Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Saline Upland (SU) Wind River Basin Core
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Drought alone or in conjunction with frequent or severe grazing will reduce the grass species, specifically Indian ricegrass and bottlebrush squirreltail and encourage bluegrasses and sod-formers forcing this transition.
More details -
Transition T1B
Frequent and Severe Grazing, Ground Disturbance, and/or Drought will reduce the herbaceous cover, leaving a shrub dominated community. Remnant grasses persist in the protection of cactus clumps.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Long-term Prescribed Grazing allows existing populations to gain vigor and encourages seedlings if seed source is available and climatic conditions are favorable. This site may require mechanical or cultural inputs to allow minor improvements in a foreseeable time frame.
More details - Transition T2A More details
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Transition T2B
Drought, Ground Disturbance, Frequent or Severe Grazing or Non-Use with seed source present allows the soil surface to be opened and vulnerable to invasive species. Non-use has shown to create a “fluffy” soil scenario in which seeds are readily able to establish, but not necessarily persist.
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Long-term Prescribed Grazing allows existing populations to gain vigor and encourages seedlings if seed source is available and climatic conditions are favorable. This site may require mechanical or cultural inputs to allow minor improvements in a foreseeable time frame.
More details -
Transition T3A
Drought, Frequent or Severe Grazing, Non-Use, or Ground Disturbance with seed source present exposes this barren community to invasion by weedy species.
More details - Restoration pathway R3B More details
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Restoration pathway R4A
Integrated Pest Management, Grazing Lands Mechanical Treatment, or Rangeland Seeding with Prescribed Grazing will be required inputs to alter the soils and hydrology of this site, but allow a desirable plant cover to establish and reduce the invasive species (species dependent.)
More details -
Transition T5A
Drought, Severe and Frequent Grazing, Ground Disturbance, or Non-Use with seed source present leaves restored or reclaimed sites vulnerable to invasive species.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
State 1
Reference: Saltbush / Mid-Stature Grasses
Reference: Saltbush / Mid-Stature Grasses
Description
Saline Upland is a dynamic and complex concept that crossed soil textural breaks and includes a wide range of soil chemistry, that work together to create a salt-tolerant community. Field sampling cannot capture the full dynamic of the chemistry and the current lack of soil laboratory data prevents clear separation of specific characteristics. Composition and production for this state have been designed to incorporate the full range of possibilities.
Soils within the 5-9" precipitation zone, and with a wide range of alkali, saline, sodic and gypsum influences, are characterized by Gardner's saltbush dominated plant communities. These communities may also have birdfoot sagebrush, spiny hopsage, shadscale, four-wing saltbush, and in some locations greasewood; these woody species together will comprise approximately 50% of the production on the site. Soil texture will help determine what species are more apt to be on a specific site, although they do cross over. Sandy (coarse-loamy) soils support spiny hopsage and four-wing saltbush more often, where clayey (fine) soils support birdfoot sagebrush. Loamy (fine-loamy) soils tend to support for shadscale, but again many variations have been observed.
The grasses, comprising 40% of the plant community, are predominately Indian ricegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail and rhizomatous wheatgrasses. Needleandthread is incidental in this state. The forb component is minor with only 10% of the production from a few select forbs. A variety of biscuitroot/desert parsleys (Lomatiums), wild onion, milkvetches, and asters are found in this state.
Dominant plant species
Gardner's saltbush (Atriplex gardneri), shrub
Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides), grass
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), grass
Submodel
State 2
Saltbush / Mixed Short Grasses
Saltbush / Mixed Short Grasses
Description
The Saltbush/Mixed Short Grasses State (State 2) is dominated by mid-stature bluegrasses and low-stature warm season grasses, reducing the resiliency of the community. Species diversity has been reduced. The state is stable with approximately 50% canopy cover by saltbush or salt tolerant shrubs. However, the production is reduced. Yet long term studies with exclosures across the Wind River and Bighorn Basin, have shown a significant fluctuation of annual production within these communities.
Dominant plant species
Gardner's saltbush (Atriplex gardneri), shrub
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
Submodel
Description
A saltbush dominant site with bare ground is the most degraded native community for Saline Upland. As more soils data and vegetation data were analyzed, a trend shows many of the study locations with this community contained a higher percent clay. The determination if this state is produced by soil texture, management, or climatic conditions may not be conclusive, and require additional investigation. It is recognized that with continued grazing pressure and drought conditions, the productivity and sustainability of most perennial grasses will decrease leaving a shrub dominated state. In the absence of invasive species, this state can persist on the landscape.
Very long-term prescribed grazing and grazing land mechanical treatment (with seeding possibly) may be practices that can be used to bring this state near or similar to reference. Remnant populations of native perennial grasses will persist in pockets within the Gardner's Saltbush, but in some instances, seeding may be required to help re-establish herbaceous species to these sites. No research was located for large areas of re-vegetation, but limited success has occurred with seeding trials completed by BLM and University of Wyoming.
Dominant plant species
Gardner's saltbush (Atriplex gardneri), shrub
Submodel
State 4
Invaded
Invaded
Description
The Saline Upland site has proven to be more tolerable or resistant to invasion by many of the invasive species threatening the rangelands today. However, there are a few species that still present issues as these lands are disturbed by development, continued drought, and shifts in use patterns. Many of these sites are at risk from local threats such as mustards, kochia, and field pennycress; as well as the national threats of halogeton, cheatgrass (downy brome), and a variety of knapweeds and thistles. The persistence, resistance and resilience of specific communities within this state will be discussed further below.
Dominant plant species
Gardner's saltbush (Atriplex gardneri), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass
Submodel
Description
Mining/energy development, borrow/gravel pits, farming/irrigation, and roads are only a few of the land uses that have had an impact on this site. Much of the land correlated as Saline Upland is deemed unfit or non-productive, and either no attempt was made to reclaim areas or reseeding attempts have failed. As this land recovers, is restored or reclaimed, or further disturbances occur, the site potential and stability is greatly affected. Historic attempts to improve productivity of these areas has altered the resilience and response to management/natural disturbance regimes. Specific references will be discussed below.
Dominant plant species
Gardner's saltbush (Atriplex gardneri), shrub
Submodel
Transition T1A
Drought alone or in conjunction with frequent or severe grazing will reduce the grass species, specifically Indian ricegrass and bottlebrush squirreltail and encourage bluegrasses and sod-formers forcing this transition.
Mechanism
Drought, Frequent or Severe Grazing – Drought conditions over extended periods of time weaken plant species beyond their resiliency, forcing the community over the threshold into the next state. Drought with added stress of frequent severe grazing can expedite the process. Frequent severe grazing of key species causes the site to become dominated by less desirable herbaceous species. Any combination of these factors reduces or removes the key bunchgrasses (Indian ricegrass and bottlebrush squirreltail), and causes Sandberg bluegrass or blue grama to become dominant.
Constraints to recovery
The loss of seed source, lack of hydrology (dry climate, sporadic rainfall, and alteration to water infiltration and runoff by sod-formers), and salt-laden soils limit the ability for seedling establishment.
Transition T1B
Frequent and Severe Grazing, Ground Disturbance, and/or Drought will reduce the herbaceous cover, leaving a shrub dominated community. Remnant grasses persist in the protection of cactus clumps.
Mechanism
Frequent and Severe Grazing, Severe Ground Disturbance, Drought - The combination of frequent and severe grazing and drought reduces the key bunchgrasses of this community. With no recovery time or rest, the forbs and grasses may become very sparse or may be removed from the community leaving a saltbush dominated site. Extended long periods of drought alone, or severe ground disturbance, reduces or inhibits resiliency of this community, including Gardner's saltbush.
Constraints to recovery
The development of a soil crust is prevalent in this soil, especially with the lack of herbaceous cover to protect from rain-drop impact. With the loss of grasses in this system, the crusting becomes a hindrance to seedling establishment. The loss of seed sources for the native key species also limits the ability for this community to recover.
Context dependence
The texture of soils within each community can influence the ability to recover. Heavier textured soils (higher clay content) will favor soil crusting or become "fluffy" easier as a response to the increased sodic or saline properties within the shales that many of the heavier textured soils are derived. Soils that are coarser or lighter textured (sandy and loamy textures) tend to have a lest prominent crust or soil cap, and tend to not become as loose or "fluffy" as the heavier textures do.
Restoration pathway R2A
Long-term Prescribed Grazing allows existing populations to gain vigor and encourages seedlings if seed source is available and climatic conditions are favorable. This site may require mechanical or cultural inputs to allow minor improvements in a foreseeable time frame.
Mechanism
Prescribed Grazing (Long-term), (possibly with seeding) – By reducing use and allowing native grasses to propogate with rest or deffered grazing rotations, the potential to recover increases, but is dependent on a seed source and climate. The time necessary to see a transition back to reference may extend past what is feasible. Once this State has crossed into a blue grama dominated community, the potential for recovery is completely lost. Native seed mixtures that have been proven to tolerate saline, sodic, or saline/sodic soils are not necessarily the key species for the Reference communities. Once a site is seeded (drilled or broadcast seeding), the response to management and climatic conditions may be altered, and the site will not function as a native (undisturbed) site, and would correlate as a reclaimed site (R3-5).
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Fence |
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Livestock Pipeline |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Pumping Plant |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
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Watering Facility |
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Water Well |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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Planned Grazing System |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Pumping plant powered by renewable energy |
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Prescriptive grazing management system for grazed lands |
Mechanism
Frequent and Severe Grazing, Severe Ground Disturbance, Drought – Further stress opens the transition from the Saltbush/Perennial grasses to a Saltbush/Bare Ground dominated community (State 3). Reduced function of the perennial herbaceous species and decreased diversity weakens the resilience to changing conditions within the community. As grazing intensity remains high, drought is extensive, or if a source of ground disturbance occurs, the native perennial grasses can not maintain a foothold in the community forcing the community across the threshold to a Saltbush/Bare Ground state.
Transition T2B
Drought, Ground Disturbance, Frequent or Severe Grazing or Non-Use with seed source present allows the soil surface to be opened and vulnerable to invasive species. Non-use has shown to create a “fluffy” soil scenario in which seeds are readily able to establish, but not necessarily persist.
Mechanism
Non-Use, Ground Disturbance (with presence of seed source), Drought, Frequent or Severe Grazing – The vulnerability of transitioning from the Saltbush/Other Perennial Native Grasses state to an invaded state is increased as the canopy is opened with further disturbance, drought or grazing use. Non-use of a community opens the possibility of the soils becoming loose (fluffy), open to seedling establishment, but highly erosive.
Constraints to recovery
The inability to eradicate fully the invasive species (Cheatgrass and Halogeton) from a community is the limiting constraint to recover. Cost for initial treatment, and the need for continued treatment limit the economic feasibility of recovery as well.
Context dependence
The spatial extent of the infestation and the intended use of the land may alter the economic feasibility of treating a site-specific community.
Restoration pathway R3A
Long-term Prescribed Grazing allows existing populations to gain vigor and encourages seedlings if seed source is available and climatic conditions are favorable. This site may require mechanical or cultural inputs to allow minor improvements in a foreseeable time frame.
Mechanism
Prescribed Grazing (Long-term), (possibly with seeding) – By reducing use and allowing native grasses to recover with prescribed grazing, the potential to recover is dependent on a seed source and climate. However, the time required may not be feasible. If management is not maintained, this community may shift to State 2 before it will shift to Reference. Native seed mixtures that have been proven to tolerate saline, sodic, or saline/sodic soils are not necessarily the key species for the Reference communities. Once a site is seeded (drilled or broadcast seeding), the response to management and climatic conditions may be altered, and the site will not function as a native (undisturbed) site, and would correlate as a reclaimed site (R3-5).
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Critical Area Planting |
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Fence |
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Livestock Pipeline |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Pumping Plant |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
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Water Well |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Grazing Management Plan |
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Grazing management to improve wildlife habitat |
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Pumping plant powered by renewable energy |
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Prescriptive grazing management system for grazed lands |
Transition T3A
Drought, Frequent or Severe Grazing, Non-Use, or Ground Disturbance with seed source present exposes this barren community to invasion by weedy species.
Mechanism
Non-Use, Ground Disturbance (with seed source present), Drought, Frequent or Severe Grazing – Once a community has transitioned to a saltbush dominated community, productivity and functionality of the site are at risk. If further disturbance (livestock, human or environmental disturbance) occurs, saltbush will begin to decrease and annuals and other less desirable species will begin to dominate. Hydrologic function will decrease and erosion hazard will increase as a community transitions into an invaded state.
Constraints to recovery
The lack of native key species and the harsh environment of the salt-laden soils reduces the ability for this site to recover. The difficulties of treating the non-native invaders also limits the recovery opportunities for these communities.
Context dependence
Spatial distribution of specific non-native/invasive species will determine what species may inhibit the community. Each species has a select influence and restriction to control that will need to be evaluated on a case by case basis.
Mechanism
Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment or Rangeland Seeding with Prescribed Grazing - The large scale success of contour furrowing on the rangelands with a mixture of crested wheatgrass and other introduced/cultivated species has shown that this landscape can be restored to a functional state using improved varieties and selective grazing land mechanical treatments. Once established the site will need to be managed for the species selected to ensure proper use of the resource. Once the site is disturbed there is a risk of erosion until establishment of the seedlings can occur. Management of undesired species (noxious or invasive weed species) is an integral component of the reclamation process to ensure the community is restored to an acceptable condition.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Critical Area Planting |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
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Heavy Use Area Protection |
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Grazing Management Plan - Applied |
Restoration pathway R4A
Integrated Pest Management, Grazing Lands Mechanical Treatment, or Rangeland Seeding with Prescribed Grazing will be required inputs to alter the soils and hydrology of this site, but allow a desirable plant cover to establish and reduce the invasive species (species dependent.)
Mechanism
Integrated Pest Management, Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment, or Rangeland Seeding with Prescribed Grazing – Once invasive species such as cheatgrass, halogeton, or knapweeds are established, complete eradication is generally not a feasible option, limiting the ability to restore the community to a higher state. An invaded site, however, can be restored to a functional plant community through intensive or integrated pest management. Grazing land mechanical treatments to reduce existing invasive populations and to introduce forage species that are desirable and able to compete with the invasive species will provide limited grazing. When a community has been significantly invaded, losing all of the key forage species, re-seeding the site to a competitive species may be the only option. Establishment will be slow and the variety of available seed sources for saline/sodic/alkaline soil conditions is limited; however, small scale projects have been achieved with marginal success.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Critical Area Planting |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
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Heavy Use Area Protection |
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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Livestock Use Area Protection |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Invasive Plant Species Control |
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Grazing Management Plan - Applied |
Transition T5A
Drought, Severe and Frequent Grazing, Ground Disturbance, or Non-Use with seed source present leaves restored or reclaimed sites vulnerable to invasive species.
Mechanism
Non-Use, Disturbance, Severe and Frequent Grazing, Drought with a seed source present – Loose soils as a result of non-use or the decrease in key species due to severe and frequent grazing, drought or disturbance opens the canopy and provides opportunity for invasive species to establish. Continued pressure, added disturbances, or introduction of undesirable species will weaken and trigger a shift from the degraded state to an Invaded state.
Constraints to recovery
The alternation to the soils and exiting herbaceous cover due to ground manipulation and disturbance shift the response of this site from natural conditions and will impact the ability to respond as an undisturbed site. Although this may be to a positive factor for the community and soils, it does shift the potential recovery to an altered state, not to a reference or native state.
Context dependence
This transition and these community will vary in appearance due to locality of specific seed sources (a wide variety of invasive or non-native species exists across this MLRA). The specific species that dominates this site will determine the response, recovery, and potential treatments required.
Model keys
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