Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T3A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Dominant plant species
mesquite (Prosopis), shrub
plains bristlegrass (Setaria vulpiseta), grass
Arizona cottontop (Digitaria californica), grass
Submodel
Dominant plant species
mesquite (Prosopis), shrub
Submodel
Dominant plant species
Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
If heavy continuous grazing occurs with the exclusion of fire, the phase will transition to the Shrubland State (2). Drought will hasten the process. Once the woody canopy exceeds approximately 20 percent, a threshold is crossed. In this case, energy in the form of heavy equipment and/or herbicides will be required along with prescribed grazing to shift the plant community back to the Savannah State (1). Once the woody plants pass this threshold, grazing management alone will not reverse the woody plant population.
Mechanism
The Savannah State (1) can be converted to the Converted Land State (3) by controlling the brush and seeding to native or introduced grasses. It may also be plowed and converted to cropland.
Mechanism
Brush management is the key driver in restoring the Shrubland State (2) back to the Savannah State (1). Reduction in woody canopy below 20 percent will take large energy inputs depending on the canopy cover. A prescribed grazing plan and prescribed burning plan will keep the state functioning.
Mechanism
The Shrubland State (2) can be converted to the Converted Land State (3) by controlling the brush and seeding to native or introduced grasses. It may also be plowed and converted to cropland.
Mechanism
If the Abandoned Land Community (3.2) is left alone, eventually the woody plants will create a moderate to heavy canopy. At this point, the desired understory grasses, forbs, and/or crops will be shaded out and the site will transition into a Shrubland State (2).
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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