A Reconsideration of Grassland Classification in the Northern Great Plains of North America

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Abstract
One climax community of Fescue Prairie and 5 climax and edaphic climax communities of Mixed Prairie are characterized on the basis of studies in 96 relatively undisturbed sites over an 18-year period in the glaciated, Canadian Great Plains. This classification represents modifications from one proposed a decade ago on the basis of response of communities to more favorable growing conditions from 1950 to 1956. The relative dominance of species is judged on the basis of calculated foliage yield. The nature of these grassland communities is similar to those which have been described in adjacent areas of the United States south of the glacial boundary. The more xeric types of Canada extend southward, while the mesic types do not. Primary and secondary plant successions towards the climax and edaphic climax communities are described.