Shallow Savannah
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
No brush management, No fire
More details -
Transition T1B
Chemical brush management, Prescribed burning
More details -
Transition T1C
Soil erosion
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Selective thinning, Prescribed burning
More details -
Transition T2A
Chemical brush management, Prescribed burning
More details -
Transition T2B
Soil erosion
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Prescribed burning 4+ year interval, Prescribed grazing
More details -
Transition T3A
No fire, No brush management
More details -
Transition T3B
Soil erosion
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This ecological state consists of native grasses and forbs with an overstory of oak trees. The average canopy coverage of tree species ranges from 20-40%.
Characteristics and indicators
The average canopy coverage of tree species ranges from 20-40%.
Resilience management
Without periodic fire or alternative brush management, woody species may continue to encroach and eventually dominate the site.
Submodel
Description
This vegetative state is composed of an overstory of trees and shrubs that will slowly eliminate most herbaceous vegetation from the plant community if left unchecked.
Characteristics and indicators
The major species are post oak and black jack oak with elm, hackberry and eastern redcedar.
Resilience management
There is a high potential for encroachment by eastern redcedar in this ecological state if proper management is not applied.
Submodel
Description
In this state, the shallow savannah has been transitioned to an open grassland dominated by tallgrasses and forbs.
Resilience management
Without management, this state may return to a savannah state within a short time. It is important to note that maintaining this state will require significant inputs.
Submodel
Description
This state is the result of water erosion over bare soil. Most of the "A" horizon of the soil profile has been displaced. The remaining subsoil is very low in fertility. Some native grasses and forbs will persist in this state, however, production is greatly reduced. The return of soil properties to reference condition may not be
achievable, post cultivation. Range planting can be used to establish reference vegetation, however, this restoration effort may take many years.
Mechanism
In the absence of fire or brush management, this savannah state will transition to a woodland state of tree/shrub dominance.
Mechanism
Through intensive chemical brush management, the savannah state may be transitioned to a grassland state dominated by tallgrasses or midgrasses with very few trees and shrubs. It is important to note that maintaining this state will require significant inputs.
Mechanism
If this ecological site is subjected to soil disturbances such as land clearing, ripping, or plowing that leave large amounts of exposed soil, the site may become very susceptible to water erosion. Once the "A" horizon has been displace through erosion, this site has transitioned to an Eroded Sate.
Mechanism
Implementing a brush management plan that includes mechanical thinning and the use of prescribed fire can restore the woodland state to an open canopy savannah state.
Mechanism
Through intensive chemical brush management, the woodland state may be transitioned to a grassland state dominated by tallgrasses or midgrasses with very few trees and shrubs. It is important to note that maintaining this state will require significant inputs.
Mechanism
If this ecological site is subjected to soil disturbances such as land clearing, ripping, or plowing that leave large amounts of exposed soil, the site may become very susceptible to water erosion. Once the "A" horizon has been displace through erosion, this site has transitioned to an Eroded Sate.
Mechanism
This state may be restored to the savannah state with the exclusion of chemical brush management. However, a prescribed fire program must be imoplemented to control resprouting woody species and maintain an open savannah canopy. Otherwise, the site could transition to the woody dominated state.
Mechanism
In the absence of fire or brush management, this grassland state will transition to a woodland state of tree/shrub dominance.
Mechanism
If this ecological site is subjected to soil disturbances such as land clearing, ripping, or plowing that leave large amounts of exposed soil, the site may become very susceptible to water erosion. Once the "A" horizon has been displace through erosion, this site has transitioned to an Eroded Sate.
Model keys
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase (
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
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.