Sandy Upland Forest
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Site is logged and/or understory is burned.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Restoration inputs; forest stand management
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
This is a dry to dry-mesic conifer-hardwood woodland composed of jack pine, red pine, black spruce, white pine, paper birch, quaking aspen, and oak. The site occurs on sandy outwash plains, lake plains, and moraines. Historically, the site was influenced by fire events at a rotations of approximately 100+ years. Young woodlands (0-55 years) recovering from fire, are dominated by jack pine mixed with quaking aspen and paper birch. Followed by a transition period (55-75) marked by a gradual decline in jack pine and quaking aspen. Red pine and paper birch are most abundant during this transition period. Spruce, balsam fir, and white pine invade and increase in abundance. At 75+ years mature woodlands then form characterized by mixed canopies dominated by spruce with some paper birch, balsam fir, white pine, and old jack pine. Subsequently old growth woodlands occur at 100+ years and understory fires may cycle through as many tree species use this natural fire cycle to maintain dominance on this ecological site. Black spruce is the spruce species most associated with this community, but white spruce is also present (MN DNR 2005).
Submodel
Description
Removal of canopy species for timber harvest creates an open canopy and a highly disturbed understory. Shrubs often dominate after canopy removal. A very dense shrub layer can impede tree regeneration. Heavy machinery are a common seed source for non-native species. Human and recreational activities can also lead to seed sources of non-native species being established (MN DNR 2005). This site offers a few options for crop trees, with six species having a fair, good, or excellent suitability. Jack pine, white pine, red pine, and northern pin oak are all ranked as excellent choices as crop trees by virtue of their frequent occurrence and moderately high cover (MN DNR 2022).
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition represents the removal of canopy species and/or severe understory disturbance from fires prescribed or natural.
Mechanism
Careful restoration and management of the site may transition the Logged State back to Reference State depending on invasive species seed bank accumulation. This restoration pathway will be cost prohibitive and difficult to scale if invasive species have become established in the seed bank.
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.