Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Upland Sand (Indian Ricegrass)
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1a More details
- Transition T2a More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
The Reference State includes the plant communities that were best adapted to the unique combination of factors associated with this ecological site prior to European settlement. It was in a natural dynamic equilibrium with the historic biotic, abiotic, climatic factors on its ecological site in North America at the time of European immigration and settlement. This dominant aspect of the plant community is Indian ricegrass and sand dropseed. The community is made up of 75% grasses, 10% forbs, and 15% shrubs by dry weight.
Characteristics and indicators
This state will only contain native species in the plant community.
Submodel
Description
The Current Potential State (CPS) includes the biotic communities that would become established on the ecological site if all successional sequences were completed without interferences by humans under the present environmental conditions. Natural disturbances are inherent in its development. The CPS may include acclimatized, naturalized or invasive nonnative species. There is no known way to effectively remove these plants from the site once they have become established. The level of occurrence of these plants in the CPS is such that careful management can prevent their domination of the site. This site is irreversibly changed and has not been shown to return to the Reference State. Plant communities within the CPS may be managed and used for various purposes without significant alteration in plant community composition or production. It includes all the plant communities that exist in the Refernce State with the inclusion of species that are non-native to this ESD.
Characteristics and indicators
This state is similar to the Reference State however it will have non-native species in the plant community.
Submodel
Description
The Rubber rabbitbrush/Invasive annuals State (Annual State) occurs when the site is overgrazed for an extended time, has been cultivated and abandoned, or experienced repeated fires. This state may also occur with the combination of drought and over grazing or drought and fire with either no seeding following the fire or a failed seeding. The dominant aspect of the plant community is cheatgrass brome, rubber rabbitbrush, and three-awn.
Characteristics and indicators
This state is dominated by annual grasses and shrubs other than big sagebrush.
Submodel
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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