Sodic Flat
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A 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
State 1 represents the Sodic Flat ecological site with no invasive or exotic species. All the functional, structural groups have one or more species. At-risk Communities: All communities in the reference state are at risk of invasive species. Annual or biennial weeds and annual grass seeds blow onto most sites annually. Community 1.3 is most at risk of invasion.
Submodel
Description
State 2 represents the Sodic Flat ecological site where invasive broadleaf weeds and invasive annual grasses have prominence. Foxtail barley is present and saltgrass has been reduced to scattered patches Communities in State 2: State 2 can have several variations: 1. Invasive broadleaf weeds with foxtail barley and saltgrass patches 2. Invasive annual grasses with foxtail barley and saltgrass patches 3. Both variations above can be with or without some greasewood and rabbitbrush Some Invasive Species in State 2: cheatgrass perennial pepperweed rabbitsfoot grass alkali grass.
Submodel
Mechanism
Result: shift from Reference State with no invasive species to State 2 with invasive species Primary Trigger: heavy to severe grazing pressure (heavy to severe grazing intensity or extended grazing period). Ecological process. With consistent defoliation saltgrass has reduced vigor and bare ground increases which provide opportunities for invasive species to colonize and expand. Weed seeds blow onto most sites annually. Indicators: initially reduced cover of saltgrass and increasing bare ground. The presence of invasive species where none has occurred. Recovery State 2 is considered non-reversible. Sodic Flat is a harsh site. Soils are very strongly alkaline and sodic. Seeding success would be very problematic. Seeding is not a viable option economically or from a plant adaptability standpoint.
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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.