Sandstone Breaks
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Heavy, continuous grazing.
More details
Lack of fire. -
Transition T1B
No fire.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Prescribed grazing.
More details
Prescribed fire. -
Transition T2A
Heavy, continuous grazing.
More details
Lack of fire. -
Transition T2B
Lack of fire.
More details -
Transition T3A
Lack of fire.
More details -
Restoration pathway R4A
Brush management.
More details
Prescribed fire.
Prescribed grazing. -
Restoration pathway R4B
Brush Management.
More details
Prescribed fire.
Prescribed grazing. -
Restoration pathway R4C
Brush Management.
More details
Prescribed 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 plant community phases that represent the natural range of variability and disturbance regimes within the site. These plant community phases are maintained by a historic fire frequency estimated to be on 15 to 20 year intervals, grazing by large ungulates, and adequate recovery periods.
Submodel
Description
The Blue Grama Dominant state is represented by one plant community phase. Blue grama has become the dominant species.The loss of dominant and subdominant structural/functional groups reduces the biodiversity and productivity.
Species diversity and production have been significantly decreased due to the major reduction of mid- and tallgrass species and key shrubs. Energy flow, water cycle, and mineral cycle have been negatively affected. Litter levels are very low and unevenly distributed. Soil erosion may be a concern on steeper slopes and exposed areas.
Submodel
Description
Most of the more palatable plants have been replaced by less palatable plants, and bare ground has increased.
Soil erosion has increased and may be severe on the steeper slopes. This state is characterized by an impairment of all ecological functions.
Submodel
Description
The tree canopy has increased significantly in this state. It is characterized by an altered hydrologic cycle as well as the landscape appearance. In higher canopy cover situations, the soil erosion increases. The water cycle is significantly altered under dense canopies. Infiltration is reduced because of interception of rainfall by the canopy. Runoff may or may not increase depending on the condition of the herbaceous component.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods and lack of fire shift this state across an ecological threshold to the Blue Grama Dominant State.
Mechanism
Lack of fire shifts the Reference State across an ecological threshold to the Oneseed Juniper State.
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing that allows adequate recovery opportunity between grazing events, proper stocking rate, and prescribed fire move this state to the Reference State. This transition may take upwards of 40 years or more to achieve.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous grazing without adequate recovery opportunity between grazing events and lack of fire will shift this state across an ecological threshold toward the Eroded State.
Mechanism
Lack of fire moves this state across an ecological threshold to the Oneseed Juniper State.
Mechanism
Brush management, prescribed fire, and prescribed grazing with adequate recovery periods between grazing events moves this state back to the Reference State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Brush management, prescribed fire, and prescribed grazing with adequate recovery opportunity between grazing events moves this state back to the Blue Grama Dominant State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
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.