Sandy
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Transition T1D More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T2C More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Restoration pathway R3B More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
- Restoration pathway R4B More details
- Restoration pathway R4C More details
- Transition R4D More details
- Restoration pathway T5A 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 Reference State describes the range of vegetative communities that occur on the Sandy site where the range of natural variability under historic conditions and disturbance regimes is mostly intact.
The Reference Community is a representation of the native plant community that occupies a site that has been minimally altered by management and that was historically maintained by frequent fire and herbivory (grazing) with adequate recovery periods. The Degraded Native Grass, At-Risk Native Grass, and Excessive Litter Communities are the phases that result from management decisions that are unfavorable for a Reference Community.
High perennial grass cover and production facilitates increased soil moisture retention, high infiltration rates, plant vigor, and overall soil quality.
Submodel
Description
This state consists of one plant community that has deteriorated from the Reference State and is dominated by warm-season shortgrasses and cool-season grasses. It may be invaded by introduced species such as smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass. The loss of native warm-season tall- and midgrasses and functional groups results in increased bare soil. This ultimately reduces forage productivity, soil moisture retention, organic matter, and plant vigor.
Submodel
Description
This state includes two community phases that have very little plant cover, few native warm or cool-season grasses and few perennial forbs. The vegetation that is present consists of pioneer species. The majority of the plants are annual forbs with a lesser amount of short-lived perennial species. Erosion has occurred and may still be occurring. There is very little plant cover, little forage production and poor soil quality.
Submodel
Description
This state includes one plant community that has been invaded by eastern redcedar. The woody species are present due to lack of prescribed fire and brush management. The sites typically have a loss of native warm-season grasses, reduced forage production and reduced soil quality.
Submodel
Description
The Sodbusted State is a result of mechanical disturbance to facilitate production agriculture. If farming operations are suspended, the site can be abandoned or seeded to a perennial grass mixture. When tilled and abandoned the Natural Reclamation Community will result. When seeded the resulting community will be either the Reseeded Native Grass Community or the Seeded Pasture Community depending upon the type of seeding implemented.
Permanent alterations of soils and hydrology make restoration to the Reference State extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy grazing and inadequate rest periods can convert this plant state to the Native/Invaded Grass State. Continuous heavy grazing tends to accelerate this movement.
Mechanism
Heavy grazing, prolonged drought, and soil disturbance can cause the site to transition from the Reference State to Erosion State.
Mechanism
Encroachment from lack of disturbance and disruption of the fire regime causes a transition from the Reference State to the Invaded Woody State.
Mechanism
Tillage followed by abandonment of cropping causes a transition from the Reference State to the Sodbusted State.
Mechanism
With long-term prescribed grazing and adequate recovery periods, this plant community will move through the successional stages leading to the Reference State. This change will require a long period of time and may be difficult to attain if the grama sod is extensive.
Mechanism
Heavy grazing, wildfires, and other disturbance causes transition from Native/Invaded Grass State to Erosion State.
Mechanism
Encroachment of eastern redcedar due to lack of disturbance and the disruption of the fire regime causes a transition from the Native/Invaded Grass State to the Invaded Woody State.
Mechanism
Tillage and abandonment of cropping causes transition from the Native/Invaded Grass State to the Sodbusted State
Mechanism
Under long-term prescribed grazing, including adequate rest periods, succession will progress leading to the Reference State. The slope, aspect, size, and relative abundance of perennial plants will influence the rate that change will occur.
Mechanism
Under long-term prescribed grazing, including adequate rest periods, succession will progress returning the site to the Native/Invaded Grass State. The slope, aspect, size, and relative abundance of perennial plants will influence the rate that change will occur.
Mechanism
Encroachment of eastern redcedar due to lack of mechanical disturbance and the disruption of the fire regime converts the Erosion State to the Invaded Woody State.
Mechanism
Adequate management that includes prescribed burning, brush management and prescribed grazing can restore this state to the previous state.
Mechanism
Adequate management that includes prescribed burning, brush management, and prescribed grazing can restore this state to the previous state.
Mechanism
Adequate management that includes prescribed burning, brush management and prescribed grazing can restore this state to the previous state.
Mechanism
Adequate management that includes prescribed burning, brush management and prescribed grazing can restore this state to the previous state.
Model keys
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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.