Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Juniper Pumice Hills 8-11 PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Prolonged inappropriate grazing management
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Extended rest from grazing
More details -
Transition T2A
Continued prolonged inappropriate grazing management
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
This is the Historical Reference State, with the absence of an altered disturbance regime.
Dominant plant species
western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree
basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata), shrub
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata), grass
Thurber's needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum), grass
Submodel
Description
In this state perennial grass composition has been significantly altered.
Dominant plant species
western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree
basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata), shrub
Thurber's needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum), grass
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass
Submodel
Description
In this state, the community has lost a significant number of perennial grass species from the community, disturbance/early seral adapted species dominate.
Dominant plant species
western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree
basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata), shrub
squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Prolonged inappropriate grazing management leading to a change in perennial grass composition, marked by decreases in sensitive species such as Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass, and an increase in disturbance adapted species such as bottlebrush squirreltail and Thurber's needlegrass.
Mechanism
Extended rest from grazing allowing sensitive native grasses to increase in cover.
Context dependence
Excessive grazing leading to a loss of species diversity or reproductive output or altering abiotic conditions by significantly compacting or eroding soil, for example, will not recover by rest alone and will require additional inputs.
Mechanism
Continued prolonged inappropriate grazing management leading to a change in perennial grass composition and the loss of several species including Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass, and Thurber's needlegrass.
Constraints to recovery
Site has crossed an abiotic threshold that may only be rehabilitated by intensive restoration measures if at all.
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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