Aquic
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Restoration pathway R1A
The Reference State (1) can be restored to the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by burning or mechanically clearing trees, shrubs, and undesirable forbs. Heavy use by introduced ungulates may inhibit tree reproduction enough to eventually open up the vegetation and allow for increased open areas dominated by grasses.
More details -
Restoration pathway R1B
The Reference State (1) can be restored to The Farmed State (3) by burning or mechanically clearing trees, shrubs, and undesirable forbs and then cultivating the soil and planting crops.
More details -
Restoration pathway R1C
The Reference State (1) may be restored to The Native Forest State (4) by selectively removing or killing introduced species and replanting native species. Removal of feral ungulates would be necessary.
More details -
Transition T2A
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) transitions to the Reference State (1) by removal of grazing and browsing ungulates, allowing colonization by local tree species.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) transitions to the Farmed State (3) by plowing and then planting crops.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2B
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) may be restored to the Native Forest State (4) by removing ungulates, controlling grasses and introduced plant species, and planting native trees and other plants.
More details -
Transition T3A
The Farmed State (3) will transition the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by abandonment.
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
The Farmed State (3) may be restored to the Native Forest State (4) by ceasing agricultural activities, controlling weeds, excluding ungulates, and planting native species.
More details -
Transition T4A
The Native Forest State (4) can transition to the Reference State (1) by partial clearing for agriculture, heavy selective wood removal, and/or extremely heavy soil compaction, browsing, and grazing by introduced ungulates.
More details -
Restoration pathway R4A
The Native Forest State (4) may be converted to the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by frequent intentional burning during the dry season, a combination of heavy ungulate damage and occasional intentional burning, or by mechanical clearing and abandonment.
More details -
Transition T4B
The Native Forest State (4) will transition to the Farmed State (3) by burning or mechanical followed by cultivation and planting crops.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference State (1) has one community phase consisting of a variable array of native and introduced tree species dependent on the species existing in the local area.
Submodel
Description
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) is naturalized grassland with scattered trees. There is one community phase.
Submodel
Description
The Farmed State (3) consists of one community phase dominated by crops.
Submodel
Description
The Native Forest State (4) consists of one community phase. Hypothetically, this state was originally vegetated by forest. The species composition is not known. However, some native tree species still commonly inhabit these sites.
Submodel
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) can be restored to the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by burning or mechanically clearing trees, shrubs, and undesirable forbs. Heavy use by introduced ungulates may inhibit tree reproduction enough to eventually open up the vegetation and allow for increased open areas dominated by grasses.
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) can be restored to The Farmed State (3) by burning or mechanically clearing trees, shrubs, and undesirable forbs and then cultivating the soil and planting crops.
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) may be restored to The Native Forest State (4) by selectively removing or killing introduced species and replanting native species. Removal of feral ungulates would be necessary.
Mechanism
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) transitions to the Reference State (1) by removal of grazing and browsing ungulates, allowing colonization by local tree species.
Mechanism
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) transitions to the Farmed State (3) by plowing and then planting crops.
Mechanism
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) may be restored to the Native Forest State (4) by removing ungulates, controlling grasses and introduced plant species, and planting native trees and other plants.
Mechanism
The Farmed State (3) will transition the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by abandonment.
Mechanism
The Farmed State (3) may be restored to the Native Forest State (4) by ceasing agricultural activities, controlling weeds, excluding ungulates, and planting native species.
Mechanism
The Native Forest State (4) can transition to the Reference State (1) by partial clearing for agriculture, heavy selective wood removal, and/or extremely heavy soil compaction, browsing, and grazing by introduced ungulates.
Mechanism
The Native Forest State (4) may be converted to the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by frequent intentional burning during the dry season, a combination of heavy ungulate damage and occasional intentional burning, or by mechanical clearing and abandonment.
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.