Sandy Loam Savannah

Mechanism

In the absence of fire or brush management, this savannah state will transition to a woodland state of tree/shrub dominance.

Constraints to recovery

Overall woody infestation level and time since fire will determine level of restoration needed.

Mechanism

Through intensive chemical brush management, the savannah state may be transitioned to a grassland state dominated by tallgrasses or midgrasses with very few trees and shrubs. It is important to note that maintaining this state will require significant inputs.

Context dependence

A large number of acres of Sandy Loam Savannah sites have had an attempt at clearing woody species through chemical herbicide use. Mid-century use of 2,4,5-T and other similar chemicals led to large areas of timber kill. However, many of these areas resprouted into thicker and denser "scrub oak" mottes. More recently, tebuthiuron pellets have been used in attempts to open up more grazable acres for cattle production. Some have had success, however, many times the canopy release leads to secondary invasions by eastern redcedar, sericea lespedeza, and broomsedge bluestem. Careful planning and consideration should be used before attempting chemical application in the cross timbers.

Relevant conservation practices

Mechanism

Through land clearing tillage and seeding the sandy savannah site may be converted to cropland or tame pasture

Context dependence

Once tillage has occurred, physical and biological soil properties have been significantly altered. The return of this state to the reference state may not be achievable.

Relevant conservation practices

Mechanism

Through intensive chemical brush management, the woodland state may be transitioned to a grassland state dominated by tallgrasses or midgrasses with very few trees and shrubs. It is important to note that maintaining this state will require significant inputs.

A large number of acres of Sandy Loam Savannah sites have had an attempt at clearing woody species through chemical herbicide use. Mid-century use of 2,4,5-T and other similar chemicals led to large areas of timber kill. However, many of these areas resprouted into thicker and denser "scrub oak" mottes. More recently, tebuthiuron pellets have been used in attempts to open up more grazable acres for cattle production. Some have had success, however, many times the canopy release leads to secondary invasions by eastern redcedar, sericea lespedeza, and broomsedge bluestem. Careful planning and consideration should be used before attempting chemical application in the cross timbers.

Mechanism

Through land clearing tillage and seeding the sandy savannah site may be converted to cropland or tame pasture land use.

Constraints to recovery

Once tillage has occurred, physical and biological soil properties have been significantly altered. The return of this state to the reference state may not be achievable.

Relevant conservation practices

Mechanism

In the absence of fire or brush management, this grassland state will transition to a woodland state of tree/shrub dominance.

Mechanism

Through tillage and seeding the grassland state may be converted to cropland or tame pasture land use.

Constraints to recovery

Once tillage has occurred, physical and biological soil properties have been significantly altered. The return of this state to the reference state may not be achievable.

Mechanism

If this ecological site is subjected to soil disturbances such as land clearing, ripping, or plowing that leave large amounts of exposed soil, the site may become very susceptible to water erosion. Once the "A" horizon has been displace through erosion, this site has transitioned to an Eroded Sate.