Swale
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
-
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
This state includes western wheatgrass, vine-mesquite, bluestems, winterfat, and fourwing saltbush.
Submodel
Description
In general, mismanagement of cattle grazing will cause a decrease in palatable mid-grasses and forbs with a corresponding increase in low-value grasses, forbs and shrubs. Sheep grazing will cause a decrease in short grasses and forbs. Continuous mismanagement by any animal species will cause a decrease in vigor and abundance of western wheatgrass, vine-mesquite, bluestems, winterfat, and fourwing saltbush. This will cause a corresponding increase of creeping and mat muhly, tobosa and cholla. This will amount to a greatly reduced grazing value and reduced ground cover. The reduced ground cover leaves this site open for severe water erosion that may require expensive structural measures to correct. Grazing when the soil surface is wet will result in severe soil compaction which will greatly reduce water intake and would be a detriment to the entire site, sepecially the deeper rooted, more productive species. A system of grazing which varies the seasons of use and deferred grazing will allow for a balanced plant community providing higher-quality forage during all seasons of the year.
Mechanism
Season-long grazing providing little rest and recovery for preferred grazed plants during critical growing periods, coupled with high utilization.
Mechanism
"Restoration pathway resulting from the implementation of prescribed grazing."
Note: while not stated in the legacy ESD, it stands to reason that prescribed grazing alone may not reduce the cover of woody plants. Rather, a combination of brush control and prescribed grazing is likely necessary to effect this restoration.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Grazing Management Plan - Applied |
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.