Limestone Woodland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
- Transition T5A More details
- Transition T5B More details
- Transition T5C More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
The reference plant community is categorized as a barren community, dominated by scrubby woody and herbaceous vegetation. The two community phases within the reference state are dependent on a combination of surface, mixed, and replacement fires. Low intensity surface fires are the dominant fire regime, comprising more than 80 percent of all fires and occurring every 2 to 7 years. Mixed and replacement fires comprise the remaining 20 percent, occurring approximately every 88 and 37 years, respectively (LANDFIRE 2009). Fire intensity and return intervals alter species composition, cover, and extent, while regular fire intervals keep woody species from closing the canopy. Episodic droughts and storm damage have more localized impacts in the reference phases, but do contribute to overall species composition, diversity, cover, and productivity.
Submodel
Description
Fire suppression can transition the reference plant community from an oak forest to an oak-maple mesophytic forest. As the natural fire regime is removed from the landscape, encroachment and dominance by shade-tolerant, fire-intolerant species ensues. This results in a positive feedback loop of mesophication whereby plant community succession continuously creates cool, damp shaded conditions that perpetuate a closed canopy ecosystem (Nowacki and Abrams 2008). Succession to this forested state can occur in as little as 80 years from the last fire (LANDFIRE 2009).
Submodel
Description
The forage state occurs when the reference state is converted to a farming system that emphasizes domestic livestock production known as grassland agriculture. Fire suppression, periodic cultural treatments (e.g., clipping, drainage, soil amendment applications, planting new species and/or cultivars, mechanical harvesting) and grazing by domesticated livestock transition and maintain this state (USDA-NRCS 2003). Early settlers seeded non-native species, such as smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), to help extend the grazing season. Over time, as lands were continuously harvested or grazed by herds of cattle, the non-native species were able to spread and expand across the landscape, reducing the native species diversity and ecological function.
Submodel
Description
The continuous use of tillage, row-crop planting, and chemicals (i.e., herbicides, fertilizers, etc.) has effectively eliminated the reference community and many of its natural ecological functions in favor of crop production. Corn and soybeans are the dominant crops for the site, and oats (Avena L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) may be rotated periodically. These areas are likely to remain in crop production for the foreseeable future.
Submodel
Description
The combination of natural and anthropogenic disturbances occurring today has resulted in numerous forest health issues, and restoration back to the historic reference condition may not be possible. Woodlands are being stressed by non-native diseases and pests, habitat fragmentation, changes in soil conditions, and overabundant deer populations on top of naturally occurring disturbances (severe weather and native pests) (IFDC 2018). However, these habitats provide multiple ecosystem services including carbon sequestration; clean air and water; soil conservation; biodiversity support; wildlife habitat; timber, fiber, and fuel products; as well as a variety of cultural activities (e.g., hiking, camping, hunting) (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005; IFDC 2018). Therefore, conservation of woodlands should still be pursued. Woodland reconstructions are an important tool for repairing natural ecological functioning and providing habitat protection for numerous species associated with Limestone Woodlands. 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 bedrock woodland state is the result of a long-term commitment involving a multi-step, adaptive management process.
Submodel
Mechanism
Long-term fire suppression in excess of 80 years transitions the site to the fire-suppressed forest state (2).
Mechanism
Cultural treatments to enhance forage quality and yield transitions the site to the forage state (3).
Mechanism
Tillage, seeding of agricultural crops, and non-selective herbicide transition this site to the cropland state (4).
Mechanism
Cultural treatments to enhance forage quality and yield transitions the site to the forage state (3).
Mechanism
Tillage, seeding of agricultural crops, and non-selective herbicide transition this site to the cropland state (4).
Mechanism
Site preparation, tree planting, invasive species control, seeding native species, and deer management transition this site to the reconstructed bedrock woodland state (5).
Mechanism
Land abandonment transitions the site to the fire-suppressed forest state (2).
Mechanism
Tillage, seeding of agricultural crops, and non-selective herbicide transition this site to the cropland state (4).
Mechanism
Site preparation, tree planting, invasive species control, and seeding native species transition this site to the reconstructed bedrock woodland state (5).
Mechanism
Land abandonment transitions the site to the fire-suppressed forest state (2).
Mechanism
Cultural treatments to enhance forage quality and yield transitions the site to the forage state (3).
Mechanism
Site preparation, tree planting, invasive species control, and seeding native species transition this site to the reconstructed bedrock woodland state (5).
Mechanism
Fire suppression and removal of active management transitions this site to the fire-suppressed forest state (2).
Mechanism
Cultural treatments to enhance forage quality and yield transition the site to the forage state (3).
Model keys
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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.