Shallow Sandstone 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 -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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State 1
Mixed-grass/Shrubland State
Description
The interpretive or "reference" plant community for the Tall/Midgrass/Shrubs Community (1.1) is a balanced mixture of tallgrasses such as little bluestem and sand bluestem; midgrasses such as sideoats grama and a few shortgrasses such as blue grama, buffalograss, and hairy grama. There is also a variety of perennial forbs including dotted gayfeather, plains blackfoot daisy, heath aster, western ragweed, gaura, and catclaw sensitivebriar. There are also scattered short woody shrubs in this community including feather dalea, skunkbush sumac, and vine ephedra. A few scattered redberry juniper, mesquite, and hackberry trees also occur.
The Mid/Tallgrass/Shrubs Community (1.2) occurs when tallgrasses such as little bluestem and sand bluestem decrease and midgrasses such as sideoats grama, sand dropseed, and silver bluestem dominate. There is an increase in perennial three-awns. Some low growing shrubs such as feather dalea, pricklypear, elbowbush, and yucca also occur. Redberry juniper increases to ten to fifteen percent woody canopy.
Submodel
Description
The Short/Midgrass/Shrubs Community (2.1) occurs when little and sand bluestem decrease significantly, allowing midgrasses such as perennial three-awn, silver bluestem, and slim tridens to increase. Sideoats grama decreases in dominance and vigor. Shortgrasses such as buffalograss, hairy grama, and hairy tridens increase in density. Climax forbs decrease in frequency and diversity. Woody shrubs such as feather dalea, elbowbush and skunkbush sumac increase. Redberry juniper increases to 20% woody canopy.
Submodel
Description
The Shrubs/Shortgrass Community (3.1) occurs when tallgrasses and midgrasses decrease to the extent that shortgrasses such as hairy grama, hairy tridens, and buffalograss dominate. Forbs decrease in abundance, contributing to increased bare ground, accelerated soil erosion and an increase of juniper more than 25% canopy. Broom snakeweed may increase, further deteriorating the ecology of the site.
Submodel
Mechanism
With Heavy Continuous Grazing, No Fires, and No Brush Management, the Mixed-grass/Shrubland State can transition into the Shortgrass/Shrubland State.
Mechanism
With Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management and Prescribed Burning conservation practices, the Shortgrass/Shrubland State can be restored back to the Mixed-grass/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 |
Model keys
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Ecological sites
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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.