Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Sandy Bottomland 19-26" PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Adequate rest from defoliation, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes
More details -
Transition T2A
Absence of disturbance, excessive grazing pressure, and introduction of non-native species
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Tallgrass Dominant Community consisted of tallgrasses, scattered shrubs and trees along with a good variety of perennial forbs were part of the reference vegetative structure for the Sandy Bottomland site in MLRA78B. Sand bluestem, switchgrass, and dropseeds are the main grasses found at the site. Scattered cottonwood trees are also common.
Dominant plant species
eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), tree
sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii), grass
Submodel
Description
The Midgrass/Shrubs Community occurs when tallgrasses are in decline and that there is an increase in shrub cover. Annual forbs become more frequent. The annual production is lower and there is decreased diversity of species.
Dominant plant species
eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), tree
skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata), shrub
Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia), shrub
sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus), grass
Submodel
Description
The Shrub Dominant Community is noted for having only a few tallgrasses remaining and dominated by various shrubs.
Dominant plant species
saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima), shrub
willow baccharis (Baccharis salicina), shrub
Submodel
Transition T1A
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure
Mechanism
With Heavy Continuous Grazing, Brush Invasion, No Brush Management, and no fires, the Tallgrass Grassland State will transition into the Mixed-grass/Shrubland State.
Restoration pathway R2A
Adequate rest from defoliation, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes
Mechanism
With the implementation of various conservation practices including Prescribed Grazing, Brush Management, Prescribed Burning, and Pest Management, the Mixed-grass/Shrubland 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, excessive grazing pressure, and introduction of non-native species
Mechanism
With Heavy Continuous Grazing, Brush Invasion, and No Brush Management, the Mixed-grass/Shrubland State will transition into the Shrubland State.
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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