Loamy Bottomland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
This is the reference or diagnostic community for the site. The description is based on early range site descriptions, clipping data, professional consensus of experienced range specialists, and analysis of field work
Submodel
Description
The description for this plant community is derived from analysis of limited field data and professional consensus of range trained individuals.
This plant community is a result of the absence of fire. Fire was an important element in suppressing woody plants during the ecological evolution of this site. So, when fire was suppressed for many years, the vegetative composition naturally and gradually shifted towards woody plant dominance. Areas protected from both fire and grazing for 20 to 30 years, or longer, have transitioned from open grassland to closed canopy woodland. Some areas, due to their juxtaposition to streams, were historically protected from reoccurring fires.
Species composition of woody plants will vary from area to area. But generally, tree species will be bur oak, hackberry, elm, ash, sycamore or pecan. Eastern redcedar is becoming more prominent in this plant community. Shrubs and vines common to the site are buckbrush, sumac, blackberry, poison ivy, grape and greenbrier. Combined trees and shrubs may form an overstory canopy of 70 to 80 percent. The understory is dominated by shade tolerant plants such as Virginia wildrye, Canada wildrye, sedges, Scribner’s panicum, Indian woodoats, sweet woodreed and various muhlys.
Herbage production suitable for livestock use is limited. The site provides shelter for both livestock, deer and numerous small mammals. Many species of birds frequent this site.
Description
Many loamy bottomland sites have been cultivated over the past century in order to produce crops. Due to the level, deep loam soils, these sites are well suited for Ag production. Within this state, most woody species have been cleared in order to facilitate the access of farm machinery.
Mechanism
Without fire in the ecosystem, woody species may grow and reproduce unchecked. These species may be endemic (pecan, hackberry, etc.) or species introduced to the site by animals (eastern redcedar) or plantings (black locust/honey locust). These woody species have the ability to grow deep roots and locate resources within the soil that herbaceous species may not have access to. This gives them a competitive edge for resources and allows them to expand across the landscape. As this woody encroachment occurs, the site may transition to state 2 where the woody species begin to dominate the ecological functions of the plant community.
Mechanism
Many of these sites have been plowed for farming purposes over the last century. Once the site is cultivated, it transitions to an alternative state (3). The soils structure, organic matter, and biota have been altered and will no longer function the same as the soils in the reference
state.
Mechanism
A carefully planned program will restore the Woody state to a close resemblance to a grassland state. Because the woody community may be difficult to burn (but susceptible to wildfires), some brush management intervention will be needed. Brush management either mechanical, chemical or an integration of both, will allow sunlight energy and soil moisture to be used by tall grasses rather than invasive brush. Careful grazing management will be required for this plant community to be restored to the grassland state (1).
Mechanism
Many of these sites have been plowed for farming purposes over the last century. Once the site is cultivated, it transitions to an alternative state (3). The soils structure, organic matter, and biota have been altered and will no longer function the same as the soils in the reference or woody state.
Mechanism
Through carefully planned implementation of range seeding, prescribed grazing and rest, the cultivated state can be returned to a plant community similar to those in the reference state.
Context dependence
As a result of cultivation and soil erosion, soil properties are altered and ecological processes are changed. While permanent native vegetation can be re-established to a
species mix similar to the reference state, often the site may never be restored ecologically
to reference condition. This is especially true of sites that have experience a significant loss
of the soil surface horizon. However, many sites have been restored to something very close the reference state and this should always be the target if full ecological restoration is the goal.
Model keys
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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.