Thin Upland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition 1A More details
- Transition 1B More details
- Restoration pathway 2A More details
- Restoration pathway 3A 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 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 short-grass and grass-like species as a result of grazing regimes that exceed carrying capacity and do not provide adequate recovery and/or drought. In the early stages of this State, mid grass remnants may be present in sufficient quantities to allow for recovery to the Reference State (1.0). The dominant herbaceous species present are well adapted to grazing. Over time, the plant community will become very resistant to change due to higher runoff and reduced infiltration.
Submodel
Description
This State has a significant amount of Kentucky bluegrass or smooth brome in the plant community but they have not become the dominate species. Preliminary studies would tend to indicate that when Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30 percent of the plant community and native grasses represent less than 40 percent of the plant community composition the ecological process will be dominated by Kentucky bluegrass. Plant communities dominated by Kentucky bluegrass have significantly less cover and diversity of native grasses and forb species. (Toledo, D. et al., 2014). This State is at risk of transitioning to a bluegrass dominated State, however at this point in time, a bluegrass or smooth brome dominated State does not appear to occur on this Ecological Site in MLRA 63A.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy continuous seasonal grazing or heavy continuous season-long grazing or heavy disturbance will convert the State 1.0 to the Shortgrass State. This is most likely to occur from PCP 1.3. Shortgrasses replace the mid/tall grasses due to heavy grazing over many years. If plant community phases 1.2 or 1.3 are pushed to the point of being at risk, drought can convert the plant community to the Shortgrass State.
Mechanism
Invasion of non-native cool season grasses, heavy continuous season-long grazing or non-use and no fire for extended periods will convert this plant community to the Native/Invaded State (3.0).
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing, which allows time for adequate plant recovery, and normal precipitation patterns can eventually shift this plant community back to the Reference State. Periods of nonuse or growing season deferment may be management options to help facilitate this restoration. This restoration my take an extended period of time and in the end may not meet management goals.
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.