Wildlife Upland Habitat Management

USDA-NRCS - North Dakota FOTG - Section IV - Conservation Practices 327 - 1 NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD

CONSERVATION COVER (Ac.)

CODE 327

DEFINITION stock shall ensure that planted materials have an acceptable rate of survival. Vegetative Establishing and maintaining permanent planting material (e.g. sprigs, rhizomes, bulbs) vegetative cover shall be from a reliable supplier. Site preparation shall be sufficiently adequate PURPOSE to eliminate weeds for to enable establishment This practice may be applied to accomplish and growth of selected species. one or more of the following: Timing and use of equipment shall be  Reduce soil erosion and sedimentation. appropriate for the site and soil conditions.  Improve water quality. All nutrients shall be applied following the nutrient management requirements in the Field  Improve air quality Office Technical Guide (FOTG).  Enhance wildlife habitat. Additional Criteria to Reduce Soil Erosion  Improve soil quality and Sedimentation  Manage plant pests The amount of plant biomass and cover needed to reduce wind and water erosion to CONDITION WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES the planned soil loss objective shall be determined using the current approved wind This practice applies on all lands needing and/or water erosion prediction technology. permanent vegetative cover. This practice does not apply to plantings for forage Additional Criteria for Improving Air Quality production or to critical area plantings. In perennial crop systems such as orchards, vineyards, berries and nursery stock, CRITERA vegetation established shall provide full ground coverage in the alleyway during mowing and General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes harvest operations. Species shall be adapted to soil, ecological To sequester carbon, plant cover established sites, and climatic conditions. will result in a positive CO2 equivalent value Species planted shall be suitable for the when determined by the current approved planned purpose and site conditions. carbon prediction technology. Seeding rates and methods shall be adequate Additional Criteria for Enhancing Wildlife to accomplish the planned purpose. Certified Habitat seed shall be used. Grasses, forbs, shrubs and/or legumes shall Planting dates, planting methods and care in be planted in a diverse mix to promote bio- handling and planting of the seed or planting Conservation Practice Standard – 327 January 2008 Page 1 of 2

Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and NRCS, NHCP updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service June 2007 State Office or visit the electronic Field Office Technical Guide. USDA-NRCS - North Dakota FOTG - Section IV - Conservation Practices 327 - 2 diversity and meet the needs of the targeted Where wildlife management is an objective, species of wildlife. the food and cover value of the planting can be enhanced by using a habitat evaluation Additional Criteria to Improve Soil Quality procedure to aid in selecting plant species and Plants will be selected on the basis of providing or managing for other habitat producing high volumes of organic material to requirements necessary to achieve the maintain or improve soil organic matter. The objective. amount of biomass needed will be determined Use native species that are appropriate for the using the current soil condition index identified resource concern and management procedure. objective. Consider trying to re-establish the native plant community for the site Additional Criteria to Manage Plant Pests In perennial crop systems such as orchards, If a native cover (other than what was planted) vineyards, berries and nursery stock, establishes, and this cover meets the intended permanent vegetative cover shall be purpose and the landowner's objectives, the established and managed according to Land cover should be considered adequate. Grant University Integrated Pest Management (IPM) recommendations for the target pest PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS species. Specifications for this practice shall be CONSIDERATIONS prepared for each site. They shall include, but are not limited to: This practice may be used to promote the conservation of wildlife species in general,  recommended species, including threatened and endangered species.  seeding rates and dates, Certified seed and planting stock that is  establishment procedures,. adapted to the site should be used when it is  other management actions needed to available. insure and adequate stand Inoculating legume seed with the proper Specifications shall be recorded using Rhizobium bacteria should be considered on approved specifications sheets, job sheets, sites where the legumes to be planted have narrative statements in the conservation plan, not been previously grown. or other acceptable documentation. Mowing may be needed during the establishment period to reduce competition OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE from broadleaf annual weeds. Mowing and harvest operations in perennial On sites where annual grasses are an crop systems such as orchards, vineyards, expected weed problem it may be necessary berries and nursery stock shall be done in a to postpone nitrogen fertilizer application until manner which minimizes the generation of the planted species are well established. particulate matter. Where applicable this practice may be used to If wildlife habitat enhancement is a purpose, conserve and stabilize archeological and maintenance practices and activities shall not historic sites. disturb cover during the reproductive period for the desired species. Exceptions should be Consider rotating management and considered for periodic burning or mowing maintenance activities (e.g. mow only one- when necessary to maintain the health of the fourth or one-third of the area each year) plant community. throughout the managed area to maximize spatial and temporal diversity. Maintenance measures must be adequate to control noxious weeds and other invasive species. Conservation Practice Standard – 327 January 2008 Page 1 of 2 NRCS, NHCP June 2007 USDA-NRCS - North Dakota FOTG - Section IV - Conservation Practices 327 - 3 To benefit insect food sources for grassland Predicting Soil Erosion by Water: A Guide to nesting birds, spraying or other control of Conservation Planning with the Revised noxious weeds shall be done on a “spot” basis Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), to protect forbs and legumes that benefit native Agricultural Handbook Number 703. pollinators and other wildlife. Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation Version 2 (RUSLE2) website (checked May 2007): REFERENCES http://fargo.nserl.purdue.edu/rusle2_dataweb/ RUSLE2_Index.htm K. G. Renard, G. R. Foster, G. A. Weesies, K. D. K. McCool and D. C. Yoder. 1997.

Conservation Practice Standard – 327 January 2008 Page 1 of 2

NRCS, NHCP June 2007