Shallow Sandy
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- 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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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 and cool-season grasses and grass-like species. Heavy grazing or heavy disturbance will cause the plant community to transition to a community dominated by the upland sedges, half-shrubs, and yucca. Severe erosion 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 the warm months of June through August. Today a similar state can be found in areas where proper livestock use has occurred.
Submodel
Description
This state is dominated by upland sedges, shortgrass species, fringed sagewort, and yucca. It is the result of grazing practices that remove the mid-stature warm- and cool-season grasses, and provide a competitive advantage to upland sedges, shortgrasses, and yucca 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
Mechanism
Heavy continuous grazing and/or drought will convert this plant community to the Threadleaf Sedge/Fringed Sagewort/Yucca Plant Community.
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.