Mucky Peat Swamps
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition 1 More details
- Transition 2 More details
- Transition 1 More details
- Transition 2 More details
- Transition 1 More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
There are two main phases of the reference state: White Cedar-Balsam Fir Phase and Black Ash-Red Maple Phase. They exhibit either conifer dominance or hardwood dominance on basically the same soil component. However, due to highly variable patterns of disturbance on some Mucky Peat Swamp ecological sites, intermediate phases exist that have characteristics of both.
Submodel
Description
This state occurs on sites where inflow exceeds outflow for an extended period. This can be due to above average precipitation, human construction activities such as road-building or beaver dams on the outlet stream.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition occurs when inflows exceed outflows for an extended period of time. Excessive precipitation and beaver dams are two of the natural causative factors. Road construction is the most common human caused factor of hydrologic change. Ditches, dugouts, compaction, and subsidence all lead to ponding on these sites.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of artificial drainage or extended drought. Both of which can lead to subsidence or peat fires.
Mechanism
Natural drainage may lead to restored forested site, but that will likely take a long time. Open meadow vegetation will persist by initially out-competing woody vegetation until micro-sites for seedlings are created. When the overstory starts to shade out competing understory vegetation, transition is more rapid.
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.