South Dakota Rangelands: More Than a Sea of Grass

212 RANGELANDS 18(6), December 1996

South Dakota Rangelands: More than a Sea of Grass

F. Robert Gartner and Carolyn Hull Sieg

re-settlement explorers described the region's land- the continent. Elevation increases from about 900 to 1,500 scape as a "sea of grass." Yet, this "sea" was quite feet above sea level along the eastern border to 3,000 to p varied, and included a wealth of less obvious forested 3,500 feet along the western border. The highest point in communities. Both physiographic and climatic gradients the United States east of the Rocky Mountains is Harney across the state of South Dakota contributed to the devel- Peak in the Black Hills at 7,241 feet elevation. opment of variable vegetation types of South Dakota. The The major portion of the state lies within the Great Plains diverse flora truly identifies the state as a "Land of Infinite physiographicprovince (Fig. 1), and a smaller portion in the Variety." Variations in climate, soils, and topography help to Central Lowlands Province (Denson 1964). The Great accentuate this label. Large herbivores such as bison and Plains Province is a broad highland that slopes gradually periodic fires ignited by lightning and American Indians also eastward from the Rocky Mountains on the west to the contributed to the formation of the pre-settlement land- Central Lowlands on the east. That portion of the Great scape. Plains Province in the western two-thirds of South Dakota has been termed the Missouri Plateau by some authors. The Central Lowlands Province extends from the drainage Climate Topography, Physiography, basin of the James River (approximatelythe 99th Meridian) eastward. South in Dakota is located the geographical center of South Dakota's climate is with North America. It lies near the center of the of highly variable, long-term large region precipitation perhaps best exemplifying that variability. The grassland vegetation that once the central of occupied part capital city, Pierre, is near the center of the state on the

______CRZAT PLAINS______CINTRAL LOWLANDS_____ (MISSOUEI PLATEAU)

BkkHill. T.rti.iy L.I..D.Just — T.hl. L. — v&li.y Crsttc..... T.biSI..*1I HigI Pi.t.. — Pirn. Hill. r1 C.teev ü. L...._J Eli Fig. 1. Major physiographic divisions of South Dakota. RANGELANDS 18(6), December 1996 213

Fig. 2. South Dakota averageannual precIpitation (inches) 1961—90 (Bunkers, 1993). east bank of the Missouri River. Pierre is also immediately Sandhills in the northeast. Riparian woodlands line the west of the 100th Meridian, the arbitrary border between rivers and streams of the state; other pockets of deciduous the subhumid and semiarid climatic zones. Schumacher species are restrictedto draws and other topographic loca- (1974) carefully analyzed the 81-year (1892—1972) Pierre tions where additional moisture permits their survival. precipitation record. He noted that according to Ponderosapine occurs on outcrops at several locations in Thornthwaite's (1936) climatic classificationscheme, five of the western portion of the state, and is the dominant tree in the years were arid, 33 semiarid, 31 dry subhumid, 12 the Black Hills. Despite substantial conversions of range- moist subhumid, and none were humid. Wet and dry years land to cultivated land, rangeland still dominates most of tended to be grouped. Dry years can be quite severe, espe- the central and western South Dakota landscape. cially when spring and early summer precipitation is defi- cient. Plant moisture stress occurs somewhere in the state Prairie nearly every year. Ta//grass The Prairie true once the Annual precipitation generally decreases from about 26 Tallgrass (or prairie) occupied eastern one-third of South Dakota, on what is known inches along the southeastern borders to about 13 inches mostly at the extreme northwest and southwest corners of the as the Coteau des Prairies (Figs. 1 & 3). The general in a consisted of a dense state About 75 occurs the aspect, pre-settlement state, (Fig. 2). percent during growing cover of and an abundance of forbs. The 18-inch tallgrasses showy season, April through September. precipitation Soils are and formed mainly in drift or bess. conforms to the 100th Meridian and the east- deep glacial isohyet partly Elevations range from a low of about 900 feet above sea ern boundary of the Great Plains Province (Figs. 1 & 2). level in the extreme northeast corner of the state to about 1,500feet in the southeast corner. Dominant of this of the Prairie South Dakota Natural Vegetation species portion Tallgrass are big bluestem (Andropogon gerardit), little bluestem Indian A map of the pre-settlement or potential natural vegeta- (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass (Sorghastrum tion of South Dakota (Fig. 3) reveals that nearly all the land nutans), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), porcupine grass (Stipa spartea), and tall dropseed (Sporobolus asper). area of the state was once grassland (Baumberger 1977). Disturbance increases such species as western wheat- Most grassland, i.e. rangeland,in the state is a mixed-grass sideoats cur- of a mosaic of varied associa- grass (Agropyron smithii), grama (Boute/oua community comprised plant blue (B. gracilis), hairy grama (B. hirsu- tions. few scattered remnants of tipendula), grama Only a tallgrass prairie and (Buchloe dactyloides). Exotic plants, occur in the eastern third of the state. The mixed ta), buffabograss grass such as Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and smooth in prairie grades into shortgrass and sagebrush-grassland brome (Bromus inermis), and noxious weeds, such as leafy the extreme western portion of the state. Sandhills grass- spurge (Euphorbia esula), have invaded many remaining border and small lands are found along the southern in a Talbgrass Prairie areas. isolated pocket of sandhill topography known as the Hecla 214 RANGELANDS 18(6), December 1996

Today, the majority of this area is in cropland. What mainly in residuumfrom clayey or silty shales on uplands at remains of the Tallgrass Prairie is mostly in low range con- elevations of 1,800 to about 2,000 feet. The Cretaceous dition with a high percentage of exotics and other invader Table Lands to the south contain soils that are a mixture of species. In recent years, some Tallgrass Prairie areas have sandy and loamy materials formed from sandstone, silt- been restored and are being maintained with periodicfire to stone, and shales on uplands to about 3,600 feet. stimulate native species and control invaders. The natural vegetationof the northwesternsection of this vast upland area consisted of a moderatelydense cover of midgrassesdominated by western wheatgrass, needleand- Tallgrass Transition thread, little bluestem, prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longi- The characteristic vegetation of this community is a folia), green needlegrass, and stonyhills muhly dense cover of tall and midgrasses. It occupies the transi- (Muhienbergia cuspidata). Dryland sedges (Carex spp.), tion between the Mixed and Tallgrass Prairies in three blue grama, prairie threeawn (Aristida purpurea), and major physiographic divisions (Figs. 1 & 3). Soils are mostly fringed sagewort (Artemisia frigida) increase with distur- deep, having formed in glacial till or loamy glacial drift on bance. uplands. At the western edge of the area and along the The remaining portion of this community is characterized Missouri River, soils are formed in bess, silty glacial drift, by a moderately dense stand of mid- and shortgrasses. or bess mantled till on glacial uplands. Dominants are western wheatgrass and green needlegrass Dominant species in pristine condition were western with an understory of blue grama and threadleaf sedge wheatgrass, big bluestem, little bluestem, porcupine grass, (Carex filifolia). Perennial forbs are abundant. With distur- green needlegrass (Stipa viridula), and prairie junegrass bance, the midgrasses decrease in abundance and blue (Koeleria macrantha). Forbs were abundant. The altered grama, buffabograss,and cacti (Opuntia spp.) increase. community develops a shorter aspect with increases in Common invaders in this community are Japanese brome sideoats grama, blue grama, and needleandthread (Stipa (Bromus japonicus) and curlycup gumweed (Grindelia as well as a number comata), of perennial and annual squarrosa). forbs. Kentucky bluegrass is a common invader species. A Today, about 75 to 80 percent of the land area remains in high percentage of this area has also been converted to rangeland. Favorable small grain prices have resulted in cropland.OnJy steep and rocky soils remain as rangeband. extensive land conversions over the past 20 years, even though somewhat severe soil and precipitation limitations exist. Mixed-grass Prairie This community occurs in the Great Plains Province across two large physical divisions: the Pierre Hills west of Short/Mixed-grass Prairie the Missouri River and the Cretaceous Table Lands in the The Tertiary Table Lands in the southwestern portion of northwest portion of the state (Figs. 1 and 3). The former is the state (Fig. 1) consist of a series of benches and buttes underlain by the Pierre shale formation with soils formed

T.IIgrs.. • '"- ____J F1..411* FIg. 3. South Dakota NaturalVegetation. RANGELANDS 18(6), December 1996 215 underlain by sandstones, siltstones, and shales. Elevations Ponderosa pine density and extent have increased dra- range from 3,000 to 3,600 feet. Soils are of loamy and matically in this century when compared with that docu- clayey texture and located on nearly level to undulating mented by the Custer Expedition photographs of 1874 lands and on steep slopes. Only a small portion of this pre- (Progulske 1974). Pine increases, especially in the foothills, dominantly rangeland area has been converted to cropland. are largely due to fire suppression over the past 75 to 100 Natural vegetation (Fig. 3) includes all the midgrasses years. Meadows and deciduous woodland habitats have and shortgrasses previously mentioned. The vegetation retreated in responseto expandingpine forests; spring and has a wide variety of forms because of extreme variability stream flows have also declined. Housing construction, in topography and soils leading to a "badlands" aspect. recreationaldevelopments, road rebuilding,and mining are Sideoats grama and little bluestem are abundant on shal- forces that threaten the pine forests in the Black Hills and low soils of slopes. Shortgrasses, needleandthread, and other parts of South Dakota. dryland sedges increase when the natural plant cover is repeatedly overused. Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) occurs on shallow soils above stream chan- Sand Hills Bluestem nels and minor drainages, but has moved onto deeper soils This community occupies the northern edge of the due to the absence of natural fires. Ponderosa pine (Pinus Nebraska Sand Hills at elevations from 3,000 to 3,600 feet ponderosa) is found on some buttes, but is uncommoneast with a minor outlier in the northeast (Fig. 3). Soils are most- of the Badlands area. ly deep, undulatingto rolling, and sandy textured. The natural plant cover included little bluestem, big bluestem, sand bluestem (Andropogon ha/li!), prairie sand- Big Sagebrush Steppe reed, needleandthread, sideoats grama, western wheat- This communityoccurs almost exclusively along the grass, and a wide variety of forbs. Leadplant, wild rose extreme western border of South Dakota (Fig. 3). Soils are (Rosa spp.), sand cherry (Prunus pumila), and yucca similar to those of adjacent communities and are clayey (Yucca glauca) are locally abundant. With retrogression, and silty in texture. Precipitationis the lowest of any area in tallgrasses yield to shorter species and sand sage the state. (Artemisia filifolia) and sageworts (Artemisia spp.) increase. Natural vegetation in the community consists of wheat- Some rangelands have been converted to irrigated crop- grasses, blue grama, prairie junegrass, and forbs with an land where sufficient water is available from wells or other overstory of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)and/or sil- sources. ver sagebrush (A. cana). Protection from fire allows big sagebrush to increase; midgrasses decrease with heavy Deciduous Woodlands grazing. The majority of the area is in rangeland. Low precipitation limits the growth of deciduous woodlands to areas of increased moisture such as along rivers Ponderosa Pine and in draws. Kuchler (1964) classified the potential natural The largest expanse of ponderosa pine occurs in the vegetation along the Missouri and James Rivers in the Black Hills (Fig. 3). Soils are shallow, well-drained, and eastern part of the state as a complex of cottonwood clayey to silty in texture. The natural vegetation consists of (Populus deltoides), peachleaf willow (Salix amygdaloides) open to dense pine forest with a diverse understory of and American elm (Ulmus americana). Cottonwood also herbaceous and shrub species. Common understory lines smaller rivers and creeks throughout the State. Other species include white coralberry (Symphoricarpos albus), common woodland types include bur oak stands and common juniper (Juniperus communis), and Oregon grape "woody draws" dominated by green ash (Fraxinus pennsyl- (Berberis repens) (Thilenius 1972). Stands of aspen vanica) and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana). Poor tree (Populus tremuloides) and bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) reproductionis a common problem in wooded draws in the are common, and Black Hills spruce (Picea glauca) occurs state (Severson and Boldt 1978). In addition, loss of tall on moist, north slopes and generally at higher elevations. shrubs and replacement of native sedges with Kentucky Within the Black Hills forest are many large prairie areas. bluegrassthreaten these woodlands. A variation of the Ponderosa Pine community is confined to sandstone buttes in northwestern South Dakota, the Pine Ridge escarpment in the southwest, and the outer slope The Black Hills: An Oasis In the Northern Plains and hogback ridge surrounding the Black Hills (Fig. 3). The characteristic natural vegetation is an open stand of pon- Along the western South Dakota border, the Black Hills derosa pine with an understory of big and little bluestem, comprise about 5,150 square miles, including the Bear prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis),stonyhills muhly, Lodge Mountains in northeastern Wyoming (Orr, 1959). blue grama, hairy grama, and sideoats grama. Forbs are Several authors have singled-out the Hills area as the numerous and leadplant (Amorpha canescens), a low "gemstone of the Northern Plains." McIntosh (1949) stated shrub, is abundant. Severe disturbances cause tallgrasses that from a botanicalstandpoint the most importantclimato- to decrease with corresponding increases of warm-season logical difference between the Hills and surrounding coun- shortgrasses, Kentucky bluegrass, fringed sagewort, and try is thatthe Black Hills receive much more precipitation. broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae). Western wheat- After leading a scientific party through the Black Hills in grass also increases on some sites. 216 RANGELANDS 18(6), December 1996 the summer of 1875, Colonel RI. Dodge (1876) concluded: Literature Cited The Black Hills country is a true oasis in a wide and dreary desert. The approaches from every direction are Baumberger, R. 1977. South Dakota rangeland resources. Soc. through long stretches of inhospitableplains, treeless and for Range Management, Old West Regional Range Program Cob, broken . . .1 pronounce the Black Hills, in many respects, Denver, and USDA Soil Conserv. Serv., Huron, S.D. N. M. the finest country I have ever seen. As a grazing country it Denson, 1964. Geology. p. 17-22 In: Mineral and Water cannot be surpassed; and small stock-farms of fine cattle Resources of South Dakota. South Dakota State Geol. Surv. Bull. No. and sheep cannot, I think, fail of success . . . Splendid 16. grass, pure water, excellent shelter from storms—nothing Dodge, R.I. 1876. The Black Hills (Reprint 1965). Ross and is wanting to fill all the of a first-class stock- Haines, Inc., Minneapolis,Minn. requirements J.R. and farm . . . In a few years, when this wilderness shall have Johnson, J.T. Nichols. 1982. Plants of South Dakota Grasslands: A been made to "blossom as the rose" with cozy farms and PhotographicStudy. South Dakota State Univ., comfortableresidences, when rocky crags shall have been Brookings.Agri. Exp. Sta. Bull. 556. A. W. 1964. Potential crowned with palatial hotels, the tourist will find an ample Kuchler, natural vegetation of the contermi- nous UnitedStates. Amer. reward in climbing the rugged heights, or exploring the Geogr. Soc., New York. Special Publ. dark defiles of this wonderfulland. No. 36. A. C. 1949. A botanical Most Mcintosh, survey of the Black Hills of of Dodge's predictionshave become realities in little South Dakota. South Dakota School of Mines & Technol. Black more than a century. Today many fine ranches exist in the Hills Rapid City. Eng. 28(4): 3-74. Black Hills, and logging and the summertourist industry are Orr, H.K. 1959. Precipitation and streamflow in the Black Hills. vitally important to most Hills communities. USDA-Forest Serv., Rocky Mtn. For. & Range Exp. Sta., Fort Settlement and, in particular, mining in the Black Hills led Collins, Co. Paper No. 44. to unique present-day land management problems. Progulske, D.R. 1974. Yellow ore, yellow hair, yellow pine. A pho- Throughout the Hills, countless mining claims on which tographic study of a century of forest ecology. South Dakota deeds were obtained created of State Univ.,Brookings. Agri. Exp. Sta. Bull. No. 616. today's patchwork pattern C.M.1974. The land This of and Schumacher, Great Plains—wet or dry? Jour. Soil ownership. intermingling private public & Water Conservation.29:156—1 59. lands has complicated the tasks of natural resource man- Severson, K.E. and C.E. Boldt. 1978. Cattle, wildlife and riparian agers. habitats in the western Dakotas. 91-1 02 In: and Fire p. Management suppression following settlement of the Black Hills Use of Northern Plains Rangeland. Regional Rangeland has prevented the natural, dynamic changes required by Symposium.North Dakota State Univ., Dickinson. most plant communities. Interrupting these changes has led Thilenlus, J.F. 1972. Classification of deer habitat in the pon- to stagnating ponderosa pine stands which are both haz- derosa pine forest of the Black Hills, South Dakota. USDA- ardous and aesthetically unappealing. Along forest mar- Forest Serv., Rocky Mtn. For. & Range Exp. Sta., Fort Collins, gins, fire suppression has permitted pines to extend their Cob. Res. Paper RM-91. C.W. 1936. The Great range into grassland at the expense of herbaceousvegeta- Thornthwalte, Plains, p. 202—250 In: tion. Migrationand EconomicOpportunity. Univ. PennsylvaniaPress, Philadelphia, Penn. In viewof present and future land uses, there is an urgent need to examine fire as a possible management tool for reducing wildfire fuels and improving livestock and wild game ranges, timber and scenic vistas. The productivity, Acknowledgments—Portions of this manuscript were previously history of wildfire in the Black Hills should be reviewed in published as Journal No. 2049 of the South Dakota Agricultural order to obtain a proper perspective of fire in various plant ExperimentStation, Brookings, S.D. Sarah Kleinschmit drafted the fig- communities in the Hills area. In this manner the ures and CharleneBessken reviewedan earlierdraft. changes Authors are Professor, of which have occurred with fire be Range Science, Department Animal and suppression may delineat- Range Sciences,South DakotaState University,West River Agricultural ed and, perhaps, underlyingcauses of change determined. Researchand ExtensionCenter, 801 San Francisco Street, Rapid City, S.D. 57701 and ResearchWildlife Biologist, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range ExperimentStation, Rapid City, S.D., respectively. Today'sChallenges Settlement has drastically changed the character of South Dakota's rangelands. Today, more than 75 percent of the land is cultivated in many eastern South Dakota counties (Johnson and Nichols 1982). West of the Missouri River, less than 25 percent of the area is cultivated. Free- roaming bison have been replaced by confined herds of cattle, fires have been actively suppressed, and the spread of exotic species such as Kentucky bluegrass and noxious weeds such as leafy spurge threaten many native communities. The biggest challenge for range managers in South Dakota may lie in developing methods to restore that diverse "sea of grass" that early settlers saw.