Clayey Upland 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
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
State 1
Mid/Shortgrass State - Reference
Description
The reference plant community for the Clayey Upland ecological site is a Mid/Shortgrass Prairie Communitywith minor amounts of cool-season grasses. The site is dominated by midgrasses such as sideoats grama vine-mesquite, Arizona cottontop, and Texas wintergrass. Shortgrasses such as buffalograss and curlymesquite are significant in this plant community. Cool-season grasses such as western wheatgrass and Texas bluegrass are a minor, but important, part of the plant community. This site has relatively few perennial forbs. Shrubs and trees make up an insignificant part of the historic plant community. Scattered hackberry trees, bumelia, lotebush, and ephedra may occur. Annual production ranges from 2200 to 4200 pounds per acre.
The Short/Midgrass Community (1.2) is noted by the decline of sideoats grama and vine mesquite. Shortgrasses such as buffalograss, curlymesquite, and Texas grama begin to dominate the site. Texas wintergrass becomes the dominant midgrass. More annual grasses and forbs appear on the site. Shrubs begin to invade from adjacent sites and the shrub canopy begins to gradually increase. Annual production ranges from 1800 to 3400 pounds per acre.
The Shortgrass/Forb Community (1.3) is composed of shortgrasses continuing to dominate the site, and annual forbs and grasses increase dramatically. A few individual plants of midgrasses remain in isolated areas. Shrubs become well established. Annual production ranges from 1200 to 2400 pounds per acre.
Submodel
Description
In the Shrubland Community, mesquite canopy may be as high as 30 to 40%. Lotebush is found throughout the site and pricklypear and tasajillo populations increase significantly. Annual forbs such as broomweed are abundant. Herbaceous vegetation is dominated by shortgrasses. Areas of bare ground occur frequently.
Submodel
Description
The Converted Land State is often used because of the deep soil, level terrain, and the lack of trees and shrubs. This allowed a large percentage of this site to be plowed up and converted to cropland or planted to monocultures of introduced grasses. Cropland is mostly small grains or cotton. Introduced grasses used on this site are primarily bermudagrass, Kleingrass, and K.R. bluestem.
Submodel
Mechanism
With abusive grazing pressure, no fires, and no brush management, the Mid/Shortgrass State transitions into the Shrubland State.
Mechanism
With Brush Management, Pasture Planting, Range Planting, and Crop Cultivation, the Mid/Shortgrass State will transition into the Converted Land State.
Mechanism
With the implementation of various conservation practices such as Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, Brush Management, and Range Planting, the Shrubland State can be restored to the Mid/Shortgrass 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 |
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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.