Rough Breaks 19-26" 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 -
Transition T1B
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Transition T1C
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, 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
The Mixed-grasses/Shrubs Community is a mixture of woody shrubs, small trees, forbs and grasses which typifies this site. The major grasses are sideoats grama and little bluestem. Woody plants include juniper, skunkbush sumac, elbowbush, and scattered mesquite. A good variety of perennial forbs is present. Grasses and forbs make up more of the total production than do the woody shrubs on this particular site.
Submodel
Description
The Oak/Juniper State is a shrub dominant with oaks and junipers dominating the site. There are some mid and tallgrasses present. The calcareous soils influence the species composition.
Submodel
Description
The Juniper/Mesquite State has seen a dramatic increase of redberry juniper and mesquite dominating the Rough Breaks ecological site. There are still a few grass species remaining in the plant community. A few mesquite trees are present. Redberry juniper has increased over the past thirty years by at least twenty percent.
Submodel
Description
The Mesquite/Juniper/Shortgrasses Community is a mixed community of shrubs and grasses. This community is found primarily on a southwest facing slope. Shortgrasses and mesquite seem to be more acclimated to the hotter slopes.
Submodel
Mechanism
Due to heavy continuous grazing, no fires, and no brush management, the Grassland/Shrubland State will transition into the Oak/Juniper State.
Mechanism
Due to heavy continuous grazing, no fires, and no brush management, the Grassland/Shrubland State will transition into the Juniper/Mesquite State.
Mechanism
Due to heavy continuous grazing, no fires, and no brush management, the Grassland/Shrubland State will transition into the Mesquite/Juniper/Shortgrass State. This is usually found on the south-southwest aspect.
Mechanism
With the implementation of conservation practices such as Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, and Brush Management, the Oak/Juniper State can be restored back to the Grassland/Shrubland State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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Prescribed Burning |
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Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
With the implementation of conservation practices such as Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, and Brush Management, the Juniper/Mesquite State can be restored back to the Grassland/Shrubland State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
With the implementation of conservation practices such as Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, and Brush Management, the Mesquite/Juniper/Shortgrass State can be restored back to the Grassland/Shrubland State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
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.