Sandy Upland 10-14" p.z.
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Restoration pathway R3B More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Restoration pathway R4B More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The refence state includes the Historic Climax Plant Community. This plant community (1.1) is composed primarily of cool season and warm season grasses with a small percentage of forbs and scattered large and half shrubs. Minor amounts (<5%) of introduced annuals may be present in this state.
Submodel
States 1, 5 and 2 (additional transitions)
1.1. Native Perennial Grassland with Scattered Shrubs (HCPC)
1.5. Grassland with Mormon tea
1.2. Shrubland with Native Grasses
Description
This plant community is dominated by sand sagebrush with other shrubs present. Perennial grasses are sub-dominant with scattered forbs and occasionally scattered junipers.
Submodel
Description
This plant community has an increased overstory of juniper (>10% cover) with a mixed shrub understory and few perennial grasses.
Submodel
Mechanism
Dominance of sand sagebrush and increased composition of non-native species from lack of fire, unmanaged grazing, and other frequent ground disturbance.
Mechanism
Juniper establishment on site. Reduced competition from perennial grasses and shrubs, lack of fire, unmanaged grazing, juniper seed source available from adjacent sites coupled with increased bare ground allow for seedling establishment and encroachment. Favorable precipitation may increase seedling establishment even with moderate grass or shrub cover.
Mechanism
Prolonged drought, unmanaged grazing, along with severe and frequent soil surface disturbance occurs. Soil stability is reduced and soils are subject to active soil erosion, blowouts and mounding. Low perennial herbaceous cover, along with large connected areas of bare ground are common. This allows for invasion of annuals and the increase of less desirable shrub species.
Mechanism
Reduced soil surface disturbances that maintain sand sage persistence. This site may return to a shrubland/grassland (1.2 or 1.3) with prescribed grazing, favorable moisture and a pernnial grass seed source. This pathway is also possible with woody species control (chemical or mechanical) and re-seeding to accelerate grass establishment.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
|
|
Herbaceous Weed Control |
Mechanism
Juniper establishment on site. Reduce competition from perennial grasses and shrubs, lack of fire, unmanaged grazing, juniper seed source available from adjacent sites coupled with increased bare ground allow for seedling establishment and encroachment. Favorable precipitation may increase seedling establishment even with moderate grass or shrub cover.
Mechanism
Prolonged drought, unmanaged grazing, along with severe and frequent soil surface disturbance occurs. Soil stability is reduced and soils are subject to active soil erosion, blowouts and mounding. Low perennial herbaceous cover, along with large connected areas of bare ground are common. This allows for invasion of annuals and the increase of less desirable shrub species.
Mechanism
Juniper control through fire or mechanical methods, managed grazing and a seed source for grass re-establishment.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
|
|
Herbaceous Weed Control |
Mechanism
Juniper control through fire or mechanical methods, managed grazing and a seed source for grass re-establishment.
Mechanism
This restoration pathway would require extensive inputs. Improved soil stability with perennial grass re-seeding or available seed source,non-native invasive weed control, favorable moisture, and managed grazing with rest could allow for the increase of perennial grass and shrubs. This pathway could take several years to decades to occur without significant inputs.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
|
|
Range Planting |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
|
|
Herbaceous Weed Control |
Mechanism
This restoration pathway would require extensive inputs. Improved soil stability with perennial grass re-seeding or available seed source, non-native invasive weed control, favorable moisture, and managed grazing with rest could allow for the increase of perennial grass and shrubs. This pathway could take several years to decades to occur without significant inputs.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Range Planting |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
|
|
Herbaceous Weed Control |
Model keys
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