Very Shallow

Description

This state represents what is believed to show the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics in this ecological site prior to European settlement. This site, in reference, is dominated by a mix of warm-season shortgrasses, warm-season bunch grasses, sedges and, cool-season needlegrass. Heavy grazing will cause the plant community to transition to a community dominated by the upland sedges and warm-season shortgrasses. Erosion of the surface horizon is a potential outcome with heavy grazing. In pre-European times the primary disturbances included grazing by large ungulates and small mammals, and drought. Favorable growing conditions occurred during the spring, and warm months of June through August. Today a similar state can be found in areas where proper livestock use has occurred.

Submodel