Limestone Fan Remnants (Provisional)
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1 More details
- Transition T2 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
This state represents the natural range of variability for this ecological site, pre-European settlement. Data for this state does not currently exist, due to the naturalization of non-native species and intense land use of the geographic reference area of this site beginning the early 1800's, which included fire, mining, land clearing, hog farming, and cattle grazing (Snorf 1991). This state had infrequent fire, only native species, and no livestock grazing. Fluctuations in annual productivity would have occurred with climatic variability.
Description
This is the representative state for this ecological site. It is similar in composition to the reference plant community, but non-native species are present. Utah juniper cover may be lower than in the reference state due to widespread cutting of Utah juniper to support mining and settlements in the area (Snorf 1991). Overall cover may be lower due to ubiquitous livestock grazing, and perennial grass cover may be lower than in the reference state.
Submodel
Description
This state exists when blackbrush is lost from the community. This occurs with large-scale fires where a blackbrush seed source is not available to recolonize, or with recurrent fire that does not provide a long enough interval to allow for blackbrush recovery. Much of the current extent of this ecological site is in this state.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition occurred with naturalization of non-native annual species such as red brome, cheatgrass, and redstem storks bill, and the introduction of livestock grazing with European exploration and settlement from the 1860s through the 1900s (e.g. Brooks and Chambers 2011). The ubiquitous presence of non-native annuals means that removing them entirely and returning to the reference state is not possible.
Model keys
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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.