Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Dense Clay Sodic 10-14
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Prolonged drought, improper grazing, or a combination of these factors
More details -
Transition T1B
Introduction of non-native invasive species (annual bromes, crested wheatgrass, noxious weeds, etc.)
More details -
Transition T1C
Conversion to cropland
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Proper grazing management in combination with rangeland seeding, grazing land mechanical treatment, and timely moisture (management intensive and costly).
More details -
Transition T2A
Introduction of non-native invasive species (annual bromes, crested wheatgrass, noxious weeds, etc.)
More details -
Transition T2B
Conversion to cropland
More details -
Transition T3A
Conversion to cropland
More details -
Transition T4A
Cessation of annual cropping
More details -
Transition T5A
Conversion to cropland
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference state for this ecological site consists of four communities and evolved under the combined influences of climatic conditions, periodic fire activity, grazing by large herbivores, and impacts from small mammals and insects. The Reference state is the plant community in which interpretations are primarily based and is used as a reference in order to understand the original potential of the site.
Dominant plant species
Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), shrub
Gardner's saltbush (Atriplex gardneri), shrub
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass
saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
Submodel
Description
The dynamics of the Shortgrass state are driven by long-term drought, improper grazing management such as continuous season-long or year-long grazing, or a combination of these factors. The Shortgrass state for this ecological site consists of two communities.
Dominant plant species
Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass
saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
Submodel
Description
The Invaded state occurs when invasive plant species invade native plant communities and displace the native species. The Invaded state consists of one community.
Submodel
Description
The Cropland state occurs when cultivation occurs to the land. The Cropland state consists of one community.
Submodel
Description
The Post Cropland state occurs when cultivated cropland is abandoned and allowed to either re-vegetate naturally or is seeded back to perennial species for livestock grazing or wildlife use. This state can transition back to the Cropland state if the site is returned to cultivation. No formal studies have been obtained regarding Wyoming big sagebrush recovery following cultivation and further investigation is needed to assess Wyoming big sagebrush recovery in the Post Cropland state. The Post Cropland state has two communities.
Submodel
Mechanism
Prolonged drought, improper grazing management such as continuous season-long or year-long grazing, or a combination of these factors weaken the resilience of the Reference state and drive its transition to the Shortgrass state. The Reference state transitions to the Shortgrass state when mid-statured graminoids become rare and shortgrasses such as Sandberg bluegrass, saltgrass, and blue grama dominate the plant community.
Transition T1B
Introduction of non-native invasive species (annual bromes, crested wheatgrass, noxious weeds, etc.)
Mechanism
The Reference state transitions to the Invaded state when non-native grasses or noxious weeds invade the plant community. Exotic plant species dominate the site in terms of cover and production and site resilience has been substantially reduced. In addition, other rangeland health attributes, such as reproductive capacity of native grasses and soil quality, have been substantially altered from the Reference state.
Mechanism
Tillage or application of herbicide followed by seeding of cultivated crops, such as winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley, transitions the Reference state to the Cropland state.
Restoration pathway R2A
Proper grazing management in combination with rangeland seeding, grazing land mechanical treatment, and timely moisture (management intensive and costly).
Mechanism
Shortgrasses can resist displacement by other species. A reduction in livestock grazing pressure alone may not be sufficient to reduce the cover of blue grama in the Shortgrass state and mechanical treatments may be necessary. Therefore, returning the Shortgrass state to the Reference state can require considerable cost, energy, and time.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
Transition T2A
Introduction of non-native invasive species (annual bromes, crested wheatgrass, noxious weeds, etc.)
Mechanism
The Shortgrass state transitions to the Invaded state when non-native grasses, noxious weeds, and other invasive plants invade the Shortgrass state. Exotic plant species dominate the site in terms of cover and production. Site resilience has been substantially reduced.
Mechanism
Tillage or application of herbicide followed by seeding of cultivated crops, such as winter wheat, spring wheat, and barley, transitions the Shortgrass state to the Cropland state.
Mechanism
The Invaded state will transition to the Cropland state when the site is placed under cultivation.
Mechanism
The transition from the Cropland state to the Post Cropland state occurs with the cessation of cultivation. The site may also be seeded to perennial forage species, such as crested wheatgrass and alfalfa, or a mix of native species.
Model keys
Briefcase
Add { ecological sites } and { Major Land Resource Areas } to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase
(
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
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.
Accessibility statement