Spring Complex
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition 1A More details
- Restoration pathway 2A 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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State 1
Springs and Seeps
Description
This is a fairly stable site. Because of the underground water source, seeps and springs are relatively constant environments that are minimally affected by the temperature variations, scouring, and droughts that often affect riparian vegetation. However, springs are replenished by precipitation that percolates into the aquifer, so prolonged drought can alter the hydrology.
Springs are classified as gravity springs or artesian (DOI 2001). Gravity springs are created when water moves along an elevational gradient emerging at the surface. Aquifer springs are created when the water level of the ground water flow system is above the land surface and the water flows out at the surface under pressure from an aquifer outcrop or faults and fractures. The two main types of artesian springs are and fault springs. This ecological site incorporates a fault spring.
Submodel
Description
Springs are vital water resources in the arid western United States. In many cases they have been developed to enhance water availability for livestock, big game, or human use. Livestock trampling, diversion, channelization, impoundment, and the encroachment of non-native plants and animals have altered the physical and biological characteristics of a majority of springs and they now bear little resemblance to their historic, unaltered conditions. The level of manipulation and disturbance at this site varies.
This state is characterized by altered hydrology and/or the presence of non-native plant species. In general, altered hydrology in a seep and spring wetland will facilitate the establishment of non-native species by reducing water flow and drying the soil. Less soil moisture reduces the competitive advantage of the obligate wetland species that are adapted to the wet spring conditions and enables non-native grasses and forbs to encroach.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition occurs when natural events or human intervention cause a change in spring flow and alters the hydrology of the site. Most often the disturbance will reduce water flow and cause the site to dry. The most likely disturbance at this site is diversion of flow through road construction. Road construction that did not take the site hydrology into consideration could intercept and divert flow. Water diversion is one of the most common disturbances of springs in the western US and has been shown to decrease biological diversity by reducing aquatic habitat and reducing soil moisture (DOI 2001). Grazing is another disturbance that could cause some drying of the site through vegetation removal, trampling, and soil compaction, but this particular area does not appear to be subject to grazing at the present time. Prolonged drought could naturally reduce some water flow at the site by reducing recharge to the aquifer. However, this type of seep and spring generally provides a relatively constant environment that is minimally affected by short term drought because of the underground water source.
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.