Claypan
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Transition T6A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T6A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T6A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Transition T6A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference State (1.0) represents what is believed to show the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics of the ecological site prior to European settlement. This site in the Reference State (1.0) is dominated by cool-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 cool-season wheatgrasses and needlegrasses 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 sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest.
Submodel
Description
The Shortgrass Sod State is dominated by shortgrass species, upland sedges and clubmoss. This State is the result of grazing management that did not provide adequate recovery time for cool-season wheatgrasses and needlegrass. The hydrologic function of this state is dramatically altered. Runoff is high and infiltration is low. This State is very resistant to change through grazing management alone.
Submodel
Description
The Early Successional State (3.0) is dominated by weedy annuals, threeawn, wheatgrass, and pricklypear cactus. This State is the result of heavy disturbance such as frequent and severe defoliation, heavy livestock concentrations coupled with grazing management that does not provide adequate recovery time for cool-season wheatgrasses and green needlegrass. The hydrologic function is also likely to be dramatically altered. Runoff is high and infiltration is low. This State is very resistant to change through grazing management alone.
Submodel
Description
This State is dominated by western wheatgrass, blue grama, needlegrass, and non-native cool-season annual and perennial grasses. The Native/Invaded State (4.0) can resemble the Reference State (1.0) in species composition and vegetative production except that it is invaded by non-native cool-season grasses. Big Sagebrush is unlikely to persist in this State (4.0) because of an increase in the fire potential due to annual brome grasses.
Submodel
Description
Any plant community can transition to the Disturbed State (5.0). The two separate vegetative plant communities found in this State are highly variable in nature. They are derived through different management scenarios and are not related successionally. Infiltration, runoff, and soil erosion vary depending upon the vegetation present on the site.
Submodel
Mechanism
Fire or brush management that removes the majority, or all the big sagebrush, continuous season-long grazing, or continuous seasonal grazing (early spring), will transition the Reference State (1.0) to the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0). This transition is most likely to occur from Plant Community 1.2.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
Mechanism
The removal of the majority, or all big sagebrush, with fire or brush management, followed by heavy, continuous season-long grazing; frequent and severe defoliation; or heavy disturbance including livestock feeding areas will transition the Reference State (1.0) to the Early Successional State (3.0).
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
Mechanism
Invasion of non-native cool-season annual and perennial grasses followed by fire will transition the Reference State (1.0) is State to the Native/Invaded State (4.0). The use of herbicides or prescribed burning for brush management, or wildfire followed by a long period of non-use can also cause this transition.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Burning |
Mechanism
Heavy disturbance including tillage, abandonment of cropland, seeding to improved pasture species, or long-term non-use and invasion of non-native cool-season grasses will result in a transition to the Disturbed State (5.0). This transition can occur from any plant community on this site.
Mechanism
Removal of the grazing disturbance coupled with long-term prescribed grazing, and favorable climatic conditions, which allow for adequate plant recovery periods, and no fire, may cause a shift the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0) to the Reference State (1.0). This transition may not be rapid or in the end meet management goals.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Frequent and severe defoliation, or heavy disturbance such as livestock feeding areas, and extended periods of drought will move the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0) to the Early Successional State (3.0).
Mechanism
Removal of the grazing disturbance along with long-term prescribed grazing, and favorable climatic conditions, which allow for adequate plant recovery periods, and fire, may cause a shift from the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0) to the Native/Invaded State (4.0). This transition my not be rapid or feasible.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Heavy disturbance including tillage, soil erosion, abandonment of cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species will result in a transition to the Disturbed State (5.0).
Mechanism
Removal of grazing disturbance, and herbaceous weed control to address annual bromes and cactus followed with long-term prescribed grazing that incorporates proper stocking, change in season of use, and periodic deferment will potentially transition the Early Successional State (3.0) to the Reference State (1.0). A return to normal or above normal precipitation will help with this transition. This transition my not be rapid or in the end meet management goals.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
|
|
Herbaceous Weed Control |
Mechanism
Removal of the grazing disturbance coupled with herbaceous weed control, and long-term prescribed grazing, along with favorable climatic conditions, which allow for adequate plant recovery periods, may shift the Early Successional State (3.0) to the Native/Invaded State (4.0). This transition may not be rapid or feasible.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
|
|
Range Planting |
|
|
Herbaceous Weed Control |
Mechanism
Heavy disturbance including tillage, soil erosion, abandonment of cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species will result in a transition to the Disturbed State (5.0).
Mechanism
Continuous season-long grazing or heavy grazing in combination with drought will transition the Native/Invaded State (4.0) to the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0).
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous season-long grazing, or frequent and severe defoliation, or heavy disturbance including livestock feeding areas, will transition the Native/Invaded State (4.0) to the Early Successional State (3.0).
Model keys
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Ecological sites
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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.