2011-11-02_REVISION - M2003019 (5)

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Site Type: Rangeland MLRA: 69 - Upper Arkansas Valley Rolling Plains Loamy R069XY006CO • Brush management, fire and prescribed grazing will move this plant community back to the plant community it came from prior to invasion. Go - back Land Go -back land is created when the soil is tilled or farmed (sodbusted) and abandoned. All of the native plants are destroyed, soil organic mater is reduced, soil structure is changed and a plowpan or compacted layer is formed. Residual synthetic chemicals often remain from past farming operations and erosion processes may be active. Go -back land evolves through several plant communities beginning with an early annual plant community, which initiates the revegetation process. Plants such as Russian thistle, kochia and other annuals begin to establish. These plants give some protection from erosion and start to build minor levels of soil organic matter. This early annual plant community lasts for two to several years. Red threeawn, sand dropseed and several other early perennials can dominate the plant community for five to eight years or more. Buffalograss establishes next and dominates for many years. Eventually western wheatgrass, blue grama and other natives become reestablished. Broom snakeweed can be a major component on some go -back areas. Invasive /noxious plants such as field bindweed and cheatgrass can become established on some go -back fields. Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Very long -term prescribed grazing that allows adequate recovery periods following each grazing event and proper stocking will most likely take this plant community to a blue grama /buffalograss dominated plant community and eventually back to the HCPC assuming an adequate seed /vegetative source is available. This process takes many years (40 -80 years or more) to achieve. • Range seeding followed with prescribed grazing can be used to convert Go -back Land to Seeded Rangeland, which can resemble the HCPC. Seeded Rangeland This plant community can vary considerably depending on the degree of erosion, the species seeded, the stand that was established, how long ago the stand was established and the management of the stand since establishment. Transitions or pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Continuous grazing without adequate recovery period between grazing events can shift this plant community to Go -back Land. Technical Guide Section IIE 11 USDA NRCS Rev. 3/04