The Reference State (1) describes the range of vegetative communities that occur on the Wet Land ecological site where the range of natural variability under historic conditions and disturbance regimes is mostly intact. The Reference State developed under the combined influences of climatic conditions, periodic fire activity, grazing by large herbivores, and impacts from small mammals and insects. High perennial grass cover and production allows for increased soil moisture retention, vegetative production and overall soil quality.
The Reference State is a very stable state that is very resistant to any change that does not affect the associated water table. The Reference State includes one community phase which is the Reference Community (1.1). The Reference Community serves as a description of the native plant community that naturally occurs on the site when the hydrology of the site is intact.
The Drained State (2) occurs when the hydrology of the site has been altered through drainage, usually by ditching, to lower the water table to facilitate haying. Once drainage occurs the site will, depending upon the extent of the drainage activity, more closely resemble either a Subirrigated or Wet Subirrigated ecological site than the Wet Land site. Land in this state is often interseeded with introduced grasses, introduced legumes, or a combination to increase hay quality. The Drained State consists of the Drained Community (2.2).
Drainage through ditching to facilitate haying has been a traditional management tool for this site. Draining effectively changes the hydrology of the site and allows it to more closely resemble a Subirrigated or Wet Subirrigated ecological site. Once ditched, significant inputs are required to restore the and maintain the high water table but due to the impact of the drainage on the soils and biotic integrity of the site a true return to a Reference State is unlikely.
Model keys
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase () icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
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.
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
