Western Loess Terrace - PROVISIONAL
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T3A 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
The reference state of this ecological site was removed long ago and no extant examples of that former system remain. The name and description of the reference state listed above is largely drawn from the description of the potential natural vegetation presented in Klimas et al. (2012). They type or class this site as “Upland forests of Pleistocene outwash terraces and alluvial fans (U2).” The historic vegetation occurring on this site is believed to have been largely comprised of upland hardwoods. This projection of the natural community is well grounded given the well drained, loessal soils occurring on the higher and steeper landforms of this site. Klimas et al. emphasized that great variability in composition per location may have occurred due to site specifics such as varying soils, drainage, and the effects of fire. From a structural perspective, this site may have supported a mosaic of conditions that included closed forests, open woodlands, and meadows or small prairies either occurring along the fringes or within the site proper. A single community phase is provided to represent the range of conditions that may have occurred on this site. Additional reference community phases may be included in subsequent iterations of this ecological site description if warranted.
Submodel
Description
Agriculture production on this site has no limitations. This is the prevailing land use on this site outside of residential and commercial establishments.
Submodel
Description
This alternative state is included to represent the range or breadth of conservation actions that may be implemented and established should agriculture production be discontinued within a given location. Several actions may be chosen including the standard of establishing native warm season grasses; establishing a suite of suitable forbs for pollinators; establishing select native trees and managing for open woodland conditions; or establishing native upland hardwoods and managing for forest conditions.
Of the options available, the one that best mimics the perceived reference conditions of this site would provide the best case conservation scenario. This action requires a concerted effort to reestablish herbaceous species most common to the Grand Prairie system with the possible addition of widely spaced hardwoods (e.g., upland oaks from the reference state) mimicking savanna to open woodland conditions. If at all possible, the herbaceous species established should be derived from the “wild types” (genetic stock) from the Grand Prairie ecoregion. This action would help preserve the unique genetic material from that venerated system and would help to reintroduce the true prairie system back into a portion of its former range, the Western Lowlands.
One caveat exists to the above discourse and this alternative state. This state only applies to those areas where the former landforms (or rises) still exist. Areas that have been leveled and the critical landform of this site removed are in an altered condition that has no parallel. Soils under those conditions need assessment and re-evaluation to ascertain what plants are best suited under those conditions.
Submodel
Mechanism
Actions include mechanical removal of vegetation and stumps; herbicide treatment of residual plants; preparation for cultivation; crop establishment (State 2).
Mechanism
This pathway represents the decision to discontinue cultivation/production and establish native grasses/forbs or trees on this site. This action also includes management activities to “guide” natural succession. Actions may include prescribed fire for maintaining and enhancing herbaceous establishment and herbicide treatments for controlling exotic species invasions and to ensure select tree establishment.
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.