Soil Resources

State and Transition Model (STM) Example

Transition Diagram for R010XC032OR — SR MOUNTAIN 12–16 PZ Ecological Site

Ecological Site, Transition Diagram 

Transition Description

Bunchgrass dominated landscape

State 1 — 
Reference State, Bunchgrass Dominated

Reduced fire and/or Increased Grazing

Community Phases

  • Perennial forbs and grass
  • Sagebrush Steppe
  • Juniper sagebrush Steppe
  • Fire Prone
Bunchgrass dominate landscape
State 2 — 
Juniper Dominated

A result of continued fire suppression

Removal of juniper can lead back to perennial grass dominated

Community Phases

  • Juniper Sagebrush Steppe (no fire)
  • Leads to Juniper woodlands
Increasing erosion
State 3 —
Increasing Erosion

Juniper Woodland Erosional Phase

Soil, Water and Air Program
Topics

Soils and Ecosystem Stability
·Soil Indicators and Function
·Soil Quality Assessment
·Soil Management
·Soil Issues
·BLM Authorized Management Activities Affecting Soil
·Organic Matter

Using the Web Soil Survey
Soils and Vegetation
·Ecological Sites and Ecological Site Descriptions (ESDs)
·State and Transition Model (STM)
·STM Example
·STM Application and Use
Restoration and Recovery