Loamy Upland 19-26" PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Adequate rest from defoliation, 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 -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Tallgrass Dominant Community for the Loamy Upland ecological site is primarily composed of tallgrasses. Little bluestem with smaller amounts of sand bluestem and Indiangrass are the principal species. Midgrasses such as sideoats grama make up a smaller component of the community. There is a variety of forbs but they are overshadowed by the grasses. A few shrubs such as sand sagebrush, skunkbush, and yucca are found but are subordinate to the grasses and are not increasing. There are some isolated cottonwood, hackberry, and western soapberry trees present, mostly along the drainage ways.
The Tallgrass with Shrubs Community is still primarily tallgrasses. Little bluestem with smaller amounts of sand bluestem and Indiangrass are the principal species. Midgrasses such as sideoats grama make up a smaller component of the community. There is a variety of forbs but they are overshadowed by the grasses. Shrubs such as sand sagebrush, skunkbush and yucca are increasing significantly. There are some hardwood trees such as cottonwood, hackberry, and western soapberry trees present mostly along the drainage ways.
Submodel
Description
The Midgrass/Shortgrass Community is principally sideoats grama and blue grama with smaller amounts of little bluestem, a few perennial forbs and a few shrubs. In reference conditions it is doubtful that any mesquite would be found on the site but there are commonly a few mesquite present today, even on well managed ranges. The production is less than the tall grass community on the slopes and in the draws.
The Midgrass/Shrubs Community occurs on the sloping portion of the site and reflects some grazing pressure. Tallgrass species no longer dominate the site. Midgrasses have increased along with sand sagebrush. Production is less and trend is away from the reference community.
Submodel
Description
Degraded and low vigor shortgrasses prevail along with annual forbs and grasses. Production is very low. Even with careful management, this site will not be able to be restored to the tall and midgrass community it once supported. The site will probably be limited to short and midgrasses.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy continuous grazing, no fires, and brush invasion occurring in ten or more years will lead the transition from the Tallgrass State to Midgrass State.
Mechanism
With Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management and Prescribed Burning conservation practices implemented over a five to eight year period, the Midgrass State can be restored to the Tallgrass State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Model keys
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase (
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
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.