Loamy Wet 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, 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 of natural hydrology; establishment of desired species; exclusion of anthropogenic disturbances; eradication of invasive species; long-term timber 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
This state is a mature deciduous forest with multiple tree species including sugar maple, black ash, slippery elm, and hackberry. The shrub layer density is variable and includes hardwood seedlings and saplings. The ground-layer consists of a variety of native forbs and sedges including Canadian woodnettle.
Resilience management
Resilience management practices include monitoring for invasive vegetation, applying herbicides as needed, and excluding grazing and logging.
Submodel
Description
This State describes areas 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 hydrological modifications (tiling and ditching) which are commonly 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 health. A cover crop rotation builds soil structure, improves infiltration rates, and protects water quality.
Some areas within this ecological site have been converted to a warm-season grasses under a NRCS conservation program. Plantings may include native grasses and forbs to benefit wildlife and pollinators. Species selection will depend upon hydrology and landowner objectives. Cool-season grasses are also feasible. Common species include reed canarygrass and Kentucky bluegrass. Seeded grasslands are not as biologically diverse as native grasslands; however, they still offer benefits for wildlife, water quality, and soil health.
Resilience management
Seeding, fertilizing, and controlling weeds and brush are resilience management practices for cool-season grasslands. Prescribed fire can be a resilience management practice on warm-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 management activities. Hardwood trees (maple, ash, elm) and non-native species are common.
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). Hydrological modifications, such as ditching and tiling, may be present.
Constraints to recovery
Site clearing and soil tillage 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 site disturbance, 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 for some sites. Management inputs include establishment of desired species, forest stand management, and control of invasive species. Natural hydrological function of the site is important.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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 to maintain the plant community 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.