Natural Resources
Conservation Service
SHALLOW CLAYPAN 11-13
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1
Introduction of annual non-native species.
More details -
Transition T3
Repeated, widespread and severe fire.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2
Seeding with native species/prescribed grazing
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference State is a representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. State dynamics are maintained by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Plant community phase changes are primarily driven by fire, periodic drought and/or insect or disease attack.
Dominant plant species
little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass
Submodel
Description
This state is similar to the Reference State 1.0. Ecological function has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of invasive weeds. These non-natives can be highly flammable, and can promote fire where historically fire had been infrequent. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Positive feedbacks decrease ecosystem resilience and stability of the state. These include the non-natives’ high seed output, persistent seed bank, rapid growth rate, ability to cross pollinate and adaptations for seed dispersal.
Resilience management
Best management actions include maintaining a high diversity of desired species to promote organic matter inputs and prevent the dispersal and seed production of the non-native invasive species.
Dominant plant species
little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass
Submodel
Description
This state characterized by dominance of annual non-natives. They control site productivity and the spatial and temporal distribution of soil moisture, soil nutrients and energy resources. Remaining patches of sagebrush and/or perennial bunchgrass suffer from increased competition and narrowed fire return intervals. Soil erosion may be significant.
Characteristics and indicators
This state experiences frequent fire due to increased cover and continuity of fine fuels. Fire is frequent enough to prevent the recovery of long-lived native perennials like sagebrush. Disturbance tolerant shrubs may be present or increasing depending on time since disturbance.
Dominant plant species
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Trigger: Introduction of annual non-native species Slow variable: Over time the annual non-native plants increase within the community. Threshold: Any amount of introduced non-native species causes an immediate decrease in the resilience of the site. Annual non-native species cannot be easily removed from the system and have the potential to significantly alter disturbance regimes from their historic range of variation.
Mechanism
Trigger: Repeated, widespread, and severe wildfire. Slow variables: Increased production and cover of non-native annual species over time. This transitions may be coupled with continued continued improper grazing. Threshold: Loss of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and shrubs truncates, spatially and temporally, nutrient capture and cycling within the community. Site dynamics are driven by a narrowed fire return interval and active soil erosion.
Mechanism
Seed with native species and reduce non-native biomass. Minimize soil disturbance and maximize non-native annual plant biomass removal during early spring. Combine prescribed grazing with seeding of native species. Continue to protect site from wildfire. Probability of success is very low.
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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