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
Excessive grazing. Lack of fire.
More details -
Transition T2A
Excessive grazing. Lack of fire.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference state is characterized by two distinct plant community phases. The plant communities and various successional stages between them represent the natural range of variability within the Reference state.
Dominant plant species
skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata), shrub
winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), shrub
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
Submodel
Description
Species diversity and production have been severely reduced. Litter levels are very low. Mineral and water cycles are impaired due to the loss of deeper rooted grasses, forbs, and shrubs, and significant biotic and edaphic (soil characteristics) changes. Rills are evident and soil loss is obvious, especially on steeper slopes. Pedestalled plants with exposed roots are common. An ecological threshold has been crossed. The loss of functional/structural groups such as warm-season midgrass reduces the biodiversity and productivity of this site.
Dominant plant species
prairie sagewort (Artemisia frigida), shrub
soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca), shrub
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), grass
threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia), grass
Submodel
Description
Soil erosion is severe. An ecological threshold has been crossed. Erosion and loss of organic matter and carbon reserves are concerns. Nutrient and water cycles and energy flow are impaired.
Dominant plant species
soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca), shrub
spiny phlox (Phlox hoodii), shrub
Fendler threeawn (Aristida purpurea var. longiseta), grass
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
Russian thistle (Salsola), grass
burningbush (Bassia scoparia), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Heavy, continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events and lack of fire shift this plant community across an ecological threshold to the Warm-season Shortgrass State. Biotic integrity and hydrologic function are impaired as a result of this transition.
Mechanism
Long-term, heavy, continuous grazing without adequate recovery periods between grazing events and lack of fire cause a shift across an ecological threshold to the Increase Bare Ground State. Soil erosion, loss of organic matter and carbon reserves, and invasion by annual plants are constraints to recovery.
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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