Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Steep Rocky 26-33" PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
State 1
Savanna State - Reference
Savanna State - Reference
Description
The reference plant community for the Steep Rocky ecological site is a Bluestem/Oak/Juniper Savanna Community. In pristine conditions, the site is dominated by little bluestem with lesser amounts of tallgrasses and midgrasses. Trees such as live oak, other oaks, elms, hackberry, and Ashe juniper are native to the site and make up a significant portion of the original plant community. Shrubs and a variety of perennial forbs are also commonly found on the site. Annual production ranges from 1000 to 3000 pounds per acre.
The Midgrass/Oak/Juniper/Shrub Savanna Community occurs as little bluestem and other tallgrasses gradually begin to retreat and fade out of the plant community, they are replaced by midgrasses and shortgrasses. Lower successional forbs begin to replace some of the original perennial forbs. Density of shinoak and juniper increases significantly, and the canopy of shrubs and trees increases noticeablyAnnual production ranges from 800 to 2600 pounds per acre.
Dominant plant species
Texas live oak (Quercus fusiformis), tree
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
Submodel
Description
The Oak/Juniper Shrubland Community is composed of overhead canopy of juniper, oaks, and shrubs increase as grasses and forbs begin to decline. Overhead canopy at this stage ranges from 40 to 75%. Early successional midgrasses, shortgrasses, and annual grasses and forbs become the primary herbaceous species in the open areas. Annual Production ranges from 800 to 2300 pounds per acre.
Dominant plant species
Texas live oak (Quercus fusiformis), tree
Ashe's juniper (Juniperus ashei), tree
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
Submodel
Description
The Juniper Woodland Community is created by the development of a closed overhead canopy of juniper and other trees as well as a midstory canopy of shrubs. The understory vegetation consists of a few remnant grasses, forbs, and sedges. A large percentage of the soil surface beneath the woody canopy is covered with a dense mat of juniper needles and leaf litter. Annual production ranges from 600 to 1800 pounds per acre.
Dominant plant species
Ashe's juniper (Juniperus ashei), tree
Texas wintergrass (Nassella leucotricha), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
With continued abusive grazing pressure, no fires, and no brush management, the Savanna State will transition into the Shrubland State.
Mechanism
With the use of various conservation practices including Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, Brush Management, and Range Planting, the Shrubland State can be restored into the Savanna State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Brush Management |
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Prescribed Burning |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Range Planting |
Mechanism
The Shrubland State will transition into the Woodland State due to abusive grazing pressure, no fires, and no brush management practices.
Mechanism
With the application of various conservation practices including Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, Brush Management, and Range Planting, the Woodland State may be restored into the Shrubland State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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Prescribed Burning |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Range Planting |
Model keys
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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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