Low Stony Hill 26-33" PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
State 1
Savanna State - Reference
Description
The reference plant community for the Low Stony Hill ecological site is Tallgrass/Midgrass/Oak Savanna Community. In reference conditions, the site is dominated by little bluestem, big bluestem, and Indiangrass with minor amounts of switchgrass, and a significant community of warm-season midgrasses. An abundant variety of forbs occurs on this site. Trees and shrubs are a very important component of the historic plant community. Annual production ranges from 2000 to 4000 pounds per acre.
In the Midgrass/Oak/Shrub Savanna Community, the plant community changed from a tallgrass dominant to a midgrass dominant. Little bluestem and other tallgrasses are still present on the site, but sideoats grama, dropseeds, hairy grama, tridens, cane and silver bluestem, and Texas wintergrass become the dominant grasses. The density and canopy of trees and shrubs begin to increase as shrubs begin to encroach from adjacent areas. There is still a sufficient population of little bluestem and tallgrasses remaining to enable this site to recover to near its historic potential through proper grazing management and prescribed burning. Annual production ranges from 1600 to 3200 pounds per acre.
Submodel
Description
In the Oak/Juniper Shrubland Community, tree canopy and shrub density increase dramatically. There is an increase in woody species such as oaks, elms, hackberry, shrubs, and juniper. There is still a fairly good grass and forb community, but herbaceous vegetation production decreases significantly as it is displaced by shrubs. Annual production ranges from 1400 to 2400 pounds per acre.
Submodel
Description
The Juniper Woodland Community is noted for the development of a dense, almost impenetrable canopy of Ashe juniper and other woody species, a dense shrub midstory, and a sparse herbaceous understory of shortgrasses, annual grasses, sedges, and annual forbs. Annual production ranges from 700 to 1200 pounds per acre.
Submodel
Description
The Converted Land Community has been cultivated for cropland or pastureland purposes. Small grain or forage sorghum may be cropped. Permanent native and introduce pasture may also be planted. Sometimes the community may be abandoned and let “go back” to native species encroached by woody species.
Submodel
Mechanism
With abusive grazing, no fires, and no brush management, the Savanna State will transition into the Shrubland State.
Mechanism
With Seedbed Preparation, Range Planting, Pasture Planting, and Encroachment/Invasion of King Ranch bluestem, the Savanna State will transition into the Converted Land State.
Mechanism
The restoration occurs from the Shrubland State to the Savanna State by the use of various conservation practices including Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, Brush Management, and Range Planting.
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 |
Mechanism
The transition from the Shrubland State to the Woodland State occurs due to continuation of abusive grazing pressure, no fires, and no brush management practices.
Mechanism
The transition from the Shrubland State to the Converted Land State occurs due to the application of Brush Management, Seedbed preparation, Range Planting, and Encroachment/Invasion of King Ranch bluestem.
Mechanism
To restore from the Woodland State to the Shrubland State, the following conservation practices are required: Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, Brush Management, and Range Planting.
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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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.