Footslope/Drainageway 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
The Footslope/Drainageway Forests reference state is a mature, deciduous forest that includes sugar maple, hackberry, elm, and basswood. The shrub layer often consists of red elderberry, chokecherry, and various tree saplings. The understory on high-quality sites are diverse and boasts a variety of native herbaceous species. Dense patches of wood nettle may be present. In absence of large-scale natural or anthropogenic disturbances, this ecological site is generally stable. Small gap regeneration occurs commonly. Species in the successional stage communities will be influenced by site slope, aspect, drainage, and seed sources. Common early-successional species are quaking aspen and sugar maple. Mid-successional dominants often are sugar maple and American elm.
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) may be 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 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 erosion, and protects water quality.
Some areas within this ecological site have been converted to a warm-season grasses under conservation programs such as the NRCS Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Plantings usually perennial warm-season grasses and native forbs to benefit wildlife and pollinators.
Non-native, cool-season grasses are also feasible. Common species are reed canarygrass and Kentucky bluegrass. Seed mix selection will depend on the site characteristics and landowner objectives. Although not as biologically diverse as native grasslands; seeded grasslands still offer ecological benefits for wildlife, 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 and available seed sources. Invasive, non-native shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous plants are often common on disturbed sites and may dominate if left unmanaged.
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 installed depending on drainage.
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, grazing, and introduction of non-native species. The native plant community is altered, and these areas do not exhibit the ecological function or native vegetative composition of State 1.
Mechanism
Restoration to the reference state may be feasible for some sites with long-term management inputs including restoration of natural hydrology (if altered), establishment of desired species, forest stand management, and control of invasive species. Management includes intentional plant establishment (planting desired species), absence of disturbance (site protected from grazing and other site altering disturbances), timber stand improvement, and eradication of invasive plant species.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Brush Management |
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Tree/Shrub Site Preparation |
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Tree/Shrub Establishment |
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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 clearing of woody species, site preparation, tillage, and intentional plant establishment (crop seeding). Drainage alterations may be installed.
Constraints to recovery
Soils tillage and the transition to agriculture preclude recovery of the former state.
Model keys
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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.