Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Subirrigated 10-19
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Prolonged improper grazing management
More details -
Transition T1B
Introduction of invasive species (non-native perennial grasses, noxious weeds, etc.)
More details -
Transition T1C
Tillage or herbicide application and seeding of annual crops or non-native hayland
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Proper grazing management in combination with revegetation practices and timely moisture (management intensive and costly).
More details -
Transition T2A
Introduction of non-native invasive species (non-native perennial grasses, noxious weeds, etc.)
More details -
Transition T2B
Tillage or herbicide application and seeding of annual crops or non-native hayland
More details -
Transition T3A
Tillage or herbicide application and seeding of annual crops or non-native hayland
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 two 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 communities 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
bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
slimstem reedgrass (Calamagrostis stricta), grass
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
Submodel
Description
The dynamics of the Altered state are driven by long-term improper grazing management such as continuous season-long or year-long grazing. The Altered state for this ecological site consists of one community.
Dominant plant species
arctic rush (Juncus arcticus), 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.
Dominant plant species
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Prolonged improper grazing management such as continuous season-long or year-long grazing weaken the resilience of the Reference state and drive its transition to the Altered state. The Reference state transitions to the Altered state when of tall rhizomatous grasses become rare and species such as arctic rush and unpalatable forbs dominate the plant community.
Transition T1B
Introduction of invasive species (non-native perennial grasses, 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.
Transition T1C
Tillage or herbicide application and seeding of annual crops or non-native hayland
Mechanism
Tillage or application of herbicide followed by seeding of cultivated crops, such as non-native hay, wheat, and barley, transitions the Reference state to the Cropland state.
Restoration pathway R2A
Proper grazing management in combination with revegetation practices and timely moisture (management intensive and costly).
Mechanism
Proper grazing management in combination with normal or above-normal moisture, and revegetation transition the Altered state back to the Reference state. These practices are typically management intensive and costly, therefore, returning the Altered 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 (non-native perennial grasses, noxious weeds, etc.)
Mechanism
The Altered 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.
Transition T2B
Tillage or herbicide application and seeding of annual crops or non-native hayland
Mechanism
Tillage or application of herbicide followed by seeding of cultivated crops, such as non-native hay, wheat, and barley, transitions the Altered state to the Cropland state.
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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