Ashy Semi-Wet Meadow
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T More details
- Transition T 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 plant community has tufted hairgrass and Nebraska sedge as co-dominant in the herbaceous layer. There are a wide variety of grasses and grass-like species and forbs that
may occur in minor amounts. Some of these species may be dominant in small areas due to soil and water variations. Willows and shrubby cinquefoil can occur in small amounts. This state has two plant community phases, one with a grass/sedge dominance and the other with sedge/rush dominance. The community phase transition can occur either from grazing or fire. Bunchgrasses, like tufted hairgrass, are susceptible to grazing and fire and can be temporarily reduced, which may increase rhizomatous sedges and rushes in the community.
Submodel
Description
This state is dominated by Kentucky bluegrass and/or quackgrass, Nebraska sedge and other sedges and Baltic rush but the overall production potential of the site is much lower than State 1. There is an increase in forbs and grasses that require less soil moisture. Kentucky bluegrass, quackgrass, redtop bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis) may have invaded the community. This state developed due to continued improper grazing management or using the site as a hayed pasture potentially with planted introduced species.
Submodel
Description
This state develops after prolonged water table lowering either through artificial drainage or
downcutting of adjacent streams or drainageways. Kentucky bluegrass, quackgrass, redtop
bentgrass and meadow foxtail have become dominant in the community. There is a permanent lowering of the water table. Significant loss of available soil moisture has occurred due to the loss of a water table. Some soil loss from the surface has occurred. This state can be similar to drier meadow sites or the Loamy Bottom site. The site has crossed the threshold. This state cannot be returned to State 1 without raising the water table. This might be done using structures or bio-engineering over time, but the plant community may take many years to approach the plant community in State 1 or State 2.
Submodel
Model keys
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Ecological sites
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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.