Desert Shallow Clay (Mat Saltbush)
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T2A 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
This reference state describes the natural biotic communities that may become established on the Desert Shallow Clay (mat saltbush) ecological site if all successional sequences are completed under the natural disturbance regime. This state is typically composed of a shrub layer dominated mat saltbush with lesser amounts of perennial warm and cool grasses present. It is normally self sustaining and stable due to its high resistance to natural disturbances and high resilience following natural disturbances. Once invasive plants become established, return to the reference state may not be possible.
Reference State: Community phases influenced by native herbivore grazing, insect herbivory, and weather.
Indicators: A sparse perennial cool and warm season grass understory with mat saltbush forming the dominant visual aspect.
Feedbacks: Extended drought and/or improper grazing that result in a reduction of native perennial plant vigor which may cause invasive species to become established in the understory, increased bare spaces, erosion, and soil loss. Properly managed grazing that maintains the perennial bunchgrass understory.
At-risk Community Phase: All communities in this state are at risk when native plants are stressed and/or nutrients become available for invasive plants to establish.
Trigger: Introduction and establishment of non-native invasive plants such as cheatgrass and Russian thistle.
Submodel
Description
The current potential state is similar to the reference state except that invasive species are now present. It is generally dominated by mat saltbush, native perennial grasses and forbs may also be present.
Primary disturbance mechanisms include climate fluctuations, native herbivore grazing, domestic livestock grazing, and surface disturbances such as road and pipeline development and off road vehicle (OHV) use. Timing of these disturbances dictates the ecological dynamics that occur. Do to a lack of disturbed locations, the long term effects of such disturbances are not understood.
Reference State: Community phases disturbed by climate fluctuations.
Indicators: A site dominated by mat saltbush. James galleta, Indian ricegrass and sand dropseed may also be present. Non-native species are now present in the stand.
Feedbacks: Extended drought resulting in a reduction of native perennial plant vigor. Normal fluctuations in weather allowing for the maintenance of both shrubs and perennial grasses.
At-risk Community Phase: This state is at risk when perennial plant cover is reduced and nutrients become available for invasive plants to flurish.
Trigger: Spread of invasive plants to fill available niches.
Submodel
Description
The Annual Weed State is generally dominated by invasive annual plants such as cheatgrass, halogeton and Russian thistle. Mat saltbush may or may not be present.
Annual Weed State: Community phases maintained, in a self-sustaining manner, by invasive annual weed domination and/or occasional fire.
Indicators: A site where ecological processes are driven by cheatgrass and/or other invasive annual forbs.
Feedbacks: A self sustaining disturbance regime of invasive annual weed domination and/or occasional fire.
Submodel
Mechanism
T1A – This transition is from the reference state where only native perennial warm and cool season grasses occur to a state that also includes invasive species. Events may include combinations of conditions favorable for the establishment of invasive plant species, including improper livestock grazing, heavy wildlife browsing, prolonged drought, and surface disturbances. However, invasive species such as cheatgrass have been known to invade intact perennial plant communities with little to no disturbance.
Once invasive species are present in the plant community, a threshold has been crossed.
Mechanism
T2A – This transition is from a state dominated by perennial shrubs, grasses and invasive weeds to a state that is dominated by annual invasive species. Events include brush treatments, improper livestock grazing and/or wildlife browsing coupled with prolonged drought, and surface disturbances that remove shrubs including off-road vehicle use, and road and pipeline development. Once brush is removed and invasive plants dominate, a threshold has been crossed.
Model keys
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