Loamy Uplands
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Major stand replacing disturbance e.g. blow-down and fire, or clear-cutting, followed by fire.
More details -
Transition T1B
Elimination of forest cover, application of agricultural practices.
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Restoration pathway R2A
Time and natural succession.
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Transition T2A
Elimination of forest cover, application of agricultural practices.
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Transition T3A
Cessation 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
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Description
The reference plant community is categorized as mesic forest community dominated by mixed deciduous species, primarily sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and sporadic occurrence of several conifer species. Although forest communities can vary greatly in terms of species composition and stand structure, depending on type, degree and frequency of disturbance, two common phases predominate:
Submodel
Description
Following disturbances described in Transition T1A a wide range of forest community phases may come into temporary existence, the three most common ones are described here.
Submodel
Mechanism
Major stand-replacing disturbance. In pre-European settlement time this most often was a severe blow down, some times followed by fires. Such blow downs have been estimated to occur in this part of Wisconsin every 300 to 400 years (Stearns….Mladenoff….). In post settlement virtually every acre has been logged either by clear cutting or successive cuts targeting species marketable at that time. Post logging slash fires also have been significant factor in most areas. These disturbances created the environment suitable for natural regeneration of many shade-intolerant species and for commercial planting.
Mechanism
Abandonment of agricultural practices and allowing natural vegetation to colonize the site or apply artificial afforestation. The time required for forest community to reach the reference state conditions may exceed 100 years.
Mechanism
Removal of forest cover, tilling and application of other agricultural techniques to grow agricultural crops.
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.