Saline Upland (SU)
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 invasive species such as introduced grasses, introduced forbs, or noxious weeds.
More details -
Transition T2A
Prolonged drought, improper grazing management, or a combination of these factors
More details -
Transition T2B
Displacement of native species by non-native invasive species (introduced grasses, introduced forbs, noxious weeds, etc.)
More details -
Transition T2C
Conversion to cropland
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Range seeding, grazing land mechanical treatment, timely moisture, proper grazing management (management intensive and costly)
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Transition T3B
Conversion to cropland
More details -
Transition T4A
Conversion to cropland
More details -
Transition T5A
Cessation of annual cropping
More details -
Transition T6A
Conversion to cropland
More details -
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 rhizomatous wheatgrasses and shrubs. This state is considered extinct and is included here for historical reference purposes.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; however, localized areas likely received heavy grazing, which may have resulted in shifts in the species composition. Fire dynamics are not well understood, but fire influence on this site was likely low due to the sparse vegetation.
Submodel
Description
The Contemporary Reference State (2) contains two community phases characterized by shortgrasses 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 This state differs from the historical reference state in that it is influenced by introduced plant species and has altered fire and grazing regimes.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 although grazing can influence species composition in localized areas. Fire dynamics are not well understood, but fire influence is most likely low due to the sparse vegetation.
Submodel
Description
The Shortgrass State (3) consists of one community phase. The dynamics of this state are driven by long-term drought, improper grazing management, or a combination of these factors. Shortgrasses increase with long-term improper grazing at the expense of cool-season midgrasses Coupland, 1961; Biondini and Manske, 1996). In particular, communities dominated by blue grama can alter soil properties, creating conditions that resist establishment of other grass species (Dormaar and Willms, 1990; Dormaar et al., 1994). Reductions in stocking rates can reduce shortgrass cover and increase the cover of cool-season midgrasses, although this recovery may take decades (Dormaar and Willms, 1990; Dormaar et al., 1994).
Submodel
Description
The Invaded State (4) 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. Invasive species dynamics on this site are not well understood. Potential invasive species on this site are annual brome grasses, curly dock, and noxious weeds.
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 (5) occurs when land is put into cultivation. This site is poorly suited to crops; however, many acres are cultivated despite its limitations. Occasionally, cereal grains such wheat, and barley are attempted, but this site is poorly suited to such crops and cereal grain production is generally unsuccessful. Most frequently, the site is planted to non-native perennial species for production of hay.
Submodel
Description
The Post-Cropland State (6) 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 (5) 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
Prolonged drought, improper grazing practices, or a combination of these factors weaken the resilience of the Contemporary Reference State (2) and drive its transition to the Shortgrass State (3). The Contemporary Reference State (2) transitions to the Shortgrass State (3) when mid-statured graminoids become rare and contribute little to production. Shortgrasses and subshrubs dominate the plant community.
Mechanism
The Contemporary Reference State (2) transitions to the Invaded State (4) when invasive grasses, forbs, or noxious weeds displace native species. Exotic plant species dominate the site in terms of cover and production. Site resilience has been substantially reduced. The precise triggers of this transition are not clear and further investigation is needed. 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 (5).
Mechanism
A reduction in livestock grazing pressure alone may not be sufficient to reduce the cover of shortgrasses in the Shortgrass State (3) (Dormaar and Willms, 1990). Blue grama, in particular, can resist displacement by other species (Dormaar and Willms, 1990; Laycock, 1991; Dormaar et al., 1994; Lacey et al., 1995). Intensive management, such as reseeding and mechanical treatment, may be necessary (Hart et al., 1985), but these practices are labor intensive and costly. Therefore, returning the Shortgrass State (3) to the Contemporary Reference State (2) may require considerable energy and cost and may not be feasible within a reasonable amount of time.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
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Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Tillage or application of herbicide followed by seeding of cultivated crops, such as winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley, transitions the Shortgrass State (3) to the Cropland State (5).
Mechanism
Tillage or application of herbicide followed by seeding of cultivated crops, such as winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley, transitions the Invaded State (4) to the Cropland State (5).
Mechanism
The transition from the Cropland State (5) to the Post-Cropland State (6) 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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