Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Loamy Bottom (Basin Big Sagebrush)
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1a More details
- Transition T2a More details
- Transition T2b More details
- Transition T3a 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 contains plant communities presumed to occur prior to the introduction of non-native plants, livestock grazing, and other modern disturbances. Basin big sagebrush dominance depends on time since fire, aroga moth, or extended drought.
Submodel
State 2
Invaded State--Basin big sagebrush/Perennial grass
Invaded State--Basin big sagebrush/Perennial grass
Description
The invaded state is similar to the reference state in composition and ecological function, but allows for non-native species to be present. It also includes an at-risk plant community with reduced perennial grass production. When perennial grasses are losing vigor and the ability to propagate themselves, this state is at risk of transitioning to the depleted understory state, which is incapable of recoving perennial grasses without significant management inputs.
Submodel
State 3
Depleted Understory State--Basin big sagebrush/Annual grass-forb
Depleted Understory State--Basin big sagebrush/Annual grass-forb
Description
The depleted understory state occurs when perennial grasses have been lost from the understory. Perennial forbs may also be reduced. This state is not as capable of carrying a stand replacing fire that removes big sagebrush due to a reduction in fine fules. As a result, sagebrush continues to increase and the understory continues to be reduced. Thinning of sagebrush by livestock trampling or other disturbance results in an increase in annual species in the understory.
Submodel
State 4
Tamarisk State--Tamarisk-Basin big sagebrush
Tamarisk State--Tamarisk-Basin big sagebrush
Description
This state has only been documented on low stream terraces. The stream provides a corridor for tamarisk invasion, which spreads throughout the loamy bottom on low stream terraces, eventually dominating the site.
Submodel
Mechanism
Establishment and persistence of non-native species results in a transition from the reference state to the invaded state.
Transition T2a
Mechanism
This transition occurs when perennial grasses are reduced by improper grazing to the point that they can no longer self-propagate. Few remnant plants may still persist under shrubs, but re-establishment and dominance by perennial grasses will not occur following a fire, or with the removal of livestock grazing.
Transition T2b
Mechanism
This transition only occurs when the site is on low stream terraces. The stream provides a corridor for tamarisk invasion, which spreads to low terraces dominated by basin big sagebrush.
Transition T3a
Mechanism
This transition only occurs when the site is on low stream terraces. The stream provides a corridor for tamarisk invasion, which spreads to low terraces dominated by basin big sagebrush.
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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