Calcareous Loess Protected Backslope Forest

Description

The reference plant community is categorized as a dry-mesic, closed canopy oak-hickory forest. The two community phases within the reference state are dependent on low-intensity surface fires and occasional replacement fires. A longer mean fire return interval results in a mature overstory canopy, while recent wind events can reset the community to an earlier-successional status. Drought, grazing, wind and ice storms, and periodic pest outbreaks have less impact in the reference phases, but do contribute to overall species composition, diversity, cover, and productivity.

Submodel

Description

Fire suppression can transition the reference oak-hickory community into a sugar maple-basswood dominated forest state. This forest plant community historically only occurred on landscape positions that provided natural fire breaks. Over the past 150 years, however, fire suppression policies have allowed the oak-hickory forest to succeed into forest dominated by fire-sensitive trees (LANDFIRE 2009).

Submodel

Description

The high-graded/cool-season pasture state occurs when the reference state has been anthropogenically altered for livestock production. Early settlers harvested the trees for timber and fuel and seeded such non-native cool-season species as smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), converting the woodland to pasture (Smith 1998). Over time, as lands were continually grazed by large herds of cattle, the non-native species were able to spread and expand across the site, reducing the native species diversity.

Submodel

Description

The combination of natural and anthropogenic disturbances occurring today has resulted in a number of forest health issues, and restoration back to the historic reference condition is likely not possible. Woodlands and forests are being stressed by non-native diseases and pests, habitat fragmentation, permanent changes in soil hydrology, past uncontrolled livestock grazing, and overabundant deer populations on top of naturally-occurring disturbances (severe weather and native pests) (Flickinger 2010). However, these habitats provide multiple ecosystem services including carbon sequestration; clean air and water; soil conservation; wildlife habitat; biodiversity support; timber, fiber, and fuel products; as well as a variety of cultural activities (e.g., hiking, camping, hunting) (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005; Flickinger 2010). Therefore, conservation of forests and woodlands should still be pursued. Forest reconstructions are an important tool for repairing natural ecological functioning and providing habitat protection for numerous species of Calcareous Loess Protected Backslope Forests. Therefore ecological restoration should aim to aid the recovery of degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystems. A successful restoration will have the ability to structurally and functionally sustain itself, demonstrate resilience to the ranges of stress and disturbance, and create and maintain positive biotic and abiotic interactions (SER 2002). The reconstructed forest state is the result of a long-term commitment involving a multi-step, adaptive management process.

Submodel