Clayey 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 T1B More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Transition T7A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T7A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3C More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Transition T7A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T7A More details
- Transition T5A More details
- Transition T5B 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
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 the Reference State (1.0) will be dominated by cool-season grasses and subdominant warm-season grass. Grazing and 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 (3.0). Invasion of non-native cool-season perennial or annual grasses will result in a transition to the Native/Invaded State (4.0).
Submodel
Description
The Early Seral State is dominated by weedy annuals, rhizomatous wheatgrass, threeawn, and pricklypear cactus. This State is the result of heavy disturbance such as frequent and severe defoliation, and/or heavy livestock concentrations coupled with grazing management that does not provide adequate recovery time for cool-season wheatgrasses and green needlegrass. The hydrologic function is also likely to be dramatically altered. Runoff is high and infiltration is low. This State is very resistant to change through grazing management alone.
Submodel
Description
The Shortgrass State is dominated by shortgrass species and upland sedges. This State is the result of grazing management that did not provide adequate recovery time for cool-season wheatgrasses and green needlegrass. The hydrologic function of this state is dramatically altered. Runoff is high and infiltration is low. This State is very resistant to change through grazing management alone.
Submodel
Description
This State is dominated by rhizomatous wheatgrass, green needlegrass, and non-native cool-season annual and/or perennial grasses. The Native/Invaded State can resemble the Reference State (1.0) except that it is invaded by non-native cool-season grasses.
Submodel
Description
The forage production potential of a shortgrass plant community can be quickly improved through mechanical renovation. Mechanical renovation creates microrelief that can restore hydrologic function by increasing infiltration and decreasing runoff. These factors favor cool- season species such as western wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, green needlegrass, and a variety of forbs. Mechanical renovation may not be economically feasible, and the renovation will not be successful if the management activities that created the plant community are not changed. This State is also very susceptible to invasion of non-native cool-season grasses.
Submodel
Description
Any plant community can transition to the Disturbed State (6.0). The two separate vegetative plant communities found in this State are highly variable in nature. They are derived through different management scenarios, and are not related successionally. Infiltration, runoff, and soil erosion vary depending upon the vegetation present on the site.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous season-long grazing, or 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 (2.0).
Mechanism
With 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 (3.0). Once this site becomes sod-bound there will be a loss of hydrologic function resulting in increased run-off and less infiltration.
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).
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 (3.0). Periods of non-use or deferment may be a management option to facilitate this movement. This transition will not be rapid and/or meet management objectives.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Mechanical renovation will move this plant communities 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
Long-term prescribed grazing may potentially convert the plant community to the Rhizomatous Wheatgrass-Blue Grama-Buffalograss Plant Community (1.2), assuming an adequate seed/vegetative source is present. This could require significant time and input to achieve, along with a return to normal precipitation patterns, and in the end may not meet management objectives.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous season-long grazing without adequate recovery, or frequent and severe defoliation, or heavy grazing in combination with drought are conditions that will cause the community to transition. Examples include livestock concentration areas (feeding), prairie dog towns, small horse pastures, etc. These disturbances will cause a transition to the Early Seral State (2.0).
Mechanism
Removal of management-induced disturbance, invasion of non-native cool-season grasses, and long-term prescribed grazing will cause a transition to the Native/Invaded State (4.0). This could require significant time and input to achieve and a return to normal precipitation patterns, and in the end may not meet management objectives.
Mechanism
Mechanical renovation will move this plant communities 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 seasonal grazing, 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 run-off 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
Heavy, continuous season-long grazing, or severe and frequent defoliation in combination with below-normal precipitation patterns will cause a transition to the Early Seral State (2.0).
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.