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Ecological site F094AB019MI

Dry Sandy Plains

Last updated: 2/25/2025
Accessed: 04/04/2025

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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.

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Figure 1. Mapped extent

Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 094A–Northern Michigan Sandy Highlands

"This area is dominated by outwash plains and moraines. The terrain can be steep on the moraines and flat in the areas of outwash. Elevation ranges from 177 to 520 m (580 to 1705 ft). Local topographic relief averages 14 m and ranges up to 188 m (45 to 615 ft). This area is covered entirely by drift. Bedrock consisting of Devonian limestone and dolomite with interbedded shale, chert, and anhydrite stringers is at various depths below the surface because of the curvature of the Michigan basin. However, bedrock exposures completely absent, as the depth of glacial drift ranges from 60 to 300 m (200-1000 ft). The Au Sable, Manistee, Au Gres, and Pine Rivers are the major streams draining this MLRA, in both the Lake Michigan and Lake Huron watersheds. The Muskegon River has its headwaters in this area.

About 70 percent of this area is forested, and about 15 percent is cropland or hayland. About one-third of the area is in small, privately owned holdings, and another one-third consists of national and State forests. The forests are used mainly for timber production and recreation. Dairy and beef operations are very important enterprises in the area. Forage and feed grains for dairy cattle and other livestock are the principal crops. Wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, and hay also are grown in the area. The Huron and Manistee National Forests, Hartwick Pines State Park, Camp Grayling (Department of Defense), Pigeon River Country State Forest are among the most notable conservation lands in the area. Reaches of the Au Sable and Pine Rivers are National Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Summary of existing land use:
Upland Forest (58%)
Hardwood (41%)
Conifer (15%)
Swamps and Marshes (14%)
Developed (11%)
Agricultural (10%)
Grassland (5%)
"

Classification relationships

According to the USFS (Bailey) system of ecoregions, the site is located mostly within 212Hg (Kirtland's Warbler High Sand Plains) and 212Hh (Gladwin Silty Lake Plain) subsections. According to the EPA (Omernik) system of ecoregions, the site is located in 50ae (Mio Plateau), 50ah (Tawas Lake Plain) and eastern 50ad (Vanderbilt Moraines) level IV ecoregions. This site roughly corresponds to PVCd, in the Kotar system. This site corresponds to the Outwash Plains ecological land type 10 in the USFS Ecological Land Type system.

Ecological site concept

The central concept of Dry Sandy Plains is uplands lacking a seasonal water table (excessively drained to well drained), lacking significant B horizon development in the soil profile, and on broadly flat landscapes with less than 15% slopes. Site occurs on sandy drift (outwash, ice contact, or lake plains) where soil textures are sand or loamy sand (upper 50 cm >70% sand). Site is outside the heavy snowfall belt, mostly east of Houghton Lake where fire was frequent. Vegetation trending towards xerophytic woodlands and barrens with a high fire frequency.

Associated sites

F094AB028MI	Dry Sandy Slopes Dry Sandy Slopes has a greater amount of topographic relief which tends to reduce the size of wildfires. Consequently, there is more white pine, red pine, and oak and less jack pine.
F094AB018MI	Rich Sandy Drift Rich Sandy Drift has a greater amount of spodic development, which indirectly indicates higher productivity, or has higher pH, which drives higher productivity. Consequently, there is more white pine and oak and less jack pine.
F094AB020MI	Acidic Sandy Depression Acidic Sandy Depression has a seasonally high water table, either moderately well drained or somewhat poorly drained. Consequently, there can be a transition to wetland species or higher cover of wintergreen.

F094AB028MI

Dry Sandy Slopes

Dry Sandy Slopes has a greater amount of topographic relief which tends to reduce the size of wildfires. Consequently, there is more white pine, red pine, and oak and less jack pine.

F094AB018MI

Rich Sandy Drift

Rich Sandy Drift has a greater amount of spodic development, which indirectly indicates higher productivity, or has higher pH, which drives higher productivity. Consequently, there is more white pine and oak and less jack pine.

F094AB020MI

Acidic Sandy Depression

Acidic Sandy Depression has a seasonally high water table, either moderately well drained or somewhat poorly drained. Consequently, there can be a transition to wetland species or higher cover of wintergreen.

Similar sites

F094AA006MI	Snowy Sandy Drift Snowy Sandy Drift has a greater amount of annual snowfall, which leads to longer fire interval. Consequently, there is more white pine and northern hardwoods and less jack pine.
F094AB028MI	Dry Sandy Slopes Dry Sandy Slopes has a greater amount of topographic relief which tends to reduce the size of wildfires. Consequently, there is more white pine, red pine, and oak and less jack pine.

F094AA006MI

Snowy Sandy Drift

Snowy Sandy Drift has a greater amount of annual snowfall, which leads to longer fire interval. Consequently, there is more white pine and northern hardwoods and less jack pine.

F094AB028MI

Dry Sandy Slopes

Dry Sandy Slopes has a greater amount of topographic relief which tends to reduce the size of wildfires. Consequently, there is more white pine, red pine, and oak and less jack pine.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Pinus banksiana
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Carex pensylvanica (2) Festuca scabrella

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Physiographic features

Site occurs mostly on sandy outwash plains, with minor amounts of coarse textured ice contact, glacial till, and lake plain deposits with similar properties. Landforms are mostly gently sloping.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Outwash plain (2) Outwash fan
Runoff class	Negligible to low
Elevation	581 – 1,572 ft
Slope	15%
Water table depth	59 – 177 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

Mean annual temperatures are 5.7 to 7.6 °C (42 to 46 °F). The warmest six months average 14.3 to 16.1 °C (58 to 61 °F). Mean July temperatures range from 19.1 to 20.8 °C (66 to 69 °F). Mean January temperatures range from -8.2 to -6.0 °C (17 to 21 °F). The maximum monthly average daily highs are 25.9 to 27.7 °C (79 to 82 °F). The minimum monthly average daily lows are -13.2 to -10.7 °C (8 to 13 °F).Temperatures generally decrease with elevation and latitude. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 700 to 870 mm (28 to 34 in). Precipitation decreases from west to east. Average 0 °C (32 °F) frost-free season ranges from 73 to 144 days. Average -2 °C (28 °F) freeze-free season is 106 to 172 days. Mean annual snowfall ranges from 1.1 to 2.9 m (40 to 120 in). Snowfall decreases from northwest to southeast. Mean annual extreme minimum temperatures range from -33.3 to -23.1 °C (-28 to -10 °F), or hardiness zones 4a to 6a.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	76-110 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	119-143 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	29-31 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	52-113 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	114-150 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	28-33 in
Frost-free period (average)	92 days
Freeze-free period (average)	133 days
Precipitation total (average)	30 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 7. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) EAST TAWAS [USC00202423], Tawas City, MI
(2) GRAYLING [USC00203391], Grayling, MI
(3) MIO HYDRO PLT [USC00205531], Mio, MI
(4) VANDERBILT 11ENE [USC00208417], Vanderbilt, MI
(5) HOUGHTON LK ROSCOMMON AP [USW00094814], Houghton Lake, MI
(6) HALE LOUD DAM [USC00203529], Glennie, MI
(7) WEST BRANCH 3SE [USC00208800], West Branch, MI

Influencing water features

Excessively drained to well drained, with typical water tables greater than 450 cm in depth, (Forest Service Ecological Land Type Phases 9, 10, and 11). Areas transitional to wetter sites have a seasonally high water tables as near as 150 cm to the surface (Forest Service Ecological Land Type Phase 12).

Soil features

Soils are well drained to excessively well drained sands. They are commonly classified Typic Udipsamments and Lamellic Udipsamments, and commonly mapped as Grayling and Graycalm series. The top 50 cm has a typical pH of 5.0 and is 90% sand and 0.8% organic matter. At depths greater than 100 cm, pH ranges as high as 5.8, and texture averages 90% sand and 5% clay. Depth to impeded hydraulic conductivity or root restrictive layers is greater than 200 cm. Depth to carbonates averages deeper than 200 cm. Forest Service Ecological Land Type Phases 9, 10, 11, 12 (Cleland, et al., 1994).

Figure 8. Soil profile of Grayling sand.

Figure 9. Soil profile of Grayling sand.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Outwash
Surface texture	(1) Sand
Drainage class	Excessively drained to well drained
Permeability class	Moderately rapid to rapid
Soil depth	79 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	1%
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-39.4in)	1.57 – 3.94 in
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-19.7in)	3.5 – 6
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-59.1in)	10%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-59.1in)	5%

Ecological dynamics

Dry Sandy Plains shares the same ecological dynamics as Natureserve/Landfire system, Laurentian-Acadian Jack Pine Barrens and Forest (Landfire, 2017). Stand replacing fires occurred every 10-80 years, with light surface fires every 2-20 years. Overstory was dominated by fire dependent, early successional jack pine (Pinus banksiana), red pine (P. resinosa), and Hill's oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis). Areas with overlapping stand replacement fires at intervals less than 20 years may result a "dry sand prairie" phase due to inadequacy of cone production in younger jack pine stands.

The main overstory tree, jack pine reproduction is dependent on reoccurring crown fire to open its serotinous cones, which releases abundant seeds. The Kirtland's Warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii) is dependent upon the early stages of dense jack pine regeneration. This key stage for nesting habitat is 5-23 years (peak at 8-15 years) from establishment while the trees are 1.7-5 m tall with 35-65% cover (Bocetti, Donner, and Mayfield, 2020). Optimal stem density is 5000-7500 per hectare, but naturally regenerated stands with as low as 2000 per hectare and 20-25% cover can support breeding pairs. As trees reach 5 m tall, the lower limbs tend to die off, making for less optimal habitat for the ground nesting Kirtland's Warbler. Kirtland's Warbler can also nest at low densities in young red pine plantations if it includes some amount of young jack pine. Isolated patch sizes generally need to be greater than 80 ha to support Kirtland's Warbler, but in proximity of other suitable stands, they will nest in patches as small as 12 ha (Bocetti, Donner, and Mayfield, 2020).

Understory is usually graminoid dominated with prairie grasses and forbs. Penn sedge (Carex pensylvanica) may form continuous cover under a moderately open canopy. Occasionally, bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) may also dominate. Regular fire is necessary to maintain a wider diversity of prairie forbs and grasses such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans). The prairie forbs feature species disjunct from western North America such as prairie dandelion (Agoseris glauca) and rough fescue (Festuca altaica). Kotar community classification (Burger and Kotar, 2003) occuring within this ecosite include: PVCd (Pinus strobus/Vaccinium spp.-Cladina spp.), understory indicator species include: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Cladonia rangiferina, Comptonia peregrina, Pinus banksiana, Pteridium aquilinum, and Vaccinium angustifolium (Kinnikinnick, reindeer lichen, Sweetfern, Jack Pine, Bracken Fern, and Northern Lowbush Blueberry) (Burger, and Kotar, 2003).

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. Cultivated State

3. Seminatural Invaded State

4. Intensively Managed State

T1A	-	Clear vegetation; cultivate domesticated species
T1B	-	Clear vegetation, invasive species introduced.
T1C	-	Harvest and Planting
R2	-	Removal of domesticated species; restore native species.
T2A	-	Abandoned, succession.
R3	-	Control invasive species; restore native species.
T3A	-	Clear vegetation; cultivate domesticated species.
R4A	-	Wildfire and migration/recolonization of missing native species.

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Mid-Successional Forest: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

1.2. Late-Successional Forest: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

1.3. Open Barrens: Pinus banksiana - (Quercus ellipsoidalis) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Prairie Forbs Woodland

1.4. Early Successional Thicket: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

1.5. Aspen Clone: Pinus strobus - Populus tremuloides - (Acer rubrum) / Pteridium aquilinum Forest

1.1A	-	Succession.
1.1B	-	Crown fire followed by intense pine seedling regeneration.
1.2A	-	Crown fire followed by intense pine seedling regeneration.
1.3A	-	Succession about 16 years without fire, depending on initial regeneration of jack pine.
1.3B	-	Aspen established.
1.4A	-	Succession.
1.4B	-	Fire, killing regenerating jack pine.
1.5A	-	Aspen failure to regenerate after a fire.

P4.1A	-	Succession
P4.2A	-	Clear cut; replant.
P4.2A	-	Clearcut; plant red pine.
P4.3A	-	Clearcut, plant jack pine.

State 1
Reference State

Figure 10. Jack pine-red pine forests of different ages due to differential survival of wildfire.

The reference condition consists of a range of open grassy (sedgy) to open jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and red pine (Pinus resinosa) woodlands.

Characteristics and indicators. All taxa are naturally regenerating and adapted to reoccuring fire. Presence of invasive species or trees planted in rows are all signs of alternative states.

Resilience management. Larger patches are still subject to occasional wildfire despite attempts at fire suppression. Low fertility of the site results in slow plant growth and thereby slow rates of mesophication during longer fire intervals and slow spread of invasive species except where soil is disturbed.

Dominant plant species

jack pine (Pinus banksiana), tree
northern pin oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis), tree
red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree
lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), shrub
Sesquehana sandcherry (Prunus susquehanae), shrub
sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina), shrub
Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), grass
wavy hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa), grass
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
prairie Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha), grass
mountain ricegrass (Piptatheropsis pungens), grass
smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve), other herbaceous

Community 1.1
Mid-Successional Forest: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

This phase has a canopy closure of 25-65% and height of 5-10 m. This phase is 25-50 years old.

Forest overstory. Dominated by jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and scattered red pine (Pinus resinosa) and Hill's oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis).

Forest understory. Dominated by dwarf shrubs like lowbush blueberry.

Dominant plant species

jack pine (Pinus banksiana), tree
northern pin oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis), tree
lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), other herbaceous

Table 5. Canopy structure (% cover)

Height Above Ground (ft)	Tree	Shrub/Vine	Grass/ Grasslike	Forb
<0.5	–	5-16%	9-39%	0-6%
>0.5 <= 1	1-8%	50-66%	10-40%	1-19%
>1 <= 2	1-8%	44-65%	1-6%	9-28%
>2 <= 4.5	3-13%	–	0-2%	8-20%
>4.5 <= 13	14-42%	–	–	–
>13 <= 40	23-40%	–	–	–
>40 <= 80	14-20%	–	–	–
>80 <= 120	–	–	–	–
>120	–	–	–	–

Community 1.2
Late-Successional Forest: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

This phase has a canopy closure of 25-65% and height of 10-25 m. The trees are 51-224 years old and are beginning to thin as trees fall apart due to breakage and shading. Senescent trees may become standing snags.

Forest overstory. Dominated by jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and scattered red pine (Pinus resinosa) and Hill's oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis).

Forest understory. Dominated by dwarf shrubs with a thick layer of moss.

Dominant plant species

jack pine (Pinus banksiana), tree
northern pin oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis), tree
red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree
Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), grass

Table 6. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	0%
Forb basal cover	0%
Non-vascular plants	30-67%
Biological crusts	2-16%
Litter	13-66%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0%
Surface fragments >3"	0%
Bedrock	0%
Water	0%
Bare ground	0%

Table 7. Woody ground cover

Downed wood, fine-small (<0.40" diameter; 1-hour fuels)	0-2%
Downed wood, fine-medium (0.40-0.99" diameter; 10-hour fuels)	1-2%
Downed wood, fine-large (1.00-2.99" diameter; 100-hour fuels)	0-1%
Downed wood, coarse-small (3.00-8.99" diameter; 1,000-hour fuels)	1-2%
Downed wood, coarse-large (>9.00" diameter; 10,000-hour fuels)	0%
Tree snags (hard*)	0%
Tree snags (soft*)	0%
Tree snag count (hard*)	0-10 per acre
Tree snag count (hard*)	0-40 per acre

* Decomposition Classes: N - no or little integration with the soil surface; I - partial to nearly full integration with the soil surface.

** >10.16cm diameter at 1.3716m above ground and >1.8288m height--if less diameter OR height use applicable down wood type; for pinyon and juniper, use 0.3048m above ground.

*** Hard - tree is dead with most or all of bark intact; Soft - most of bark has sloughed off.

Table 8. Canopy structure (% cover)

Height Above Ground (ft)	Tree	Shrub/Vine	Grass/ Grasslike	Forb
<0.5	–	2-6%	6-18%	0-1%
>0.5 <= 1	2-8%	29-40%	6-22%	0-12%
>1 <= 2	2-8%	27-39%	0-8%	0-14%
>2 <= 4.5	4-14%	–	–	0-1%
>4.5 <= 13	6-45%	–	–	–
>13 <= 40	45-68%	–	–	–
>40 <= 80	28-41%	–	–	–
>80 <= 120	–	–	–	–
>120	–	–	–	–

Community 1.3
Open Barrens: Pinus banksiana - (Quercus ellipsoidalis) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Prairie Forbs Woodland

Figure 11. Dry sand prairie, Huron National Forest, June, 2010.

Figure 12. Dry sand prairie, Huron National Forest, October, 2010.

Figure 13. Helianthus occidentalis

Figure 14. Agoseris glauca

Figure 15. Lithospermum caroliniense

Figure 16. Liatris cylindracea

Figure 17. Campanula rotundifolia

Figure 18. Liatris scariosa

Herb dominated sparse woodland. Woody canopy cover typically 0-25%. Tree heights are 5-25 m, mostly survivors of previous vegetation phases. Tree regeneration generally kept at 0 to 15 years old by reoccurring crown fire. Fire needed to maintain openness or else trees become too large and shade out herb layer.

Forest overstory. Generally open with a few surviving red pine or sparsely regenerated jack pine.

Forest understory. Dominated by graminoids and prairie forbs.

Dominant plant species

Sesquehana sandcherry (Prunus susquehanae), shrub
kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), shrub
lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), shrub
Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), grass
mountain ricegrass (Piptatheropsis pungens), grass
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass

Table 9. Canopy structure (% cover)

Height Above Ground (ft)	Tree	Shrub/Vine	Grass/ Grasslike	Forb
<0.5	3-6%	12-13%	13-24%	2-3%
>0.5 <= 1	3-6%	19-21%	45-52%	5-6%
>1 <= 2	–	14-15%	20-27%	3-4%
>2 <= 4.5	–	–	5-6%	–
>4.5 <= 13	–	–	–	–
>13 <= 40	–	–	–	–
>40 <= 80	–	–	–	–
>80 <= 120	–	–	–	–
>120	–	–	–	–

Community 1.4
Early Successional Thicket: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

Figure 19. Recently burned jack pine.

Figure 20. Jack pine seedling.

Figure 21. Kirtland's Warbler

Dense thicket of jack pine (Pinus banksiana) at 25-65% crown cover, and 0-5 m tall. Unless fire causes mortality of regenerated jack pine and reverting back to an herb dominated phase, this phase lasts about 0-20 years before succeeding to closed canopy phase. This phase is key nesting habitat for the rare Kirtland's warbler (Setophaga kirtlandi).

Forest overstory. Open with scattered older fire scarred red pine and Hill's oak.

Forest understory. Dominated by dense jack pine and dwarf shrubs, and graminoids.

Dominant plant species

jack pine (Pinus banksiana), tree
lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), shrub
Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), grass

Table 10. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	0%
Forb basal cover	0%
Non-vascular plants	1-5%
Biological crusts	0%
Litter	79-91%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0%
Surface fragments >3"	0%
Bedrock	0%
Water	0%
Bare ground	0-12%

Table 11. Woody ground cover

Downed wood, fine-small (<0.40" diameter; 1-hour fuels)	0%
Downed wood, fine-medium (0.40-0.99" diameter; 10-hour fuels)	1-5%
Downed wood, fine-large (1.00-2.99" diameter; 100-hour fuels)	0-3%
Downed wood, coarse-small (3.00-8.99" diameter; 1,000-hour fuels)	2-3%
Downed wood, coarse-large (>9.00" diameter; 10,000-hour fuels)	0%
Tree snags (hard*)	0%
Tree snags (soft*)	0%
Tree snag count (hard*)	0 per acre
Tree snag count (hard*)	0-40 per acre

* Decomposition Classes: N - no or little integration with the soil surface; I - partial to nearly full integration with the soil surface.

** >10.16cm diameter at 1.3716m above ground and >1.8288m height--if less diameter OR height use applicable down wood type; for pinyon and juniper, use 0.3048m above ground.

*** Hard - tree is dead with most or all of bark intact; Soft - most of bark has sloughed off.

Table 12. Canopy structure (% cover)

Height Above Ground (ft)	Tree	Shrub/Vine	Grass/ Grasslike	Forb
<0.5	–	8-25%	13-59%	0-10%
>0.5 <= 1	1-8%	71-92%	14-59%	2-26%
>1 <= 2	1-8%	62-91%	1-4%	18-42%
>2 <= 4.5	1-12%	–	0-4%	17-39%
>4.5 <= 13	21-38%	–	–	–
>13 <= 40	0-12%	–	–	–
>40 <= 80	–	–	–	–
>80 <= 120	–	–	–	–
>120	–	–	–	–

Community 1.5
Aspen Clone: Pinus strobus - Populus tremuloides - (Acer rubrum) / Pteridium aquilinum Forest

Figure 22. Mixed aspen woodland.

Dominated by clonal aspen with occasional oak or red maple without recent fire.

Forest overstory. Dominated by aspen and occasional oak.

Forest understory. Understory often dominated by bracken fern.

Dominant plant species

bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata), tree
quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree
roughleaf ricegrass (Oryzopsis asperifolia), grass
western brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum), other herbaceous

Table 13. Canopy structure (% cover)

Height Above Ground (ft)	Tree	Shrub/Vine	Grass/ Grasslike	Forb
<0.5	–	2-3%	1-4%	3-5%
>0.5 <= 1	–	5-12%	1-4%	13-32%
>1 <= 2	12-12%	4-9%	–	10-31%
>2 <= 4.5	12-12%	0%	–	–
>4.5 <= 13	0%	1-3%	–	–
>13 <= 40	12-27%	1-3%	–	–
>40 <= 80	60-67%	–	–	–
>80 <= 120	61-74%	–	–	–
>120	60-70%	–	–	–

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Succession.

Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.4

Crown fire followed by intense pine seedling regeneration.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Burning
Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
Tree/Shrub Establishment
Forest Stand Improvement

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.4

Late-Successional Forest: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

Early Successional Thicket: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

Crown fire followed by intense pine seedling regeneration.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Burning
Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
Tree/Shrub Establishment
Forest Stand Improvement

Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.4

Open Barrens: Pinus banksiana - (Quercus ellipsoidalis) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Prairie Forbs Woodland

Early Successional Thicket: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

Succession about 16 years without fire, depending on initial regeneration of jack pine.

Conservation practices

Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
Tree/Shrub Establishment

Pathway 1.3B
Community 1.3 to 1.5

Open Barrens: Pinus banksiana - (Quercus ellipsoidalis) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Prairie Forbs Woodland

Aspen Clone: Pinus strobus - Populus tremuloides - (Acer rubrum) / Pteridium aquilinum Forest

Aspen seedlings established or clone migration from adjacent stand due to lack of fire.

Pathway 1.4A
Community 1.4 to 1.1

Succession.

Pathway 1.4B
Community 1.4 to 1.3

Early Successional Thicket: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

Open Barrens: Pinus banksiana - (Quercus ellipsoidalis) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Prairie Forbs Woodland

Fire, killing regenerating jack pine.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Burning

Pathway 1.5A
Community 1.5 to 1.3

Aspen Clone: Pinus strobus - Populus tremuloides - (Acer rubrum) / Pteridium aquilinum Forest

Open Barrens: Pinus banksiana - (Quercus ellipsoidalis) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Prairie Forbs Woodland

Aspen failure to regenerate after a fire, either due to repeated fire reducing the energy reserves of a clone, or older trees senescing prior to fire.

State 2
Cultivated State

Figure 23. Christmas tree farm.

Hayfields and Christmas tree farms have been observed on similar sites in adjacent LRUs and are likely to occur to some degree here on private land. Cultivation of annual crops is limited due to short growing season and low soil nutrients.

Characteristics and indicators. Composition is completely regulated by land manager. Natural reproduction is inhibited.

Resilience management. May require constant fertilization to maintain productivity, but excess nutrient may also change soil chemistry that affects the species composition if ever abandoned.

Community 2.1
Conservation Agriculture

Community 2.2
Conventional Agriculture

Community 2.3
Conservation Feature

Can be a grassed waterway, conservation reserve, a small patch pollinator garden, or other land taken out of its primary cultural production to mitigate or reduce impacts of adjacent land use, and is not by itself a permanent restoration of a complete native biological community and associated ecosystem services.

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Revert to unsustainable cultural practices.

Pathway 2.1B
Community 2.1 to 2.3

Establish conservation feature.

Conservation practices

Conservation Cover
Grassed Waterway

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1

Implement sustainable cultural practices.

Conservation practices

Conservation Crop Rotation
Cover Crop
Nutrient Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Pathway 2.2B
Community 2.2 to 2.3

Establish conservation feature.

Conservation practices

Conservation Cover
Grassed Waterway

Pathway 2.3A
Community 2.3 to 2.1

Implement sustainable cultural practices.

Conservation practices

Conservation Cover
Conservation Crop Rotation
Nutrient Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Pathway 2.3B
Community 2.3 to 2.2

Revert to unsustainable cultural practices.

State 3
Seminatural Invaded State

Figure 24. Disturbed land infested with spotted knapweed.

The seminatural state consists of novel or reference analogs which happen to have an excess of invasive species beyond a threshold that native species can reproduce.

Characteristics and indicators. Invasive species in excess of an easily controlled abundance indicates this state.

Resilience management. Some invasive plants release allelopathic chemicals which may inhibit the growth of native species. A long seed bank for some species may make eradication challenging.

Dominant plant species

autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), shrub
Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa), grass
smooth brome (Bromus inermis), grass
spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), other herbaceous

Community 3.1
Ruderal Meadow & Shrubland

Community 3.2
Exotic Ruderal Forest

Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2

Succession.

Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1

Blowdown/clearcut.

State 4
Intensively Managed State

Figure 25. Clear cut jack pine.

Figure 26. Clear cut jack pine.

The intensively managed state consists of clear cut logging activities and plantations of native tree species. It retains many of the functions of the reference state, but some community phases may be missing species or horizonal and vertical structure may differ in ways that have consequences to wildlife and at minimum "looks" artificial. Sometimes may be lacking in snags, due to harvest removing senescing older trees, but management interventions may mitigate this through girdling or other means.

Characteristics and indicators. Soil disturbance and trees planted in rows is an indicator of this state.

Resilience management. Periodic harvest removing nutrients on the site may reduce the productivity over time, but the species in this ecosystem are already tolerant to low nutrients. It is conceivable that repeated soil disturbance over a large area, without fire, may systematically change species composition over time (i.e. changes in meta-populations of species that have reproductive strategies favored by soil disturbance rather than fire).

Dominant plant species

jack pine (Pinus banksiana), tree
red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree
lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), shrub
Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), grass

Community 4.1
Young Jack Pine Plantation

Figure 27. Intensively planted jack pine observed from unplanted diamond-shaped opening.

Densely planted jack pine interrupted with small diamond shaped gaps 200-700 m² in size occupying about 10-25% of the area.

Forest overstory. Jack pine planted in rows close together, except earliest phases prior to reaching overstory.

Forest understory. Earliest phases consists of densely planted jack pine, difficult to move through. Understory may have graminoids and dwarf shrubs. Bare ground created by soil disturbance initially colonized by lichen.

Dominant plant species

jack pine (Pinus banksiana), tree
lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), shrub
Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), grass

Table 14. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	0%
Forb basal cover	0%
Non-vascular plants	17-44%
Biological crusts	3-18%
Litter	38-75%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0%
Surface fragments >3"	0%
Bedrock	0%
Water	0%
Bare ground	0-4%

Table 15. Woody ground cover

Downed wood, fine-small (<0.40" diameter; 1-hour fuels)	0-1%
Downed wood, fine-medium (0.40-0.99" diameter; 10-hour fuels)	0-4%
Downed wood, fine-large (1.00-2.99" diameter; 100-hour fuels)	0-1%
Downed wood, coarse-small (3.00-8.99" diameter; 1,000-hour fuels)	0-1%
Downed wood, coarse-large (>9.00" diameter; 10,000-hour fuels)	0%
Tree snags (hard*)	0%
Tree snags (soft*)	0%
Tree snag count (hard*)	0 per acre
Tree snag count (hard*)	0-10 per acre

* Decomposition Classes: N - no or little integration with the soil surface; I - partial to nearly full integration with the soil surface.

** >10.16cm diameter at 1.3716m above ground and >1.8288m height--if less diameter OR height use applicable down wood type; for pinyon and juniper, use 0.3048m above ground.

*** Hard - tree is dead with most or all of bark intact; Soft - most of bark has sloughed off.

Table 16. Canopy structure (% cover)

Height Above Ground (ft)	Tree	Shrub/Vine	Grass/ Grasslike	Forb
<0.5	–	6-12%	13-22%	0-1%
>0.5 <= 1	2-5%	30-52%	13-24%	1-2%
>1 <= 2	2-5%	23-49%	0-3%	1-5%
>2 <= 4.5	0-2%	–	–	0-3%
>4.5 <= 13	8-35%	–	–	–
>13 <= 40	45-60%	–	–	–
>40 <= 80	–	–	–	–
>80 <= 120	–	–	–	–
>120	–	–	–	–

Community 4.2
Old Jack Pine Plantation

Figure 28. Older jack pine plantation.

Figure 29. Furrow and mound topography in jack pine plantation.

Old growth jack pine plantation consists of older trees up to 20 m tall arranged in rows with cover up to 70 percent. Mortality among overstory trees may result in snags.

Forest overstory. Dominated by jack pine (Pinus banksiana).

Forest understory. Consists of blueberry and a mossy understory. Lichens may persist in soil disturbed areas.

Dominant plant species

jack pine (Pinus banksiana), tree

Community 4.3
Red Pine Plantation

Figure 30. Red pine plantation forest floor view.

Figure 31. Red pine plantation canopy view.

Red pine planted in rows, with little understory growth.

Forest overstory. Overstory dominated by red pine (Pinus resinosa).

Forest understory. Understory very sparse with heavy pine needle litter. Many of the same understory species as jack pine forests but much sparser cover. Isolated pink lady's slippers may occur.

Dominant plant species

red pine (Pinus resinosa), tree

Pathway P4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2

Young Jack Pine Plantation

Old Jack Pine Plantation

Succession, trees grow larger.

Pathway P4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.1

Old Jack Pine Plantation

Young Jack Pine Plantation

Clear cut and replant jack pine.

Pathway P4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.3

Old Jack Pine Plantation

Red Pine Plantation

Clearcut; plant red pine.

Pathway P4.3A
Community 4.3 to 4.1

Red Pine Plantation

Young Jack Pine Plantation

Clearcut, plant jack pine.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Reference State

Cultivated State

Clear vegetation; cultivate domesticated species

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

Reference State

Seminatural Invaded State

Clear vegetation, invasive species introduced.

Transition T1C
State 1 to 4

Reference State

Intensively Managed State

Harvest and planting of a native stand, or replanting of a wildfire consumed stand.

Restoration pathway R2
State 2 to 1

Cultivated State

Reference State

Remove domesticated species; restore native species.

Conservation practices

Brush Management
Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
Tree/Shrub Establishment
Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
Herbaceous Weed Control

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Cultivated State

Seminatural Invaded State

Abandoned, succession.

Restoration pathway R3
State 3 to 1

Seminatural Invaded State

Reference State

Control invasive species; restore native species.

Conservation practices

Brush Management
Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
Tree/Shrub Establishment
Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
Herbaceous Weed Control

Restoration pathway T3A
State 3 to 2

Seminatural Invaded State

Cultivated State

Clear vegetation; cultivate domesticated species.

Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 1

Intensively Managed State

Reference State

Wildfire and migration/recolonization of missing native species.

Additional community tables

Table 17. Community 1.2 forest overstory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)	Diameter (in)	Basal area (square ft/acre)
Tree
jack pine	PIBA2	Pinus banksiana	Native	19.7–39.4	2.5–25	–	–
jack pine	PIBA2	Pinus banksiana	Native	22–53.5	10.9–20.1	3.5–9.1	–
northern pin oak	QUEL	Quercus ellipsoidalis	Native	32.8–52.5	0–16	–	–
red pine	PIRE	Pinus resinosa	Native	19.7–63.6	2.7–11.8	–	–
black oak	QUVE	Quercus velutina	Native	36.1–45.9	0–8	–	–
northern pin oak	QUEL	Quercus ellipsoidalis	Native	19.7–39.4	0–3.5	–	–
red pine	PIRE	Pinus resinosa	Native	19.7–39.4	0–2.5	–	–
balsam fir	ABBA	Abies balsamea	Native	6.6–29.5	0–1	–	–
eastern white pine	PIST	Pinus strobus	Native	21.3–42.7	0–0.4	–	–

Table 18. Community 1.2 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	Native	0.3–0.7	5–30
wavy hairgrass	DEFL	Deschampsia flexuosa	Native	0.7–1.6	0–14
big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.3
rosette grass	DICHA2	Dichanthelium	Native	0.7–1.6	–
false melic	SCPU	Schizachne purpurascens	Native	0.3–1	–
Forb/Herb
narrowleaf cowwheat	MELI2	Melampyrum lineare	Native	0–0.3	0.1–2.4
spreading dogbane	APAN2	Apocynum androsaemifolium	Native	0.3–1.3	0–0.1
Canada mayflower	MACA4	Maianthemum canadense	Native	0–0.3	0–0.1
goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	Native	0.7–1.6	–
Fern/fern ally
western brackenfern	PTAQ	Pteridium aquilinum	Native	0.7–1.6	0–24.7
spinulose woodfern	DRCA11	Dryopteris carthusiana	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
Shrub/Subshrub
lowbush blueberry	VAAN	Vaccinium angustifolium	Native	0.7–1.6	24.8–40.7
eastern teaberry	GAPR2	Gaultheria procumbens	Native	0.3–0.7	0–6
kinnikinnick	ARUV	Arctostaphylos uva-ursi	Native	0.3–0.7	0–2.5
chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	Native	0.7–1.6	0–1
sweet fern	COPE80	Comptonia peregrina	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1–0.7
Sesquehana sandcherry	PRSU3	Prunus susquehanae	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
sweet fern	COPE80	Comptonia peregrina	Native	1–2	0–0.1
trailing arbutus	EPRE2	Epigaea repens	Native	0.3–1	0–0.1
prickly rose	ROAC	Rosa acicularis	Native	0.7–1.6	–
Tree
northern pin oak	QUEL	Quercus ellipsoidalis	Native	7.2–14.1	0.5–41.7
white oak	QUAL	Quercus alba	Native	8.2–16.4	0–6.1
black cherry	PRSE2	Prunus serotina	Native	3.3–13.1	0–6.1
northern pin oak	QUEL	Quercus ellipsoidalis	Native	0.7–1.6	0.2–3.5
white oak	QUAL	Quercus alba	Native	0.7–1.6	0–2.5
red maple	ACRU	Acer rubrum	Native	0.7–1.6	0–2.1
black cherry	PRSE2	Prunus serotina	Native	0.7–1.6	0–2
northern red oak	QURU	Quercus rubra	Native	0.7–1.6	0–2
black oak	QUVE	Quercus velutina	Native	0.7–1.6	0–1.5
jack pine	PIBA2	Pinus banksiana	Native	3.9–7.9	0–1.1
black oak	QUVE	Quercus velutina	Native	3.3–6.6	0–1
northern red oak	QURU	Quercus rubra	Native	8.2–16.4	0–1
red pine	PIRE	Pinus resinosa	Native	3.3–6.6	0–0.6
eastern white pine	PIST	Pinus strobus	Native	8.2–16.4	0–0.5
eastern white pine	PIST	Pinus strobus	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.3
common serviceberry	AMAR3	Amelanchier arborea	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1–0.3
jack pine	PIBA2	Pinus banksiana	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
balsam fir	ABBA	Abies balsamea	Native	3.3–6.6	0–0.1
common serviceberry	AMAR3	Amelanchier arborea	Native	3.3–6.6	0–0.1
red pine	PIRE	Pinus resinosa	Native	0.7–1.6	–
balsam fir	ABBA	Abies balsamea	Native	0.7–1.6	–
Biological Crusts
greygreen reindeer lichen	CLRA60	Cladina rangiferina	Native	–	3.6–7.4
Lichen	2LICHN	Lichen	Native	–	0–6.8
reindeer lichen	CLAR60	Cladina arbuscula	Native	–	–
Nonvascular
Moss	2MOSS	Moss	Native	–	9.3–66.2
Schreber's big red stem moss	PLSC70	Pleurozium schreberi	Native	–	17–41.5
dicranum moss	DIPO70	Dicranum polysetum	Native	–	15–25

Table 19. Community 1.3 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	Native	0.7–1	8.8–39.2
wavy hairgrass	DEFL	Deschampsia flexuosa	Native	0.7–1.3	0–25.1
mountain ricegrass	PIPU9	Piptatheropsis pungens	Native	0.3–1	2.5–11.2
Altai fescue	FEAL	Festuca altaica	Native	0.3–1	0–10
big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	Native	1.6–3.3	3.1–6.3
little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	Native	0.7–1.6	3.1–4.3
prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	Native	0.3–0.7	0.1–3.1
slender wheatgrass	ELTR7	Elymus trachycaulus	Native	0.7–1.6	0–1.2
roughleaf ricegrass	ORAS	Oryzopsis asperifolia	Native	0–0.3	0–0.8
poverty oatgrass	DASP2	Danthonia spicata	Native	0.3–0.7	0–0.6
starved panicgrass	DIDE4	Dichanthelium depauperatum	Native	0.3–1	0–0.2
dryspike sedge	CASI12	Carex siccata	Native	0.7–1	0–0.1
Forb/Herb
smooth blue aster	SYLA3	Symphyotrichum laeve	Native	0.7–1	0.6–2
Ontario blazing star	LICY	Liatris cylindracea	Native	0.7–1.3	0–1.5
woodland strawberry	FRVE	Fragaria vesca	Native	–	0–1
prairie goldenrod	OLAL2	Oligoneuron album	Native	0.7–1.3	0–1
early goldenrod	SOJU	Solidago juncea	Native	0.7–1.3	0.5
gray goldenrod	SONE	Solidago nemoralis	Native	0.3–1	0–0.5
yellow pimpernel	TAIN	Taenidia integerrima	Native	0.3–1	0–0.5
hoary puccoon	LICA12	Lithospermum canescens	Native	0.3–1	0–0.5
Canada mayflower	MACA4	Maianthemum canadense	Native	0.3–0.7	0–0.5
largepod pinweed	LEIN	Lechea intermedia	Native	0.3–1	0–0.4
low false bindweed	CASP14	Calystegia spithamaea	Native	0–0.3	0–0.3
bluebell bellflower	CARO2	Campanula rotundifolia	Native	0.7–1	0–0.3
rattlesnakeweed	HIVE	Hieracium venosum	Native	0.3–1	0–0.3
tall cinquefoil	POARA4	Potentilla arguta ssp. arguta	Native	0.3–1	0–0.2
hookedspur violet	VIAD	Viola adunca	Native	0–0.3	0–0.2
bastard toadflax	COUM	Comandra umbellata	Native	0.3–1	0–0.2
narrowleaf hawkweed	HIUM	Hieracium umbellatum	Native	0.3–1	0–0.2
pale agoseris	AGGL	Agoseris glauca	Native	–	0–0.1
wood anemone	ANQU	Anemone quinquefolia	Native	0.3–1	0–0.1
Howell's pussytoes	ANHO	Antennaria howellii	Native	0.3–1	0–0.1
Canadian horseweed	COCAC3	Conyza canadensis var. canadensis	Native	0.3–1	0–0.1
fewleaf sunflower	HEOC2	Helianthus occidentalis	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
longleaf summer bluet	HOLO	Houstonia longifolia	Native	0.3–1	0–0.1
devil's bite	LISC2	Liatris scariosa	Native	0.7–1.3	0–0.1
narrowleaf cowwheat	MELI2	Melampyrum lineare	Native	0–0.3	0–0.1
racemed milkwort	POPO	Polygala polygama	Native	0.3–1	0–0.1
Hill's thistle	CIHI	Cirsium hillii	Native	0–1.6	0–0.1
Fern/fern ally
western brackenfern	PTAQ	Pteridium aquilinum	Native	0.7–1.6	0–1.2
Shrub/Subshrub
Sesquehana sandcherry	PRSU3	Prunus susquehanae	Native	0.7–1.6	10.6–12.6
kinnikinnick	ARUV	Arctostaphylos uva-ursi	Native	0–0.3	5–9.4
lowbush blueberry	VAAN	Vaccinium angustifolium	Native	0.3–1	3–4.7
sweet fern	COPE80	Comptonia peregrina	Native	0.3–1	0–4.3
roundleaf serviceberry	AMSA	Amelanchier sanguinea	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1–2.5
chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	Native	0.7–1.6	0.3–2
gray dogwood	CORA6	Cornus racemosa	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.8
velvetleaf huckleberry	VAMY	Vaccinium myrtilloides	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.5
prickly rose	ROAC	Rosa acicularis	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
smooth rose	ROBL	Rosa blanda	Native	0.3–0.7	0–0.1
prairie willow	SAHU2	Salix humilis	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
common snowberry	SYAL	Symphoricarpos albus	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
Tree
black cherry	PRSE2	Prunus serotina	Native	0.7–1.6	0–5
northern pin oak	QUEL	Quercus ellipsoidalis	Native	0.7–1.6	0–3.1
jack pine	PIBA2	Pinus banksiana	Native	0.7–1.6	0–1.2
quaking aspen	POTR5	Populus tremuloides	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
white oak	QUAL	Quercus alba	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1

Table 20. Community 1.4 forest overstory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)	Diameter (in)	Basal area (square ft/acre)
Tree
jack pine	PIBA2	Pinus banksiana	Native	13.1–39.4	0–2.5	–	–

Table 21. Community 1.4 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	Native	0.3–0.7	15.2–63.3
roughleaf ricegrass	ORAS	Oryzopsis asperifolia	Native	1.3–2.6	0–1.8
big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.5
mountain ricegrass	PIPU9	Piptatheropsis pungens	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.3
wavy hairgrass	DEFL	Deschampsia flexuosa	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.2
rosette grass	DICHA2	Dichanthelium	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.2
false melic	SCPU	Schizachne purpurascens	Native	0.3–1	0–0.1
Forb/Herb
narrowleaf cowwheat	MELI2	Melampyrum lineare	Native	0–0.3	0–17.6
pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1–0.2
spreading dogbane	APAN2	Apocynum androsaemifolium	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1–0.2
clasping milkweed	ASAM	Asclepias amplexicaulis	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.2
green adder's-mouth orchid	MAUN	Malaxis unifolia	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.2
racemed milkwort	POPO	Polygala polygama	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.2
hairy goldenrod	SOHI	Solidago hispida	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1–0.2
smooth blue aster	SYLA3	Symphyotrichum laeve	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1–0.2
hookedspur violet	VIAD	Viola adunca	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.2
arrowleaf violet	VISA2	Viola sagittata	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.2
Canada mayflower	MACA4	Maianthemum canadense	Native	0–0.3	0–0.2
Fern/fern ally
western brackenfern	PTAQ	Pteridium aquilinum	Native	1.3–2.6	5.7–59.8
Shrub/Subshrub
lowbush blueberry	VAAN	Vaccinium angustifolium	Native	0.7–1.6	63–73
sweet fern	COPE80	Comptonia peregrina	Native	0.7–1.6	0–19.5
Sesquehana sandcherry	PRSU3	Prunus susquehanae	Native	0.7–1.6	0–14.7
kinnikinnick	ARUV	Arctostaphylos uva-ursi	Native	0.3–0.7	0–13.2
black huckleberry	GABA	Gaylussacia baccata	Native	0.7–1.6	0–8.5
trailing arbutus	EPRE2	Epigaea repens	Native	0.3–1	0–3.5
sweet fern	COPE80	Comptonia peregrina	Native	0.7–1.6	0–3
eastern teaberry	GAPR2	Gaultheria procumbens	Native	0.3–0.7	0.8–2.2
prairie willow	SAHU2	Salix humilis	Native	2.3–4.6	0–1
northern dewberry	RUFL	Rubus flagellaris	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.5
roundleaf serviceberry	AMSA	Amelanchier sanguinea	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.2
chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	Native	2–3.9	0–0.1
Tree
jack pine	PIBA2	Pinus banksiana	Native	7.2–14.4	2.2–29.6
northern pin oak	QUEL	Quercus ellipsoidalis	Native	3.9–7.5	0.5–22
jack pine	PIBA2	Pinus banksiana	Native	0.7–1.6	0–6.5
black cherry	PRSE2	Prunus serotina	Native	6.9–13.8	0–3.1
northern pin oak	QUEL	Quercus ellipsoidalis	Native	0.7–1.6	0.9–2.3
black cherry	PRSE2	Prunus serotina	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.7
red maple	ACRU	Acer rubrum	Native	0.3–0.7	0–0.5
white oak	QUAL	Quercus alba	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.4
common serviceberry	AMAR3	Amelanchier arborea	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
hawthorn	CRATA	Crataegus	Native	0.7–1.3	0–0.1
Biological Crusts
greygreen reindeer lichen	CLRA60	Cladina rangiferina	Native	–	0–0.8
Nonvascular
Moss	2MOSS	Moss	Native	–	0.2–0.8
polytrichum moss	POLYT5	Polytrichum	Native	–	0–0.1

Table 22. Community 1.5 forest overstory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)	Diameter (in)	Basal area (square ft/acre)
Tree
bigtooth aspen	POGR4	Populus grandidentata	Native	57.1–83.7	56.1–57.9	8.3–15.7	–
red maple	ACRU	Acer rubrum	Native	19.7–39.4	16–42	–	–
red maple	ACRU	Acer rubrum	Native	16.4–91.9	10.8–28.3	13.4–17.7	–
northern red oak	QURU	Quercus rubra	Native	26.2–75.5	5.5–14.5	41.7	–
northern red oak	QURU	Quercus rubra	Native	16.4–36.1	5	–	–

Table 23. Community 1.5 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
roughleaf ricegrass	ORAS	Oryzopsis asperifolia	Native	0.3–0.7	1.1–2.9
Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	Native	0.3–0.7	0.6–1.4
Forb/Herb
starflower	TRBO2	Trientalis borealis	Native	0–0.3	1
Canada mayflower	MACA4	Maianthemum canadense	Native	0–0.3	0.6–0.9
bigleaf aster	EUMA27	Eurybia macrophylla	Native	0.7–1.6	0.3–0.7
pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1
poke milkweed	ASEX	Asclepias exaltata	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1
bedstraw	GALIU	Galium	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1
Fern/fern ally
western brackenfern	PTAQ	Pteridium aquilinum	Native	0.7–1.6	13.9–30.1
Shrub/Subshrub
black huckleberry	GABA	Gaylussacia baccata	Native	0.7–1.6	1.9–5.1
lowbush blueberry	VAAN	Vaccinium angustifolium	Native	0.7–1.6	1.1–2.9
eastern teaberry	GAPR2	Gaultheria procumbens	Native	0.3–0.7	1.1–2.9
mapleleaf viburnum	VIAC	Viburnum acerifolium	Native	0.7–1.6	1
blackberry	RUBUS	Rubus	Native	0.3–1	0.3–0.7
pipsissewa	CHUM	Chimaphila umbellata	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1–0.4
mapleleaf viburnum	VIAC	Viburnum acerifolium	Native	3.3–6.6	0–0.1
Tree
red maple	ACRU	Acer rubrum	Native	8.2–16.4	6.2–14.8
red maple	ACRU	Acer rubrum	Native	0.7–1.6	3.8–8.2
northern red oak	QURU	Quercus rubra	Native	8.2–16.4	3.5–7.5
white ash	FRAM2	Fraxinus americana	Native	0.7–1.6	1.4–3.6
American witchhazel	HAVI4	Hamamelis virginiana	Native	4.9–8.2	0.8–2.2
black cherry	PRSE2	Prunus serotina	Native	0.7–1.6	0.7–1.5
American basswood	TIAM	Tilia americana	Native	0.7–1.6	0.6–1.4
common serviceberry	AMAR3	Amelanchier arborea	Native	0.7–1.6	0.6–0.9
northern red oak	QURU	Quercus rubra	Native	0.7–1.6	0.4–0.8
black cherry	PRSE2	Prunus serotina	Native	8.2–16.4	0.3–0.7
American beech	FAGR	Fagus grandifolia	Native	0.7–1.6	0.3–0.7
common serviceberry	AMAR3	Amelanchier arborea	Native	8.2–16.4	0.2–0.5
American basswood	TIAM	Tilia americana	Native	8.2–16.4	0.2–0.5
white ash	FRAM2	Fraxinus americana	Native	8.2–16.4	0.2–0.5
white oak	QUAL	Quercus alba	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1–0.4
sugar maple	ACSA3	Acer saccharum	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1
hophornbeam	OSVI	Ostrya virginiana	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1
bigtooth aspen	POGR4	Populus grandidentata	Native	8.2–16.4	0–0.1
American beech	FAGR	Fagus grandifolia	Native	8.2–16.4	0–0.1

Table 24. Community 4.1 forest overstory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)	Diameter (in)	Basal area (square ft/acre)
Tree
jack pine	PIBA2	Pinus banksiana	Native	12.5–27.6	39.9–53.4	–	–
northern pin oak	QUEL	Quercus ellipsoidalis	Native	6.6–23	0–0.1	–	–

Table 25. Community 4.1 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
Pennsylvania sedge	CAPE6	Carex pensylvanica	Native	0.3–0.7	14.5–15.4
big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	Native	0.7–1.6	0–3.5
poverty oatgrass	DASP2	Danthonia spicata	Native	0.3–1	0–3.5
bentgrass	AGROS2	Agrostis	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.6
wavy hairgrass	DEFL	Deschampsia flexuosa	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
Forb/Herb
narrowleaf cowwheat	MELI2	Melampyrum lineare	Native	0–0.3	0.1–1.4
spreading dogbane	APAN2	Apocynum androsaemifolium	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
bluebell bellflower	CARO2	Campanula rotundifolia	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1
gray goldenrod	SONE	Solidago nemoralis	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
showy goldenrod	SOSP2	Solidago speciosa	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
smooth blue aster	SYLA3	Symphyotrichum laeve	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
hookedspur violet	VIAD	Viola adunca	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
Indianpipe	MOUN3	Monotropa uniflora	Native	0–0.3	0–0.1
clasping milkweed	ASAM	Asclepias amplexicaulis	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
Fern/fern ally
western brackenfern	PTAQ	Pteridium aquilinum	Native	1.3–3	0.9–4.5
Shrub/Subshrub
lowbush blueberry	VAAN	Vaccinium angustifolium	Native	0.7–1.6	29.6–35
kinnikinnick	ARUV	Arctostaphylos uva-ursi	Native	0.3–0.7	0.8–10.7
sweet fern	COPE80	Comptonia peregrina	Native	0.7–1.6	3.4–4.3
sandcherry	PRPU3	Prunus pumila	Native	0.7–1.3	0.2–0.8
white meadowsweet	SPAL2	Spiraea alba	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.3
roundleaf serviceberry	AMSA	Amelanchier sanguinea	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
blackberry	RUBUS	Rubus	Native	0.3–1	0–0.1
black huckleberry	GABA	Gaylussacia baccata	Native	1.6–3.3	0–0.1
eastern teaberry	GAPR2	Gaultheria procumbens	Native	0–0.3	0–0.1
Tree
black oak	QUVE	Quercus velutina	Native	7.9–16.1	0–10.4
northern pin oak	QUEL	Quercus ellipsoidalis	Native	0.7–1.6	0–5.3
northern pin oak	QUEL	Quercus ellipsoidalis	Native	6.6–13.1	0–3.9
black cherry	PRSE2	Prunus serotina	Native	5.9–14.4	0–2.5
jack pine	PIBA2	Pinus banksiana	Native	7.9–15.7	0.1–0.8
black cherry	PRSE2	Prunus serotina	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.7
black oak	QUVE	Quercus velutina	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.5
jack pine	PIBA2	Pinus banksiana	Native	0.7–1.6	0.1
hawthorn	CRATA	Crataegus	Native	0.7–1.6	0–0.1
Biological Crusts
greygreen reindeer lichen	CLRA60	Cladina rangiferina	Native	–	27
Nonvascular
Moss	2MOSS	Moss	Native	–	22.2–46.5
dicranum moss	DIPO70	Dicranum polysetum	Native	–	5.4–27.9
polytrichum moss	POLYT5	Polytrichum	Native	–	0–26.8
Schreber's big red stem moss	PLSC70	Pleurozium schreberi	Native	–	2.2–11.2

Table 26. Community 4.3 forest overstory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)	Diameter (in)	Basal area (square ft/acre)

Table 27. Community 4.3 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)

Supporting information

Inventory data references

In the 2024 field season there were 4 medium intensity and 9 high intensity plots representing community phases 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, and 4.1. Semi-quantitative 0.1 ha nested frequency plots were conducted at 2 locations on the Huron National Forest in 2007 by USFS staff, one of which included a line-point crown cover transect. This represents at least 90% of the areal coverage of natural communities and verifies the site concept. There were an additional 14 medium intensity plots in the vicinity of these plots that were considered outside the Dry Sandy Plains site concept once the pedons were classified. Quantitative field data for semi-natural or cultivated community phases is still lacking.

Other references

A PROVISIONAL ECOLOGICAL SITE is a conceptual grouping of soil map unit components within a major land resource area (MLRA) based on the similarities in response to management. A provisional ecological site is a first approximation based on a cursory literature review, personal experience, and limited field reconnaissance. As more adequate literature review, expert opinion, and intensive plot data are collected, the site concept is subject to shifting, broadening, narrowing, subdivision, or re-aggregation in definition. Likewise, the community dynamics will be more elaborate in content, and may also change in structure, upon reaching approved status.

Future work, as described in a project plan, to validate the information in this provisional ecological site description is needed. This will include field activities to collect low and medium intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of that data. Annual field reviews should be done by soil scientists and vegetation specialists. A final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews of the ESD will be needed to produce the final document. Annual reviews of the project plan are to be conducted by the Ecological Site Technical Team.

Albert, D. A. et al., 1995. Vegetation circa 1800 of Michigan. Michigan's native landscape as interpreted from the General Land Office Surveys 1816-1856 (digital map), Lansing: Michigan Natural Features Inventory.

Baker, M.E. and Barnes, B.V., 1998. Landscape ecosystem diversity of river floodplains in northwestern Lower Michigan, USA. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 28(9), pp.1405-1418.

Barnes, B. V. and Wagner, W. H., 2004. Michigan trees: a guide to the trees of the Great Lakes region. Ann Arbor (Michigan): University of Michigan Press.

Bocetti, C. I., D. M. Donner, and H. F. Mayfield, 2020. Kirtland's Warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.kirwar.01

Burger, T. L. and Kotar, J., 2003. A Guide to Forest Communities and Habitat Types of Michigan. Madison, Wisconsin: Department of Forest Ecology and Management, University of Wisconsin.

Cleland, D. T. et al., 1994. Field guide: Ecological classification and inventory system of the Huron-Manistee National Forests, s.l.: USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station.

Kost, M. A. et al., 2010. Natural Communities of Michigan: Classification and Description, Lansing, MI: Michigan Natural Features Inventory.

Landfire, 2017. Landfire Biophysical Settings Review Site. Accessed May, 2017 http://www.landfirereview.org/descriptions.html.

U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, 2011. LANDFIRE: LANDFIRE 1.1.0 Existing Vegetation Type layer. http://landfire.cr.usgs.gov/viewer/

USFS, Witness Tree data for northern Lower Michigan.

Contributors

Gregory J. Schmidt

Approval

Greg Schmidt, 2/25/2025

Acknowledgments

The following individuals made substantive comments regarding the development of the Provisional Ecological Sites: Randy Swaty, The Nature Conservancy; Trevor Hobbs, USFS; Richard A. Corner, USFS; Andy Henriksen, NRCS; Dan Zay, NRCS.

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	01/07/2025
Approved by	Greg Schmidt
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:

Download reference sheet

Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.

Ecosystem states

1. Reference State

2. Cultivated State

3. Seminatural Invaded State

4. Intensively Managed State

T1A	-	Clear vegetation; cultivate domesticated species
T1B	-	Clear vegetation, invasive species introduced.
T1C	-	Harvest and Planting
R2	-	Removal of domesticated species; restore native species.
T2A	-	Abandoned, succession.
R3	-	Control invasive species; restore native species.
T3A	-	Clear vegetation; cultivate domesticated species.
R4A	-	Wildfire and migration/recolonization of missing native species.

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Mid-Successional Forest: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

1.2. Late-Successional Forest: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

1.3. Open Barrens: Pinus banksiana - (Quercus ellipsoidalis) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Prairie Forbs Woodland

1.4. Early Successional Thicket: Pinus banksiana - (Pinus resinosa) - Quercus ellipsoidalis / Carex pensylvanica Forest

1.5. Aspen Clone: Pinus strobus - Populus tremuloides - (Acer rubrum) / Pteridium aquilinum Forest

1.1A	-	Succession.
1.1B	-	Crown fire followed by intense pine seedling regeneration.
1.2A	-	Crown fire followed by intense pine seedling regeneration.
1.3A	-	Succession about 16 years without fire, depending on initial regeneration of jack pine.
1.3B	-	Aspen established.
1.4A	-	Succession.
1.4B	-	Fire, killing regenerating jack pine.
1.5A	-	Aspen failure to regenerate after a fire.