This state represents the natural range of variability for this ecological site, pre-European settlement. Data for this state does not currently exist, due to the naturalization of non-native species and intense land use of the geographic reference area of this site beginning the early 1800's, which included fire, mining, land clearing, hog farming, and cattle grazing (Snorf 1991). This state had infrequent fire, only native species, and no livestock grazing. Fluctuations in annual productivity would have occurred with climatic variability.
This is the representative state for this ecological site. It is similar in composition to the reference plant community, but non-native species are present, Utah juniper cover may be lower than in the reference state due to widespread cutting of Utah juniper to support mining and settlements in the area (Snorf 1991), cover of black grama may have been higher and purple threeawn cover lower prior to the introduction of grazing (Canfield 1948).
This transition occurred with naturalization of non-native annual species such as red brome, cheatgrass, and redstem storks bill, and the introduction of livestock grazing with European exploration and settlement from the 1860s through the 1900s (e.g. Brooks and Chambers 2011). The ubiquitous presence of non-native annuals means that removing them entirely and returning to the reference state is not possible.
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.
