Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Subirrigated (Sb) 10-14" p.z.
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
No prescribed grazing, no fire, extended drought (greater than 7 years)
More details -
Transition T1B
No prescribed grazing, no fire, drought, other disturbance
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Restoration pathway R2A
not likely without significant input of energy into the system
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Transition T2A
No prescribed grazing, mo fire, drought
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Restoration pathway R3A
Succession to Plant Community C is not likely to occur without a proactive management of a significant input of energy into the natural system.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Submodel
Submodel
Mechanism
No prescribed grazing, no fire, extended drought (greater than 7 years) Plant Community B should be recognized as the pre-threshold community. It is generally resilient but it is not highly resistant to stress. Under prescribed grazing this Community can return to Community A through succession. However, it will regress under the influence of NPG to lower successional Plant Community C (State 2). However, it is theorized that the pathways for this transition originate from within the Reference State, and not necessarily from Community B.
Mechanism
No prescribed grazing, no fire, drought, other disturbance Regression also occurs to Community D (State 3). However, it is theorized that the pathways for this transition originate from within the Reference State, and not necessarily from Community B.
Mechanism
Succession from Community C to Community B is not likely without significant input of energy into the system. Many of the rhizomatous species are resistant to fire and grazing. Therefore, it is not logical for nutrient cycling and other ecological processes to be restored after a single fire or immediately following the implementation of prescribed grazing.
Mechanism
No prescribed grazing, no fire, drought Plant community C is not a precise assemblage of species that remain constant from place to place or from year to year. Variability is apparent in productivity and occurrence of individual species. Changes in climate, fire patterns and frequency, and grazing all play a role in determining which plant species express dominance. Plant community C can regress into Community D with non-prescribed grazing and/or the absence of a natural fire regime.
Restoration pathway R3A
Succession to Plant Community C is not likely to occur without a proactive management of a significant input of energy into the natural system.
Mechanism
The noxious weeds and introduced rhizomatous grasses are competitive. Succession to Plant Community C is not likely to occur without a proactive management of a significant input of energy into the natural system. Practical experience indicates that Garrison Creeping Foxtail (GCF) can be introduced into this community by feeding livestock GCF on the site, or by scattering seed and allowing livestock to trample it into the soil. Within a few years, the GCF often dominates the community. The seasonal water table and extensive below ground biomass that characterizes this restricts the use of conventional tillage. Research suggests that desirable species can be seeded into the site with a no-till drill following the application of Roundup R to control undesirable plants. In most situations, these agronomic approaches are usually economically and ecologically prohibitive.
Model keys
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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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