Shallow
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This State represents the natural range of variability that dominates the dynamics of this site. This State is dominated by warm-season grasses and subdominant cool-season grasses. In pre-European times, the primary disturbance mechanisms for this site in the reference condition included relatively frequent fire and grazing by large herding ungulates. Timing of fires and grazing coupled with weather events dictated 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 tall and mid-grass species can decline and a corresponding increase in short-statured species will occur.
Submodel
Description
This State is dominated by shortgrass species, upland sedges, and fringed sagewort. It is the result of grazing practices that remove the mid- and tall warm-season grasses and mid-stature cool-season grasses, giving a competitive advantage to shortgrasses and grass-like species that are grazing resistant. Water infiltration has decreased and runoff has increased in this state. This state is very resilient and resistant to change.
Submodel
Description
This State occurs when, eastern redcedar, and/or Rocky Mountain juniper, and possibly ponderosa pine encroach onto the site. As the juniper/pine become established, the herbaceous component declines and more bare ground is exposed. As bare ground increases juniper/pine 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
Heavy, continuous seasonal grazing (stocking levels well above carrying capacity for extended portions of the growing season, and at the same time of year each year, typically beginning early in the season) or heavy, continuous season-long grazing, and/or drought, will convert this plant community (1.2) to the Shortgrass State (2.0).
Mechanism
Non-use, and no fire, and encroachment (or escaped) of conifer species will lead to the Conifer State (3.0). This occurs when this plant community is protected from natural fires, or controlled burning.
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing (moderate stocking levels coupled with adequate recovery periods, or other grazing systems such as high-density, low-frequency intended to treat specific species dominance, or periodic light to moderate stocking levels possibly including periodic rest) and a return to normal precipitation patterns, may lead this plant community phase over a threshold to the Reference State (1.0). This will likely take a long period of time, possibly up to 10 years or more, and recovery may not be attainable.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Mechanical brush management, wildfire (hot, crown fires) or prescribed burning, followed with prescribed grazing can move this plant community to the Reference State (1.0). This transition may not be feasible or meet management goals unless treatment occurs early in the encroachment phase, prior to trees reaching a height of five feet.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Model keys
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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.