Basin Shale
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 T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3A 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 reference state is a perennial bunchgrass/shrub community. This site is treeless. The appearance of this site is grassland in association with woody shrubs, such as black sagebrush, and several forbs. These species account for most of the vegetative cover. Western wheatgrass, galleta, Indian ricegrass, blue grama, bottlebrush squirreltail, and Sandberg bluegrass contribute toward a rather sparse grassland appearance. Black sagebrush has a noticeable place on this site. Hood's phlox, winterfat, buckwheat, and fringed sage are common. Fluctuations in species composition and relative production may change from year to year depending upon precipitation and other climatic factors. Black sagebrush communities historically experienced an extended fire return interval due to widely spaced shrubs and low herbaceous (fine fuel) production. Establishment of sagebrush seedlings occurs solely from seed and recruitment pulses are episodic, based on favorable climatic conditions. Black sagebrush can be heavily browsed and should be monitored to assure new young seedlings are establishing in numbers high enough to replace the current stand of black sagebrush. Drought can compound the problem of heavy browsing. (Winward, 2004).
Submodel
Description
State 2 is identical to State 1 in form and function, with the exception of the presence of non-native plants.
Submodel
Description
This site is represented by frequently and heavily browsed black sagebrush during the winter and is browsed by wildlife. Heavily browsed black sagebrush becomes rounded instead of the typical irregular, spreading and u-shaped crown it normally has. Black sagebrush can be almost level along the ground with severe browsing. (Fryer, 2009). This state is at risk for excessive wind and water erosion and the biotic integrity of the site is at risk. The bareground has increased on this site and the interspaces between plants are larger. Black sagebrush is still present on the site and may dominant the shrub cover. Black sagebrush with be approximately 2-4 inches in height rather than the 4-12 inches that is common without browsing. Plants such as Sandberg bluegrass, western wheatgrass, yellow rabbitbrush and low growing forbs such as hood’s phlox will dominant the site.
Submodel
Mechanism
The introduction of introduced invasive plant species will cause State 1 to transition to State 2. A return pathway back to State 1 would be impracticable because of introduced species and climate change.
Mechanism
There are several mechanisms for this ways this transition happens. The first way from long term excessive year-long livestock grazing, trampling and bedding, especially by large flocks of domestic sheep, prolonged animal bedding, salting, watering, and handling locations are examples of uses that can accelerate this transition. The second is long term long-term damage caused by trail and road development, and/or excessive trail development. The third way it develops is by long term herbivory by wildlife and upland species that select out the shrubs and grass, this can happen in an area where the site is on ridges and hills where the snow melts and allows use year round for livestock and wildlife habitat. The only plants remaining are those tolerant of drought, infertile soil, mechanical disturbances, and herbivory. Also, it can also be a combination of the three ways in varying proportions.
Mechanism
There are several mechanisms for this ways this transition happens. The first way from long term excessive year-long livestock grazing, trampling and bedding, especially by large flocks of domestic sheep, prolonged animal bedding, salting, watering, and handling locations are examples of uses that can accelerate this transition. The second is long term long-term damage caused by trail and road development, and/or excessive trail development. The third way it develops is by long term herbivory by wildlife and upland species that select out the shrubs and grass, this can happen in an area where the site is on ridges and hills where the snow melts and allows use year round for livestock and wildlife habitat. The only plants remaining are those tolerant of drought, infertile soil, mechanical disturbances, and herbivory. Also, it can also be a combination of the three ways in varying proportions.
Mechanism
This plant community can move back towards the Current potential State phase when grazing and/wildlife management takes place only during the non-growing season of the herbaceous component, along with broadcast re-seeding with native perennial forbs and grasses.
Model keys
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Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
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.