JD Clayey South 9-12 PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Grazing management favoring shrubs and/or severe drought will reduce the perennial bunchgrasses in the understory.
More details -
Transition T1B
Less frequent fire and/or extended drought reduces perennial bunch grasses and allows for an increase in shrub/tree species.
More details -
Transition T1C
Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, and/or soil disturbing treatments/activities in the presence of invasive species
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Requires mechanical treatment of juniper and potentially seeding of native grass and
More details
shrubs. If cheatgrass is present herbicide or other treatment may be necessary. -
Transition T2A
Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, and/or soil disturbing treatments/activities.
More details -
Transition T2B
Chronic, heavy growing season grazing. Severe fire likely following shrub and tree fuel accumulation.
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Juniper stand removal and seeding of desired cultivated species: herbicide may be necessary
More details -
Transition T3A
Catastrophic fire and/ or failed rehabilitation treatment or combination of both. Inappropriate grazing management in the presence of annual non-native species.
More details -
Transition T3B
Chronic, heavy growing season grazing. Severe fire likely following shrub and tree fuel accumulation.
More details -
Transition T4A
Chronic, heavy growing season grazing. Severe fire.
More details -
Restoration pathway R5A
Chronic, heavy growing season grazing will decrease bunchgrasses, increase Sandberg bluegrass and shrubs.
More details -
Transition T5A
Time without disturbance allows for trees to outcompete understory
More details - Transition T5B More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
Community phases are maintained by fire and are not negatively affected by appropriate grazing. Inappropriate grazing, reduced fire frequency or both lead to increased sagebrush and juniper cover and decreased cover of understory species, however the Sagebrush Dominant or Juniper Shrub Steppe community phase is still susceptible to fire. In addition, due to the south facing aspect and shallow soil typical of this ecological site, the risk of cheatgrass invasion with inappropriate grazing is significant. Sites exhibit low resilience to disturbance.
Submodel
Description
Recognized by the need to mechanically or chemically treat the sagebrush. The presence of cheatgrass and site characteristics indicate prescribed burning as an extreme risk. Sagebrush and Cheatgrass phase with sagebrush dominant, bareground interspaces with a trace of bluebunch wheatgrass under the brush canopy and an increase in Sandberg bluegrass, broom snakeweed and rabbitbrush.
Submodel
Description
Recognized by the need to mechanically treat the juniper woodland. The presence of cheatgrass and site characteristics indicate prescribed burning as an extreme risk. Juniper Shrub Steppe phase with Juniper dominant, bareground interspaces with a trace of bluebunch wheatgrass under the tree canopy and an increase in Sandberg bluegrass. Sagebrush is stressed and dying (Juniper Shrub Steppe phase). As the juniper woodland matures, sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass are eliminated and the potential for soil erosion increases (Juniper Woodland phase).
Submodel
Description
Cheatgrass dominated state maintained through frequent fire.
[For this site: cheatgrass can be interpreted to mean any invasive annual grass (e.g. medusahead, ventenata). Soil textures with higher clay percentages have higher susceptibility to medusahead.]
Submodel
Description
State 5 is a common occurrence on many ecological sites therefore it has been included in the model. Overgrazing of the seeded rangeland can cause a reduction in deep rooted perennial grasses in favor of Sandberg bluegrass, cheatgrass, sagebrush and juniper. State 5 can transition to any of the other alternative states with inappropriate grazing, fire, or both.
Submodel
Description
Eroded version of State 2, 3, 4 or 5. The site has crossed an abiotic threshold characterized by soil loss and lack of seedbank thereby resulting in the inability to sustain the establishment of perennial plants including juniper. All ecological processes, hydrologic cycle, nutrient cycle and energy capture have been significantly changed.
Submodel
Mechanism
Grazing management favoring shrubs and/or severe drought will reduce the perennial bunchgrasses in the understory.
Mechanism
Less frequent fire and/or extended drought reduces perennial bunch grasses and allows for an increase in shrub/tree species.
Mechanism
Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, and/or soil disturbing treatments/activities in the presence of invasive species
Mechanism
Requires mechanical treatment of juniper and potentially seeding of native grass and shrubs. If cheatgrass is present herbicide or other treatment may be necessary.
Mechanism
Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, and/or soil disturbing treatments/activities.
Mechanism
Chronic, heavy growing season grazing. Severe fire likely following shrub and tree fuel accumulation.
Mechanism
Juniper stand removal and seeding of desired cultivated species: herbicide may be necessary
Mechanism
Catastrophic fire and/ or failed rehabilitation treatment or combination of both. Inappropriate grazing management in the presence of annual non-native species.
Mechanism
Chronic, heavy growing season grazing. Severe fire likely following shrub and tree fuel accumulation.
Mechanism
Chronic, heavy growing season grazing will decrease bunchgrasses, increase Sandberg bluegrass and shrubs.
Mechanism
Time without disturbance allows for trees to outcompete understory
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.