Choppy Sands
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Heavy, continuous season-long stocking
More details
Frequent and severe defoliation
Heavy disturbance
Heavy grazing in combination with drought
Wind erosion - 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 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 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 cool- and warm-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 on areas receiving occasional periods of deferment or rest.
Submodel
Description
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, feeding areas, 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. The State will also include cropland abandonment.
Submodel
Mechanism
Excessive disturbance including heavy grazing without adequate time for plant recovery, which results in a decline in plant health and vigor and an increase in plant mortality. Soil erosions increase and species composition shift from tall- and mid-stature warm-season grasses and needlegrasses to a plant community dominated by pioneer perennial species.
Heavy, continuous season-long stocking: repeated grazing at moderately heavy to heavy stocking levels, during the typical growing season (May through October), without change in season of use or adequate recovery periods following grazing evens.
Frequent and severe defoliation: continuous year-long heavy grazing, or heavy concentrated disturbance such as intense rodent activity, or livestock concentration areas.
Extended periods of drought in combination with heavy stocking that is above available levels of plant vegetative production.
Heavy disturbance: Soil and site stability is compromised from one, or a combination of, excessive grazing or defoliation, heavy livestock or vehicle traffic, wildfire, drought, severe hail events, wind erosion.
Constraints to recovery
Disturbance regime results in active soil erosion, active blowouts, and reference plant communities shift to plant communities dominated by pioneer perennial species.
Context dependence
Heavy defoliation in combination with drought which contributes to increased wind erosion, soil loss, and soil deposition, and a dramatic shift the soil site stability and biotic integrate and structural fictional groups. The Reference State (1.0) transitions from tall- and mid-stature warm-season grasses and needle grass plant communities to a Disturbed State (2.0) with soil erosion, active blowouts, and plant communities dominated by pioneer perennial species.
Mechanism
Removing disturbances that led to this plant community and critical area treatment or restoration (i.e., use of mulch and seeding) followed by long-term prescribed grazing, which may require extended periods of deferment or non-use, may eventually 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 |
|---|---|
|
Critical Area Planting |
|
|
Mulching |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
|
|
Range Planting |
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.