Loamy 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
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time
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Transition T1B
Clearing of native vegetation, followed by planting of improved forage species or annual crops
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Transition T1C
Timber is harvested by clearcut, followed by planting to a monoculture of pine
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Restoration pathway R2A
Reintroduction of fire and regular disturbance return intervals
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Transition T2A
Clearing of vegetation, followed by planting improved forage species or annual crops
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Transition T2B
Vegetation is cleared, followed by planting a monoculture of pine trees
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Transition T3A
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time
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Transition T3B
Planted to a monoculture of pine trees
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Transition T4A
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time
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Transition T4B
Timber is harvested, followed by planting improved forage species or annuals crops
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference state is representative of the pre-Euro settlement conditions. Climate, fire, and grazing by native wild herbivores were the major ecological drivers. There are historical records that fires commonly occurred, but none that definitively describe the frequency, timing, or intensity of fires. It has been postulated fires occurred as frequently as every 2 to 5 years. Historically, bison were the primary large ungulates that grazed the site.
Submodel
Description
The Encroached state is characterized by an increase in long-lived woody plants. Changes in disturbance frequency has allowed woody plants do dominate ecological processes, such as rates of runoff and infiltration, shading, litter accumulation, nutrient cycling and biomass production.
Submodel
State 3
Converted
Description
The Converted State is characterized by the removal of native vegetation and natural disturbance return intervals. Major ecological drivers in this state include the presence of long-lived, persistent, non-natives and intensive annual soil disturbance.
Submodel
Mechanism
Planting introduced forages in the form of crops or grasses will transition the site to the Converted State (3).
Mechanism
Maximizing silviculture potential by planting a monoculture of pine species transitions this community.
Mechanism
Restoration back to reference conditions requires brush management to remove the overstory canopy followed by prescribed grazing and return of regular fire intervals.
Mechanism
Planting introduced forages in the form of crops or grasses will transition the site to the Converted State (3).
Mechanism
Maximizing silviculture potential by planting a monoculture of pine species transitions this community.
Mechanism
Without pest management and brush management to remove woody species, the Converted Grassland (3.1) or Cropland (3.2) can transition into a Woodland State (2).
Mechanism
Maximizing silviculture potential by planting a monoculture of pine species transitions this community.
Mechanism
Without management of unwanted species, the plantation site can be overrun and transition to the Woodland State (2).
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.