Wet Loamy or Clayey Lowland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Stand replacing disturbance that includes fire.
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Transition T1B
Removal of forest cover and tilling for agricultural crop production.
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Restoration pathway R2
Deciduous forest community is slowly taken over by shade tolerant maples and other species.
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Transition T2A
Removal of forest cover and tilling for agricultural crop production.
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Restoration pathway R3A
Cessation of agricultural practices leads to natural reforestation, or site is replanted.
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Restoration pathway R3B
Cessation of agricultural practices leads to natural reforestation, or site is replanted.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
Reference state is a forest community dominated by Red and Swamp white oak (Quercus rubra and Quercus bicolor), Sugar and red maple (Acer saccharum and Acer rubrum) with Black ash (Fraxinus nigra). Depending on history of disturbance, two community phases can be distinguished largely by differences in dominance of tree species and community age structure.
Submodel
Description
Pure, or mixed, aspen – paper birch community. Understory plants may be only weekly expressed when aspen and paper birch are closely growing and dominant. If seed source is present and canopy openings allow, red maple will readily become member of this community. Depending on age within this phase the canopy varies from pure (young) to mixed (older) aspen – paper birch. Disturbance history and seed source will dictate whether aspen or birch dominate this phase.
Submodel
Mechanism
Stand replacing disturbance that must include fire to create conditions for aspen and paper birch to colonize the site. Clear cutting can also accomplish this change.
Mechanism
Removal of forest cover and tilling for agricultural crop production
Mechanism
Deciduous forest community is slowly invaded by shade tolerant species.
Mechanism
Removal of forest cover and tilling for agricultural crop production.
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. Unless understory plants are seeded naturally or artificially it may take some time before the understory is restored.
Model keys
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Ecological sites
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