The Reference State is represenative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. The plant community is shrub dominated with few perennial grasses and forbs. Historically, this state experienced an extended fire return interval, which resulted in long-lived stable saltbush plant communities. These communities were sparsely vegetated and soil stability was primarily provided by surface rock fragments and microbiotic soil crust.
The Representative State is characterized by the presence of non-native annuals in the understory. Introduced annuals such as red brome, Mediterranean grass and redstem filaree have invaded the reference plant community. These non-natives annuals are highly flammable and promote wildfires where fires historically have been infrequent. A biotic threshold has been crossed, with the introduction of non-natives that are difficult to remove from the system and have the potential to significantly alter disturbance regimes from their natural or historic range of variability.
Introduction of non-native species due to a combination of factors including; surface disturbance, changes in the kinds of animals and their grazing patterns, drought, changes in fire history or any other type of vegetation removal. Non-natives can alter disturbance regimes significantly from their natural or historic range and change ecological processes therefore creating an unlikely scenario to restore the site back to reference.
Model keys
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase () 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.
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.
