Floodplain Peatland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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Transition T1A
Disturbances that impound water, both natural and human made.
More details -
Transition T2A
Restoration of natural hydrology
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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 state is a conifer-dominated swamp forest on very poorly drained peat soils. Species variability will occur depending on the depth, seasonality, and frequency of flooding/ponding. Catastrophic events are rare with fires occurring approximately every 920 years, stand-regenerating windthrow approximately every 600 years, and windthrow of small patches of canopy trees approximately every 380 years (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2005.).
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by a long-term pattern of flooding/ponding extending beyond the spring season. This alteration can be caused by anthropogenic (road construction) activities, or natural impoundments can be caused by beaver dams. Tree mortality occurs when flooding/ponding depth and duration increase.
Water impoundment of varying depths and extended durations results in substantial variations in plant community composition. Due to increased flooding/ponding duration a reduction in tree species diversity occurs and an increased wetland plant composition takes hold.
Submodel
Mechanism
State 2 describes the alteration of natural hydrology causing water impoundment. Multiple causal factors can impound water and result in altered plant communities. Road construction and beaver dams are a common causal mechanism in addition to stream bank degradation.
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.