Upland Prairie
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Tillage; vegetative seeding; pest management; grassland management
More details -
Transition T1B
Tillage; conservation cropping system; pest management
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Restoration pathway R2A
Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire 2-5 years
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Transition T2A
Tillage; conservation cropping system; pest management
More details -
Transition T3B
Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
More details -
Transition T3A
Tillage; conservation cropping system; pest management
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Transition T4B
Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
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Transition T4A
Vegetative seeding ; grassland management
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This state is a mesic prairie community dominated by big bluestem, little bluestem and forbs. This state occurs on gently sloping upland soils that have a seasonal high water table during the spring months in most years. Two phases can occur that will transition back and forth depending on fire and ponding frequencies. Longer fire free intervals will allow woody species to increase such as silky dogwood and oak sprouts. When fire intervals shorten these woody species will decrease. This state is extremely rare. Nearly all sites have been converted to cool season grassland and cropland.
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 be needed.
Description
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) has been common in the MLRA. A return to the reference state may be impossible, requiring a very long term series of management options.
Description
This is the dominant state that exists currently with intensive cropping of corn (Zea mays L.), soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) occurring. Some conversion to cool season hay land occurs for a limited period of time before transitioning back to cropland. Limited acres are sometimes converted to native warm season grassland.
Mechanism
Tillage; vegetative seeding; pest management; grassland management
Model keys
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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.