Loamy Overflow (LyO)
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Excessive grazing.
More details
Lack of fire. -
Transition T1B
Excessive grazing.
More details
Lack of fire. -
Transition T2A
Excessive grazing.
More details
Lack of fire. -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference state is characterized by three distinct plant community phases: These plant communities and the various successional stages between them represent the natural range of variability within the Reference state.
Submodel
Description
An ecological threshold has been crossed and a significant amount of production and diversity has been lost when compared to the Reference State. Significant biotic and soil changes have negatively impacted energy flow, and nutrient and hydrologic cycles.
This is a very stable state, resistant to change due to the high tolerance of blue grama and buffalograss to grazing, the development of a shallow root system (root pan), and subsequent changes in hydrology and nutrient cycling. The loss of other functional/structural groups such as cool-season bunch and rhizomatous grasses, forbs, and shrubs reduces the biodiversity productivity of this site.
Submodel
Description
Litter levels are extremely low due to reduced production. Increased bare ground can cause erosion, and off-site runoff and deposition when rainfall events are intense. The nutrient cycle, water cycle, and overall energy flow are greatly impaired. Organic matter and carbon reserves are greatly reduced. An ecological threshold has been crossed.
Submodel
Mechanism
Frequent and severe defoliation without adequate recovery periods and lack of fire shift this plant community across an ecological threshold to the Sod-bound State. Biotic integrity and hydrologic function are impaired as a result of this transition.
Mechanism
Long-term heavy, continuous, grazing and lack of fire shift this plant community across an ecological threshold toward the Increased Bare Ground State. Erosion and loss of organic matter and carbon reserves are concerns. Non-native exotic plants are likely to invade.
Mechanism
Long-term, frequent, and severe defoliation without adequate recovery periods, and lack of fire cause a shift across an ecological threshold to the Increased Bare Ground State.
Erosion and loss of organic matter and carbon reserves are concerns. Annual plants are likely to increase or invade as a result of this transition.
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.
Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
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.