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45 Growth Curve <br /> c <br /> ro 4, <br /> P ?r. <br /> r ,. <br /> 0 <br /> U L< <br /> C <br /> t <br /> { <br /> 0 7 <br /> n 4 <br /> Ja, =en +.13, k;, Mav J..r- J;. A,.g Sec.- ^r_: NOV Dec <br /> Go-Back Community <br /> Go-back land is created when the soil is tilled or farmed (sodbusted) and <br /> abandoned. All of the native plants are destroyed, soil organic matter is <br /> reduced, soil structure is changed, and a plowpan or compacted layer is <br /> formed. Residual synthetic chemicals often remain from past farming <br /> operations, and erosion processes may be active. <br /> Go-back land evolves through several plant communities beginning with an <br /> early annual plant community, which initiates the revegetation process. Plants <br /> such as Russian thistle, kochia, and other annuals begin to establish. These <br /> plants give some protection from erosion and start to build minor levels of soil <br /> organic matter. This early annual plant community lasts for two to several <br /> years. Red threeawn, sand dropseed, and several other early perennials can <br /> dominate the plant community for five to eight years or more. Buffalograss <br /> establishes next and dominates for many years. Eventually western <br /> wheatgrass, blue grama, and other natives become reestablished. <br /> In much of the MLRA, go-back land has eroded where tillage or farming and <br /> severe erosion has occurred. If the parent material from which the original soil <br /> developed is lost, then another eco-site will evolve. If the same parent material <br /> is present, then re-seeding or the slow process of developing soil and <br /> vegetation will start by similar processes as describe above. This is a very <br /> slow process (100 years or more). <br /> Reference Plant Community <br /> This is the interpretive plant community and is considered to be the Reference <br /> Plant Community. This plant community evolved with grazing by large <br /> herbivores, and is well suited for grazing by domestic livestock. It can be found <br /> on areas that are properly managed with prescribed grazing that allows for <br /> adequate recovery periods following each grazing event. The potential <br /> vegetation is about 70-85% grasses and grass-like plants, 5-15% forbs, and <br />