Woody Draw 15-19
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Stand-replacing event in combination with prolonged improper grazing management
More details -
Transition T1B
Prolonged improper grazing management
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Proper grazing management, tree/shrub planting, intensive weed management (management intensive and costly)
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Proper grazing management, tree/shrub planting, intensive weed management (management intensive and costly)
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference state for this ecological site consists of three communities and evolved under the combined influences of climatic conditions, periodic fire activity, grazing by large herbivores, and impacts from small mammals and insects. The Reference state is the plant communities in which interpretations are primarily based and is used as a reference in order to understand the original potential of the site.
Submodel
Description
The dynamics of the Shrub Dominated state are driven by a combination of stand replacing events such as wildfire, prescribed fire, or biological processes and improper grazing management such as continuous season-long or year-long grazing. The Shrub Dominated state for this ecological site consists of one community.
Submodel
Description
The Herbaceous Understory state occurs when the shrub understory has been removed due to long-term improper grazing management practices such as continuous season-long or year-long grazing. Once the stand has transitioned from a shrub dominated understory to an herbaceous dominated understory, returning the site to its former state is very difficult. The Herbaceous Understory state consists of two communities.
Submodel
Mechanism
A stand replacing event such as wildfire, prescribed fire, or biological processes in combination with prolonged improper grazing management such as continuous season-long or year-long grazing weaken the resilience of the Reference state and drive its transition to the Shrub Dominated state. Existing tree cover is removed while tree reproduction is suppressed by livestock or wildlife browsing.
Mechanism
Prolonged improper grazing practices such as continuous season-long or year-long grazing weaken the resilience of the Reference state and drive its transition to the Herbaceous Understory state. The Reference state transitions to the Herbaceous Understory state when tree and shrub reproduction becomes rare and the stand becomes open and decadent.
Mechanism
A change in management alone may not be sufficient to restore the Shrub Dominated state to the Reference state. Proper grazing management in combination with tree/shrub planting, herbaceous weed control, and normal or above-normal moisture can transition the Shrub Dominated state back to the Reference state. These restoration methods are labor intensive, costly, and may not be a practical in all situations.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
A change in management alone may not be sufficient to restore the Herbaceous Understory state to the Reference state. Proper grazing management in combination with tree/shrub planting, herbaceous weed control, and normal or above-normal moisture can transition the Herbaceous Understory state back to the Reference state. These restoration methods are labor intensive, costly, and may not be a practical in all situations.
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.