Gypsic Flat 3-5" P.Z.
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1 More details
- Restoration pathway R1 More details
- Transition T2 More details
- Restoration pathway R2 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
Playa surface conditions such as salinity, crusts, and smoothness prevent seed retention, germination and seedling establishment. Until these conditions are altered through surface cracking, erosion and deposition; very little vegetation is able to grow, survive and thrive.
Description
The interpretative plant community is the historic climax plant community. This site occurs adjacent to dry lake beds and is characterized by a low open shrubland dominated by alkali-tolerant chenopods, especially Suaeda moquinii. Perennial grasses and forbs are sparse. Annuals are sparse and seasonally present. This site is stable in this condition. Vegetative composition is about 90% shrubs, 5% grasses and 5% forbs. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 2 to 10 percent.
Submodel
Description
Vegetation traps moving sediment and accumulation occurs beneath the vegetation. Changes in hydrology, climate and other types of upstream or upwind disturbances may accelerate sediment accumulation to the point of vegetation burial (Laity 2003). Accumulation could also be slow enough to allow some of the existing vegetation to survive while species typical of drier sites begin to establish on the semi-stable dunes.
Submodel
Mechanism
Surface disturbance such as cracking, rill formation, tire tracks and sediment deposition provide a site for seed retention, germination and seedling establishment.
Mechanism
Altered hydrology or drought leads to an already sparsely vegetated area to die-off and convert back to the barren playa floor.
Mechanism
Altered hydrology, drought or any other type of upstream or upwind activities which removes vegetation and allows sediment migration to this site.
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.