Some Soil Age-Range Vegetation Relationships

Abstract

Soil texture and development determine the kinds of range plants that grow in west central South Dakota. Bluestems, sideoats grama, and prairie sandreed are important species on very weakly developed soils but are less important on more strongly developed soils than cool-season mid- and tall-grasses. Western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, and buffalograss are important on well developed soils except those that are very coarse textured where needleandthread is important. Soil structure and fertility changes probably are the important factors affecting vegetation as a soil develops.