Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Warm Mesic Xeric Loamy Slopes (Ponderosa Pine/Shrub) Pinus Ponderosa /Symphoricarpos albus, Pinus Ponderosa / Physocarpus malvaceus
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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State 1
Reference State – Mature Ponderosa Pine Woodland- State 1
Reference State – Mature Ponderosa Pine Woodland- State 1
Description
Reference State – Mature Ponderosa Pine Woodland- State 1
This state is relatively stable with long fire intervals maintaining a mature stand of ponderosa pine over a host of shrubs. Pine regeneration after any type of disturbance creating understory gaps will be variable due to shrub competition. Western pine beetle kill and windfall will create snags and down wood.
Forest productivity is measured using site index (SI) and culmination of annual increment (CMAI). This ecological site is the most productive of the pure pine sites. Ponderosa pine is the only tree species and site indexes ranges greatly depending on local site characteristics. NRCS forest site index plots taken throughout MLRA 430 shows this variability. Site index ranges from 70 - 130. Average site index for this ecological site will be 95 - 105 feet using Meyers 100year total age table. Using the average SI CMAI would be 102 cubic feet/acre/year at 40 years of age in a fully stocked stand.
Submodel
Description
This state developed from past overgrazing or other disturbance and where Kentucky bluegrass and/or Canada bluegrass invaded from adjacent areas. Shrub coverage is low. A mature stand of pine usually exists.
Submodel
Description
Much of this Ecological Site is located at lower elevations where humans (Native and European) settled. These areas were converted to homesteads, pastures, and cropland. In recent times urban expansion has converted these sites to housing developments, shopping malls, and/or business centers.
Submodel
Mechanism
Introduced grasses invaded site and changed understory composition. Overgazing further reduced native vegetation.
Transition T1B
Mechanism
Sites converted to other land uses.
Model keys
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Ecological site groups
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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