Effects of low‐tech, process‐based restoration on riparian plant communities and soil moisture of streams in the Northern Great Plains ( <scp>NGP</scp> ) of the United States

Abstract Introduction Process‐based restoration is novel in livestock production systems of the Northern Great Plains (NGP), and limited region‐specific evidence can impede adoption. We investigated the effects of methods such as beaver dam analogs (BDAs) on NGP plant communities. Methods Four sites across western South Dakota were divided into three upstream control reaches and three downstream treatment (BDAs) reaches. Soil moisture probes were installed (0–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm depths) in control and treatment reaches. Forage samples were taken in each reach, and ground cover and vegetation data were obtained from three 50 m point‐intercept transects within each reach. Results BDAs positively influenced soil moisture, with increased soil moisture in the 0–15 and 15–30 cm depths. There was less bare ground and a higher proportion of upland and graminoid species in the treatment reaches in the 50 m transects, with no observable difference in wetland species. A 0–5 m riparian subset transect revealed that the treatment resulted in more surface water, less bare ground, and more upland species. An indicator species analysis revealed a strong relationship between the treatment and Spartina pectinata , a facultative wetland species, and Nassella viridula , a native perennial upland species. Conclusions Results demonstrate that BDAs can create significant short‐term (&lt;3 years) differences in riparian systems within livestock settings of the NGP, particularly when looking at soil moisture. In addition, subtle, positive changes can be seen in plant community response to BDAs installation.