Shallow To Gravel
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Heavy continuous season-long grazing or heavy rotational grazing with inadequate growing season recovery periods.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Long term (more than 15 years) prescribed grazing with adequate growing season recovery periods. This restoration may not be feasible.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference State (1) describes the range of vegetative communities that occur on the Shallow to Gravel 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. Natural fire played a significant role in the succession of this site by limiting the extent of shrubs. Wildfires have been actively controlled in recent times, reducing plant species diversity, especially forb diversity.
The Reference State includes two community phases which are the Reference Community (1.1) and the At-Risk Community. The Reference Community serves as a description of the native plant community that occurs on the site when the natural disturbance regimes are intact or closely mimicked by management practices. The At-Risk Community results from management actions that are unfavorable for a healthy Reference Community.
Submodel
Description
The Shortgrass Sod State (2) transitioned from the Reference State (1) and much of the native warm-season tall- and midgrass and cool-season bunchgrass components have been replaced by warm-season shortgrasses and clubmoss. This State is the result of heavy stocking rates combined with long-term (more than 10 years) grazing that did not provide adequate recovery time for warm-season tall- and midgrasses and mid-statured cool-season grasses. The management that results in the Shortgrass Sod State is typically heavy, continuous, season long grazing but heavy rotational grazing with inadequate growing season recovery periods can also cause this transition.
The loss of plant diversity negatively impacts energy flow and nutrient cycling and alters hydrologic function. Runoff is higher and infiltration is lower than the Reference State. This state is very resistant to change. The Shortgrass Sod State includes the Shortgrass/Club Moss Community (2.1).
Submodel
Mechanism
Continuous season-long grazing or rotational grazing with inadequate growing season recovery periods combined with heavy stocking rates will move the Reference State (1) to the Shortgrass Sod State (2).
Mechanism
Long term (more than 15 years) prescribed grazing with adequate growing season recovery periods may return the Shortgrass Sod State to the Reference State. This restoration may not be feasible and will only occur when adequate warm-season tall- and midgrasses and cool-season bunchgrasses remain in the plant community.
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.