Very Shallow
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Restoration pathway T3A, T3B 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 represents the natural range of variability that dominates the dynamics of this ES. This state represents the natural range of variability that dominates the dynamics of this ecological site (ES). This state is dominated by cool-season grasses with warm-season grasses being subdominant. Prior to European settlement in North America, the primary disturbance mechanisms for this site in the reference condition included grazing by large herding ungulates and fluctuations in levels of precipitation. Grazing coupled with weather events dictated the dynamics that occurred within the natural range of variability. Today, this state can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and/or prescribed burning and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest. The dominant tall and mid-grass species can decline and a corresponding increase in short-statured species will occur.
Submodel
Description
The Native/Invaded State represents the more common range of variability that exists with higher levels of grazing management, but in the absence of periodic fire due to fire suppression. This state is dominated by cool-season grasses. It can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and/or prescribed burning and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest. Taller cool-season species can decline and a corresponding increase in short-statured grass will occur. Non-native species such as cheatgrass or Japanese bromegrass can become dominant at times and influence the biotic and hydrologic ecological processes of the State.
Submodel
Mechanism
Non-use, no surface fire for 10 or more years (causing litter levels to become high enough to reduce native grass vigor, diversity, and density), heavy continuous grazing, or invasion of non-native plant species will likely lead this state over a threshold resulting in the Native/Invaded State (State 2).
Mechanism
Tillage will cause a shift over a threshold leading to the 3.1 Annual Crops Plant Community Phase within the Crop Production State (State 3).
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing (moderate stocking levels coupled with adequate recovery periods, or other grazing systems such as high-density, low-frequency intended to treat specific species dominance, or periodic light to moderate stocking levels possibly including periodic rest), prescribed burning every 3 to 5 years, and a return to normal disturbance regime levels may lead this plant community phase over a threshold to the Reference State (State 1).
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Tillage will cause a shift over a threshold leading to the 3.1 Annual Crops Plant Community Phase within the Crop Production State (State 3).
Mechanism
Seeding may lead this Crop Production State (State 3) over a threshold to the Native/Invaded State (State 2).
Cropping followed by abandonment may lead this plant community phase over a threshold to the Native/Invaded State (State 3) and more specifically to the 2.3 Annual Pioneer-Perennial Pioneer Plant Community Phase.
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.