Ponded Organic Alkaline Peatland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Transition T1D More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T2C More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Transition T3C More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Transition T4C 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 groundwater-fed slope wetland community, dominated by hydrophytic herbaceous vegetation. The two community phases within the reference state are dependent on consistent groundwater seepage to maintain the plant community. Drought and occasional fires have more localized impacts in the reference state, but do contribute to overall species composition, diversity, cover, and productivity.
Submodel
Description
The expansion of ruderal woody and herbaceous species into Ponded Organic Alkaline Peatlands can arise due to a complex interaction of fire suppression, hydrological alterations, and edge effects. Subsurface water reduction from agricultural tiling, ditching, or off-site development in conjunction with the removal of periodic fires allows woody species to encroach, casting shade on the native plant community and altering the natural light regime. In addition, edge effects can arise from indirect land management practices (e.g., cropping, herbicide drift) on directly adjacent sites that lead to a transition in the herbaceous species composition to taller, ruderal species (Panno et al. 1999; NatureServe 2018).
Submodel
Description
The forage state arises when the site 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 (Smith 1998). Over time, as lands were continuously harvested or grazed by herds of cattle, these 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, chemicals (i.e., herbicides, fertilizers, etc.), and subsurface tile drainage 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 common wheat (Triticum aestivum 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 anthropogenic state occurs when the reference state is cleared and developed for human use and inhabitation, such as for commercial and housing developments, landfills, parks, golf courses, cemeteries, earthen spoils, etc. The native vegetation has been removed and soils have either been altered in place (e.g. cemeteries) or transported from one location to another (e.g. housing developments). Most of the soils in this state have 50 to 100 cm of overburden on top of the natural soil. This natural material can be determined by observing a buried surface horizon or the unaltered subsoil, till, or lacustrine parent materials. This state is generally considered permanent.
Submodel
Mechanism
Changes to the natural hydrology, long-term fire suppression, and edge effects from adjacent land uses transition this site to the degraded state (2).
Mechanism
Cultural treatments to enhance forage quality and yield transition the site to the forage state (3).
Mechanism
Installation of drain tiles, seeding of agricultural crops, and non-selective herbicide transition the site to the cropland state (4).
Mechanism
Vegetation removal and human alterations/transportation of soils transitions the site to the anthropogenic state (5).
Mechanism
Cultural treatments to enhance forage quality and yield transition the site to the forage state (3).
Mechanism
Installation of drain tiles, seeding of agricultural crops, and non-selective herbicide transition the site to the cropland state (4).
Mechanism
Vegetation removal and human alterations/transportation of soils transitions the site to the anthropogenic state (5).
Mechanism
Land is abandoned and left fallow; natural succession by opportunistic species transition this site the degraded state (2).
Mechanism
Installation of drain tiles, seeding of agricultural crops, and non-selective herbicide transition the site to the cropland state (4).
Mechanism
Vegetation removal and human alterations/transportation of soils transitions the site to the anthropogenic state (5).
Mechanism
Land is abandoned and left fallow; natural succession by opportunistic species transition this site to the degraded state (2).
Mechanism
Cultural treatments to enhance forage quality and yield transitions the site to the forage state (3).
Model keys
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