Shallow Porous Clay
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition 1A More details
- Restoration pathway 2A 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 of the ecological site prior to European settlement. This site in Reference, is dominated by warm-season grasses and sub-dominant cool-season grass. Yucca is almost always present. Grazing, fire or lack of fire, erosion and drought are the major drivers between plant communities.
Submodel
Description
This State occurs when eastern redcedar and/or Rocky Mountain juniper encroach onto the site. As the juniper become established, the herbaceous component declines and more bare ground is exposed. It appears that juniper is creating the condition for continuing encroachment. As bare ground increases juniper establishes more readily. Grazing can contribute to this transition but it can also occur independently without human influence other than through fire suppression.
Submodel
Mechanism
Encroachment of eastern redcedar or Rocky Mountain juniper and no fire will shift this State to the Conifer State. Erosion increases with juniper encroachment, which provided more opportunity for juniper establishment.
Model keys
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Ecological sites
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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.