Loamy (Lo) 10-14 P.Z.
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Prolonged drought, improper grazing, or a combination of these factors
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Transition T1B
Introduction of non-native invasive species (annual bromes, crested wheatgrass, noxious weeds, etc.)
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Transition T1C
Conversion to cropland
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Restoration pathway R2A
Range seeding, grazing land mechanical treatment, timely moisture, proper grazing management (management intensive and costly)
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Transition T2A
Introduction of non-native invasive species (annual bromes, crested wheatgrass, 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
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Submodel
Description
Annual, cool-season cereal grains such as spring wheat, winter wheat, and barley are the most common crops.
Submodel
Mechanism
Prolonged drought, improper grazing practices, or a combination of these factors weaken the resilience of the Reference State (1) and drive its transition to the Shortgrass State (2). The Reference State (1) transitions to the Shortgrass State (2) when mid-statured graminoids become rare and contribute little to production. Shortgrasses such as blue grama, Sandberg bluegrass, and prairie Junegrass dominate the plant community.
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Invaded State (3) when non-native grasses or noxious weeds invade the Shortgrass State (2). Site resilience has been substantially reduced. In addition, other rangeland health attributes, such as reproductive capacity of native grasses (Henderson and Naeth, 2005) and soil quality (Smoliak and Dormaar, 1985; Dormaar et al., 1995), have been substantially altered from the Reference State (1).
Mechanism
Tillage or application of herbicide followed by seeding of cultivated crops, such as winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley, transitions the Reference State (1) to the Cropland State (4).
Mechanism
Blue grama can resist displacement by other species (Dormaar and Willms, 1990; Laycock, 1991; Dormaar et al., 1994; Lacey et al., 1995). A reduction in livestock grazing pressure alone may not be sufficient to reduce the cover of blue grama in the Shortgrass State (3) (Dormaar and Willms, 1990) and mechanical treatments may be necessary (Hart et al., 1985). Therefore, returning the Shortgrass State (2) to the Reference State (1) can require considerable cost, energy, and time.
Mechanism
The Shortgrass State (2) transitions to the Invaded State (3) when non-native grasses, noxious weeds, and other invasive plants invade the Shortgrass State (2). Exotic plant species dominate the site in terms of cover and production. Site resilience has been substantially reduced.
Mechanism
Tillage or application of herbicide followed by seeding of cultivated crops, such as winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley, transitions the Shortgrass State (2) to the Cropland State (4).
Mechanism
The Invaded State (3) will transition to the Cropland State (4) when the site is placed under cultivation.
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 as crested wheatgrass and alfalfa, or a mix of native species.
Model keys
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