Wet Terrace Prairie
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Fire suppression greater than 20 years; woody invasion.
More details -
Transition T1B
Tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management.
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Transition T1C
Woody removal; tillage; seeding; conservation cropping system.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Woody species removal; prescribed fire 1-3 years
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Transition T2A
Woody species removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
More details -
Transition T2B
Woody species removal; tillage, conservation cropping system
More details -
Transition T3A
Tillage; conservation cropping system
More details -
Transition T3B
Vegetative seedling; prescribed fire; grassland management
More details -
Restoration pathway T4A
Vegetative seeding; grassland management
More details -
Transition T4B
Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
More details -
Restoration pathway R5A
Vegetative seedling; prescribed fire 1-3 years
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Transition T5A
Tillage; conservation cropping system
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This state is native tall grass prairie dominated by prairie cordgrass, big bluestem and a wide variety of prairie forbs. This state occurs on level to gently sloping soils. In some cases, bur oak, swamp white 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 extinct. Most sites have been converted to cool season grassland and intensive agriculture cropland.
Submodel
Description
Degraded reference states that have experienced fire suppression for 20 or more years will transition to this state. With fire suppression, woody species such as bur oak and eastern redcedar will begin to increase transitioning this state from a prairie to a Woody Invaded Savanna. Native ground cover will also decrease and invasive species such as tall fescue may begin to dominate. Today, this State is probably nonexistent. Transition from this state to cool season grasslands (State 3) or intensive cropland (State 4) was very common in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue, red top and white clover has been common in this area. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered bur oaks. Long term uncontrolled grazing and 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, requiring a very long term series of management options.
Submodel
Description
This is the dominant State that exists currently with intensive cropping of corn and soybeans occurring. Some conversion to cool season hayland occurs for a limited period of time before transitioning back to cropland. Limited acres are sometimes converted to native warm season grassland through federal set-aside programs.
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 the most easily transformable state back to a Reference State. Substantial restoration time and management inputs will still be needed.
Submodel
Mechanism
Fire suppression greater than 20 years allows woody species to increase.
Mechanism
Woody species removal and prescribed fire 1-3 years.
Mechanism
Woody species removal followed by tillage, vegetative seeding, and grassland management
Mechanism
Woody species removal followed by tillage and conservation cropping.
Mechanism
Vegetative seeding, prescribed fire followed by grassland management.
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.