Shallow Clay
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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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 the Reference State (1.0) is dominated by cool- and warm-season grasses. In pre-European times the primary disturbances included fire, grazing by large ungulates and small mammals, and drought. Favorable growing conditions occurred during the spring and the warm months of June through August. This State can be found on areas having a history of proper grazing management, including adequate recovery periods between grazing events.
Submodel
Description
This state is dominated by warm-season shortgrass species and upland sedges. It is the result of grazing practices that remove the mid- stature cool- and warm-season grasses, and provide a competitive advantage to shortgrasses and grass-like species that are grazing- resistant. Water infiltration has decreased and runoff has increased in this state. This state is very resilient and resistant to change through grazing management alone.
Submodel
Description
This State occurs when Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern redcedar, and/or ponderosa pine encroach onto the site. As the juniper/pine become established, the herbaceous component declines and more bare ground is exposed. As bare ground increases, juniper/pine establishes more readily. Grazing can contribute to this transition, but it can also occur independently without human influence other than fire suppression.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous season-long grazing, heavy, continuous seasonal grazing, and/or drought will transition this plant community (1.2) to the Shortgrass State (2.0).
Mechanism
Encroachment juniper and/or ponderosa pine, and no fire will transition this plant community to the Conifer State (3.0).
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing which allows for adequate plant recovery periods and a return to normal precipitation patterns will move this plant community toward the Reference State (1.0). This transition may or may not be rapid or meet management goals.
Mechanism
Prescribed burning or wildfire, followed by long-term prescribed grazing, will move this plant community toward the Reference State (1.0). Mechanical brush management followed by long-term prescribed grazing may also result in a transition to the Reference State. The transition my not be rapid or achievable.
Model keys
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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.