Sandy Bottom, Woodland 12-16" 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
- Transition T3A More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
- Transition T4A 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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Mechanism
Continuous Heavy Grazing. Mature cottonwood and willow die from age, fire or flood. Saplings of cottonwood and willow are heavily grazed and little recruitment occurs. Seepwillow and burrobrush dominate the streambank vegetation while bermudagrass and annuals dominate the under-story vegetation.
Mechanism
Water-table depleted by groundwater pumping to greater than 20 feet. Mature trees die back to a reduced canopy that periodic flooding can support. Bank erosion widens channel area and wetland grasses and forbs are replaced by annuals. Seepwillow and burrobrush colonize areas of river-wash. No return if pumping is associated with urban areas or development.
Mechanism
Introduction of a seed source for salt cedar. As fires, age and floods remove cottonwood and willow, salt cedar increases to assume dominance. As salt cedar canopy closes to 80%, the under-story vegetation is reduced to zero.
Restoration pathway R2A
Mechanism
Prescribed Grazing/No Grazing will result in return to cottonwood and willow dominance in less than 20 years. Trees will reach maturity in 50-70 years. Native perennial grasses and wetland forbs replace bermudagrass.
Mechanism
Introduction of a seed source for salt cedar. As fires, age and floods remove POFR and SAGO, salt cedar increases to assume dominance. As salt cedar canopy closes to 80%, the under-story vegetation is reduced to zero.
Mechanism
Cessation of groundwater pumping may allow water tables to rise over time to within 20 feet of the surface. Time depends on depth of depletion and amount of pumping reduced. This will not occur in urban or developing areas.
Mechanism
Cessation of groundwater pumping and salt cedar introduction. Time depends on depth of depletion and amount of pumping reduced. This will not occur in urban or developing areas.
Mechanism
Unknown. Possible herbicide control of salt cedar and replanting of POFR and SAGO from dormant poles on limited acres.
Mechanism
Water-table depleted by groundwater pumping to greater than 20 feet. Mature trees die back to a reduced canopy that periodic flooding can support. Bank erosion widens channel area and wetland grasses and forbs are replaced by annuals. Seepwillow and burrobrush colonize areas of river-wash. No return if pumping is associated with urban areas or development.
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.