Semidesert Stony Loam (Utah Juniper-Pinyon)
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1 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
The reference plant community is dominated by diverse perennial grasses and Utah juniper. Two-needle pinyon is also abundant, and diverse shrubs and forbs can make up a significant portion of the community in some areas. The reference state is highly resistant to erosion due to high grass cover and high rock fragments on the soil surface. Areas with fewer rock fragments and coarser soil textures may be less resillient following disturbance that removes perennial grasses, such as improper livestock grazing. Non-native invasive species have not been documented on this site, but cheatgrass is likely capable of establishing.
Submodel
Description
This state results when perennial grasses are lost from the system and trees increase and dominate. Soil erosion becomes a hazard, and non-native invasive species, particularly cheatgrass, may be more likely to establish in this state. However, non-native species have not been documented on this ecological site.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition occurs when perennial grasses are reduced by improper livestock grazing (heavy stocking rates, continuous season-long grazing, etc.) followed by an increase in Utah juniper and pinyon (West et al. 1998). The resulting state is unable to regain perennial grasses without significant management inputs.
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.