Till Exposed Backslope Woodland

Description

The reference state is dominated by white oak associated with black oak and other mixed hardwoods. Maximum tree age is likely 150 to 300 years. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind or ice maintain the dominance of white oak by opening up the canopy and allowing more light for white oak reproduction. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in more shade tolerant species such as hop hornbeam and hickory. Two community phases are recognized in this state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency.

The reference state is very rare throughout the MLRA. Many sites have been converted to grassland (State 4). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvests coupled with domestic livestock grazing (State 5). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Some reference sites have been managed for timber harvest, resulting in a timber managed woodland (State 2) or if prescribed fire has been maintained or introduced (State 3) as a fire managed woodland.

Submodel

Description

This state develops from mixed oak woodlands, which over time, increase in canopy cover, eventually transitioning into forest-like communities. These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a higher developed understory but a more under developed ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve and control understory density. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, should maintain this state. Over time white oak will become less dominant with black oak increasing. With cessation of harvesting and no other management inputs this community phase will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species such as hickories, white ash and maple and transition to community phase 2.2. Over time white oak may become less dominant. Re-initiation of harvesting and other forest management activities will transition this community phase back to community phase 2.1. Repeated, high-grading timber harvests coupled with introduction of uncontrolled domestic livestock grazing will transition this state to state 5, High-Graded/Grazed Woodland.

This state can be restored to a reference state by modifying or eliminating timber harvests, extending rotations, incorporating selective thinning, and re-introducing prescribed fire.

(See Ecological Dynamics section for caution on sites with invasive non-native species of earthworms)

Submodel

Description

The fire managed woodland state most closely resembles the reference state. The principal difference is tree age with most canopy trees being only 50 to 90 years old. Composition and reduction in tree size are also likely altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during any previous harvest cycles.

Without a regular fire regime or harvesting, this community phase will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species such as hickories and other more shade tolerant species and transition to community phase 3.2. Over time white oak may become less dominant. Repeated, high-grading timber harvests coupled with introduction of uncontrolled domestic livestock grazing and cessation of prescribed fire will transition this state to state 5, High-Graded/Grazed Woodland.

This state can be restored to a reference state by modifying timber harvests, extending rotations, incorporating selective thinning, and possibly increasing fire frequencies. (See Ecological Dynamics section for caution on sites with invasive non-native species of earthworms)

Submodel

Description

Conversion of woodland to planted, non-native cool season grasses and legumes has been common. Without proper grassland management these ecological sites are challenging to maintain in a healthy, productive state. With over grazing and cessation of active pasture management, tall fescue, white clover and multi-flora rose will increase in density. Over a long period of time with no grazing, phase 4.2 will eventually transition to a phase that resembles community phase 5.2, Black Oak – Hickory/Black Cherry – Buckbrush – Gooseberry – Multi-flora Rose/ Black Snakeroot – Geranium.

In some instances, this state has been converted to native warm season grasses, primarily big bluestem, switchgrass, and Indian grass or pure stands of single species. These sites are typically converted through a federal cost share program such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Some sites are associated with an active rotational grazing system. Without active management with prescribed fire and grassland management these sites will transition to phase 5.2.

Submodel

Description

Reference or managed forested states subjected to repeated, high-grading timber harvests and uncontrolled cattle grazing transition to this degraded state. This state exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less economically desirable tree species and weedy understory species such as buckbrush, gooseberry, poison ivy and multi-flora rose. The vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive livestock stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff. Browsing by goats using good rotational management can open up the shrub layer, eliminate many of the weedy species and increase both native herbaceous vegetation and may induce regeneration of oak and hickory species. Cessation of active logging and exclusion of livestock from sites in this state will create an idle phase that experiences an increase in black cherry and Ohio buckeye in the understory layer.

Transition back to either an even-age managed or uneven-age managed forest will required dynamic and sustained forest stand improvements, cessation of grazing, and selective thinning of overstory and understory canopies. (See Ecological Dynamics section for caution on sites with invasive non-native species of earthworms)

Submodel