GRAVELLY LOAM 9-11 P.Z.
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1 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 representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. Historically, blackbrush associations were long-lived stable communities that rarely experienced fire. Plant community phase changes are primarily driven by long term drought. Wildfire is infrequent and patchy due to low fuel loading. Reproduction and recruitment of blackbrush is episodic, based on favorable climatic conditions (Pendleton and Meyer 2004). Very old stands of blackbrush may have established hundreds to thousands of years ago under very different climatic conditions and will take a considerable amount of time to recover following disturbances.
Submodel
Description
The invaded state is characterized by the presence of non-native species. Ecological processes are not compromised at this time, however the presence of non-natives has reduced the ecological resilience of the site, causing it to respond differently following a disurbance. A biotic threshold is crossed, with the introduction of non-native annuals that are difficult to remove from the system and have the potential to alter disturbance regimes significantly from their natural range of variability. These non-natives are highly flammable and promote wildfires where fires historically have been infrequent. 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.
Submodel
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.