Dry Coastal Forest
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
State 1 Refence transitions to State 2 Naturalized Grassland by removal of native vegetation and planting, or allowing colonization by, introduced grass species.
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Transition T1B
State 1 Refence transitions to State 3 Cleared and Abandoned if previously cleared of forest and then abandoned. This allows heliophytes, both native and introduced, to temporarily cover the ground.
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Transition T1C
State 1 Reference transitions to State 4 Invaded Forest by wind damage to the forest when there is a nearby source of seeds of invasive species or, more gradually, by damage to the forest understory by ungulates, especially feral pigs, when there is a source of seeds of invasive species.
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Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 Naturalized Grassland can be restored to State 1 Reference by suppression of grassland vegetation and replanting with native species. Natural reseeding by native forest species can be expected if there is a nearby stand of suitable species.
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Transition T2B
State 2 Naturalized Grassland transitions to State 3 Cleared and Abandoned upon abandonment of grasslands, which are invaded by low-statured, native and/or introduced heliophytes.
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Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 Cleared and Abandoned may be restored to State 1 Reference. The intensity of active restoration measures will be determined by the presence or lack of nearby native forest or, at least, some native trees as well as the density and species mix of grasses, vines, shrubs, and invasive trees present on the site, especially if many competitive introduced species are present.
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Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 Cleared and Abandoned may be restored to State 2 Naturalized Grassland by land clearing, weed control, and replanting grasses.
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Transition T3A
State 3 Cleared and Abandoned transitions to State 4 Invaded Forest by growth of an overstory of trees with an understory of shade-tolerant shrubs, vines, ferns, forbs, and grasses. The species mix is variable but may be mostly introduced species or a combination of native and introduced species.
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Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 Invaded Forest can be restored to the Reference State. The difficulty, cost, and likelihood of success will depend on the species composition and amount and competitiveness of introduced species present on a given site.
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Restoration pathway R4B
State 4 Invaded Forest can be restored to State 3 Cleared and Abandoned. After this “restoration,” State 3 is likely to rapidly transition back to State 4 due to presence of an abundant tree seed bank in the soil.
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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 ecological site is forest with a medium tall (50 feet or 15 meters) tree canopy and high tree density. Ground cover is sparse, and epiphytes are few. Soils can sometimes become dry. This site is exposed to salty sea winds.
Submodel
Description
This community phase is dominated by hilograss (Paspalum conjugatum). When not excessively grazed, it includes the legume Spanish clover (also called zarzbacoa comun) (Desmodium incanum). White leadtree (Leucaena leucocephala) may be present. This small, leguminous tree is browsed by cattle.
Submodel
Description
This state consists of one community phase dominated by a variable mixture of small trees, shrubs, vines, forbs, and grasses that thrive in sunny environments. Remnant hilograss is present.
Submodel
Description
This state consists of one community phase. It is forest with both overstory and understory composed of a variable mix of native and introduced species. The actual species composition on a given site depends on the original native species composition, the disturbance history, and the species composition existing near the site before, during, and after disturbances.
Submodel
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by removal of native vegetation and planting, or allowing colonization by, introduced grass species.
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Cleared and Abandoned State (3) if previously cleared of forest and then abandoned. This allows heliophytes, both native and introduced, to temporarily cover the ground.
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Invaded Forest State (4) by wind damage to the forest when there is a nearby source of seeds of invasive species or, more gradually, by damage to the forest understory by ungulates, especially feral pigs, when there is a source of seeds of invasive species.
Mechanism
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) can be restored to the Reference State (1) by suppression of grassland vegetation and replanting with native species. Natural reseeding by native forest species can be expected if there is a nearby stand of suitable species.
Mechanism
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) transitions to the Cleared and Abandoned State (3) upon abandonment of grasslands, which are invaded by low-statured, native and/or introduced heliophytes.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) may be restored to the Reference State (1). The intensity of active restoration measures will be determined by the presence or lack of nearby native forest or, at least, some native trees as well as the density and species mix of grasses, vines, shrubs, and invasive trees present on the site, especially if many competitive introduced species are present.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) may be restored to the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by land clearing, weed control, and replanting grasses.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) transitions to the Invaded Forest State (4) by growth of an overstory of trees with an understory of shade-tolerant shrubs, vines, ferns, forbs, and grasses. The species mix is variable but may be mostly introduced species or a combination of native and introduced species.
Mechanism
The Invaded Forest State (4) can be restored to the Reference State (1). The difficulty, cost, and likelihood of success will depend on the species composition and amount and competitiveness of introduced species present on a given site.
Mechanism
The Invaded Forest State (4) Invaded Forest can be restored to the Cleared and Abandoned State (3). After this “restoration,” the Cleared and Abandoned State (3) is likely to rapidly transition back to the Invaded Forest State (4) due to presence of an abundant tree seed bank in the soil.
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.