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
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes
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 ecological state for the Clayey Breaks site. It represents the natural range of variability within the plant community over the course of its development. It takes into consideration the variability in precipitation patterns from year to year and the frequency and timing of fires. During wetter periods, the overall production and species composition of the site may differ from long dry periods. Also, the site may have burned consecutive years during some periods and not burned at all for multiples years. These variation in plant community diversity and structure are considered normal and expected on the site.
Dominant plant species
Pinchot's juniper (Juniperus pinchotii), tree
featherplume (Dalea formosa), shrub
hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta), grass
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
Submodel
Description
This ecological state is the result of long term fire exclusion. Without periodic fires to suppress the woody species, they have increased in canopy size and abundance. Several ecological process are altered as a result. The hydrologic cycle is disrupted by both rainfall interception and excessive use by the more prolific shrub species. Energy flow is dominated by the shrubs which can shade out many of the other herbaceous plants. Overall biomass production may be similar to the reference state, however the majority is made up of woody species production.
Dominant plant species
Pinchot's juniper (Juniperus pinchotii), tree
featherplume (Dalea formosa), shrub
skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata), shrub
Submodel
Transition T1A
Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure
Mechanism
With long term fire exclusion (10+ years), this site may transition to a shrub dominated ecological state. Without fire or alternative brush management methods, the woody species will begin to dominate the ecological processes.
Restoration pathway R2A
Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes
Mechanism
It is believed that this shrub dominated state can be returned to the reference state. This restoration must involve the reintroduction of fire through prescribed burning. Potentially, other brush management practices may be needed in order to expedite the processes. Caution should be used if any mechanical brush treatment is applied as the erosion potential may be high on the steep slopes. Depending on weather patterns, fuel continuity, and remaining reference state species, this process could take many years(10+).
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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