Marsh
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Altered hydrology/invasion of exotic species
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Transition T1B
Tile drainage, tillage, herbicide use, and seeding.
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Restoration pathway R2A
Complete hydrologic restoration of wetland basin, invasive species management, seeding, muskrat re-establishment.
More details -
Transition T2A
Tile drainage, tilling, seeding, herbicides.
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Complete hydrologic restoration of wetland basin, invasive species management, seeting, muskrat re-establishment.
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Restoration pathway T3A
Partial or complete hydrologic restoration of wetland basin; agricultural abandonment.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
This state identifies the condition of Marsh prior to European settlement. Community phases within the Reference State are dependent upon ponding during the spring months. During drier times of the year, this site would burn regularly with the prairie fires that were common in the region. Woody species and upland grasses were kept from proliferating mainly by saturated conditions. The plants that dominate these community phases are adapted to long periods of inundation, having stems, leaves, and roots that diffuse oxygen from the air and store it in specialized cells (aerenchyma) (MN DNR 2003). Dominant species in this state include broadleaf cattail, river bulrush, softstem bulrush, giant bur-reed and water knotweed (Cowardin 2013).
While extensive acres of Marsh may still be found in MLRA 88, of those that still exist, it is likely that the hydrology has at least been slightly modified due to road development, tile drainage, ditching, and channelization elsewhere in the watershed(s), and invasion by exotic species is common (see State 2).
Submodel
Description
Sites in this state may be in set-aside conservation easements. Areas not in a conservation program are assumed to be jurisdictional wetlands, making it very unlikely they will be transitioned to the Cropland State due to various wetland programs and laws, including the Swampbuster provision of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198, as amended by P.L. 115-25) and the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) of 1991 (M.R. 8420.0100, as amended in 2009).
Submodel
Description
In the Cropland State, most ecological functions have been destroyed, converted, or otherwise removed from the system. In farmed conditions, dynamic soil properties such as bulk density, structure, organic carbon content and saturated hydraulic conductivity can change quickly because of various agricultural practices. Many of these sites are and will likely continue to be in corn and soybean production. There are certain management practices that are proven to be destructive, not only to the individual field, but to the watershed.
Submodel
Mechanism
Hydrologic alterations can, over time, transition the reference depressional marsh community into an invaded marsh state. A variety of invasive woody plants and grasses can become established and spread, shading out native species. Common non-native species that invade this state include narrowleaf cattail, hybrid cattail, reed canarygrass, common reed, purple loosestrife, and various small woody plants.
Mechanism
To transition to the cropland state, subsurface tile drainage of the site must be utilized, as well as tillage, herbicide use, and seeding. Human driven hydrologic alterations can transition the reference depressional marsh state into a crop land state.
Mechanism
Complete hydrologic restoration of wetland basin, invasive species management, seeding, muskrat re-establishment.
Mechanism
To transition to the cropland state, subsurface tile drainage of the site must be utilized, as well as tillage, herbicide use, and seeding.
Mechanism
Complete hydrologic restoration of wetland basin, invasive species mangement, seeting, muskrat re-establishment.
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.