Braided Hyperthmic Ephemeral Drainage Complex
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition 1 More details
- Transition 2 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 historic-natural condition for this ecological site. It is similar to State 2, but has only native species. If we were to include dynamics for this state it would be the same as displayed in State 2. The presence of non-native species is minimal in State 2, and has not altered the hydrology or fire frequency.
Description
This state represents the most common and most ecologically intact condition for this ecological site at the present time.
Submodel
Description
This state may occur if the drainage hydrology is altered. This state has not been observed within Mojave National Preserve. Data is needed to describe this state and possible community phases. Headcutting may occur when drainages are bisected by roads and roadside ditches are manually created or created as a result of erosion from runoff. If the ditches have a lower base level for water flow the natural drainages may headcut to level out the channel gradient. Roads and ditches can either divert flow away from or concentrate flow to an area below the road. Loss of flow will cause species richness to decline, and the site will more closely resemble adjacent upland communities. Increased flow will cause the channel to erode, widening and/or downcutting to accommodate the increased flow. White burrobrush and desertsenna may increase in the disturbed drainageways.
Mechanism
This transition occurred with the naturalization of non-native species such as Mediterranean grass (Schismus barbatus) and red brome (Bromus rubens) in the Mojave Desert. This transition is not reversible.
Model keys
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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.