Sands
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1 More details
- Restoration pathway R2 More details
- Transition T2 More details
- Transition T3 More details
- Restoration pathway R3b More details
- Restoration pathway R3a 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 State narrative is under development.
Submodel
Description
The State narrative is under development.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous grazing and/or continuous seasonal (spring) grazing will cause further deterioration resulting in a shift to the Threadleaf Sedge/Blue Grama Sod Plant Community.
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods following each grazing event may move this plant community toward the Needleandthread/Threadleaf Sedge/Blue Grama Plant Community, and may eventually return to the Reference Plant Community or associated successional plant community stages assuming an adequate seed/vegetative source is available. This process may take greater than 20 years.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous grazing and/or continuous seasonal (spring) grazing will cause further deterioration resulting in a shift to the Active Blowout or Annual/Pioneer Perennial Plant Community.
Mechanism
This pathway is most commonly associated with the cessation of cropping without the benefit of range or pasture seeding resulting in a “go-back” situation. This may be compounded with excessive grazing which further inhibits the establishment of perennial grasses and forbs.
Mechanism
Removal of disturbance followed by long-term prescribed grazing, including adequate rest periods, will move this community through the successional stages, and may eventually lead to the Sand Bluestem/Prairie Sandreed Plant Community or associated successional plant communities assuming an adequate seed/vegetative source exists. This process will likely take a long period of time (25+ years).
Range seeding followed by long-term prescribed grazing can be used to convert this plant community to one that may resemble the Reference Plant Community.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Removal of disturbance followed by range seeding, which can include mulching, followed by prescribed grazing can be used to convert this plant community to one that may resemble the Reference Plant Community.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
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.