Saline Overflow
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
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
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Description
The Reference State is characterized by three plant community phases. These plant communities and the various successional stages between them represent the natural range of variation 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 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 inland saltgrass to grazing, the development of a shallow root system (aka root pan), and subsequent changes in hydrology and nutrient cycling. The loss of functional/structural groups such as warm-season tallgrasses, forbs, and shrubs reduces the biodiversity and productivity of this site.
Submodel
Description
Litter levels are extremely low. Erosion is evident where flow paths are continuous. Rills may be evident as well as some gully erosion. 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.
Submodel
Mechanism
Excessive grazing and lack of fire move this state across an ecological threshold to the Warm-Season Shortgrass State.
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous grazing without adequate recovery opportunity between grazing events, and lack of fire shifts the Warm-Season Shortgrass State across an ecological threshold to the Increased Bare Ground State. This transition may require several years. Erosion and loss of organic matter and carbon reserves are concerns.
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.