Wet Meadow
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A 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 (1.0) represents what is believed to show the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics of the Wet Meadow ecological site prior to European settlement. This site is dominated by a mixture of cool- and warm-season grasses and grass-likes. In pre-European settlement times, the primary disturbances included grazing by large ungulates and small mammals, drought, and a fluctuating water table. Favorable growing conditions occurred during the spring and the warm months of June through August. Today, a similar state can be found in areas where proper livestock use has occurred.
Submodel
Description
The Native/Invaded State (2.0) is dominated by native and non-native cool-season grasses and grass-like plants. The non-native cool-season grasses are primarily Kentucky bluegrass, quackgrass, and possibly creeping meadow foxtail on reed canarygrass. This state is the result of the invasion of non-native cool-season grasses in combination with continuous season-long grazing, or excessive haying. The species that invaded may have also been seeded or escaped from adjacent haylands. The Native/Invaded State (2.0) is very resilient and resistant to change.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous season-long grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events; or excessive haying; and the invasion of non-native cool-season grasses will transition the Reference State (1.0) to the Native/Invaded State (2.0). This transition is most likely to occur from the Spikerush-Mountain Rush/Prairie Cordgrass Plant Community (1.2).
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods following each grazing event and proper stocking, over long periods of time; prescribed burning; and forage harvest management will move the Native/Invaded State (2.0) to the Spikerush-Baltic Rush/Prairie Cordgrass Plant Community (1.2). This plant community may eventually return to Reference Plant Community (1.1) or associated successional communities assuming an adequate seed and vegetative source is available. This process may take greater than 20 years.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Burning |
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Forage Harvest Management |
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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.