Limy
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T1A 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
The reference state represents the plant communities and ecological dynamics of the Limy site. This state includes the biotic communities that become established on the ecological site under the natural disturbance regime prior to pre-European settlement. The main pathways on this site are fire and drought. This is a winterfat-grass site with other shrubs scattered throughout the site. Grasses are dominant and cover is fairly uniform with few large bare areas. Dominant Grasses present are Indian ricegrass, western wheatgrass, needle-and-thread, New Mexico feathergrass and squirreltail are the dominant grass species. Winterfat is the dominant shrubs with four-wing saltbush, and rubber rabbitbrush occurring in lesser amounts. Annual forbs occur in high abundance in spring and summer month during years of above-average precipitation. Typically, species such as Indian ricegrass, needle-and-thread, four-wing saltbush, and winterfat decrease in response to a combination of heavy grazing and drought.
Reference state is self-sustaining and resistant to change due to high resistance to natural disturbances and high resilience following natural disturbances. When natural disturbances occur, the rate of recovery is variable due to disturbance intensity. Once invasive plants establish, return to the reference state may not be possible. Continuous grazing, which allows repetitive grazing of the desirable species, eventually leads to a decrease in these species from the plant community. Such deterioration is indicated by a decrease in needle-and-thread, New Mexico feathergrass, Indian ricegrass, squirreltail, four-wing saltbush, and winterfat. Species that increase include galleta, blue grama, dropseeds, threeawn spp., rubber rabbitbush, and broom snakeweed.
Submodel
Description
This state results from seeding introduced perennial grasses (i.e. crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye). Native perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs may be included in the seed mix. This state behave similar community dynamics to the current potential state community. Other vegetation treatments may be necessary to get to this state, they include chaining, mowing, disking, prescribed burning and other techniques which manipulate the plant community. Applying vegetation treatments to plant communities to either the invasive annuals or pinyon-juniper encroachment states to create a seeded state is often the first step in assisted restoration to plant communities an intermediate step to get to the Reference State. The seeded state could persist for long periods of time with proper management. Native grasses and forbs may reestablish over time from nearby seed sources.
Submodel
Description
This state is dominated by invasive annual species. Invasive annual species can including cheatgrass, Russian thistle, kochia, halogeton, storksbill geranium, and annual mustards. Generally as ecological conditions deteriorate and perennial vegetation decreases due to disturbance (fire, over grazing, drought, off road vehicle overuse, erosion, etc.) annual forbs and grasses will invade the site. The presence of these species will depend on soil properties and moisture availability; however, these invaders are highly adaptive and can flourish in many locations. Once established, complete removal is difficult but suppression may be possible.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition is from a shrub dominated state, to a state that has been seeded with introduced perennial grasses. High energy inputs are needed for this transition. Shrubs and/or trees will need to be removed with vegetation treatment techniques (I.e. chemical, mechanical, or fire) and introduced species that are adapted to the area and adapted to management needs have been seeded and become established.
Mechanism
This transition is from the reference state to a state that is dominated by invasive species. Events would include establishment of invasive species, fire, and other methods of shrub removal with an understory that is dominated by invasive annual species (i.e. cheatgrass).
Mechanism
Pathways can be one or more of the following: brush treatments, seeding, insect herbivory/ pathogen, proper grazing, drought, and/or fire. This pathway requires lots of energy input into the system. Proper grazing from livestock and wildlife will help ensure adequate deferment period or rest following brush control and/or seeding, and will assist in the establishment and maintenance of plant cover. Erosion control would be necessary to prevent further nutrient and soil loss. The addition of organic matter or other soil amendments may be needed to restore soil fertility and facilitate plant recovery. Also, this return path could possible occur as a result of long time frames without disturbance. Native plants from adjacent site would slowly establish in the seeded state.
Mechanism
This transition is from a seeded state, to a state that is dominated by invasive species. Events include increased of invasive species, shortened fire return interval, and long term drought. Improper continuous season long grazing of perennial grasses can reduce the time needed for this pathway.
Mechanism
Invasive annuals will need to be treated and dominance suppress enough to allow desired seeded species the ability to complete so that they can become established. Seeding of introduced species is the pathway to state 2. This transition will be difficult and require substantial inputs and management of the site. It may not be practical on a large scale. Research is needed for species adapted to compete with annual invasive plants, and seeding techniques to add with successful transition from the invasive annual state.
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.