Sandy Loam 16-22" PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Restoration pathway R2B
Adequate rest from defoliation, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This is the reference state for the site.
Midgrass/Shortgrass/Tallgrass Community (1.1) where midgrasses tend to dominate over most of the site with sideoats grama being the overall dominant species, lesser amounts of vine mesquite, Arizona cottontop, plains bristlegrass, and other midgrasses, The dominant tallgrass is little bluestem with lesser amounts of Indiangrass and sand bluestem. In areas where tighter soils occur, the shortgrasses include blue grama and buffalograss. Typically associated forbs included dotted gayfeather, prairie clover, catclaw sensitivebriar, and other desirable forbs. Woody species include sand sagebrush, yucca, and catclaw mimosa.
If excessive grazing pressure continues, ecological retrogression occurs. The tendency of this site is to become a shortgrass dominant; sideoats grama and little bluestem will give way to blue grama. There will be an increase in perennial and annual forbs, with increasing amounts of yucca and sand sagebrush. The decrease in density and stature of the midgrasses and tallgrasses and an increase in shortgrasses and the density of the yucca and woody vegetation brings about a new plant community, the Shortgrass/Midgrass/Forb/Shrub Community (1.2).
Submodel
Description
Shortgrasses such as blue grama remain in low vigor. Increase in grasses such as low production perennial three-awns. Shrubs are reaching greater than 40 percent canopy cover of sand sagebrush and yucca. There is also increased production of annuals and an increase in percentage of bare ground.
Submodel
Mechanism
Restoration of Degraded Grassland State (2.1) to the Midgrass/Shortgrass Dominant Community (1.1) will require prescribed grazing with rest periods during the growing season, re-seeding bare areas with adapted native grass species, and chemical and/or mechanical brush management and some form of pest management. With the reduced amounts of grass fuel, prescribed burning is usually not an option in this phase.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Brush Management |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Range Planting |
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
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.