Shallow Siltstone
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
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 two plant community phases. The plant communities and various successional stages between them represent the natural range of variability 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 characteristic) 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 loss of other functional/structural groups such as cool-season midgrasses, forbs, and shrubs, reduces the biodiversity and productivity.
Submodel
Mechanism
Continuous, heavy grazing without adequate recovery periods and lack of fire shifts this community across an ecological threshold to the Warm-season Shortgrass State.
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.