Shallow Limy
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T 1-2 More details
- Transition T 1-3 More details
- Restoration pathway R 2-1 More details
- Transition T 2-3 More details
- Restoration pathway R 3-1,2 More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
This state describes the range of vegetative community phases that occur on the Shallow Limy site where the natural processes are mostly intact.
The Reference Community is a representation of the native plant community phase that occupies a site that has been minimally altered by management. The At-Risk Native Grass and the Excessive Litter Communities are the phases that result from management decisions that are unfavorable for a healthy Reference Community.
High perennial grass cover and production allows for increased soil moisture retention, vegetative production and overall soil quality.
Submodel
Description
This state has been degraded from the Reference state and much of the native warm season grass community has been replaced by less desirable plants. The loss of tall and mid warm season grasses has negatively impacted energy flow and nutrient cycling. Water infiltration is reduced due to the shallow root system and rapid runoff characteristics of the grazing-evasive plant communities.
The Native Evaders/Invasives and the Smooth Bromegrass communities are the components of the Native/Invaded Grass State.
Submodel
Description
Once the tree canopy cover reaches 15 percent with an average tree height exceeding 5 feet, the threshold is crossed to the Invaded Woody State. The primary coniferous interloper is Eastern redcedar.
Typical ecological impacts are a loss of native warm season grasses, degraded forage productivity and reduced soil quality.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy grazing without adequate recovery periods will cause this state to lose a significant proportion of tall and mid- warm-season grass species and cross a threshold to the Native/Invaded State. Water infiltration and other hydrologic functions will be reduced due to the root-matting presence of sod-forming grasses. With the decline and loss of deeper penetrating root systems, soil structure and biological integrity are catastrophically degraded to the point that recovery is unlikely. Once this occurs, it is highly unlikely that grazing management alone will return the community to the Reference State.
Mechanism
Disruption of the natural fire regime and the planting of invasive exotic and native woody species can cause this state to shift to the Invaded Woody State.
Mechanism
Restoration from the Native Evaded/Invasives State to the Reference State is achieved by shifting grazing pressure to the growth period for the cool-season grasses, and providing growing season rest for the desired warm season species. Prescribed fire timed to improve native warm season grasses will accelerate this process. Use of burn down herbicides in the early spring and late fall when native warm season grasses are dormant can also be beneficial. A management plan including appropriate prescribed grazing and prescribed fire will maintain the restored community.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Prescribed Burning |
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Access Control |
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
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Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Disruption of the natural fire regime and the planting of invasive exotic and native woody species all contribute to shifting this state to the Invaded Woody State.
Mechanism
Prescribed burning, wildfire, harvest, and brush management will move this plant community toward one of the herbaceous plant dominated plant communities. The forb component of a site with heavy tree density or canopy cover will initially increase following tree removal through mechanical brush management treatments and prescribed fire.
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.