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.
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.
Long-term prescribed grazing and a return to normal precipitation patterns will eventually return this plant community to the Reference State (1.0). This transition my not be fast or achievable.
Model keys
Briefcase
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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.
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
