Wet Meadow
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
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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 represents the plant communities that are adapted to a high water table under a natural disturbance regime. The water table is quite variable across this site and the depth of the available water will largely determine the plants present on the site. Drier locations will have plants adapted to drier soil conditions, while wetter locations will have plants adapted to wetter soil conditions (sedge/rushes).
Submodel
Description
The Current Potential State is similar to the Reference State except the plant communities have non-native species present. The presence of non-native species, especially those that are invasive, lowers the resistance and resiliency of the state. Invasive/non-native plants that can come in with a high water table are meadow foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus), quackgrass (Elymus repens), reed canarygrass (Phlaris arundinacea), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). These species are also more tolerant of grazing and can increase and may become dominant on the site.
Submodel
Description
The Degraded/Lower water table State develops after a permanent lowering of the water table. This can occur from excessive grazing that can cause meadow downcutting or through artificial meadow drainage to decrease soil saturation. State 1 and State 2 can transition to this state. The site has crossed the threshold. This state cannot be returned to State 1 without raising the water table.
Submodel
Mechanism
Non-native species establishment. Often concurrent with over use by livestock.
Mechanism
This transition can occur with artificial drainage of the site, which reduces the availability of water and reduces soil moisture.
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.