Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Shallow Hartville Uplift
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Transition T3C More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference State (1.0) represents the best estimate of the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics of the Shallow HU ecological site prior to European settlement. This site is dominated by warm- and cool-season grasses. Forbs are common and diverse, shrubs species vary depending on precipitation and slope aspect. Ponderosa pine and Rocky Mountain juniper can grow naturally on steep slopes and ridges adjacent to rock outcrops. Alderleaf mountain mahogany can grow on all slopes. Grazing, fire, and drought are the major drivers between plant communities.
Dominant plant species
alderleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), shrub
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata), grass
threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia), grass
wheatgrass (Agropyron), grass
hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta), grass
plains muhly (Muhlenbergia cuspidata), grass
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
milkvetch (Astragalus), grass
purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea), grass
prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), grass
yucca (Yucca), grass
Submodel
Description
The Shortgrass Sod State (2.0) is dominated by shortgrass species and upland sedges. This state is the result of grazing management or heavy grazing in combination with drought that does not provide adequate recovery time for tall- and mid-statured warm- and cool-season grasses. It can also be the result of a high-intensity fire occurring in the Conifer State (3.0). The hydrologic function of state 2.0 may be altered from that of state 1.0. Runoff is high, and infiltration is low. State 2.0 is very resistant to change through grazing management alone.
Dominant plant species
broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), shrub
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta), grass
sedge (Carex), grass
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), grass
woolly plantain (Plantago patagonica), grass
pussytoes (Antennaria), grass
Cuman ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), grass
Submodel
Description
The Conifer State (3.0) develops where ponderosa pine and Rocky Mountain juniper become established and expand in extent. As the canopy cover of conifers increases, the herbaceous component declines in extent and more bare ground is exposed. As the extent of bare ground increases, conifers establish more readily. Grazing can contribute to this transition, but the transition can also occur independently of human influence other than fire suppression.
Dominant plant species
ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), tree
Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), tree
alderleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), shrub
needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata), grass
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
sedge (Carex), grass
plains muhly (Muhlenbergia cuspidata), grass
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), grass
manystem pea (Lathyrus polymorphus), grass
pussytoes (Antennaria), grass
prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), grass
Submodel
Description
The Shortgrass/Black Sage State (4.0) is dominated by shortgrasses, upland sedges, and black sagebrush. The soils are highly calcareous and formed in residuum derived from limestone. This state is likely the result of grazing management that did not provide adequate recovery time for tall- and mid-statured warm- and cool-season grasses. It may also be the result of a high-intensity fire event followed by soil erosion. The hydrologic function of this state is likely altered from that of State 1.0. Runoff is high, and infiltration is low.
It is not apparent if state 4.0 can transition to any other state under current management regimes. Many of the steeper ridges support mature ponderosa pine and Rocky Mountain juniper. This site may have supported a conifer overstory at one time, but conifers do not currently appear to be expanding. The dominant shortgrasses and sedges on this site are very resistant to change.
Dominant plant species
black sagebrush (Artemisia nova), shrub
creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), shrub
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia), grass
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy continuous grazing; continuous season-long grazing without change in season of use; or heavy grazing in combination with drought transition the Reference State (1.0) to the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0).
Mechanism
Long-term fire suppression, expansion of conifers, time, and, in places, unique climatic conditions that allow for pine regeneration transition the Reference State (1.0) to the Conifer State (3.0).
Mechanism
Heavy continuous grazing; high-intensity fire; or ground disturbance followed by soil erosion will transition the Reference State (1.0) to the Shortgrass/Black Sage State (4.0).
Mechanism
Long-term prescribed grazing that includes proper stocking rates, change in season of use, and adequate time for plant recovery after grazing can convert this plant community to the Reference State (1.0). A return to normal precipitation patterns following drought helps with recovery. This transition may not be rapid or meet management objectives.
Mechanism
Prescribed burning or wildfire followed by long-term prescribed grazing move state 3.0 towards Reference State (1.0), which is herbaceous dominated. Mechanical removal of conifers through brush management followed by long-term prescribed grazing can also allow the understory to develop and transition to the Reference State (1.0). Trees on the steeper escarpments may escape most fires and thereby provide a seed source for future conifer expansion. This transition is most likely from the Ponderosa Pine-Juniper <15% Cover/Herbaceous Understory Plant Community (3.1).
Mechanism
High-intensity fire and in some cases excessive soil erosion cause State 3.0 to transition to the Shortgrass Sod State (2.0). Initially weedy species become established. Examples include annual grasses and forbs, common mullein, and thistles. Within a relatively short time, however, upland sedges, shortgrasses, and little bluestem dominate the plant community. Trees on the steeper escarpments and in the deeper canyons may escape most fires and thereby provide a seed source for future ponderosa pine expansion. This transition can occur from any plant community within the Conifer State (3.0) but is more likely from the Juniper-Ponderosa Pine >20% Cover/Sedge/Forb Plant Community (3.2).
Mechanism
On the limestone derived soils, high-intensity fire and possibly excessive soil erosion can cause a transition to the Shortgrass/Black Sage State (4.0). Initially weedy species become established. Examples include annual grasses and forbs, common mullein, and thistles. Within a relatively short time, however, upland sedges, shortgrasses, and little bluestem dominate the plant community. Trees on the steeper escarpments may escape most fires and persist on the site. This transition can occur from any plant community within the Conifer State (3.0) but is more likely to occur from the Juniper-Ponderosa Pine >20% Cover/Sedge/Forb Plant Community (3.2).
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