CALCAREOUS LOAM 5-7 P.Z.
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1 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 is representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. Plant communities are dynamic in response to changes in disturbance regimes and weather patterns. Plant community phase changes are primarily driven by long-term drought. Historically, fire had little impact in this system due to low fuel loading.
Submodel
Description
The Invaded State is characterized by the presence of non-native annuals in the understory. State 2 is functionally similar to the Reference State, however the presence of non-natives has reduced the ecological resilience of the site. Introduced annuals such as red brome and redstem stork's bill have invaded the reference plant community and have become a dominant component of the herbaceous cover. This invasion of non-natives is attributed to a combination of factors including: 1) surface disturbances, 2) changes in the kinds of animals and their grazing patterns, 3) drought, and 4) changes in fire history. These non-natives annuals are highly flammable and promote wildfires where fires historically have been infrequent.
A biotic threshold is crossed, with the introduction of non-native annuals that are difficult to remove from the system and will alter disturbance regimes significantly from their natural or historic range of disturbances. The presence of non-natives has reduced the ecological resilience of the site.
Submodel
Model keys
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Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
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.