Sandy Upland Prairie
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3C 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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Description
As a dry upland sand prairie, this state has a reference plant community which is categorized as upland prairie and includes grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Species composition is typically Schizachyrium scoparium, Asclepias verticillata, Euphorbia corollata, Liatris aspera, Lithospermum canescens, Solidago nemoralis, Danthonia spicata, Carex pensylvanica, Viola pedata, Koeleria macrantha, Hesperostipa spartea, Bouteloua hirsuta, Ambrosia psilostachya, Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium, Packera plattensis, and Tephrosia virginiana.
Extended periods with no fire and no grazing can cause this state to shift into a shrub-prairie (Figure 3). Shrubs include multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Rubus allegheniensis, and Vitis riparia. Conversely, grazing and browsing accompanied by frequent or high-intensity fires can ultimately shift this phase back towards the reference community (Mutel, 2008).
Submodel
Description
This state is the most common. Tillage, seeding, and herbicide have destroyed all of the original prairie. Corn and soybeans are the principal crops. Variation in management within this state creates a wide range of soil properties and can be detrimental to the environment. Reduced tillage or no tillage, alternative crops, and crop rotations will shift this state to another and improve these soil properties.
Submodel
Description
A native reference state transformed into a cool season pasture due to a suppression of fire and heavy grazing by livestock. Very little inputs to the original reference state make this state a possibility for restoration to the reference state. This path would need prescribed fire, grazing, and a reduction of cool season grasses by using a selective herbicide. With a combination of inputs of non- selective herbicide and inter-seeding, the semi-native pasture transitions to a non-native pasture. Continual management is required to prevent invasion of shrubs. This can occur if the site is overgrazed and seeding and herbicide are discontinued.
Submodel
Description
Abandonment of the shrub invaded pasture for 20 or more years will result in a woody invaded forest consisting of larger DBH honey locust and red cedar. At this state a significant amount of input and resources would be required to reverse the invaded woody species (Woodland Health, 2004).
Submodel
Description
Prairie reconstruction is accomplished through site preparation, herbicide, brush management seeding and tillage. Careful management and planting/seeding of forbs or natural propagation will further develop this from an early successional ruderal prairie to a late successional prairie.
Submodel
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.