Channery Upland (CnU) Absaroka Lower Foothills
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T 1-2
Frequent and severe grazing (yearlong grazing) or compaction from surface traffic, will weaken the mid-stature grasses and allow threadleaf sedge to increase.
More details -
Transition T 1-3
Disturbance to the soil surface provides the opportunity for invasive species to find their niche in a community.
More details -
Restoration pathway R 2-1
High impact, followed by a period of recover, and potentially seeding will allow this community to improve.
More details -
Transition T 2-3
Drought with or without hoof impact or mechanical soil impact to displace the sod opens the niche for invasive species to establish.
More details -
Restoration pathway R 3-4
Integrated weed management, seeding and grazing management will establish a targeted community.
More details -
Transition T 4-3
Any disturbance to or failure in reclaiming the community leaves this State at risk to invasion.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
State 1
Perennial Grasses/Mixed Shrubs
Description
The reference state (State 1) for the Channery Upland ecological site is dominated by mid-stature, cool-season bunchgrasses. This State persisted under areas that were grazing by large ungulates, however access limited access by livestock. The associated rock uplifts and steeper slopes provides a resource for forage and habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Characteristics and indicators
The Perennial Grasses/Mixed Shrubs State (State 1 Reference) is characterized by the prominent cover of bluebunch wheatgrass (15-30 percent composition), needle and thread and Indian ricegrass. Rhizomatous wheatgrasses and prairie Junegrass are common, with 10 percent or less cover of shrubs including Wyoming big sagebrush. Minor components to the overall composition is made up of spike fescue, Sandberg bluegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, threeawn, and threadleaf sedge.
Resilience management
This state occurs in areas that are grazed moderately with periods of rest by large ungulates include livestock (cattle and sheep) as well as antelope, deer, and elk. Prescribed grazing and drought planning allows this State to persist. The community is adaptable to drought with management.
Submodel
Description
The Sod-former State is a low-stature community that has shifted from the mid- and tall-stature cool-season bunchgrasses to tillering grass-likes (threadleaf sedge). Fringed sagewort and pricklypear cactus are common.
Characteristics and indicators
The prominent cover is threadleaf sedge. Scattered sagebrush may persist with rubber rabbitbrush and skunkbush sumac. Season of use and species of grazing ungulate will be a factor affecting this cover. The shift in hydrology of this State leads to low vigor shrubs. Most other mid-stature cool-season bunchgrasses are limited to within the canopy of the sagebrush or within the protective cactus clumps.
Resilience management
Threadleaf sedge roots form a dense root mat that makes this State resistant to change, and resilient to disturbance. Although the establishment of threadleaf sedge is a slow process, it is opportunistic and competitive in a community.
Removal of grazing or disturbance has not demonstrated a significant shift in the herbaceous cover within this community. The overall health and vigor of both the herbaceous as well as woody cover will improve with the removal of the grazing pressure or disturbance over time.
Submodel
Description
The Invaded State has a range of variability that is distinguished by its population of invasive or introduced (non-native) species that has successfully established and is significant within the composition of the community.
Characteristics and indicators
The threshold for invasive species within the community (composition by weight) is five percent or greater to transition a community into the Invaded State. The community can be relatively intact, having a representative composition of native species similar to the Reference State, but with a significant composition (minimum of five percent) cover of an invasive species or mix of invasive species. Cheatgrass is the most significant threat at this time; however, there are other aggressive non-native species that pose a concern on this ecological site. These species include field cottonrose, mustards, Russian thistle, and Kochia.
Resilience management
The competitive edge of most invasive species makes this site resistant to change and resilient following disturbance. Cheatgrass has been seen to respond with a positive potential following disturbances (fire, mechanical).
Submodel
Description
Disturbance to these highly erodible soils (whether it was mechanical, cultural, or natural) removes the resiliency of the native vegetation. Changes to soil structure and hydrologic processes reduce the stability and ability to recover. Reclamation or restoration of an area is limited or restrictive due to slope, access, and extent of rock fragments on and in the soil profile.
One catastrophic event or several smaller disturbances can lead to the transition to the Altered State from any state within the State-and-Transition Model. The soils have not been altered to the extent that they are outside the site characteristics, but the potential has shifted enough that it will not respond like the Reference State.
The time required to allow the redevelopment of structure is beyond the natural function of management. The initial flush of vegetation is annual forbs and sub-shrubs. This successional plant community allows the site to begin recovery, but the time required to return to the original conditions (pre-disturbance) can be extensive.
Characteristics and indicators
The Altered State is characterized by an area that has had significant soil disturbance. Early successional plant communities, evidence of mining, or the presence of introduced species (crested wheatgrasses, Russian wildrye, etc.) are indicators of this State.
Resilience management
Stabilization and preservation of as much soil as possible is the mechanism to provide resiliency to this State. The use of mulch or other slope stabilization materials will help in reducing erosional impact and allowing vegetation to establish.
Submodel
Mechanism
Frequent and severe (year-long or continuous season-long ) grazing or recreational or other surface traffic, will convert the plant community to a threadleaf sedge sod. The impact of frequent or repeated defoliation during grazing, hoof impact, and lack of rest for recovery weakens and removes the key grass species in the community. As the mid-stature grasses decline, threadleaf sedge is able to increase and alter the hydrology of the site. Long-term drought and shift in precipitation and spring warm up is proving to be a factor in threadleaf sedge expansion.
Constraints to recovery
The dense root mat formed by threadleaf sedge alters the hydrology, effectively removing moisture from the site, limiting the available resources for other native species. The dense sod also limits the available soil space for seedling establishment. Interpspaces between sod patches are prone to erosion and runoff (limited infiltration of moisture).
Mechanism
Drought, soil disturbances, or high-intensity grazing with a seed source present can open the soil surface and help encourage invasive species to establish. Although not common, fire can provide the niche for cheatgrass to establish on this site. The movement of wildlife as well as livestock through the landscape is also a way that seeds sources are introduced to the community.
Constraints to recovery
Once invasive species, especially cheatgrass, establish, it is costly and difficult (if even possible) to remove. Slope, rock fragment content as well as access due to landforms, limit the ability and means of invasive control. This also can be a limitation or constraint to recovery for this community. The lack of the key grass species may be a minor limit to recover of this site.
Mechanism
Impacts to the sod cover followed by a period of recovery can allow mid-stature and short-stature native grasses to gain a better hold in this community to improve. Recovery is dependent on the remnant population of herbaceous species that are present, the current weather patterns, and timing. The use of mechanical means or high impact hoof action can also help with breaking up the dominance of the sod to allow native to establish. The use of seeding will assist with recover as well.
Context dependence
The lack of invasive seed sources, accessibility of the site, and the weather or climate at the time of restoration will make a determination of the ability to recover.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
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Critical Area Planting |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
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Heavy Use Area Protection |
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Recreation Area Improvement |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
Mechanism
Drought, soil disturbances, or high-intensity grazing with a seed source present can open the soil surface and weaken the sod allowing invasive species to establish. Although not common, fire can provide the niche for cheatgrass to establish on this site. Use and movement of wildlife through the community as well as livestock are a source of invasive species. The wildlife use during the spring and fall can also be a disturbance on these steep slopes to help encourage seed establishment.
Constraints to recovery
Once invasive species, especially cheatgrass, establish, it is costly and difficult (if even possible) to remove. The lack of the key grass species also limits recover of this site.
Mechanism
Integrated Pest Management, with Seeding the site to a native mixture, or a targeted set of select species, assist the restoration of this community. Success is not known to have occurred, and is rated to be low and highly variable for the rate of control of most species. Cheatgrass is one of the most invasive species for many ecological sites, although there are other challenges. With intensive weed control and inputs this community can resemble an at-risk community within the reference state, but it is not possible to reach the reference community condition once annuals have established.
Context dependence
The specific invasive species that is established in the community, the state of the native species that are present and the accessibility of the site is determinate on the ability to achieve or attempt restoration of an invaded community.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Critical Area Planting |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
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Recreation Area Improvement |
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
Mechanism
Frequent or Severe Grazing, Disturbance with a seed Source, or Drought - Any disturbance that occurs or stress that is placed on the herbaceous cover, weakens the canopy and allows for invasive species to establish if a seed source is present. This State is at high risk of transitioning to an Invaded State. The limited abilities to complete a seeding on rocky soil opens the community to invasion.
Context dependence
The challenge of eradicating or reducing invasive species such as cheatgrass prevents recovery of most invaded communities without significant inputs for weed control, seeding with long-term grazing management.
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.