Loamy Bottomland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Heavy continuous grazing, no brush management, no fire
More details -
Transition T1B
Invasion by invasive introduced species
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Transition T1C
Brush management, crop cultivation, pasture planting
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Brush management, prescribed grazing, fire
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Transition T2A
Invasion by invasive introduced species
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Transition T2B
Brush management, crop cultivation, pasture planting
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Restoration pathway R3A
Brush management, invasive species control, range planting, prescribed grazing
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Transition T3A
Brush management, crop cultivation, pasture planting
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Restoration pathway R4A
Brush management, invasive species control, range planting, prescribed grazing
More details -
Transition T4A
Invasion by invasive introduced species
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
Two communities exist in the Savannah State: the 1.1 Wildrye/Sedge Savannah Community and the 1.2 Shrub Community. Community 1.1 is characterized by tall and midgrass dominating the understory, with 20 percent woody cover by ash and elm. Community 1.2 is characterized by a an increase in shade tolerant grasses and 20 to 40 percent canopy cover of woody species.
Submodel
Description
One community exists in the Woodland State, the Ash/Elm Woodland Community. It is characterized by shade tolerant grasses and an overstory canopy of 40 to 80 percent.
Submodel
Description
One community exists in the Invasion State, the Bermudagrass/Dallisgrass Community. It is characterized by an invasion by tame pasture grasses. The invasive species may have been planted for agriculture purposes or they may have invaded from nearby pastures.
Submodel
Mechanism
The Savannah State will transition to the Woodland State when continued heavy grazing pressure, no brush management, and/or field abandonment continues. The transition is evident when woody species canopy cover exceeds 40 percent and grasses shift composition to more shade-tolerant species.
Mechanism
The Savannah State will transition to the Invasion State when continuous, yearlong heavy grazing occurs, coupled with the invasion of species like Bermudagrass and Dallisgrass.
Mechanism
The transition to the Converted State occurs when the site is plowed for planting crops or pasture. The driver for the transition is the land manager's decision to farm the site.
Mechanism
Restoration back to the Savannah State requires substantial energy inputs. Brush management and prescribed grazing will be needed to shift the community back to the reference state. Mechanical or chemical controls can be used to remove the woody overstory species back below 20 percent. Prescribed grazing may require destocking and/or deferment to manage the understory grasses back to those found in the reference community.
Mechanism
The Woodland State will transition to the Invasion State when invasion by species like Bermudagrass and Dallisgrass occur. These species will invade from nearby pastures and compete with native vegetation.
Mechanism
The transition to the Converted State occurs when the site is plowed for planting crops or pasture. The driver for the transition is the land manager's decision to farm the site.
Mechanism
Restoration back to the Savannah State requires substantial energy inputs. If woody species are present, chemical or mechanical brush management will be required. Range planting may be required if invasive species have taken over completely. Total restoration back to the reference community may not be possible due to the challenge of completely removing invasive species from the community.
Mechanism
The transition to the Converted State occurs when the site is plowed for planting crops or pasture. The driver for the transition is the land manager's decision to farm the site.
Mechanism
The restoration to State 1 can occur when the land manager ceases agronomic practices. Range planting of native species found in the reference community will be required to bring back a similar community as the State 1 plant composition. The extent of previous soil disturbances will determine how much seedbed preparation will be needed, as well as the ability to be restored. Proper grazing and brush management will be required to ensure success.
Mechanism
The Converted Land State will transition to the Invasion State when continued heavy grazing pressure, no brush management, and/or field abandonment occurs. The transition is evident when forbs, shrubs, and woody species begin to limit the production of planted crops or pasture grasses.
Model keys
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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.