communities on the dunes ecosite...saskatchewan. low dunes and high dunes were combined because data...

Saskatchewan Rangeland Ecosystems Publication 9

Communities on the Dunes Ecosite

A project of the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

Jeff Thorpe Saskatchewan Research Council

2007

Funding for this publication provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Greencover Canada Program

Communities on the Dunes Ecosite – Publication 9

2 Saskatchewan Rangeland Ecosystems

NOTES

• This publication describes native rangeland communities found on the Low Dunes and High Dunes Ecosites in the Dry Mixed Grassland, Mixed Grassland, and Aspen Parkland regions of Saskatchewan. Low Dunes and High Dunes were combined because data were insufficient for separate classifications.

• In each region, a reference community, typical of ungrazed to lightly grazed areas, and a series of other communities related to increasing grazing impact, are described.

• In assessing rangeland health, this information can be used to pick the community that best fits the area being assessed. The degree of alteration of that community from the reference community can be used to answer Question 1 of the Saskatchewan Rangeland Health Assessment. This may require interpretation, because the area being assessed may not exactly match any of the described types.

• Another approach is to calculate the percent similarity of the area being assessed to the reference community, as a measure of the degree of alteration due to grazing impact. This measure is similar in both concept and result to the traditional range condition scale.

• State-and-transition diagrams are used to show that there may also be transitions related to factors such as dune stabilization or fire regime. These transitions should not be confused with grazing impacts.

• More detailed discussion of the above points can be found in Publication 1: Ecoregions and Ecosites.

STATE-AND-TRANSITION DIAGRAMS Dry Mixed Prairie: Dunes Ecosite

communities of dry microsites

more stabilized dunes destabilization→ ←stabilization less stabilized dunes

DMG-DN-F

Creeping Juniper – Sand Grass –

Northern Wheat Grass

grazing status?

fire → ← no fire

DMG-DN-A

Needle-and-thread reference comm.

? ← → ?

DMG-DN-B

Silver Sagebrush - Needle-and-thread

reference comm.

DMG-DN-D Needle-and-thread

- Lance-leaved Psoralea - Pasture Sage - Sand Grass

grazing status?

? ← → ?

DMG-DN-E Silver Sagebrush -

Needle-and-thread - Sand Grass

grazing status?

↓heavy grazing reduced grazing↑

↓heavy grazing reduced grazing↑

DMG-DN-C

Needle-and-thread - Pasture Sage

72% similar to ref. comm.

sagebrush-grassland impacted by heavy

grazing (not yet described)

communities of moister microsites

Chokecherry

tall shrub type (not yet described)

Trembling Aspen

tree type (not yet described)

Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosites

communities of dry microsites more stabilized dunes destabilization→

←stabilization less stabilized dunes

MG-DN-E Creeping Juniper –

Blunt Sedge – Sand Grass

grazing status?

fire→ ←no fire

MG-DN-A

Needle-and-thread – Sedge reference community

←? ?→ Snowberry – Rose

short shrub type (not yet described)

MG-DN-D Lance-leaved Psoralea – Sand Grass – Pasture Sage – Needle-and-thread

grazing status?

↓heavy grazing

reduced grazing↑

MG-DN-B

Sedge – Needle-and-thread – June Grass


↓heavy grazing

reduced grazing↑

MG-DN-C

Sedge – June Grass – Needle-and-thread



Chokecherry – Saskatoon


Trembling Aspen


Aspen Parkland: Dunes Ecosite

communities of dry microsites

AP-DN-D Creeping Juniper

grazing status?

fire, stablization→ ←no fire, erosion

reference community (not yet described)

←frequent fire?

no fire? → Snowberry – Rose short shrub type (not yet described)

↓heavy grazing

reduced grazing↑

AP-DN-B

Sedge – Sand Grass – Needle-and-thread

↓heavy grazing

reduced grazing↑

AP-DN-C

Sedge – Pasture Sage – June Grass


Chokecherry – Saskatoon


Trembling Aspen




COMMUNITY DESCRIPTIONS

DMG-DN-A Needle-and-thread

Dry Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Grassland strongly dominated by midgrasses, with lesser amounts of shortgrasses, half-shrubs, and forbs. Usually with scattered shrubs. Interpreted to be a reference community on stabilized dunesands, predominantly occuring on Low Dunes Ecosites.

STRUCTURE

short shrub cover (n=8) 2% (0 – 5) clubmoss cover (n=8) 3% (0 – 9) cactus cover (n=8) 0% (0 – 1) moss cover (n=8) 2% (0 – 6) herbaceous cover (n=8) 23% (14 – 38) lichen cover ? - midgrasses approx. 15% litter cover ? - shortgrasses approx. 4% bare soil ? - half-shrubs approx. 2% - forbs approx. 2%

SPECIES COMPOSITION Major graminoids % biomass (n=14) needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 37% (23 - 47) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 9% (0 - 20) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 8% (0 - 20) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 7% (0 - 19) sedge (Carex spp.) 5% (1 - 9) western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) 5% (0 - 11) blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 2% (0 - 8) sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) 2% (0 - 7) plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis) 1% (0 - 2) Major forbs and half-shrubs pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 9% (2 - 18) lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralea lanceolata) 4% (0 - 11) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 1% (0 - 4) scarlet mallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) 1% (0 - 3) Major shrubs rose (Rosa spp.) 3% (0 - 12) silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) 1% (0 - 5) chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) 1% (0 - 0) saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) 1% (0 - 0) western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 1% (0 - 1) Major cactus brittle prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) 1% (0 - 2)


Saskatchewan Rangeland Ecosystems 7

Minor graminoids 1% Sandberg's blue grass (Poa sandbergii), green needle grass (Stipa viridula) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 1% lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album), blue-bur (Lappula spp.), branched pepper-grass (Lepidium ramosissimum), dotted blazingstar (Liatris punctata), narrow-leaved puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), common silverweed (Potentilla anserina) Minor shrubs 0% skunk bush (Rhus trilobata) Minor cactus 0% purple cactus (Coryphanta vivipara) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY ref. comm. PRODUCTION herbs 1300 kg/ha; browse 200 kg/ha RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE 0.36 AUM/ha 0.15 AUM/ac



DMG-DN-B

Silver Sagebrush - Needle-and-thread Dry Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Grassland with abundant sagebrush. Herbaceous layer dominated by midgrasses, with lesser amounts of shortgrasses, half-shrubs, and forbs. Interpreted to be a reference community on stabilized dunesands, predominantly occurring on High Dunes Ecosites, but also on Low Dunes. Occurs on similar microsites to DMG-DN-A. Variation in the abundance of sagebrush (i.e. transition between DMG-DN-A and DMG-DN-B) may be related to fire history or other factors, but more research is needed.

STRUCTURE

short shrub cover (n=17) 8% (3 – 14) clubmoss cover (n=17) 0% (0 – 0) prostrate shrub cover (n=17) 2% (0 – 7) moss cover (n=17) 15% (0 – 43) cactus cover (n=17) 0% (0 – 1) lichen cover ? herbaceous cover (n=17) 15% (9 – 23) litter cover ? - midgrasses approx. 10% bare soil ? - shortgrasses approx. 2% - half-shrubs approx. 1% - forbs approx. 2%

SPECIES COMPOSITION Prostrate shrubs % cover (n=17) creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) 2% (0 - 7)

% biomass (n=17)

Major graminoids needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 18% (0 - 35) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 9% (0 - 27) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 7% (0 - 14) western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) 4% (0 - 12) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 3% (0 - 7) Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis) 2% (0 - 9) sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) 1% (0 - 4) sedge (Carex spp.) 1% (0 - 3) blue grass (Poa spp.) 1% (0 - 0) sand dune wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum var. psammophilum) 1% (0 - 3) plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis) 1% (0 - 1) bearded wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. unilaterale) 1% (0 - 2) Major forbs and half-shrubs lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralea lanceolata) 7% (1 - 13) pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 6% (0 - 14) lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album) 1% (0 - 3) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 1% (0 - 2)



Major shrubs silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) 25% (13 - 43) chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) 2% (0 - 12) western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 2% (0 - 8) skunk bush (Rhus trilobata) 1% (0 - 5) Major cactus brittle prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) 1% (0 - 4) Minor graminoids 1% little-seeded rice grass (Oryzopsis micrantha), Sandberg's blue grass (Poa sandbergii) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 2% sandwort (Arenaria spp.), plains wormwood (Artemisia campestris), aster (Aster spp.), milk-vetch (Astragalus spp.), flixweed (Descurainia sophia), branched pepper-grass (Lepidium ramosissimum), star-flowered solomon's-seal (Smilacina stellata), low goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis), early blue violet (Viola adunca) Minor shrubs 1% low juniper (Juniperus communis), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), rose (Rosa spp.) Minor cactus 0% purple cactus (Coryphanta vivipara) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY ref. comm. PRODUCTION herbs 1100 kg/ha; browse 700 kg/ha RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE 0.29 AUM/ha 0.12 AUM/ac



DMG-DN-C

Needle-and-thread - Pasture Sage Dry Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Grassland dominated by midgrasses, with lesser amounts of shortgrasses, half-shrubs, and forbs. Occurs on stabilized dunesands, predominantly on Low Dunes Ecosites. Interpreted to show minor to moderate alteration from the reference community (DMG-DN-A) as a result of grazing impact. Probably develops from DMG-DN-A by decrease in needle-and-thread and increase in pasture sage and sedges.

STRUCTURE


SPECIES COMPOSITION Major prostrate shrubs % cover (n=6) creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) 2% (0 - 6) % biomass (n=13) Major graminoids needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 22% (13 - 28) sedge (Carex spp.) 9% (2 - 17) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 7% (0 - 13) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 5% (0 - 12) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 5% (0 - 10) western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) 4% (0 - 13) blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 4% (0 - 10) sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) 1% (0 - 2) smooth brome (Bromus inermis) 1% (0 - 2) Major forbs and half-shrubs pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 19% (7 - 30) lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralea lanceolata) 6% (1 - 13) lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album) 2% (0 - 7) prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) 2% (0 - 5) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 1% (0 - 3) aster (Aster spp.) 1% (0 - 2) Major shrubs western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 3% (0 - 11) rose (Rosa spp.) 2% (0 - 5) basket willow (Salix petiolaris) 1% (0 - 0) silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) 1% (0 - 2) wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata) 1% (0 - 0)



Major cactus brittle prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) 1% (0 - 3) Minor graminoids 1% plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis), Sandberg's blue grass (Poa sandbergii) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 3% crocus anemone (Anemone patens), harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), pale comandra (Comandra pallida), flixweed (Descurainia sophia), wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), blue-bur (Lappula echinata), branched pepper-grass (Lepidium ramosissimum), narrow-leaved puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), skeletonweed (Lygodesmia juncea), locoweed (Oxytropis spp.), low goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis), scarlet mallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea), golden bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia) Minor cactus 0% purple cactus (Coryphanta vivipara) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY (DMG-DN-A) 72% PRODUCTION insufficient data RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE 0.29 AUM/ha 0.12 AUM/ac



DMG-DN-D

Needle-and-thread - Lance-leaved Psoralea - Pasture Sage - Sand Grass Dry Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Grassland dominated by midgrasses, but with significant amounts of forbs, and lesser amounts of shortgrasses and half-shrubs. Usually with scattered shrubs. Occurs on less stabilized dunes compared to DMG-DN-A, on both High Dunes and Low Dunes Ecosites. Less stabilized sites are recognized by lower cover of surface organic matter and clubmoss, absence of soil A-horizon, and abundance of early-seral species such as lance-leaved psoralea, sand dropseed, and annuals. Status in relation to grazing impact is unclear.

STRUCTURE

short shrub cover (n=13) 3% (0 - 6) clubmoss cover (n=14) 0% (0 - 0) cactus cover (n=13) 2% (0 - 3) moss cover (n=14) 6% (0 - 11) herbaceous cover (n=14) 25% (10 - 44) lichen cover ? - midgrasses approx. 10% litter cover ? - shortgrasses approx. 2% bare soil ? - half-shrubs approx. 4% - forbs approx. 5%

SPECIES COMPOSITION Major graminoids % biomass (n=18) needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 18% (3 - 37) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 12% (0 - 24) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 4% (0 - 13) sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) 4% (0 - 13) sedge (Carex spp.) 3% (0 - 10) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 3% (0 - 7) western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) 2% (0 - 3) sand dune wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum var. psammophilum) 1% (0 - 0) smooth brome (Bromus inermis) 1% (0 - 0) Major forbs and half-shrubs lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralea lanceolata) 16% (4 - 30) pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 13% (1 - 30) Fendler's cryptanthe (Cryptantha fendleri) 3% (0 - 7) low goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) 2% (0 - 7) lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album) 2% (0 - 5) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 1% (0 - 0) Major shrubs rose (Rosa spp.) 6% (0 - 19) wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata) 3% (0 - 13) silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) 1% (0 - 7) western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 1% (0 - 0) Major cactus brittle prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) 3% (0 - 5)



Minor graminoids 1% slender wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. trachycaulum), plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii), rush (Juncus spp.), mat muhly (Muhlenbergia richardsonis), Indian rice grass (Oryzopsis hymenoides) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 2% reflexed rockcress (Arabis holboellii), prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana), nodding thistle (Carduus nutans), pale comandra (Comandra pallida), common horsetail (Equisetum arvense), smooth scouring-rush (Equisetum laevigatum), wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), cream-colored vetchling (Lathyrus ochroleucus) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY N/A PRODUCTION insufficient data RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE 0.36 AUM/ha 0.15 AUM/ac



DMG-DN-E

Silver Sagebrush - Needle-and-thread - Sand Grass Dry Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Grassland with abundant sagebrush. Herbaceous layer dominated by midgrasses, but with significant amounts of forbs, and lesser amounts of shortgrasses and half-shrubs. Occurs on less stabilized dunes compared to DMG-DN-B, on both High Dunes and Low Dunes Ecosites. Less stabilized sites are recognized by lower cover of surface organic matter and clubmoss, more bare soil exposure, absence of soil A-horizon, and prominence of early-seral species such as lance-leaved psoralea, sand dropseed, and annuals. Predominantly found on High Dunes Ecosites, but also on Low Dunes. Occurs on similar microsites to DMG-DN-D. Variation in the abundance of sagebrush (i.e. transition between DMG-DN-D and DMG-DN-E) may be related to fire history or other factors, but more research is needed. Status in relation to grazing impact is unclear, but probably close to reference composition.

STRUCTURE


SPECIES COMPOSITION Major prostrate shrubs % cover (n=16) creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) 1% (0 - 2)

% biomass (n=16)

Major graminoids needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 14% (6 - 30) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 12% (3 - 24) sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) 5% (0 - 10) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 3% (0 - 8) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 3% (0 - 8) Major forbs and half-shrubs lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralea lanceolata) 7% (1 - 14) pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 5% (0 - 13) lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album) 3% (0 - 8) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 2% (0 - 5) star-flowered solomon's-seal (Smilacina stellata) 1% (0 - 0) common hops (Humulus lupulus) 1% (0 - 0) blue-bur (Lappula spp.) 1% (0 - 2) branched pepper-grass (Lepidium ramosissimum) 1% (0 - 2)



Major shrubs silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) 34% (13 - 52) western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 3% (0 - 10) chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) 1% (0 - 4) wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata) 1% (0 - 0) trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) 1% (0 - 0) Major cactus brittle prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) 1% (0 - 1) Minor graminoids 2% sand dune wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum var. psammophilum), western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii), plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis), sedge (Carex spp.), Sandberg's blue grass (Poa sandbergii) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 1% prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana), goosefoot (Chenopodium spp.), Fendler's cryptanthe (Cryptantha fendleri), flixweed (Descurainia sophia), low goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) Minor shrubs 1% skunk bush (Rhus trilobata), rose (Rosa spp.) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY N/A PRODUCTION herbs 1100 kg/ha; browse 700 kg/ha RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE 0.29 AUM/ha 0.12 AUM/ac



DMG-DN-F

Creeping Juniper – Sand Grass – Northern Wheat Grass Dry Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Prostrate shrub/grassland community found on both Low Dunes and High Dunes Ecosites. Occurs on the same microsites as grassland types (e.g. DMG-DN-A). Creeping juniper spreads into grassland in the absence of fire, reducing the cover and productivity of grasses, while fire kills the juniper and restores the grassland community. Rhizomatous grasses such as sand grass and northern wheat grass appear to be more successful than bunchgrasses at growing up through the juniper mat. Status in relation to grazing impact is unclear.

STRUCTURE

Short shrub cover 2% (0 – 5) Clubmoss cover 0% (0 – 0)Prostrate shrub cover 29% (18 – 42) Moss cover 4% (0 – 2) Cactus cover 0% (0 – 0) Lichen cover ? Herbaceous cover 13% (6 – 18) Litter cover ? Bare soil ?

SPECIES COMPOSITION Major prostrate shrubs % cover (n=12) creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) 26% (18 - 42) bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 4% (0 - 14) % biomass (n=12) Major graminoids sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 14% (1 - 24) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 12% (0 - 31) june grass (Koeleria cristata) 9% (4 - 13) needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 9% (2 - 20) western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) 4% (0 - 14) slender wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. trachycaulum) 3% (0 - 0) plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis) 2% (0 - 6) sun-loving sedge (Carex pensylvanica) 2% (0 - 5) Sandberg's blue grass (Poa sandbergii) 2% (0 - 4) low sedge (Carex eleocharis) 1% (0 - 3) blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 1% (0 - 0) sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) 1% (0 - 3) sand dune wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum var. psammophilum) 1% (0 - 0) bearded wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. unilaterale) 1% (0 - 0) Major forbs and half-shrubs pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 11% (1 - 23) lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralea lanceolata) 7% (0 - 24) low goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) 2% (0 - 8) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 1% (0 - 2) blue-bur (Lappula spp.) 1% (0 - 0) golden-bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia) 1% (0 - 3) lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album) 1% (0 - 0)



Major shrubs silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) 5% (0 - 23) western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 4% (0 - 10) wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata) 1% (0 - 0) trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) 1% (0 - 0) prairie rose (Rosa arkansana) 1% (0 - 0) Minor graminoids 2% Douglas sedge (Carex douglasii), blunt sedge (Carex obtusata), sheep fescue (Festuca saximontana) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 2% milk-vetch (Astragalus spp.), harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), plains wormwood (Artemisia campestris), dotted blazingstar (Liatris punctata), ascending purple milk-vetch (Astragalus adsurgens), field chickweed (Cerastium arvense), narrow-leaved vetch (Vicia americana ssp minor), branched pepper-grass (Lepidium ramosissimum), star-flowered solomon's-seal (Smilacina stellata), wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), pale comandra (Comandra pallida) Minor shrubs 0% chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) Minor cactus 0% purple cactus (Mamillaria vivipara), brittle prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY N/A PRODUCTION insufficient data RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE (may be zero in communities with high juniper cover) 0.18 AUM/ha 0.08 AUM/ac



MG-DN-A

Needle-and-thread – Sedge Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Mixed prairie dominated by midgrasses, with significant amounts of shortgrasses and lesser amounts of half-shrubs and forbs. Usually with some shrub cover. Interpreted as being the reference community for grasslands on stabilized dunes in the Mixed Grassland. Sedges are shown as a group because of data limitations, but probably include a high proportion of taller species such as blunt sedge (Carex obtusata).

STRUCTURE

short shrub cover (n=5) 3% (0 – 8) clubmoss cover (n=23) 11% (0 – 30) herbaceous cover (n=23) 41% (31 – 58) moss cover (n=22) 0% (0 – 0) - midgrasses approx. 25% lichen cover ? - shortgrasses approx. 10% litter cover (n=22) 43% (26 – 63) - half-shrubs approx. 3% bare soil (n=22) 12% (1 – 21) - forbs approx. 3%

SPECIES COMPOSITION % biomass (n=23) Major graminoids needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 30% (10 - 49) sedge (Carex spp.) 18% (3 - 31) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 9% (0 - 15) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 6% (2 - 11) western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) 4% (0 - 11) blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 3% (0 - 7) sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) 3% (0 - 12) western porcupine grass (Stipa curtiseta) 2% (0 – 8) green needle grass (Stipa viridula) 2% (0 - 0) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 2% (0 - 6) plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii) 1% (0 - 4) Hooker's oat grass (Helictotrichon hookeri) 1% (0 - 0) plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis) 1% (0 - 2) bearded wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. unilaterale) 1% (0 - 2) Major forbs and half-shrubs pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 6% (1 - 12) lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralea lanceolata) 2% (0 - 5) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 1% (0 - 4) prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) 1% (0 - 3) pale comandra (Comandra pallida) 1% (0 - 0) Major shrubs rose (Rosa spp.) 2% (0 - 5) western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 1% (0 - 3)



Minor graminoids 2% sand dune wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum var. psammophilum), crested wheat grass (Agropyron pectiniforme), sheep fescue (Festuca saximontana), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), alkali cord grass (Spartina gracilis) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 3% crocus anemone (Anemone patens), plains wormwood (Artemisia campestris), many-flowered aster (Aster ericoides ssp. pansus), harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), field chickweed (Cerastium arvense), chamaerhodos (Chamaerhodos erecta), horsetail (Equisetum spp.), western wallflower (Erysimum asperum), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), dotted blazingstar (Liatris punctata), skeletonweed (Lygodesmia juncea), white cinquefoil (Potentilla arguta), prairie cinquefoil (Potentilla pensylvanica), cinquefoil (Potentilla spp.), silver-leaved psoralea (Psoralea argophylla), goldenrod (Solidago spp.), golden bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia), American vetch (Vicia americana) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY ref. comm. PRODUCTION insufficient data RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE 0.52 AUM/ha 0.21 AUM/ac



MG-DN-B

Sedge - Needle-and-thread - June Grass Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Mixed prairie with midgrasses dominant and shortgrasses subdominant, and with lesser amounts of half-shrubs and forbs. Interpeted to show minor alteration from the reference community on stable dunes as a result of grazing impact. Probably develops from MG-DN-A by decrease of needle-and-thread and wheat grasses, and increase of sedges, june grass and forbs. The increase of sedges with grazing impact probably also involves replacement of taller species (e.g. Carex obtusata) by shorter species (e.g. C. pensylvanica, C. stenophylla).

STRUCTURE

tall shrub cover (n=28) 1% (0 – 1) clubmoss cover (n=54) 17% (1 – 40) short shrub cover (n=28) 3% (0 – 9) moss cover (n=49) 0% (0 – 0) prostrate shrub cover (n=28) 2% (0 – 6) lichen cover (n=23) 1% (0 – 3) cactus cover (n=28) 0% (0 – 0) litter cover (n=54) 36% (15 – 63) herbaceous cover (n=59) 42% (24 – 63) bare soil (n=54) 8% (1 – 16) - midgrasses approx. 20% - shortgrasses approx. 15% - half-shrubs approx. 3% - forbs approx. 5%

SPECIES COMPOSITION % biomass (n=59) Major graminoids sedge (Carex spp.) 23% (10 - 37) needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 16% (5 - 27) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 10% (0 - 22) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 8% (0 - 18) blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 3% (0 - 9) western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) 2% (0 - 5) plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis) 2% (0 - 5) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 2% (0 - 5) western porcupine grass (Stipa curtiseta) 2% (0 - 7) sheep fescue (Festuca saximontana) 1% (0 - 3) sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) 1% (0 - 1) plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii) 1% (0 - 2) Major forbs and half-shrubs pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 7% (0 - 14) lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralea lanceolata) 2% (0 - 8) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 2% (0 - 5) prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) 1% (0 - 4) goldenrod (Solidago spp.) 1% (0 - 2) golden bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia) 1% (0 - 2) field chickweed (Cerastium arvense) 1% (0 - 3) pale comandra (Comandra pallida) 1% (0 - 3)



Major shrubs western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 2% (0 - 6) rose (Rosa spp.) 1% (0 - 4) chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) 1% (0 - 2) Minor graminoids 2% sand dune wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum var. psammophilum), bearded wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. unilaterale), smooth brome (Bromus inermis), Hooker's oat grass (Helictotrichon hookeri), baltic rush (Juncus balticus), plains muhly (Muhlenbergia cuspidata), white-grained mountain rice grass (Oryzopsis asperifolia), Canada blue grass (Poa compressa), Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis), Sandberg's blue grass (Poa sandbergii) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 5% woolly yarrow (Achillea millefolium), false dandelion (Agoseris glauca), crocus anemone (Anemone patens), anemone (Anemone spp.), everlasting (Antennaria spp.), plains wormwood (Artemisia campestris), sage (Artemisia spp.), many-flowered aster (Aster ericoides ssp. pansus), chamaerhodos (Chamaerhodos erecta), narrow-leaved hawk's-beard (Crepis tectorum), common horsetail (Equisetum arvense), common scouring-rush (Equisetum hyemale), tufted fleabane (Erigeron caespitosus), northern bedstraw (Galium boreale), gentian (Gentiana spp.), three-flowered avens (Geum triflorum), dotted blazingstar (Liatris punctata), narrow-leaved puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), puccoon (Lithospermum spp.), skeletonweed (Lygodesmia juncea), white evening primrose (Oenothera nuttallii), early yellow locoweed (Oxytropis sericea), purple prairie-clover (Petalostemon purpureum), moss phlox (Phlox hoodii), prairie cinquefoil (Potentilla pensylvanica), cinquefoil (Potentilla spp.), silver-leaved psoralea (Psoralea argophylla), star-flowered solomon's-seal (Smilacina stellata), American vetch (Vicia americana), violet (Viola spp.) Minor shrubs 1% trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata), saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia), silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) Minor cactus 0% prickly-pear (Opuntia spp.) Minor prostrate shrubs 1% cover (n=59) bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY 76% PRODUCTION insufficient data RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE 0.52 AUM/ha 0.21 AUM/ac



MG-DN-C

Sedge - June Grass - Needle-and-thread Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Mixed prairie with midgrasses and shortgrasses codominant, and with significant amounts of forbs and lesser amounts of half-shrubs. Usually with some short shrub cover. Interpreted to show moderate alteration from the reference community on stable dunes as a result of grazing impact. Probably develops from MG-DN-B by decrease of needle-and-thread and sand grass, and increase of june grass and forbs.

STRUCTURE

short shrub cover (n=15) 3% (0 – 10) clubmoss cover (n=23) 21% (0 – 41) prostrate shrub cover (n=15) 0% (0 – 1) moss cover (n=20) 0% (0 – 0) cactus cover (n=15) 0% (0 – 0) lichen cover (n=12) 2% (0 – 3) herbaceous cover (n=27) 49% (37 – 67) litter cover (n=24) 35% (8 – 85) - midgrasses approx. 15% bare soil (n=24) 6% (1 – 14) - shortgrasses approx. 15% - half-shrubs approx. 5% - forbs approx. 10%

SPECIES COMPOSITION Major graminoids % biomass (n=27) sedge (Carex spp.) 20% (9 - 30) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 14% (3 - 24) needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 12% (3 - 20) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 5% (0 - 9) blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 4% (0 - 10) plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis) 2% (0 - 6) Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis) 2% (0 - 7) western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) 1% (0 - 4) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 1% (0 - 4) sheep fescue (Festuca saximontana) 1% (0 - 4) western porcupine grass (Stipa curtiseta) 1% (0 - 3) Major forbs and half-shrubs pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 9% (1 - 16) lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralea lanceolata) 5% (0 - 15) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 5% (0 - 12) golden bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia) 2% (0 - 4) field chickweed (Cerastium arvense) 1% (0 - 4) common scouring-rush (Equisetum hyemale) 1% (0 - 2) prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) 1% (0 - 3) moss phlox (Phlox hoodii) 1% (0 - 2) goldenrod (Solidago spp.) 1% (0 - 2) narrow-leaved puccoon (Lithospermum incisum) 1% (0 - 2)



Major shrubs rose (Rosa spp.) 2% (0 - 5) western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 1% (0 - 3) Minor graminoids 2% crested wheat grass (Agropyron pectiniforme), bearded wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. unilaterale), fringed brome (Bromus ciliatus), smooth brome (Bromus inermis), plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii), Hooker's oat grass (Helictotrichon hookeri), baltic rush (Juncus balticus), Canada blue grass (Poa compressa), Sandberg's blue grass (Poa sandbergii), sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 5% everlasting (Antennaria spp.), rockcress (Arabis spp.), plains wormwood (Artemisia campestris), many-flowered aster (Aster ericoides ssp. pansus), smooth aster (Aster laevis), milk-vetch (Astragalus spp.), chamaerhodos (Chamaerhodos erecta), pale comandra (Comandra pallida), horsetail (Erigeron canadensis), northern bedstraw (Galium boreale), gentian (Gentiana spp.), three-flowered avens (Geum triflorum), blue lettuce (Lactuca pulchella), dotted blazingstar (Liatris punctata), skeletonweed (Lygodesmia juncea), early yellow locoweed (Oxytropis sericea), prairie cinquefoil (Potentilla pensylvanica), Indian breadroot (Psoralea esculenta), star-flowered solomon's-seal (Smilacina stellata), American vetch (Vicia americana), early blue violet (Viola adunca) Minor shrubs 1% silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana), wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), few-flowered snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) Minor cactus 0% prickly-pear (Opuntia spp.) Minor prostrate shrubs 0% cover (n=27) creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY 66% PRODUCTION insufficient data RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE 0.42 AUM/ha 0.17 AUM/ac



MG-DN-D

Lance-leaved Psoralea - Sand Grass - Pasture Sage - Needle-and-thread Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Early-successional grassland with midgrasses and forbs codominant, and with lesser amounts of shortgrasses and half-shrubs. Usually with some shrub cover. Occurs on less stabilized dunesands, mainly on High Dunes Ecosites. Less stabilized sites can be recognized by lower cover of surface organic matter and clubmoss, more bare soil exposure, absence of a soil A-horizon, and prominence of early-seral species such as lance-leaved psoralea, sand dropseed, and annuals. Status in relation to grazing impact is unclear, but probably near reference composition for these sites.

STRUCTURE

tall shrub cover (n=7) 1% (0 – 2) clubmoss cover (n=10) 1% (0 – 2)short shrub cover (n=7) 2% (0 – 5) moss cover (n=6) 0% (0 – 0) prostrate shrub cover (n=7) 2% (0 – 5) lichen cover ? cactus cover (n=7) 0% (0 – 1) litter cover (n=9) 37% (16 – 63) herbaceous cover (n=13) 40% (17 – 55) bare soil (n=9) 25% (12 – 47) - midgrasses approx. 15% - shortgrasses approx. 5% - half-shrubs approx. 5% - forbs approx. 15%

SPECIES COMPOSITION Prostrate shrubs % cover (n=13) creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) 1% (0 - 3) bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 0% (0 – 0) % biomass (n=13) Major graminoids sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 16% (7 - 29) needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 12% (1 - 23) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 7% (0 - 13) sedge (Carex spp.) 6% (0 - 16) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 3% (0 - 8) sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) 2% (0 - 5) blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 1% (0 - 4) sand dune wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum var. psammophilum) 1% (0 - 4) fringed brome (Bromus ciliatus) 1% (0 - 0) smooth brome (Bromus inermis) 1% (0 - 0) Major forbs and half-shrubs lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralea lanceolata) 17% (6 - 25) pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 12% (1 - 29) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 5% (0 - 15) goldenrod (Solidago spp.) 2% (0 - 5) plains wormwood (Artemisia campestris) 1% (0 - 2) golden bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia) 1% (0 - 2) pale comandra (Comandra pallida) 1% (0 - 2) absinthe (Artemisia absinthium) 1% (0 - 3)



Major shrubs rose (Rosa spp.) 2% (0 - 4) western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 1% (0 - 3) chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) 1% (0 - 0) Major cactus prickly-pear (Opuntia spp.) 1% (0 - 2)

Minor graminoids 1% western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii), bearded wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. unilaterale), plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis), sheep fescue (Festuca saximontana), Canada blue grass (Poa compressa), Sandberg's blue grass (Poa sandbergii) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 5% field chickweed (Cerastium arvense), chamaerhodos (Chamaerhodos erecta), lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album), goosefoot (Chenopodium spp.), narrow-leaved hawk's-beard (Crepis tectorum), common horsetail (Equisetum arvense), common scouring-rush (Equisetum hyemale), western wallflower (Erysimum asperum), northern bedstraw (Galium boreale), wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), sunflower (Helianthus spp.), common pepper-grass (Lepidium densiflorum), dotted blazingstar (Liatris punctata), narrow-leaved puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), skeletonweed (Lygodesmia juncea), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), early yellow locoweed (Oxytropis sericea), purple prairie-clover (Petalostemon purpureum), prairie cinquefoil (Potentilla pensylvanica), sand dock (Rumex venosus), star-flowered solomon's-seal (Smilacina stellata) Minor shrubs 1% wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), poison-ivy (Rhus radicans), few-flowered snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)

SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY N/A PRODUCTION insufficient data RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE 0.42 AUM/ha 0.17 AUM/ac



MG-DN-E

Creeping Juniper – Blunt Sedge – Sand Grass Mixed Grassland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Prostrate shrub/grassland community found on both Low Dunes and High Dunes Ecosites. Occurs on the same microsites as grassland types (e.g. MG-DN-A). Creeping juniper spreads into grassland in the absence of fire, reducing the cover and productivity of grasses, while fire kills the juniper and restores the grassland community. Rhizomatous graminoids such as blunt sedge and sand grass appear to be more successful than bunchgrasses at growing up through the juniper mat. Status in relation to grazing impact is unclear.

STRUCTURE

tall shrub cover (n=36) 1% (0 – 1) clubmoss cover (n=36) 2% (0 – 5) short shrub cover (n=36) 1% (0 – 4) moss cover (n=20) 0% (0 – 0) prostrate shrub cover (n=36) 54% (29 – 74) lichen cover (n=20) 1% (0 – 3) cactus cover (n=36) 0% (0 – 0) litter cover (n=20) 25% (3 – 63) herbaceous cover (n=36) 13% (3 – 15) bare soil (n=20) 1% (0 – 1) SPECIES COMPOSITION Major prostrate shrubs % cover (n=36) creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) 49% (19 - 74) bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 4% (0 - 14) % biomass (n=36) Major graminoids blunt sedge (Carex obtusata) 11% (2 - 25) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 10% (0 - 22) sun-loving sedge (Carex pensylvanica) 9% (1 - 17) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 5% (0 - 14) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 4% (0 - 8) needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 3% (0 - 7) hay sedge (Carex siccata) 2% (0 - 6) plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii) 2% (0 - 5) bearded wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. unilaterale) 2% (0 - 5) Hooker's oat grass (Helictotrichon hookeri) 1% (0 - 3) plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis) 1% (0 - 2) western porcupine grass (Stipa curtiseta) 1% (0 - 3) sand dune wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum var. psammophilum) 1% (0 - 2) sheep fescue (Festuca saximontana) 1% (0 - 2) thread-leaved sedge (Carex filifolia) 1% (0 - 1) Major forbs and half-shrubs pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 5% (0 - 13) lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralea lanceolata) 5% (0 - 14) golden bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia) 4% (0 - 13) goldenrod (Solidago spp.) 2% (0 - 5) northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) 2% (0 - 8)



Major forbs and half-shrubs (continued) purple prairie-clover (Petalostemon purpureum) 2% (0 - 4) pale comandra (Comandra pallida) 1% (0 - 4) American vetch (Vicia americana) 1% (0 - 4) early yellow locoweed (Oxytropis sericea) 1% (0 - 2) star-flowered solomon's-seal (Smilacina stellata) 1% (0 - 1) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 1% (0 - 2) silvery groundsel (Senecio canus) 1% (0 - 0) prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) 1% (0 - 2) crocus anemone (Anemone patens) 1% (0 - 2) Major shrubs western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 5% (0 - 19) chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) 4% (0 - 13) rose (Rosa spp.) 2% (0 - 6) wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata) 1% (0 - 5) trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) 1% (0 - 5) Major cactus plains prickly-pear (Opuntia polyacantha) 1% (0 - 0) Minor graminoids 2% western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), northern reed grass (Calamagrostis inexpansa), low sedge (Carex stenophylla), Canada wild rye (Elymus canadensis), Sandberg's blue grass (Poa sandbergii), sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus)

Minor forbs and half-shrubs 4% Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis), reflexed rockcress (Arabis holboellii), absinthe (Artemisia absinthium), sage (Artemisia spp.), aster (Aster spp.), harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), field chickweed (Cerastium arvense), narrow-leaved hawk's-beard (Crepis tectorum), common scouring-rush (Equisetum hyemale), western wallflower (Erysimum asperum), wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), dotted blazingstar (Liatris punctata), Lewis wild flax (Linum lewisii), narrow-leaved puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), skeletonweed (Lygodesmia juncea), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), white prairie-clover (Petalostemon candidum), moss phlox (Phlox hoodii)

Minor shrubs 0% twining honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica), poison-ivy (Rhus radicans), few-flowered snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) Minor cactus 0% brittle prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) 0% (0 - 0) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY N/A PRODUCTION herbs 250 kg/ha RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE (may be zero in communities with high juniper cover) 0.26 AUM/ha 0.11 AUM/ac



AP-DN-B

Sedge - Sand Grass - Needle-and-thread Aspen Parkland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Mixed prairie dominated by midgrasses, with significant amounts of shortgrasses and lesser amounts of forbs and half-shrubs. Usually with some cover of short and prostrate shrubs. Probably shows moderate alteration as a result of grazing impact, but more research is needed on reference community composition on Dunes in the Aspen Parkland.

STRUCTURE

tall shrub cover (n=12) 1% (0 – 3) clubmoss cover (n=12) 5% (0 – 15) short shrub cover (n=12) 1% (0 – 3) moss cover prostrate shrub cover (n=12) 8% (0 – 15) lichen cover herbaceous cover (n=14) 29% (4 – 57) litter cover - midgrasses approx. 20% bare soil - shortgrasses approx. 5% - half-shrubs approx. 1% - forbs approx. 3%

SPECIES COMPOSITION % biomass (n=6) % cover (n=12) Major graminoids sedge (Carex spp.) 26% (20 - 33) 6% (0 - 8) needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 7% (2 - 15) 4% (0 - 15) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 11% (3 - 18) 4% (0 - 14) plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii) 6% (0 - 12) 3% (0 - 2) western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) 4% (0 - 11) 2% (0 - 3) blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 6% (0 - 18) 1% (0 - 2) sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) 3% (0 - 10) 1% (0 - 3) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 5% (0 - 9) 1% (0 - 3) western porcupine grass (Stipa curtiseta) 9% (0 - 23) 0% (0 - 2) Hooker's oat grass (Helictotrichon hookeri) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0) sheep fescue (Festuca saximontana) 4% (0 - 11) 0% (0 - 0) Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis) 2% (0 - 7) 0% (0 - 0) slender wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. trachycaulum) 1% (0 - 3) 0% (0 - 0) Major forbs and half-shrubs pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 4% (0 - 6) 2% (0 - 3) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 2% (0 - 5) 0% (0 - 2) wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) 2% (0 - 5) 0% (0 - 0) horsetail (Equisetum spp.) 1% (0 - 4) 0% (0 - 0) plains wormwood (Artemisia campestris) 1% (0 - 4) 0% (0 - 0) golden bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia) 1% (0 - 3) 0% (0 - 2) field chickweed (Cerastium arvense) 1% (0 - 3) 0% (0 - 0) harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0)



Major shrubs chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) 0% (0 - 0) 1% (0 - 3) Major prostrate shrubs creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) 4% (0 – 15) bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 2% (0 – 6) Minor graminoids 0% 1% sand dune wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum var. psammophilum), bearded wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. unilaterale), sand nut-grass (Cyperus schweinitzii), baltic rush (Juncus balticus) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 2% 2% false dandelion (Agoseris glauca), everlasting (Antennaria spp.), prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana), dwarf milkweed (Asclepias ovalifolia), pale comandra (Comandra pallida), northern bedstraw (Galium boreale), sunflower (Helianthus spp.), blue lettuce (Lactuca pulchella), wild peavine (Lathyrus venosus), skeletonweed (Lygodesmia juncea), star-flowered solomon's-seal (Smilacina stellata), low goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis), mountain goldenrod (Solidago spathulata), violet (Viola spp.) Minor shrubs 0% 1% wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata), rose (Rosa spp.), narrow-leaved meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY N/A PRODUCTION insufficient data RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE drier part of region 0.64 AUM/ha 0.26 AUM/ac moister part of region 0.98 AUM/ha 0.4 AUM/ac



AP-DN-C

Sedge - Pasture Sage - June Grass Aspen Parkland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Mixed prairie dominated by shortgrasses, with significant amounts of midgrasses and forbs, and lesser amounts of half-shrubs. Usually with some cover of short and prostrate shrubs. Probably shows significant alteration as a result of grazing impact, but more research is needed on reference community composition on stabilized dunes in the Aspen Parkland. Probably develops from AP-DN-A by increase of sedges and pasture sage.

STRUCTURE

tall shrub cover (n=20) 1% (0 – 3) clubmoss cover (n=20) 9% (0 – 15)short shrub cover (n=20) 2% (0 – 4) moss cover (n=9) 0% (0 – 0) prostrate shrub cover (n=20) 2% (0 – 15) lichen cover (n=9) 2% (0 – 2) herbaceous cover (n=28) 40% (18 – 62) litter cover (n=17) 27% (13 – 49) - midgrasses approx. 10% bare soil (n=17) 12% (3 – 17) - shortgrasses approx. 15% - half-shrubs approx. 5% - forbs approx. 10%

SPECIES COMPOSITION % biomass (n=17) % cover (n=11) Major graminoids sedge (Carex spp.) 21% (14 - 27) 18% (5 - 33) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 9% (4 - 13) 1% (0 - 3) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 7% (1 - 13) 2% (0 - 3) needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 7% (3 - 11) 2% (0 - 3) sheep fescue (Festuca saximontana) 4% (0 - 8) 2% (0 - 3) blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 4% (0 - 11) 2% (0 - 3) plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii) 2% (0 - 6) 0% (0 - 3) western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) 2% (0 - 5) 0% (0 - 0) plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis) 2% (0 - 4) 0% (0 - 0) western porcupine grass (Stipa curtiseta) 1% (0 - 3) 0% (0 - 3) baltic rush (Juncus balticus) 1% (0 - 1) 0% (0 - 0) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0) northern reed grass (Calamagrostis inexpansa) 1% (0 - 0) 0% (0 - 0) Major forbs and half-shrubs pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 11% (4 - 16) 2% (0 - 3) field chickweed (Cerastium arvense) 4% (1 - 8) 0% (0 - 0) golden bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia) 4% (0 - 10) 0% (0 - 0) hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa) 2% (0 - 6) 0% (0 - 0) low goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) 2% (0 - 5) 0% (0 - 0) horsetail (Equisetum spp.) 2% (0 - 4) 0% (0 - 0) crocus anemone (Anemone patens) 1% (0 - 3) 0% (0 - 0) prairie sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0) three-flowered avens (Geum triflorum) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0) pale comandra (Comandra pallida) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0) everlasting (Antennaria spp.) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0) fleabane (Erigeron spp.) 1% (0 - 1) 0% (0 - 0)



Major shrubs rose (Rosa spp.) 3% (0 - 8) 0% (0 - 3) western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0) wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata) 0% (0 - 0) 1% (0 - 0) Major prostrate shrubs creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) 1% (0 – 3) Minor graminoids 1% 2% bearded wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. unilaterale), rough hair grass (Agrostis scabra), sand nut-grass (Cyperus schweinitzii), Hooker's oat grass (Helictotrichon hookeri), fowl blue grass (Poa palustris), Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis), Sandberg's blue grass (Poa sandbergii), blue grass (Poa spp.), purple oat grass (Schizachne purpurascens), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) Minor forbs 5% 1% woolly yarrow (Achillea millefolium), false dandelion (Agoseris glauca), anemone (Anemone spp.), plains wormwood (Artemisia campestris), milk-vetch (Astragalus spp.), harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), chamaerhodos (Chamaerhodos erecta), low whitlow-grass (Draba nemorosa), northern bedstraw (Galium boreale), sunflower (Helianthus spp.), alumroot (Heuchera richardsonii), cream-colored vetchling (Lathyrus ochroleucus), wild peavine (Lathyrus venosus), dotted blazingstar (Liatris punctata), narrow-leaved puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), annual skeletonweed (Lygodesmia rostrata), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), early yellow locoweed (Oxytropis sericea), purple prairie-clover (Petalostemon purpureum), moss phlox (Phlox hoodii), early cinquefoil (Potentilla concinna), prairie cinquefoil (Potentilla pensylvanica), silvery groundsel (Senecio canus), star-flowered solomon's-seal (Smilacina stellata), goldenrod (Solidago spp.), common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), American vetch (Vicia americana), violet (Viola spp.) Minor shrubs 0% 0% bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), pincherry (Prunus pensylvanica), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY N/A PRODUCTION insufficient data RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE drier part of region 0.48 AUM/ha 0.19 AUM/ac moister part of region 0.73 AUM/ha 0.30 AUM/ac



AP-DN-D

Creeping Juniper Aspen Parkland: Dunes Ecosite

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Prostrate shrub/grassland community found on both Low Dunes and High Dunes Ecosites. Occurs on the same microsites as grassland types (e.g. AP-DN-B). Creeping juniper spreads into grassland in the absence of fire, reducing the cover and productivity of grasses, while fire kills the juniper and restores the grassland community. However, recent wind erosion also appears to play a role in occurrence of the juniper type in the Aspen Parkland, where grass growth on stable surfaces is dense enough to shade out juniper. Status in relation to grazing impact is unclear.

STRUCTURE

tree cover (n=18) 1% (0 – 3) clubmoss cover (n=18) 4% (0 – 7)tall shrub cover (n=18) 1% (0 – 3) moss cover (n=6) 0% (0 – 0) short shrub cover (n=18) 1% (0 – 3) lichen cover (n=6) 0% (0 – 0) prostrate shrub cover (n=18) 49% (19 – 66) litter cover (n=6) 23% (15 – 38) herbaceous cover (n=18) 20% (2 – 44) bare soil (n=6) 3% (0 – 8)

SPECIES COMPOSITION % biomass (n=6) % cover (n=12) Major graminoids plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii) 4% (0 - 8) 4% (0 - 15) sun-loving sedge (Carex pensylvanica) 16% (7 - 24) 1% (0 - 2) blunt sedge (Carex obtusata) 7% (2 - 13) 1% (0 - 2) hay sedge (Carex siccata) 2% (0 - 6) 1% (0 - 2) western porcupine grass (Stipa curtiseta) 0% (0 - 1) 1% (0 - 2) needle-and-thread (Stipa comata) 2% (0 - 4) 1% (0 - 0) sand grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) 6% (2 - 12) 1% (0 - 3) june grass (Koeleria macrantha) 6% (0 - 11) 0% (0 - 2) sheep fescue (Festuca saximontana) 1% (0 - 3) 0% (0 - 2) western wheat grass (Agropyron smithii) 4% (0 - 11) 0% (0 - 0) bearded wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. unilaterale) 1% (0 - 4) 0% (0 - 0) Hooker's oat grass (Helictotrichon hookeri) 1% (0 - 3) 0% (0 - 0) blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0) purple oat grass (Schizachne purpurascens) 4% (0 - 13) 0% (0 - 0) Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis) 1% (0 - 3) 0% (0 - 0) northern wheat grass (Agropyron dasystachyum) 1% (0 - 3) 0% (0 - 0) low sedge (Carex stenophylla) 2% (0 - 5) 0% (0 - 0) plains reed grass (Calamagrostis montanensis) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0) Major forbs and half-shrubs pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) 3% (0 - 7) 1% (0 - 3) golden bean (Thermopsis rhombifolia) 4% (0 - 11) 2% (0 - 3) field chickweed (Cerastium arvense) 2% (0 - 6) 0% (0 - 0) American vetch (Vicia americana) 2% (1 - 3) 0% (0 - 0) common scouring-rush (Equisetum hyemale) 2% (0 - 4) 0% (0 - 0) northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) 2% (0 - 4) 0% (0 - 0) crocus anemone (Anemone patens) 1% (0 - 3) 0% (0 - 0) low goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0)



Major forbs and half-shrubs (continued) star-flowered solomon's-seal (Smilacina stellata) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0) early blue violet (Viola adunca) 1% (0 - 1) 0% (0 - 0) wild peavine (Lathyrus venosus) 1% (0 - 2) 0% (0 - 0) harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) 1% (0 - 1) 0% (0 - 0) Major shrubs chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) 1% (0 - 2) 1% (0 - 3) trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) 2% (0 - 5) 0% (0 - 2) western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) 4% (0 - 10) 0% (0 - 2) wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata) 3% (0 - 10) 0% (0 - 0) Wood's rose (Rosa woodsii) 2% (0 - 5) 0% (0 - 0) Major prostrate shrubs creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) 44% (15 - 65) bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 4% (0 - 15) Minor graminoids 1% 2% slender wheat grass (Agropyron trachycaulum var. trachycaulum), northern reed grass (Calamagrostis inexpansa), graceful sedge (Carex praegracilis), white-grained mountain rice grass (Oryzopsis asperifolia), northern rice grass (Oryzopsis pungens), Canada blue grass (Poa compressa), Sandberg's blue grass (Poa sandbergii), sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) Minor forbs and half-shrubs 4% 2% woolly yarrow (Achillea millefolium), low everlasting (Antennaria aprica), reflexed rockcress (Arabis holboellii), plains wormwood (Artemisia campestris), many-flowered aster (Aster ericoides ssp. pansus), Missouri milk-vetch (Astragalus missouriensis), narrow-leaved goosefoot (Chenopodium leptophyllum), pale comandra (Comandra pallida), smooth wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), scarlet gaura (Gaura coccinea), three-flowered avens (Geum triflorum), hairy golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa), cream-colored vetchling (Lathyrus ochroleucus), sand bladderpod (Lesquerella arenosa), dotted blazingstar (Liatris punctata), narrow-leaved puccoon (Lithospermum incisum), moss phlox (Phlox hoodii), prairie cinquefoil (Potentilla pensylvanica), common blue-eyed grass (Sisyrhinchium angustifolium), goldenrod (Solidago spp.), veiny meadow-rue (Thalictrum venulosum), violet (Viola spp.) Minor shrubs 0% 0% saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia), prairie rose (Rosa arkansana), few-flowered snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) SIMILARITY TO REFERENCE COMMUNITY N/A PRODUCTION insufficient data RECOMMENDED STOCKING RATE (could be zero in communities with high juniper cover) 0.40 AUM/ha 0.16 AUM/ac



PHOTO CREDITS: Front Cover - Dundurn Sand Hills; Page 9 - Great Sand Hills, Page 19 - Elbow Sand Hills, Page 35 - Great Sand Hills. All photos by Bob Godwin. SUGGESTED CITATION Thorpe, J. 2007. Saskatchewan Rangeland Ecosystems, Publication 9: Communities on the Dunes

Ecosite. Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan. Saskatchewan Research Council Pub. No. 11881-9E07.

For additional copies, please contact:

Michel Tremblay, Provincial Forage Specialist Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

3085 Albert St., Regina, SK S4S 0B1 Tel: (306) 787-7712 Email: [email protected]

communities on the dunes ecosite...saskatchewan. low dunes and high dunes were combined because data...

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