Badlands
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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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 Escarpment State is supported by empirical data, historical data, local expertise, and photographs. This state consists of exposed, eroding, soft, silty, and clayey bedrock.
This state is defined by one native plant community that is a result of geological erosion, periodic fire, drought, and grazing. These events are part of the natural disturbance regime and climatic process. The Reference Plant Community consists of 80 percent bare ground with a small amount of native vegetation.
Submodel
Description
The Woody State is dominated by a tree and shrub plant community. This state is defined by two plant communities. The increase and spread of shrubs and trees results from an absence of fire.
Special planning will be necessary to assure that sufficient amounts of fine fuel are available to carry fires with enough intensity to control woody species. In some locations the use of chemicals as a brush management tool may be desirable to initiate and accelerate this transition.
Birds, small mammals and livestock are instrumental in the distribution of seed and accelerating the spread of most shrubs common to this site. The speed of encroachment varies considerably.
Submodel
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.