Very Shallow 38-42 PZ
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
- Transition T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3A More details
-
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This is the reference state for the Very Shallow Upland ecological site. It represents the historic range of variability in the plant communities with the periodic disturbance of fire and grazing. It is dominated by herbaceous plants with few woody species.
The dominant grasses are sideoats grama, big bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass and little bluestem. Other grasses include Texas cupgrass, dropseeds, silver bluestem, hairy grama, blue grama and Scribner’s panicum. Dominant forbs include, western ragweed, heath aster, poppymallows and trailing ratany. Legumes include wild indigo, prairie clovers, scurfpea, and native lespedezas. Few woody species persist in reference condition but may include sumacs, sand plum, coralberry, persimmon and skunkbush. The Very Shallow site is estimated to produce between 500 – 2000 pounds of vegetative production per year in reference condition.
Midgrasses Shortgrass Forbs
Shrubs and Trees are a minor component of these sites.
Submodel
Description
This state represents a change in the dominant plant community. Shortgrasses such as buffalograss, blue grama and hairy gramma have formed a sod-like plant community. There are many areas of bare ground and opportunistic annuals such as annual threewn and common broomweed are abundant. Precipitation runoff is high and infiltration is low which leads to low soil moisture and reduced production.
Description
This state describes the invaded, woody dominated plant community of the Very Shallow site. The ecological processes are dominated by woody species including mesquite, honey locust, elm, and juniper species. Some herbaceous plants persist under the woody canopy or in interspaces. Usually, shade tolerant species like Texas wintergrass are prominent herbaceous components in this community. There may also be an increase in prickly pear in this state.
Mechanism
With years of abusive grazing, more palatable grasses and forbs will decline and lead to a shift towards a sodded shortgrass and annual dominated state.
Mechanism
These sites are prone to invasion by juniper. Without brush management, brush invasion may increase to the point where the site transitions to the Shrubland state. At this point it will take significant inputs to remove woody species and restore the grass dominated community.
Mechanism
These sites are prone to invasion by juniper. Without brush management, brush invasion may increase to the point where the site transitions to the Shrubland state. At this point it will take significant inputs to remove woody species and restore the grass dominated community.
Mechanism
At this point it will take significant inputs to remove woody species and restore the grass dominated pasture. However, it may be achieved through brush management and a prescribed grazing plan which allows ample rest for the re-establishment of grasses.
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.