MOIST FLOODPLAIN
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1
introduction of non-native species
More details -
Transition T2
road building, water diversions and/or up-stream channelization
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
This state is representative of the natural variability under pristine pre-Euro settlement conditions. This site is highly productive and vegetation is tolerant of saturation in the soil profile. Vegetation serves as an indicator of soil moisture gradient. Species classified as obligate or facultative wet occur closest to the perennial stream channel. Moving perpendicular to the stream channel vegetation become more tolerant of dry soil conditions.
Submodel
Description
This state is similar to the Reference State 1.0. 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. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These feedbacks include 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. These include the non-natives’ high seed output, persistent seed bank, rapid growth rate, ability to cross pollinate and adaptations for seed dispersal.
Description
This state is characterized by lowering of the water table, extensive erosion and disconnection from the natural floodplain due to anthropogenic impacts such as road building, water diversion and up-stream channelization. Vegetation is dominated by basin big sagebrush, greasewood or rabbitbrush. Understory may include native perennial grasses/grasslikes. Non-native species may be stable to increasing.
This state resembles another ecological site concept called Loamy bottom. An important distinction between a degraded moist floodplain and a loamy bottom is the proximity to a perennial stream. A true loamy bottom is not associated with a perennial stream.
Mechanism
Trigger: This transition is caused by the introduction of non-native species.
Slow variables: Over time the annual non-native plants will increase within the community.
Threshold: Any amount of introduced non-native species causes an immediate decrease in the resilience of the site. Annual non-native species cannot be easily removed from the system and have the potential to significantly alter disturbance regimes from their historic range of variation. Perennial non-natives have the potential to offer significant competition to native vegetation causing a reduction in both vigor and reproductive capacity.
Mechanism
Trigger: significant anthropogenic disturbance such as road building, water diversions and up-stream channelization.
Slow variables: Prolonged drought, inappropriate grazing management, and the presence of non-native species coupled with significant anthropogenic disturbance resulting in active soil erosion.
Threshold: Disconnection from the floodplain, loss of seasonal flooding and lowering of the water table.
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.