Till Backslope Savanna
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Restoration pathway T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Restoration pathway R5A More details
- Restoration pathway T5A 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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Submodel
Description
This State is native tall grass prairie dominated by little bluestem, big bluestem and a wide variety of prairie wildflowers. This State occurs on level to gently sloping soils. In some cases, bur oak, swamp white oak, post oak, elm, American hazelnut, prairie willow and wild plum occurred in small groves or as scattered individuals across the prairie landscape.
Two phases can occur that will transition back and forth depending on fire frequencies. Longer fire free intervals will allow woody species to increase such as prairie willow, dogwoods and wild plum. When fire intervals shorten these woody species will decrease.
This State is rare. Most sites have been converted to cool season grassland and intensive agriculture cropland.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue, orchard grass, and red clover has been common in this area. Occasionally, these sites will have scattered bur oaks.
Long term uncontrolled grazing or a lack of grassland management can cause significant soil erosion and compaction and increases in less productive species such as Kentucky bluegrass and weedy forbs such as ironweed. A return to the reference state may be impossible and costly, requiring a very long term series of management options.
Submodel
Description
This is a common state that exists currently with cropping of wheat or milo. Some conversion to cool season hayland occurs for a period of time before transitioning back to cropland. Limited acres are sometimes converted to native warm season grassland.
Submodel
Description
Conversion from the Cool Season Grassland (State 3) or the Cropland (State 4) to this state is increasing due to renewed interest in warm season grasses as a supplement to cool season grazing systems or as a native restoration activity.
This state is can transform back to a reference state. Substantial restoration time, money and management inputs will be needed.
Submodel
Mechanism
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
Mechanism
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
Mechanism
Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire 1-3 years; tree planting; long rotation
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.