Sandy Loam
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
Excessive soil disturbance followed by seeding improved forage species
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Reintroduction of historic disturbance return intervals
More details -
Transition T2A
Excessive soil disturbance followed by seeding improved forage species
More details -
Transition T3A
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time coupled with excessive grazing pressure
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Grassland State consists of approximately 85 percent grasses, 10 percent woody plants, and 5 percent forbs composition by air-dry weight. For interpretive purposes, the woody crown canopy can be approximately 20 percent. Two community phases exist, the Midgrass Community and the Shortgrass Community. Stocking rate calculations should be made from actual field data taken under current conditions. Plant production estimates below are only provided for comparison between sites and other informational purposes.
Submodel
State 2
Chaparral Shrubland
Description
The Chaparral Shrubland State consists of the 2.1 Shrubland Community and the 2.2 Woodland Community. These are midgrass and shortgrass communities with a shrub/tree canopy of mixed brush with some herbaceous plants throughout the remaining interspaces.
Submodel
Mechanism
The Grassland State will cross a threshold to Chaparral Shrubland (State 2) with abusive grazing with no brush management and subsequently no fire. Severe drought is also a significant factor to accelerate this crossing of a threshold. In State 2 more rainfall is being utilized by woody plants. Because of the increased canopy, sunlight is being captured by the woody plant and converted to energy instead of the herbaceous plants.
Mechanism
The transition to the Converted Land State is triggered by major ground disturbing mechanical treatment and planting to native or introduced forages (usually following brush management).
Mechanism
If the management goal is to restore to State 1, significant inputs of energy will be needed. An integrated approach to brush management (Scifres et al., 1985) with mechanical treatment, herbicides, and fire will initially reduce the woody species providing opportunity for at least partial recovery of the hydrologic cycle and the energy cycle. Seeding may be needed and can be done in conjunction with ground disturbance methods of brush management.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
The transition to the Converted Land State is triggered by major ground disturbing mechanical treatment and planting to native or introduced forages (usually following brush management).
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.