Wet Meadow
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 state includes the biotic communities that become established on the ecological site under the natural disturbance regime prior to pre- European settlement. This site takes advantage of supplemental water from intermittent flooding frequency and a water table. This is generally a salt free wet to moist meadow occurring in the foothill zone. At the lower elevations it intergrades into a salt meadow ecological site Western wheatgrass dominates over slender wheatgrass, tufted hairgrass, sedges and rushes. Basin wildrye becomes significant on the drier edges of the site. Forbs found include yarrow, herbaceous sage, Solomon-plume, herbaceous cinquefoil, milkweed, shootingstar, aster, and paintbrush.
Sometimes small swamp areas occur and they include cattail, bulrush, and horsetail. As this site deteriorates, the water table drops, causing rubber rabbitbrush and foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) to increase. Grasses such as tufted hairgrass, basin wildrye will decrease. The species composition will vary due to historical use, varying precipitation and water table and fire frequency. Drier sites will have a greater risk of foxtail barley incursion than wetter areas.
Submodel
Description
The current potential state is similar in structure and function to the reference state, however invasive and non-natives species are present in all community phases. The current potential state is generally dominated by perennial grasses. Kentucky bluegrass can become a dominant in this plant community. The current potential state is less resilient than the reference state due to the presence of non-native/invasive species in the plant community. Annual herbaceous weedy plants have increased, but occur in small patches. Invasive species present can include knapweeds, Canada thistle, and curly dock.
Submodel
Description
This state results from seeding introduced perennial grasses. Some of the potential grass found may include the following: meadow foxtail, orchardgrass, meadow barley, timothy and smooth brome. 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 mowing, disking, prescribed burning and other techniques which manipulate the plant community. 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
Mechanism
The native understory in the reference state has been invade by non-native species. Plant may include thistles, knotweeds, dandelion, and povertyweed. Some invasive plants can become established in undisturbed and healthy native plant communities. Possible events that can cause this transition include improper domestic livestock, severe surface disturbances, fire, and/or extended droughts.
Mechanism
This transition is triggered by management decisions and actions. This transition, to a state that has been seeded with introduced perennial grasses. High energy inputs are needed for this transition. Brush 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. Water diversion maybe used to enhance or alter this site hydrological regime.
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.