Coastal Scrub Shrublands
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1 More details
- Transition T3 More details
- Restoration pathway R1 More details
- Transition T2 More details
- Restoration pathway R3 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
The dynamics described below are general to the level that the site concept has been developed for provisional ecological site concept identification and further investigation purposes only. It is meant to give a general overview of the ecological dynamics of the system and should not be viewed as a model for a specific ecological site level management. It is supported by the current available literature that was reviewed for a general understanding of the system and basic understanding of the abiotic and biotic drivers. Further investigations and soil-site data collection and analysis should be conducted before specific land management can be applied at the ecological site specific scale. This STM only serves to explain the general ecology and dynamics.
Reference State (State 1) –
This reference state includes a patchwork of coastal scrub dominated shrublands and dense, tall herbaceous forbs and grasses. These communities are all varied in size and extent, depending on the width of coastline available, elevation and slope, the geologic and soil substrates, and dynamics of disturbance. This variability requires further site investigation and field data collection to refine these communities to the appropriate ecological site scale for more specific site characteristics for each of these finer-scaled differences that have impacts on the land management decision-making process. The herbaceous component is less dominant in this ecological site due to the location of this site along the coastline and competitive abilities of the coastal scrub species to withstand the harsh winds, unstable soils and slopes, and salt spray.
Submodel
Description
This state represents the community phases that have been invaded by non-native species. This ecological site is highly susceptible to non-natives and invasives. Non-natives and invasives are able to capitalize quickly on available resources much better than the native species can, especially during years that are hotter and drier than average.
Submodel
Description
This state represents the intensive land uses that have significantly altered this ecological site due to urban developments, recreational activities, and agriculture. More information about this state is needed to flesh out the various impacts these types of land uses/alterations have had on the ecological site in order to better understand how to better manage of these areas or potentially attempt restoration of these areas where possible.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition occurs when the seed source is introduced to the ecological site. This ecological site is more resistant to outside pressures like invasive species due to its location on the landscape and difficult growing conditions. The threshold is crossed when feedback mechanisms shift from natural dynamics to feedback mechanisms that cater to the invasive species.
Mechanism
This transition is caused by significant human alterations that force this ecological site over a threshold and change the function and structure of this site in extensive ways.
Mechanism
This restoration pathway occurs through the control of invasive species that can potentially restore this ecological site to its reference state. It is more likely that the invasions are minimized and controlled, but complete removal of the invasives may not be possible without significant time and money inputs and repeated treatments.
Mechanism
This transition is caused by significant human alterations that force this ecological site over a threshold and change the function and structure of this site in extensive ways that serve mostly intensive agriculture or urban/housing developments.
Mechanism
This restoration pathway occurs only when significant time and money inputs that would require constant maintenance and weed management and should be focused on areas that have not been permanently altered by urban developments. This restoration pathway may be less likely than R2, since most of these very altered landscapes will be more hospitable to invasive species than to the native species that are more particular and require specific growing conditions that may not be replicable due to the alterations to the site that had occurred.
Mechanism
This restoration pathway occurs only when significant time and money inputs are focused on areas that have not been permanently altered by urban developments. This restoration pathway may be more likely than R3, since most of these very altered landscapes will be more hospitable to invasive species than to the native species that are more particular and require specific growing conditions that may not be replicable due to the alterations to the site that had occurred.
Model keys
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Ecological site groups
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.