Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Loamy Upland Drainageway Savanna
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
- Transition T1C More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Restoration pathway T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Restoration pathway T5A 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
bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), tree
prairie willow (Salix humilis), shrub
New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus), shrub
plum (Prunus), shrub
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), grass
Submodel
Description
Degraded reference states that have experienced fire suppression and woody invasion for 20 or more years will transition to this state. With fire suppression, woody species such as bur oak, pin oak, and shellbark hickory will begin to increase transitioning this state from a savanna to an open woodland. Native herbaceous ground cover will also decrease.
Dominant plant species
bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), tree
pin oak (Quercus palustris), tree
shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa), tree
oak (Quercus), shrub
goldenrod (Oligoneuron), grass
Submodel
Description
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue and red clover has been common in this area. Occasionally, these pastures may have scattered bur oaks. Long term uncontrolled grazing and a lack of grassland management can cause significant soil erosion and compaction and increases in less productive species such as Kentucky bluegrass and weedy forbs such as ironweed. A return to the reference state may be impossible, requiring a very long term series of management options.
Dominant plant species
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
red clover (Trifolium pratense), grass
Submodel
Description
This is the dominant State that exists currently with intensive cropping of corn, wheat and soybeans occurring. Some conversion to cool season hay land may occur for a limited period of time before transitioning back to cropland. Limited acres are sometimes converted to native warm season grassland through federal set-aside programs.
Submodel
Description
Conversion from the Cool Season Grassland (State 3) or the Cropland (State 4) to this state is increasing due to renewed interest in warm season grasses as a supplement to cool season grazing systems or as a native restoration activity. This state can be transformed back to a reference state. Substantial restoration time and management inputs and costs will still be needed.
Dominant plant species
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
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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