Saline Upland (SU) Wind River Basin Rim
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1-2
Drought alone or in conjunction with frequent or severe grazing (continuous, season-long) will reduce the key grass species, and encourage sod-forming grasses and grass-likes, forcing this transition.
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Transition T1-3
Frequent and severe (continuous, season-long) grazing, ground disturbance, and drought will reduce the herbaceous cover, leaving a shrub-dominated community. Remnant grasses persist in the protection of shrub or cactus clumps.
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Transition T1-4
Drought, ground disturbance, frequent or severe Grazing or non-use with seed source present allows the soil surface to be opened and vulnerable to invasive species. Non-use has shown to create a “fluffy” soil scenario in which seeds are readily able to establish, but not necessarily persist.
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Transition T2-4
Soil disturbance with a seed source present is the trigger for this transition.
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Transition T3-4
Drought, Frequent or Severe Grazing, Non-Use, or Ground Disturbance with a seed source present reduces the stability and function of saltbush, allowing invasive species to establish.
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Restoration pathway R3-5
Grazing lands mechanical treatment, or rangeland seeding with prescribed grazing will be required inputs to alter the soils and hydrology of this site and allow a desirable plant cover to establish and reduce invasive species (species-dependent.)
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Restoration pathway R4-5
Integrated Pest Management, Grazing Lands Mechanical Treatment, or Rangeland Seeding with Prescribed Grazing will be required inputs to alter the soils and hydrology of this site, but allow a desirable plant cover to establish and reduce the invasive species (species-dependent.)
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Transition T5-4
Drought, frequent and severe (continuous, season-long) grazing, ground disturbance, or non-use with seed source present leaves restored or reclaimed sites vulnerable to invasive species.
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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State 1
Saltbush/Bunchgrasses
Description
Saline and sodic soils within the fine-loamy particle-size class, including influences from gypsum and calcium carbonate accumulations, support plant communities that are dominated by salt-tolerant dwarf shrubs. A variety of bunchgrasses are secondary on this site with a minor cover of perennial forbs.
Characteristics and indicators
The dominant cover is Gardner's saltbush and birdfoot sagebrush, with minor cover of greasewood and winterfat in some locations. These dominant low sub-shrubs comprise approximately 50 percent of the production on the site. The grasses, which make up 40 percent of the plant community, predominately are bottlebrush squirreltail and Indian ricegrass. As the sites transition, Sandberg bluegrass, threadleaf sedge, and blue grama will begin to increase. Needle and thread and western wheatgrass also are contributors in this state.
The forb component is minor with only 10% of the production comprised by a select few forbs. A variety of desert parsley (biscuitroot or Lomatiums), wild onion, milkvetch, and tansyaster are found within this State. The general ground cover is open with 25 to 35 percent bare ground, but it is stable.
Resilience management
The drought tolerance of this state allows for a wide flexibility in production and composition shifts from year to year, but maintains the base diversity for each community phase.
Submodel
Description
A combination of environmental disturbances and utilization has reduced the resiliency of the plant community, shifting the community to the Saltbush/Sod-formers State (State 2). Low-stature, warm-season tillering grasses (blue grama) and cool-season tillering grass-likes (threadleaf sedge) have increased in composition, reducing the overall diversity of State 2. Although this state (State 2) is stable with approximately 30 percent ground cover by Gardner's saltbush or salt-tolerant shrubs, the production is slightly reduced.
The trend noted during sampling was an increase of annual forbs with the decrease of Indian ricegrass and bottlebrush squirreltail. Current and historic data has documented extreme swings in productivity between years (on an 8-10 year cycle) for Sandberg bluegrass and Gardner's saltbush specifically, but can be referred to many of the species present (based on a 50-year data set). This swing in production can provide a false sense that a threshold has been crossed, when in actuality, it is a natural response to drought and climatic changes. These changes are what allow the Reference State and this state (State 2) to be sustainable.
Characteristics and indicators
The Saltbush/Sod-formers State, State 2, is characterized by the intermixed community of Gardner's saltbush, blue grama, and threadleaf sedge.
Submodel
Description
The management and climatic interactions that were speculated to have led to the Saltbush/Bare Ground-dominated State are not the only cause for this community. It is recognized that with continued grazing pressure and drought conditions, the productivity and sustainability of most perennial grasses will decrease, leaving a shrub-dominated state, and that in the absence of invasive species, this community can persist on the landscape.
Correlation data from soil and ecological sites document that many of the communities that fit this definition were found to have a heavier textured soil (Clayey or Fine). The slow infiltration and sealing potential of fine soils restricts the potential plant community. There were sites, however, that were classified as fine-loamy (coarser soils) and were dominated by this community that were a product of management and drought.
Characteristics and indicators
The Saltbush/Bare Ground State is a Gardner's saltbush community with few other species existing in the community. The community is distinct on the landscape and has little variability.
Resilience management
Once this state is established on the landscape, it is resistant to most change. However, the open canopy is prone to invasive species when growing conditions are appropriate.
Submodel
Description
The Saline Upland site has proven to be more resistant to invasion by many of the aggressive weedy species threatening the rangelands today. However, there are a few species that still present issues as more land is disturbed by development, continued drought, and shifts in use (grazing, recreation, mining, etc). Cheatgrass (downy brome) poses the greatest threat, with annual mustards, clasping pepperweed, and woolly plantain holding their niches on the landscape. The persistence, resistance, and resilience of specific communities within this state will be further discussed.
Characteristics and indicators
The presence of at least 5 percent cover of an invasive species, dominantly cheatgrass, within the community is the threshold forcing this community into the invaded state.
Resilience management
Managing to maintain the remaining native species will working to reduce the invasive species is the best management practice focus for the Invaded State.
Submodel
Description
Energy development, mining, gravel or borrow pits, farming, irrigation canals, drainage laterals, and roads are only a few of the land uses that have had an impact on these arid, salt-affected landscapes. Much of this site is deemed unfit or non-productive; attempts to reclaim are marginal, and many attempts have failed. Historic attempts to improve productivity have altered the resilience and response pathways, affecting the site potential and stability. Specific references will be further discussed.
Submodel
Mechanism
Drought, frequent or severe grazing–Extended periods of drought have the ability to weaken the plant community's resilience, forcing the community over the threshold into the next state. Drought with added stress of frequent or severe grazing (i.e. continuous, season-long grazing) can expedite the process, removing the key species leaving the site dominated by the less desirable herbaceous species. Any combination of these factors will reduce or remove the key bunchgrasses, Indian ricegrass, needle and thread, bottlebrush squirreltail, and Sandberg bluegrass, and leave a blue grama dominated site.
Mechanism
Frequent and severe grazing, severe ground disturbance, drought–The combination of frequent and severe grazing (i.e. continuous, season-long grazing), especially when drought is a factor, continues the process of decreasing the forbs and grasses within the community. The desirable herbaceous species may become very sparse or are removed, leaving a saltbush-dominated community. Extended long periods of drought alone or severe ground disturbance will remove or inhibit the sustainability of the herbaceous component of this community.
Constraints to recovery
The lack of seed source and the harsh environment for seed germination (lack of timely precipitation, soil crusting, and arid climate) reduce the viability of seedling establishment on this site.
Mechanism
Frequent and severe grazing, drought, non-use, or ground disturbance (with seed source present)–Cheatgrass (downy brome), and many of the invasive weeds that are present in the Wind River Basin are drought-tolerant and able to establish in poor soils and growing conditions. The barren, open canopy that is typical of the Saline Upland ecological site is a prime target for these invaders. Given any level of disturbance, whether it is from heavy and frequent grazing use (i.e. continuous, season-long grazing), drought, or other ground disturbances, if there is a seed source present, these invaders will find a niche for establishment. The dispersed nature of salt-affected soils, especially in the absence of compaction by hoof action or traffic, allows for any variety of invasive species to quickly transition from the Reference State to the Invaded State.
Constraints to recovery
The inability to eradicate fully the invasive species (cheatgrass and halogeton) from a community is the limiting constraint to recover. Cost for initial treatment and the necessity for continued treatment limit the economic feasibility of recovery as well.
Mechanism
Drought, ground disturbance, frequent or severe grazing or non-use with a seed source present–The vulnerability of this state to transition to the Invaded State is increased as the canopy is opened with further disturbance, drought or grazing use (i.e. continuous, season-long grazing). Non-use is also a factor, because of the nature of the soils to become dispersed (loose) and open to seedling establishment. If the seed source is present (in the area), drought or abnormal precipitation patterns as well as non-use provide the opportunity for invasive species to establish. Many of the sources of disturbance (recreational vehicles, animals, and development activities) provide a source to bring invasive species into an area.
Constraints to recovery
The difficulty and in some instances inability to eradicate or effectively control some invasive species is the limitation to restoring this site to the any community.
Mechanism
Drought, Frequent or Severe Grazing, Non-Use, or Ground Disturbance with a seed source present–Once the community has transitioned into a saltbush-dominated state, productivity and functionality are at risk. If further disturbance occurs from severe (continuous, season-long) grazing, human impacts, or environmental), saltbush will begin to decrease and invasive species will increase in dominance, forcing this community to transition into the Invaded State. The effect of this plant composition shift is a decrease in hydrologic function and increase in the erosional hazard within the community.
Constraints to recovery
Weed control is the major constraint to recovery of this site.
Context dependence
The species of invasion and circumstances of each site specifically may offer more options for recovery.
Mechanism
Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment or Rangeland Seeding with Prescribed Grazing–The large-scale success of contour furrowing on the rangelands with a mixture of crested wheatgrass and other introduced or cultivated species has shown that this landscape can be restored to a functional community using improved varieties and selective grazing land mechanical treatments. Once established, management is required to encourage establishment and to sustain the species. Once the soil is disturbed there is a risk of erosion until seedling establishment can occur. Management of undesired species (noxious or invasive weed species) must be completed to ensure that the community is restored to an acceptable composition. Seedbed preparation and ground disturbance by any mechanical means will alter the soil structure and hydrology of an area, preventing the location from returning to Reference (Community Phase 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3). Although they may appear similar, post-disturbance response to management is altered from the Reference State and so is recognized as a reclaimed or restored community (State 5).
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
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Critical Area Planting |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
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Heavy Use Area Protection |
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Grazing Management Plan - Applied |
Mechanism
Integrated pest management, grazing land mechanical treatment, or rangeland seeding with prescribed grazing–Once a community has degraded to the Invaded State, especially if cheatgrass is dominant; eradication is not a feasible option, preventing restoration to the Reference State. An invaded community, however, can be restored to a functional plant community through intensive and integrated pest management and grazing land mechanical treatments. Removal of or reducing existing populations and establishment of forage species that are desirable and able to tolerate and compete with the invasive species helps to improve the function of the landscape. When a community has been significantly invaded, losing all of the key grazing species, reseeding the site to a competitive species may be the only option. Establishment will be slow and the variety of available seed sources for salt-affected soil conditions is minimal, but small-scale projects have been achieved with marginal success.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Critical Area Planting |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
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Heavy Use Area Protection |
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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Livestock Use Area Protection |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Invasive Plant Species Control |
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Agrichemical Handling Facility |
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Grazing Management Plan - Applied |
Mechanism
Drought, severe and frequent grazing, ground disturbance, or non-use with seed source present–Loose soils as a result of no hoof action during non-use or the decrease in key herbaceous species due to severe and frequent grazing (i.e. continuous, season-long grazing), drought, or disturbance opens the canopy and provides opportunity for invasive species to establish. Continued stress or addition of undesirable species will weaken this community even further.
Constraints to recovery
The inability to eradicate fully the invasive species (cheatgrass) from a community is the limiting constraint to recover. Cost for initial treatment, and the necessity for continued treatment limit the economic feasibility of recovery as well.
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.