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
No fire, no brush management, improper grazing management, drought
More details -
Transition T1B
Brush management, crop cultivation, pasture planting, nutrient management, pest management
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Fire, brush management, proper grazing, range planting
More details -
Transition T2A
Brush management, crop cultivation, pasture planting, nutrient management, pest management
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Fire, brush management, proper grazing, range planting
More details -
Transition T3A
No fire, no brush management, heavy continuous grazing, no pest management
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
Two communities exist in the Grassland State: the 1.1 Tallgrass Prairie Community and the 1.2 Midgrass Prairie Community. Community 1.1 is characterized by tallgrasses dominating the understory and woody species covering less than five percent of the area. Community 1.2 is characterized by my midgrass dominance, but the woody species cover is 5 to 25 percent, with some species attaining heights of three feet.
Submodel
Description
Two communities exist in the Shrubland State: the 2.1 Midgrass/Mixed-Brush Community and the 2.2 Mixed-Brush/Midgrass Shrubland Community. Community 2.1 is characterized by an increase in midgrasses and an overstory canopy of between 25 and 50 percent. Community 2.2 is characterized by midgrasses, shortgrasses, and low forbs with an overstory canopy cover exceeding 50 percent.
Submodel
Transition T1A
No fire, no brush management, improper grazing management, drought
Mechanism
The Grassland State will transition to the Shrubland State when continued heavy grazing pressure, no fire, no brush management, and/or field abandonment continues. The transition is evident when woody species canopy cover exceeds 25 percent and grasses shift composition to more shade-tolerant species.
Transition T1B
Brush management, crop cultivation, pasture planting, nutrient management, pest management
Mechanism
The transition to the Converted State occurs when the site is plowed for planting crops or pasture. The driver for the transition is the land manager's decision to farm the site.
Restoration pathway R2A
Fire, brush management, proper grazing, range planting
Mechanism
Restoration of the Shrubland State to the Grassland State requires substantial energy input. Mechanical or herbicidal brush control treatments can be used to remove woody species. A long-term prescribed fire program may sufficiently reduce brush density particularly if the woody component is dominated by species that are not re-sprouters. However, fire may not be sufficient to remove mature trees. Brush control in combination with prescribed fire, proper grazing management, and favorable growing conditions may be the most economical means of creating and maintaining the desired plant community. If remnant populations of tallgrasses, midgrasses, and desirable forbs are not present at sufficient levels, range planting will be necessary to restore the reference plant community.
Transition T2A
Brush management, crop cultivation, pasture planting, nutrient management, pest management
Mechanism
The transition to the Converted State occurs when the site is plowed for planting crops or pasture. The driver for the transition is the land manager's decision to farm the site.
Restoration pathway R3A
Fire, brush management, proper grazing, range planting
Mechanism
The restoration to State 1 can occur when the land manager ceases agronomic practices. Range planting of native species found in the reference community will be required to bring back a similar community as the State 1 plant composition. The extent of previous soil disturbances will determine how much seedbed preparation will be needed, as well as the ability to be restored. Proper grazing and brush management will be required to ensure success.
Transition T3A
No fire, no brush management, heavy continuous grazing, no pest management
Mechanism
The Converted Land State will transition to the Shrubland State by heavy continuous grazing, no fire, no brush management and/or abandonment. Woody species that encroach will eventually grow into the overstory and begin to shade out grasses.
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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