Sands
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
- 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 T3A More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
- Restoration pathway R4B More details
- Restoration pathway R4C More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Restoration pathway R4D 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 State contains four community phases historically maintained by frequent fire and herbivory (grazing) with adequate recovery periods. High perennial grass cover and production facilitates increased soil moisture retention, high infiltrates rates, plant vigor, and overall soil quality.
Submodel
Description
This state consists of the Shortgrass Sod Community which has deteriorated from the Reference State and consists of warm-season shortgrasses, sedges, and cool-season grasses. It may be invaded by introduced species such as smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass. The loss of native warm-season functional groups, and increased bare soil will reduce 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
This threshold is crossed as a result of heavy sod disturbance, usually mechanical disturbance to facilitate production agriculture. If farming operations are suspended, the site can either be abandoned which will result in the Natural Reclamation Community or reseeded to a desired perennial forage mixture, which is described as the Reseeded Community.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy grazing and improper 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 all cause the transition from the Reference State to Erosion State.
Mechanism
Encroachment of eastern redcedar due to disruption of the fire regime and lack of mechanical treatment causes a transition to the Invaded Woody State.
Mechanism
The site is significantly altered by mechanical tillage to allow the site to be placed into production agriculture. The disruption of the biotic community, soils, and hydrology of the system make restoration to the Reference State unlikely.
Mechanism
With long-term prescribed grazing, including adequate recovery periods, this plant community will move to the Reference State. This change will require a long period of time and may be difficult to attain if the shortgrass sod is extensive.
Mechanism
Heavy grazing and other disturbance causes transition from Native/Invaded Grass State to Erosion State.
Mechanism
Encroachment of eastern redcedar due to disruption of the fire regime and lack of mechanical treatment causes a transition to the invaded woody state.
Mechanism
The original state is significantly altered by mechanical tillage to allow the site to be placed into production agriculture. The disruption of the biotic community, soils, and hydrology of the system make restoration to the Native/Invaded State unlikely.
Mechanism
Under long-term prescribed grazing (10+ years), 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 (10+ years), including adequate rest periods, succession will progress leading 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 disruption of the fire regime and lack of mechanical treatment causes a transition to the invaded woody state.
Mechanism
Brush management and prescribed burning will restore the site to the Reference 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
When woody species have encroached on land previously tilled and later removed from production agriculture, brush management and prescribed grazing will return the Invaded Woody State to the Sod-Busted State.
Model keys
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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.