The Reference State contains plant communities presumed to occur prior to the introduction of non-native plants, livestock grazing, and other modern disturbances. Disturbance regimes resemble those described above in the ecological dynamics section.
The Current Potential State functions comparably to the Reference State, although non-native plant species are present in the community. Under proper management, the current potential state maintains the ecological processes and community phases that were present in the Reference State.
Transition T1a represents the introduction of non-native plant species associated with European settlement. This transition is irreversible since eradication of non-native species would require costly management inputs; however, this transition results in minimal functional change.
Model keys
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase () icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
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.
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
