Tight Sandy Loam 29-33" PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A 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
Select a state
State 1
Tallgrass/Oak Savannah State - Reference
Description
The interpretive plant community for this site is the reference plant community. This site is a Tallgrass/Oak Savannah. The community is dominated by warm-season perennial tallgrasses with post oak. The major perennial grass species are well dispersed through the community. Perennial forbs and shrubs are well represented throughout the community. Annual production ranges from 2090 to 4240 pounds per acre.
The Tallgrass/Shrubland Transition Community occurs when post oak starts regeneration and the tallgrasses will start to disappear from the plant community. Invader brush (mesquite, juniper, yaupon, etc) appears and becomes established. Cedar elm, bumelia, and hackberry also start to increase. Texas wintergrass increases as brush canopy increases. The plant community consists of about a 20 percent canopy of mature postoak with an understory canopy of shrubs and young postoak. Annual production ranges from 2010 to 4230 pounds per acre.
Submodel
State 2
Oak Shrubland State
Description
The Oak/Shrubland Transition Community (2.1) consists of 50 to 80% canopy of woody plants. As the Shrubland Community ages post oak matures and the invader species increase. As the Oak/Shrubland Community (2.1) ages, post oak matures and the invader species increase. Warm-season grasses such as little bluestem and Indiangrass have all but disappeared. In this stage of transition some little bluestem may be present; however, as brush canopy increases, Texas wintergrass, three-awns, and annuals continue to increase. Where erosion has occurred or cropland (3.1) has been abandoned mesquite may dominate the site. Annual production ranges from 1425 to 4900 pounds per acre.
Oak/Woodland Community is a closed overstory (greater than 80% canopy) woodland dominated by post oak. There are woody vines and understory shrub species present. Annual production ranges from 2025 to 4175 pounds per acre.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of the Tallgrass/Oak Savannah (1.1) to Converted Land (3.1) (mainly for cotton production) occurred from first settlement by European settlers during the middle 1800’s and continued until early 1900’s. Some acres remain in cropland today. The early cropping with little reguard for erosion control leads to severe erosion. Erosion changes fertility, soil structure and moisture holding capacity of the soil. In recent years if cropping is abandoned the land is usually planted to introduced grass and managed as pastureland. Refer to cropland capability classes for production potentials and limitations.
This site is often planted to introduced grasses following crop production or brush control. These grasses are planted mostly for livestock grazing and some hay production. Typical species planted include bermudagrass varieties and yellow bluestems. These species may become invasive and once established they are difficult to remove and hinders the establishment of native species. Refer to pastureland suitability groups for species suitability, production potentials and limitations.
Submodel
Description
With continued absence of added fertility the plant community will continue change toward a brushy condition. The shrubs will continue to thicken to 20-40% woody canopy especially mesquite and as the brush ages the historic hardwoods start to appear. The grass changes toward more perennials, where the fertility is especially low quality splitbeard bluestem (Andropogon ternarius) appears and may dominate the grasses.
Submodel
Mechanism
The Tallgrass/Oak Savannah State will transition into the Oak Shrubland State through the use of heavy continuous grazing, no fires, and idled land condition.
Mechanism
Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management, Range Planting, and Prescribed Burning are various conservation practices used in order to restore from an Oak/Shrubland State to the Tallgrass/Oak Savannah 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 |
Mechanism
With the implementation of various conservation practices such as Pasture Planting, Crop Cultivation, Pest Management, and Nutrient Management, the Oak/Shrubland State will transition into the Converted Land State.
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.