Desert Salt Flat (Sickle Saltbush)
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T3A 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 1.0 is a representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. This state has two community phases, one dominated by shrubs and grasses and the other dominated by shrubs. 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. This site is very stable, with little variation in plant community composition. Plant community changes would be reflected in production in response to drought or abusive grazing. Wet years will increase grass production, while drought years will reduce production. Shrub production will also increase during wet years.
Submodel
Description
This state is similar to the Reference State 1.0 with two similar community phases. Ecological function has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of invasive weeds. Non-natives may increase in abundance but will not become dominant within this State. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These feedbacks 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.
Submodel
Description
This state consists of one community phase. This site has crossed a biotic threshold and site processes are being controlled by shrubs.
Submodel
Description
This site consists of one community phase. Abiotic factors including soil redistribution and erosion, soil temperature, soil crusting and sealing are primary drivers of ecological condition within this state. Soil moisture, soil nutrients and soil organic matter distribution and cycling are severely altered due to degraded soil surface conditions.
Submodel
Mechanism
Trigger: This transition is caused by the introduction of non-native annual plants, such as halogeton and cheatgrass.
Slow variables: Over time the annual non-native species will increase within the community.
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.
Mechanism
Trigger: Repeated, heavy, growing season grazing will decrease or eliminate deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses and decrease sickle saltbush.
Slow variables: Long term decrease in deep-rooted perennial grass density.
Threshold: Loss of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses changes nutrient cycling, nutrient redistribution, and reduces soil organic matter.
Mechanism
Trigger: Contiguous inappropriate grazing management and/or soil disturbing treatments.
Slow variables: Increased bare ground and/or increase amount of non-native annual species.
Threshold: Loss of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and shrubs truncates, spatially and temporally, nutrient capture and cycling within the community.
Mechanism
Trigger: Contiguous inappropriate grazing management and/or soil disturbing treatments.
Slow variables: Increase in bare ground, increased production and cover of non-native annual species.
Threshold: Changes in plant community composition and spatial variability of vegetation due to the loss of perennial bunchgrasses and saltbush truncate energy capture spatially and temporally thus impacting nutrient cycling and distribution.
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.