Shallow Sandstone Backslope Glade/Woodland
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
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A 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
Glade/Woodland reference sites harbor a wide diversity of plants and animals. Desert-adapted animals, like scorpions and tarantulas, also occupy healthy glades. The glade/woodland complexes range from wide open grassy areas with shallow soils and bare bedrock, to areas with widely scattered blackjack oak on locations with soil depths at the deeper extreme of the range for this soil component. On protected slopes, open woodlands are more common. Here the deeper soil depth range for this soil component and protected aspects allow more woody components to dominate.
Submodel
Description
This state is dominated by eastern redcedar with large increases of oak density due to extended periods of fire suppression. This state can form relatively even-age stands, dating to when fire suppression became the dominant management characteristic on the site. Canopy closures can approach 100 percent with little or no ground flora.
Submodel
Description
The Grazed Glade/Woodland State has reduced cover, diversity and vigor of native glade/woodland flora. Woody species encroachment, particularly by eastern redcedar, has also increased in this state. Potential physical site damage by uncontrolled livestock grazing may further degrade this state.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition is the result of fire suppression for greater than 20 years.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of uncontrolled livestock grazing and fire suppression.
Mechanism
Restoration requires cutting most of the eastern redcedar and other invasive woody species, accompanied by prescribed fire.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of uncontrolled livestock grazing and fire suppression.
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.