Sands
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
- Transition T2A 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
The Reference State represents what is believed to show the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics of the Sands ecological site prior to European settlement. This site, in the Reference State, is dominated by warm-season grasses and subdominant cool-season grass. Grazing or the lack of grazing, fire, and wind erosion are the major drivers between plant communities.
Submodel
Description
The Shortgrass State is dominated by shortgrass species and upland sedges. The State is the result of grazing management that did not provide adequate recovery time for mid- and tall-statured warm-season grasses and mid-statured cool-season grasses. The hydrologic function of this state is altered. Runoff is higher and infiltration is lower than the Reference State (1.0). This State is resistant to change through grazing management alone.
Submodel
Description
The Early Seral State is dominated by weedy annuals and biennials, sand dropseed, threeawn, and a variety of forbs, and shrubs. This State is the result of heavy disturbance such as frequent and severe defoliation or heavy livestock concentrations coupled with grazing management that does not provide adequate time for recovery. The hydrologic function is also likely to be dramatically altered. Runoff is high and infiltration is low. The Early Seral State is very resistant to change through grazing management alone.
Submodel
Mechanism
Continuous season-long grazing as well as heavy grazing in combination with expended periods of drought will transition the Needle and Thread-Blue Grama-Sand Dropseed Plant Community toward the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0). This transition will result in decreases in both forage production and plant species diversity. This would also be typical of calving/lambing pastures where the unit is continuously utilized during the late winter through spring.
Mechanism
Frequent and severe defoliation, heavy disturbance including animal feeding areas, small horse pastures, rodent activity, watering sites, wildfire, heavy grazing in combination with drought, and wind erosion will transition any plant community in the Reference State (1.0) to the Early Seral State (3.0).
Mechanism
Removal of human-caused disturbance coupled with long-term prescribed grazing, including proper stocking rates, change in season of use, and adequate time for recovery, may move this shortgrass plant community back to the Needle and Thread-Blue Grama-Sand Dropseed Plant Community (1.3). This transition will take an extended period of time and may not meet management objectives.
Mechanism
Frequent and severe defoliation, heavy disturbance including animal feeding areas, small horse pastures, rodent activity, watering sites, wind erosion, and heavy grazing in combination with drought, will transition the shortgrass plant community to the Early Seral State (3.0).
Mechanism
In order to move either of these plant communities to the Reference State (1.0) the heavy disturbance must be removed, and blowout has to be restored. The restoration will include site stabilization, shaping, mulching, and seeding followed by long-term prescribed grazing with change in season of use, and time for adequate recovery. This transition may take an extended period of time and in the end not meet management objectives. Herbaceous weed control may be an option to help in this transition.
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.