Shallow Warm Woodland Group
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1-2 More details
- Transition T1-3 More details
- Restoration pathway R2-1 More details
- Transition T2-3 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
The Reference State for the Shallow Warm Woodland has a Limber pine overstory with native bunchgrasses and shrubs in present in the under story.
Characteristics and indicators
This limber pine dominated site is commonly accompanied by rocky mountain juniper and a low occurrence of Douglas-fir. The under story is comprised of bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, threadleaf and needleleaf sedge as well as sandberg bluegrass. Common shrubs are currant, skunkbush, mahogany, and creeping juniper. Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Indian paintbrush, phlox, and cactus are common on this site as well.
Submodel
Description
The loss of woody canopy cover due to fire or disease characterizes the transition from the reference state to State 2 - Degraded Overstory.
Characteristics and indicators
Native grasses and grass-likes are dominant on this site. The woody canopy is reduced to cover of less than 15%, and may represent only one or two species. Following disease or other impacts to limber pine, juniper may become dominant on the site. Bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, threadleaf sedge, and sandberg bluegrass are the major grass/grass-like species with arrowleaf balsamroot, Indian paintbrush, phlox and cactus.
Submodel
Description
The Degraded Understory State is a result of the loss of the native bunchgrasses and the establishment of invasive and aggressive species.
Characteristics and indicators
As bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue are removed from the community, sandberg bluegrass, prairie junegrass, and threadleaf sedge maintain a footprint. With drought, soil disturbance or in the removal of further understory, invasive species such as cheatgrass can take a hold in the community.
Submodel
Mechanism
Fire, disease or insect damage, or other canopy disturbances remove the over story, exposing the herbaceous under story.
Mechanism
Soil disturbance or impacts to the under story cover leave this site vulnerable to invasive species.
Mechanism
Recovery time, weed and erosion control, as well as assurance that the necessary nursery stock is present are the key factors to restoring this site.
Model keys
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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.