Claypan
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T6A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T7A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T6A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T7A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T7A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T6A 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, is dominated by a mix of cool-season rhizomatous wheatgrasses and needlegrasses, and warm-season shortgrasses. Heavy grazing will cause the plant community to transition to a community dominated by warm-season shortgrasses, and cool-season rhizomatous wheatgrasses. Erosion of the surface horizon is a potential outcome with heavy grazing. In pre- European times the primary disturbances included grazing by large ungulates and small mammals, and drought. Favorable growing conditions occurred during the spring and warm months of June through August. Today a similar state can be found in areas where proper livestock use has occurred.
Submodel
Description
The Shortgrass Sod State is dominated by shortgrass species; blue grama, buffalograss, upland sedges, and pricklypear cactus. This state is the result of grazing patterns that did not provide adequate recovery time for cool-season wheatgrasses 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 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 the result of very heavy concentrated disturbance such as concentrated 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.
Submodel
Description
This State has been invaded by cheatgrass, field brome, crested wheatgrass, smooth brome, and/or Kentucky bluegrass, but not at the levels where the plant communities are dominated by these species. Preliminary studies would tend to indicate this threshold may exist when Kentucky bluegrass exceeds 30 percent of the plant community composition (lbs./ac) and native grasses represent less than 40 percent of the plant community composition. (Toledo, D. et al., 2014). Other non-native perennial cool-season grasses may result in the same transition but is not documented. Long-term non-use and/or no fire, 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. Plant litter accumulation tends to favor the more shade-tolerant introduced grass species. The nutrient cycle is impaired, and the result is typically a higher level of nitrogen which also favors the introduced species. Increasing plant litter decreases the amount of sunlight reaching plant crowns thereby shifting competitive advantage to shade-tolerant, introduced grass species. This scenario has not been observed on this ecological site in MLRA 64, however it may exist. 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. Once these non-native cool-season species are established, it is unlikely that an invaded plant community will be returned to the Reference State (1.0).
Submodel
Description
The Disturbed State can be transitioned to from any Plant Community. 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.
The Go-back (5.1) plant community was previously tilled for crop production and then abandoned. The plant community that develops on this site will be greatly influenced by the plant communities that are located on adjacent land.
The Seeded (5.2) plant community was typically tilled and then seeded to a perennial forage species or mix of species. Infiltration, runoff, and soil erosion will vary depending upon the vegetation present on the site.
Submodel
Mechanism
With continuous season-long grazing, or heavy grazing during extended period of drought will transition the Blue Grama-Rhizomatous Wheatgrass Plant Community (1.2) to the Shortgrass Sod 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 disturbances causing soil compaction, and a loss of hydrologic function will result in a transition to the Early Seral State (3.0). Examples include; livestock concentration areas (feeding), prairie dog activity, and small horse pastures, etc. 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).
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 (5.0).
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing may potentially convert the plant community to the Blue Grama-Rhizomatous Wheatgrass Plant Community (1.2), assuming an adequate seed/vegetative source is present. A return to normal precipitation patterns will help expedite this transition. This transition 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, or heavy disturbances causing soil compaction, and a loss of hydrologic function will result in a transition to the Early Seral State (3.0). Examples include; livestock concentration areas (feeding), prairie dog activity, and small horse pastures, etc. Runoff will increase and infiltration will decrease.
Mechanism
Removal of management-induced disturbance, the 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
Heavy disturbance including soil erosion, tillage, abandonment of cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species will result in a transition to the Disturbed State (5.0).
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
Heavy disturbance including soil erosion, tillage, abandonment of cropland, or seeding to improved pasture species will result in a transition to the Disturbed State (5.0).
Mechanism
Continuous season-long grazing, or heavy grazing during extended period of drought will transition this plant community 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
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
Frequent and severe defoliation, or heavy disturbances causing soil compaction, and a loss of hydrologic function will result in a transition to the Early Seral State (3.0). Examples include; livestock concentration areas (feeding), prairie dog activity, and small horse pastures, etc. Runoff will increase and infiltration will decrease.
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.