This state represents relatively late-seral conditions in terms of grazing response. Highly palatable "decreasers" such as western wheatgrass and little bluestem are well-represented.
This state represents relatively early-seral conditions in terms of grazing response. Highly palatable "decreasers" such as western wheatgrass and little bluestem are either poorly represented or absent. Where soils are derived from either shale and not armored by surface fragments, erosion is quite evident in this state.
This transition represents a prolonged period of season-long grazing providing little rest and recovery for preferred grazed plants during critical growing periods, coupled with high utilization. Drought may accelerate this transition.
This pathway represents practices which facilitate the recovery of palatable species. A considerable period of prescribed and/ or deferred grazing will likely be necessary, and seeding might also be required. In cases where soils have been eroded, recovery of topsoil will be a long and energy-intensive endeavor.
Model keys
Briefcase
Add ecological site groups and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase () icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
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.