus pumila besseyi PRPUB 5 0 10 0 1

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Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 680 1615 2125 FORBS 80 190 250

SHRUBS 40 95 125 TOTAL 800 1900 2500

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SITE: CLOSED UPLAND DEPRESSION (R072XY115KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: This site occurs in playas and depressions on tablelands on slopes of 0-1%. The site receives runoff from areas higher on the landscape and has no surface drainage outlet. The site is ponded for brief to long periods from run-in water. The soils are very deep upland soils with loamy to clayey surface layers. The subsoil is very slowly or slowly permeable resulting in ponded conditions during some part of the growing season.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community Western Wheatgrass, Buffalograss, Blue Grama, Vine Mesquite

The potential vegetation on this site is highly variable due to the fluctuation of degree and length of time of ponding. Potential vegetation is 85% grasses and grass-likes and 15% forbs. Western wheatgrass, blue grama, buffalograss, sedges and vine mesquite dominate the site. The forb component is very diverse; the most noticeable forbs are smartweeds, woolly burr ragweed, and lanceleaf fogfruit. NOTE: Vine Mesquite does not occur in NE.

2000 0.55 0.66

1.2 Inundation or Saturation Community Spikerush, Barnyard Grass, Little Barley

This plant community dominates during and immediately after prolonged inundation. Perennial grasses decrease in abundance and water-tolerant forbs and sedges increase. Spikerush, barnyard grass, little barley, rushes and sedges are dominant grasses and grass-likes. The production is highly variable and will need to be determined on a site-by-site basis.

___ ___ ___

1.3 Annuals, Bare Ground Community

This plant community results after ponding has drown out grasses leaving bare soil. As time progresses, annuals and early successional perennials are present.

150 0.04 0.05

2.1 Tilled Community Inundation / Saturation

This occurs when land has been planted to an annual crop and ponding is long enough to drown out the crop. This site is generally not grazed so no forage production values are listed.

N/A N/A N/A

2.2 Seeded Community Reseeded or Go-back

There are a number of transitions depending upon the length of farming, the time since abandonment (if go-back) and if seeding, the species seeded. See forage suitability group descriptions for production estimates if seeded.

___ ___ ___

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Closed Upland Depression: Western Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Buffalograss Plant Community (Reference Community) COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight

Dominant Grasses 1 470 860 25 45 Vine Mesquite Panicum obtusum PAOB 1 100 285 5 15 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 1 370 590 20 30 Subdominant Shortgrasses 2 440 520 22 26 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 2 240 280 12 14 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 2 200 265 10 13 Other Grasses and Grasslikes 3 90 320 5 16 Composite Dropseed Sporobolus compositus SPCPC2 3 0 140 0 7 Fendler Threeawn Aristida purpurea var. longiseta ARPUL 3 0 20 0 1 Sedge Carex sp. CAREX 3 90 175 5 9 Squirreltail Elymus elymoides ELEL5 3 0 20 0 1 Forbs 4 85 300 5 15 Buffalobur Nightshade Solanum rostratum SORO 4 0 10 0 1 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 4 5 15 1 2 Curly Dock Rumex crispus RUCR 4 5 15 1 2 Dakota Mock Vervain Glandularia binnatifida GLBI2 4 0 5 0 1 Evening Primrose Oenothera sp. OENOT 4 5 15 1 2 Kansas Arrowhead Sagittaria ambigua SAAM4 4 5 15 1 2 Knotweed Polygonum sp. POLYG4 4 10 30 1 2 Lambsquarters Chenopodium album CHAL7 4 5 15 1 2 Lanceleaf Fogfruit Phyla lanceolata PHLA3 4 5 20 1 2 Pennsylvania Smartweed Polygonum pensylvanicum POPE2 4 15 50 1 2 Texas Croton Croton texensis CRTE 4 0 5 0 1 Waterclover Marsilea sp. MARSI 4 5 15 1 2 Wedgeleaf Phyla cuneifolia PHCU3 4 5 15 1 2 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYER 4 0 5 0 1 Woollyleaf Bur Ragweed Ambrosia grayi AMGR5 4 20 75 1 4

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 1360 1700 2040 FORBS 240 300 360 TOTAL 1600 2000 2400

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SITE: GRAVELLY HILLS (R072XY113KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: This site occurs on level to steep (0-60% slopes) terrace or terrace remnants that cap ridges, crests and upper slopes of undulating or rolling uplands. The soils contain significant amounts of gravel throughout the root zone. They formed in loamy, sandy, and gravelly soil material deposited over gravelly material on stream terraces and alluvial fans, foot slopes and uplands. Available water capacity is very low to low. Organic matter content is low to moderate in the surface layer.

Plant Community Community Description Average Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Plant Community Sideoats Gram, Little Bluestem

Potential vegetation is 75-85% grasses and grass-likes, 5-15% forbs, and 5-10% woody plants. Primary grasses are little bluestem and sideoats grama. Secondary grasses include blue grama, big bluestem, prairie sandreed, switchgrass, needleandthread, hairy grama and western wheatgrass. Threadleaf and sun sedge are common. Dominant forbs are purple prairie clover, dotted blazingstar and upright prairie coneflower. Skunkbush sumac and golden currant are common.

1200 0.33 0.39

1.2 At Risk Plant Community Blue Grama with Remnant Mid and Tall Grasses

The dominant grass is blue grama. Little bluestem and sideoats grama are secondary grasses. There are small amounts of big bluestem, switchgrass, prairie sandreed, needleandthread, and western wheatgrass. Hairy grama and sand dropseed are present. Hood's phlox, Hairy False Goldenaster, Cuman Ragweed, slimflower scurfpea and small soapweed are common.

600 0.16 0.20

2.1 Sod Bound Plant Community Blue Grama, Threadleaf Sedge

Blue grama and threadleaf sedge dominate the community. Little bluestem and sideoats grama may be remnants on steeper slopes. Tarragon (Green sagewort), Cuman Ragweed, Hood's phlox, Hairy False Goldenaster, fringed sagebrush and small soapweed are common. Cushion plants such as mat loco (or silky milkvetch) and sessile nailwort are common.

400 0.11 0.13

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Gravelly Hills: Sideoats Grama–Little Bluestem Plant Community (Reference Community) COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight

Tall and Midgrass Warm Season Grasses 1 240 600 20 50 Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii ANGE 1 60 140 5 12 Fendler Threeawn Aristida purpurea var. longiseta ARPUL 1 0 20 0 2 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 1 60 180 5 15 Plains Muhly Muhlenbergia cuspidata MUCU3 1 0 10 0 1 Prairie Sandreed Calamovilfa longifolia CALO 1 0 40 0 3 Ring Muhly Muhlenbergia torreyi MUTO2 1 0 10 0 1 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 1 120 300 10 25 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 1 0 50 0 4 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 1 0 60 0 5 Short Grasses 2 80 260 6 22 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 2 40 120 3 10 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 2 0 60 0 5 Hairy Grama Bouteloua hirsuta HECOC8 2 40 120 3 10 Cool Season Grasses 3 0 60 0 5 Indian Ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides ACHY 3 0 20 0 2 Needle and Thread Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata HECOC8 3 0 40 0 3 Prairie Junegrass Koleria macrantha KOMA 3 0 20 0 2 Sixweeks Fescue Vulpia octoflora VUOC 3 0 10 0 1 Squirreltail Elymus elymoides ssp. Elymoides CAREX 3 0 10 0 1 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 3 0 30 0 3 Sedges 4 0 40 0 3 Needleleaf Sedge Carex duriuscula CADU6 4 0 20 0 2 Sun Sedge Carex inops ssp. heliophila CAINH2 4 0 20 0 2 Threadleaf Sedge Carex filifolia CAFI 4 0 20 0 2 Forbs and Legumes 5 60 180 5 15 Alpine Feverfew Parthenium alpinum PAAL6 5 0 10 0 1 Beardtongue Penstemon sp. PENST 5 5 20 0.5 2 Creeping Nailwort Paronychia sessiliflora PASE 5 0 10 0 1 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 5 0 10 0 1 Curlycup gumweed Grindelia squarrosa GRSQ 5 0 10 0 1 Dotted Blazing Star Liatris punctata LIPU 5 5 20 0.5 2 Greenthread Thelesperma sp. THELE 5 0 10 0 1 Hairy False Goldenaster Heterotheca villosa HEVI4 5 0 10 0 1 Lacy Tansyaster Machaeranthera pinnatifida var. pinnatifida MAPIP4 5 5 20 1 2 Nineanther Prairie Clover Dalea enneandra DAEN 5 0 10 0 1 Purple Locoweed Oxytropis lambertii OXLA3 5 0 10 0 1 Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea DAPU5 5 5 20 0.5 2 Pussytoes Antennaria sp. ANTEN 5 0 10 0 1 Rush Skeletonplant Lygodesmia juncea LYJU 5 0 10 0 1 Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea SPCO 5 5 20 0.5 2 Shaggy Dwarf Morning-glory Evolvulus nuttallianus EVNE 5 0 10 0 1 Slimflower Scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum PSTE5 5 5 20 0.5 2 Spiny Milkvetch Astragalus kentrophyta ASKE 5 0 10 0 1 Spiny Phlox Phlox hoodia PHHO 5 0 10 0 1 Sulphur-flower Buckwheat Eriogonum umbellatum ERUM 5 0 10 0 1 Tarragon Artemisia dracunculus ARDR4 5 0 10 0 1 Threadleaf Ragwort Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus SEFLF 5 0 10 0 1

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Two-grooved Milkvetch Astragalus bisulcatus ASBI2 5 0 10 0 1 Upright Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera RACO3 5 5 20 0.5 2 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYER 5 0 10 0 1 White Locoweed Oxytropis sericea OXSE 5 0 10 0 1 White Prairie Clover Dalea candida DACA7 5 0 10 0 1 Woolly Locoweed Astragalus mollissimus ASMO7 5 0 10 0 1 Woolly Plantain Plantago patagonica PLPA2 5 0 10 0 1 Shrubs 6 20 60 2 5 Broom Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae GUSA2 6 0 15 0 1.5 Chokecherry Prunus virginiana var. virginiana PRIVIV 6 0 15 0 1 Golden Currant Ribes aureum RIAU 6 0 15 0 1 Plains Pricklypear Opuntia polyacantha OPPO 6 5 15 0.5 1 Prairie Sagewort Artemisia frigida ARFR4 6 5 15 0.5 2 Rubber Rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa var. glabrata ERNAG 6 0 15 0 1 Skunkbush Sumac Rhus trilobata RHTR 6 5 15 0.5 2 Soapweed Yucca Yucca glauca YUGL 6 5 15 0.5 2 Spreading Buckwheat Eriogonum effusum EREF 6 0 15 0 1 Spinystar Escobaria vivipara var. vivipara ESVIV 6 0 15 0 1 Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata KRLA2 6 0 15 0 1

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 480 960 1360 FORBS 90 180 255

SHRUBS 30 60 85 TOTAL 600 1200 1700

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SITE: LIMY SLOPES (R072XY101KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: The site occurs on nearly level to moderately steep (1-20% slopes) backslopes and shoulders of side slopes, nose slopes and interfluves on hillslopes, rises and alluvial fans. The site consists of very deep to moderately deep upland soils with silt loam, loam or clay loam surface textures and loamy subsurface textures. A primary identifying feature for the site is the presence of calcium carbonate at or near the soil surface (0-4”). Soils are moderately deep to very deep with calcareous surface layers. The depth to caliche or sedimentary bedrock is 20 to more than 80 inches. Organic matter content is low to moderately low.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community Little Bluestem, Sideoats Grama, Blue Grama, Western Wheatgrass

The plant community consists of 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 5% shrubs. Primary species are little bluestem, sideoats grama, blue grama and western wheatgrass. Secondary species include big bluestem, needle and thread, buffalograss, switchgrass, and sedges. The forb population is diverse. Key shrubs are fourwing saltbush, winterfat, small soapweed and Pricklypear.

1650 0.45 0.54

1.2 Shortgrass – Mid-grass Community Sideoats Grama, Blue Grama

Blue grama and buffalograss are abundant. Little bluestem and sideoats grama are secondary species. Threadleaf sedge, sand dropseed, red threeawn and small soapweed are common. Green needlegrass, western wheatgrass, big bluestem and switchgrass are present as remnants.

1250 0.34 0.41

1.3 Midgrass – Subshrub Community Little Bluestem, Sideoats Grama, Soapweed

Litter levels are high, bunchgrasses have dead centers and perennial grasses are decadent. Annual forbs and grasses fill in bare areas that have resulted from the death of perennial grasses.

800 0.22 0.26

2.1 Shortgrass Community Blue Grama, – Buffalograss

Blue grama and buffalograss are dominant. Threadleaf sedge, red threeawn, sand dropseed and small soapweed are common. Little bluestem, western wheatgrass, and sideoats grama are present only as remnants. Prickly pear and broom snakeweed are common.

1200 0.33 0.39

3.1 Reseeded Community Local Seed Mix

The species present on seeded or renovated land will depend upon what was planted. See Forage Suitability Groups for production levels for different seeded species.

1650 0.45 0.54

3.2 Go-Back Community Three-awn, Annuals

Go-back evolves through several plant communities. Early species are sandhill muhly, blowout grass, lemon scurfpea and annuals. Sand dropseed, needleandthread and blue grama are common.

400 0.11 0.13

Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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NRCS-March, 2018

Limy Slopes: Little Bluestem–Sideoats Grama–Blue Grama–Western Wheatgrass Plant Community (Reference Community)

COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight Midgrass Warm Season Grasses 1 225 625 14 38 Fendler Threeawn Aristida purpurea var. longiseta ARPUL 1 0 20 0 1 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 1 125 315 8 20 Plains Muhly Muhlenbergia cuspidata MUCU3 1 0 45 0 3 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 1 100 250 6 15 Cool Season Grasses 2 50 315 3 19 Green Needlegrass Nassella viridula NAVI4 2 0 50 0 3 Needle and Thread Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata HECOC8 2 15 110 1 7 Prairie Junegrass Koleria macrantha KOMA 2 0 30 0 2 Sixweeks Fescue Vulpia octoflora VUOC 2 0 10 0 1 Squirreltail Elymus elymoides ssp. Elymoides CAREX 2 0 10 0 1 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 2 35 120 2 7 Short Grasses 3 85 265 5 16 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 3 75 200 5 12 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 3 10 45 1 3 Hairy Grama Bouteloua hirsuta HECOC8 3 0 15 0 1 Tall Warm Season Grasses 4 0 170 0 10 Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii ANGE 4 0 95 0 6 Composite Dropseed Sporobolus compositus var. compositus SPCOC2 4 0 15 0 1 Prairie Sandreed Calamovilfa longifolia CALO 4 0 10 0 1 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 4 0 20 0 1 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 4 0 30 0 2 Sedges 5 10 30 1 2 Sedge Carex sp. CAREX 5 5 15 0.5 1 Threadleaf Sedge Carex filifolia CAFI 4 5 15 0.5 1 Forbs and Legumes 6 30 165 2 10 Blacksamson Echinaea Echinacea angustifolia ECAN2 6 0 10 0 1 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 6 5 15 0.5 1 Dotted Blazing Star Liatris punctata LIPU 6 5 20 0.5 1 Golden Prairie Clover Dalea aurea DAAU 6 0 5 0 0.5 Lacy Tansyaster Machaeranthera pinnatifida var. pinnatifida MAPIP4 6 0 10 0 1 Missouri Goldenrod Solidago missouriensis SOMI2 6 0 5 0 0.5 Nuttall’s Sensitive-briar Mimosa nuttallii MINU6 6 0 10 0 1 Purple Locoweed Oxytropis lambertii OXLA3 6 5 15 0.5 1 Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea DAPU5 6 0 10 0 1 Rush Skeletonplant Lygodesmia juncea LYJU 6 0 10 0 1 Scarlet Beeblossom Oenothera suffrutescens OESU3 6 0 10 0 1 Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea SPCO 6 0 15 0 1 Silverleaf Indian Breadroot Pediomelum argophyllum PEAR6 6 0 10 0 1 Slimflower Scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum PSTE5 6 5 15 0.5 1 Spiny Phlox Phlox hoodia PHHO 6 0 5 0 0.5 Stiff Greenthread Thelesperma filifolium var. filifolium THFIF 6 0 5 0 0.5 Tarragon Artemisia dracunculus ARDR4 6 0 10 0 1 Upright Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera RACO3 6 5 15 0.5 2 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYER 6 5 20 0.5 2 White Penstemon Penstemon albidus PEAL2 6 0 10 0 1 Yellow Sundrops Calylophus serrulatus CASE12 6 0 5 0 0.5

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Yellowspine Thistle Cirsium ochrocentrum CIOC2 6 0 5 0 0.5 Shrubs 7 0 85 0 5 Brittle Pricklypear Opuntia fragilis OPFR 7 0 15 0 1 Broom Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae GUSA2 7 5 20 0.5 1 Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens ATCA2 7 0 25 0 2 Leadplant Amorpha canescens AMCA6 7 0 5 0 0.5 Plains Pricklypear Opuntia polyacantha OPPO 7 0 5 0 0.5 Prairie Rose Rosa arkansana ROAR3 7 0 15 0 1 Prairie Sagewort Artemisia frigida ARFR4 6 0 10 0 1 Skunkbush Sumac Rhus trilobata RHTR 7 0 5 0 0.5 Soapweed Yucca Yucca glauca YUGL 7 0 10 0 1 Western Snowberry Symphoricarpos occidentalis SYOC 7 0 10 0 1 Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata KRLA2 7 0 25 0 2

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 680 1400 2040 FORBS 80 165 240

SHRUBS 40 85 120 TOTAL 800 1650 2400

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Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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NRCS-March, 2018

SITE: LOAMY LOWLAND (R072XA108KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: The site occurs on nearly level to gently sloping floodplains of river valleys that have a flooding frequency ranging from none to frequent. The site receives runoff from areas higher on the landscape. Soils are very deep and well drained, formed in calcareous alluvial sediments. The soil surface textures are silt loam and loam and the subsurface texture is loamy. Organic matter content is low to moderately low and available water capacity is generally high. A seasonal or perennial high water table is present at 6’ below the surface or greater.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production#/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community Big Bluestem, Switchgrass, Western Wheatgrass, Indiangrass

The plant community consists of 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 5% shrubs. Primary species are big bluestem, switchgrass, prairie cordgrass and Indiangrass. Secondary species include western wheatgrass, Canada wildrye, green needlegrass, slender wheatgrass and needle and thread. The forb community is diverse. Key shrubs are fourwing saltbush, winterfat, false indigo, lead plant and western snowberry.

3500 0.6 1.15

1.2 Cool Season Community Western Wheatgrass, Sideoats Grama, Blue Grama

The predominant grasses are western wheatgrass, sideoats grama and blue grama. Tall grasses are present in small amounts and western wheatgrass has increased to fill the voids left by the decreased tall grasses.

3000 0.82 0.99

1.3 At-Risk Community Blue Grama, Buffalograss, Western Wheatgrass, Sand Dropseed, Threeawn

Blue grama and buffalograss are the most common grasses and make up 40% of the plant community. Sand dropseed, Fendler threeawn, sixweeks fescue, plains prickly pear and hairy goldenaster have increased. Tall grasses and more palatable mid-grasses may be present in trace amounts

1300 0.36 0.47

2.1 Sod-bound Community Blue Grama, Buffalograss

Blue grama and buffalograss are present as co-dominants and have formed a sod bound appearance. There may be small amounts of western wheatgrass. Fendler threeawn, sand dropseed, sixweeks fescue and hairy goldenaster are present.

700 0.19 0.23

3.1 Go-Back Community Go-back evolves through several plant communities. Early species are three awns, foxtail and little barley and annual grasses and forbs such as annual bromes, sixweeks fescue.

500 0.14 0.16

3.2 Reseed Community The species present on seeded or renovated land will depend upon what was planted and the stand success. 3500 0.96 1.15

Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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Loamy Lowland: Big Bluestem – Western Wheatgrass – Indiangrass Plant Community (Reference Community) COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight

Warm Season Tall Grasses 1 775 1600 22 46 Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii ANGE 1 600 1000 17 29 Composite Dropseed Sporobolus compositus var. compositus SPCR 1 0 25 0 1 Eastern Gamagrass Tripsacum dactyloides TRDA3 1 0 150 0 4 Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans SONU2 1 0 100 0 3 Prairie Cordgrass Spartina pectinate SPPE 1 0 150 0 4 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 1 0 25 0 1 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 1 175 300 5 9 Cool Season Grasses 2 190 800 5 23 Canada Wildrye Elymus Canadensis ELCA4 2 15 150 0.5 4 Fendler Threeawn Aristida purpurea var. longiseta ARPUL 2 0 25 0 1 Green Needlegrass Nassella viridula NAVI4 2 0 120 0 3 Needle and Thread Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata HECOC8 2 0 75 0 2 Prairie Junegrass Koleria macrantha KOMA 2 0 15 0 0.5 Sixweeks Fescue Vulpia octoflora VUOC 2 0 15 0 0.5 Slender Wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus ELTR7 2 0 75 0 2 Vine Mesquite (Not in NE) Panicum obtusum PAOB 2 0 100 0 3 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 2 175 300 5 9 Warm Season Mid-Grasses 3 50 250 1.5 7 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 3 0 120 0 3 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 3 50 150 1.5 4 Warm Season Short Grasses 4 30 250 1.5 7 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 4 15 150 1.5 4 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 4 15 120 1.5 3 Sedges 5 15 75 0.5 2 Sedge Carex sp. CAREX 5 15 75 0.5 2 Forbs and Legumes 6 45 350 1 10 American Vetch Vicia americana VIAM 6 5 25 0.25 1 Beardtongue Penstemon sp. PSTE5 6 0 15 0 0.5 Carelessweed Cyclachaena xanthiifolia CYXA2 6 5 25 0.25 1 Carolina larkspur Delphinium caroliniam ssp. Virescens DECAV2 6 0 15 0 0.5 Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium ACMI2 6 0 15 0 0.5 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 6 10 25 0.5 1 Curlycup Gumweed Grindelia squarrosa GRSQ 6 0 15 0 0.5 Dotted Blazing Star Liatris punctata LIPU 6 0 15 0 0.5 Engelmann’s daisy Engelmannia peristenia ENPE4 6 0 15 0 0.5 False Boneset Brickellia eupatorioides BREU 6 0 15 0 0.5 Hairy False Goldenaster Heterotheca villosa HEVI4 6 0 15 0 0.5 Hoary Verbena Verbena stricta VEST 6 0 15 0 10.5 Missouri Goldenrod Solidago missouriensis SOMI2 6 0 15 0 0.5 Missouri Milkvetch Astragalus missouriensis ASMI10 6 0 15 0 0.5 Narrowleaf Milkvetch Astragalus pectinatus ASPE5 6 0 15 0 0.5 Nuttall’s Sensitive-briar Mimosa nuttallii MINU6 6 0 15 0 0.5 Prairie Groundsel Packera plattensis PAPL12 6 0 15 0 0.5 Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea DAPUP 6 0 15 0 0.5 Scarlet Beeblossom Oenothera suffrutescens OESU3 6 10 20 0.5 0.75 Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea SPCO 6 0 15 0 0.5 Slimflower Scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum PSTE5 6 0 15 0 0.5 Upright Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera RACO3 6 5 25 0.25 1 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYER 6 0 15 0 0.5 White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana ARLU 6 10 20 0.5 0.75

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Yellowspine Thistle Cirsium ochrocentrum CIOC2 6 0 15 0 0.5 Shrubs 7 30 175 1 5 American Plum Prunus Americana PRAM 7 5 15 0.25 0.5 Coralberry Symphoricarpos orbiculatus SYOR 7 0 15 0 0.5 False Indigo Amorpha sp. AMORP 7 5 15 0.25 0.5 Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens ATCA2 7 15 50 0.5 1.5 Golden Currant Ribes aureum RIAU 7 0 15 0 0.5 Leadplant Amorpha canescens AMCA6 7 0 15 0 0.5 Plains Pricklypear Opuntia polyacantha OPPO 7 0 15 0 0.5 Prairie Rose Rosa arkansana ROAR3 7 0 15 0 0.5 Prairie Sagewort Artemisia frigida ARFR4 7 0 15 0 0.5 Rubber Rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa var. glabrata ERNAG 7 0 15 0 0.5 Western Snowberry Symphoricarpos occidentalis SYOC 7 0 15 0 0.5 Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata KRLA2 7 15 50 0.5 1.5

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 2125 2975 3400 FORBS 250 350 400

SHRUBS 125 175 200 TOTAL 2500 3500 4000

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Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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SITE: LOAMY TABLELAND (R072XY100KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: The site occurs on nearly level to sloping hillslopes, rises and plains on tablelands. The soils are moderately deep to very deep upland soils with silt loam, silty clay loam, loam, very fine sandy loam or clay loam surface textures (but primarily silt loam and silty clay loam). The subsoil texture is loamy. Free carbonates may be present, are below 4” and typically below 6”. The parent material is loess. Below 40" there may be contrasting sandy, gravely, or clayey layers.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community

Short and mid warm season grasses and cool season grasses

The plant community consists of 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 5% shrubs. Primary species are blue grama, buffalograss, western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, needle and thread, and sideoats grama. The forb community is diverse, and most forbs occur in small amounts. Shrubs include fourwing saltbush, winterfat, small soapweed and pricklypear cactus.

1700 0.47 0.56

1.2 Shortgrass-mid-grass Community

Blue Grama and buffalograss are the dominant species. Western wheatgrass, green needlegrass and sideoats grama are the primary mid-grasses. Forb diversity is low.

1500 0.41 0.49

2.1 Shortgrass Community Blue Grama-Buffalograss Sod

Blue grama and buffalograss exist as a sod. Red threeawn, broom snakeweed, Prairie Sagewort and prickly pear cactus are common. 1200 0.33 0.39

3.1 Go-Back Community

Go-back evolves through several plant communities. Early species are three awns, foxtail and little barley and annual grasses and forbs such as annual bromes, sixweeks fescue.

500 0.14 0.16

3.2 Reseed Community

The species present on seeded or renovated land will depend upon what was planted and the stand success. 1700 0.47 0.56

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Loamy Tableland: Short and mid-warm season grasses and cool season grasses community (Reference Community) COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight

Warm Season Short Grasses 1 300 680 18 40 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 1 225 440 13 26 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 1 75 240 4 14 Midgrass Warm and Cool Season Grasses 2 200 430 12 25 Composite Dropseed Sporobolus compositus SPCO16 2 0 45 0 2.5 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 2 0 70 0 4 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 2 0 45 0 2.5 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 2 20 100 1 6 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 2 200 270 12 16 Cool Season Mid-Grasses 3 0 230 0 14 Fendler Threeawn Aristida purpurea var. longiseta ARPUL 3 0 15 0 1 Green Needlegrass Nassella viridula NAVI4 3 0 120 0 7 Needle and Thread Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata HECOC8 3 0 80 0 5 Squirreltail Elymus elymoides ELEL5 3 0 15 0 1 Sedges 4 0 105 0 6 Sedge Carex sp. CAREX 4 0 25 0 1 Sun Sedge Carex inops ssp. Heliophila CAINH2 4 0 30 0 2 Threadleaf Sedge Carex filifolia CAFI 4 0 50 0 3 Forbs and Legumes 5 15 170 1 10 American Vetch Vicia Americana VIAM 5 0 15 0 1 Broadbeard Beardtongue Penstemon angustifolius PEAN4 5 0 15 0 1 Common Sunflower Helianthus annuus HEAN3 5 0 10 0 0.5 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 5 5 20 0.25 1 Dotted Blazing Star Liatris punctata LIPU 5 0 20 0 1 Lacy Tansyaster Machaeranthera pinnatifida var. pinnatifida MAPIP4 5 0 15 0 1 Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea DAPUP 5 0 15 0 1 Rush Skeletonplant Lygodesmia juncea LYJU 5 0 10 0 0.5 Scarlet Beeblossom Oenothera suffrutescens OESU3 5 0 15 0 1 Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea SPCO 5 5 25 0.25 1 Slimflower Scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum PSTE5 5 5 15 0.25 1 Texas Croton Croton texensis CRTE4 5 0 5 0 0.25 Upright Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera RACO3 5 5 20 0.25 1 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYER 5 0 20 0 1 White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana ARLU 5 5 20 0.25 1 Woolly Locoweed Astragalus mollissimus ASMO7 5 0 10 0 0.5 Yellowspine Thistle Cirsium ochrocentrum CIOC2 5 0 5 0 0.25 Shrubs 6 8 85 1 10 Broom Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae GUSA2 6 0 20 0 1 Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens ATCA2 6 0 40 0 2 Leadplant Amorpha canescens AMCA6 6 0 15 0 1 Plains Pricklypear Opuntia polyacantha OPPO 6 0 20 0 1 Prairie Sagewort Artemisia frigida ARFR4 6 0 30 0 2 Soapweed Yucca Yucca glauca YUGL 6 0 20 0 1 Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata KRLA2 6 0 20 0 1

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Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 765 1445 1870 FORBS 90 170 220

SHRUBS 45 85 110 TOTAL 900 1700 2200

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Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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SITE: LOESS BREAKS (R072XA114KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: The site occurs on steep to very steep hillslopes and canyon walls that have been dissected by geologic erosion creating narrow ridges or divides that break off steeply to narrow drainageways. The hillslopes are broken with a series of catsteps. Soil surface textures are silt loam and loam and subsurface texture group is loamy. Vertical faces of loess, areas of broken sod and deep gullies are common to the site. Slopes range from 20% to nearly vertical, most exceeding 30%.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community Little Bluestem, Sideoats Grama, Big Bluestem

Little bluestem, big bluestem, sideoats grama and big bluestem are the dominant species. Secondary species include blue grama, switchgrass, Indiangrass and western wheatgrass. There is a large variety of forbs which occur in small amounts. Shrubs include sand sagebrush leadplant and soapweed yucca.

1900 0.52 0.63

1.2 Community 2 Blue Grama-Threadleaf Sedge-Small Soapweed Community

Blue grama buffalograss, threadleaf sedge and threeawns are the dominant species. Tall grasses occur as remnants only. Small soapweed and fringed sagebrush are the most common shrubs.

1300 0.36 0.43

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Loess Breaks: Little Bluestem-Sideoats Grama-Big Bluestem Community (Reference Community) COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight

Warm Season Mid-Tallgrass Dominant 1 605 1045 32 55 Big bluestem Andropogon gerardii ANGE 1 80 200 4 11 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 1 325 525 17 31 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 1 200 285 11 15 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 1 0 95 0 5 Warm Season Short Grasses 2 100 285 5 15 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 2 100 190 5 10 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 2 0 95 0 5 Hairy Grama Bouteloua hirsuta BOHI2 2 0 50 0 3 Plains Muhly Muhlenbergia cuspidata MUCU3 2 0 50 0 3 Cool Season Grasses 3 90 190 5 10 Green Needlegrass Nassella viridula NAVI4 3 20 190 1 5 Needle and Thread Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata HECOC8 3 20 100 1 5 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 3 50 190 3 10 Other Grasses 4 10 95 0.5 5 Composite Dropseed Sporobolus compositus var. compositus SPCOC2 4 5 30 0.25 2 Fendler Threeawn Aristida purpurea var. longiseta ARPUL 4 0 30 0 2 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 4 5 30 0.25 2 Forbs and Legumes 5 20 190 1 10 Anderson’s Larkspur Delphinium andersonii DEAN 5 5 20 0.25 0.5 Aromatic Aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium SYOB 5 0 10 0 0.5 Beardtongue Penstemon PENST 5 0 10 0 0.5 Blacksamson Echinacea Echinacea angustifolia ECAN2 5 0 10 0 0.5 Common Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis OEBI 5 0 10 0 0.5 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 5 0 10 0 0.5 Dotted Blazing Star Liatris punctata LIPU 5 5 20 0.25 1 Nuttall’s Sensitive-briar Mimosa nuttallii MINU6 5 0 10 0 0.5 Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea DAPUP 5 0 10 0 0.5 Rush Skeletonplant Lygodesmia juncea LYJU 5 0 10 0 0.5 Scarlet Beeblossom Oenothera suffrutescens OESU3 5 0 10 0 0.5 Slimflower Scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum PSTE5 5 0 10 0 0.5 Stemless Four-Nerve Daisy Tetraneuris acaulis TEAC 5 0 10 0 0.5 Stiffstem Flax Linum rigidum LIRI 5 0 10 0 0.5 Upright Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera RACO3 5 5 20 0.25 1 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYER 5 0 10 0 0.5 White Prairie Clover Dalea candida DACA7 5 5 20 0.25 1 Shrubs 6 0 95 0 5 Broom Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae GUSA2 6 0 15 0 1 Chokecherry Prunus virginiana PRVI 6 0 15 0 1 Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens ATCA2 6 0 15 0 1 Golden Currant Ribes aureum RIAU 6 0 15 0 1 Leadplant Amorpha canescens AMCA6 6 0 15 0 1 Plains Pricklypear Opuntia polyacantha OPPO 6 0 15 0 1 Prairie Rose Rosa arkansana ROAR3 6 0 10 0 0.5 Prairie Sagewort Artemisia frigida ARFR4 6 0 15 0 1 Sand Sagebrush Artemisia filifolia ARFI2 6 5 20 1 1 Skunkbush Sumac Rhus trilobata RHTR 6 0 15 0 1 Soapweed Yucca Yucca glauca YUGL 6 10 25 0.5 1 Western Snowberry Symphoricarpos occidentalis SYOC 6 0 15 0 1 Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata KRLA2 6 0 15 0 1

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Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative

Value* HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 680 1615 2125 FORBS 80 190 250

SHRUBS 40 95 125 TOTAL 800 1900 2500

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Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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SITE: ROLLING SANDS (R072XA109KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: The site occurs on rolling topography (5-15% slopes) associated with sand dunes. Runoff is very low to medium. Soils are moderately deep to very deep, very sandy and have thin, light colored surface layers. Organic matter is low to moderately low in the surface layer. The soil surface textures range from loamy fine sand, fine sand and loamy sand and the subsurface texture is sandy. Sod formation is very weak or non-existent in these soils. These soils are susceptible to erosion when vegetative cover is inadequate.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community Sand Bluestem, Prairie Sandreed, Switchgrass, Little Bluestem

The plant community is about 80% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 10% shrubs. Sand bluestem, prairie sandreed, switchgrass, Indiangrass and little bluestem are the dominant species. Sub-dominant species include needleandthread, blue grama, sand lovegrass, and sand dropseed.

2000 0.55 0.65

1.3 Community 2 Blue Grama-Little Bluestem-Sand Sagebrush

Blue grama, little bluestem and sand sagebrush are the dominant species. Sand dropseed, Fendler threeawn, slimflower scurfpea, hairy goldenaster, croton, cuman ragweed, stickleaf, lupine locoweed and milkvetches have increased. Sand bluestem, prairie sandreed, Indiangrass, switchgrass, western Sandcherry and leadplant are present but in smaller amounts than in the reference.

1000 0.27 .33

2.1 Sagebrush Community Sand Sagebrush, Sand Dropseed, Annual forbs and grasses

The plant community is dominated by sand sagebrush with few understory species. Sand dropseed, blue grama and annual grasses are the dominant forage species. Annual forbs are common. Tall and mid-grass species are only present where protected from grazing by the sagebrush.

800 0.22 0.26

3.1 Go Back Community Annual Plant Community

Go-back evolves through several plant communities. Early species are three awns, annual grasses and forbs such as annual bromes, sixweeks fescue.

175 0.05 0.06

3.2 Reseeded Community Local Seeding Mix

The species present on seeded or renovated land will depend upon what was planted and the stand success. 2000 0.55 0.65

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NRCS-March, 2018

Rolling Sands: Prairie Sandreed-Sand Bluestem- Prairie Sandreed-Switchgrass-Little Bluestem Plant Community (Reference Community)

COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight Tall and Midgrass Warm Season 1 930 1300 47 65 Giant Sandreed Calamovilfa gigantean CAGI3 1 0 300 0 15 Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans SONU2 1 80 200 4 10 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 1 50 230 2.5 12 Prairie Sandreed Calamovilfa longifolia CALO 1 200 275 10 14 Sand Bluestem Andropogon hallii ANHA 1 400 600 20 30 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 1 200 250 10 12.5 Mix 2 of Grasses (Subdominant) 2 85 200 4 10 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 2 25 80 1.25 4 Composite Dropseed Sporobolus compositus SPCO16 2 0 25 0 1.25 Needle and Thread Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata HECOC8 2 50 80 2.5 4 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 2 10 25 0.5 1.25 Sand Lovegrass Eragrostis trichodes ERTR3 2 10 80 0.5 4 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 2 0 40 0 2 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 2 0 25 0 1.25 Mix 3 of Grasses and Sedges (Minor) 3 15 100 1 5 Great Plains Flatsedge Cyperus lupulinus CYLU2 3 0 15 0 1 Hairy Grama Bouteloua hirsuta BPHI2 3 5 25 0.25 1.25 Indian Ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides ACHY 3 0 20 0 1 Prairie Junegrass Koeleria macrantha KOMA 3 0 15 0 .75 Purple Threeawn Aristida purpurea ARPU9 3 5 25 0.25 1.25 Sandhill Muhly Muhlenbergia pungens MUPU2 3 0 15 0 .75 Scribner’s Rosette Grass Dichanthelium oligosanthes scribnerianum DIOLS 3 5 20 0.25 1.25 Sedge Carex sp. CAREX 3 0 15 0 .75 Sun Sedge Carex inops ssp. Heliophila CAINH2 3 0 15 0 .75 Thin Paspalum Paspalum setaceum PASE5 3 0 10 0 0.5 Forbs and Legumes 4 100 200 5 10 Annual Buckwheat Eriogonum annuum ERAN4 4 10 20 0.5 1 Beardtongue Penstemon sp. PENST 4 0 5 0 0.25 Bluebowls Giliastrum acerosum GIACA4 4 0 5 0 0.25 Bracted Blazingstar Mentzelia nuda MENU 4 0 15 0 1.5 Bush Morning Glory Ipomoea leptophylla IPLE 4 0 10 0 0.5 Carolina Larkspur Delphinium carolinianum ssp. virescens DACAV2 4 0 10 0 0.5 Camphorweed Heterotheca subaxillaris HESU3 4 0 5 0 0.25 Chickenthief Mentzelia oligosperma MEOL 4 0 10 0 0.5 Common Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis OEBI 4 0 10 0 0.5 Common Starlily Leucocrinum montanum LEMO4 4 0 10 0 0.5 Common Sunflower Helianthus annuus HEAN3 4 0 5 0 0.25 Coneflower Dracopis sp. DRACO3 4 0 5 0 0.25 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 4 5 20 0.25 1 Dotted Blazing Star Liatris punctata LIPU 4 0 5 0 0.25 Engelmann’s Daisy Engelmannia peristenia ENPE4 4 0 5 0 0.25 Golden Prairie Clover Dalea aurea DAAU 4 0 10 0 0.5 Hairy False Goldenaster Heterotheca villosa HEVI4 4 0 5 0 0.25 Lemon Scurfpea Psoralidium lanceolatum PSLA3 4 5 20 0.25 1 Longbract Spiderwort Tradescantia bracteata TRBR 4 0 10 0 0.5 Manystem Pea Lathyrus polymorphus LAPO2 4 0 10 0 0.5 Meadow Deathcamas Zigadenus venenosus ZIVE 4 0 5 0 0.25 Milkvetch Astragalus sp. ASTRA 4 0 5 0 0.25

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Othake Palafoxia sphacelata PASP 4 0 10 0 0.5 Plains Snakecotton Froelicha floridana FRFL 4 0 5 0 0.25 Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea var. purpurea DAPUP 4 0 5 0 0.25 Rush Skelatonplant Lygodesmia juncea LYJU 4 0 5 0 0.25 Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea SPCO 4 0 10 0 0.5 Silky Prairie Clover Dalea villosa DAVI 4 0 10 0 0.5 Slimflower Scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum PSTE5 4 0 10 0 0.5 Snowball Sand Verbena Abronia fragrans ABFR2 4 0 10 0 0.5 Stiff Sunflower Helianthus pauciflorus HEPA19 4 0 5 0 0.25 Texas Croton Croton texensis CRTE 4 5 15 0.25 1.5 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides SYERE 4 0 5 0 0.25 White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana ARLU 4 5 20 0.25 1 Shrubs 5 100 200 5 10 American Plum Prunus americana PRAM 5 0 15 0 1 Brittle Pricklypear Opuntia fragilis OPFR 5 0 10 0 0.5 Leadplant Amorpha canescens AMCA6 5 0 25 0 1.25 Plains Pricklypear Opuntia polyacantha OPPO 5 5 25 0.25 1.25 Prairie Rose Rosa arkansana ROAR3 5 0 20 0 1 Sand Sagebrush Artemisia filifolia ARFI2 5 45 100 2.25 5 Skunkbush Sumac Rhus trilobata RHTR 5 0 10 0 0.5 Soapweed Yucca Yucca glauca YUGL 5 0 65 0 3.25 Western Sandcherry Prunus pumila besseyi PRPUB 5 0 50 0 2.5

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 800 1600 2400 FORBS 100 200 300

SHRUBS 100 200 300 TOTAL 1000 2000 4000

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Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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NRCS-March, 2018

SITE: SALINE LOWLAND (R072XA104KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: Site occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping floodplains and low terraces adjacent to streams and rivers and may occur on sandhills interdunes. Salts have accumulated within the root zone of plants on the site. Soils are very deep saline and saline-alkali soils. The subsoil and underlying layers may have a seasonal water table below 6’ (Haigler soils can have a water table at 36"). The surface soil texture varies from silty clay loam, silt loam to loamy fine sand. Soils are commonly calcareous to the surface. Salinity and alkalinity impact other soil properties such as structure, infiltration, and permeability.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community Alkali Sacaton, Western Wheatgrass, Inland Saltgrass

The predominant grasses are alkali sacaton, inland saltgrass, and western wheatgrass which together make up 60% of the plant community. Secondary species include blue grama, switchgrass, sedges and rushes. American vetch, fourwing saltbush and winterfat are significant forbs and shrubs.

2200 0.60 0.72

1.2 At Risk Community Inland Saltgrass, Western Wheatgrass

Inland saltgrass and western wheatgrass are the predominant grasses. Blue grama and green needlegrass are secondary grasses. Alkali sacaton is present but only in scattered areas. Broom snakeweed, rubber rabbitbrush and scarlet globemallow are common.

1800 0.33 0.39

2.1: Sod bound Community Inland Saltgrass Sod

Inland saltgrass is the most prominent grass. Alkali sacaton, western wheatgrass and green needlegrass, if present, are only remnants

600 0.16 0.20

3.1 Reseed Community Local Seeding Mix

Inland saltgrass is present in localized areas. Russian thistle, kochia and cocklebur are common. 2200 0.03 0.03

3.2 Go-Back Community Annuals

Inland saltgrass is present in localized areas. Russian thistle, kochia and cocklebur are common. 400 .12 0.15

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NRCS-March, 2018

Saline Lowland: Alkali Sacaton-Western Wheatgrass-Inland Saltgrass Plant Community (Reference Community)

COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight Tall and Midgrass Warm Season 1 300 945 14 43 Alkali Cordgrass Spartina gracilis SPGR 1 0 35 0 1.5 Alkali Sacaton Sporobolus airoides SPAI 1 300 600 14 27 Inland Saltgrass Distichlis spicata DISP 1 50 300 2 14 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 1 0 35 0 1.5 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 1 0 70 0 3 Cool Season Grasses 2 300 705 14 32 Canada Wildrye Elymus Canadensis ELCA4 2 0 35 0 1.5 Green Needlegrass Nassella viridula NAVI4 2 0 20 0 1 Little Barley Hordeum pusillum HOPU 2 0 20 0 1 Nuttall’s Alkaligrass Puccinellia nuttalliana PUNU2 2 0 20 0 1 Squirreltail Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides ELELE 2 0 20 0 1 Slender Wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus ELTR7 2 0 50 0 2 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 2 300 600 14 27 Warm Season Short Grasses 3 0 130 0 5 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 3 0 65 0 3 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 3 0 65 0 3 Ring Muhly (not in NE) Muhlenbergia torreyi MUTO2 3 0 20 0 1 Mid-Warm Season Grasses 4 0 70 0 3 Fendler Threeawn Aristida purpurea var. longiseta ARPUL 4 0 15 0 0.5 Scratchgrass Muhlenbergia asperifolia MUAS 4 0 15 0 0.5 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 4 0 40 0 2 Sedges 5 0 50 0 2 Rush Juncus sp. JUNCU 5 0 25 0 1 Sun Sedge Carex inops ssp. heliophila CAINH2 5 0 25 0 1 Sedge Carex CAREX 5 0 25 0 1 Forbs and Legumes 6 20 225 1 10 American Vetch Vicia Americana VIAM 6 5 15 0.25 0.5 Broadleaf Milkweed Asclepias latifolia ASLA4 6 0 10 0 0.5 Common Dandelion Taraxacum officinale TAOF 6 0 20 0 1 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 6 0 20 0 1 Curlycup Gumweed Grindelia squarrosa GRSQ 6 0 10 0 0.5 Desert Princesplume Stanleya pinnata var. pinnata STPIP 6 0 10 0 0.5 Fetid Marigold Dyssodia papposa DYPA 6 0 10 0 0.5 Hairy False Goldenaster Heterotheca villosa HEVI4 6 0 10 0 0.5 Lacy Tansyaster Machaeranthera pinnatifida var. pinnatifida MAPIP4 6 0 10 0 0.5 Leafy False Goldenweed Oonopsis foliosa var. foliosa OOFOF 6 5 15 0.25 0.5 Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani HEMA2 6 0 20 0 1 Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea var. purpurea DAPUP 6 0 10 0 0.5 Rush Skelatonplant Lygodesmia juncea LYJU 6 0 20 0 1 Scarlet Beeblossom Oenothera suffrutescens OESU3 6 0 20 0 1 Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea SPCO 6 5 15 0.25 0.5 Scrambled Eggs Corydalis aurea COAU2 6 0 10 0 0.5 Twogrooved Milkvetch Astragalus bisulcatus ASBI2 6 0 20 0 1 Upright Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera RACO3 6 0 10 0 0.5 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYER 6 0 20 0 1 White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana ARLU 6 0 20 0 1 Shrubs 5 100 200 5 10 Broom Snakeweed Gutierreza sarothrae GUSA2 7 0 40 0 2 Devil’s Tongue Opuntia humifusa OPHU 7 0 40 0 2

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NRCS-March, 2018

Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens ATCA2 7 0 20 0 1 Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatic RHAR4 7 0 20 0 1 Plains Pricklypear Opuntia polyacantha OPPO 7 0 40 0 2 Rubber Rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa var. glabrata ERNAG 7 0 20 0 1 Willow Salix sp. SALIX 7 0 20 0 1 Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata KRLA2 7 0 20 0 1

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 900 1980 2700 FORBS 70 154 210

SHRUBS 30 66 90 TOTAL 1000 2200 3000

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Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

Page 36 NE-T.G. Notice XXX Section IV

NRCS-March, 2018

SITE: SALINE SUBIRRIGATED (R072XA102KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: Site occurs on nearly level floodplains adjacent to streams and rivers. Soils are seasonally wet and have an accumulation of salts within the root zone and are subject to flooding. Soils are very deep saline and saline-alkali soils. There is a seasonal high water table less than 6’ below the surface (usually between 12-48"). Soils are deep to very deep but can be shallow over gravelly coarse sand. The surface is darker colored and ranges from 7-24" thick.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Plant Community Alkali Sacaton, Western Wheatgrass, Inland Saltgrass

Grasses and grass-likes make up approximately 90-98% of the potential production. The dominant species are alkali sacaton, western wheatgrass, and switchgrass. Secondary species include alkali cordgrass, slender wheatgrass, little bluestem, and alkali bluegrass. Forb and shrub diversity are low.

3000 0.82 0.99

1.2 At Risk Plant Community Western Wheatgrass, Inland Saltgrass

Western wheatgrass and inland saltgrass are the dominant species. Alkali sacaton, switchgrass, alkali cordgrass, slender wheatgrass, little bluestem and alkali bluegrass are present as remnants if at all.

2200 0.60 0.72

2.1 Warm Season Sod Bound Community Inland Saltgrass

Inland saltgrass dominates and becomes sod bound. Foxtail barley is very common. Western wheatgrass, alkali sacaton, sedges, rushes and other grasses and grasslikes are only remnants if present at all.

1500 0.41 0.49

3.1 Reseed Community Local Seeding Mix

The species present depend upon the species present in the seed mixture and the stand success. This site is difficult to establish back to native grasses.

3000 0.60 0.72

3.2 Go-Back Community Annuals

Inland saltgrass is present in localized areas. Russian thistle, kochia and cocklebur are common. 300 0.08 0.10

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NRCS-March, 2018

Saline Subirrigated: Alkali Sacaton-Western Wheatgrass-Inland Saltgrass Plant Community (Reference Community)

COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight Warm Season Tall Salt Tolerant Grasses 1 800 1300 27 43 Alkali Cordgrass Spartina gracilis SPGR 1 0 150 0 5 Alkali Sacaton Sporobolus airoides SPAI 1 450 750 15 25 Inland Saltgrass Distichlis spicata DISP 1 450 700 15 23 Cool Season Grasses 2 400 800 13 27 Canada Wildrye Elymus Canadensis ELCA4 2 0 40 0 1 Slender Wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus ELTR7 2 0 150 0 5 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 2 400 600 13 20 Warm Season Tall Grasses 3 150 400 5 13 Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans SONU2 3 0 270 0 9 Prairie Cordgrass Spartina pectinate SPPE 3 0 70 0 2 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 3 150 400 5 13 Grass-likes 4 15 130 0.5 4 Rush Juncus sp. JUNCU 4 15 70 0.5 2 Sedges Carex sp. CAREX 4 15 70 0.5 2 Mid-Warm Season Grasses 5 0 125 0 4 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 5 0 40 0 1 Scratchgrass Muhlenbergia asperifolia MUAS 5 0 70 0 2 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 5 0 40 0 1 Vine Mesquite (not in NE) Panicum obtusum PAOB 5 0 100 0 3 Warm Season Short Grasses 6 0 70 0 2 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 6 0 40 0 1 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 6 0 40 0 1 Forbs and Legumes 7 60 300 2 10 American Licorice Glycyrrhiza lepidota GLLE3 7 5 30 0.15 1 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 7 5 30 0.15 1 Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani HEMA2 7 0 30 0 1 Prairie Bundleflower Desmanthus illinoensis DEIL 7 5 30 0.15 1 Pursh Seepweed Suaeda calceoliformis SUCA2 7 5 30 0.15 1 Pussytoes Antennaria sp. ANTEN 7 0 30 0 1 Swamp Smartweed Polygonum hydropiperoides POHY2 7 5 30 0.15 1 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYER 7 5 30 0.15 1 White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana ARLU 7 0 30 0 1 Shrubs 8 0 30 0 1 Willow Baccharis Baccharis salicina BASA 8 0 30 0 1

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 1365 2820 3850 FORBS 125 150 300

SHRUBS 10 30 50 TOTAL 1500 3000 4200

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Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

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NRCS-March, 2018

SITE: SALT FLAT (R072XA116KS) Does not occur in Nebraska. SITE DESCRIPTION: Site occurs on the base and side slopes of closed depressions and alluvial fans. The site has saline and sodium affected soils. The sites can be found in receiving positions near areas of exposed Pierre shale. The slopes are gently sloping (<3%) toward the depression bottom. The sites receive runoff from adjacent sites. Soil surface textures are silt loam and silty clay loam and the subsurface texture group is clayey.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Plant Community

Alkali Sacaton, Blue Grama, Western Wheatgrass, Fourwing Saltbush

Vegetation is highly variable due to the amount of salts in the soil and fluctuations of ponding in the adjacent depressions. The potential vegetation is 90% grasses and 8% shrubs. Alkali sacaton, blue grama, western wheatgrass, alkaligrass and saltgrass are the dominant grasses. Shrubs include fourwing saltbush, winterfat and rabbitbush. Forbs of note are Nuttall’s poverty weed and two-grooved milkvetch.

1000 0.27 0.32

1.2 Community 2 Alkali Sacaton-Blue Grama-Buffalograss

The dominant plants are alkali sacaton, blue grama and buffalograss. The amount of alkali sacaton is less than in the reference plant community, but it remains a dominant.

700 0.19 0.23

1.3 Community 3 High Salts-Bare Ground-White or Black Alkali-Annuals

This site occurs as a result of prolonged high water table and ponding. This can drown out the vegetation leaving bare soil and sparse annual or lower successional plants.

250 0.07 008

2.1 Reseed Community Local Seeding Mix

The species present depend upon the species present in the seed mixture and the stand success. This site is difficult to establish back to native grasses.

1000 0.27 0.32

2.2 Go-Back Community Annuals

Go-back begins with annuals including kochia, annual bromes, pigweed, Russian thistle and witchgrass. Gradually perennial grasses will come into the site eventually blue grama and buffalograss will be common on the site.

200 0.05 0.07

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NRCS-March, 2018

Salt Flat: Alkali Sacaton-Blue Grama-Western Wheatgrass- Fourwing Saltbush Plant Community (Reference Community)

COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight Dominant Grasses 1 525 900 53 90 Alkali Sacaton Sporobolus airoides SPAI 1 200 350 20 35 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 1 100 200 10 20 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 1 0 50 0 5 Inland Saltgrass Distichlis spicata DISP 1 50 100 5 10 James’ galleta Pleuraphis jamesii PLJA 1 50 100 5 10 Nuttall’s Alkaligrass Puccinellia nuttalliana PUNU2 1 50 100 5 10 Vine Mesquite Panicum obtusum PAOB 1 0 50 0 5 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 1 75 150 7.5 15 Forbs and Legumes 2 0 15 0 1.5 Nuttall’s Povertyweed Monolepis nuttalliana MONU 2 0 15 0 1.5 Two-grooved Milkvetch Astragalus bisulcatus ASBI2 2 0 15 0 1.5 Shrubs 3 25 85 2.5 8.5 Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens ATCA2 3 20 100 2 10 Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus sp. CHRYS9 3 0 30 0 3 Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata KRLA2 3 10 50 1 5

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 450 900 1625 FORBS 10 15 25

SHRUBS 40 85 150 TOTAL 500 1000 1800

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Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

Page 40 NE-T.G. Notice XXX Section IV

NRCS-March, 2018

SITE: SANDY LOWLAND (R072XA107KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: This site occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping (0-4%) floodplains, upland drainageways, alluvial fans and low terraces. The site is characterized by soils with greater than 55 percent sand in the surface. The soils characteristic of this site formed in sandy alluvium from mixed sources and terraces. This site receives runoff from areas higher on the landscape. Flooding frequency ranges from none to frequent and flooding duration is very brief to brief. Sedimentation is usually rare, but is common on alluvial fans and terraces.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community Sand Bluestem, Switchgrass, Little Bluestem, Sideoats Grama

This community is comprised of approximately 85 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Sand bluestem, little bluestem, switchgrass, and sideoats grama are the dominant species. Secondary species include Indiangrass, prairie sandreed, sand lovegrass, needle and thread, and western wheatgrass.

2400 0.66 0.79

1.2 Community 2 Sand Dropseed, Western Wheatgrass

The community is dominated by sand dropseed and western wheatgrass. Needle and thread, little bluestem, blue grama, sideoats grama and switchgrass are present in small amounts. Tall warm season and cool season grasses are reduced to remnant populations. Sand sagebrush and cuman ragweed and annuals are increasing.

2200 0.60 0.72

1.3 At-Risk Plant Community Blue Grama, Sand Sagebrush

Blue grama and sagebrush dominate the site comprising 40% of the plant community. Needle and thread is sub-dominant making up 10-40% of the production. Minor component species include thin paspalum, soapweed yucca, prickly pear and annual grasses.

1500 0.41 0.49

2.1 Shrub Community Sand Sagebrush

Pioneer perennial species such as blowout grass, sandhill muhly, lemon scurfpea and a variety of annuals are present. 1000 0.27 0.33

3.1 Reseed Community Local Seeding Mix

The species present on seeded or renovated land will depend upon what was planted. 2200 0.60 0.72

3.2: Go-back Community Go-Back

Go-back evolves through several plant communities. Early species are sandhill muhly, blowout grass, lemon scurfpea and annuals. Sand dropseed, needleandthread and blue grama are common. The species present on seeded or renovated land will depend upon what was planted.

400 0.11 0.13

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Sandy Lowland: Sand Bluestem-Little Bluestem-Switchgrass-Sideoats Grama Plant Community (Reference Community) COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight

Tall and Midgrass Warm Season 1 800 1320 33 55 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 1 200 330 8 14 Sand Bluestem Andropogon hallii ANHA 1 400 620 17 26 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 1 0 180 0 8 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 1 200 300 8 13 Tall Warm Season Grasses 2 110 240 5 10 Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans SONU2 2 110 200 5 8 Giant Sandreed Calamovilfa gigantean CAGI3 2 0 70 0 3 Prairie Sandreed Calamovilfa longifolia CALO 2 0 100 0 4 Sand Lovegrass Eragrostis trichodes ERTR3 2 10 50 0.5 2 Cool and Warm Season Grasses 3 75 240 3 10 Needle and Thread Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata HECOC8 3 75 100 3 4 Vine Mesquite (not in NE) Panicum obtusum PAOB 3 0 70 0 3 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 3 0 70 0 3 Short and Tall Warm Season Grasses 4 0 120 0 5 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 4 0 50 0 2 Composite Dropseed Sporobolus compositus var. compositus SPCOC2 4 0 25 0 1 Hairy Grama Bouteloua hirsuta BOHI2 4 0 50 0 2 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 4 0 100 0 4 Cool and Warm Season Grasses 5 0 120 0 5 Canada Wildrye Elymus Canadensis ELCA4 5 0 75 0 3 Purple Threeawn Aristida purpurea ARPU9 5 0 15 0 0.5 Scribner’s rosette grass Dichanthelium oligosanthes scribnerianum DIOLS 5 0 40 0 2 Sedge Carex sp. CAREX 5 0 50 0 2 Thin Paspalum Paspalum setaceum PASE5 5 0 40 0 2 Forbs and Legumes 6 50 240 2 10 Annual Buckwheat Eriogonum annuum ERAN4 6 0 10 0 0.5 Bracted Blazingstar Mentzelia nuda MENU 6 0 10 0 0.5 Bush Morning Glory Ipomoea leptophylla IPLE 6 0 10 0 0.5 Carolina Larkspur Delphinium carolinianum ssp. virescens DACAV2 6 0 10 0 0.5 Chickenthief Mentzelia oligosperma MEOL 6 0 10 0 0.5 Common Starlily Leucocrinum montanum LEMO4 6 0 10 0 0.5 Common Sunflower Helianthus annuus HEAN3 6 0 10 0 0.5 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 6 10 25 0.5 1 Dotted Blazing Star Liatris punctata LIPU 6 0 10 0 0.5 Engelmann’s Daisy Engelmannia peristenia ENPE4 6 0 10 0 0.5 Evening Primrose Oenothera sp. OENOT 6 0 10 0 0.5 Hairy False Goldenaster Heterotheca villosa HEVI4 6 0 10 0 0.5 Lemon Scurfpea Psoralidium lanceolatum PSLA3 6 10 25 0.5 1 Longbract Spiderwort Tradescantia bracteata TRBR 6 0 10 0 0.5 Manystem Pea Lathyrus polymorphus LAPO2 6 0 10 0 0.5 Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani HEMA2 6 0 10 0 0.5 Meadow Deathcamas Zigadenus venenosus ZIVE 6 0 10 0 0.5 Nuttall’s Sensitive Briar Mimosa nuttallii MINU6 6 0 10 0 0.5 Othake Palafoxia sphacelata PASP 6 0 10 0 0.5 Prairie Bundleflower Desmanthus illinoensis DEIL 6 0 10 0 0.5 Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea var. purpurea DAPUP 6 0 10 0 0.5 Rush Skelatonplant Lygodesmia juncea LYJU 6 0 10 0 0.5 Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea SPCO 6 0 10 0 0.5 Silky Prairie Clover Dalea villosa DAVI 6 0 10 0 0.5 Slimflower Scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum PSTE5 6 0 10 0 0.5

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Snowball Sand Verbena Abronia fragrans ABFR2 6 0 10 0 0.5 Stiff Sunflower Helianthus pauciflorus HEPA19 6 0 10 0 0.5 Texas Croton Croton texensis CRTE 6 10 25 0.5 1 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides SYERE 6 10 25 0.5 1 White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana ARLU 6 10 25 0.5 1 Shrubs 7 40 120 2 5 American Plum Prunus americana PRAM 7 0 15 0 0.5 Devil’s Tongue Opuntia humifusa OPHU 7 0 20 0 1 Eastern Cottonwood Populus deltoids PODE3 7 0 15 0 0.5 Leadplant Amorpha canescens AMCA6 7 0 20 0 1 Plains Pricklypear Opuntia polyacantha OPPO 7 0 20 0 1 Prairie Rose Rosa arkansana ROAR3 7 0 10 0 0.5 Sand Sagebrush Artemisia filifolia ARFI2 7 40 115 2 5 Soapweed Yucca Yucca glauca YUGL 7 0 25 0 1 Western Sandcherry Prunus pumila besseyi PRPUB 7 0 25 0 1 Willow Salix sp. SALIX 7 0 10 0 1

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 1125 2040 2500 FORBS 100 240 300

SHRUBS 75 120 200 TOTAL 1300 2400 3000

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Ecological Site Quick Reference – MLRA 72

Page 44 NE-T.G. Notice XXX Section IV

NRCS-March, 2018

SITE: SANDY PLAINS (R072XA111KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: This site occurs on nearly level to undulating (0-10% slopes) topography. The sites is associated sand sheets, interdunes, plains, and hillslopes on tablelands. The soils are moderately sandy to very sandy surface layers ranging from 3-20” thick. The soil surface textures are fine sandy loam, loamy sand, sandy loam, and loamy fine sand. Subsoil layers are loamy.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use

(25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community Sand Bluestem, Prairie Sandreed, Blue Grama

The potential vegetation is about 85 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Sand bluestem, prairie sandreed, blue grama, and little bluestem are the dominant species. Subdominant species include switchgrass, needle and thread, Indiangrass, and sideoats grama. Sand dropseed, western wheatgrass, and buffalograss are common. The forb community is diverse. Shrubs include leadplant, sand sagebrush, plains pricklypear, American plum, western sandcherry, and soapweed yucca.

1800 0.49 0.59

1.2 Community Sand Dropseed-Blue Grama

Sand dropseed and blue grama are the dominant grass species. Fendler threeawn, hairy false golden aster, croton, slimflower scurfpea, Cuman ragweed, stickleaf, heath aster, milkvetch, and cactus are common. Tall and mid warm season grasses are present but in limited amounts. Sand sagebrush is common especially on soils with a sandy loam or courser subsoil.

1100 0.30 0.36

1.3 Community Fendler Threeawn-Sand Dropseed-Annuals

Fendler threeawn is the dominant species. Sand dropseed may also be present in varying amounts. A number of annual plants, such as sixweeks fescue, Russian thistle, kochia, and annual bromes, will increase or invade.

425 0.12 0.14

2.1 Sod Community Blue Grama

Sod bound blue grama dominates the site. Secondary species are sand dropseed and Fendler threeawn. The most common forbs are white sagebrush, lupine, stickleaf, croton, locoweed, tarragon, and pricklypear. Prairie sandreed and needleandthread are present as remnants.

850 0.23 0.28

3.1 Reseed Community Local Seeding Mix

The species present on seeded or renovated land will depend upon what was planted. 1800 0.49 0.59

3.2: Go-back Community

Go-back evolves through several plant communities. Early species include annual weedy forbs, witchgrass and Tumblegrass. Sand dropseed and threeawns will gradually come into the site.

425 0.12 0.14

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Sandy Plains: Sand Bluestem-Prairie Sandreed-Blue Grama Plant Community (Reference Community) COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight

Warm Season Dominant 1 345 765 19 43 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 1 75 190 4 11 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 1 20 75 1 4 Prairie Sandreed Calamovilfa longifolia CALO 1 100 200 6 11 Sand Bluestem Andropogon hallii ANHA 1 150 300 8 17 Tall and Mid-Warm Season Grasses 2 110 460 6 26 Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans SONU2 2 10 90 1 5 Needle and Thread Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata HECOC8 2 50 150 3 8 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 2 0 90 0 5 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 2 50 150 3 8 Tall and Short Warm and Cool Season Grasses 3 15 230 1 13 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA 3 0 20 0 1 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 3 5 100 0.25 6 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 3 10 100 0.5 6 Other Grasses 4 0 75 0 4 Fendler Threeawn Aristida purpurea var. longiseta ARPUL 4 0 20 0 1 Hairy Grama Bouteloua hirsuta BOHI2 4 0 15 0 1 Prairie Junegrass Koeleria macrantha KOMA 4 0 10 0 1 Plains Muhly Muhlenbergia cuspidata MUCU3 4 0 20 0 1 Sedge Carex sp. CAREX 4 0 40 0 2 Forbs and Legumes 5 30 180 2 10 Annual Buckwheat Eriogonum annuum ERAN4 5 0 10 0 0.5 Bracted Blazingstar Mentzelia nuda MENU 5 0 5 0 0.25 Broadbeard Beardtongue Penstemon angustifolius PEAN4 5 0 5 0 0.25 Carolina Larkspur Delphinium carolinianum ssp. virescens DACAV2 5 0 5 0 0.25 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 5 5 15 0.25 1 Dotted Blazing Star Liatris punctata LIPU 5 5 15 0.25 1 Evening Primrose Oenothera sp. OENOT 5 0 5 0 0.25 False Boneset Brickellia eupatorioides BREU 5 0 5 0 0.25 Hairy False Goldenaster Heterotheca villosa HEVI4 5 0 5 0 0.25 Lemon Scurfpea Psoralidium lanceolatum PSLA3 5 0 5 0 0.25 Prairie Spiderwort Tradescantia occidentalis TROC 5 0 5 0 0.25 Rush Skelatonplant Lygodesmia juncea LYJU 5 0 5 0 0.25 Scarlet Beeblossom Oenothera suffrutescens OESU3 5 0 5 0 0.25 Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea SPCO 5 5 15 0.25 1 Shaggy Dwarf Morning-glory Evolvulus nuttallianus EVNU 5 0 5 0 1 Silky Prairie Clover Dalea villosa DAVI 5 0 5 0 0.25 Slimflower Scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum PSTE5 5 5 15 1 1 Tarragon Artemisia dracunculus ARDR4 5 0 5 0 0.25 Texas Croton Croton texensis CRTE 5 0 5 0 0.25 Upright Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera RACO3 5 5 15 0.25 1 Western Yarrow Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis ACMIO 5 5 15 0.25 1 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYERE 5 0 5 0 0.25 White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana ARLU 5 5 15 0.25 1 Winged Buckwheat Eriogonum alatum ERAL4 5 0 5 0 0.25 Shrubs 6 20 90 1 5 American Plum Prunus americana PRAM 6 0 25 0 1 Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens ATCA2 6 0 5 0 0.25 Leadplant Amorpha canescens AMCA6 6 5 15 0.25 1 Plains Pricklypear Opuntia polyacantha OPPO 6 0 15 0 1 Prairie Rose Rosa arkansana ROAR3 6 0 5 0 0.25

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Prairie Sagewort Artemisia frigida ARFR4 6 0 5 0 0.25 Sand Sagebrush Artemisia filifolia ARFI2 6 5 25 0.25 1 Soapweed Yucca Yucca glauca YUGL 6 5 25 0.25 1 Spreading Buckwheat Eriogonum effusum EREF 6 0 5 0 0.25 Western Sandcherry Prunus pumila besseyi PRPUB 6 5 25 0.25 1

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 765 1530 2075 FORBS 90 180 280

SHRUBS 45 90 145 TOTAL 900 1800 2500

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SITE: SHALLOW LIMY (R072XA112KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: The site occurs on nearly level to very steep (0-30%) uplands. Much of the site is steep and characterized by rock ledges forming vertical drops. The soils range from less than 20 inches deep to bedrock. Exposed areas of limestone and bare ground are inherent to the site. The soils are loamy in the surface and subsurface layer. The soils are calcareous throughout and have very low to low available water capacity. Vertical rock faces are common.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community

Little Bluestem, Sideoats Grama

The potential vegetation is a mixed grass prairie consisting of approximately 85 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. The dominant species are little bluestem and sideoats grama with lesser amounts of big bluestem and blue grama. Secondary species include blue grama, switchgrass, Indiangrass, and buffalograss. This community has a diverse forb population, most of which occur in small amounts. Shrubs include broom snakeweed, pricklypear, leadplant and soapweed yucca.

1200 0.33 0.39

1.2 Community 2 Blue Grama, Buffalograss, Threadleaf Sedge, Threeawn, Small Soapweed

The dominant plants are blue grama, buffalograss, threadleaf sedge, three awns and small soapweed. Little bluestem and sideoats grama, if present, are in small amounts. Big bluestem, switchgrass, and western wheatgrass if present are remnants... Small soapweed, prickly pear, and broom snakeweed will start to increase.

700 0.19 0.23

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Shallow Limy: Little Bluestem–Sideoats Grama Plant Community (Reference Community) COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight

Warm Season Tall & Mid Grass 1 430 70 36 65 Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii ANGE 1 50 100 4 8 Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans SONU2 1 0 20 0 2 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 1 190 325 16 27 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 1 190 300 16 25 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 1 0 60 0 5 Short and Cool Season Grasses 2 105 180 9 15 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 2 80 100 7 8 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 2 25 40 2 3 Hairy Grama Bouteloua hirsuta BOHI2 2 0 40 0 3 Needle and Thread Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata HECOC8 2 0 25 0 2 Plains Muhly Muhlenbergia cuspidata NUCU3 2 0 25 0 2 Other Grasses and Sedges 3 0 60 0 5 Sedge Carex sp. CAREX 3 0 15 0 1 Threadleaf Sedge Carex filifolia CAFI 3 15 60 1 5 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 3 0 15 0 1 Forbs and Legumes 4 60 120 5 10 Beardtongue Penstemon sp. PENST 4 0 5 0 0.5 Blacksamson Echinaea Echinacea angustifolia ECAN2 4 0 5 0 0.5 Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium ACMI2 4 5 10 0.5 1 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 4 5 10 0.5 1 Desert Princesplume Stanleya pinnata var. pinnata STPIP 4 0 5 0 0.5 Dotted Blazing Star Liatris punctata LIPU 4 10 20 1 2 Engelmann’s Daisy Engelmannia peristenia ENPE4 4 0 5 0 0.5 Hairy False Goldenaster Heterotheca vilosa HEVI4 4 0 5 0 0.5 Lacy Tansyaster Machaeranthera pinnatifida var. pinnatifida MAPIP4 4 0 5 0 0.5 Nuttall’s Sensitive-briar Mimosa nuttallii MINU6 4 5 15 0.5 1 Prairie Clover Ratibida RATIB 4 0 5 0 0.5 Purple Locoweed Oxytropis lambertii OXLA3 4 0 5 0 0.5 Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea DAPU5 4 10 20 1 2 Rush Skeletonplant Lygodesmia juncea LYJU 4 5 10 0.5 1 Scarlet Beeblossom Oenothera suffrutescens OESU3 4 0 5 0 0.5 Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea SPCO 4 5 20 0.5 2 Slimflower Scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum PSTE5 4 5 20 0.5 2 Spiny Phlox Phlox hoodia PHHO 4 5 10 0.5 1 Stemless Four-nerve Daisy Tetraneuris acaulis TEAC 4 5 10 0.5 1 Stiff Goldenrod Oligoneuron rigidum OLRI 4 0 5 0 0.5 Tarragon Artemisia dracunculus ARDR4 4 0 5 0 0.5 Upright Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera RACO3 4 5 10 0.5 1 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYER 4 5 15 0.5 1 White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana ARLU 4 0 5 0 0.5 Woolly Locoweed Astragalus mollissimus ASMO7 4 5 10 0.5 1 Woolly Plantain Plantago patagonica PLPA2 4 0 5 0 0.5 Yellowspine Thistle Cirsium ochrocentrum CIOC2 4 0 5 0 0.5 Shrubs 5 20 60 2 5 Broom Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae GUSA2 5 5 12 0.5 1 Leadplant Amorpha canescens AMCA6 5 0 20 0 2 Plains Pricklypear Opuntia polyacantha OPPO 5 5 20 0.5 2 Skunkbush Sumac Rhus trilobata RHTR 5 0 20 0 2 Soapweed Yucca Yucca glauca YUGL 5 5 20 0.5 2

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Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative

Value* HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 510 1020 1360 FORBS 60 120 160

SHRUBS 30 60 80 TOTAL 600 1200 1600

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SITE: SUBIRRIGATED (R072XA103KS) SITE DESCRIPTION: This site is located on floodplains, terraces, and interdunes on river valleys, and dune fields. A seasonal or perennial high water table is present at less than 6 feet from the surface. Soils correlated with this site are deep to very deep and have a surface that is 10 inches. This site receives runoff from areas higher on the landscape and is subject to flooding except for positions on interdunes. The soil surface texture is most commonly loam, loamy sand or clay loam and the subsurface texture group is sandy.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production #/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community Big Bluestem, Switchgrass, Indiangrass

This community is comprised of 85- 90 percent grasses and grass-like plants, 10-15 percent forbs, and 0-5 percent shrubs. Big bluestem, Indiangrass, and switchgrass are the dominant species. Secondary species include little bluestem, sideoats grama, western wheatgrass, Canada wildrye, and prairie cordgrass. Forb population is diverse.

4000 1.1 1.3

1.2 At Risk Community Cool Season Grasses, Remnant Warm season grasses

This plant community is dominated by cool season grasses with native warm season remnants and/or woody encroachment. Cool season grasses consist of western wheatgrass and Kentucky bluegrass. The remnant tall warm season grasses include prairie cordgrass, switchgrass, and big bluestem.

1700 0.47 0.56

2.1 Cool season Community Kentucky Bluegrass, Smooth Bromegrass, Western Wheatgrass, Sedges

Western wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass and sedges are the dominant species. Reed canarygrass and phragmites are species that could occur in this plant community as well. Production will depend upon which cool season species dominates the site and management of the site.

1500 0.41 0.49

3.1 Woody State Russian Olive, Eastern Redcedar, Salt Cedar, Cottonwood

This site has a woody overstory of one or more woody species including Russian olive, Eastern Redcedar, Salt Cedar and/or Cottonwood. The plant understory usually consists of cool season grasses (introduced and/or native) with remnants of tall and mid warm season native grasses.

1000 0.25 0.30

4.1 Reseeded Community Local Seeding Mix

The species present on seeded or renovated land will depend upon what was planted. 4000 1.1 1.3

4.1 Go-Back Community Russian Thistle, Kochia, Foxtail Barley, Annual Bromes

Go-back evolves through several plant communities. Early species include annual weedy forbs, witchgrass and foxtail barley. Sand dropseed and three awns will gradually come into the site.

750 0.21 0.25

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Subirrigated: Big Bluestem-Switchgrass- Indiangrass Plant Community (Reference Community)

COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight Warm Season Tall Grasses 1 900 2600 23 65 Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii ANGE 1 700 1000 18 25 Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans SONU2 1 100 400 3 10 Prairie Cordgrass Spartina pectinate SPPE 1 0 400 0 10 Sand Bluestem Andropogon hallii ANHA 1 0 400 0 10 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI 1 100 400 3 10 Warm Season Mid-Grasses 2 125 400 3 10 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 2 75 200 2 5 Marsh Muhly Muhlenbergia racemose MURA 2 0 75 0 2 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 2 50 125 1 3 Cool Season Grasses 3 10 225 0.25 6 Canada Wildrye Elymus Canadensis ELCA4 3 40 100 1 3 Needle and Thread Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata HECOC8 3 0 75 0 2 Scribner’s Rosette Grass Dichanthelium oligosanthes scribnerianum DIOLS 3 0 75 0 2 Slender Wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus ELTRT 3 0 75 0 2 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 3 10 75 0.25 2 Sedges and Grass-likes 4 10 225 0.25 6 Nebraska Sedge Carex nebrascensis CANE2 4 0 75 0 2 Sedge Carex sp. CAREX 4 15 75 0.5 2 Forbs and Legumes 5 75 525 2 13 American Licorice Glycyrrhiza lepidota GLLE3 5 25 75 0.5 2 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 5 0 30 0 0.75 Curlycup Gumweed Grindelia squarrosa GRSQ 5 0 30 0 1 Goldenrod Solidago sp. SOLID 5 0 30 0 1 Longbract Spiderwort Tradescantia bracteata TRBR 5 0 30 0 1 Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani HEMA2 5 25 75 0.5 2 Nineanther Prairie Clover Dalea enneandra DAEN 5 0 30 0 1 Prairie Bundleflower Desmanthus illinoensis DEIL 5 25 75 0.5 2 Scarlet Beeblossom Oenothera suffrutescens OESU3 5 0 30 0 1 Textile Onion Allium textile ALTE 5 0 30 0 1 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYER 5 0 30 0 1 White Prairie Clover Dalea candida DACA7 5 0 30 0 1 White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana ARLU 5 0 30 0 1 Shrubs 6 0 90 0 2 False Indigo Amorpha sp. AMORP 6 0 30 0 1 Prairie Rose Rosa arkansana ROAR3 6 0 30 0 1 Western Snowberry Symphoricarpos occidentalis SYOC 6 0 30 0 1

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 2625 3500 4375 FORBS 300 400 500

SHRUBS 75 100 125 TOTAL 3000 4000 5000

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SITE: TABLELAND SWALE (R072XA117KS)

SITE DESCRIPTION: The Tableland Swale ecological site is located in swales and draws on tablelands on slopes ranging from 0-6% slopes. These sites occur in water- gathering positions on the landscape. The soils are very deep and well drained with silt loam and loam surface textures and the subsurface texture group is loamy.

Plant Community Community Description Average

Production#/ac

AUM/AC 50% Use (25% HE)

60% Use (30% HE)

1.1 Reference Community Big Bluestem, Sideoats Grama, Little Bluestem, Indiangrass, Western Wheatgrass

The plant community consists of 95% grasses and grass-likes, 4% forbs and trace of shrubs. Primary species are big bluestem, sideoats grama, little bluestem and Indiangrass. Secondary species include western wheatgrass, blue grama, and buffalograss. Leadplant is the most common shrub.

2500 0.69 0.82

1.2 Cool Season Community Western Wheatgrass, Sideoats Grama, Blue Grama

This community is dominated by western wheatgrass, blue grama and buffalograss with sideoats grama locally common. Tall grasses are present in small amounts and western wheatgrass has increased to fill the voids left by the decreased tall grasses.

2000 0.55 0.66

1.3 At-Risk Community Blue Grama, Buffalograss, Western Wheatgrass, Sand Dropseed, Threeawn

Blue grama and buffalograss are the most common grasses and make up 40% of the plant community. Sand dropseed, Fendler threeawn, sixweeks fescue, plains prickly pear and hairy goldenaster have increased. Tall grasses and more palatable mid-grasses may be present in remnant amounts

1200 0.33 0.39

2.1 Sod-bound community Blue Grama-Buffalograss

Blue grama and buffalograss are present as co-dominants and have formed a sod bound appearance. There may be small amounts of western wheatgrass. Red threeawn, sand dropseed, sixweeks fescue and hairy goldenaster may be present.

700 0.19 0.23

3.1 Go-Back Community Go-back evolves through several plant communities. Early species are three awns, foxtail and little barley and annual grasses and forbs such as annual bromes, sixweeks fescue.

500 0.14 0.16

3.2 Reseed Community The species present on seeded or renovated land will depend upon what was planted and the stand success. 2500 0.69 0.82

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Tableland Swale: Big Bluestem-Sideoats Grama-Little Bluestem-Indiangrass-Western Wheatgrass Plant Community (Reference Community)

COMMON/GROUP NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMBOL GROUP LBS/acre % by weight Warm Season Tall Grass 1 900 1750 36 65 Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii ANGE 1 400 800 16 32 Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans SONU2 1 50 100 2 4 Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium SCSC 1 150 350 6 14 Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula BOCU 1 300 600 12 24 Cool Season and Short Grasses 2 350 500 14 20 Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis BOGR2 2 75 115 3 5 Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides BODA2 2 75 115 3 5 Vine Mesquite (Not in NE) Panicum obtusum PAOB 2 75 115 3 5 Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii PASM 2 125 300 5 12 Warm Season Mid-Grasses 3 0 100 0 4 Arrowfeather threeawn Aristida purpurascens ARPU8 3 0 25 0 1 Canada Wildrye Elymus Canadensis ELCA4 3 0 25 0 1 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus SPCR 3 0 25 0 1 Sedge Carex sp. CAREX 3 0 25 0 1 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum PAVI2 3 0 25 0 1 Forbs and Legumes 4 50 125 2 5 American Licorice Glycyrrhiza lepidota GLLE3 4 0 15 0 0.5 Aromatic Aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium SYOB 4 0 15 0 0.5 Beardtongue Penstemon sp. PSTE5 4 0 15 0 0.5 Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya AMPS 4 0 15 0 0.5 Missouri Goldenrod Solidago missouriensis SOMI2 4 0 15 0 0.5 Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea var. purpurea DAPUP 4 0 15 0 0.5 Rush Skelatonplant Lygodesmia juncea LYJU 4 0 15 0 0.5 Scarlet Beeblossom Oenothera suffrutescens OESU3 4 0 15 0 0.5 Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea SPCO 4 0 15 0 0.5 Slimflower Scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum PSTE5 4 0 15 0 0.5 Upright Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera RACO3 4 0 15 0 0.5 Wavyleaf Thistle Cirsium undulatum CIUN 4 0 15 0 0.5 White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides SYER 4 0 15 0 0.5 White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana ARLU 4 0 15 0 0.5 Shrubs 5 0 25 0 1 Leadplant Amorpha canescens AMCA6 5 0 25 0 1

Annual Production lbs./acre LOW Representative Value*

HIGH

GRASSES & GRASSLIKES 1880 2350 2820 FORBS 100 125 150

SHRUBS 20 25 30 TOTAL 2000 2500 3000

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BRIEF ECOLOGICAL SITE DESCRIPTIONS MAJOR LAND RESOURCE AREA (MLRA) 72: CENTRAL HIGH TABLELAND

GRAVELLY HILLS (R072XY113KS)

This site occurs on nearly level to steep (0-60%) slopes on terraces or tertiary terrace remnants that cap ridges, crests and upper slopes of undulating or rolling uplands. The surface texture is gravelly loam, gravelly sandy loam or coarse sand with a sandy subsurface texture group. The soils contain significant amounts of gravel throughout the root zone and formed in loamy, sandy and gravelly soil material over gravelly material on stream terraces. Exposed areas of gravel are inherent to the site. The reference plant community consists of 75-85% grasses and grass-likes, 5-15% forbs and 5-10% shrubs (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 1200 pounds/acre. Little bluestem and sideoats grama are the dominant plants in the reference plant community. Big bluestem, prairie sandreed, blue and hairy grama, switchgrass, needleandthread and western wheatgrass are secondary grasses. The forb community is diverse and includes prairie clovers, dotted gayfeather, and upright coneflower. Currant and skunkbush sumac are common shrubs. Heavy continuous grazing, inadequate rest and recovery and unbalanced forage and animal numbers results in a community dominated by blue grama with an increase of hairy grama, sand dropseed, Hood’s phlox, hairy goldenaster and small soapweed. With further heavy grazing, the plant community becomes a blue grama and threadleaf sedge sod.

LIMY SLOPES (R072XY101KS) Previously Limy

Upland

This site occurs on nearly level to moderately steep (1-20%) uplands on hills, rises and alluvial fans. The soil surface texture is silt loam, loam or clay loam with a loamy subsurface texture group. The soils were formed in calcareous loess, are deep and contain free carbonates within 4” of the soil surface. The reference plant community consists of 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 5% shrubs (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 1650 pounds/acre. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are little bluestem and sideoats grama. Western wheatgrass, needleandthread, and blue grama are common. The forb community is diverse. Broom snakeweed and winterfat are common shrubs. Heavy continuous grazing, inadequate rest and recovery and unbalanced forage and animal numbers results in a community dominated by blue grama, buffalograss, sideoats grama and western wheatgrass. With further heavy grazing, the plant community becomes a blue grama and buffalograss sod.

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LOAMY LOWLAND

(R072XY108KS)

This site occurs on nearly level to gently sloping (0-4%) floodplains or low stream terraces of river valleys with a flooding frequency ranging from none to frequent. It receives additional water from adjacent uplands. The site is characterized by a high water table greater than 6’ from the surface. The soil surface texture is silt loam to loam. The subsurface texture group is loamy. The soils were formed in alluvium, are stratified and often calcareous to the surface. The reference plant community consists of 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 5% woody plants (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 3500 pounds/ac. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are big bluestem, switchgrass, prairie cordgrass, eastern gama grass and Indiangrass. Secondary species include western wheatgrass, Canada wildrye, green needlegrass, slender wheatgrass and needleandthread. A wide variety of forbs occur on the site. Shrubs include winterfat, false indigo and prairie sagewort. Heavy continuous grazing, inadequate rest and recovery and unbalanced forage and animal numbers results in a community dominated by western wheatgrass, sideoats grama and blue grama. Continued heavy grazing will result in a buffalograss and blue grama sod.

LOAMY TABLELAND

(R072XY100KS) Previously Loamy

Upland

This site occurs on nearly level to sloping (0-15% slopes) hillslopes, rises and plains on tablelands. The soils are moderately deep to very deep, well drained and formed from eolian loess. The soil surface texture is silt loam, loam, or very fine sandy loam. The subsurface texture group is loamy. Free carbonates will occur at a depth exceeding 4”. The reference plant community consists of 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 5% shrubs (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 1700 pounds/ac. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are blue grama, sideoats grama, buffalograss, western wheatgrass, needleandthread and green needlegrass. The forb community is diverse. The most common shrubs are winterfat, prairie sagewort, and prickly pear. Heavy continuous grazing, inadequate rest and recovery and unbalanced forage and animal numbers results in a community dominated by western wheatgrass, sideoats grama and blue grama. Continued heavy grazing will result in a buffalograss and blue grama sod.

LOESS BREAKS (R072XY114KS)

This site occurs on steep to very steep (30-60% slopes) hillslopes and canyon walls dissected by geologic erosion creating narrow ridges or divides that have experienced mass movement. The site is characterized by terracettes called catsteps. The soils formed in loess and are very deep with thin, calcareous, silty surface layers. The soil surface texture is silt loam or loam with a loamy subsurface texture. The reference plant community consists of 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 5% shrubs (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 1900 pounds/ac. The principal grasses in the reference plant community are little bluestem, sideoats grama and big bluestem. Blue grama, switchgrass, Indiangrass and western wheatgrass are secondary grasses. The forb community is diverse and woody species include sand sagebrush, small soapweed, broom snakeweed and prairie sagewort. Heavy continuous grazing, inadequate rest and recovery and unbalanced forage and animal numbers results in a community dominated by blue grama, buffalograss, threadleaf sedge and three awns.

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ROLLING SANDS (R072XY109KS)

Previously Sands

This site is located on rolling (5-15% slopes) dunes and hills. Soils are moderately deep to very deep, well-drained to excessively well drained and formed in sandy eolian deposits. Surface layers are thin and generally light colored. Soil textures are loamy fine sand, fine sand and loamy sand. The subsurface texture group is sandy. The reference plant community consists of 80% grasses, 10% forbs and 10% shrubs (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 2000 pounds/ac. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are sand bluestem, prairie sandreed, switchgrass, Indiangrass and little bluestem. Needleandthread, blue grama, sand lovegrass, and sand bluestem are common. The fob community is diverse. Shrubs include sand sagebrush, prickly pear, and small soapweed. Heavy continuous grazing, inadequate rest and recovery and unbalanced forage and animal numbers results in a community dominated by blue grama, little bluestem and sand sagebrush. Continued heavy grazing results in a shrub state dominated by sand sagebrush.

SALINE LOWLAND (R072XY104KS)

This site occurs on nearly level (0-2% slopes) floodplains and low terraces adjacent to streams and rivers. It may also occur in the interdunes position in dune fields. A water table exists at a depth of greater than 6’. Haigler soils may have a water table at 36”. The soils are very deep soils formed in alluvium and are moderately to strongly saline and/or alkaline. Salt crusts are commonly found on ridges and mounds during dry periods. Slick spots are inherent to the site and consist of high sodium areas which contain no vegetation. Soil surface textures are silty clay loam, silt loam or loamy fine sand and the subsurface texture group is loamy. The reference plant community consists of 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 5% woody plants (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 2200 pounds/ac. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are alkali sacaton, western wheatgrass, and inland saltgrass. The forb community is diverse. Fourwing saltbush, rubber rabbitbrush, prickly pear and broom snakeweed are common. Heavy continuous grazing, inadequate rest and recovery and unbalanced forage and animal numbers results in a community dominated by inland saltgrass and western wheatgrass. Continued heavy grazing results in an inland saltgrass sod.

SALINE SUBIRRIGATED (R072XY102KS)

This site occurs on nearly level (0-3% slopes) floodplains and adjacent to streams and rivers or in interdunes. A seasonal or perennial water table occurs 12-48” below the surface. Soils are seasonally wet and have an accumulation of salts within the root zone. Soil surface textures are loams and the subsurface texture group is loamy. The reference plant community consists of 90-98% grasses and grass-likes, and 5% forbs (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 3000 pounds/ac. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are alkali sacaton, western wheatgrass, switchgrass and inland saltgrass. Secondary grasses include alkali cordgrass, slender wheatgrass and little bluestem. Prairie Bundleflower, American licorice, swamp smartweed and Pursh seepweed are common forbs. Heavy continuous grazing, inadequate rest and recovery and unbalanced forage and animal numbers results in a community dominated by inland saltgrass and western wheatgrass. Continued heavy grazing results in an inland saltgrass sod.

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SALT FLAT (R072XY116KS)

This site occurs on base and side slopes (0-3% slopes) of very large closed depressions. The sites are also found in receiving positions close to exposed areas of Pierre shale. The site has no surface drainage outlet and receives runoff water. The vegetation is influenced by the duration and timing and amount of rainfall and subsequent ponding. The soils are very deep soils formed in loess and alluvium. The soil surface textures are silt loam or silty clay loam. The subsurface texture group is clayey. The reference plant community consists of 90% grasses, 2% forbs and 8% shrubs (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 1000 pounds/ac. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are alkali sacaton, alkaligrass, blue grama, western wheatgrass and saltgrass. Shrubs include four wing saltbush, rabbitbrush and winterfat. Continuous season long grazing or frequent, severe defoliation increases the amount of western wheatgrass, buffalograss and inland saltgrass while reducing more palatable plants and as heavy grazing continues, the plant community will convert to alkali sacaton, blue grama, buffalograss and inland saltgrass sod with broom snakeweed and annual plants. Continued frequent severe defoliation can move the community to one dominated by bare ground and annual invaders.

SANDY LOWLAND (R072XY107KS)

This site occurs on moderately sloping (0-4% slopes) floodplains and terraces that receive additional water from overflow of intermittent streams or runoff from adjacent slopes. The soil surface is fine sandy loam, sandy loam or loamy sand. The subsurface texture group is sandy. The soils are very deep, moderately to somewhat excessively well drained and formed in sandy alluvium. The reference plant community consists of 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 5% shrubs (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 2400 pounds/ac. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are sand bluestem, little bluestem, switchgrass and sideoats grama with significant amounts of prairie sandreed, Indiangrass, needleandthread and western wheatgrass. The forb community is diverse. Willow, plum and eastern cottonwood may be present. Continuous season long grazing or frequent, severe defoliation increases sand dropseed and western wheatgrass and can eventually result in a community dominated by blue grama and sand sagebrush. Continued heavy grazing and defoliation a woody dominated plant community.

SANDY PLAINS (R072XY111KS)

Previously Sandy

This site is located nearly level to undulating (0-10% slopes) topography and is found on hills, plains and sand sheets. Soil surface textures are sandy loam and fine sandy loam and the subsurface texture group is loamy. Soils are deep, well-drained and formed in eolian deposits. The reference plant community consists of 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 5% shrubs (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 1800 pounds/ac. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are sand bluestem, prairie sandreed, little bluestem and blue grama. Switchgrass, needleandthread, Indiangrass and sideoats grama are sub-dominant grasses. The forb community is diverse. Common shrubs include sand sagebrush, prickly pear, plums and western sand cherry. Continuous season long grazing or frequent, severe defoliation shifts the community to one dominated by sand sagebrush and sand dropseed; continued heavy grazing converts the community to a blue grama sod.

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SHALLOW LIMY (R072XY112KS)

This site most commonly occurs on nearly level to very steep (0-30% slopes) uplands on hills. The soils are shallow, and bedrock occurs at less than 20 inches. The site includes vertical rock faces comprised of limestone or sandstone. The surface texture is gravelly loam and the subsurface texture group is loamy. The reference plant community consists of 85% grasses and grass-likes, 10% forbs and 5% shrubs (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 1200 pounds/ac. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are little bluestem and sideoats grama. Big bluestem and blue grama are common. The forb component is very diverse. Leadplant, broom snakeweed, prickly pear and small soapweed are common. Under continuous season-long grazing or continuous seasonal grazing the amount of blue grama and threadleaf sedge increases at the expense of more palatable, productive plants. Continuous season long grazing or frequent, severe defoliation shifts the community to one dominated by blue grama, buffalograss, threadleaf sedge and threeawn.

SUBIRRIGATED (R072XY103KS)

This site occurs on level to nearly level (0-3%) floodplains, terraces and interdunes on river valleys and dune fields. A high water table exists at depth of 6’ or less. Surface soil textures are loam, loamy sand or clay loam and the subsurface texture group is sandy. The soils are generally very deep, but some are shallow over gravelly coarse sand, and formed in alluvium. The reference plant community consists of 85-90% grasses and grass-likes, 10-15% forbs and 0-5% woody plants (by weight of total annual production), with a representative production value of 4000 pounds/ac. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are big bluestem, Indiangrass and switchgrass. Secondary grasses and grass-likes include prairie cordgrass, western wheatgrass, Canada wildrye, and sideoats grama. Key forbs and shrubs include prairie clovers, prairie bundle flower and American licorice. Continuous season long grazing or frequent, severe defoliation shifts the community to one dominated cool season grasses and if continued can become dominated by Kentucky bluegrass ad smooth bromegrass. Lack of woody species management can cause the community to become dominated by trees and shrubs.

TABLELAND SWALE

(R072XY117KS) Previously Loamy

Overflow

This site is located on swales and draws on tablelands on water gathering positions on the landscape. The site is located on level to nearly level (0-6% slopes) areas adjacent to loamy tableland sites. The soil surface textures range from silt loam to loam and the subsurface texture group is loamy. The site consists of deep to very deep well drained soils formed in alluvium. The reference plant community consists of 95% grasses and grasslikes, <5% forbs and few shrubs, with a representative production value of 2500 pounds/ac. The dominant plants in the reference plant community are big bluestem, sideoats grama, little bluestem and western wheatgrass. Continuous season long grazing or frequent, severe defoliation shifts the community to one dominated by western wheatgrass, blue grama, and buffalograss. Continued heavy grazing results in a buffalograss blue grama sod.

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DEFINITIONS

Alluvium A deposit of clay, silt, sand and gravel left by flowing streams in a river valley or delta, typically producing a fertile soil.

Ecological Site

An ecological site is a distinctive kind of land with specific physical characteristics. It differs from other kinds of land in its ability to produce a distinctive kind and amount of vegetation. An ecological site is recognized and described based on the characteristics differentiating it from other sites its ability to produce and support a characteristic plant community. An ecological site is the product of all the environmental factors responsible for its development including soils, hydrology (infiltration, runoff, water table), herbivory, fire regime and climate.

Eolian Sediments that were formed from erosion, transport and deposition by wind. Major Land

Resource Area A geographic area that is characterized by a common soils and parent materials, climate, water resources, and land use patterns. There are thirteen MLRA’s in Nebraska.

Reference Plant Community

The reference plant community is the plant community that existed at the time of European immigration and settlement of North America. This plant community is best adapted to the combination of environmental factors associated with the site. The community was in a dynamic equilibrium with the environment and could withstand natural disturbances such as drought, fire, grazing, and animal and insect impacts. The community varied from year to year terms of plant community structure and function due to the natural disturbances.

Representative Production Value

The mean estimated annual total production for the site calculated from the range across the Major Land Resource Area under “average” conditions. The production values include all plants including those that will not usually be grazed by livestock. In this document, the production figures are based upon the reference plant community. Other plant communities will have reduced forage production.

Residuum A soil or subsoil that has formed as a result of long weathering over carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite) bedrock.

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MLRA 72 PLANT LIST (The following plants are listed in the MLRA-72 plant tables. This is not a complete list of all plants that may be

found in the MLRA.) Grasses

Common Name Scientific Name Other Common Names Alkali Cordgrass Spartina gracilis Alkali Sacaton Sporobolus airoides Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii Blowout Grass Refieldia flexuosa Blue Grama Bouteloua gracilis Buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides Canada Wildrye Elymus canadensis Composite Dropseed Sporobolus compositus var compositus Tall Dropseed Fendler Threeawn Aristida purpurea var. longiseta Red Threeawn Giant Sandreed Calamovilfa gigantean Green Needlegrass Nassella viridula Hairy Grama Bouteloua hirsuta Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans Indian Ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides Inland Saltgrass Distichlis spicata James’ Galleta Pleuraphis jamesii Needleandthread Hesperostipa comata Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Little Barley Hordeum pusillum Marsh Muhly Muhlenbergia racemosa Green Muhly Nuttall’s alkaligrass Puccinellia nuttalliana Plains Bluegrass Poa arida Plains Muhly Muhlenbergia cuspidata Prairie Cordgrass Spartina pectinata Prairie Junegrass Koeleria macrantha Prairie Sandreed Calamovilfa longifolia Purple Threeawn Aristida purpurea Reed Canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea Ring Muhly (Not found in NE) Muhlenbergia torreyi Sand Bluestem Andropogon hallii Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus Sandhill Muhly Muhlenbergia pungens Sand Lovegrass Eragrostis tricoides Scratchgrass Muhlenbergia asperifolia Scribner’s Rosette Grass Dichanthelium oligosanthes var.

scribnerianum Scribner Panicum

Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula Six-weeks Fescue Vulpia octoflora Slender Wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus Squirreltail Elymus elymoides Bottlebrush Squirreltail Switchgrass Panicum virgatum Thin Paspalum Paspalum setaceum Sand Paspalum Vine Mesquite (Not found in NE) Panicum obtusum

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Western Wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii Grass-Likes

Common Name Scientific Name Other Common Names Broom Sedge Carex scoparia Chairmaker’s Bulrush Schoenoplectus americanus Fox Sedge Carex vulpinoidea Great Plains Flatsedge Cyperus lupulinus Hairy Sedge Carex lacustris Mountain Rush Juncus balticus Nebraska Sedge Carex nebrascensis Needleleaf Sedge Carex duriuscula River Bulrush Schoenoplectus fluviatilis Rush Juncus sp. Schweinitz’s Flatsedge Cyperus schweinitzii Sedge Carex sp. Spikerush Elochris spp. Spike Sedge Carex nardina Sun Sedge Carex inops ssp. heliophila Threadleaf Sedge Carex filifolia

FORBS Common Name Scientific Name Other Common Names

Alpine Feverfew Parthenium alpinum Wyoming Feverfew Anderson’s Larkspur Delphinium andersonii Annual Buckwheat Eriogonum annuum Annual Eriogonum American Licorice Glycyrrhiza lepidota Wild licorice American Vetch Vicia americana American Deer Vetch, Stiff-leaf vetch Aromatic Aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium Black Samson Echinacea Echinacea angustifolia Purple Coneflower Bluebowls Giliastrum acerosum Beardtongue Penstemon Broadbeard Beardtongue Penstemon angustifolius Narrowleaf Penstemon Broadleaf Milkweed Asclepias latifolia Buffalobur nightshade Solanum rostratum Bush Morning Glory Ipomea leptophylla Carelessweed Iva Xanthifolia Carolina Larkspur Delphinium carolinianum ssp. virescens Plains Larkspur, Prairie Larkspur Chickenthief Mentzelia oligosperma Stickleaf Common Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Common Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis Common Star Lily Leucocrinum montanum Sand Lily Common Sunflower Helianthus annuus Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium Coneflower Dracopis sp. Creeping Nailwort Paronychia sessiliflora Sessile Nailwort Cuman Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya Western Ragweed Curlycup Gumweed Grindelia squarrosa Curly Dock Rumix crispus Desert Princes Plume Stanleya pinnata var. pinnata

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Dotted Blazing Star Liatris punctata Dotted Gayfeather Engelmann’s Daisy Engelmannia persistenia Evening Primrose Oenothera sp. False Boneset Brickellia eupatoriodes Fetid Marygold Dyssodia papposa Four-point Evening Primrose Oenothera rhombipetala Giant Dropseed Sporobolus giganteus Goldenrod Solidago sp. Golden Prairie Clover Dalea aurea Greenthread Thelesperma sp. Hairy False Goldenaster Heterotheca villosa Hairy Goldaster, Golden Aster Hoary Verbena Verbena stricta Woolly Verbena Kansas arrowhead Sagittaria ambigua Knotweed Polygonum sp. Lacy Tansyaster Machaeranthera pinnatifida var. pinnatifida Cutleaf Ironplant Lanceleaf Fogfruit Phyla lanceolaa Lemon Scurfpea Psoralidium lanceolatum Longbract Spiderwort Tradescantia bracteata Bracted Spiderwort Manystem Pea Lathyrus polymorphus Hoary Vetchling, Showy Peavine Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani Meadow Death Camas Zigadenus venenosus Missouri Goldenrod Solidago missouriensis Missouri Milkvetch Astragalus missouriensis Narrowleaf Milkvetch Astragalus pectinatus Nineanther Prairie Clover Dalea enneandra Big Top Dalea, Nineanther Dalea Nuttall’s Povertyweed Monolepis nuttalliana Nuttall’s Sensitive Briar Mimosa nuttallii Catclaw Sensitive Briar Othake Palafoxia sphacelata Pennsylvania Smartweed Polygonum pensylvanicum Plains Snakecotton Froelicha floridana Prairie Bundleflower Desmanthus illinoensis Illinois Bundleflower Prairie Groundsel Packera plattensis Platte Groundsel, Prairie Ragwort Prairie Spiderwort Tradescantia occidentalis Purple Locoweed Oxytropis lambertii Lambert’s Crazyweed Violet Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea var. purpurea Violet Prairie Clover Pursh Seepweed Suaeda calceoliformis Pussytoes Antennaria sp. Rush Skeletonplant Lygodesmia juncea Sand Milkweed Asclepias arenaria Shaggy Dwarf Morning-glory Evolvulus nuttallianus Hairy Evolvulus, Nuttalls Evolvulus Silverleaf Indian Breadroot Pediomelum argophyllum Silver Leaf Scurfpea Scarlet Beeblossom Oenothera suffrutescens Scarlet Gaura Scarlet Globemallow Sphaeralcea coccinea Scrambled Eggs Corydalis aurea Silky Prairie Clover Dalea vilosa Slimflower Scurfpea Psoralidium tenuiflorum Wild Alfalfa Snowball Sand Verbena Abronia fragrans Sweet Sand Verbena Spiny Ipomopsis Ipomopsis spicata Spiny Milkvetch Astragalus kentrophyta Mat Loco

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Spiny Phlox Phlox hoodii Hood’s Phlox Stemless Four-nerve Daisy Tetraneuris acaulis Stemless Hymenoxys Stiff Greenthread Thelesperma filifolium Slender Greenthread Stiff Stem Flax Linum rigidum Yellow Flax Stiff Sunflower Helianthus pauciflorus Sulpher-flower buckwheat Eriogonum umbellatum Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Swamp Smartweed Polygonum hydropiperoides Tarragon Artemesia dracunculus Green Sagewort Bracted Blazingstar Mentzelia nuda Sand Lily, Upright Mentzelia, Stickleaf Texas Croton Croton texensis Textile Onion Allium textile Threadleaf Ragwort Senecio flaccidus var flaccidus Twogrooved Milkvetch Astragalus bisulcatus Upright Prairie Coneflower Ratibida columnifera Virginia Strawberry Fragaria virginiana Waterclover Marsilea sp. Wavyleaf Thistle Cirsium undulatum Wedgeleaf Phyla cuneifolia White Heath Aster Symphyotrichum ericoides Heath Aster White Locoweed Oxytropis sericea White Prairie Clover Dalea candida White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana Cudweed Sagewort, Louisiana Sagewort Whorled Milkweed Asclepias verticillata Winged Buckwheat Eriogonum alatum Woollyleaf Bur Ragweed Ambrosia grayi Woolly Bursage Woolly Locoweed Astragalus mollissimus Woolly Plantain Plantago patagonica Yellowspine Thistle Cirsium ochrocentrum Yellow Sundrops Calylophus serrulatus Serrateleaf Evening Primrose

SHRUBS & TREES Common Name Scientific Name Other Common Names

American Plum Prunus americana Brittle Prickly Pear Opuntia fragilis Brittle Cactus Broom Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae Chokecherry Prunus virginiana var. virginiana Devil’s Tongue Opuntia humifusa Eastern Cottonwood Populus deltoids False Indigo Amorpha sp. Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica Golden Currant Ribes aureum Leadplant Amorpha canescens Plains Prickly pear Opuntia polycantha Prairie Rose Rosa arkansana Arkansas Rose Prairie sagewort Artemisia frigida Fringed Sagewort Rubber Rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa var. glabrata Sand Sagebrush Artemesia filifolia Skunkbush Sumac Rhus trilobata

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Soapweed Yucca Yucca glauca Spiny Star Escobaria vivipara var. vivipara Pin Cushion Cactus Spreading Buckwheat Eriogonum effusum Western Sandcherry Prunus pumila var. besseyi Western Snowberry Symphoricapos occidentalis Willow Baccharis Baccharis salicina Winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata