State 1
HCPC

Community 1.1
Grassland Community

Figure 5. Grassland

Blue grama and tobosa are the dominant grass species of the historic plant community. Additional species such as cane bluestem, sideoats grama, green sprangletop, plains lovegrass, alkali sacaton, and vine mesquite inhabit areas within the site that are situated to receive extra run-on water. Important forbs include croton, bladderpod and globemallow. Woody species such as winterfat, soaptree yucca, ephedra, tarbush, cholla and prickly pear appear in limited amounts sparsely scattered across the site. Tobosa usually dominates on the silt loam Reyab soil series that occur in lower landscape positions, whereas blue grama dominates on the higher and drier Salado series (Fort Bliss Soil Survey). Tobosa seems to be better adapted to those soils that have relatively long periods of soil moisture availability. Blue grama is drought resistant and makes use of limited available water on the Salado soils. Salado series also have a calcic horizon at about 20 inches. Species diversity decreases with heavy grazing pressure and/or drought. As retrogression occurs, secondary species such as green sprangletop, plains lovegrass, sideoats grama and Arizona cottontop are the first to decline, these are followed by a decrease in vine mesquite, alkali sacaton, cane bluestem, blue grama, and winterfat. As a result of declines in these competitors, tobosa may increase, at least initially. Tobosa decreases and is eventually replaced by burrograss as the site continues to degrade. This increase in burrograss may indicate that the site is vulnerable to encroachment by shrubs and soil degradation. Diagnosis: Grass cover is fairly uniform with few large (< 1 m) gaps. Tobosa and blue grama are dominant grasses. Shrubs such as soaptree yucca, ephedra, winterfat, tarbush, prickly pear and cholla are sparsely scattered or absent. Creosotebush is not present. Evidence of erosion including rills, pedestaling and litter movement is minimal.

State 2
Shrub Invaded Grassland State

This state is characterized by the invasion of creosotebush and/or an increase in tarbush. Tobosa and burrograss are the dominant grass species of this state. Retrogression within this state results in a reduction of grass cover and an increase in creosotebush or tarbush. As grass cover is reduced organic matter is reduced and infiltration and soil aggregate stability decline.4 This results in increased erosion rates and lower available soil moisture. Grazing management needs to be implemented to maintain or increase adequate grass cover to protect soil resources and impede shrub seedling establishment. The presence of creosotebush on adjacent gravelly sites may increase the probability of creosotebush encroachment on the loamy site. Those loamy soils with calcareous horizons or even small amounts of gravel in the profile, such as in Salado soil series, seem to be at greater risk of invasion by creosotebush. Diagnosis: Tobosa and burrograss cover is variable and can range from fairly uniform to patchy. Creosotebush is present and/or there is an increased representation of tarbush. Creosotebush-tarbush canopy cover may eventually approach co-dominance with grasses.

Community 2.1
Shrub Invaded Community

Figure 8. Shrub Invaded

This community supports woody plant composition of creosote bush, tarbush, ephedra, prickly pear species, and cholla. Winterfat will most likely decrease in this community because of increased grazing. There will be a continued decline in diversity of the grassland component and an increase in woody species. Annual herbage production is reduced due to a decline in soil fertility, structure, and organic matter. Plant composition will have shifted strongly toward the non herbaceous component.

State 3
Shurb Dominated State

Shrubs dominate this state in both composition and aspect. Grass cover is limited and large interconnected bare patches occupy areas between shrubs. Burrograss is the dominant grass, threeawns increase and clumps of tobosa are scattered across the site occupying the more protected areas or positions receiving a little more moisture. Increased shrub density and decreased grass cover characterize retrogression within this state. Reduction of grass cover and increased physical soil crusts reduce infiltration and available soil moisture. Slope, amount and timing of overland flow the site receives, soil aggregate stability, and amount of physical and biological crusts influence soil erosion rates on this site. Diagnosis: Creosotebush, tarbush or a mix of both are present and dominate the site. Grass cover is sparse with frequent interconnected large bare patches (>1m). Physical soil crusts are present reducing infiltration and available soil moisture. Evidence of erosion including rills, pedestals and litter movement can be common. Gullies may be present.

Community 3.1
Shrub Dominated Community

Figure 9. Shrub Dominated

This community supports woody plant composition of creosote bush, tarbush, ephedra, prickly pear species, and cholla. Winterfat will most likely not be in this community because of grazing. The grassland component of this community will be almost non-existent and woody species will dominate this site. Annual herbage production is reduced due to a decline in soil fertility, structure, and organic matter. Plant composition will have shifted strongly toward the non herbaceous component. Because of lowered fertility and competition for nutrients and water from the woody plants the grassland component shows general lack of plant vigor and productivity.

State 4
Gullied State

This state is characterized by erosion and a change in hydrology. Loamy sites receive run-on water from higher adjacent sites. A change in natural flow patterns can cause a concentration of overland flow, accelerated erosion, and subsequent gully formation. Burrograss is the dominant grass species. Threeawns and fluffgrass are also present. Creosotebush or tarbush is the dominant shrub.

Community 4.1
Gullied Shrub/Burrograss Community

Figure 10. Gullied

Creosote bush/Tarbush and burrograss dominate this site. Because of decrease in herbaceous cover and large interspaces between woody species this site doesn’t allow for proper infiltration of precipitation or run-on from adjacent sites thus allowing the soil to erode and cut. These cuts further the drying process on this site thus hindering the this site from healing itself without major management.

Transition 1a
State 1 to 2

Periods of severe drought can reduce grass production, cover, and composition regardless of whether or not the site is being grazed2. Reduction in production and grass cover due to drought or overgrazing results in an increase in the amount and size of bare patches. These patches may provide competition-free sites and facilitate shrub seedling establishment. Years of above average precipitation during winter month may favor shrub establishment by making soil moisture available to shrubs during periods of C4 grass dormancy.1 If fire historically played a part in Chihuahuan Desert grasslands ecology then fire suppression may aid shrub establishment.3 Key indicators of approach to transition: Loss of vine mesquite, an indicator of decreasing species diversity. Loss of blue grama cover. Increase in burrograss cover. Increases in bare patch size. Appearance of creosotebush or tarbush seedlings.

Restoration pathway 1b
State 2 to 1

Brush management may be necessary to remove competition from shrubs and restore cover. Allow natural revegetation of grasses to occur following brush control. Control of forage utilization through prescribed grazing will help to ensure recovery and increase cover.

Transition 2
State 2 to 3

Continued overgrazing and/or drought further reduce grass production and cover, favoring shrub expansion by decreasing organic matter, and reducing competition for resources between grasses and shrub seedlings. The formation of soil surface physical crusts decreases infiltration and impedes grass seedling establishment. Lack of adequate grass cover also eliminates the opportunity for natural or prescribed fires to suppress shrubs. Once shrubs are established, the redistribution of water and nutrient resources around shrubs favors further shrub growth and recruitment. Periods of above-average precipitation during winter months may also favor shrub establishment and growth.1 Key indicators of approach to transition: Increase in amount of creosotebush or tarbush seedlings and young plants. Increases in the number of bare patches and decreases in overall grass cover. Increases in bare patch size Soil surface physical crusting Increased evidence of erosion such as rills, small gullies or pedestaling of plants.

Restoration pathway 3
State 3 to 1

Brush management is necessary to remove competition from shrubs. Range seeding is needed to supply adequate seed source. Pitting and seeding prior to summer rains may help break up soil physical crusts, create small pits to hold water and increase survival of grass seedlings. Soil physical crusts, loss of organic matter, and degree of erosion affect the probability of successful grass establishment.

Transition 4
State 3 to 4

Loss of adequate grass cover necessary to protect soil from run-on water from higher adjacent sites can facilitate this transition. Reduced cover, organic matter, and soil aggregate stability increase susceptibility to erosion and subsequent gully formation. This transition can be caused by both offsite (concentration of overland flow) and onsite (decreased soil stability) factors. Key indicators of approach to transition: Rills or small gullies along roads or trails running parallel with slope on adjacent upland sites. Increased evidence of physical soil crusts and water flow patterns. Increased evidence of erosion such as rills, small gullies.

Restoration pathway 5
State 4 to 1

Erosion control practices are essential to restore hydrology. Brush management is needed to remove competition from shrubs and allow grass seedling establishment. Range seeding is required to supply adequate seed source for blue grama, tobosa, and other grasses originally present in grassland state. Grazing management is necessary to defer grazing until plants are established following seeding and insure proper forage utilization once grazing is resumed. Management practices required to drive the transition back to grassland are costly and chances for successful grass establishment are dependent on adequate precipitation following seeding and degree of soil degradation.