Clay Loam 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
- Transition T1C 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
Submodel
Mechanism
Non-native bunchgrass seed is purposely seeded or inadvertently introduced into the plant community (wind-blown or mechanical transport). Disturbances such as fire or drought can disrupt the native perennials allowing the non-native grasses an opportunity to expand their range from disturbed or planted areas. Long term events such as continuous unmanaged grazing or drought can allow non-native bunchgrasses a competitive advantage over natives.
Mechanism
Continuous unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization results in persistently low perennial grass cover and extended fire free periods. Mesquite and juniper increase in size and number. Remnant native perennial grasses cannot re-colonize areas with shrub competition.
Mechanism
Long-term, continuous, unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization affects soil site stability and hydrologic functioning. Reduced soil cover, compaction, and A Horizon loss compound the effect of plant community changes (increased shrub/decreased perennial grass community) to increase surface water run-off rather than infiltration. Drought conditions accelerate this transition. Persistent reduced infiltration severely limits perennial grass recruitment.
Mechanism
No restoration pathway known at this time. Perhaps future development of herbicide or biological treatment to remove non-native perennial grasses will occur.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Prescribed Burning |
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Fence |
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Firebreak |
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Livestock Pipeline |
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Pumping Plant |
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Watering Facility |
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Water Well |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Fuel Break |
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Fish and Wildlife Structure |
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Grazing Management Plan - Written |
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Grazing Management Plan - Applied |
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Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written |
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Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied |
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Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Written |
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Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Applied |
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Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written |
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Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied |
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Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written |
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Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied |
Mechanism
Continuous unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization results in persistently low perennial grass cover and extended fire free periods. Mesquite and juniper increase in size and number. Remnant native perennial grasses cannot re-colonize areas with shrub competition.
Mechanism
Woody species control either using mechanical or chemical treatment methods, native species seeding (as needed). Any restoration treatment needs to be supported by managed grazing. Shrub control can be maintained with either chemical treatment methods and/or prescribed burning. When selecting a shrub control method, consideration needs to be made regarding size/maturity the shrubs. Fire is not effective in killing larger shrubs.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Brush Management |
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Prescribed Burning |
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Fence |
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Firebreak |
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Livestock Pipeline |
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Pumping Plant |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
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Watering Facility |
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Water Well |
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Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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TA Planning |
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TA Design |
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TA Application |
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TA Check-Out |
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Fuel Break |
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Invasive Plant Species Control |
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Fish and Wildlife Structure |
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Grazing Management Plan - Written |
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Grazing Management Plan - Applied |
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Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written |
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Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied |
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Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Written |
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Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Applied |
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Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written |
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Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied |
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Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written |
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Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied |
Mechanism
Restoration activities conducted when a non-native seed bank is present on site (African lovegrasses or yellow bluestem present along trails, roads or in disturbed areas) can result in an Exotic Grassland Community. Native species seeding may enhance the native grass component. Restoration practices are woody species control and native species seeding (as needed) supported by managed grazing. Shrub control maintained with herbicide may favor the native grasses while prescribed burning may favor 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 |
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Prescribed Burning |
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Fence |
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Firebreak |
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Grade Stabilization Structure |
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Livestock Pipeline |
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Pumping Plant |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
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Watering Facility |
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Water Well |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Existing Practice Payment |
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Fuel Break |
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Fish and Wildlife Structure |
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Grazing Management Plan - Written |
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Grazing Management Plan - Applied |
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Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Written |
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Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan - Applied |
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Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Written |
|
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Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition - Applied |
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Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written |
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Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied |
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Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Written |
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Agricultural Energy Management Plan, Landscape - Applied |
Mechanism
Long-term, continuous, unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization permanently reduces soil site stability and hydrologic functioning. Several factors interact resulting in increased surface water run-off rather than infiltration and reduced site productivity. These factors include decreased soil cover, increased compaction, A Horizon loss, impaired biotic integrity (increased shrub/decreased perennial grass community), and altered site hydrology. As erosion become more severe, more rainfall is lost from the site and the ability of perennial grasses to grow from seed becomes limited. Drought conditions accelerate this transition.
Model keys
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