Natural Resources
Conservation Service
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 -
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 -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference state 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. The Reference state for this ecological site consists of four communities.
Dominant plant species
soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca), shrub
prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia), grass
needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata), grass
threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia), grass
Submodel
Description
The dynamics of the Shortgrass state are driven by long-term drought, improper grazing management, or a combination of these factors. The Shortgrass state for this ecological site consists of two communities.
Dominant plant species
soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca), shrub
threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia), grass
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass
Submodel
Description
The Invaded state occurs when invasive plant species invade native grassland communities and displace the native species. The Invaded State consists of one community.
Dominant plant species
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
field brome (Bromus arvensis), grass
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 and sedges such as blue grama, Sandberg bluegrass, and threadleaf sedge 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.
Restoration pathway R2A
Proper grazing management in combination with rangeland seeding, grazing land mechanical treatment, and timely moisture (management intensive and costly)
Mechanism
Blue grama 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.
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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