Bald Group
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
This state represents the disturbance regime prior to Euro-American settlement and the absence of invasive plant species. Typical fire return interval is approximately 1 to 10 years or more. Continuous mounding by pocket gophers or other ground disturbance by animals supplies bare mineral soil as a seed bed.
Submodel
Description
This state results from introduction of exotic winter-annual grasses. Fire is also excluded. Exotic winter-annual grasses have a significant impact on the plant community. These species are shallow-rooted, and begin growing earlier in the spring than native perennials. They are less palatable to wildlife and livestock. They produce copious amounts of seed. Continuous mounding by pocket gophers supplies bare mineral soil as a seed bed. Other forms of ground disturbance have a similar effect.
Submodel
Mechanism
This pathway represents fire exclusion and the introduction of exotic winter-annual grasses. The boundary between prairie and woody vegetation shrinks to the limit imposed by soil water holding capacity.
Model keys
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Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.