Loamy 14-17" PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T7A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T2C More details
- Transition T7A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T7A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T7A More details
- Transition T5B More details
- Transition T5A More details
- Transition T7A 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
The Reference State represents the best estimate of the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics in this ecological site prior to European settlement. This site in the Reference State (1.0) is dominated by cool-season grasses and subdominant warm-season grass. Grazing or the lack of grazing, fire, and drought are the major drivers between plant communities. Continuous season-long grazing can push this State to a warm-season shortgrass-dominated State (2.0). Non-use, no fire, and invasion of non-native cool-season grasses will result in a transition to a Native/Invaded State (4.0).
Submodel
Description
The Shortgrass Sod State is dominated by shortgrass species and upland sedges. This State is the result of grazing patterns that did not provide adequate recovery time for cool-season wheat grasses and needlegrasses. If heavy disturbance such as frequent and severe defoliation and livestock concentration continues, pioneer perennials and annual grass and forb species may become dominant. The hydrologic function is dramatically altered in the Shortgrass Sod State. Runoff is high, and infiltration is low. This State is very resistant to change through grazing management alone.
Submodel
Description
The Early Seral State is the result of very heavy, disturbance such as rodent activity or livestock concentration areas. Extended periods of drought accompanied by heavy grazing can also push an ‘At Risk’ Plant Community Phase to this State. In most cases, this phase is dominated by pioneer perennial and annual grass and forb species. The percentage of bare ground is also much higher than on any other plant community phase in this ecological site.
Submodel
Description
The Native/Invaded State has been invaded by field brome, cheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, smooth brome, and/or Kentucky bluegrass, but not at the levels at which the plant communities are dominated by these species. Long-term non-use, in combination with above-average precipitation, may transition a Native/Invaded plant community to a plant community phase that consists predominantly of non-native cool-season grasses. This scenario has been observed on this ecological site in small acreage fields, but not on larger tracts of land in this portion of MLRA 64. This transition can be observed in the northern portion of the MLRA, and in adjacent MLRAs. Once these species are established, it is unlikely that an invaded plant community can be returned to the Reference State (1.0).
Cheatgrass and field brome will always be present in these plant communities, but during years with very wet falls and early springs, these two species can make up a significant percentage of the total annual production. As the seed bank of these species grows, the more difficult they will be to control.
Submodel
Description
The Renovated (R) Sod State has been invaded by field brome, cheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, smooth brome, and/or Kentucky bluegrass, but not at the levels at which the plant communities are dominated by these species. Long-term non-use, in combination with above-average precipitation, may transition a Native/Invaded plant community to a plant community phase that is predominantly non-native cool-season grasses. This scenario has been observed on this ecological site in small acreage fields but not on larger tracts of land in this portion of MLRA 64. This transition can be observed in the northern portion of the MLRA and in adjacent MLRAs. Once these species are established it is unlikely that an invaded plant community can be returned to the Reference State (1.0).
Cheatgrass and field brome will always be present in these plant communities, but during years with very wet falls and early springs, these two species can make up a significant percentage of the total annual production. As the seed bank of these species grows, the more difficult they will be to control.
Submodel
Description
The Disturbed State can be transitioned to from any Plant Community. It is the result of prior cultivation and abandonment of cropland (go-back), or tillage and seeding to a forage crop, or extensive soil disturbance and/or soil erosion. The two separate vegetative plant communities are highly variable in nature. They are derived through different management scenarios, and are not related successionally. Infiltration, runoff, and soil erosion varies depending on the vegetation present on the site.
Submodel
Mechanism
Continuous seasonal grazing or continuous season-long grazing, or heavy grazing during extended period of drought will transition this plant community (1.2) to the Shortgrass State (2.0). Once this site becomes sod-bound there will be a loss of hydrologic function resulting in increased run-off and less infiltration.
Mechanism
Frequent and severe defoliation, or heavy disturbance causing a loss of hydrologic function. Examples include livestock concentration areas (feeding), prairie dog towns, small horse pastures, etc. Runoff will increase, and infiltration will decrease. These disturbances will cause a transition to the Early Seral State (3.0).
Mechanism
Continuous season-long grazing, or continuous seasonal grazing, or non-use and no fire, and invasion of non-native cool-season grasses will cause a transition to the Native/Invaded State (4.0).
Mechanism
Heavy disturbance including soil erosion, tillage, abandonment of cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species will result in a transition to the Disturbed State (6.0).
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing may potentially convert the plant community to the Blue Grama-Rhizomatous Wheatgrass/Threadleaf Sedge Plant Community (1.2), assuming an adequate seed/vegetative source is present. A return to normal precipitation patterns will help to expedite this transition. This could require significant time and input to achieve and, in the end, may not meet management objectives.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Frequent and severe defoliation and/or heavy disturbance including livestock concentration areas (feeding), prairie dog towns, small horse pastures, etc. will cause a transition to the Early Seral State (3.0). Runoff will increase, and infiltration will decrease.
Mechanism
Removal of management-induced disturbance, invasion of non-native cool-season grasses, and long-term prescribed grazing may result in a transition to the Native/Invaded State (4.0). A return to normal precipitation patterns will help expedite this transition. This could require significant time and input to achieve and, in the end, may not meet management objectives.
Mechanism
Mechanical renovation will move this plant community to the Renovated (R) Sod State (5.0). Proper grazing management must be included in order to derive the benefits of renovation.
Mechanism
Heavy disturbance including soil erosion, tillage, abandonment of cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species will result in a transition to the Disturbed State (6.0).
Mechanism
Removal of the management-induced disturbance, in association with long-term prescribed grazing and favorable climatic conditions, may allow for adequate plant recovery and a transition to the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0). Periods of non-use or deferment may be a management option to facilitate this movement. This transition will not be rapid and may not meet management objectives.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Mechanical renovation, and possibly seeding, will move this plant community to the Renovated (R) Sod State (5.0). Proper grazing management must be included in order to derive the benefits of renovation.
Mechanism
Heavy disturbance including soil erosion, tillage, abandonment of cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species will result in a transition to the Disturbed State (6.0).
Mechanism
Continuous season-long grazing or heavy grazing during extended period of drought will transition this plant community to the Shortgrass State (3.0). Once this site becomes sod-bound there will be a loss of hydrologic function, resulting in increased runoff and less infiltration.
Mechanism
Heavy disturbance including soil erosion, tillage, abandonment of cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species will result in a transition to the Disturbed State (6.0).
Mechanism
Frequent and severe defoliation, and/or heavy disturbance including livestock concentration areas (feeding), prairie dog towns, small horse pastures, etc. will cause a transition to the Early Seral State (3.0). Runoff will increase and infiltration will decrease.
Mechanism
Continuous season-long grazing, or long-term light grazing, or non-use and no fire, and invasion of non-native cool-season grasses will cause a transition to the Native/Invaded State (4.0).
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.