Loamy Slopes
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Excessive grazing.
More details
Lack of fire. -
Transition T1B
Mechanical tillage.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Prescribed grazing.
More details
Prescribed fire. -
Transition T2B
Excessive grazing.
More details -
Transition T2A
Mechanical tillage.
More details -
Transition T3A
Mechanical tillage.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference State is diverse and productive. It is characterized by two distinct plant communities. Litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site and natural plant mortality is very low. It is well-suited to carbon sequestration, effective water cycle, wildlife and livestock use, and is aesthetically pleasing. Community dynamics, nutrient cycle, water cycle, and energy flow are functioning properly.
This state is resistant to many disturbances except excessive grazing, plowing, or development into urban or other uses. It can be maintained with proper stocking and prescribed grazing. The plant communities and various successional stages between them represent the natural range of variability.
Submodel
Description
The Warm-season Shortgrass State is characterized by two plant community phases. 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 edaphic (soil characteristics) 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 (aka root pan), and subsequent changes in hydrology and nutrient cycling. The loss of other functional/structural groups such as cool-season rhizomatous grass, warm-season bunchgrasses, forbs, and shrubs reduces the biodiversity and productivity of this state.
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by significant impairment to the soil and site stability and the hydrologic function due to accelerated water and wind erosion. Biologic diversity has been reduced resulting in impairment of the biotic integrity of the plant community. Litter levels are extremely low. Erosion is evident where flow paths are continuous. Rills may occur on steeper slopes. Wind scoured areas may be apparent on knolls or unprotected areas. Plant pedestals caused by wind scouring are common. The nutrient cycle, water cycle, and overall energy flow are greatly impaired. Organic matter and carbon reserves are greatly reduced. This state is not stable and desertification is advanced.
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by go-back land, created when the soil is tilled or farmed (sodbusted) and abandoned. All of the native plants are removed, soil organic matter is reduced, soil structure is degraded and a plowpan or compacted layer is formed. Residual synthetic chemicals often remain from past farming operations and erosion processes may be active.
Submodel
Mechanism
Excessive grazing and lack of fire cause this state to transition to the Warm-season Shortgrass State.
Mechanism
Mechanical tillage of this ecological site causes an immediate transition across an ecological threshold to the Tilled State. This transition can occur from any plant community and it is irreversible.
Mechanism
Prescribed grazing and prescribed fire allow this state to recover to the Reference State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Long-term excessive grazing drives this plant community across an ecological threshold to the Severely Eroded State. A different ecological site may evolve if original parent material is lost.
Mechanism
Mechanical tillage of this ecological site causes an immediate transition across an ecological threshold to the Tilled State. This transition can occur from any plant community and it is irreversible.
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.