1. A quantitative analysis of
vegetation change on the
Jornada LTER
TOWARD A GIS-BASED TRIAGE
EVALUATION OF RANGELAND
CONDITION ON THE JORNADA LTER
Michael N. DeMers
Assoc. Prof. of Geography
NMSU

2. FUNDING
NASA/JPL Faculty Award for
Research (FAR) Grant (#1241945)

3. TEAM MEMBERS
Michael DeMers (PI)
Daniel Dugas (Co-PI)
Walter Whitford (Co-PI)
Janet Greenlee (Co-PI)
Jennifer La Cava (GA)
Michelle Phillips (GA)

4. THANKS TO:
Armendaris Ranch - Tom Wadel, Manager
Dallas Bash, Directorate of the Environment, Fort Bliss, TX
USDA Jornada Experimental Range
Barbara Nolen – Jornada LTER
Curtis Monger – Agronomy Dept. NMSU

5. • Problem: remote sensing
techniques less than effective
at evaluating vegetative
conditions on desert
grasslands
• Research Mission: Provide a
quick, effective triage
methodology for evaluating
desert rangelands

6. Research Objectives :
 Identify & map landforms and
plant communities – using
“ecological niche theory” and
“physiographic ecology”
 Create GIS thematic layers.
 Test ecological/physiographic
predictive model.

7. Methods :
 Model geomorphic hierarchic scheme.
(Peterson 1981; Montaña & Greig-Smith 1990; Valverde et
al. 1996; Wondzell et al. 1987, 1996; Argialas & Miliaresis
2001).
 Model landform topography. (1:15,000 scale, 20
ft.-interval topographic sheets produced from 1:24,000
digital files)
 Model bedrock and sediment-sheds. (Dane &
Buchman 1965; Seager, et al. 1975; Thompson 1992).
 Designate geomorphic polygon boundaries.
(1:56,000 scale Landsat Thematic Mapper image plots.
Band combinations 5, 4, 1; 3, 2, 1; 7, 4, 1; and band 1 were
the most useful).
 Test model using historic map comparisons.

8. Landsat-7 TM , bands 5,4,1
Armendaris Ranch Study Area

9. Armendaris
Study Area

10. Armendaris
Study Area

11. Armendaris
Study Area
Landsat-7
TM, bands
5,4,1

12. Principle Component Analysis
Normalized Difference
Vegetation Index

13. (Peterson 1981)
Landform Classification :

14. Landform Classification:
• LF2 - mountain slope - colluvial slope of bedrock areas.
• LF4 - fan piedmont - extensive landform of piedmont slopes, formed by
lateral coalescence of mountain-front alluvial fans into a single, generally smooth
slope.
• LF5 - alluvial fan - semi-conical, deltoid, constructional landform on the
upper margin of the piedmont, build of alluvium and debris-flow deposits,
debouching from mountain valleys into the basin.
• LF8 - fan skirt - landform comprised of laterally coalescing, alluvial fans that
issue from extensions of inset fans and that merge along their toeslopes with the
basin floor.
• LF9 - lake plain - nearly level area of fine textured, stratified sediments
deposited in low-lying ephemeral lakes.
• LF10 - alluvial flat - nearly level, graded, alluvial surface between the
piedmont slope and playa of bolsons or axial-stream floodplain of semi-bolsons.
• LF12 - playa - ephemerally flooded, barren area on a basin floor that is
veneered with fine textured sediments and acts as a temporary of final sink for
drainage waters.
• LF13 - depression - area of alluvial flats that periodically collects water but is
not as barren as playa surfaces.
• LF14 - sedimentary bedrock hill - small, isolated, rounded, bedrock crest
surrounded by piedmont sediments.
• LF15 - lava flow - area of volcanic bedrock and colluvium forming mesa or
large hummocky plain (generally basaltic in study area).
• LF19 - disturbed - area experiencing notable vehicle and grazer traffic
around fence and gate intersections, or permanent water sources.
• LF20 - eolian terrain - area if eolian deposition, either as sand sheets or
dunes.
• LF22 - ballena - rounded ridgelines of remnant fan alluvium.
• LF23 - inset fans - a restricted floodplain of an ephemeral drainage (arroyo)
entrenched into, and confined between fan piedmont segments.

15. Geomorphic polygon boundary • LF 10 - all uvial flat
• LF 12 - playa
• LF 13 - depression
Armendaris Landforms
• LF 14 - sedimentary bedrock hi ll
• LF 15 - lav a flow
• LF 19 - dis turbed
• LF 2 - mountain slope
• LF 20 - eolian terrain
• LF 22 - ballena
• LF 23 - ins et fans
• LF 4 - fan piedm ont
• LF 5 - alluvial fan
• LF 8 - fan skirt
• LF 9 - lake plain

16. Physiography-Vegetation Relationships :
1. Rock outcrop bedrock-montane slopes : black-grama (Bouteloua eriopoda) grassland with
scattered creosote (Larrea tridentata) and ocotillo (Fouquieria slendens) [] [Desert Grassland, Shrub-
Mixed Grass Series].
2. Rock outcrop–montane slopes : mixed grasses with scattered juniper and oak (Quercus spp.)
[Desert Grassland, Montane Grassland].
3. Steep Piedmont slopes coarse gravelly soils : creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) with scattered
black-grama (Bouteloua eriopoda), three awn (Aristida spp.), bush muhly (Muhlenbergia porteri) [Desert
Grassland, Grama-Threeawn Series?].
4. Gently sloping piedmont : black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda) desert grassland with blue grama
(Bouteloua gracilis) and hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta) on piedmonts [Desert Grassland, Grama
Grass Series].
5. Basin drainage areas with fine textured soils : tobosa (Hilaria mutica) and burrograss
(Scleropogon brevifolius) grassland, margins of clay dominated basins clay loam soils support
vinemesquite (Panicum obtusum) [Desert Grassland, Closed Basin-Playa-Alkali Sink Riparian].
6. Run-on areas in rolling plains topography : burro grass (Scleropogon brevifolius) flats with
tobosa (Pleuraphis mutica) [Desert Grassland, Tobosa Series?].
7. Upland rolling plains topography (alluvial plains): black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda) grassland
with soaptree yucca (Yucca elata) [ Desert Grassland, Grama Grass Series]. Localized occurrences of
mesquite (Prosopsis glandulosa) also appear along with this type along fence lines on the opposite side
of which mesquite is very abundant, probably due to disturbance.
8. Lava flows with Eolian deposits : mixed black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda) grassland with creosote
(Larrea tridentata) and tarbush (Flourrensia cernua) shrubs [Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass
Series?]; and in drainage areas within lava field: burrograss (Scleropogon brevifolius) flats on silty, clay
loam soils.
9. Basins that accumulate run-off from sedimentary rock areas with high gypsum content soils:
grass cover mixture of alkali sacaton (Sporobolis airoides) and some burro grass (Scleropogon
brevifolius) [Desert Grassland, Sacaton Series/ Closed Basin-Playa-Alkali Sink Riparian].
10. Eolian mantle with coppice dunes : mosaic of mesquite (Prosopsis glandulosa), creosote (Larrea
tridentata), and alkali sacaton (Sporobolis airoides) [Chihuahuan Desert Scrubland].
11.Gently sloping lower piedmont interfluves within 1.5 km of permanent livestock watering points:
creosote (Larrea tridentata) with black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda) [Disturbed Chihuahuan Desert
Scrubland].
12.Gently sloping lower piedmont erosional drainages within 1.5 km of permanent livestock
watering points: tarbush (Flourrensia cernua) and alkali sacaton (Sporobolis airoides). [][Disturbed
Chihuahuan Desert Scrubland].

17. Armendaris Geomorphic/Vegetation Map Plant Communities
1. Black-grama grassland with scattered creosote and
ocotillo [Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass
Series].
2. Mixed grasses with scattered juniper and oak [Desert
Grassland, Montane Grassland].
3. Creosotebush with scattered black-grama, three awn,
bush muhly [Desert Grassland, Grama-Threeawn
Series].
4. Black grama desert grassland with blue grama and
hairy grama [Desert Grassland, Grama Grass Series].
5. Tobosa and burrograss grassland [Desert Grassland,
Closed Basin-Playa-Alkali Sink Riparian].
6. Burro grass flats with tobosa [Desert Grassland,
Tobosa Series?].
7. Black grama grassland with soaptree yucca [Desert
Grassland, Grama Grass Series]. Localized
occurrences of mesquite.
8. Black grama grassland with creosote and tarbush
[Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass Series];
burrograss flats in lava depressions.
9. Mix of alkali sacaton and burro grass [Desert
Grassland, Sacaton Series/ Closed Basin].
10. Mosaic of mesquite, creosote, and alkali sacaton
[Chihuahuan Desert Scrubland].
11. Creosote with black grama [Disturbed Chihuahuan
Desert Scrubland].
12. Tarbush and alkali sacaton. [Disturbed Chihuahuan
Desert Scrubland].

18. Armendaris Study Area
1. Black-grama grassland with scattered creosote and ocotillo
[Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass Series].

19. Armendaris Geomorphic/Vegetation Map Plant Communities
1. Black-grama grassland with scattered creosote and
ocotillo [Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass
Series].
2. Mixed grasses with scattered juniper and oak [Desert
Grassland, Montane Grassland].
3. Creosotebush with scattered black-grama, three awn,
bush muhly [Desert Grassland, Grama-Threeawn
Series].
4. Black grama desert grassland with blue grama and
hairy grama [Desert Grassland, Grama Grass Series].
5. Tobosa and burrograss grassland [Desert Grassland,
Closed Basin-Playa-Alkali Sink Riparian].
6. Burro grass flats with tobosa [Desert Grassland,
Tobosa Series?].
7. Black grama grassland with soaptree yucca [Desert
Grassland, Grama Grass Series]. Localized
occurrences of mesquite.
8. Black grama grassland with creosote and tarbush
[Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass Series];
burrograss flats in lava depressions.
9. Mix of alkali sacaton and burro grass [Desert
Grassland, Sacaton Series/ Closed Basin].
10. Mosaic of mesquite, creosote, and alkali sacaton
[Chihuahuan Desert Scrubland].
11. Creosote with black grama [Disturbed Chihuahuan
Desert Scrubland].
12. Tarbush and alkali sacaton. [Disturbed Chihuahuan
Desert Scrubland].

20. Armendaris Study Area
3. Creosotebush with scattered black-grama, three awn, bush
muhly [Desert Grassland, Grama-Threeawn Series].

21. Armendaris Geomorphic/Vegetation Map Plant Communities
1. Black-grama grassland with scattered creosote and
ocotillo [Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass
Series].
2. Mixed grasses with scattered juniper and oak [Desert
Grassland, Montane Grassland].
3. Creosotebush with scattered black-grama, three awn,
bush muhly [Desert Grassland, Grama-Threeawn
Series].
4. Black grama desert grassland with blue grama and
hairy grama [Desert Grassland, Grama Grass Series].
5. Tobosa and burrograss grassland [Desert Grassland,
Closed Basin-Playa-Alkali Sink Riparian].
6. Burro grass flats with tobosa [Desert Grassland,
Tobosa Series?].
7. Black grama grassland with soaptree yucca [Desert
Grassland, Grama Grass Series]. Localized
occurrences of mesquite.
8. Black grama grassland with creosote and tarbush
[Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass Series];
burrograss flats in lava depressions.
9. Mix of alkali sacaton and burro grass [Desert
Grassland, Sacaton Series/ Closed Basin].
10. Mosaic of mesquite, creosote, and alkali sacaton
[Chihuahuan Desert Scrubland].
11. Creosote with black grama [Disturbed Chihuahuan
Desert Scrubland].
12. Tarbush and alkali sacaton. [Disturbed Chihuahuan
Desert Scrubland].

22. Armendaris Study Area
5. Tobosa and burrograss grassland
[Desert Grassland, Closed Basin-
Playa-Alkali Sink Riparian].

23. Armendaris Geomorphic/Vegetation Map Plant Communities
1. Black-grama grassland with scattered creosote and
ocotillo [Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass
Series].
2. Mixed grasses with scattered juniper and oak [Desert
Grassland, Montane Grassland].
3. Creosotebush with scattered black-grama, three awn,
bush muhly [Desert Grassland, Grama-Threeawn
Series].
4. Black grama desert grassland with blue grama and
hairy grama [Desert Grassland, Grama Grass Series].
5. Tobosa and burrograss grassland [Desert Grassland,
Closed Basin-Playa-Alkali Sink Riparian].
6. Burro grass flats with tobosa [Desert Grassland,
Tobosa Series?].
7. Black grama grassland with soaptree yucca [Desert
Grassland, Grama Grass Series]. Localized
occurrences of mesquite.
8. Black grama grassland with creosote and tarbush
[Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass Series];
burrograss flats in lava depressions.
9. Mix of alkali sacaton and burro grass [Desert
Grassland, Sacaton Series/ Closed Basin].
10. Mosaic of mesquite, creosote, and alkali sacaton
[Chihuahuan Desert Scrubland].
11. Creosote with black grama [Disturbed Chihuahuan
Desert Scrubland].
12. Tarbush and alkali sacaton. [Disturbed Chihuahuan
Desert Scrubland].

24. Armendaris Study Area
7. Black grama grassland with soaptree
yucca [Desert Grassland, Grama Grass
Series].

25. Armendaris Geomorphic/Vegetation Map Plant Communities
1. Black-grama grassland with scattered creosote and
ocotillo [Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass
Series].
2. Mixed grasses with scattered juniper and oak [Desert
Grassland, Montane Grassland].
3. Creosotebush with scattered black-grama, three awn,
bush muhly [Desert Grassland, Grama-Threeawn
Series].
4. Black grama desert grassland with blue grama and
hairy grama [Desert Grassland, Grama Grass Series].
5. Tobosa and burrograss grassland [Desert Grassland,
Closed Basin-Playa-Alkali Sink Riparian].
6. Burro grass flats with tobosa [Desert Grassland,
Tobosa Series?].
7. Black grama grassland with soaptree yucca [Desert
Grassland, Grama Grass Series]. Localized
occurrences of mesquite.
8. Black grama grassland with creosote and tarbush
[Desert Grassland, Shrub-Mixed Grass Series];
burrograss flats in lava depressions.
9. Mix of alkali sacaton and burro grass [Desert
Grassland, Sacaton Series/ Closed Basin].
10. Mosaic of mesquite, creosote, and alkali sacaton
[Chihuahuan Desert Scrubland].
11. Creosote with black grama [Disturbed Chihuahuan
Desert Scrubland].
12. Tarbush and alkali sacaton. [Disturbed Chihuahuan
Desert Scrubland].

26. Armendaris Study Area
11. Creosote with black grama [Disturbed Chihuahuan Desert Scrubland].

27. Armendaris Results:
 Geomorphic landform boundaries mark vegetation boundaries.
 The Armendaris Ranch study area provides baseline data for further
analysis of vegetation potential in disturbance-impacted areas.
 Triage mapping of plant communities using geomorphic relationships
is a valid and valuable approach.
Composite Landform &
Community Polygons

28. Model Evaluation Phase
Jornada del Muerto Study Area Armendaris
Jornada
The Jornada Experimental Range is administered by the USDA-ARS
and is a Long Term Ecological Research site funded by the National
Science Foundation.

29. Jornada del Muerto

30. Jornada del Muerto

31. Landform Polygons of C. Monger
“Re-classified” Jornada Landforms
Landform-to-Vegetation
Concordance

32. Landforms and
Vegetation
Relationships in the
Chihuahuan Desert
• LF10 - alluvial flat
• LF12 - playa
• LF13 - depression
• LF14 - sedimentary bedrock hill
• LF15 - lava flow
• LF19 - disturbed
• LF2 - mountain slope
• LF20 - eolian terrain
• LF22 - ballena
• LF23 - inset fans
• LF4 - fan piedmont
• LF5 - alluvial fan
• LF8 - fan skirt
• LF9 - lake plain

33. Postdicted
from
Landforms
Total study area = 31670.64 hectares

34. 1858
Grass
Conditions

35. 1858
Dominant
Shrubs

36. 1858
Cross-
Walk
[modified from
Gibbens, et. al., 2004
(in press)]

37. Aerial Correspondence
Analysis
Logical (set theoretic) overlay analysis
1858 cross-walked map
Assumed best pre-anthropogenic map
1858 postdicted map
Hypothetical map of pre-anthropogenic
conditions

39. Areas Correctly Postdicted:
Total study area = 63.6%
Black Grama = 89.7%
Creosotebush = 20.4%
Tarbush = 53.0%

40. Future Research :
• Encapsulate methodology
as a rule-based system
• Conduct triage
assessment of range
capability and dysfunction
in grazed areas as a
function of geomorphic
position .