This state is representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. Plant community phase changes are primarily driven by long-term drought. Insect attack and wildfire are infrequent, but have long-term impacts on the plant community. The plant communities of this site are dynamic in response to changes in disturbance regimes and weather patterns.
The Invaded State is characterized by the presence of non-native annuals in the understory. A biotic threshold has been crossed, with the introduction of non-native annuals that cannot be removed from the system. Ecological resiliency has been reduced by the presence of non-native annual species and a reduction in the cover of desert pavement. Non-native species have the potential to alter disturbance regimes significantly from their natural or historic range of variability.
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.
The introduction of non-native species due to anthropogenic disturbances including OHV use, dry land farming, grazing, linear corridors, mining, military operations and settlements.
Model keys
Briefcase
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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.
) 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.
