Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition 1 More details
- Transition 2 More details
- Restoration pathway 3 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
This state represents the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. Plant community phase changes are maintained by occasional flooding in response to heavy rainfall events, periodic drought and insect attack. Fire is rare in this system, but can have long term impacts on plant community composition. Timing of disturbances combined with weather events determines plant community dynamics.
Submodel
Description
Introduced annuals such as red brome, schismus and redstem stork's bill have invaded the reference plant community and have become a dominant component of the herbaceous cover. This invasion of non-natives is attributed to a combination of factors including: 1) surface disturbances, 2) changes in the kinds of animals and their grazing patterns, 3) drought, and 4) changes in fire history. These non-natives annuals are highly flammable and promote wildfires where fires historically have been infrequent.
The Invaded State is characterized by the presence of non-natives in the understory. A biotic threshold has been crossed with the introduction of non-native annuals that cannot be removed from the system. Ecological resiliency has been reduced by the presence of non-native species that have the potential to alter disturbance regimes significantly from their natural or historic range of disturbances. In addition to non-native annual grasses like Mediterranean grass and red brome, this site is also susceptible to invasion by saltcedar.
Submodel
Description
The Eroded State is characterized by increased channel erosion. An abiotic threshold has been crossed, triggered by chronic disturbance or even a discrete event such as an intense rainfall event, leading to sediment transport and the loss of perennial vegetation.
Submodel
Mechanism
Introduction of non-native species due to anthropogenic impacts including OHV use, dry land farming, grazing, linear corridors, mining, military operations, and settlements.
Mechanism
Large scale disturbance on a short return interval remove stabilizing vegetation and lead to increased erosion.
Mechanism
Restoration pathway. Ecological processes can be restored to the site, but non-natives remain. Possible restoration techniques include stabilizing the site by reestablishing native perennials and the use of artificial rip-rap to dissipate energy and reestablish the flood plain.
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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