Clay Flat 23-31 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, coupled with excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Transition T1B
Extensive soil disturbance followed by seeding
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Reintroduction of historic disturbance return intervals
More details -
Transition T2A
Extensive soil disturbance followed by seeding
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
State 1
Grassland
Submodel
Mechanism
The changes in species composition are small initially. Unless proper grazing and prescribed burning are initiated at this stage, the invading species continue to increase in size and density. When the canopy of the woody plants becomes dense enough (25 percent) and tall enough (greater than five feet) to suppress grass growth and resist fire damage, a threshold in ecological succession is crossed. This threshold can also occur when the fine fuel load provided by grasses is too low to effectively control the brush with prescribed burning. Once this threshold is passed, the Tobosa/Mixed-grass Community (1.2) transitions into the Mesquite/Mixed-brush Shortgrass Community (2.1) a plant community state in which normal range management practices, such as proper grazing and prescribed burning, cannot reverse the trend to woody plant dominance.
Mechanism
The Grassland State can shift to the Converted Land State through the implementation of various practices such as brush management, pasture planting, range planting, and crop cultivation.
Mechanism
The Shrubland State can be reverted back to the Grassland State through the application of various conservation practices including prescribed grazing, brush management, IPT, range planting, and prescribed burning.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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|
Prescribed Burning |
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Range Planting |
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Prescribed Grazing |
Model keys
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Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
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.