Choppy Sands
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 -
Transition T2A
Excessive grazing.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
The Reference State is defined by two native plant communities that are a result of periodic fire, drought, ungulate grazers, non-use, and lack of fire. These events are part of the natural disturbance regime and climatic processes that contribute to the development of the site. The reference plant community consists of tall and mid- warm-season grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Plant community 1.2 results from non-use and a lack of fire, and resembles the plant composition of the reference plant community but with increased litter and decadence of bunchgrasses.
Submodel
Description
The Reference State has been driven beyond the limits of ecosystem resilience and has crossed a threshold to the Sandhill Muhly State. The designation of this state denotes changes in plant species composition. This change in plant species affects the hydrology, erosion potential, forage production, and wildlife habitat. Understory plants may be negatively affected by shrubs reducing the availability of light, soil moisture, and soil nutrients.
Shrubs can increase causing fine-fuel loads to decrease. Prescribed fire can become an ineffective tool to eradicate or decrease the shrubs due to the lack of fine fuel loads.
Submodel
Description
The Eroded State is characterized by two plant community phases. An ecological threshold has been crossed as a result of this transition.
The designation of the Eroded 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 on the vegetation present. Blowouts are common.
Submodel
Mechanism
Excessive grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events shifts this plant community across an ecological threshold to the Sandhill Muhly State. The hydrologic cycle and soil and site stability of the site are the ecological process affected.
Mechanism
Long-term excessive grazing is the driver that causes the loss of state resilience and results in a shift between the Sandhill Muhly State and the Eroded State. Ecological function has been compromised. The effects of this ecological threshold being crossed include changes in aggregate stability, nutrient availability, plant cover, and hydrologic function.
Accelerated wind erosion can cause the formation of blowouts.
Model keys
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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.