Severe or continuous disturbance in the presence of non-native annual species (e.g. catastrophic fire and soil disturbing treatments or inappropriate grazing management resulting in utilization of perennial bunchgrasses that impacts the plant’s ability to recover)
Seeding with native perennial bunchgrasses (or non-native perennial grasses in some cases); mechanical, biological or chemical treatment of exotic species; and alteration of grazing management.
The Reference State 1.0 is representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. The reference state is bunchgrass dominated with a drought adapted shrub component. State dynamics are maintained by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These are maintained by elements of ecosystem structure and function such as the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Plant community phase changes are primarily driven by fire and/or periodic drought.
This state is similar to the Reference State 1.0 yet it is not in pristine conditions. Ecological function has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of invasive weeds. Non-natives may increase in abundance but will not become dominant within this State. These non-natives can be highly flammable and can promote fire where historically fire had been infrequent. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These are maintained by elements of ecosystem structure and function such as the presence of all structural and functional groups low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Positive feedbacks decrease ecosystem resilience and stability of the state. Processes and characteristics that contribute to positive feedbacks include the non-natives species’ high seed output, persistent seed bank, rapid growth rate, ability to cross pollinate, and adaptations for seed dispersal.
This community is characterized by the dominance of annual non-native grass species such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), japanese brome (Bromus japonicus), and rattlesnake brome (Bromus briziformis). These exotic species will largely displace native perennial bunchgrasses and forbs, increase bare ground and render the site vulnerable to soil erosion.
Severe or continuous disturbance in the presence of non-native annual species (e.g. catastrophic fire and soil disturbing treatments or inappropriate grazing management resulting in utilization of perennial bunchgrasses that impacts the plant’s ability to recover)
Restoration of some structural and functional plant groups may be possible with a combination of intensive management inputs and significant time. Inputs may include seeding with native perennial bunchgrasses (or non-native perennial grasses in some cases); mechanical, biological or chemical treatment of exotic species; and alteration of grazing management.
Context dependence
Multiple attempts may be required and likelihood of failure is high given hot and dry site conditions and low site resilience. Success will likely be somewhat contingent upon favorable weather patterns following treatment.
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.
