VOLCANIC HILL 5-7 P.Z.
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition 1 More details
- Transition 2a More details
- Transition 2b More details
- Transition 3 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
The Reference State is characterized by a blackbrush dominated community with a perennial grass understory. Historically, blackbrush associations were long-lived stable communities that rarely experienced fire.
Submodel
Description
Introduced annuals such as red brome, schismus and redstem stork's bill have invaded the reference plant community and have become a dominant component of the herbaceous cover. This invasion of non-natives is attributed to a combination of factors including: 1) surface disturbances, 2) changes in the kinds of animals and their grazing patterns, 3) drought, and 4) changes in fire history. These non-natives annuals are highly flammable and promote wildfires where fires historically have been infrequent.
ERFAP and AMDU would persist after this invasion by non-native annuals, but the other shrubs and desirable grasses would either be unsuccessful in competing with the non-natives or removed from the system.
The threshold that is crossed, is the introduction of non-native annuals that cannot be removed from the system and will alter disturbance regimes significantly from their natural or historic range of disturbances.
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by the inability of blackbrush to return to site following a fire, due to insufficient climatic conditions and the lack of an available seed source. In the absence of ideal conditions blackbrush will not return to the site. Species will consist of fire tolerant shrubs with high growth rates and high reproductive capacities.
Submodel
Mechanism
Introduction of non-natives due to anthropogenic disturbances, including OHV use, dry land farming, grazing, linear corridors, mining, military training operations, and settlements.
Mechanism
Large scale high intensity fire in combination with insufficient climatic conditions for germination and establishment of blackbrush.
Mechanism
Large scale repeated fire excludes native perennials and creates non-native annual grassland.
Model keys
Briefcase
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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.