Semiwet Saline Meadow
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A 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 has three community phases that shift with fire and grazing. Shrubs tend to increase in the absence of fire or improper grazing. Fire may temporarily increase grass production, however, the dominant shrubs in this ecological site can resprout.
Submodel
Description
The Shrub Dominated State occurs due to soil loss and changes in hydrology that lower the watertable. The Shrub Dominated State has one community phase that is dominated by black greasewood, halogeton and /or other annuals. Inland saltgrass is still dominant in the understory but is beginning to decline. Root sprouting shrubs such as black greasewood and rabbitbrush can be present. Some soil loss has occurred. Gully development has begun due to increased run-on from adjacent sites. This state has developed due to frequent fires and improper grazing management. The site has crossed the threshold. It is not economically practical to return this plant community to State 1 with accelerating practices.
Submodel
Description
The Degraded State develops after significant soil loss that lowering of the water table so that the plant communities shift to less adapted to wet conditions. The plant community has crossed the threshold to a new state. Inland saltgrass is declining. Site potential has been reduced. Significant soil loss has occurred. Gully development is extensive due to increased run-on from adjacent sites. Infiltration has been reduced and run-off has become more rapid. The Degraded State has developed due to continued improper grazing management and/or frequent fires.
Submodel
Mechanism
Develops through frequent fire, improper grazing management, or gully development (lowering of the water table). It is generally not economically feasible to move this state back across the threshold with accelerating practices.
Mechanism
Excessive soil loss and changes in the hydrologic cycle caused by continued improper grazing management, frequent fire or lowering of the water table through gully development, causes the Shrub Dominated State to cross a threshold and retrogress to a new state (Degraded State) with reduced potential.
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.