Ecological dynamics

An ecological site is the product of all the environmental factors responsible for its development and it has a set of key characteristics that influence a site’s resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasives. Key characteristics include 1) climate (precipitation, temperature), 2) topography (aspect, slope, elevation, and landform), 3) hydrology (infiltration, runoff), 4) soils (depth, texture, structure, organic matter), 5) plant communities (functional groups, productivity), and 6) natural disturbance regime (fire, herbivory, etc.) (Caudle et al. 2013). Biotic factors that that influence resilience include site productivity, species composition and structure, and population regulation and regeneration (Chambers et al 2013).

This ecological site is dominated by deep-rooted cool season perennial bunchgrasses and long-lived shrubs (50+ years) with high root to shoot ratios. The dominant shrubs usually root to the full depth of the winter-spring soil moisture recharge, which ranges from 1.0 to over 3.0 m. (Comstock and Ehleringer 1992). Root length of mature sagebrush plants was measured to a depth of 2 meters in alluvial soils in Utah (Richards and Caldwell 1987). These shrubs have a flexible generalized root system with development of both deep taproots and laterals near the surface (Comstock and Ehleringer 1992).

Wyoming big sagebrush, the most tolerant of the big sagebrushes, is generally long-lived; therefore it is not necessary for new individuals to recruit every year for perpetuation of the stand. Infrequent large recruitment events and simultaneous low, continuous recruitment is the foundation of population maintenance (Noy-Meir 1973). Survival of the seedlings is depended on adequate moisture conditions.

Variability in plant community composition and production depends on soil surface texture and depth. The perennial bunchgrasses generally have somewhat shallower root systems than the shrubs, but root densities are often as high as or higher than those of shrubs in the upper 0.5 m but taper off more rapidly than shrubs. General differences in root depth distributions between grasses and shrubs results in resource partitioning in these shrub/grass systems.

The Great Basin sagebrush communities have high spatial and temporal variability in precipitation both among years and within growing seasons. Nutrient availability is typically low but increases with elevation and closely follows moisture availability. The moisture resource supporting the greatest amount of plant growth is usually the water stored in the soil profile during the winter. The invasibility of plant communities is often linked to resource availability. Disturbance can decrease resource uptake due to damage or mortality of the native species and depressed competition or can increase resource pools by the decomposition of dead plant material following disturbance. The invasion of sagebrush communities by cheatgrass has been linked to disturbances (fire, abusive grazing) that have resulted in fluctuations in resources (Chambers et al 2007).

The introduction of annual weedy species, like cheatgrass, may cause an increase in fire frequency and eventually lead to an annual state. Conversely, as fire frequency decreases, sagebrush will increase and with inappropriate grazing management the perennial bunchgrasses and forbs may be reduced.

Infilling by singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper may also occur with an extended fire return interval. Eventually, singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper will dominate the site and out-compete mountain big sagebrush for water and sunlight severely reducing both the shrub and herbaceous understory (Lett and Knapp 2005, Miller et al. 2000). Bluegrasses may remain underneath trees on north-facing slopes. The potential for soil erosion increases as the Utah juniper woodland matures and the understory plant community cover declines (Pierson et al. 2010).

Fire Ecology:
Fire is the principal means of renewal of decadent stands of Wyoming big sagebrush. Wyoming big sagebrush communities historically had low fuel loads, and patchy fires that burned in a mosaic pattern were common at 10 to 70 year return intervals (Young et al. 1979, West and Hassan 1985, Bunting et al. 1987). Davies et al. (2007) suggest fire return intervals in Wyoming big sagebrush communities were around 50 to 100 years. More recently, Baker (2011) estimates fire rotation to be 200-350 years in Wyoming big sagebrush communities. Wyoming big sagebrush is killed by fire and only regenerates from seed. Recovery time for Wyoming big sagebrush may require 50 to 120 or more years (Baker 2006). Post-fire hydrologic recovery and resilience is primarily influenced by pre-fire site conditions, fire severity, and post-fire weather and land use that relate to vegetation recovery. Sites with low abundances of native perennial grasses and forbs typically have reduced resiliency following disturbance and are less resistant to invasion or increases in cheatgrass (Miller et al 2013). However, the introduction and expansion of cheatgrass has dramatically altered the fire regime (Balch et al. 2013) and restoration potential of Wyoming big sagebrush communities.

The effect of fire on bunchgrasses relates to culm density, culm-leaf morphology, and the size of the plant. The initial condition of bunchgrasses within the site along with seasonality and intensity of the fire all factor into the individual species response. For most forbs and grasses the growing points are located at or below the soil surface providing relative protection from disturbances which decrease above ground biomass, such as grazing or fire. Thus, fire mortality is more related to duration and intensity of heat which is related to culm density, culm-leaf morphology, size of plant and abundance of old growth (Young 1983, Wright 1971).

Antelope bitterbrush in some areas may sprout after light-severity spring fire. High fuel consumptions increase antelope bitterbrush mortality and therefore favors seedling establishment. Thurber's needlegrass is classified as moderately resistant, but depending on season of burn, phenology, and fire severity, this perennial bunchgrass is moderately to severely damaged by fire. Early season burning is more damaging to this needlegrass than late season burning. Basin wildrye is top-killed by fire. Older basin wildrye plants with large proportions of dead material within the perennial crown can be expected to show higher mortality due to fire than younger plants having little debris. Basin wildrye is generally tolerant of fire but may be damaged by early season fire combined with dry soil conditions.
Squirreltail is considered more fire tolerant than Indian ricegrass due to its small size, coarse stems, broad leaves and generally sparse leafy material (Wright 1971, Britton et al. 1990). Postfire regeneration occurs from surviving root crowns and from on-and off-site seed sources. Bottlebrush squirreltail has the ability to produce large numbers of highly germinable seeds, with relatively rapid germination (Young and Evans 1977) when exposed to the correct environmental cues. Early spring growth and ability to grow at low temperatures contribute to the persistence of bottle brush squirreltail among cheatgrass dominated ranges (Hironaka and Tisdale 1972).

Sandberg bluegrass, a minor component of this ecological site, has been found to increase following fire likely due to its low stature and productivity (Daubenmire 1975). Reduced bunchgrass vigor or density provides an opportunity for Sandberg bluegrass expansion and/or cheatgrass and other invasive species to occupy interspaces, leading to increased fire frequency and potentially an annual plant community. Sandberg bluegrass increases under grazing pressure (Tisdale and Hironaka 1981) and is capable of co-existing with cheatgrass. Excessive sheep grazing favors Sandberg bluegrass; however, where cattle are the dominant grazers, cheatgrass often dominates (Daubenmire 1970). Thus, depending on the season of use, the grazer and site conditions, either Sandberg bluegrass or cheatgrass may become the dominant understory with inappropriate grazing management. Repeated frequent fire in this community will eliminate big sagebrush and severely decrease or eliminate the deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses from the site and facilitate the establishment of an annual weed community with varying amounts of Sandberg bluegrass and rabbitbrush.

Wildfire in sites with cheatgrass present could transition to cheatgrass dominated communities. Without management cheatgrass and annual forbs are likely to invade and dominate the site, especially after fire. Utah juniper and/or singleleaf pinyon may be present and with a lack in disturbances such as fire can eventually out-compete understory vegetation for site resources.

This ecological site has low resilience to disturbance and low resistance to invasion. Increased resilience increases with elevation, aspect, increased precipitation and increased nutrient availability. Six possible alternative stable states have been identified for this site and are described below.

Reference State 1.0: The Reference State 1.0 is a representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. The reference state has three general community phases; a shrub-grass dominant phase, a perennial grass dominant phase and a shrub dominant 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 drought and/or insect or disease attack.

Community Phase1.1: Thurber’s needlegrass is codominant with big sagebrush. Sagebrush may be a mix of Wyoming big sagebrush, basin big sagebrush, and mountain big sagebrush. Pinyon and/or juniper may be present.

Community PhasePathway1.1a, from Phase 1.1 to 1.2: Low severity fire creates a sagebrush/grass mosaic. High severity fire significantly reduces sagebrush cover and leads to early/mid-seral community dominated by grasses and forbs. In reference condition, fires would typically be small and patchy due to low fuel loads. A severe infestation of Aroga moth could also cause a large decrease in sagebrush within the community, giving a competitive advantage to the perennial grasses and forbs.

Community Phase Pathway 1.1b, from Phase 1.1 to 1.3: Time and lack of disturbance such as fire or drought allows shrubs to become dominant and may reduce grass production. Excessive herbivory and/or long-term drought may also reduce the perennial understory.

Community Phase 1.2: This community phase is characteristic of a post-disturbance, early to mid-seral community. Bitterbrush, ephedra, and spiny hopsage may be sprouting and may become the dominant shrubs in this phase. Big sagebrush is killed by fire and is reduced within the burned community but may be present in unburned patches. Thurber’s needlegrass can experience high mortality from fire and may be reduced in the community for several years. With low fire severity, Thurber’s needlegrass may dominate the site post-fire.

Community Phase Pathway 1.2a, from Phase 1.2 to 1.1: Time and lack of disturbance allows for shrubs to reestablish.

Community Phase 1.3: Big sagebrush increases in the absence of disturbance. Thurber’s needlegrass and other perennial grasses reduced. Decadent sagebrush dominates the overstory and the deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses in the understory are reduced either from competition with shrubs or from herbivory. Bluegrass (Poa) species will likely increase in the understory and may be the dominant grass on the site. Pinyon and/or juniper may be present but constitute less than 2% of production on the site.

Community Phase Pathway 1.3a, from Phase 1.3 to 1.2: Fire would decrease or eliminate the overstory of sagebrush and allow for the perennial bunchgrasses to dominate the site. Fires would typically be small and patchy due to low fuel loads. A fire following an unusually wet spring or a change in management may be more severe and reduce sagebrush cover to trace amounts. A severe infestation of Aroga moth could also cause a large decrease in sagebrush within the community, giving a competitive advantage to the perennial grasses and forbs.

Community Phase Pathway 1.3b, from Phase 1.3 to 1.1: Aroga moth infestation and/or release from growing season herbivory may reduce sagebrush dominance and allow recovery of the perennial bunchgrass understory.

T1A: Transition from Reference State 1.0 to Current Potential State 2.0: Trigger: This transition is caused by the introduction of non-native annual weeds, such as cheatgrass, mustards and Russian thistle (Salsola tragus). Slow variables: Over time the annual non-native plants will increase within the community decreasing organic matter inputs from deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses resulting in reductions in soil water availability for perennial bunchgrasses. 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.

Current Potential State 2.0: 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. This state has the same three general community phases. 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. 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. Additionally, the presence of highly flammable, non-native species reduces state resilience because these species can promote fire where historically fire has been infrequent leading to positive feedbacks that further the degradation of the system.

Community Phase 2.1: Thurber’s needlegrass is codominant with big sagebrush. Sagebrush may be a mix of Wyoming big sagebrush, basin big sagebrush, and mountain big sagebrush. Pinyon and/or juniper may be present. Non-native annual species are present in minor amounts.

Community Phase Pathway 2.1a, from Phase 2.1 to 2.2: Fire would decrease or eliminate the overstory of sagebrush and allow for the perennial bunchgrasses to dominate the site. Fires would typically be small and patchy due to low fuel loads. A fire following an unusually wet spring or a change in management may be more severe and reduce sagebrush cover to trace amounts. A severe infestation of Aroga moth could also cause a large decrease in sagebrush within the community, giving a competitive advantage to the perennial grasses and forbs. Annual non-native species generally respond well after fire and may be stable or increasing within the community.

Community Phase Pathway 2.1b, from Phase 2.1 to 2.3: Time, long-term drought, grazing management that favors shrubs or combinations of these would allow the sagebrush overstory to increase and dominate the site, causing a reduction in the perennial bunchgrasses. However, Sandberg bluegrass and/or squirreltail may increase in the understory depending on the grazing management. Heavy spring grazing will favor an increase in sagebrush. Annual non-native species may be stable or increasing within the understory.

Community Phase 2.2: This community phase is characteristic of a post-disturbance, early to mid-seral community. Bitterbrush, ephedra, and spiny hopsage may be sprouting and may become the dominant shrubs in this phase. Big sagebrush is killed by fire and is reduced within the burned community but may be present in unburned patches. Thurber’s needlegrass can experience high mortality from fire and may be reduced in the community for several years. With low fire severity, Thurber’s needlegrass may dominate the site post-fire. Annual non-native species generally respond well after fire and may be stable or increasing within the community.

Community Phase Pathway 2.2a, from Phase 2.2 to 2.1: Absence of disturbance over time allows for the sagebrush to recover may be combined with grazing management that favors shrubs.

Community Phase Pathway 2.2b, from Phase 2.2 to 2.4: Higher than normal spring precipitation favors annual non-native species such as cheatgrass. Non-native annual species will increase in production and density throughout the site. Perennial bunchgrasses may also increase in production.

Community Phase 2.3(At Risk): Big sagebrush increases in the absence of disturbance. Thurber’s needlegrass and other perennial grasses reduced. Decadent sagebrush dominates the overstory and the deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses in the understory are reduced either from competition with shrubs or from herbivory. Bluegrass (Poa) species will likely increase in the understory and may be the dominant grass on the site. Pinyon and/or juniper may be increasing. Annual non-native species are present. This phase may be at risk of transitioning to the Shrub State 3.0 or the Tree State 5.0.


Community Phase Pathway 2.3a, from Phase 2.3 to 2.2: Fire would decrease or eliminate the overstory of sagebrush and allow for the perennial bunchgrasses to dominate the site. Fires would typically be small and patchy due to low fuel loads. A fire following an unusually wet spring or a change in management may be more severe and reduce sagebrush cover to trace amounts. A severe infestation of Aroga moth could also cause a large decrease in sagebrush within the community, giving a competitive advantage to the perennial grasses and forbs.

Community Phase Pathway 2.3b, from Phase 2.3 to 2.1: Low severity fire or Aroga moth infestation creates sagebrush/grass mosaic. Other disturbances/practices include brush management with minimal soil disturbance; late-fall/winter grazing causing mechanical damage to sagebrush.

Community Phase Pathway 2.3c, from Phase 2.3 to 2.4: Fall, winter, and spring precipitation and temperatures mediate the ability for annual grasses and perennial grasses to germinate and/or survive. Higher than normal spring precipitation creates high annual production of annual grasses (Bradley et al. 2016). Non-native annual species increase in production and density throughout the site. Perennial bunchgrasses may also increase in production.

Community Phase 2.4 (At Risk): This community is at risk of crossing into an annual state. Native bunchgrasses dominate; however, annual non-native species such as cheatgrass may be sub or co-dominant in the understory. Annual production and abundance of these annuals may increase drastically in years with heavy spring precipitation. Seeded species may be present. Sagebrush may be present if coming from phase 2.3. This site is susceptible to further degradation from grazing, drought, and fire. Pinyon and/or juniper may be present.

Community Phase Pathway 2.4a, from phase 2.4 to 2.3: Rainfall patterns favoring perennial bunchgrasses. Less than normal spring precipitation followed by higher than normal summer precipitation will increase perennial bunchgrass production.

Community Phase Pathway 2.4b, from phase 2.4 to 2.2: Fall, winter, and spring precipitation and temperatures mediate the ability for annual grasses and perennial grasses to germinate and/or survive. Depending on temperatures and precipitation in winter and spring, annual grass production may be reduced in favor of perennial bunchgrasses.

T2A: Transition from Current Potential State 2.0 to Shrub State 3.0: Trigger: Inappropriate, long-term grazing of perennial bunchgrasses during growing season would favor shrubs and initiate transition to Community Phase 3.1. Fire would cause a transition to Community Phase 3.2.Slow variables: Long term decrease in deep-rooted perennial grass density resulting in a decrease in organic matter inputs and subsequent soil water decline. Threshold: Loss of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses changes spatial and temporal nutrient cycling and redistribution and reduces soil organic matter.

T2B: Transition from Current Potential State 2.0 to Annual State 4.0: Trigger: Fire or a failed range seeding leads to plant community phase 4.1. Inappropriate grazing management that favors shrubs in the presence of non-native annual species leads to community phase 4.2. Slow variables: Increased production and cover of non-native annual species. Threshold: Cheatgrass or other non-native annuals dominate understory.

T2C: Transition from Current Potential State 2.0 to Tree State 5.0: Trigger: Lack of fire allows for trees to dominate site; may be coupled with inappropriate grazing management that reduces fine fuels. Slow variables: Increased establishment and cover of juniper/pinyon trees, reduction in organic matter inputs. Threshold: Trees overtop Wyoming big sagebrush and out-compete shrubs for water and sunlight. Shrub skeletons exceed live shrubs with minimal recruitment of new cohorts.

Shrub State 3.0: This state has two community phases; a big sagebrush dominated phase and a sprouting shrub dominated phase. This state is a product of many years of heavy grazing during time periods harmful to perennial bunchgrasses. Sandberg bluegrass will increase with a reduction in deep rooted perennial bunchgrass competition and become the dominant grass. Sagebrush dominates the overstory and sprouting shrubs may be a significant component. Sagebrush canopy cover is high and sagebrush may be decadent, reflecting stand maturity and lack of seedling establishment due to competition with mature plants. The shrub overstory and Sandberg bluegrass understory dominate site resources such that soil water, nutrient capture, nutrient cycling and soil organic matter are temporally and spatially redistributed.

Community Phase 3.1(At Risk): Big sagebrush dominates overstory. Thurber’s needlegrass and other perennial grasses are reduced, with bluegrass species dominant in the understory. Pinyon and juniper may be present. Annual non-native species may be present. Bare ground may be significant. Seeded species may be present. Pinyon and/or juniper may be present or increasing.

Community Phase Pathway 3.1a, from Phase 3.1 to 3.2: Fire would decrease or eliminate the overstory of sagebrush. A severe infestation of Aroga moth could also cause a large decrease in sagebrush within the community, giving a competitive advantage to bluegrasses, forbs and sprouting shrubs. Heavy fall grazing causing mechanical damage to shrubs, and/or brush treatments with minimal soil disturbance, would greatly reduce the overstory shrubs and allow for bluegrasses to dominate the site.

Community Phase 3.2(At Risk): Bluegrass species dominate the understory. Sprouting shrubs may be present. Perennial grasses trace or missing. Annual non-native species dominate understory. Bare ground may be significant. Seeded species may be present.

Community Phase Pathway 3.2a, from Phase 3.2 to 3.1: Absence of disturbance over time would allow for sagebrush and other shrubs to recover.

T3A: Transition from Shrub State 3.0 to Annual State 4.0: Trigger: Fire or inappropriate grazing management can eliminate the Sandberg bluegrass understory and transition to community phase 4.1 or 4.2. Slow variable: Increased seed production and cover of annual non-native species. Threshold: Increased, continuous fine fuels modify the fire regime by changing intensity, size and spatial variability of fires. Changes in plant community composition and spatial variability of vegetation due to the loss of perennial bunchgrasses and sagebrush truncate energy capture and impact the nutrient cycling and distribution.

T3B: Transition from Shrub State 3.0 to Tree State 5.0: Trigger: Lack of fire allows for trees to dominate site; may be coupled with inappropriate grazing management that reduces fine fuels. Slow variables: Increased establishment and cover of juniper/pinyon trees, reduction in organic matter inputs. Threshold: Trees overtop Wyoming big sagebrush and out-compete shrubs for water and sunlight. Shrub skeletons exceed live shrubs with minimal recruitment of new cohorts.

R3A: Restoration from Shrub State 3.0 to Seeded State 6.0: Brush management, herbicide, and seeding of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and/or other desired species.

Annual State 4.0: This state has two community phases; one dominated by annual non-native species and the other is a shrub dominated state. This state is characterized by the dominance of annual non-native species such ascheatgrass in the understory. Sagebrush and/or sprouting shrubs may dominate the overstory.

Community Phase 4.1: Annual non-native plants such as cheatgrass dominate the site. Perennial plants are a minor component or missing from the site. This phase may have seeded species present if resulting from a failed seeding attempt.

Community Phase Pathway 4.1a, from Phase 4.1 to 4.2: Time and lack of disturbance allows for shrubs to reestablish. Sprouting shrubs such as ephedra, desert peach and rabbitbrush will be the first to reappear after fire. Probability of sagebrush establishment is extremely low.

Community Phase 4.2: Annual non-native species dominate understory. Sagebrush or sprouting shrubs dominate the overstory. Perennial bunchgrasses are a minor component. This phase may have seeded species present if resulting from a failed seeding attempt.

Community Phase Pathway 4.2a, from Phase 4.2 to 4.1: Fire kills shrubs and allows for annual non-native species to dominate the site.

R4A: Restoration from Annual State 4.0 to Seeded State 6.0: Application of herbicide and seeding of desired species. Probability of success is best immediately following fire.

Tree State5.0: This state has two community phases that are characterized by the dominance of Utah juniper and/or singleleaf pinyon in the overstory. Wyoming big sagebrush and perennial bunchgrasses may still be present, but they are no longer controlling site resources. Soil moisture, soil nutrients, soil organic matter distribution and nutrient cycling have been spatially and temporally altered.

Community Phase 5.1: Utah juniper and/or singleleaf pinyon dominate overstory. Big sagebrush is subdominant and may be decadent. Thurber’s needlegrass and other perennial grasses are reduced. Annual non-native may be present. Bare ground areas are large and connected.

Community Phase Pathway 5.1a, from Phase 5.1 to 5.2: Absence of disturbance over time allows for tree cover and density to further increase and out-compete the herbaceous understory species.

Community Phase 5.2 (At Risk): Utah juniper and/or singleleaf pinyon dominates the site and tree leader growth is minimal; annual non-native species may be the dominant understory species and will typically be found under the tree canopies. Trace amounts of sagebrush may be present, however dead shrub skeletons will be more numerous than living sagebrush. Bunchgrasses may or may not be present. Bottlebrush squirreltail or mat forming forbs may be present in trace amounts. Bare ground interspaces are large and connected. Soil redistribution is evident.

Community Phase Pathway 5.2a, from phase 5.2 to 5.1: Manual or mechanical thinning of trees allows understory regrowth due to less competition for resources. This treatment is typically done for fuel management.

T5A: Transition from Tree State 5.0 to Annual State 4.0: Trigger: Catastrophic crown fire would reduce or eliminate trees to transition the site to 4.1. Tree removal when annual non-natives such as cheatgrass are present would also transition the site to state 4.0. Slow variable: Increased seed production and cover of annual non-native species. Threshold: Increased, continuous fine fuels modify the fire regime by changing intensity, size and spatial variability of fires. Changes in plant community composition and spatial variability of vegetation due to the loss of perennial bunchgrasses and sagebrush truncate energy capture and impact the nutrient cycling and distribution.

R5A: Restoration from Tree State 5.0 to Shrub State 3.0: Tree removal with no seeding. Treatments done in phase 5.1 will be more successful. Tree removal practices that minimize soil disturbance are recommended. Probability of success declines with increased presence of nonnative annual species.

R5B: Restoration from Tree State 5.0 to Seeded State 6.0: Tree removal and seeding of desired species. Tree removal practices that minimize soil disturbance are recommended. Probability of success declines with increased presence of nonnative annual species.

Seeded State 6.0: This state has three community phases; a grass-dominated phase, and grass-shrub dominated phase, and a shrub dominated phase. This state is characterized by the dominance of seeded introduced wheatgrass species in the understory. Forage kochia (Bassia prostrata) and other desired seeded species including Wyoming big sagebrush, native and non-native forbs may be present.

Community Phase 6.1: Seeded wheatgrass and/or other seeded species dominate the community. Non-native annual species are present. Trace amounts of big sagebrush may be present, especially if seeded.
Community Phase Pathway 6.1a, from Phase 6.1 to 6.2: Time and lack of disturbance allow shrubs to increase. Pathway may be coupled with inappropriate grazing management.

Community Phase 6.2: Big sagebrush increases and may be codominant with seeded wheatgrass species. Annual non-native species may be present in trace amounts.
Community Phase Pathway 6.2a, from Phase 6.2 to 6.1: Fire and/or brush management allows seeded grasses to return to dominance.

Community Phase Pathway 6.2b, from Phase 6.2 to 6.3: Inappropriate grazing reduces bunchgrasses and increases density of sagebrush. This is usually a slow transition.

Community Phase 6.3: Sagebrush and/or sprouting shrubs dominate. Seeded wheatgrass species decrease. Annual non-native species may be present. Pinyon and /or juniper may be present.

Community Phase Pathway 6.3a, from Phase 6.3to 6.1: Fire or brush management with minimal soil disturbance.