Gravel Breaks
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
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
Select a state
Description
The Reference State is characterized by two distinct plant community phases. The plant communities and various successional stages between them represent the natural range of variability within the Reference State.
Submodel
Description
Species diversity and production have been severely reduced. Litter levels are very low. Mineral and water cycles are impaired due to the loss of deeper rooted grasses, forbs, and shrubs, and significant biotic and edaphic (soil characteristics) changes. Rills are evident and soil loss is obvious, especially on steeper slopes. Pedestalled plants with exposed roots are common. An ecological threshold has been crossed. The loss of functional/structural groups such as warm-season midgrass reduces the biodiversity and productivity of this site.
Submodel
Description
Soil erosion is severe. An ecological threshold has been crossed. Erosion and loss of organic matter and carbon reserves are concerns. Nutrient and water cycles and energy flow are impaired.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events and lack of fire shift this plant community across an ecological threshold to the Warm-season Shortgrass State. Biotic integrity and hydrologic function are impaired as a result of this transition.
Mechanism
Long-term, heavy, continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events and lack of fire cause a shift across an ecological threshold to the Increase Bare Ground State.
Soil erosion, loss of organic matter and carbon reserves, and invasion by annual plants are constraints to recovery.
Model keys
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase (
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
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.