Classification of native vegetation at the Woodworth Station, North Dakota

Abstract

Native prairie areas on the Woodworth Station were sampled, classified, described, and mapped. Transect sites were selectively located along different soil moisture gradients. Data were collected from 292 plots using a modified Braun-Blanquet cover estimation technique. Trees and tall shrubs (over 2 m) were not sampled because they made up less than 1% of all cover. Eve vegetation classes were established based on growth forms. They were mixed grass, shrub, tall grass, broad-leaved forbs, and trees. Each class is divided into community types based on species composition. The mixed-grass class has blue grama, Kentucky bluegrass, and mixed native grasses. The shrub class is divided into low shrub, shrub grassland, and tall shrub. The tall-grass class includes little bluestem, big bluestem, bluestem Indian-grass, and prairie cordgrass. These results will provide baseline information for long-range plans on habitat management which are being developed for the Woodworth Station.