Sand Hills 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 -
Restoration pathway R2A
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 -
Transition T2B
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, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes
More details -
Restoration pathway R4A
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
State 1
Grassland/Shrubland State
Description
Tallgrass/Shrubs community (1.1) is the reference plant community for the Sand Hills ecological site. Approximately 60% grass, 30% shrub, and 10% forbs makes up the annual production. Good production and diversity of tallgrasses, perennial forbs and woody shrubs for this site.
The Shrub/Tallgrass Community (1.2) has experienced increasing shrub canopy and declining amounts of grasses. Species composition is approximately 45% tallgrasses, 45% shrubs, and 10% forbs. Annual production and diversity of tallgrasses, forbs and shrubs for this site is good.
Submodel
Description
The Shrub/Midgrass Community is a shrub dominated community with increasing amounts of midgrasses and decreased presence of tallgrasses. The site is stable but diversity is limited. Dominant shrub species is sand shinnery oak and sand sagebrush. Midgrasses present include sideoats grama, sand lovegrass and sand paspalum. A limited forb population is expected for this plant community.
Submodel
Description
The Shrub Dominant Community is dominated by shrubs along with some annual and perennial forbs. There are a few perennial grasses are present in this community.
Submodel
Mechanism
With Heavy Continuous Grazing, No Brush Management, and no fires, the Grassland/Shrubland State will transition into the Shrubland/Grassland State.
Mechanism
With the implementation of various conservation practices including Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management, and Prescribed Burning, the Shrubland/Grassland State can be restored back into the Grassland/Shrubland State.
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 brush management, no fires, and brush invasion, the Shrubland/Grassland State will transition into the Shrubland State.
Mechanism
With heavy continuous grazing, no brush management, no pest management, and no fires, the Shrubland/Grassland State will transition into the Annual Forbs/Shrub State.
Mechanism
With Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management, and Pest Management inputs, the Shrubland State can be restored back to the Shrubland/Grassland State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
Mechanism
With the application of various conservation practices including Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, and Pest Management, the Annual Forbs/Shrub State can be restored back to the Shrubland/Grassland State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
|
|
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
Model keys
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