Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Semidesert Loam (Basin Big Sagebrush) South
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1a More details
- Transition T1b More details
- Transition T2a More details
- Transition T2b More details
- Transition T2c More details
- Transition T3a More details
- Transition T3b More details
- Transition T3c More details
- Transition T3d More details
- Transition T4a More details
- Transition T4b More details
- Transition T4c More details
- Transition T5a More details
- Transition T5b More details
- Transition T6a More details
- Transition T7a More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference State is influenced by the interaction of fire and vegetation. Basin big sagebrush typically dominates the site with scattered bunchgrasses. When this community burns, basin big sagebrush, squirreltail and Indian ricegrass decrease while more fire tolerant shrubs temporarily increase. If fire is excluded from this system for a number of year, basin big sagebrush returns as the dominant shrub.
Submodel
Description
Plant communities in the Current Potential State can include native and acclimatized, naturalized and invasive non-native species. This site is irreversibly changed from the Reference State because these non-native species will now remain a permanent part of the community.
Submodel
State 3
Non-sprouting Shrub/Invasive Annual State
Non-sprouting Shrub/Invasive Annual State
Description
Basin big sagebrush dominates the shrub layer. Winterfat is severely hedged and is dying. Yellow rabbitbrush and shadscale may occur in significant numbers. Remaining bottlebrush squirreltail, Nevada bluegrass, and other perennial herbaceous vegetation are found only in protected locations under shrubs. Invasive, non-native grasses and weeds, including cheatgrass, annual mustards, and redstem storksbill dominate the understory.
Submodel
Description
Yellow rabbitbrush dominates the overstory community. Smooth horsebrush may be plentiful if conditions are right. Fire tolerant shrubs persist as dominants in this community with fire periods occurring at intervals of 10 to 30 years. Broom snakeweed may be an episodic dominant species when conditions are favorable. Bottlebrush squirreltail, Nevada bluegrass and other native bunchgrasses are significantly reduced. Invasive annuals including cheatgrass, annual mustards, and redstem storksbill dominate the understory.
Submodel
State 5
Seeded Range State
Seeded Range State
Description
The Seeded Range State is seeded to species that may be composed of introduced, native or combinations of these species. Unwanted trees and/or shrubs are reduced but may occupy a portion of the site because of natural regeneration. Invasive annuals grasses and weedy forb species, primarily cheatgrass and various annual mustards, may be present in the seeding. Well established range seedings may decrease the frequency of fires.
Submodel
Description
Invasive annual grasses and forbs dominate the site. Some perennial invasive forbs may be present.
Submodel
Mechanism
Long-term improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.) and/or drought that remove fine fuels from the site lessening the potential for fire to occur. This allows both sprouting and non-sprouting shrubs such as basin big sagebrush, yellow rabbitbrush, and horsebrush to increase in the community. Shrubs may become decadent due to age. Bottlebrush squirreltail, Nevada bluegrass and other perennial bunchgrasses lose vigor and decrease in the community due to shrub competition and/or grazing pressure. Utah juniper seedlings and saplings may begin to invade the community if a seed source is available. The threshold is crossed when there is an introduction of non-native species, primarily cheatgrass and various annual mustards, which become established in the community. Prior to crossing the threshold, if this site is properly grazed over an extended period of time, native perennial vegetation may recover. Fire frequency can return to within normal range for the site. These events could set the site back into the normal range of variability.
Mechanism
This transition occur when the site is plowed and planted to crops.
Mechanism
Sustained, long-term improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.) and/or prolonged drought; reduced fine fuels resulting in the continued lengthening of fire period resulting in a dense tree and/or shrub over story. There is a reduction of native perennial vegetation and an increase in invasive annual grasses and weedy forb species, primarily cheatgrass and various annual mustards. Utah junipers may increase to occupy a significant portion of the over story, if a seed source is present. Basin big sagebrush dominates the shrub layer and may be decadent due to age. Bottlebrush squirreltail and other perennial bunchgrass species are significantly reduced due to increased shrub competition and/or heavy grazing pressure. The threshold is crossed when invasive annuals such as cheatgrass, annual mustards, and redstem storksbill dominate the understory. The occurrence of fire extends well beyond the normal period for this site.
Mechanism
Long-term improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.) and/or prolonged drought; shortened fire frequency allows site to be dominated by sprouting shrubs including yellow rabbitbrush and smooth horsebrush. Bottlebrush squirreltail and other perennial bunchgrass species are significantly reduced due to increased shrub competition and/or heavy grazing pressure. Highly combustible fine fuels from invasive annuals continue to dominate the community. Fire frequency is typically 10 to 30 years or less.
Mechanism
This transition occur when the site is plowed and planted to crops.
Transition T3a
Mechanism
Long-term improper grazing (including season long, overstocking, wrong season, etc.) and/or prolonged drought; shortened fire frequency allows site to be dominated by sprouting shrubs such as yellow rabbitbrush; significant reduction of perennial bunchgrass species. Highly combustible fine fuels from invasive annuals continue to dominate the community. Fire frequency is typically 10 to 30 years or less.
Mechanism
Site seeded with non-native perennial grasses and/or native perennial bunch grasses.
Mechanism
Continued improper grazing or increase fire frequency results in annual grasses and forbs to dominate the site.
Mechanism
This transition occur when the site is plowed and planted to crops.
Mechanism
Mechanical and/or chemical treatment with planting to non-native perennial grasses and forbs and/or native perennial grasses and forbs.
Mechanism
Continued improper grazing or increase fire frequency results in annual grasses and forbs to dominate the site.
Mechanism
This transition occur when the site is plowed and planted to crops.
Mechanism
Failed seeding or improper grazing.
Mechanism
This transition occur when the site is plowed and planted to crops.
Mechanism
This transition occur when the site is plowed and planted to crops.
Model keys
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