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 a mix of grasses, grass-like, forbs, shrubs and tree species. Wet and dry climatic cycles, fire, no fire and encroachment of junipers are the major drivers between plant communities. In general, grazing pressure is limited because of limited accessibility however on flatter slopes, livestock will utilize the site for shade and loafing.
Submodel
1.1. Muhly-Bluestem/Shrub/Green Ash Plant Community
This State occurs when eastern redcedar and/or Rocky Mountain juniper encroach onto the site. As the juniper becomes 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.
This State is the result of a stand replacing fire that removes the majority of the woody component from the site. Before the re-sprouting shrubs can stabilize the site and native grasses and forbs can reestablish, non-native, cool-season grasses invade the site and become the dominate species. This State can also be the result of heavy use by livestock.
Submodel
3.1. Bluegrass-Cheatgrass/Shrub/Remnant Trees Plant Community
Over time, no fire will convert the plant community to the Conifer State (2.0). Shrubs and trees replace the grasses and forbs due to no fire over many years. This transition is most likely to occur through Plant Community Phase (1.2).
Heavy use (livestock concentration or loafing areas) and invasion on non-native, cool-season grasses will transition this site to the Disturbed State (3.0).
In areas where non-native, cool-season grasses are not common in the adjacent plant communities, the natural successional process of shrubs and tree regeneration can transition this plant community back to the Reference State (1.0).
No fire and the encroachment of juniper will transition this plant community back to the Conifer State (2.0).
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.
