Great Plains Grasslands – Shortgrass Prairie Physical description The terrain is flat to rolling with occasional valleys, canyons, mesas, and buttes. Average annual precipitation ranges from 10 to 25 inches. Dominant vegetation In the western Great Plains (or shortgrass prairie), climax vegetation typically consists of short grasses, such as the irrigated crops. In the past, large areas of wetlands were gramas, buffalograss, needlegrasses, and wheatgrasses. drained or altered in some manner so crops could be In many areas, various species of shrubs, such as grown and this practice continues. Much of this area is sagebrush, sumacs, salt bush, winterfat, and cholla, are native rangelands, most of which is grazed by livestock, found mixed with the grasses. Locoweed, sunflowers, except for a few locations where terrain is too rugged or ragweed, lupine, and herbaceous sage are common forbs water is unavailable. Many acres of rangeland and former present in this area. cropland have been converted to nonnative grasses, such as Old World bluestem and smooth brome, which have Within this ecoregion, there are large areas along major limited wildlife value. rivers and drainages dominated by trees and shrubs, such as cottonwood, American elm, box elder, and various Special: Planting trees for wildlife in this ecoregion is only willows. These sites are very attractive to species of recommended in areas where trees would have occurred wildlife that require woody cover. historically, such as in riparian areas or major drainages. The historic occurrence of these trees was influenced Depressions (potholes) caused by glaciation in the north by soils, moisture, and fire. Eastern redcedar and ashe and closed drainages (playas) in the south fill with water, juniper are very invasive in this ecoregion and control is creating numerous wetlands that are extremely valuable important where they occur. to wildlife. These wetlands, especially the smaller ones, are susceptible to periodic drought. Plant succession Annual forbs and grasses represent the initial Typical nonnative invasive plants in the Shortgrass Prairie successional stage. Perennial forbs and grasses represent include cheatgrass, Old World bluestem, saltcedar, yellow the second successional stage. Shrub cover occurs in sweetclover, knapweed, and leafy spurge. some areas and represents a third successional stage. Perennial grasses and forbs with scattered shrubs is the Farming and ranching final stage of succession over most of the Shortgrass Cultivated cropland is found in portions of this ecoregion. Prairie. Shrubs and trees are common along riparian Where precipitation is adequate or where irrigation is areas. possible, large areas are planted to agricultural crops, such as cereal grains, grain sorghum, flax, sunflowers, Wildlife associated with Shortgrass Prairie and alfalfa. Changes in farm machinery and management American kestrel black-tailed prairie dog have produced large areas of cropland with little or no blue-winged teal coyote native vegetation available for wildlife. Recent irrigation lark bunting pronghorn water management techniques have reduced the amount mallard Rocky Mountain mule deer of wetlands and riparian vegetation associated with mourning dove plains hog-nosed snake northern harrier bluegill scaled quail largemouth bass sharp-tailed grouse
Shortgrass prairie is dominated by low-growing grasses. Dwayne Elmore Dwayne In some areas of prairie, shrubs such as yucca provide important diversity that several wildlife species require. Dwayne Elmore Dwayne 34 Wildlife Habitat Education Program Great Plains Grassland: Shortgrass Prairie American kestrel blue-‐winged teal lark bunting mallard dove mourning northern harrier scaled quail sharp-‐tailed grouse black-‐tailed prairie dog coyote pronghorn Rocky Mountain mule deer plains hog-‐nosed snake bluegill largemouth bass Habitat Management Practices Conservation Easement Control Nonnative Invasive Vegetation X X X X X Create Snags X Delay Crop Harvest XXXX X Edge Feathering XX Field Borders X XXXX Forest Management XX Leave Crop Unharvested X XXXXX X Livestock Management XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Nesting Structures X Plant Food Plots X XX X XX Plant Native Grasses and Forbs XXXXXXXX XXXX Plant Shrubs X X XXXX X Plant Trees X X X Repair Spillway/Levee X XX XX Set-‐back Succession XXXXXXXXXXXXX Tillage Management XX XXXXX X Water Control Structures X XX XX Water Developments for Wildlife XXXX XX Population Management Practices Decrease Harvest XXXXXX XX Increase Harvest XXXX XX Wildlife Damage Management XX X Wildlife or Fish Survey XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Fish Pond/Stream Management Practices Construct Fish Pond XX Control Aquatic Vegetation XX Fertilize/Lime Fish Pond XX Reduce Turbidity in Fish Pond XX Restock Fish Pond XX Streams: Create Pools Streams: Remove Fish Barriers
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