Frigid Udic Maritime Mountain Slopes 60-90 PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Extensive timber harvest
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Restoration pathway R2A
Forest restoration, stand replacing fire
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
A highly productive forest community, this site occurs across the landscape as a mosaic of plant community phases characterized by variation in forest structural stage (tree age, density and cover) and plant community. This mosaic pattern is highly influenced by a mixed fire regime. As a highly productive forest community, this site will persist in closed canopy conditions represented by communities 1.2 and 1.3 most often with the mature closed forest community 1.3 representing the historical reference community. Open stand conditions on a large scale are possible following mixed severity fire but rarely persist given site productivity. On a smaller scale, avalanches and incidences of windthrow may also lead to open stand conditions. Given the likelihood that this state, even in the best condition and highest potential, will almost always include at least some component of exotic species regardless of management inputs, this may also be referred to as the “current potential state”. In this document, the term “reference state” is used synonymously with “current potential state” for the sake of simplicity. However, site productivity and diversity likely bolster resilience to invasion for this site and exotic species are not known to significantly alter plant community dynamics as of writing.
Submodel
Description
This alternative state represents the many variations of timber harvesting that can occur in this site. This may result in a number of manipulated community types and pathways depending on strategies surrounding harvest, shrub control, weed control and replanting. Following harvest, some sites with adequate moisture and shrub seed source may be dominated by early seral shrubs. These may persist for decades yet are likely important for providing shade to young conifers, cycling nutrients and providing wildlife forage and cover.
Mechanism
Extensive timber harvest followed by continual management for timber production that has significantly altered species compositions and resulting disturbance responses
Mechanism
Alterations of forest tree species composition, as well as soil compaction and surface disturbances due to large machine usage may hinder passive forest reestablishment. Forest reestablishment may require shrub control and tree replanting if the desired goal is regaining a forest structure within a desired timeframe. Ecological forestry practices may promote a return to reference state. Stand replacing fire may lead to a transition to community 1.1 of the reference state if soil compaction is not severe, species composition has not been significantly altered and tree seed source is available.
Model keys
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Ecological sites
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.