Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Restoration pathway R3B 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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Description
In this state, late-seral grasses such as sand bluestem are well-represented, topsoil remains, and tree species have not encroached.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition represents the reduction or extirpation of highly palatable species such as sand bluestem, coupled with the establishment of oneseed juniper woodlands. The most likely mechanism is season-long grazing providing little rest and recovery for preferred grazed plants during critical growing periods, coupled with high utilization.
Mechanism
This pathway represents the elimination of oneseed juniper and a resurgence of highly palatable species such as sand bluestem. This process will likely require a prolonged period of prescribed/deferred grazing, coupled with a tree-killing mechanism such as fire or chemical/mechanical treatments.
Mechanism
This transition represents the initiation of wind and water erosion. This is the result of soil disturbance and reduced plant cover. Both would be expected under a prolonged, heavy, continuous grazing regime.
Mechanism
This pathway represents the elimination of oneseed juniper, a resurgence of highly palatable species such as sand bluestem, and a marked reduction in erosion rates. This process will likely require a prolonged period of prescribed/deferred grazing, coupled with a tree-killing mechanism such as fire or chemical/mechanical treatments. In cases where topsoil has been severely truncated or removed, the restoration of topsoil cannot be expected in a human lifetime.
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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