Loamy and Clayey Upland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Clear cutting or stand-replacing fire.
More details -
Transition T1B
Removal of forest cover and tilling for agricultural crop production.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Disturbance-free period 70+ years.
More details -
Transition T2A
Removal of forest vegetation and tilling.
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Restoration pathway R1A
Cessation of agricultural practices, natural or artificial afforestation.
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 sugar maple (Acer saccharum) with a mixture of American basswood (Tilia americana), Ashes (Fraxinus spp.), and Oaks (Quercus spp.). Depending on history of disturbance, two community phases can be distinguished largely by differences in dominance of tree species and community age structure. In some places sugar maple seed source may be missing leading to other dominant canopy species.
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. The mixed oak forest phase represents an alternative stable state in the absence of seed source of the dominant mesic hardwoods.
Submodel
Mechanism
Clear cutting with initial control of competing vegetation, or stand-replacing fire, prepare the site for occupancy by shade intolerant species. This may occur through natural regeneration or by planting.
Mechanism
Removal of forest cover, tilling and application of other agricultural techniques to grow agricultural crops.
Mechanism
A period of some 70-100 years without major stand disturbance, especially fire, leads to decreased presence, through natural mortality, of early successional species and the dominance of shade tolerant sugar maple with less tolerant associates of red oak and white ash, returning the community to Reference State.
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
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