Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Sandy Bottomland 16-24" PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Absence of disturbance and excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Reintroduction of historic disturbance return intervals
More details -
Transition T2A
Absence of disturbance, introduction of non-native species, natural regeneration over time, and prolonged excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Chemical/physical removed of woody canopy, coupled with adequate rest from defoliation
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This is the reference or diagnostic community for the site. The description is based on early range site descriptions, clipping data, professional consensus of experienced range specialists, and analysis of field work.
The Tallgrass Grassland State has a good diversity of tallgrasses, perennial forbs, scattered shrub cover and motts or groves of trees scattered throughout the ecological site.
Dominant plant species
eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), tree
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii), grass
Submodel
Description
Tallgrasses are in decline while midgrasses are increasing. There is also an increase in shrub cover. Forbs are also increasing in this plant community. The annual production potential is lower compared to the Tallgrass Grassland State.
Dominant plant species
eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), tree
fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), tree
saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
thin paspalum (Paspalum setaceum), grass
sedge (Carex), grass
Submodel
Description
There are few tallgrasses and midgrasses remaining in this plant community. There is an invasion of exotic species such as salt cedar and willow baccharis have formed a shrubland type community and are dominating the site.
Dominant plant species
saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima), shrub
willow baccharis (Baccharis salicina), shrub
sedge (Carex), grass
Submodel
Transition T1A
Absence of disturbance and excessive grazing pressure
Mechanism
The Tallgrass/Grassland State transitions to the Midgrass Grassland State due to no fires, heavy continuous grazing and brush invasion of salt cedar.
Restoration pathway R2A
Reintroduction of historic disturbance return intervals
Mechanism
With Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management, Pest Management, and Prescribed Burning conservation practices implemented, the Midgrass Grassland State can be restored back to the Tallgrass Grassland State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
|
|
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
Transition T2A
Absence of disturbance, introduction of non-native species, natural regeneration over time, and prolonged excessive grazing pressure
Mechanism
Due to heavy continuous grazing pressure, brush invasion of exotic species such as salt cedar, and no fires, the Midgrass Grassland State will transition to the Shrubland State.
Restoration pathway R3A
Chemical/physical removed of woody canopy, coupled with adequate rest from defoliation
Mechanism
With the implementation of various conservation practices such as Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management, Individual Plant Treatment, and Pest Management, the Shrubland State can be restored back to the Midgrass Grassland State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
|
|
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
Model keys
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Ecological sites
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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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