Thin Sandy
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
-
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 this ecological site prior to European settlement. This site in the Reference State (1.0) is dominated by warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses sub-dominant. In pre-European times, the primary disturbance mechanisms included periodic 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-season grasses and cool-season 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 (2.0) is dominated by shortgrass species, upland sedges and creeping juniper. This State is the result of grazing management that does not provide adequate recovery time for warm- or cool-season grasses. 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
Mechanism
Continuous season-long grazing, or continuous seasonal grazing (early spring), or heavy grazing in combination with drought will transition the Reference State (1.0) to the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0). This transition is most likely to originate from the Little Bluestem-Needle and Thread/Sedge/Blue Grama Plant Community (1.2).
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing, and favorable climatic conditions, which allow for adequate plant recovery periods, may allow for a transition from 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. Brush management may be an option to reduce juniper composition and help facilitate this transition.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Model keys
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase (
) 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.
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.