Riverbottom
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Restoration pathway R3B 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
Cottonwood/Cool Season Bunchgrass:
The interpretive plant community for this site is the Reference Plant Community. The major grasses include basin wildrye, needle and thread, western wheatgrass, and, Indian ricegrass. Narrowleaf cottonwood is the major woody plant. Other woody plants that may occur include Wyoming and Mountain big sagebrush, rubber rabbitbrush, and snowberry.
This state is extremely stable and well adapted to the Cool Central Desertic Basins and Plateaus climate. The diversity in plant species allows for high drought resistance. This is a sustainable plant community (site/soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity).
Description
This plant community is the result of continuous season long grazing of reference. Desirable bunchgrasses such as basin wildrye and needle and thread have been greatly reduced. Young cottonwoods have been browsed and replaced with Wyoming and Mountain big sagebrush, rubber rabbitbrush and snowberry.
The soils of this state are moderately protected. The loss of deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses have affected biotic integrity may be reduced due to low vegetative production. The watershed is functioning ,but is at risk of rapidly degrading with improper management.
Description
This plant community is a result of heavy continuous season-long grazing, noxious weed invasion, and flood control. The plant community is primarily composed of smooth brome, Kentucky bluegrass and non native forbs such as burdock, Canada thistle, and leafy spurge. Woody species that remain are tolerant of heavy grazing disturbance and include Wyoming and Mountain big sagebrush, rubber rabbitbrush, and snowberry. Cottonwoods have low vigor and recruitment.
This state is unstable and vulnerable to excessive erosion. The biotic integrity of this plant community is at risk or non-functioning. The watershed is usually at risk or non-functioning as bare ground increases.
Mechanism
• Continuous Season-long Grazing will convert the plant community to the Mature Cottonwood/Rhizomatous Wheatgrass
Mechanism
• Heavy Continuous Season-long Grazing with Noxious weed invasion and flood control will convert the plant community to the Decadent Cottonwood/Introduced or Invasive Species
Mechanism
• Prescribed Grazing or Long-term Prescribed Grazing will return this state to near Historic Climax Plant Community –Cottonwood/Cool Season Bunchgrass.
Mechanism
• Heavy Continuous Season-long Grazing with Noxious weed invasion and flood control will convert the plant community to the Decadent Cottonwood/Introduced or Invasive Species
Mechanism
• Long Term Prescribed Grazing, Noxious Weed Control, Return of Flood Water, Reseeding, and Replanting Trees may eventually return this state to near Reference Plant Community-Cottonwood/Cool Season Bunchgrass. Remnants of Introduced species will still be present and returning to Reference may not be economically feasible.
Model keys
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Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
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.