Very Shallow
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 natural range of variability that dominates the dynamics of this site. This State is dominated by cool-season grasses, and warm-season grasses are subdominant. In pre-European settlement times, the primary disturbance mechanisms for this site in the Reference condition included grazing by large herding ungulates and fluctuations in levels of precipitation. Grazing, coupled with weather events, drive the dynamics that occurred within the natural range of variability. Today, this State can be found on areas that are properly managed with grazing and/or prescribed burning, and sometimes on areas receiving occasional short periods of rest. The dominant midgrass species can decline and a corresponding increase in short-statured species will occur.
Submodel
Description
This State has been invaded by smooth brome and/or Kentucky bluegrass but not at the levels where the plant community is dominated by these species. The plant communities in the Native/Invaded State will look very similar to the Reference State in species composition and production. Once non-native cool-season grasses become established in a plant community, it is highly unlikely that it can transition back to the Reference State (1.0).
Submodel
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.