Xeric Very Deep Sandy Fan Aprons On Pediments
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition 1 More details
- Transition 3 More details
- Restoration pathway 1 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
State 1 represents the historic range of variability for this ecological site. This state no longer exists due to the ubiquitous naturalization of non-native species in the Mojave Desert. Periodic drought and very rare fire were the natural disturbances influencing this ecological site.
Data for this State does not exist, but it would have been similar to State 2, except with only native species present. See State 2 narrative for more detailed information.
Description
State 2 represents the current range of variability for this site. Non-native annuals, including red brome and cheatgrass are naturalized in this plant community. Their abundance varies with precipitation, but they are at least sparsely present (as current year’s growth or present in the soil seedbank).
Submodel
Description
This state develops with a frequent fire return interval in the reference state. This state has been significantly altered from the natural range of variability found in States 1 and 2. Pinyon pine, California juniper, and blackbrush are largely lost, and Muller’s oak, non-native annual grasses, native sub-shrubs, perennial grasses, and short-lived shrubs dominate the community.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition occurred with the naturalization of non-native species in this ecological site. Non-native species were introduced with settlement of the Mojave Desert region in the 1860s.
Mechanism
This transition occurs if the fire return interval is less than 75 years.
Mechanism
Burned, blackbrush lost - State 3
This state is characterized by the loss of blackbrush from the plant community due to severe or recurrent fire. Data does not exist for this state, and community phase composition is based on literature review. The dynamics for this state are assumed to be similar to that described in State 2, except that blackbrush is no longer part of the plant community.
Blackbrush lost Reference plant community - Community Phase 3.1
The reference plant community for this state is dominated by burrobush. Mojave yucca, Nevada ephedra, and eastern Mojave buckwheat are important secondary species. Other shrub species, subshrubs and annuals are likely to remain as described in Community phase 2.1.
Community Phase Pathway 3.1a
This pathway occurs in response to prolonged or severe drought.
Community Phase Pathway 3.1b
This pathway occurs in response to moderate or severe fire.
Restoration Pathway - 1
Restoration of communities severely altered by repeat fire at the landscape scale is difficult. Methods may include aerial seeding of early native colonizers such as desert globemallow, desert needlegrass, Indian ricegrass, and threadleaf snakeweed. Increased native cover may help to reduce non-native plant invasion, helps to stabilize soils, provides a source of food and cover for wildlife, and provides microsites that facilitate California juniper, singleleaf pinyon pine, and blackbrush establishment. However, the amount of seed required for success is often prohibitive. Large-scale planting of both early colonizers and community dominants tends to be more successful in terms of plant survival, especially if outplants receive supplemental watering during the first two years. Blackbrush is difficult to cultivate for outplanting due to susceptibility to fungal pathogens in greenhouse environment. Pre-emergent herbicides (Plateau) have been used in the year immediately post-fire to attempt to inhibit or reduce brome invasion. How successful this is on a landscape scale, and the non-target effects have not yet been determined.
Model keys
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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.