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.).
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.
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.
Restoration of natural hydrology through mechanical removal of beaver dams and hydrology altering roadways. Stream bank and channel restoration to a more natural state.
Model keys
Briefcase
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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.
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
