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40 GrowMr Curve <br /> % 36 <br /> P 32 <br /> r za <br /> 0 24 <br /> d <br /> u m <br /> 0 76 <br /> t <br /> 1 12 <br /> 0 8 <br /> n 4 <br /> 0 Jm Feb M. AW May Jm Jrd AW Sep W Nw ❑ec <br /> Increased Bare Ground Plant Community <br /> This plant community can develop by long-term heavy continuous grazing,and/or excessive defoliation(i.e.occupation by prairie dogs). <br /> Fendler threeawn is the dominant species.Sand dropseed may also be present in varying amounts.A number of annual plants such as <br /> Russian thistle,kochia,knapweed and cheatgrass will increase or invade.Field bindweed is often present on prairie dog towns. <br /> Litter levels are extremely low.The nutrient cycle,water cycle,and energy flow are greatly reduced.Infiltration is greatly reduced and erosion <br /> is occurring.Pedestalling is evident.Organic matter/carbon reserves are greatly reduced.Desertification is obvious. <br /> Production can vary from 50 to 400 pounds of air-dry vegetation per acre per year depending on weather conditions and the plants that are <br /> present. <br /> Plant Growth Curve <br /> Growth curve number c06710 <br /> Growth Curve name: Warm-Season Dominant,MLRA-6713;upland coarse-textured soils. <br /> Growth curve description: <br /> Percent Production by Month <br /> Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec <br /> 0 0 0 5 20 40 20 10 5 0 0 0 <br /> 40 <br /> % 36 <br /> P 32 <br /> r za <br /> 0 24 <br /> d <br /> u m <br /> 0 76 <br /> t <br /> 1 12 <br /> 0 8 <br /> n 4 <br /> 0 Jm Feb M. Apr May Jm Ad AW Sep Ob hm Dec <br /> Go-Back Plant Community <br /> Go-back land is created when the soil is tilled or farmed(sodbusted)and abandoned.All of the native plants are destroyed,soil organic <br /> matter is reduced,soil structure is changed and a plowpan or compacted layer is formed.Residual synthetic chemicals often remain from past <br /> farming operations and erosion processes may be active. <br /> Go-back land evolves through several plant communities beginning with an early annual plant community,which initiates the revegetation <br /> process.Plants such as Russian thistle,kochia and other annuals begin to establish.These plants give some protection from erosion and <br /> start to build minor levels of soil organic matter.This early annual plant community lasts for two to several years.Fendler threeawn,sand <br /> dropseed and several other early perennials can dominate the plant community for several years.Eventually other native species become <br /> reestablished. <br /> In much of the MLRA go-back land has eroded where tillage or farming and severe erosion has occurred.If the parent material that the <br /> original soil developed from is lost,then another ecosite will evolve.If the same parent material is present,then re-seeding or the slow <br /> process of developing soil and vegetation will start by similar processes as mentioned above.This is a very slow process(100 years or more). <br /> Reference Plant Community <br /> This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Reference Plant Community.This plant community evolved with grazing <br /> by large herbivores,and is well suited for grazing by domestic livestock.It can be found on areas that are properly managed with prescribed <br /> grazing that allows for adequate recovery periods following each grazing event.The potential vegetation is about 70-85%grasses and grass- <br /> like plants,10-15%(orbs,and 5-15%woody plants. <br /> The dominant tall warm season grasses are prairie sandreed,sand bluestem and switchgrass.Blue grama dominates the understory. <br /> Important cool season grasses and grass-likes are needle and thread and sun sedge.Key(orbs and shrubs are American vetch,pacific <br /> 6 of 18 <br />