Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Steep South Slopes 20-40 PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Conversion of the site to agricultural use.
More details -
Transition T2A
Invasion of annual grasses
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Extensive restoration activities
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Extensive restoration activities
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference Plant Community is an open, mature, ponderosa pine - white oak stand represented by Community Phase 1.3 . This is the most advanced community within the historical disturbance regime for this site, yet this site occurs across the landscape as a mosaic of plant community phases characterized by variation in forest community structural stage (tree age, density and cover) and species composition. Historically, Oregon white oak - ponderosa pine woodlands would have cycled from a shrub bunchgrass young tree stand initiation phase (1.1) to a young woodland phase (1.2) to a mature woodland phase (1.3) with a disturbance regime characterized by frequent, low intensity surface fires with occasional mixed or replacement severity fires (Landfire fire regime group 1). Fire suppression has likely diminished the presence of mature savannah across the landscape, instead favoring closed canopy conditions and higher densities of younger trees (Devine et al. 2013). Given the likelihood that this state, even in the best condition and highest potential, will almost always include at least some component of exotic species regardless of management inputs, this may also be referred to as the “current potential state”. In this document, the term “reference state” is used synonymously with “current potential state” for the sake of simplicity.
Dominant plant species
Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana), tree
ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), tree
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass
Submodel
Description
In this state, the site is used for agricultural production. This may include perennial pasture or annual crops.
Dominant plant species
orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), grass
Submodel
Description
In this state much of the native herbaceous vegetation has been replaced by exotic annual grasses which at high levels may create positive feedbacks that alter fire regimes and promote prolonged invasion.
Dominant plant species
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), grass
bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Conversion of the site to agricultural use.
Mechanism
Invasion of annual grasses, such as cheatgrass and bulbous bluegrass, occupying a significant amount of ground cover. Research has not identified a threshold for cover that will shift this community into an alternative state.
Mechanism
Restoration of this site will likely be time and labor intensive and require significant inputs. Possible restoration activities will be site specific and may be informed by Devine et al. 2013.
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.
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