Saline Subirrigated (SS)
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
Non-use.
More details
Lack of fire. -
Transition T2A
Excessive grazing.
More details
Lack of fire. -
Restoration pathway R4A
Prescribed grazing.
More details
Brush management.
Prescribed 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. The 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 saltgrass to grazing, the development of a shallow root system (aka 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
An ecological threshold has been crossed. The Increased Bare Ground State denotes changes in infiltration, runoff, aggregate stability, and species composition. The changes in water movement and the plant community affect changes in hydrologic functionality, biotic integrity, and soil and site stability. Infiltration, runoff, and soil erosion vary depending upon the vegetation present. Erosion and loss of organic matter and carbon reserves are concerns. Desertification is advanced.
Submodel
Description
The Russian Olive State develops with the introduction of a seed source. An ecological threshold has been crossed. The Russian Olive State denotes changes in infiltration, runoff, aggregate stability, and species composition. The changes in water movement and the plant community affect changes in hydrologic functionality, biotic integrity, and soil and site stability. Infiltration, runoff, and soil erosion vary depending upon the vegetation present. Erosion and loss of organic matter and carbon reserves are concerns.
Submodel
Mechanism
Frequent and severe defoliation and lack of fire shift the Reference State to the Sod-bound State. Biotic integrity and hydrologic function are impaired as a result of this transition.
Mechanism
In the presence of a seed source, non-use and lack of fire shift this state to the Russian Olive State. Biotic integrity and hydrologic function are impaired as a result of this transition.
Mechanism
Long-term frequent and severe defoliation and lack of fire cause a shift across an ecological threshold to the Increased Bare Ground State.
Erosion and loss of organic matter along with invasion of introduced plants and noxious weeds are resource concerns.
Mechanism
Very long-term prescribed grazing, mechanical and chemical brush management of Russian olive, and prescribed fire move this plant community toward the Reference State. Brush management alone will not restore this site and is only supplemental to prescribed grazing for this restoration pathway. This transition, however, could require a long period of time, depending upon the amount of salt accumulation on the soil surface.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Model keys
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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.