Shallow Loamy
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- 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 represent the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics in this ecological site prior to European settlement. This site is dominated by cool- and warm-season grasses. In pre-European times the primary disturbances included fire and grazing by large ungulates and small mammals. 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 shortgrass species, upland sedges, and fringed sagewort. 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.
Submodel
Description
This State occurs when Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern red cedar 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 through fire suppression.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy continuous grazing and/or drought will convert the plant community to the Grama/Sedge/Sagewort Plant Community (2.1).
Mechanism
Encroachment, nonuse, and no fire will lead to a Juniper-Ponderosa Pine Plant Community (3.1). This occurs when this plant community is protected from natural fires, or controlled burning.
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing and a return to normal precipitation patterns may convert this plant community to the Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama Plant Community (1.2). This transition may not be fast or feasible.
Mechanism
Prescribed burning or wildfire (hot fires) followed by long-term prescribed grazing will move this plant community towards the Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama Plant Community (1.2). Mechanical removal of juniper/pine followed by long-term prescribed grazing may allow the understory to develop and transition to the Needle and Thread-Little Bluestem-Grama Plant Community (1.2).
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.