The Calcareous Fen reference state is dependent upon ponding and groundwater discharge, which makes the soil water very basic in pH. The most common month for ponding is April. This site tends to stay ponded for a much longer duration than other wetlands in MLRA 103. Most woody species and upland grasses are kept from proliferating mainly by saturated conditions. The natural plant community is composed of hydrophytic species including prairie sedge (Carex prairea), needle beaksedge (Rhynchospora capillacea), muhly grass (Muhlenbergia spp.) and includes various state-listed species such as the white lady’s slipper (Cypripedium candidum). Fire, drought, and grazing were the historic, natural disturbances.
Through a variety of disturbances, invasive woody plants and non-native grasses can become established on this site. These plant spread quickly thereby changing the composition and structure of the plant community. Common invasives include narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia L.), hybrid cattail (Typha xglauca Godr. (pro sp.) [angustifolia or domingensis x latifolia]), and common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.).
Historically, these sites burned which reduced woody vegetation and maintained the dominance of grasses and sedges. Without fire, these sites often exhibit an increase in woody species such as redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea) and willows (Salix spp.).
Disturbances trigger plant community changes. Common disturbances include grazing, hydrological alterations, an absence of a natural fire regime, and invasive species.
Restoration inputs include invasive species control and removal of anthropogenic disturbances such as cattle grazing. Restoration to a reference community would require a natural hydrological function.
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.
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.
) 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.
