Sandy Loam
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
- 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
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State 2
Mixed Brush Complex
Submodel
Mechanism
The transition from the Grassland State (1) to the Mixed Brush Complex (2) is relatively slow, in part because of low rainfall received in this area. This phase can be stable for more than 15 years before brush species are able to establish. As bare ground increases and competition from grasses decrease, woody plants have a chance to germinate.
Mechanism
Land managers may want to utilize this ecological site as pastureland. After the land has been cleared and an appropriate seedbed prepared, the land can be planted to introduced grasses for pasture.
Mechanism
Land managers may want to restore back to the Grassland State. Once in the Mixed Brush Complex (2), mechanical or chemical brush control will be necessary to make the transition. The restoration process is heavily dependent on favorable weather and patience. Land managers can plant native seed to speed up restoration efforts, or can rely on native seed that is already in the soil. Grazing pressure on restoration sites should be deferred for a minimum of one growing season, but it is often necessary to defer livestock grazing completely or carefully graze for years before the desired plant community can develop.
Mechanism
Land managers may want to utilize this ecological site as pastureland. Once in the Mixed Brush Complex (2), mechanical brush control will be necessary. Many species of brush on this ecological site are capable of re-sprouting after top removal; which is an important factor to consider when deciding how to clear the land to plant pasture. After the land has been cleared and an appropriate seedbed prepared, the land can be planted to grasses for pasture.
Mechanism
The transition from the Converted Land State (3) to the Grassland State (1) will take time and patience. In the Planted Pasture (3.1), if practices such as fertilizer application and weed control are stopped, prescribed grazing is applied, woody seedlings are managed, and prescribed burning is applied, this ecological site will begin the restoration back to the Grassland State (1. Introduced grass species are very resilient and competitive. They can maintain dominance in a pasture for a very long time after they are planted even without careful management. In these cases, management practices such as disking or applying herbicide to kill or suppress introduced species will be necessary. This transition may occur very slowly because introduced grasses will remain competitive and will probably always be present. This transition may also require brush management practices and the re-introduction of desirable native species through range planting.
Mechanism
If the Go Back Land Community (3.2) is left alone, eventually the woody plants will create a moderate to heavy canopy. At this point, the desired understory grasses, forbs, and/or crops will be shaded out and the site will transition into a Mixed Brush Complex (2).
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.