Sandy Plains
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
Excessive grazing.
More details
Lack of fire. -
Transition T1C
Mechanical soil disturbance.
More details -
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. The plant communities and various successional stages between them represent the natural range of variability due to the disturbance regimes applicable to the site.
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 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 to grazing, the development of a shallow root system (aka root pan), and subsequent changes in hydrology (reduced infiltration) and nutrient cycling. The loss of other functional/structural groups such as warm-season bunchgrasses, forbs, and shrubs reduces the biodiversity and productivity of this state.
Submodel
Description
Litter levels are extremely low. The nutrient cycle, water cycle, and energy flow are greatly reduced. Infiltration is greatly reduced and erosion is occurring. Pedestalling is evident. Organic matter/carbon reserves are greatly reduced. An ecological threshold has been crossed. Erosion and loss of organic matter and carbon reserves are concerns.
Sand dropseed and threeawn are the dominant species. Blue grama may persist in localized areas. Introduced annuals such as burningbush and Russian thistle are present. Introduced species such as field bindweed and knapweed can also be present.
Submodel
Description
The Tilled State is the result of mechanical farming operations. An ecological threshold has been crossed due to complete removal of vegetation and years of soil tillage. Physical, chemical, and biological soil properties have been dramatically altered.
Submodel
Mechanism
Continuous, heavy grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events and lack of fire shifts this state across an ecological threshold to the Warm-Season Shortgrass State.
Mechanism
Long-term excessive grazing and lack of fire causes a shift across an ecological threshold to the Increased Bare Ground State. Erosion and loss of organic matter and carbon reserves are concerns.
Mechanism
Mechanical tillage of this ecological site will cause 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.