Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Shallow Hills 16-20" p.z.
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
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
- Restoration pathway R3B 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
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition occurs when non-native bunchgrass seed is purposely or inadvertently introduced into the plant community. Repeated fire or unmanaged grazing can disrupt the native midgrass community, allowing non-native bunchgrasses to flourish.
Mechanism
Long-term unmanaged grazing reduces perennial grass vigor and removes fine fuels from carrying fire. In the absence of fire, shrub growth is unchecked.
Mechanism
No restoration pathway known at this time. Perhaps future development of herbicide or biological treatment to remove perennial exotics will occur.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Prescribed Burning |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Long-term, unmanaged grazing with or without drought-fire interaction opens perennial grass canopy, reduces fuel loads, and allows shrubs to outcompete for resources. Fire-free periods are further extended in the absence of fine fuels.
Mechanism
Woody species control, native species seeding (as needed) supported by managed grazing. Shrub control needs to be maintained with herbicides or prescribed burning.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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Prescribed Burning |
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Fence |
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Range Planting |
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Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Restoration activities conducted when a non-native seed bank is present (Lehmann lovegrass or other non-natives present along trails, roads or in disturbed areas) can result in an exotic grassland community. Seeding native species may enhance the native grass and forb components. Restoration practices are woody species control and native species seeding (as needed) supported by managed grazing. Shrub control maintained with herbicide favors the native grasses; prescribed burning favors non-native grasses. Burning the mixed shrub community with a non-native grass seed source present can result in an exotic grassland co-dominant with shrubs.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Range Planting |
|
|
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Mechanism
Continuous, unmanaged grazing further affects the biotic integrity, soil site stability and hydrologic functioning. Animal trailing and soil surface compaction are compounded with the hydrologic impacts of plant community changes (shrub dominance rather than perennial grasses). Overall, surface water run-off from rainfall events is greatly increased while infiltration is markedly decreased.
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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