Gravelly Juniper
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 T2B More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
- Transition T4A 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
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Description
The Reference State is representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. This Reference State has four general community phases: an old-growth woodland phase, a shrub-herbaceous phase, an immature woodland phase, and an infilled woodland phase. 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 include 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, periodic long-term drought, and/or insect or disease attack.
Submodel
Submodel
Description
This state has two community phases. It is characterized by the dominance of annual non-native species such as cheatgrass and tansy mustard. Over time, rabbitbrush may dominate the overstory.
Submodel
Description
This state has two community phases with a canopy cover ranging from 30 to 50 percent of Utah juniper. The phases exhibit a mixed age class. Older trees are at maximal height and upper crowns may be flat-topped or rounded. Younger trees are typically cone- or pyramidal-shaped. Understory vegetation is sparse due to increasing shade and competition from trees.
Submodel
Description
This state has one community phase dominated by Utah juniper. Abiotic factors including soil redistribution and erosion, soil temperature, soil crusting and sealing are primary drivers of ecological condition within this state. Soil moisture, soil nutrients and soil organic matter distribution and cycling are severely altered due to degraded soil surface conditions. Utah juniper dominates the overstory and herbaceous species may be present in trace amount particularly under tree canopies. Regeneration of trees or herbaceous species is not evident.
Submodel
Mechanism
Absence of disturbance over time or a decrease in understory competition due to inappropriate grazing would allow for the Utah juniper trees to increase
Mechanism
Thinning of trees and seeding or recovery of understory species
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.