Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A 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
Thus state describes reference conditions. Refer to phase 1.1 for more information.
Submodel
Description
This state occurs where prolonged continuous grazing and lack of fire have led to a rubust tree overstory and a grass community dominated by warm-season perennials. Tree cover ranges from 20 to 40 percent.
Dominant plant species
oneseed juniper (Juniperus monosperma), tree
twoneedle pinyon (Pinus edulis), tree
spineless horsebrush (Tetradymia canescens), shrub
James' galleta (Pleuraphis jamesii), grass
alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), grass
ring muhly (Muhlenbergia torreyi), grass
prickly Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), grass
Submodel
Description
This state occurs where prolonged continuous grazing and lack of fire have led to a dominant tree overstory and an herbaceous community dominated by annual grasses and forbs. Tree cover ranges from 20 to 50 percent.
Dominant plant species
oneseed juniper (Juniperus monosperma), tree
twoneedle pinyon (Pinus edulis), tree
spineless horsebrush (Tetradymia canescens), shrub
broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), shrub
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), grass
prickly Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Season-long grazing providing little rest and recovery for preferred grazed plants during critical growing periods, coupled with high utilization. Lack of fire is an additional mechanism here.
Mechanism
Fire/brush control coupled with a prolonged period of prescribed/deferred grazing. Seeding may also be required.
Mechanism
Season-long grazing providing little rest and recovery for preferred grazed plants during critical growing periods, coupled with high utilization. Lack of fire is an additional mechanism here.
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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