Southern Blackland
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
More details -
Transition T1B
Clearing of native vegetation, followed by planting of improved forage species
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Reintroduction of fire and regular disturbance return intervals
More details -
Transition T2A
Clearing of vegetation, followed by planting improved forage species or annual crops
More details -
Transition T3A
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference state is considered to be representative of pre-Euro settlement conditions. Wildfire, periodic drought and wet cycles, and grazing by native herbivores (bison, antelope and whitetail deer)were the major ecological drivers in this state. Under reference conditions wildfire occurred as frequently as every 3 to 8 years. Wildfire was an important disturbance in the reference state and resulted in the dominance of native, warm-season, tallgrasses.
Submodel
Description
The Encroached state is characterized by an increase in long-lived woody plants. Widening of the disturbance return interval has allowed woody plants do dominate the visual aspect of the community, as well as ecological processes. Increasing runoff, reducing infiltration, and changing rates of litter accumulation, nutrient cycling and biomass production.
Submodel
Description
This state has been cleared and planted with introduced, forage species. Improved forage species are persistent and long-lived, contributing to the stability of this state. Important drivers include periodic grazing and management of woody species.
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy grazing, lack of fire, and brush invasion over 10 percent canopy signal the transition to State 2.
Mechanism
Conversion signals this transition by preparing a seedbed and planting to pasture.
Mechanism
Restoration occurs when brush management reduces the canopy cover below 10 percent, prescribed grazing restores correct stocking rates, and once grasses have created enough biomass, prescribed fire returns.
Mechanism
Conversion signals this transition by clearing brush, preparing a seedbed, and planting to pasture.
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.