Foothill Sand 9-12 PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1B 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
The reference state is mostly grasses with a few forbs, shrubs, and trees. As the site grades towards the sandier areas, shrubs increase. As the site grades toward the colluvial apron of the Sangre de Cristo Range, pinyon and juniper increase. Major grasses include Scribner needlegrass, needle-and-thread, Indian ricegrass, and blue grama.
Resilience management
The reference community phase has the greatest resilience to disturbance. A diversity of root systems from deep tap roots to abundant fibrous hold the soil in place and take advantage of moisture and nutrients throughout the profile.
Submodel
Description
The degraded loamy sand state is anchored by a few shrubs but have lost the majority of grasses. This state has crosses a threshold to where bare ground is prominent along with a few species that have defensive biological and chemical responses to grazing. Annuals are common following moisture events. The A horizon is mostly gone and soil loss due to erosion has accelerated.
Resilience management
This state has low resilience to disturbance as is prone to excessive soil erosion and deposition.
Mechanism
A major long-term driver is repetitive, high utilization without rest or recovery of plant species throughout the growing season for multiple years, or during drought, which has caused die-off of preferred grasses, forbs, and shrubs. As more plants die, bare ground increases and overall ecosystem function and health decrease to a degree that the site crosses a threshold.
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.