Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Wet Bottomland 16-24" PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Prolonged excessive grazing pressure and introduction of non-native species
More details -
Transition T1B
Absence of disturbance, natural regeneration over time, and excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Removal of woody canopy and reintroduction of historic disturbance return intervals, may be coupled with rangeland seeding
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
State 1
Tallgrass Grassland State
Tallgrass Grassland 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 interpretive plant community for site is the Tallgrass Community. It is a mixture of tall grasses, forbs, and a few woody shrubs and a few trees.
The Mid/Tallgrass plant community shows a bottomland dominated by alkali sacaton with a few other midgrasses, and a few tallgrass species.
Dominant plant species
eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), tree
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), grass
Submodel
Description
This plant community shows a bottomland dominated by Alkali sacaton with a few other midgrasses, and a few tallgrass species. Salt cedar is shown in background and is a frequent invader in certain localities. If the soil and/or water is slightly alkaline, then alkali sacaton is often more prevalent.
Dominant plant species
tamarisk (Tamarix), tree
Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), tree
alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), grass
Submodel
Description
The Midgrass/Forb State has departed significantly from the Tallgrass Grassland State. The taller growing grass species have decreased in abundance, being replaced by midgrasses and by common bermudagrass. There has been a significant increase in invasive shrubs with willow baccharis being the dominant species. The site has been heavily grazed during spring and summer by cattle for many years.
Dominant plant species
willow baccharis (Baccharis salicina), shrub
buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), grass
Submodel
Transition T1A
Prolonged excessive grazing pressure and introduction of non-native species
Mechanism
With heavy continuous grazing and an increase in salinity, the Tallgrass Grassland State will transition into the Midgrass/Forb State.
Transition T1B
Absence of disturbance, natural regeneration over time, and excessive grazing pressure
Mechanism
With heavy continuous grazing and no fires, the Tallgrass Grassland State will transition into the Midgrass/Shrub State.
Restoration pathway R3A
Removal of woody canopy and reintroduction of historic disturbance return intervals, may be coupled with rangeland seeding
Mechanism
With the implementation of conservation practices including Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management, and Prescribed Burning, the Midgrass/Shrub State can be restored to the Tallgrass Grassland State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Prescribed Grazing |
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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