Eastern South Dakota Research Articles

From intensive agriculture to prairie heritage: a paradox of land repurposing in Eastern South Dakota, USA

In this paper we take up Tania Li’s question ‘what is land’. While her interest is in how land becomes inscribed so as to make it investable, ours is in reversing the sequence so as to make long-inscribed land de-investable. We focus on a family farm in Eastern South Dakota which was bequeathed to the US Fish and Wildlife Service in order that its tilled fields of industrially produced corn and soybeans be replaced with native, tallgrass prairie. The process – one of de-inscription – involved evocations of settler heritage which, ironically, provided a prairie-friendly justification for massive prairie destruction.

Molecular survey of trichostrongyle nematodes in a Bison bison herd experiencing clinical parasitism, and effects of avermectin treatment

North American bison (Bison bison) producers face many challenges, including the potential clinical and economics problems caused by trichostrongyle nematodes within their herds. Little is known about the prevalence, intensity, geographical distribution and clinical significance of these parasites in commercial bison herds, even from regions where bison production has become popular. This study involved a large herd of bison from eastern South Dakota that was experiencing clinical parasitism due to a temporary over-stocking problem. After documenting fecal egg counts (FECs) and trichostrongyle genera present among the 3 main age-categories (i.e. adults, yearlings, calves) of bison during this heavily infected grazing season, the effects of doramectin treatment on the different age groups was also evaluated. This is the first bison study using PCR to identify genera of trichostrongyles in fecal samples. Virtually all 103 bison fecal samples from all 3 age classes were shedding trichostrongyle eggs by the end of the season, and the mean FECs were 34 eggs/g (EPG) among the cows, 125 EPG in the yearlings, and 186 EGP among calves. Based upon this heavily-infected herd, there is evidence that the susceptibility of bison to trichostrongyles is more similar to beef cattle than to sheep. Other parasites such as Moniezia, Nematodirus, Trichuris, and coccidians were also identified in these samples. All but 3 of the 51 samples analyzed with PCR shown at least 1 trichostrongyle genera. Ostertagia was detected in 68.6% of the samples, Cooperia in 80.39%, Haemonchus in at least 73% and Trichostrongylus in 16% of the herd. Most commonly, bison were infected with combinations of Haemonchus/Ostertagia/Cooperia. After treatment with doramectin, the mean FECs dropped by 99.9% for all of the bison age classes.

Reducing cultivation risk for at-risk species: Predicting outcomes of conservation easements for sage-grouse

Conversion of native habitats to cropland is a leading cause of biodiversity loss. The northeastern extent of the sagebrush (Artemisia L.) ecosystem of western North America has experienced accelerated rates of cropland conversion resulting in many declining shrubland species including greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Here we present point-process models to elucidate the magnitude and spatial scale of cropland effects on sage-grouse lek occurrence in eastern Montana, northeastern Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. We also use a non-parametric, probabilistic crop suitability model to simulate future cropland expansion and estimate impacts to sage-grouse. We found cropland effects manifest at a spatial scale of 32.2km2 and a 10 percentage point increase in cropland is associated with a 51% reduction in lek density. Our crop suitability model and stochastic cropland build-outs indicate 5–7% of the remaining population in the US portion of sage-grouse Management Zone I is vulnerable to future cropland conversion under a severe scenario where cropland area expands by 50%. Using metrics of biological value, risk of conversion, and acquisition cost to rank parcels, we found that a US $100M investment in easements could reduce potential losses by about 80%, leaving just over 1% of the population in the study are vulnerable to cropland expansion. Clustering conservation easements into high-risk landscapes by incorporating landscape-scale vulnerability to conversion into the targeting scheme substantially improved conservation outcomes.

Estimating Annual Root Decomposition in Grassland Systems

Calculated belowground buried root bag decomposition rates may be impacted by soil disturbance and that mesh bags can exclude potential degraders. This paper explicitly compares the sequential soil sampling method to the buried root bag approach to determine if biomass degradation estimates over a season differ. The research was conducted at two eastern South Dakota grassland sites (loamy and thin upland ecological sites) in 2011 and 2012 in an area where the grassland vegetation was killed to prevent new root growth. In the sequential core technique, a composite sample consisting of three 4-cm diameter soil cores from the 0- to 15- and 15- to 30-cm depth were collected monthly from May to October, whereas five residue bags were placed 7 cm below the soil surface in spring and removed at the last soil sampling date. The sequential core (61% ± 7.2) and residue bag (58% ± 7.2) techniques had similar root decomposition amounts; however, the sequential core technique had a lower labor requirement than the residue bag technique when the increased sampling requirement was considered.

Community Fisheries in Eastern South Dakota: Angler Demographics, Use, and Factors Influencing Satisfaction

ABSTRACTWe surveyed anglers on five community fishing lakes near Brookings, South Dakota to assess angler use and satisfaction. The community lakes attracted younger anglers when compared to statewide and national averages. Overall, satisfaction was generally high (74%) among anglers fishing community lakes. Logistic regression analysis showed that harvest rate, anglers targeting trout, familiarity with the lake, adults fishing with children, and fishing during open water periods were significantly related to angler satisfaction. Angler parties consisting of adults fishing with children were 1.7 times more likely to respond as “satisfied” compared with adults-only angler groups. Fishing opportunities provided by community lakes can enhance participation by younger anglers while simultaneously providing family-oriented recreation (i.e., adults fishing with children) that enhances trip satisfaction.

The Effects of Patch-Burn Grazing on Vegetation Structural Heterogeneity in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie of South Dakota

Patch-burn grazing was developed as a grazing system to increase vegetation structural heterogeneity in managed grasslands of the central Great Plains. To evaluate this system in northern tallgrass prairie, we compared the structural response of vegetation following patch-burn grazing to that of continuous season-long grazing at two sites in eastern South Dakota. We established two pastures at each site and randomly assigned one pasture at each site to a patch-burn grazing treatment and the other to a continuous season-long grazing treatment. We allotted cow-calf pairs to each pasture during the summers of 2007 through 2009. We burned one patch of the patch-burn grazing pastures each spring for three years, leaving one patch not burned at the end of the study. We measured foliar cover of major plant functional groups, litter cover, and visual obstruction at the end of each grazing season and measured forage quality three times during the final summer. Ordination of principal component patch means showed greater vegetation structural heterogeneity for patch-burn grazing than season-long continuous grazing each year. Our results suggest that patch-burn grazing is a strategy that has potential to increase vegetation structural heterogeneity in northern tallgrass prairies and should be tested at other northern locations.

Nectar Production in Oilseeds: Food for Pollinators in an Agricultural Landscape

Pollinating insects are in decline throughout the world, driven by a combination of factors including the loss of forage resources. The maize (Zea mays L.)– and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]–dominated agriculture of the Central and Midwestern United States produces a landscape relatively devoid of nectar and pollen resources. Introducing specialty oilseeds into current crop rotations could provide abundant floral resources for pollinating insects as well as a high‐value crop for growers. We investigated the nectar sugar resources and insect visitation throughout flower anthesis of nine specialty oilseed crops in west‐central Minnesota and eastern South Dakota during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Total sugar produced over anthesis (TS) was highest for echium (Echium plantagineum L.) at 472 kg ha−1. Canola (Brassica napus L.), crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst.), echium, borage (Borago officinalis L.), and cuphea (Cuphea viscosissima Jacq. × Cuphea lanceolata W. T. Aiton) produced enough sugar in one hectare to supply the annual sugar needs of a least one managed honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colony. Pollinators visited flowers of all crops, with as many as 90 insects min−1 observed. Our study is unique as we measured nectar sugar production, flower density, and insect visitation throughout anthesis for multiple specialty oilseed crops, providing a seasonwide perspective of the flux of nectar resources for pollinators. Adding specialty oilseed crops into current crop rotations could aid in reversing pollinator decline by providing forage resources that are lacking in the current agricultural landscape.

Escapement of Fishes from Modified Fyke Nets with Differing Throat Configurations

AbstractWe performed a field experiment in five eastern South Dakota lakes to investigate fish escapement differences between modified fyke nets with two common throat configurations (restricted and unrestricted). Nets with restricted and unrestricted throats were deployed in pairs for 24 h on similar habitat. Captured fish were measured for TL and were given day‐specific marks. The paired nets were redeployed, and marked fish were randomly assigned to be stocked into the restricted or unrestricted net for 24 h; stocking densities (stratified into low, medium, and high) were species specific. Marked fish that were retained after 24 h were used to quantify escapement, whereas newly captured fish were used to estimate differences in mean CPUE and size structure. Mean CPUE of Black Bullheads Ameiurus melas, Black Crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus, and Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus approximately doubled when restricted nets were used. Mean TL of Black Crappies was 31 mm greater (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6–57 mm greater) and mean TL of Bluegills was 21 mm greater (95% CI = 8–35 mm greater) in restricted nets than in unrestricted nets. Escapement from restricted nets was 4.4% for Black Crappies and 10.3% for Bluegills, whereas escapement from unrestricted nets was 71.7% for Black Crappies and 58.4% for Bluegills. We urge researchers to consider the influence of varying fyke‐net throat configurations on calculated population metrics, and we recommend inclusion of the restricted throat feature in gear specifications for North American standard modified fyke nets.Received April 6, 2015; accepted October 14, 2015

Rootworm Larval Management in Corn and its Impact on Yield in Eastern South Dakota Using Registered Insecticidal Materials, 2015: Table 1

Rootworm Larval Management in Corn and its Impact on Yield in Eastern South Dakota Using Registered Insecticidal Materials, 2015: Table 1

Does the U.S. Cropland Data Layer Provide an Accurate Benchmark for Land‐Use Change Estimates?

Even though the cropland data layer (CDL) has been used in policy discussions it has not been independently validated using publically available information. The projects objective was to conduct an independent validation of the CDL. South Dakota was selected as a model system because it is located in a climate transition zone, with row crop production being the dominant practice in eastern South Dakota and the grazing of grassland being the dominant practice in western South Dakota. High resolution imagery was used to determine land‐uses (cropland, grassland, non‐agricultural, habitat, and water) at 14,400 points in 2006 and 2012. Based on comparisons between the CDL and ground collected data, a confusion table was constructed and the CDL user (% false positive = 100‐user accuracy) and producer (% false negatives = 100 – producer accuracy) accuracies determined. The % false positives and % false negatives are often referred to as Type I error and Type II error. In 2006, the CDL cropland producer accuracy (% of ground collected sites that were correctly identified) ranged from 89.2% in the east central to 42.6% in the Northwest, whereas the CDL grassland producer accuracy ranged from 95.2% in the Northwest to 38.9% in the Southeast. Similar results were reported for 2012. Grassland CDL producer and user accuracies were highest when grasslands were the dominant practice and cropland producer and user accuracies were highest when croplands were the dominant land‐use. These results suggest that inherent CDL errors introduce uncertainty into land‐use change calculations.

A new species of Stenodiplosis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on Spartina grasses (Poaceae) with notes on its biology and its parasitoid Tetrastichus bromi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).

Stenodiplosis spartinae Gagné new species (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is described from eastern South Dakota and coastal North Carolina, and compared with other American congeners. The known host plants are Spartina alterniflora and S. pectinata. The larva is a seed predator of the ovule and immature caryopsis of the host plant. Adult activity is from the early emergence of the host inflorescence through anthesis. Oviposition occurs in the floret with eggs laid under the edges of the palea and lemma. The larva apparently overwinters in dehisced spikelets in the soil among rhizomes of S. pectinata, with pupation in late spring. Laboratory emergence and field activity of the adults suggest a potentialsecond or third generation developing on late emerging inflorescences. Larval feeding does not induce external color or shape changes in the spikelet. Apparently all three instars are ectoparasitized by Tetrastichus bromi Kostyukov (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) that was probably introduced to North America in the late 1800's and is inculcated into parasitoid guilds of several Stenodiplosis species. Resource partitioning appears to occur between the gall midge and early instars of Aethes spartinana Barnes and McDunnough (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) that feed on maturing caryopses. The feeding of this gall midge and the moth probably account for most of the reduced seed production in both natural and agronomic populations of S. pectinata.

A Survey of the Foliar and Soil Arthropod Communities in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Fields of Central and Eastern South Dakota

Abstract The long coevolutionary history between sunflowers (Helianthus annuus, Asterales: Asteraceae) and arthropods in the northern Great Plains has resulted in a commonly grown oilseed crop that harbors a large diversity of insects. A bioinventory of foliar and subterranean arthropods was performed in 22 sunflower fields over a period of three site years in central and eastern South Dakota. Overall, 467 morphospecies were collected. From foliage, 15 arthropod orders were observed. Those containing the greatest species diversity were Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera and Araneae with 80; 53; 53; 40 and 30 morphospecies each, respectively. Subterranean arthropods from 19 orders were collected. The five orders containing the highest number of morphospecies were Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Araneae and Diptera containing 77; 17; 14; 11 and nine morphospecies respectively. Although bioinventories can be expensive and time consuming, information gathered from them has many uses, including ef...

Soil Response to Corn Residue Removal and Cover Crops in Eastern South Dakota

Soil Response to Corn Residue Removal and Cover Crops in Eastern South Dakota

Micro-environment conditions, mycorrhizal symbiosis, and seed germination in Cypripedium candidum: strategies for conservation

Cypripedium candidum Muhl. ex Willd. (White Lady’s Slipper), a terrestrial northern United States / southern Canada prairie orchid, reproduces both by seed and adventitious buds from older roots and rhi- zomes. To determine the pollination effects of diverse prairie micro-environments caused by com- peting foliage, particularly with respect to height and density of surrounding flora, ovary development (pollination success) versus ovary abortion (no pol- lination) was recorded for every flower in three diverse populations in eastern South Dakota, USA.

Spatial and numerical relationships of arthropod communities associated with key pests of maize

AbstractPest management largely focuses on managing individual pest species with little concern for the diverse communities that co‐occur with key pests and potentially shape their population dynamics. During anthesis, we described the foliar arthropod communities on 53 maize farms throughout the region of eastern South Dakota. The resulting communities were examined for trends in local associations in the abundances of taxa with key pests in the system (rootworms [Diabrotica spp.], European corn borers [Ostrinia nubilalis], aphids and Western bean cutworm [Striacosta albicosta]) using regression analyses. Regional spatial clustering in the abundances of key pests with members of the community was explored using Moran's I test statistic. The distributions of rootworms and European corn borer were mapped. A total of 37 185 arthropods representing at least 91 taxa were collected in South Dakota maize; there was an average of 5.06 predators and 8.29 herbivores found per plant. Key pests were never found at economically threatening levels (with one exception for Diabrotica). Numerous species were consistently numerically associated with each of the key pests across the farms during anthesis. Occasionally, these pests shared species with which they were locally associated with; for example, coccinellid egg abundances were predictive of the abundances of all key pest species except rootworm adults. Spatial analysis across the region suggested that species co‐occurred with key pests based on local characteristics surrounding the fields, rather than as a result of regional characteristics. Exceptions were documented; namely aphids and Western bean cutworms that spatially clustered with a handful of other members of the community. The results of the study point out that the abundances of key pests of maize were interconnected through indirect associations in the abundances of other members of the community. These associations may be useful for manipulating maize agroecosystems to minimize the effects of maize pests.

Influence of ecologic factors on prevalence of meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) infection in South Dakota, USA.

The meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) is a nematode parasite that commonly infects white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; WTD) throughout the deciduous forest biome and deciduous-coniferous ecotone of eastern and central North America; the species is not known to occur west of the grassland biome of central North America. We used county-specific prevalence data to evaluate potential effects of landscape and climatologic factors on the spatial distribution of meningeal worm infection in South Dakota, US. Probability of infection increased 4-fold between eastern and western South Dakota and 1.3-fold for each 1-cm increase in summer precipitation. Sixty-three percent of WTD had only a single worm in the cranium. Expansion of meningeal worm infection across western South Dakota may be inherently low due to the combined effects of arid climate and potential attributes of the Missouri River that limit regional movements by infected WTD. Use of landscape genetic analyses to identify potential relationships between landscape features and population genetic structure of infected deer and parasites may contribute to a greater understanding of regional heterogeneity in meningeal worm infection rates across South Dakota, particularly in counties adjacent to the Missouri River. Future research evaluating heterogeneity in prevalence and intensity of infection between fawn and yearling deer, and the potential role of yearling male deer as dispersal agents of meningeal worms across the Missouri River, also is warranted.

Impact of Harvest Management on Forage Production and Nutrient Removal by Smooth Bromegrass on a Vegetated Treatment Area

Beef cattle (Bos taurus L.) feedlots pose serious environmental challenges associated with nutrient runoff. Smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) is a perennial rhizomatous grass that is widely used for forage production in the USA and Canada. The objective of this research was to determine the best management system for producing forage from a vegetated treatment area (VTA) while maintaining the capacity of the VTA to remove nutrients from feedlot effluent. Four harvest management treatments (1-, 2-, and 3-harvest per year and an un-harvested control) were applied during spring 2005 and evaluated over a 5-yr period in a smooth brome sward on a VTA near Howard, SD. Mean annual total forage production during a 4-yr period ranged from 6.2 Mg·ha-1 to 9.5 Mg·ha-1 for 1- and 3-harvest systems, respectively. Nutrient removal by the bromegrass ranged from 148 kg·N·ha-1 and 15 kg·P·ha-1 for the 1-harvest treatment to 244 kg·ha-1 N and 24 kg·ha-1 P for the 3-harvest treatment. Results indicated that high amounts of smooth bromegrass forage could be produced and soil nutrients removed from 2- and 3-harvest systems without compro-mising stand vigor and persistence on a VTA in eastern South Dakota.

Surface Temperatures and Durations Associated with Spring Prescribed Fires in Eastern South Dakota Tallgrass Prairies

Fire and grazing are commonly used to manage nonnative grasses in the Northern Great Plains, but the effects of fire frequency and management between fire events on fire behavior in this region are poorly understood. We examined temperature and duration of prescribed spring fires at two locations where plots were treated with two fire frequencies (annual or biennial), simulated grazing (1 mo of weekly clipping in spring) and no simulated grazing. In May 2011 and 2013, soil surface fire temperatures and heat duration were monitored in treatment plots using thermocouples. Probes also were placed at 1, 2, and 3 cm depths to measure soil heat transfer. Lethal heat duration (>60 C) at the surface tended to be longer in plots treated with biennial fires compared to plots treated with annual fires. Fires in 2011 had higher maximum temperatures than 2013. Cooler fires in 2013 were characterized by longer durations of lethal heat. However, simulated grazing increased residence time of lethal temperatures in biennial plots and reduced lethal temperature duration in annual plots. Surface heat did not influence soil temperatures even at the 1 cm depth. Greater fuel loads, characteristic of plots treated with biennial fires, generally were associated with higher maximum temperatures and longer heat durations. Results suggest decreasing fire frequency to once every 2 y, perhaps combined with biennial grazing management, may enhance fire behavior to better meet management objectives.

Evaluation of Herbicides for Control of Reed Canarygrass(Phalaris arundinacea)

ABSTRACT Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is an invasive species that forms dense, monotypic stands in wetlands, moist meadows, and riparian areas. We implemented a reed canarygrass removal study at five sites in eastern South Dakota using imazapyr, imazapic, and glyphosate individually and in combination. Eight treatments (five in fall, two in spring, and a control) were applied at each location in fall 2005—spring 2006. Herbicides were applied over clipped vegetation that had residual vegetation removed. Reed canarygrass cover was 93% in untreated plots, and ranged from 21%–66% in herbicide treated plots at the conclusion of the study. Herbicide treatments containing imazapyr provided control for two growing seasons.

Spring migration ecology of the mid‐continent sandhill crane population with an emphasis on use of the Central Platte River Valley, Nebraska

ABSTRACTWe conducted a 10‐year study (1998–2007) of the Mid‐Continent Population (MCP) of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) to identify spring‐migration corridors, locations of major stopovers, and migration chronology by crane breeding affiliation (western Alaska–Siberia [WA–S], northern Canada–Nunavut [NC–N], west‐central Canada–Alaska [WC–A], and east‐central Canada–Minnesota [EC–M]). In the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) of Nebraska, we evaluated factors influencing staging chronology, food habits, fat storage, and habitat use of sandhill cranes. We compared our findings to results from the Platte River Ecology Study conducted during 1978–1980. We determined spring migration corridors used by the breeding affiliations (designated subpopulations for management purposes) by monitoring 169 cranes marked with platform transmitter terminals (PTTs). We also marked and monitored 456 cranes in the CPRV with very high frequency (VHF) transmitters to evaluate length and pattern of stay, habitat use, and movements. An estimated 42% and 58% of cranes staging in the CPRV were greater sandhill cranes (G. c. tabida) and lesser sandhill cranes (G. c. canadensis), and they stayed for an average of 20 and 25 days (2000–2007), respectively. Cranes from the WA–S, NC–N, WC–A, and EC–M affiliations spent an average of 72, 77, 52, and 53 days, respectively, in spring migration of which 28, 23, 24, and 18 days occurred in the CPRV. The majority of the WA–S subpopulation settled in the CPRV apparently because of inadequate habitat to support more birds upstream, although WA–S cranes accounted for >90% of birds staging in the North Platte River Valley. Crane staging duration in the CPRV was negatively correlated with arrival dates; 92% of cranes stayed >7 days. A program of annual mechanical removal of mature stands of woody growth and seedlings that began in the early 1980s primarily in the main channel of the Platte River has allowed distribution of crane roosts to remain relatively stable over the past 2 decades. Most cranes returned to nocturnal roost sites used in previous years. Corn residues dominated the diet of sandhill cranes in the CPRV, as in the 1970s, despite a marked decline in standing crop of corn residues. Only 14% (10 of 74) of PTT‐marked migrant cranes stayed at stopovers for ≥5 days before arriving in the CPRV, which limited the contribution of sites south of the CPRV for fat accumulation needed for migration and reproduction. Body masses of cranes (after adjusting for body size [an index of fat]) at arrival in the CPRV varied widely among years (1998–2006), indicating the importance of maintaining productive habitats on the wintering grounds to condition cranes for migration and reproduction. Average rates of fat gain by adult females while in the CPRV remained similar from 1978–1979 to 1998–1999 but declined among males. Distances cranes flew to feeding grounds in the CPRV increased as the percentage of cropland planted to soybeans increased and as density of cranes on nocturnal roosts increased. These results suggest that as habitats of limited or no value to cranes increase on the landscape, more flight time and higher maintenance costs may reduce fat storage. An estimated 40% of diurnal use occurred north of Interstate 80 (I‐80) where ≤5% of lands dedicated to crane conservation are located. Seventy‐four and 40% of PTT‐marked EC–M and WC–A cranes had spring migrations that included staging in eastern South Dakota for an average of 11 and 10 days, respectively. Cranes of the NC–N, WA–S, and WC–A subpopulations staged an average of 25, 17, and 12 days in central and western Saskatchewan/eastern Alberta. Females in these affiliations increased their fat reserves after leaving Nebraska by an estimated 450, 451, and 452 g, respectively, underscoring the key role of these staging areas in preparing the 3 subpopulations for reproduction. After departing Nebraska, MCP cranes roosted primarily in basin wetlands. Most of these wetlands are in private ownership and lack adequate protection, emphasizing the need for effective laws and policies to ensure their long‐term protection. The continued success of the current management goal of maintaining the MCP at approximately its current size and providing diverse recreational opportunities over a wide area of midcontinent and western North America is predicated on the ability of MCP cranes to continue to store large fat reserves in the CPRV in advance of breeding. For the CPRV to remain a key fat storage site, active channel maintenance (e.g., clearing of woody vegetation) likely will need to continue, along with establishing minimum stream flows. These actions would help ensure nocturnal roosting habitat remains sufficiently dispersed to provide cranes with daily intake of high‐energy food adequate for major fat storage and limit risk of high mortality from storms and disease. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.