GYPSIC 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. The plant community is shrub dominated with a minor component of perennial grasses. Plant community dynamics are primarily driven by long-term drought, insect outbreaks, and infrequent wildfire. Historically, this state experienced an extended fire return interval due to low fuel loading, which resulted in long-lived stable shadscale plant communities.
Submodel
Description
Introduced annuals such as red brome, schismus 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.
PSFR and LEFR2 would persist after this invasion by non-native annuals, but the other shrubs and desirable grasses would either be unsuccessful in competing with the non-natives or removed from the system.
The threshold that is crossed, is the introduction of non-native annuals that cannot be removed from the system and will alter disturbance regimes significantly from their natural or historic range of disturbances.
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.