Limestone Hills
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
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
black grama, sideoats grama, little bluestem, New Mexico feathergrass, western wheatgrass, and prairie junegrass
Resilience management
This site responds best to a system of grazing that rotates the season of use. On areas of excessively steep slopes, accessiblilty may become limited and stocking rates should be adjusted accordingly. Mechanical seeding and brush control are rarely justifiable on this site. Because of this, the use of goats or other browsing animals can be a good tool to maintain a healthy, balanced plant community.
Submodel
Description
Continuous year-long grazing or continuous grazing during the growing season will cause this site to deteriorate. Deterioration of this site is characterized by a decrease in black grama, sideoats grama, little bluestem, New Mexico feathergrass, western wheatgrass, and prairie junegrass.
Characteristics and indicators
As these species decline there is an increase in species such as galleta, blue and hairy grama, threeawns, broom snakeweed, algerita, oak spp., juniper and piñon.
Mechanism
Season-long grazing providing little rest and recovery for preferred grazed plants during critical growing periods, coupled with high utilization.
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.