Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Clay Loam Upland 20-24" p.z.
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Restoration pathway R4B More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Restoration pathway R5B More details
- Restoration pathway R5A More details
- Transition T5A 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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State 1
Reference State
Reference State
Description
Sideoats grama is the dominant grass species and occurs as a grassland or savanna where alligator juniper is the tree species. Large diameter alligator juniper trees (24-48" Diameter at Root Collar) range from 1 to 5 per acre.
Submodel
Description
Sideoats grama is replaced by blue and or hairy grama.
Submodel
Description
Alligator juniper tree canopies are 10 foot in diameter and approximately 20-25 feet apart.
Submodel
Description
Tree canopies are 15-20 feet in diameter and 10-15 feet apart.
Submodel
Description
Juniper dominates the site.
Submodel
Mechanism
Continuous heavy herbivory reducing vigor of sideoats grama. Blue or hairy grama become dominant grasses.
Mechanism
Exact mechanism is unknown and this transition likely occurs as a result of reduced vigor and ground cover of desirable perennial grass plants and subsequent establishment of the introduced species.
Mechanism
Unknown. Species other than blue grama only establish where livestock pipelines have been ripped into the soil or other disturbances have reduced the competitive nature of blue grama in east central Arizona and west central New Mexico grasslands. Contour ripping and range seeding may assist in this restoration.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Range Planting |
Mechanism
Fire suppression, continuous herbivory reducing fire fine fuel loads, junipers establishing and maturing into 10-15 foot tall trees. Potentially induced by changes in precipitation patterns favoring germination and establishment of cool season species.
Mechanism
Proper grazing use of remaining fine fuels. Lightning caused wildfire, mechanical removal of juniper trees followed by lightning or prescribed fire. Juniper mortality due to drought, principally at lower elevations of the site.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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Prescribed Burning |
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Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Continued fire suppression. Extreme herbivory of remnant fine fuels. Additional juniper trees establish and or existing trees increase in size.
Mechanism
Unknown. Lightning or other extreme summer fire kills majority of juniper. Seeding after fire if herbaceous species are absent and very clayey subsoils are not exposed. Mechanical removal of juniper, reseeding, and lightning or prescribed fire once herbaceous fine fuels have recovered to support fire. If root is not removed by mechanical means maintenance fires should be applied as described for Community Phase 1.2 as this species will resprout. Alternative would be stump application of herbicide after cutting trees to control resprouting and prescribed fire to burn tree skeletons.
Mechanism
Continued fire suppression. Extreme herbivory of fine fuels.
Mechanism
Unknown. Lightning or other extreme summer fire kills greater amounts of juniper. Seeding after fire if very clayey subsoils are not exposed. Most junipers will resprout. Mechanical removal of larger junipers, reseeding, and lightning or prescribed fire once herbaceous fine fuels have recovered to support fire. Stump application of herbicide after cutting trees is needed to control sprouting if maintenance fire is not planned.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Range Planting |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Unknown. Low intensity fire kills lesser amounts of juniper. Seeding after fire if very clayey subsoils are not exposed. Most junipers will resprout. Mechanical removal of larger junipers, reseeding, and lightning or prescribed fire once herbaceous fine fuels have recovered to support fire. Stump application of herbicide after cutting trees is needed to control sprouting if maintenance fire is not planned.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
|
|
Range Planting |
Model keys
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