Loess Breaks
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
- Restoration pathway R4B More details
- Restoration pathway R4C More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The state contains four community phases that were historically maintained by frequesnt fire and herbivory (grazing) with adequate recovery periods. The amount of grazing varied with the slopes. Areas with slopes steeper than 45 percent were rarely grazed. High perennial grass cover and production facilitates increased soil moisture retention, high infiltration rates, plant vigor and overall soil quality.
Submodel
Description
A state that has deteriorated in quality from the reference community and has is now dominated by native and invaded species not ideal to the area.
Submodel
Description
State contains poor rangeland that has been severely deteriorated from overgrazing and misuse. Weedy annuals have replaced the desirable species. Ground cover is reduced and the system becomes more vulnerable to soil erosion.
Submodel
Mechanism
Continuous season-long grazing without adequate recovery periods during the growing season will cause this plant community to lose all tall and mixed grass species and cross ecological threshold to the Native/Invaded Grass State. Once this occurs it will require considerable time (more than 30 years) and expense to return this site to a higher condition. Water infiltration will be reduced due to the root mass present of the blue grama and Kentucky bluegrass sod.
Mechanism
No-fire or Non-use by browsing animals will convert this to an Invaded Woody State. Brush management, prescribed grazing, harvesting, prescribed burning or wildfire will maintain the plant community.
Mechanism
Long-Term Prescribed Grazing will shift the Native/ Invaded State to the Reference State. A shift to this community may take decades to achieve.
Mechanism
Continuous season-long grazing without adequate recovery periods during the growing season will shift the Native/Invaded Grass State to the Degraded State. This state has a significant risk of soil erosion. The percent and aspect of slope will impact the rate of change.
Mechanism
No-fire or Non-use by browsing animals will convert this and Any Plant Community to a Red Cedar/Brush Encroachment community. Brush management, prescribed grazing, harvesting, prescribed burning or wildfire will maintain the plant community
Mechanism
No-fire or no livestock grazing will convert the Degraded State to the Invaded Woody State. Brush management, prescribed grazing, harvesting, prescribed burning or wildfire will maintain the plant community
Mechanism
Brush management, prescribed grazing, harvesting, prescribed burning or wildfire will eventually cause the Invaded Woody State to shift back to the Reference State.
Mechanism
Brush management, prescribed grazing, harvesting, prescribed burning or wildfire will eventually cause the Invaded Woody State to shift back to the Native/ Invaded Grass 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.