In this state, the community has lost a significant number of perennial grass species from the community, disturbance/early seral adapted species dominate.
Prolonged inappropriate grazing management leading to a change in perennial grass composition, marked by decreases in sensitive species such as Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass, and an increase in disturbance adapted species such as bottlebrush squirreltail and Thurber's needlegrass.
Extended rest from grazing allowing sensitive native grasses to increase in cover.
Context dependence
Excessive grazing leading to a loss of species diversity or reproductive output or altering abiotic conditions by significantly compacting or eroding soil, for example, will not recover by rest alone and will require additional inputs.
Continued prolonged inappropriate grazing management leading to a change in perennial grass composition and the loss of several species including Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass, and Thurber's needlegrass.
Constraints to recovery
Site has crossed an abiotic threshold that may only be rehabilitated by intensive restoration measures if at all.
Model keys
Briefcase
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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.
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
