Northwestern North Dakota Research Articles

Fertilizer Management Strategies of Glycine max L. (Soybean) in Northcentral and North-Western North Dakota

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a new cash crop grown in north central and northwestern North Dakota (ND). Soils and climate in these new soybean areas differ from current fertilizer guidelines. A three-year study to evaluate soybean fertility best management practices was initiated in the spring of 2016 and concluded in 2018. Each year had two sites and twelve treatments. One site was acidic (pH < 6.2) and the other was alkaline (pH > 7.2). Both site treatments were: untreated check, inoculated with rhizobia (Bradyrhizobium japonicum L.), broadcast urea (55 kg ha−1), broadcast MAP (110 kg ha−1), In-furrow 10-34-0 (28 L ha−1), in-furrow 6-24-6 (28 L ha−1), foliar 3-18-18 (28 L ha−1) at V5 and R2, and foliar 3-18-18 (28 L ha−1) with sulfate (1.1 kg ha−1) at V5 and R2. The acidic site had two treatments of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) waste lime (4411 kg ha−1 and 8821 kg ha−1). The alkaline site received treatments of iron ortho-ortho-EDDHA (7.1 L ha−1), and naked ortho-ortho-EDDHA (7.1 L ha−1). An in-furrow treatment of cobalt (2.9 kg cobalt-sulfate ha−1) was added in 2018. Fertilizer treatments did not impact soybean yield, protein content and oil content at the 0.05 significance level.

Patterns of Smooth Brome, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Shrub Invasion in the Northern Great Plains Vary with Temperature and Precipitation

Biological diversity and ecological integrity in native prairies of the northern Great Plains are substantially modified from pre-Euro-American settlement. About 90,000 ha of native mixed-grass and tallgrass prairie are managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in North Dakota, South Dakota, and northeastern Montana. We used belt transects to classify floristic composition of all Service-owned prairies in the Dakotas and northeastern Montana. Prairies were significantly degraded, mainly by invasion of introduced grass and forb species and by native shrubs. In general, floristic integrity of Service-managed prairies was most compromised by smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). The degradation was, in part, an unintended outcome of long-term management by the Service. The degree of degradation varied spatially across the broad geographic area defined by our study and was invader-specific, corresponding to geographic patterns in precipitation and temperature. Within the study area, floristic quality was relatively high on prairies toward the north and west, where plant growth sites generally were cooler and drier, based on long-term averages. In contrast, growth sites to the south and east generally were warmer, moister, and characterized by lower floristic quality, primarily because they were substantially invaded by smooth brome. Kentucky bluegrass was the most widespread invader of Service-owned prairies, with less frequent occurrence only in prairies dominated by smooth brome, especially in South Dakota or by native grass–forbs, especially in northwestern North Dakota and northeastern Montana. Improved knowledge of geographic and climate-related patterns of plant invasion enhances decision making for protecting northern mixed-grass and tallgrass prairies by focusing restoration efforts where probability of success is greater.

“Have You Been to Walmart?” Gender and Perceptions of Safety in North Dakota Boomtowns

ABSTRACTBetween 2010 and 2015, North Dakota’s economy was out of sync with the rest of the U.S. As a result of the Bakken oil boom, unemployment registered approximately 1% in northwestern North Dakota while the rest of the country suffered the lingering effects of the Great Recession. As one of the only sharply growing economies during that time, job seekers descended from every state in search of high-paying oilfield jobs. The majority of those job seekers were men, and this study examines how the hypermasculinized environment altered perceptions of safety and security for men and women living in the Bakken.

Sparrow nest survival in relation to prescribed fire and woody plant invasion in a northern mixed‐grass prairie

ABSTRACTPrescribed fire is used to reverse invasion by woody vegetation on grasslands, but managers often are uncertain whether influences of shrub and tree reduction outweigh potential effects of fire on nest survival of grassland birds. During the 2001–2003 breeding seasons, we examined relationships of prescribed fire and woody vegetation to nest survival of clay‐colored sparrow (Spizella pallida) and Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) in mixed‐grass prairie at Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern North Dakota, USA. We assessed relationships of nest survival to 1) recent fire history, in terms of number of breeding seasons (2, 3, or 4–5) since the last prescribed fire, and 2) prevalence of trees and tall (>1.5 m) shrubs in the landscape and of low (≤1.5 m) shrubs within 5 m of nests. Nest survival of both species exhibited distinct patterns related to age of the nest and day of year, but bore no relationship to fire history. Survival of clay‐colored sparrow nests declined as the amount of trees and tall shrubs within 100 m increased, but we found no relationship to suggest nest parasitism by brown‐headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) as an underlying mechanism. We found little evidence linking nest survival of Savannah sparrow to woody vegetation. Our results suggest that fire can be used to restore northern mixed‐grass prairies without adversely affecting nest survival of ≥2 widespread passerine species. Survival of nests of clay‐colored sparrow may increase when tall woody cover is reduced by fire. Our data lend support to the use of fire for reducing scattered patches of tall woody cover to enhance survival of nests of ≥1 grassland bird species in northern mixed‐grass prairies, but further study is needed that incorporates experimental approaches and assessments of shorter term effects of fire on survival of nests of grassland passerines. © 2017 This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Ferruginous hawk demography in areas differing in energy extraction activity

ABSTRACTThe recent expansion of oil and gas extraction activity on the Great Plains, USA, has occurred with little understanding of potential effects of the activity on wildlife populations. We monitored the demography of breeding ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis) in 2 areas of western North Dakota, USA, subject to different intensities of energy extraction. Northwestern North Dakota is the heart of the Bakken Shale, where oil and gas extraction activity has been intense (e.g., 1,273 new oil wells from 2011–2013 in our high‐intensity study area) in recent years. In contrast, such activity has occurred at a relatively low intensity (e.g., 18 new oil wells from 2011–2013 in our low‐intensity study area) in southwestern North Dakota. Ferruginous hawks in the 2 areas had similar densities of nesting pairs, with comparable fledging success. However, between‐year re‐use of nest sites was significantly lower in the area with high‐intensity energy extraction (1 of 8) than the area of low‐intensity (8 of 10); also, re‐use of nests in the high‐intensity area was considerably lower than reported from other parts of the range of the species. Thus, although high‐intensity energy extraction activity had no apparent impact on immediate reproductive success of ferruginous hawks, long‐term population declines could be expected in our northern study area given the unusually low rate of nest‐site re‐use. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.

Quantifying atmospheric methane emissions from oil and natural gas production in the Bakken shale region of North Dakota

AbstractWe present in situ airborne measurements of methane (CH4) and ethane (C2H6) taken aboard a NOAA DHC‐6 Twin Otter research aircraft in May 2014 over the Williston Basin in northwestern North Dakota, a region of rapidly growing oil and natural gas production. The Williston Basin is best known for the Bakken shale formation, from which a significant increase in oil and gas extraction has occurred since 2009. We derive a CH4 emission rate from this region using airborne data by calculating the CH4 enhancement flux through the planetary boundary layer downwind of the region. We calculate CH4 emissions of (36 ± 13), (27 ± 13), (27 ± 12), (27 ± 12), and (25 ± 10) × 103 kg/h from five transects on 3 days in May 2014 downwind of the Bakken shale region of North Dakota. The average emission, (28 ± 5) × 103 kg/h, extrapolates to 0.25 ± 0.05 Tg/yr, which is significantly lower than a previous estimate of CH4 emissions from northwestern North Dakota and southeastern Saskatchewan using satellite remote sensing data. We attribute the majority of CH4 emissions in the region to oil and gas operations in the Bakken based on the similarity between atmospheric C2H6 to CH4 enhancement ratios and the composition of raw natural gas withdrawn from the region.

Geoarchaeology and paleoenvironmental context of the Beacon Island site, an Agate Basin (Paleoindian) bison kill in northwestern North Dakota, USA

A geoarchaeological investigation that included soil-stratigraphic and paleoecological analyses was conducted at Beacon Island, located in the flood pool of Lake Sakakawea in northwestern North Dakota. Beacon Island is a multi-component archaeological site that includes an Agate Basin (Paleoindian) component consisting of the butchered remains of at least 29 Bison antiquus, along with projectile point fragments and other artifacts. The bison bonebed is a product of a single kill at ca. 10,300 B.P. and is buried in a shallow kettle basin. The basin formed around 16,000–15,000 B.P. and initially trapped loess comprising the Mallard Island Member of the Oahe Formation; other members of the Oahe Formation subsequently filled the basin. Conditions probably were relatively dry when the Mallard Island Member aggraded, but by ca. 10,300 B.P. paludal deposits comprising the Aggie Brown Member began to accumulate in the basin, indicating a shift to wetter conditions. Based on phytolith and stable carbon isotope data, cool-season C3 prairie species dominated the site at the time of the bison kill, and the micromammal faunal assemblage suggests that this boreal grassland may have been punctuated by stands of shrubby vegetation. Slight warming and drying occurred soon after ca. 10,300 B.P., indicated by relatively higher δ13C values determined on soil organic matter and a significant increase in concentrations of microscopic particulate charcoal and drought-resistant Stipa-type phytoliths, but paludal deposits continued to aggrade, resulting in deep burial of the bonebed. Sedimentation was relatively slow in the basin, allowing soil development to keep up with deposition. This cumulization process resulted in the formation of an overthickened A horizon in the Aggie Brown Member, typical of the Leonard Paleosol. Aggradation of the Aggie Brown Member ceased by ca. 8000 B.P., and loess comprising the Pick City Member began accumulating soon after that time, likely marking the initiation of the warm, dry Altithermal climatic episode. Isotope and phytolith data also point to a warmer and probably drier climate after 8000 B.P., indicated by higher δ13C values and the appearance of warm-season C4 chloridoids at the site. Hence the Agate Basin occupation coincided with the coolest and perhaps the wettest climatic episode recorded in the sampled deposits. However, it is likely that the people associated with the Agate Basin culture at Beacon Island did not experience environmental conditions dramatically different from the modern conditions at the site.

Pygmy Shrew (<em>Sorex hoyi</em>) in Montana east of the Rocky Mountains with comments on its distribution across the northern Great Plains

Range maps for Pygmy Shrew (Sorex hoyi) show a large hiatus over much of the northern Great Plains between the Rocky Mountains and eastern North Dakota. We report a new record of the Pygmy Shrew in northeastern Montana, review previous records for the state and adjacent regions bordering Montana to the north and east, and suggest that the range boundary in the northern Great Plains be redrawn farther south to include all of Montana north of the Missouri River. This is consistent with the known range of the Pygmy Shrew in eastern North Dakota and South Dakota, where the species has been documented only north and east of the Missouri River, although records are still lacking from north of the Missouri River in northwestern North Dakota and adjacent regions of Canada. Pygmy Shrews will probably be found at additional localities in prairie regions of Canada adjacent to Montana, most likely in association with prairie pothole wetlands, river bottom riparian vegetation, and hardwood draws.

Factors Affecting Songbird Nest Survival in Northern Mixed‐Grass Prairie

ABSTRACT Factors associated with the nest survival of mixed‐grass prairie passerines are not well known, especially in the context of contemporary grassland management. We documented the nest survival of clay‐colored sparrows (Spizella pallida), savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis), and bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) in managed prairie in northwestern North Dakota, USA. We used logistic exposure models and an information‐theoretic framework to estimate nest survival and evaluate support for mechanisms (grazing, temporal factors, nest parasitism, nest‐site vegetation, and nest‐patch factors) relevant to nest survival. Survival for the entire nesting interval (23–28 days) was low for clay‐colored sparrow (18.2%), savannah sparrow (15.5%), and bobolink (3.5%). We found support for a cubic effect of nest age; survival of savannah and clay‐colored sparrow nests was greatest during mid‐incubation and least during the mid‐nestling period. Parasitized clay‐colored sparrow and bobolink nests had greater survival rates than nonparasitized nests. Nest survival of clay‐colored sparrows increased with increasing vegetation height and density. For savannah sparrows, nest survival was lower when cattle were present than when cattle were absent. Characteristics of the nest patch did not have strong effects based on model coefficients and confidence intervals, though they appeared in many of the most supported models. Positive effects of vegetation height and density on nest survival of clay‐colored sparrows and negative effects of cattle presence on nest survival of savannah sparrows suggest some detrimental effects of grazing. However, the need to restore and maintain intact prairies likely warrants the continuation of cattle grazing on conservation lands.

Comparative Morphology of Northern Populations of Breeding Cooper's Hawks

Abstract. Few studies at a broad geographical scale have characterized intraspecific variation in morphology of woodland hawks in the genus Accipiter. From 1999 to 2007 we investigated morphological variation in large samples of live Cooper's Hawks (A. cooperii) nesting in four study areas: coniferous woodland around Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, isolated deciduous woodlands in short-grass prairies of northwestern North Dakota, towns and rural deciduous woodlands along the border of North Dakota and Minnesota, and urban and rural mixed deciduous and coniferous landscapes of Wisconsin. These sites span 2660 km across the northern part of the species' breeding range. We measured body mass (i.e., size), wing chord, tail length, tarsus diameter, hallux length, and culmen length of breeding adults, finding significant and clinal variation in body mass (or size). The smallest and most similar-sized birds occurred in British Columbia and western North Dakota, larger birds along the border between North Dak...

Field Test of CO2 Injection and Storage in Lignite Coal Seam in North Dakota

Abstract The paper describes a CO2 sequestration pilot test being conducted i n northwestern North Dakota in a lignite coal seam. Laboratory and field tests conducted to date indicate that the lignite provides a viable target for CO2 sequestration while, as could be expected, potential for methane production from lignite is questionable. It is suggested that in the future evaluation of gamma-ray logs and vertical pressure profiles can improve performance of enhanced coalbed methane production from lignites.

Nest Survival of Clay-Colored and Vesper Sparrows in Relation to Woodland Edge in Mixed-Grass Prairies

Abstract The quantity and quality of northern mixed-grass prairie continues to decline because of conversion to agriculture, invasion of woody and exotic plants, and disruption of important ecological processes that shape grasslands. Declines in grassland bird populations in North Dakota, USA, have coincided with these largely anthropogenic alterations to prairie habitat. In grasslands of north-central and northwestern North Dakota, woody plants have increased due primarily to fire suppression, extirpation of bison (Bos bison), and widescale planting of tree shelter belts. In northern grasslands, effects of woody vegetation on survival of grassland birds are poorly understood, and conclusions are based mainly on studies conducted outside the region. We examined nest survival of clay-colored sparrows (Spizella pallida) and vesper sparrows (Pooecetes gramineus) relative to the distance nests were located from aspen (Populus tremuloides) woodland edges and relative to other habitat features near the nest. Cl...

Reproduction and Spacing of Piping Plovers Breeding at High Density at Appam Lake, North Dakota

Abstract Knowledge of potential breeding density and associated reproduction is critical for conserving Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) in the northern Great Plains. Each year during 1995–1998 we observed 34–50 plover pairs nesting on Appam Lake, an isolated 1.9-km2 alkali lake in northwestern North Dakota. During peak abundance in 1996 and 1997, there were 4.2 and 5.3 pairs/km of available beach, respectively; mean distances between nest sites of nearest neighbor pairs were 99.4 m and 79.5 m. We detected no relationship between spacing and numbers of fledglings produced by individual breeding pairs. Mean production was 1.2 fledglings/pair (0.9 during 1996 and 1.5 during 1997, n = 25 and 29 pairs, respectively). Our observations suggest Piping Plovers may reproduce adequately at high breeding densities on prairie alkali lakes, but further study of the relationship between breeding density and reproductive success is needed.

Initial movement of juvenile Piping Plovers, Charadrius melodus, from natal sites in northwestern North Dakota

Initial movement of juvenile Piping Plovers, Charadrius melodus, from natal sites in northwestern North Dakota

Models for Guiding Management of Prairie Bird Habitat in Northwestern North Dakota

Abstract With grassland bird populations in the Great Plains exhibiting steep declines, grassland managers require information on bird habitat needs to optimally manage lands dedicated to wildlife. During 1993–1994, we measured bird occurrence and corresponding vegetation attributes on mixed-grass prairie in northwestern North Dakota. Three hundred and ten point-count locations over a wide range of successional stages were sampled. Ten grassland passerine species occurred commonly (i.e., at >10% of point count locations), including two species endemic to the northern Great Plains [Baird's sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii) and Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii)], and several species of management concern [bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), clay-colored sparrow (Spizella pallida)]. Some species were ubiquitous and had generalized habitat associations [e.g., savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)]. Others exhibited more finely tuned, closely overlapping use of rel...

Behavior of Migrating Shorebirds at North Dakota Prairie Potholes

We examined diurnal time-activity budgets of American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana). Long-billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus scolopaceus), Stilt Sandpipers (Calidris himantopus). Semipalmated Sandpipers (C. pusilla), and Least Sandpipers (C. minutilla) in the Prairie Pothole Region of northwestern North Dakota during spring and fall 1994 and 1995 to evaluate the importance of prairie pothole wetlands to a variety of shorebird guilds. Long-billed Dowitchers, and Stilt, Semipalmated, and Least Sandpipers spent most of their time feeding in spring and fall. American Avocets also used prairie potholes for feeding, but other activities like locomotion, body maintenance, and sleep consumed large proportions of time. Time spent in various behaviors was similar among three diurnal (early, midday, and late) time periods during spring and fall. Avocets and dowitchers slept more during midday than early or late periods. Flock size was smaller during spring than fall in both years for American Avocets, Long-billed Dowitchers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, and Least Sandpipers and in 1994 for Stilt Sandpipers. More than half of all aggressive encounters by American Avocets, Stilt Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, and Least Sandpipers were intraspecific during feeding. Smaller flock sizes in spring may be related to avoidance of costly aggression in spring and/or the numbers of birds migrating through the region. The Prairie Pothole Region serves as a stopover for most shorebirds to acquire energy reserves during migration, and conservation efforts should focus on preserving and enhancing prairie potholes for foraging shorebirds.

Prey of Nesting Red-Tailed Hawks and Great Horned Owls on Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, North-Western North Dakota

Prey of Nesting Red-Tailed Hawks and Great Horned Owls on Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge, North-Western North Dakota

Abstract: Depositional Environments and Sandstone Diagenesis in the Tyler Formation (Pennsylvanian), Western North Dakota 

Thirty-three oil well cores were examined and approximately 3,100 oil well logs were used to determine the depositional environments of the Tyler Formation (Pennsylvanian) in northwestern North Dakota. Ninety sandstone thin-sections were described and twenty-nine sandstone samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscope/X-ray microanalysis techniques to characterize sandstone diagenesis. The Tyler Formation in northwestern North Dakota is correlative with the lower unit of the Tyler Formation in southwestern North Dakota. The upper unit of the Tyler Formation in southwestern North Dakota is not present in northwestern North Dakota, contrary to previous workers suggestions. The Tyler Formation in northwestern North Dakota consists of varicolored mudstone, medium-gray claystone, thin bituminous coal beds, dark-gray shale and limestone, and gray sandstone. The upper unit of the Tyler Formation in southwestern North Dakota consists of gray sandstone, dark-gray limestone and shale, and varicolored mudstone. Lenticular sandstones present in the middle and rarely at the base of the formation, which occur in northeast-southwest linear trends, indicate that the Tyler Formation in northwestern North Dakota was deposited as a river channel system on a low-lying, prograding coastal plain. Depositional environments associated with the coastal plain include river channels, flood plains, lakes, estuaries, caliche paleosols, and backswamps. Throughout deposition of the Tyler Formation, several major river channels flowed in a predominantly southwest direction across a low-lying coastal plain and transported quartz sand toward a delta or shoreline, not identified in this study, at the margin of a shallow epeiric sea. Initially, the presence of detrital clay and infiltration clay and early hematite and chlorite coatings on quartz grains was the most important factor influencing porosity reduction in Tyler sandstones. The first major diagenetic event responsible for porosity reduction was the development of authigenic quartz overgrowths. Other cements that have contributed to porosity reduction in Tyler sandstones include amorphous silica (opal), calcite, ankerite, siderite, anhydrite, barite, hematite, and pyrite, In addition, authigenic kaolinite, illite, and chlorite have reduced porosity in Tyler sandstones. Dissolution of carbonate cement resulted in the formation of secondary porosity. Sandstone diagenesis took place shortly after sand was deposited in a marine environment, while sediments were being flushed with meteoric ground water, and while sands were being flushed with chemically evolved pore water released after diagenesis and compaction of interbedded mud-rich sequences. River-channel sandstones in northwestern and southwestern North Dakota and barrier-island sandstones present only in southwestern North Dakota contain considerable amounts of intergranular porosity. Petroliferous sandstones in southwestern North Dakota are fine- to medium-grained, well-sorted, texturally mature…

Effects of Grazing and Burning on Densities and Habitats of Breeding Ducks in North Dakota

Native grassland communities controlled by public agencies become increasingly important to the maintenance of many wildlife species as privately owned grasslands are destroyed or degraded for farming, mining, and development. In turn, wildlife on publicly owned grasslands are affected by the management techniques practiced by local managers. We studied the effects of grazing and prescribed burning on upland-nesting ducks and the structure and type of vegetation from 1980 to 1988 at the Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in northwestern North Dakota. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), the most abundant species at Lostwood NWR, had lower (P < 0.05) annual nest densities on experimental and control fields in the later years than in the early years of the study. Spring burning reduced (P = 0.016) nest densities of gadwall (A. strepera). Spring grazing reduced nest densities of gadwall (P = 0.014), and blue-winged teal (A. discors, P = 0.023). Nest density of gadwall increased (P = 0.018) after spring grazing was terminated. On the summer burn/spring graze fields, blue-winged teal had lower (P = 0.010) nest densities after treatments (1987-88) than before treatments (1980-81). Nest success was high (mallard 34%, gadwall 45%, blue-winged teal 31%) but was not influenced (P ≥ 0.16) by the burning and grazing treatments. During the study, the amount of grass/brush increased, whereas the amount of brush and brush/grass decreased on control and treatment fields. During the years with burning and grazing, short vegetation increased and tall vegetation decreased. On the spring graze fields, 1 year after grazing ended the vegetation was similar to that on the control fields. The spring burn and summer burn/spring graze fields recovered more slowly. Brushy species such as western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) provided attractive nesting habitat for many upland-nesting waterfowl species, especially mallard, gadwall, American wigeon (A. americana), and northern pintail (A. acuta). Habitat needs of additional species of wildlife that depend on grasslands may need to be considered when deciding how to manage habitat.

Sedimentology and paleohydrology of glacial-lake outburst deposits in southeastern Saskatchewan and northwestern North Dakota: Discussion and reply

Sedimentology and paleohydrology of glacial-lake outburst deposits in southeastern Saskatchewan and northwestern North Dakota: Discussion and reply