Wet Floodplains
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
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 Wet Floodplains reference state is a closed-canopy, deciduous, floodplain forest with multiple co-dominant tree species including silver maple (Acer saccharinum), black ash (Fraxinus nigra), American elm (Ulmus americana), and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). The subcanopy and shrub layer varies depending on flooding regime. Open canopy gap areas allow for black willow (Salix nigra) and tree seedlings and saplings. The understory on high-quality sites with brief flooding is often diverse and may include a variety of native herbaceous species including wood nettle (Laportea canadensis), honewort (Cryptotaenia candensis), jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), clearweed (Pilea pumila), and sedges (Carex spp.). This community has been impacted by the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and Dutch elm disease (Ascomycota).
These sites will show variations in plant community structure and composition as influenced by the variable hydrology of the site. Large flood events will trigger vegetative changes on this ecological site by creating an initial sparse understory which will transition to an early-successional state dominated by willow and tree seedling and saplings. Common successional stage species include willow, black ash, maple, and 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. Pathway mechanisms include preparing the site, planting desired species, applying herbicide, applying fertilizer, and harvesting. Hydrological modifications (tiling and ditching) are usually installed on this site to improve drainage for crop production.
Soil tillage and drainage are the primary triggers 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. For example, conservation tillage minimizes soil disturbance and improves soil structure and soil health. A cover crop rotation can build soil structure, improve infiltration rates, reduce runoff and erosion, and protect water quality.
Some areas have been seeded to warm-season or cool-season grasslands. Seed mix selection will depend on the hydrology and landowner objectives.
Submodel
Description
This state describes a wooded site that has been disturbed and exhibits altered forest species composition. Numerous ruderal woodland and forest communities may occur on this ecological site depending on the type and severity of disturbance, available seed sources, and ongoing disturbances (selective harvest, grazing). Tree species will vary depending on hydrology and the age of the community. Common species include silver maple, black ash, American elm, green ash, and willow. Numerous species of non-native shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous plants are often on these disturbed sites. Frequently flooded disturbed sites are often impractical to drain for successful agricultural production and exist in this state.
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, are common.
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 with long-term management inputs including restoration of natural hydrology, establishment of desired species, forest stand management (selective thinning), and control of invasive species. Triggers include intentional plant establishment (planting desired species), absence of disturbance (site protected from grazing and other site altering disturbances), timber stand improvement inputs, hydrological restoration, and eradication of invasive plant species.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Site Preparation |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Establishment |
|
|
Forest Stand Improvement |
Mechanism
Transition T3A is the transition of a disturbed forest state to agriculture production. The mechanisms of change include clearing, 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
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase (
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
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.