Wet Saline 16-21" 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, introduction of non-native species, and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes
More details -
Transition T2A
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy/non-native species
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The soils, topographic location, climate, periodic droughts, declining water tables, and fire influenced the Reference Plant Community for this site. The Midgrass/Shortgrass Community (1.1) is a combination of mid and shortgrasses with a few salt tolerant forbs and shrubs. Tallgrasses occur in isolated areas where the environment was more hospitable. Grasses make up approximately 80 percent of the total vegetation while forbs and shrubs make up approximately 20 percent. The dominant grass species are alkali sacaton with lesser amounts of inland saltgrass, creeping muhly, whorled dropseed, alkali muhly, and meadow dropseed. The principal forbs are salt tolerant annuals. Principal shrubs included four-wing saltbush and willow baccharis. No trees are present on the site. Bare ground occurs on 40-50% of the surface area with visible salt particles on the soil surface.
Submodel
Description
Inland saltgrass, muhly species and annuals are replacing the alkali sacaton. There are increasing amounts of woody species such as willow baccharis and salt cedar present in this community. Bare areas are white due to salt particles percolating to the surface.
Submodel
Mechanism
In cases where domestic livestock are continually forced to overgraze the unpalatable vegetation on this site along with no fire regime and no brush management practices, ecological retrogression can occur. As retrogression proceeds, this site will move towards a Shrub/Shortgrass/Annuals Community (2.1) from the Midgrass/Shortgrass Community.
Mechanism
With Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management, and Prescribed Burning conservation practices, the Shrub/Shortgrass/Annuals Community can be able to be restored to the Midgrass/Shortgrass Community.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Brush Management |
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Prescribed Burning |
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Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
With Heavy Continuous Grazing, No Fire, Brush Invasion, No Brush Management, Infrequent Flooding (five to twenty year intervals), and water table decline, the Shrub/Shortgrass/Annuals Community will be shifted to the Shrub Dominant Community.
Mechanism
Restoration of the Shrub Dominant Community (3.1) to the Shrub/Shortgrass/Annuals Community (2.1) requires extensive brush management, re-seeding, and prescribed grazing. Soil amendments and cultivation may be necessary under severe conditions.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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Prescribed Burning |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Range Planting |
Model keys
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