Swale (Se)
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Introduction of non-native grass species, such as Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and crested wheatgrass.
More details -
Transition T2A
Displacement of native species by non-native invasive species (Kentucky bluegrass, noxious weeds, etc.)
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Transition T2B
Conversion to cropland
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Transition T3A
Conversion to cropland
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Transition T4A
Cessation of annual cropping
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Transition T5A
Conversion to cropland
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Historic Reference State (1) contains one community phase characterized by mid-statured bunchgrasses and rhizomatous wheatgrasses. This state is considered extinct and is included here for historical reference purposes. It evolved under the combined influences of climate, grazing, and fire, with climatic variation having the greatest influence on cover and production. In general, this state was resilient to grazing and fire, although these factors could influence species composition in localized areas.
Submodel
Description
The Contemporary Reference State (2) contains three community phases characterized by mid-statured bunchgrasses and rhizomatous wheatgrasses. It evolved under the combined influences of climate, grazing, and fire, with climatic variation having the greatest influence on cover and production. This state differs from the historical reference state in that it is influenced by introduced plant species and has altered fire and grazing regimes. In general, this state is resilient to grazing and fire, although these factors can influence species composition in localized areas.
Submodel
Description
The Invaded State (3) occurs when invasive plant species invade adjacent native grassland communities and displace the native species. Data suggest that native species diversity declines significantly when invasive species exceed 30 percent of the plant community. The most common concerns are non-native perennial grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome, which are widespread throughout the Northern Great Plains (Toledo et al., 2014). Kentucky bluegrass, in particular, is very competitive and displaces native species by forming dense root mats, altering nitrogen cycling, and having allelopathic effects on germination (DeKeyser et al., 2013). It may also alter soil surface hydrology and modify soil surface structure (Toledo et al., 2014). Plant communities dominated by Kentucky bluegrass have significantly less cover of native grass and forb species (Toledo et al., 2014; DeKeyser et al., 2009). Invasive grass species can invade relatively undisturbed grasslands, although it is not clear what triggers them to displace native species. In some cases, they have been found to substantially increase under long-term grazing exclusion (DeKeyser et al., 2009, 2013; Grant et al., 2009), but a consistent correlation to grazing management practices cannot be made at this time. Reduced plant species diversity, simplified structural complexity, and altered biologic processes result in a state that is substantially departed from both the Reference State (1) and the Contemporary Reference State (2).
Noxious weeds such as leafy spurge and Canada thistle are not widespread in MLRA 53A, but they can be a concern in localized areas. These species are very aggressive perennials. They typically displace native species and dominate ecological function when they invade a site. In some cases, these species can be suppressed through intensive management (herbicide application, biological control, or intensive grazing management). Control efforts are unlikely to eliminate noxious weeds, but their density can be sufficiently suppressed so that species composition and structural complexity are similar to that of the Contemporary Reference State (2). However, cessation of control methods will most likely result in recolonization of the site by the noxious species.
Submodel
Description
The Cropland State (4) occurs when land is put into cultivation. Major crops in MLRA 53A are small grains such as wheat. The site is highly susceptible to erosion due to the lack of perennial species. Wheat/fallow rotations are also very inefficient at removing moisture from the soil in comparison to native vegetation. In some cases, the Swale ecological site may receive ground-water discharge from surrounding sites. In areas where soils or underlying parent materials have a high amount of soluble salts, a saline seep may develop.
Submodel
Description
The Post-Cropland State (5) occurs when cultivated cropland is abandoned and allowed to either revegetate naturally or is seeded back to perennial species for grazing or wildlife use. This state can transition back to the Cropland State (4) if the site is put back into cultivation.
Submodel
Mechanism
Introduction of non-native grass species occurred in the early 20th century. The naturalization of these species in relatively undisturbed grasslands, coupled with changes in fire and grazing regimes, transitions the Reference State (1) to the Contemporary Reference State (2).
Mechanism
The Contemporary Reference State (2) transitions to the Invaded State (3) when aggressive perennial grasses or noxious weeds displace native species. The most common concerns are introduced bluegrasses and smooth brome, which are widespread invasive species in the Northern Great Plains (Grant et al., 2009; Toledo et al., 2014). The precise triggers of this transition are not clear, but data suggest that exclusion of grazing and fire may be a contributing factor in some cases (DeKeyser et al., 2013). In addition, other rangeland health attributes, such as reproductive capacity of native grasses and soil quality, have been substantially altered.
Mechanism
Tillage or application of herbicide followed by seeding of cultivated crops, such as winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley, transitions the Contemporary Reference State (2) to the Cropland State (4).
Mechanism
Tillage or application of herbicide followed by seeding of cultivated crops, such as winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley, transitions the Invaded State (3) to the Cropland State (4).
Mechanism
The transition from the Cropland State (4) to the Post-Cropland State (5) occurs with the cessation of cultivation. The site may also be seeded to perennial forage species. Such seedings may be comprised of introduced grasses and legumes, or a mix of native species.
Model keys
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