Clayey Upland Forests
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Site is cleared, tilled, drained, seeded, and managed for crop production
More details -
Transition T1B
Site incurs large-scale disturbance and altered plant community
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Restoration inputs may include desired species establishment, disturbance exclusion, invasive species eradication, and forest stand management
More details -
Transition T3A
Site cleared, soil tillage, crop establishment, and continued agriculture management
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Clayey Upland Forests Reference State is a mature deciduous forest. Dominant canopy species include sugar maple and basswood. Common shrubs include hophornbeam and chokecherry.
Resilience management
Resilience management practices include monitoring for invasive vegetation, applying herbicides as needed, and excluding grazing and logging.
Submodel
Description
The Tillage State contains the Row Crop Community and the Seeded Grassland Community. This state describes areas currently in crop production or areas that were tilled but now are seeded to grass. Pathway mechanisms include preparing the site, planting desired species, applying herbicide, applying fertilizer, and harvesting. Hydrological modifications (tiling and ditching) are often installed to improve drainage. Soil tillage is the primary trigger to State 2. Tillage alters dynamic soil properties, including bulk density, structure, organic carbon content, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. Intensive tillage negatively impacts soil ecological functions. Conservation practices can help mediate these soil health impacts.
Conservation tillage minimizes soil disturbance and improves soil structure and soil health. A cover crop rotation builds soil structure, improves infiltration rates, reduces runoff and erosion, and protects water quality. Higher sloping areas within this ecological site are not appropriate for row crop production. When the slope gradient exceeds 20 percent, row crop production is unfeasible due to the farm machinery limitations.
Some areas within this ecological site have been converted to a warm-season grasses. This can occur under conservation programs such as the NRCS Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Common species include big bluestem, switchgrass, and Indiangrass. Plantings include perennial native forbs to benefit wildlife and pollinators. Non-native, cool-season grasses are also feasible. Seed mix selection will depend on landowner goals and objectives. Seeded grasslands are not as species rich or biologically diverse as native grasslands; however, they still offer ecological benefits for wildlife, especially grassland birds, water quality protection, and soil health.
Resilience management
Prescribed fire is a resilience management practice on warm-season grasslands.
Seeding, fertilizing, and controlling weeds and brush are resilience management practices for cool-season grasslands.
Submodel
Description
This state describes a wooded site that has been disturbed and exhibits altered forest species composition. Numerous ruderal woodland and forest plant communities may occur on this ecological site depending on the type and severity of disturbance, available seed sources, and any management activities. Common tree species include sugar maple, basswood, ash, and elm. Bur oak may occur with other hardwoods on more mature sites. Non-native plants are often on these sites.
Submodel
Mechanism
Transition T1A is the conversion of the Reference State to agriculture. The triggers are site clearing, soil tillage. and intentional plant establishment (crop seeding). Resilience management practices include common agricultural practices such as seeding, fertilizing, and managing invasive plants with herbicides or field cultivation. Hydrological modifications, such as ditching and tiling, may be present. This transition is applicable to sites with lower slopes only.
Constraints to recovery
Site clearing, soil tillage, and hydrological modification preclude recovery of the former state.
Mechanism
Transition T1B is a transition from a mature deciduous forest to a disturbed (ruderal) forest. Triggers include timber harvest, surface disturbances, grazing, and introduction of non-native species. The native plant community is altered, and these areas do not exhibit the ecological function or vegetative composition of State 1.
Mechanism
Restoration to the Reference State may be feasible with long-term management inputs including establishment of desired species, forest stand management (selective thinning), and control of invasive species. Natural hydrological function must be present.
Context dependence
Ditching and tiling may be present on site altering the natural hydrology.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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Tree/Shrub Site Preparation |
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Tree/Shrub Establishment |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Forest Stand Improvement |
Mechanism
Transition T3A is the transition of a disturbed forest state to agriculture production. This is a common pathway in MLRA 103.
The mechanisms of change include timber harvest, site preparation, tillage, and intentional plant establishment (crop seeding). Continued resilience management practices are necessary and include weed control (herbicide application), disturbance management (field cultivating), and harvest management.
Constraints to recovery
Soils tillage and the transition to agriculture preclude recovery of the former state.
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.