The Reference State represents what is believed to show the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics of the Sands ecological site prior to European settlement. This site in the Reference State (1.0) is dominated by warm-season grasses. In pre-European times, the primary disturbance mechanisms included frequent fire and grazing by large herding ungulates. Timing of fires and grazing coupled with weather events dictated the dynamics that occurred within the natural range of variability. Taller warm- and cool-season grasses would have declined and a corresponding increase in short statured grass and grass-like species would have occurred. Today, a similar state can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and prescribed burning and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest.
The Disturbed State (2.0) can be reached from any plant community through heavy disturbance. This can result from heavy livestock or wildlife concentration (i.e., water locations, bedding or loafing grounds, etc.,). With significant disturbances, large areas of blowing sand can result in large blowouts. Evaporation and transpiration rates of the few existing plants are extremely high due to bare ground and lack of litter.
Heavy, continuous season-long grazing; frequent and severe defoliation; heavy disturbances; or heavy grazing in combination with drought; and wind erosion; will transition any plant community in the Reference State (1.0) to the Disturbed State (2.0).
Removal of disturbances; restoration of the disturbed areas (i.e., use of mulch and seeding); and long-term prescribed grazing, which may require extended periods of deferment or non-use, may transition the Disturbed State (2.0) to the Reference State (1.0). This transition may not be fast or in the end meet management goals.
Relevant conservation practices
Practice
External resources
Mulching
Range Planting
Prescribed Grazing
Model keys
Briefcase
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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.
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
