Limy Upland 16-20" p.z.
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
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Restoration pathway R3B 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
Mechanism
Non-native bunchgrass seed source (wind-blown or mechanical transport) paired with native perennial grass community disturbance such as fire or unmanaged grazing.
Mechanism
Long-term unmanaged grazing with or without drought/fire interaction opens perennial grass canopy allowing shrubs to outcompete resources. Juniper, mimosa and other shrubs are likely to increase as well as yucca-like succulents. Remnant native perennial grasses cannot re-colonize areas with shrub competition.
Mechanism
No restoration pathway known at this time. Perhaps future development of herbicide or biological treatment to remove perennial exotics will occur.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Long-term unmanaged grazing with or without drought/fire interaction opens perennial grass canopy allowing shrubs to outcompete resources. Juniper, mimosa and other shrubs are likely to increase as well as yucca-like succulents. Remnant native perennial grasses cannot re-colonize areas with shrub competition.
Mechanism
Woody species management, native species planting (as needed), supported by prescribed grazing. Shrub control maintained with herbicide and/or prescribed burning.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Restoration practices conducted when a non-native seed bank is present on site (Lehmann lovegrass or other non-natives present along trails, roads or in disturbed areas) can result in an exotic grassland community. Native species seeding may enhance the native grass and forb components. Practices are woody species control, native species seeding(as needed) both supported by managed grazing. Shrub control maintained with herbicide will favor the native grasses while prescribed burning favors non-natives. Burning the mixed shrub community with a non-native grass seed source present can result in an exotic grassland co-dominant with shrubs.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Range Planting |
|
|
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Long-term unmanaged grazing affects soil site stability and hydrologic functioning. Animal trailing and soil surface compaction compound the affect of plant community changes (increased shrub/decreased perennial grass community) to increase surface water run-off rather than infiltration. Over time (50-100+ years) the mollic A horizon can be lost leaving the site with a reduction in potential productivity.
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.