Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Invasion of Non-native Vegetation, Flooding, Drought
More details -
Transition T1B
Tillage, Drought
More details -
Transition T1C
Drainage
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Deep Water, Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Fire, Drought, Time
More details -
Transition T2A
Tillage, Drought
More details -
Transition T2B
Drainage, Drought
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Non use, Invasion of Non-native Vegetation, Flooding, Time, Seeding
More details -
Restoration pathway R4A
Renovation/Restoration
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference State represents what is believed to show the natural range of variability that dominates the dynamics of the ecological state prior to European settlement of North America. This site, in the Reference State (State 1), is dominated by cattails and grass-like vegetation. Drought and flooding are major drivers between plant community phases, while herbivory by native ungulates and other wildlife and fire played a more minor role. Invasion of non-native or hybrid cattails during the drawdown/bare soil phase will result in a transition to the Invaded State (State 2).
Dominant plant species
broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia), grass
hardstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus), grass
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by a shift from broadleaf cattail dominance to narrowleaf (Typha angustifolia) and hybrid (Typha x glauca) cattail dominance – both more invasive cattail species. The transition leads to a more cattail dominated state, decreasing the amount of bulrush species present in this state, and also allowing for Phragmites to invade as well. This state incorporates the same drought and deluge cycles as the reference state, but this state is dominated by invasive and non-native vegetation.
Dominant plant species
narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), grass
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by the production of annual crops. This community phase only occurs during extreme drought years when basin is dry enough to be cropped.
Dominant plant species
corn (Zea mays), grass
soybean (Glycine max), grass
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by the production of annual crops due to drainage by mechanical means. This state is highly altered and will never return to the Reference State (State 1).
Dominant plant species
corn (Zea mays), grass
soybean (Glycine max), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Invasion of non-native cattails and phragmites along with flooding and drought may lead to the Invaded State (State 2).
Mechanism
Times of drought will dry out the site, which may allow tillage and annual cropping to commence and may lead to the Crop Production State (State 3).
Mechanism
Drainage of basin may allow for the basin to be cropped and may lead to the Altered Production State (State 4). Restoration of this state may occur, but natural pathways have been altered and site will never return to Reference State (State 1).
Mechanism
Deep water or drought may help the invaded phase return to a more native state within the Reference State (State 1). Narrowleaf and hybrid cattails cannot withstand deep water phases, or drought. A combination of many management types such as prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, and well-timed climate occurrences may allow the site to return to a non-native state (but not likely).
Mechanism
Time and drought will dry out the site, which may allow tillage and annual cropping to commence and may lead to the Crop Production State (State 3).
Mechanism
Drainage and drought of basin may allow for the basin to be cropped and may lead to the Altered Production State (State 4). Restoration of this state may occur, but natural pathways have been altered and site will never return to Reference State (State 1).
Restoration pathway R3A
Non use, Invasion of Non-native Vegetation, Flooding, Time, Seeding
Mechanism
Non-use and flooding will allow invasive water-loving plants to revegetate the site over time. Seeding with native vegetation may also speed this process.
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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