Wet Land
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A 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
The Reference State represents the best estimate of the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics of the Wet Land ecological site prior to European settlement. This site, in the Reference State, is dominated by grasses, grass-like species, forbs, and shrubs. In pre-European times, the primary disturbance mechanisms for this site in the reference condition included periods of below and above average precipitation, periodic upland fire, beaver activity, and herbivory by large ungulates. Timing of fires and herbivory coupled with weather events dictated the dynamics that occurred within the natural range of variability. Today the primary disturbance is from a lack of fire and concentrated livestock grazing and wildlife browse. Grasses and grass-likes that are desirable for livestock and wildlife can decline and a corresponding increase in less desirable grasses and grass-likes will occur. Favorable growing conditions occurred during the spring and the warm months of June through August. Today, a similar state will be difficult to find due to the predominance and invasiveness of non-native cool-season perennial gasses and Canada thistle.
Wet Land fens located in the higher elevations of the Black Hills will not have much, if any, prairie cordgrass in the plant communities. Sedges and forbs will replace the warm-season grass component. In the absence of heavy browsing, willow species will be more prominent (USGS Association Detail-CEGL001188, 2000., Hornbeck, et. al., 2003).
Submodel
Description
The Native/Invaded State is dominated by native and non-native cool-season grasses and grass-likes. The non-native cool-season grasses, primarily Kentucky bluegrass, make up 15 to 20 percent of the total annual production. The Native/Invaded State is the result of heavy grazing, or heavy disturbance which can create soil compaction and sedimentation. Typically, the stable water table has drained or lowered significantly, and the plant community is shifting towards a more mesic community with upland grasses and forbs. Prairie cordgrass, wheatgrass and possibly timothy have increased and replaced the reference plant communities. Canada thistle and other weedy forbs are often present. The shrub component is declining due to the loss of stable water table, heavy disturbance, and insects and disease. The Native/Invaded State (2.0) is very resilient and resistant to change.
Submodel
Mechanism
Invasion of non-native cool-season grasses and weedy forbs; heavy grazing with no opportunity for plant recovery; heavy disturbance from livestock or recreation use; and/or a drained or significantly depleted stable water table will transition the Reference State (1.0) to the Native/Invaded State (2.0).
Model keys
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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.