Chert Upland 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
- Transition T1D More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T2C More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Restoration pathway R5A More details
- Transition 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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Description
This State is native savanna dominated by little bluestem, big bluestem, and forbs, along with numerous shrubs and scattered trees such as post oak and black oak. 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 post oak and hickory. When fire intervals shorten these woody species will decrease.
Submodel
Description
Reference states that have experienced fire suppression for 20 or more years and domestic grazing will transition to this state. With fire suppression, woody species such as hickory and eastern redcedar will begin to increase. Native ground cover will also decrease and invasive species such as tall fescue and sericea lespedeza may begin to dominate.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue and red clover has been common in this area. Occasionally, these grasslands will have a few scattered post oaks and eastern redcedar. Long term uncontrolled grazing can cause significant soil erosion and compaction.
Submodel
Description
This is a common state that currently exists in the region with milo, wheat, and hay production occurring. Some conversion to cool season grassland occurs for a limited period of time before transitioning back to cropland.
Submodel
Description
Conversion from Degraded Savanna (State 2) 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, once established, is one of the most easily transformable states back to a reference state. Substantial restoration time, money, and management inputs will still be needed.
Submodel
Mechanism
Fire suppression > 10 years; woody invasion; domestic grazing
Mechanism
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
Mechanism
Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire 1-3 years; tree planting
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.