Steep South 16-22 PZ ARTRV/PSSPS
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T3A 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
State 1, Phase A, Reference Plant Community Phase. This plant community has mountain big sagebrush and snowberry in the overstory with bluebunch wheatgrass in the understory Subdominant species include Idaho fescue, slender wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, Letterman’s needlegrass, and sticky geranium. Natural fire frequency is 20-35 years.
Submodel
Description
State 2. This plant community is dominated by bottlebrush squirreltail, Kentucky bluegrass, and annuals in the understory. Cheatgrass is a dominant annual in the community, particularly at lower elevations. There may be a variety of invasive forbs and some noxious plants may have invaded the site. Some soil loss has occurred. The community has developed due to continued improper grazing management and frequent fire. This site has crossed the threshold. It is economically impractical to return this state to State 1 with accelerated practices.
Submodel
Description
State 3. This plant community is dominated by Rocky Mountain juniper with bottlebrush squirreltail, Kentucky bluegrass, and annuals in the understory. Cheatgrass is a dominant annual at lower elevations. There are few shrubs present due to competition from junipers. Some deep-rooted perennials may be present under the junipers. When shrub cover is below 10-15%, bare ground is above 25-30%, and juniper cover is greater than 20%, the site has crossed the threshold. Some soil loss has occurred. This plant community has developed due to continued improper grazing management and lack of fire. It is economically impractical to return this community to State 1 with accelerated practices.
Submodel
Description
Unknown new site. This plant community has gone over the threshold to a new site. Site potential has been reduced. Significant soil loss has occurred. Infiltration has been reduced and run-off has become more rapid. This state has developed due to continued improper grazing management, no fire, or frequent fires from State 2 or the continued absence of fire and improper grazing management from the juniper invaded phase of State 3. It is economically impractical to return this community to State 1 with accelerated practices.
Submodel
Mechanism
State 1 Phase C or D to State 2. Develops through improper grazing management and frequent fire. This site has crossed the threshold. It is economically impractical to return this state to State 1 with accelerated practices.
Mechanism
State 1, Phase B to State 3. Develops with no fire and improper grazing management from a juniper
invaded phase of State 1. This site has crossed the threshold. It is economically impractical to return this state to State 1 with accelerated practices.
Mechanism
State 2 to unknown site. Excessive soil loss and changes in the hydrologic cycle caused by improper
grazing management and no fire or frequent fire cause this state to cross the threshold and retrogress to a new site with reduced potential. It is economically impractical to return this state to State 1 with accelerated practices.
Mechanism
State 3 to unknown site. Continued lack of fire or improper grazing management cause this state to
cross the threshold and retrogress to a new site with reduced potential due to significant soil loss and changes in hydrology. It is economically impractical to return this state to State 1 with accelerated practices.
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.