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Ecological site F089XY006WI

Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands

Last updated: 9/27/2023
Accessed: 11/13/2024

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General information

Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 089X–Wisconsin Central Sands

The Wisconsin Central Sands (MLRA 89) corresponds closely to Central Sand Plains Ecological Landscape published by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR, 2015). Much of the following brief overview of this MLRA is borrowed from that publication.

The Wisconsin Central Sands MLRA is entirely in Wisconsin. The total land area is 2,187,100 acres (3,420 square miles, 8858 square kilometers). It is bordered to the east by Johnstown-Hancock end moraines, which were pushed to their extent by the west side of the Green Bay Lobe (Clayton & Attig, 1999). It is bordered to the southwest by highly eroded, unglaciated valleys and ridges. The dominant feature of this MLRA is the remarkably flat, sandy plain, composed of lacustrine deposits and outwash sand, that was once the main basin of Glacial Lake Wisconsin. It also features extensive pine and oak barrens and wetland complexes.

Glacial Lake Wisconsin was fed primarily by glacial meltwater from the north and east. The lake deposited silt overlain by tens of meters of sand (Clayton & Attig, 1989). The silty layers are closer to the surface in some areas, where they impede drainage and contribute to the formation of extensive wetland complexes. It is believed that Glacial Lake Wisconsin drained within several days after a breach in the ice dam that supported it. The catastrophic flood that followed flowed to the south and carved the scattered buttes and mesas protruding from the sandy plain in the southern portion of this MLRA. Before vegetation established after glacial recession, strong winds formed aeolian sand dunes that now support xeric pine and oak stands within the Wisconsin Central Sands.

The surface of the northwestern portion is mostly undulating. The sandy surface sediment was mostly deposited by meltwater during the Wisconsin glaciation. Gentle hills are a result of underlying bedrock topography. Valleys and floodplains are formed by stream action. The underlying bedrock controls the water table elevation and contributes to the formation of numerous wetlands.

Historically, the Wisconsin Central Sands were dominated by large wetland complexes, sand prairies, and oak forests, savannas, and barrens. Some pine and hemlock forests were found in the northwest portion. The Wisconsin Central Sands was subject to frequent fires, leading to today’s need for prescribed burns to maintain the area.

Classification relationships

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): Wisconsin Central Sands (89)

USFS Subregions: Central Wisconsin Sand Plain (222Ra)
Small sections occur in the Neillsville Sandstone Plateau (222Rb), Central Wisconsin Moraines and Outwash (222Kb), and Lincoln Formation Till Plain - Mixed Hardwoods (212Qb) subregions

Habitat Types of S. Wisconsin (Kotar, 1996) and Wetland Forest Habitat Type Classification System for Northern Wisconsin (Kotar and Burger, 2017): The sites of this ES keyed out to four habitat types: Pinus/Vaccinium-Gaultheria (PVG); Pinus/Euphorbia (PEu); Pinus/Vaccinium-Rubus hispidus (PVRh); Pinus-Acer/Gaylussacia (PArGy). The latter is a wetland habitat type for Northern Wisconsin, used in lieu of Southern Wisconsin wetland habitat types.

Biophysical Settings (Landfire, 2014): This ES is largely mapped as North-Central Interior Sand and Gravel Tallgrass Prairie, North-Central Interior Maple-Basswood Forest, Laurentian-Acadian Northern Hardwoods Forest, Eastern Cool Temperate Pasture and Hayland, and Eastern Cool Temperate Row Crop.

WDNR Natural Communities (WDNR, 2015): This ES is most similar to the White pine-Red maple Swamp and Northern Hardwood Swamp communities.

Ecological site concept

The Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands ecological site is widespread on the eastern portion of MLRA 89, which is dominated by an expansive sand plain created from the deposition of sandy outwash and sandy lacustrine materials by glacial meltwaters and Glacial Lake Wisconsin, respectively. These sites are characterized by poorly or very poorly drained, very deep soils, most of which formed in these sandy outwash and lacustrine materials. Some sites along the Lemonweir River were formed in sandy alluvium over clayey lacustrine deposits. Sites are subject to frequent ponding during the growing season. Precipitation and runoff from adjacent uplands are the primary water sources, but groundwater discharge and stream inflow can also be significant contributors. Soils range from extremely acid to slightly neutral.

Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands site is differentiated from others by its deep sandy deposits and poorly drained soils. Unlike those of Poorly Drained Siliceous Sands, the sands of these soils are not siliceous (i.e.. weathered from silica-rich sandstone) but were deposited by rushing proglacial meltwater. Sites with outwash sand tend to be more productive than the siliceous sands, and differences in vegetation is observed. Lack of bedrock contact within 78.7 inches (200 cm) differentiates this site from Poorly Drained Sandy over Bedrock. The poor drainage of this site differs it from other sandy sites.

Associated sites

F089XY002WI	Mucky Swamps Mucky Swamps consist of herbaceous organic materials sometimes underlain by sandy to loamy mineral soil. They are very poorly drained and remain saturated throughout much of the year. These sites are wetlands. They occur lower on the drainage sequence than Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands and will stay saturated for long in the year.
F089XY011WI	Moist Sandy Outwash Uplands Moist Sandy Outwash Uplands consist of deep sandy deposits derived from a mixture of outwash, alluvium, and lacustrine sources. They are somewhat poorly drained and are subject to neither flooding nor ponding. The occur higher in the drainage sequence than Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands.
F089XY017WI	Sandy Outwash Uplands Sandy Outwash Uplands primarily consist of deep sandy outwash deposits. Soils are somewhat excessively to excessively drained and are primarily found east of the Yellow River. They occur much higher on the drainage sequence than Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands.

F089XY002WI

Mucky Swamps

Mucky Swamps consist of herbaceous organic materials sometimes underlain by sandy to loamy mineral soil. They are very poorly drained and remain saturated throughout much of the year. These sites are wetlands. They occur lower on the drainage sequence than Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands and will stay saturated for long in the year.

F089XY011WI

Moist Sandy Outwash Uplands

Moist Sandy Outwash Uplands consist of deep sandy deposits derived from a mixture of outwash, alluvium, and lacustrine sources. They are somewhat poorly drained and are subject to neither flooding nor ponding. The occur higher in the drainage sequence than Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands.

F089XY017WI

Sandy Outwash Uplands

Sandy Outwash Uplands primarily consist of deep sandy outwash deposits. Soils are somewhat excessively to excessively drained and are primarily found east of the Yellow River. They occur much higher on the drainage sequence than Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands.

Similar sites

F089XY007WI	Wet Siliceous Sand Lowlands Wet Siliceous Sand Lowlands consist of deep sandy deposits sourced primarily from the weathering of sandstone high in silica. The weathered sand was deposited by rivers or glacial lakes. They are very poorly to poorly drained and remain saturated from much of the growing season. Some are subject to ponding. These sites are primarily found in the western half of the Wisconsin Central Sands MLRA. The vegetative communities found on these sites are very similar to those found on Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands.
F089XY003WI	Sandy Floodplains Sandy Floodplains sites are found exclusively on floodplains in sandy alluvium. Most sites are somewhat poorly to poorly drained and are subject to flooding. These sites occur primarily along the Wisconsin, Lemonweir, Yellow, and Black Rivers and some of their tributaries. With similar textures and drainage classes, Sandy Floodplains and Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands host similar vegetative communities.
F089XY005WI	Wet Sandy Bedrock Lowlands Wet Sandy Bedrock Lowlands consist of sandy alluvium underlain by loamy residuum. Bedrock occurs within 39.3 inches (100 cm) and perches the water table. Soils are poorly drained and subject to ponding. These sites are found in the northwestern portion of the Wisconsin Central Sands MLRA where the depth to bedrock is shallow. The vegetative communities found on these sites are very similar to those found on Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands.

F089XY007WI

Wet Siliceous Sand Lowlands

Wet Siliceous Sand Lowlands consist of deep sandy deposits sourced primarily from the weathering of sandstone high in silica. The weathered sand was deposited by rivers or glacial lakes. They are very poorly to poorly drained and remain saturated from much of the growing season. Some are subject to ponding. These sites are primarily found in the western half of the Wisconsin Central Sands MLRA. The vegetative communities found on these sites are very similar to those found on Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands.

F089XY003WI

Sandy Floodplains

Sandy Floodplains sites are found exclusively on floodplains in sandy alluvium. Most sites are somewhat poorly to poorly drained and are subject to flooding. These sites occur primarily along the Wisconsin, Lemonweir, Yellow, and Black Rivers and some of their tributaries. With similar textures and drainage classes, Sandy Floodplains and Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands host similar vegetative communities.

F089XY005WI

Wet Sandy Bedrock Lowlands

Wet Sandy Bedrock Lowlands consist of sandy alluvium underlain by loamy residuum. Bedrock occurs within 39.3 inches (100 cm) and perches the water table. Soils are poorly drained and subject to ponding. These sites are found in the northwestern portion of the Wisconsin Central Sands MLRA where the depth to bedrock is shallow. The vegetative communities found on these sites are very similar to those found on Wet Sandy Outwash Lowlands.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Pinus strobus
Shrub	(1) Acer rubrum
Herbaceous	(1) Pteridium aquilinum (2) Vaccinium

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Physiographic features

This site occurs in depressions, drainageways, and flats in outwash plains, lake plains, lake basins, lake terraces, stream terraces, valley trains, and glacial drainageways. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. Elevation ranges from 590 to 1952 feet (180 to 595 meters) above sea level.

These sites are subject to frequent ponding throughout the year. The ponding duration ranges from brief (2 to 7 days) to long (7 to 30 days), with depths up to 11.8 inches (30 cm) above the soil surface. These sites do not flood. The soils have a seasonally high water table at the soil surface, but the water table may drop to 59 inches (150 cm) during dry conditions. Runoff is negligible to very low.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Hillslope profile	(1) Toeslope
Landforms	(1) Outwash plain > Depression (2) Alluvial plain > Drainageway (3) Alluvial plain > Flat
Runoff class	Negligible to very low
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding duration	Brief (2 to 7 days) to long (7 to 30 days)
Ponding frequency	Frequent
Elevation	180 – 595 ft
Slope	2%
Ponding depth	30 in
Water table depth	Not specified
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The continental climate of the Wisconsin Central Sands is typical of the southern half of the state – cold winters and warm summers. Precipitation is well-distributed throughout the year with a slight peak in the summer months. Snowfall covers the ground from late fall to early spring. The soil moisture regime of MLRA 89 is udic (humid climate). The soil temperature regime is mostly frigid, with a small portion of mesic in the southern tip. Neither precipitation nor temperature vary greatly across this MLRA. More so than latitude, local topography seems to be an important predictor of growing season length, with fewer growing degree days in lower-lying areas.

This site sometimes occurs on landscape depressions, where the local topography is expected to influence growing season length. In landscape depressions, the freeze-free and frost-free periods may be shorter than what is represented here.

The average annual precipitation for this ecological site is 33 inches. The average annual snowfall is 44 inches. The annual average maximum and minimum temperatures are 56°F and 34°F, respectively.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	111-125 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	138-145 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	33-34 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	99-125 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	133-149 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	32-34 in
Frost-free period (average)	116 days
Freeze-free period (average)	141 days
Precipitation total (average)	33 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) FRIENDSHIP [USC00472973], Adams, WI
(2) MAUSTON 1 SE [USC00475178], Mauston, WI
(3) NECEDAH [USC00475786], Necedah, WI
(4) STEVENS POINT [USC00478171], Stevens Point, WI
(5) HANCOCK EXP FARM [USC00473405], Hancock, WI
(6) WISCONSIN RAPIDS [USC00479335], Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Influencing water features

Water is received through precipitation, runoff from adjacent uplands, groundwater discharge, and, rarely, stream inflow. Water levels are greatly influenced by precipitation rates and runoff from upland sites. Water leaves the site primarily through evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge. These sites are wetlands.

Wetland description

Under the Cowardin System of Wetland Classification, or National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), the wetlands can be classified as:
1) Palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous, saturated, or
2) Palustrine, forested, needle-leaved evergreen, saturated, or
3) Palustrine emergent, persistent, saturated

Under the Hydrogeomorphic Classification System (HGM), the wetlands can be classified as:
1) Depressional, acid, forested/organic, or
2) Depressional, forested/sandy, or
3) Depressional, acid, scrub-shrub/organic, or
4) Depressional, scrub-shrub/sandy

Permeability of the soils are impermeable to slow. The hydrologic group of these sites is A/D.

Hydrologic Group: A/D
Hydrogeomorphic Wetland Classification: Depressional acidic forested/organic; Depressional forested/sandy; Depressional acidic scrub-shrub/organic; Depressional scrub-shrub/sandy
Cowardin Wetland Classification: PFO1B, PFO4B, PEM1B

Soil features

These sites are represented by Newson, Roscommon, and Wautoma soil series. Newson is classified as a Humaqueptic Psammaquent, Roscommon is a Mollic Psammaquent, and Wautoma is a Mollic Epiaquent. 82% of the acreage of this site is classified as a Psammaquent.

These sites formed in sandy outwash, alluvium, or lacustrine deposits, sometimes underlain by clayey lacustrine deposits. Soil depth is greater than 78.7 inches (200 cm). Soils are very poorly or poorly drained and remain saturated for much of the growing season. They meet hydric soil requirements.

The surface of these sites is often mucky sand or sandy. Subsurface horizons vary. Most sites are sandy throughout the profile, but some sites have clayey lacustrine deposits in the lower profile. Soil pH ranges in horizons from extremely acid to moderately alkaline with values of 4.0 to 7.9. This range occurs because some sites have carbonates present beginning at 9 inches (23 cm) and can have 18 percent calcium carbonates. Fragments are typically absent, but subsurface fragments less than 3 inches can be present up to 7 percent in the profile.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Outwash (2) Alluvium (3) Lacustrine deposits
Surface texture	(1) Muck (2) Loamy sand
Drainage class	Very poorly drained to poorly drained
Permeability class	Very slow to slow
Soil depth	78 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-60in)	4.7 – 7.76 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	18%
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	4 – 7.9
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)	7%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)	Not specified

Ecological dynamics

In pre-European settlement time, wildfire was the main controlling factor of forest community dynamics. Following a severe, stand-replacing fire, any of the species present on the landscape could become established, depending on seed source availability and specific conditions of post-fire seedbed. The newly established young stands of any species were easily eliminated by recurring fires, but differences among the species in ability to respond to fire disturbance began to play a role in any species’ survival success. White pine is best adapted for long-term success on this Ecological Site. Although vulnerable to damage or elimination by fire in early life it eventually develops thick fire-resistant bark which helps to extend its longevity, in some cases for up to four centuries or more. These survival properties assure the species’ relatively continuous seed source in the region. White pine is also moderately shade-tolerant in early life which means that it can become established in some pioneer communities, such as aspen – white birch stands, or in poorly stocked oak and red maple dominated communities. Red pine had in the past been a common associate of white pine stands. It shares some of the fire-resisting properties of white pine, but it lacks shade-tolerance and does not become established in the understory. For this reason, it has not maintained its presence in current stands and its seed source has been greatly reduced throughout its natural range following the unset of fire suppression. Several species of oak are common members of forest communities on this ecological site. Northern pin oak (Q. ellipsoidalis) and, to a lesser degree, black oak (Q. velutina), are intolerant of shade and do not reproduce from seed under existing canopies. However, following fire or clear cutting they respond by sprouting from stumps. In the absence of disturbance, they are replaced through succession, by more shade-tolerant white pine and red maple (Acer rubrum). Red oak (Q. rubra) is somewhat less shade-tolerant than the preceding species, but reproduces sporadically in larger canopy gaps and following a major stand disturbance.

Although red maple has not been identified by Finley (1976) as an important component of pre-settlement pine or oak forests, it is a prominent member in current stands. Absence of fire since the original logging era is probably the main reason. Red maple is extremely sensitive to fire damage, but is a prolific and early seed producer. Stems of 2-4 inches in diameter can produce large amounts of seed (USDA For. Serv. 1990). It is sufficiently shade-tolerant to become established in the understories of most communities on sandy soils. On this Ecological Site it behaves similarly to white pine, but because of its much smaller size at maturity, it does not compete with white pine in the upper canopy.

State and transition model

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

1. Reference State

2. Post-logging State

3. Grazed State

4. Cropland State

T1A	-	Clear cutting or stand-replacing fire.
R2A	-	Disturbance-free period 70+ years.
T2A	-	Grazing by livestock.
T2B	-	Removal of forest vegetation and tilling.
R3A	-	Removal of livestock grazing.
T3A	-	Removal of forest vegetation and tilling.
R4A	-	Cessation of agricultural practices, natural or artificial afforestation.

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Advanced Succession Phase

1.2. Rejuvenated Phase

1.1A	-	Light to moderate intensity fires, blow-downs, ice storms.
1.2A	-	Disturbance-free period 30+ years

State 1
Reference State

In absence of stand-leveling disturbances the Reference State Community oscillates between two easily definable community phases, a mature, or late successional, community phase and a rejuvenated community phase.

Dominant plant species

red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree
northern red oak (Quercus rubra), tree
white oak (Quercus alba), tree

Community 1.1
Advanced Succession Phase

A mature forest community contains a super-canopy, or a scattering, of large white pine trees. In pre-European settlement time such trees would have been anywhere from 80 to more than 300 years old (Sterns, 1950). Common associates have been red pine (P. resinosa), red oak (Q. rubra) and white oak (Q. alba). However, only white pine and white oak are moderately shade-tolerant and able to reproduce in small canopy openings and remain as permanent members of mature community in absence of moderate to severe disturbance. Red maple (Acer rubrum) had not been an important species in pre-settlement forests, but is today the most successful reproducing tree species in forest communities on this Ecological Site.

Dominant plant species

red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree
northern red oak (Quercus rubra), tree
white oak (Quercus alba), tree

Community 1.2
Rejuvenated Phase

The canopy of the rejuvenated community is still dominated by original species, but the understory now also includes a well established younger cohort and perhaps a few additional seedlings and saplings of less shade tolerant species.

Dominant plant species

red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree
northern red oak (Quercus rubra), tree
white oak (Quercus alba), tree

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Light intensity fires, crown breakage from ice and snow and small scale blow-downs create canopy openings, releasing advance regeneration and stimulating new seedling establishment. Some additional less shade tolerant species such as red oak may be able to enter the community.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

A long period without major canopy disturbance allows gradual replacement of oldest canopy trees by younger cohorts. Small scale disturbances may still occur periodically, but once second or third canopies are established there is minimal new regeneration taking place and the forest gradually returns to mature state.

State 2
Post-logging State

Post-logging state may consist of considerable diversity of pioneer and mid-successional community phases. Here we are describing three, most commonly found under current conditions.

Dominant plant species

jack pine (Pinus banksiana), tree
red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree

Community 2.1
Jack Pine and/or Red Pine Community

Jack pine and red pine have historically been almost entirely dependent on fire for regeneration. Jack pine is a predominantly a northern species and in southern part of Wisconsin seldom approaches its growth potential. Everywhere it occurs it is a pronounce pioneer, highly light demanding and resistant to drought and frost. It has low requirements for soil organic matter and nutrients. It is a prolific producer of seed and it often colonizes burnt over areas. Forest fires speed natural regeneration by opening the cones. However, today, jack pine is regenerated mostly by planting. Without disturbance jack pine does not regenerate and is readily succeeded by various species, even those of only moderate shade tolerance, such as white pine and red oak. Historically, red pine has often occurred in mixtures with jack pine. In terms of light, soil moisture and nutrient requirements it is intermediate between jack and white pines. In contrast to jack pine, natural red pine regeneration is often found in moderately dense pure or mixed pine stands, although not to the same extent as is white pine. Under current ecological and economic conditions red pine is regenerated almost entirely by planting.

Dominant plant species

jack pine (Pinus banksiana), tree
red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree

Community 2.2
Aspen-Paper Birch Community

Although a ubiquitous species, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is far more characteristic of northern rather than southern forest regions. Its most notable ecological characteristic is the ability to rapidly invade cut-over and burned-over areas. However, its perpetuation depends entirely on recurrence of disturbance. Because of its extreme intolerance to shade, it is readily replaced by many tree species in the absence of disturbance. Once in place, aspen reproduces entirely by sprouting from extensive, superficial root systems (root suckering). Most aspen stands on this Ecological Site resulted from sprouting following clear cutting of mixed stands of pine and/or oak, in which some aspen trees were still present. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is often a member of aspen stands. It shares aspen’s intolerance of shade and also produces small, winged seeds that readily disperse by wind. It does not sucker from root sprouts, but it readily sprouts from stumps upon clear cutting. It also has greater ability than does aspen of reproducing from seed under favorable seedbed conditions and in presence of large canopy openings. However in absence of disturbance it also succeeds to other species.

Dominant plant species

quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree
paper birch (Betula papyrifera), tree

Community 2.3
Pin oak-Black oak Community

On this Ecological Site these two oak species often occur in mixtures with red oak and/or bur oak (Q. macrocarpa). Community composition and structure is a function of composition of the preceding, cut-over, or burned-over community and time since the disturbance. Time since disturbance is an important factor because of significant differences in sprouting abilities and success of regeneration from seed, among the participating species. Pin and black oak typically exist in current stands as multi-stem clusters resulting from stump sprouting, while red oak often reproduces from seed and gradually gains canopy dominance.

Dominant plant species

pin oak (Quercus palustris), tree
black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), tree
northern red oak (Quercus rubra), tree

State 3
Grazed State

Site phase consists of various grasses and forbs impacted by livestock grazing.

Dominant plant species

reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
brome (Bromus), grass
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass

Community 3.1
Grazed land Community

Site phase consists of various grasses and forbs impacted by livestock grazing.

Dominant plant species

reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
brome (Bromus), grass

State 4
Cropland State

Sites phase consists of various crops being grown.

Dominant plant species

corn (Zea mays), grass
soybean (Glycine max), other herbaceous

Community 4.1
Cultivated Crop Community

Sites phase consists of various crops being grown.

Dominant plant species

corn (Zea mays), grass
soybean (Glycine max), other herbaceous

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Clear cutting with initial control of competing vegetation, or stand-replacing fire, prepare the site for occupancy by shade intolerant species. This may occur through natural regeneration or by planting.

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

A period of some 70-100 years without major stand disturbance, especially fire, leads to decreased presence, through natural mortality, of early successional species and the dominance of relatively shade tolerant white pine and sub-canopy of red maple, returning the community to Reference State.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Livestock grazing commenced.

Transition T2B
State 2 to 4

Removal of forest vegetation and tilling.

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2

Removal of livestock grazing.

Transition T3A
State 3 to 4

Removal of forest vegetation and tilling.

Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 2

Cessation of agriculture and natural or artificial afforestation.

Additional community tables

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Plot and other supporting inventory data for site identification and community phases is located on a NRCS North Central Region shared and one drive folder. University Wisconsin-Stevens Point described soils, took photographs, and inventoried vegetation data at community phases within the reference state. The data sources include WI ESD Plot Data Collection Form - Tier 2, Releve Method, NASIS pedon description, NRCS SOI 036, photographs, and Kotar Habitat Types.

Other references

Clayton, L., & Attig, J. W. (1989). Glacial Lake Wisconsin (Vol. 173). Geological Society of America.

Clayton, L., Attig, J. W., & Mickelson, D. M. (1999). Tunnel channels formed in Wisconsin during the last glaciation. Special Papers-Geological Society of America, 69-82.

Cleland, D.T.; Avers, P.E.; McNab, W.H.; Jensen, M.E.; Bailey, R.G., King, T.; Russell, W.E. 1997. National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units. Published in, Boyce, M. S.; Haney, A., ed. 1997. Ecosystem Management Applications for Sustainable Forest and Wildlife Resources. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. pp. 181-200.

Curtis, J.T. 1959. Vegetation of Wisconsin: an ordination of plant communities. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 657 pp.

Finley, R. 1976. Original vegetation of Wisconsin. Map compiled from U.S. General Land Office notes. U.S. Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, St. Paul, Minnesota.

NatureServe. 2018. International Ecological Classification Satandard: Terrestrial Ecological Classifications. NautreServe Centreal Databases. Arlington, VA. U.S.A. Data current as of 28 August 2018.

Kotar, J., J. A. Kovach, and T. L. Burger. 2002. A Guide to Forest Communities and Habitat Types of Northern Wisconsin. Second edition. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Madison.

Kotar, J., and T. L. Burger. 2017. Wetland Forest Habitat Type Classification System for Northern Wisconsin: A Guide for Land Managers and landowners. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, PUB-FR-627 2017, Madison.
Schulte, L.A., and D.J. Mladenoff. 2001. The original U.S. public land sur¬vey records: their use and limitations in reconstructing pre-European settlement vegetation. Journal of Forestry 99:5–10.

Schulte, L.A., and D.J. Mladenoff. 2005. Severe wind and fire regimes in northern forests: historical variability at the regional scale. Ecology 86(2):431–445.

Schulte, L.A., and D.J. Mladenoff. 2005. Severe wind and fire regimes in northern forests: historical variability at the regional scale. Ecology 86(2):431–445.

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land Resource and Major Land Resource Areas of the United Sates, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2015. The ecological landscapes of Wisconsin: An assessment of ecological resources and a guide to planning sustainable management. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, PUB-SS-1131 2015, Madison.

Contributors

Jacob Prater, Associate Professor at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
John Kotar, Ecological Specialist, independent contract
Bryant Scharenbroch, Assistant Professor at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Joel Gebhard, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Shelly Stein, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 9/27/2023

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date	09/27/2023
Approved by	Suzanne Mayne-Kinney
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

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Ecosystem states

1. Reference State

2. Post-logging State

3. Grazed State

4. Cropland State

T1A	-	Clear cutting or stand-replacing fire.
R2A	-	Disturbance-free period 70+ years.
T2A	-	Grazing by livestock.
T2B	-	Removal of forest vegetation and tilling.
R3A	-	Removal of livestock grazing.
T3A	-	Removal of forest vegetation and tilling.
R4A	-	Cessation of agricultural practices, natural or artificial afforestation.