Wet Clayey Lowlands
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Clearcutting or stand-replacing natural disturbance. Pioneer species seed in.
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Transition T1B
Removing forest vegetation and tilling.
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Restoration pathway R2
Natural succession.
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Transition T2
Removing forest vegetation and tilling.
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Restoration pathway R3
Abandonment of agricultural practices, natural or artificial afforestation.
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
Reference state of this Ecological Site is characterized by strong presence of red maple and white pine. Either species may represent the dominant canopy and/or reproductive layer, depending on history of stand disturbance and availability of seed sources. Although current stands are almost always dominated by red maple, large, old, white pine stumps are frequently present, verifying the species’ presence in the pre-logging forest communities. Seed sources of both, white pine and red maple, have been greatly reduced by early logging, however, red maple had an early advantage in its re-establishment, because of its ability to sprout from stumps and to produce seed at very young stage. Stems as small as two inches d.b.h. produce viable seeds (USDA, 1990). In contrast, white pine reproduces only by seed and not until cone-bearing trees are 20 to 30 feet tall. With time, however, white pine trees become abundant seed producers, leading to eventual white pine dominance on this ecological site.
Submodel
Description
If not planted to other species, cut over and burned stands were historically most often colonized by trembling aspen and frequently also by paper birch. Aspen is often perpetuated by clearcutting, but paper birch tends to drop out in the process as it does not compete well with vigorous aspen sprouting.
Submodel
Mechanism
Clear-cutting, especially if followed by fire, or stand-replacing wild fire, create conditions favorable for pioneering species to seed in.
Mechanism
Considerable acreage of this Ecological Site has been cleared of forest vegetation and converted to agricultural use.
Mechanism
If not repeatedly cut over, aspen-birch stands gradually succeed to more shade tolerant species. Most successful species in this process is red maple, but white pine can be well represented if adequate seed sources exist in the area. This process transforms forest community to reference state conditions.
Mechanism
Considerable acreage of this Ecological Site has been cleared of forest vegetation and converted to agricultural use.
Mechanism
Abandonment of agricultural practices, without additional human intervention, restores the reference state condition through the process of natural succession. However, this may be a long process as many “weed species”, herbaceous and woody, may first colonize the site for long periods of time. Return to forest condition can be accelerated by planting and control of weedy species.
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.