This state represents the natural range of variability on the site. The plant communities within the reference state were shaped and maintained by disturbances such as grazing, browsing, drought, wet years, and fire. The removal or alteration of these processes can cause a shift to an alternative state.
This state represents a shift from the reference state. The site has crossed a threshold that will require significant inputs to return to reference conditions, if possible. This has altered the hydrology and energy flow of the plant community.
Kentucky bluegrass, sleepygrass and/or blue grama have increased to dominants on the site. Other plants of such as ring muhly, threeawns, fringed sagewort, cudweed sagewort, pingue, sagebrush, and/or rabbitbrush maybe present in significant numbers.
Excessive drought periods may also favor certain species. Improper grazing will cause desirable species to decrease and less desirable species to increase. Fire exclusion may lead to an increase in woody canopy scattered across the site.
Fire, wetter climatic cycles, and/or proper grazing management can help return the plant community back to grassland. Shrub management may be needed to decrease shrubs.
Model keys
Briefcase
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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.
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
