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, may be coupled with drought and excessive grazing pressure
More details -
Transition T1B
Removal of vegetation followed by seeding introduced forage species
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Introduction of historic disturbance intervals
More details -
Transition T2A
Removal of vegetation followed by seeding introduced forage species
More details -
Transition T3A
Absence of disturbance, may be coupled with drought and excessive grazing pressure
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The reference state is considered to representative of the range of variation under pre-Euro settlement conditions. This state is characterized warm-season grasses and shrubs. Community phase changes are primarily driven by wildfire and periodic grazing.
Dominant plant species
pink pappusgrass (Pappophorum bicolor), grass
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
Submodel
Dominant plant species
mesquite (Prosopis), shrub
guajillo (Acacia berlandieri), shrub
threeawn (Aristida), grass
Submodel
Dominant plant species
buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), grass
Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), grass
Submodel
Transition T1A
Absence of disturbance, may be coupled with drought and excessive grazing pressure
Mechanism
Heavy continuous grazing, lack of fire, and drought will transition this site into a Shrubland State (2). The site is characterized by greater than 30 percent woody canopy cover.
Mechanism
Land managers may wish to use this site as pasture or, less commonly, cropland. If woody species are present, brush management is necessary to remove trees and shrubs. Seedbed preparation and pasture planting are the final steps needed.
Mechanism
Prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, and brush management are required to restore the community back to a Grassland State (1). Removal of woody species below 30 percent allows more light and nutrients to herbaceous species. Reducing grazing pressure will allow plants to regain vigor and re-establish.
Mechanism
Land managers may wish to use this site as pasture or, less commonly, cropland. Brush management, followed by seedbed preparation and pasture planting are needed to create a successful pasture.
Transition T3A
Absence of disturbance, may be coupled with drought and excessive grazing pressure
Mechanism
Without brush management, woody species will encroach and grow into the overstory. The site will transition to a Shrubland State (2) once the woody canopy cover is greater than 30 percent.
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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