Saline Upland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A 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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State 1
Reference State
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-season grasses and salt-tolerant shrubs. In pre-European times the primary disturbances include grazing by large ungulates and small mammals, and erosion. Favorable growing conditions occur 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
The Saline Upland site, even in the Reference State (1.0), will have a substantial amount of bare ground. The Eroded State is a result of heavy disturbances or heavy defoliation which allows for excessive soil erosion. At this point the soil/site stability is lost and soil erosion will continue and the re-establishment of native vegetation will be very slow.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy continuous grazing and/or heavy disturbance will result in an increase in bare ground and soil erosion, and a transition from the Reference State (1.0) to the Eroded State (2.0).
Mechanism
This site may recover over time by removing the management induced disturbance, long-term prescribed grazing which allows for adequate recovery periods, or possibly extended periods of non-use. The site must regain soil/site stability in order to recover. This transition may not be rapid and/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.