State 1
Reference State

Community 1.1
Grass Meadow

Tufted hairgrass, Nebraska sedge, slender wheatgrass, other grasses, other sedges, and rushes.

Community 1.2
Grass with Mixed Shrubs

Rushes have increased. Nebraska sedge, slender wheatgrass, tufted hairgrass, willows, shrubby cinquefoil, other grasses, other sedges, and rushes are present.

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

lack of fire, improper grazing, prolonged drought, time without disturbance

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

disturbance, fire, insect herbivory of shrubs, proper grazing, wetter climate cycles

State 2
Current Potential State

Community 2.1
Grass Meadow

Tufted hairgrass, Nebraska sedge, slender wheatgrass, other grasses, other sedges, and rushes. Presence of introduced grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, timothy, redtop) and forbs.

Community 2.2
Grasses with Mixed Shrubs

Kentucky bluegrass, timothy, and redtop are dominant. Other grasses, sedges, and rushes with willows are present. Introduced grasses and forbs are present.

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

lack of fire, improper grazing prolonged drought, time without disturbance

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1

disturbance, fire, insect herbivory of shrubs, proper grazing, wetter climate cycles

State 3
Altered State

Community 3.1
Grass Dominated

Seeded grass species, other grasses, shrubs, and forbs. Presence of introduced grasses and forbs.

Community 3.2
Grasses with Shrubs

Seeded grass species, shrubs, and forbs. Presence of introduced grasses and forbs.

Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2

lack of fire, improper grazing, prolonged drought, time without disturbance

Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1

disturbance, fire, insect herbivory of shrubs, proper grazing, wetter climate cycles

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

establishment of non-native invasive plants

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

vegetation and/or mechanical treatments of the landscape