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Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T 1-2 More details
- Transition T 1-3 More details
- Transition T 1-4 More details
- Restoration pathway R 2-1 More details
- Transition T 2-3 More details
- Restoration pathway R 3-1 More details
- Transition T 3-4 More details
- Restoration pathway R 4-1 More details
- Transition T 4-2 More details
- Restoration pathway R 4-3 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
This is the reference or diagnostic plant community for this site. In reference conditions, this forested site was dominated by white oak and shagbark hickory in the canopy. Secondary species included black oak, black cherry, shellbark hickory, and pignut hickory. Brambles and native roses were common in the understory. Less common, but present were some of the prairie species such as Pennsylvania sedge and big bluestem.
The absence of fire will shift this state towards are mesophytic forest. Restoration involves selective tree harvest and the use of fire.
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by a longer than normal fire return interval or the absence of fire as a disturbance agent. Shade tolerant species, specifically sugar maple and beech, that are present in the understory in relatively small amounts become the dominant tree species.
Submodel
Description
This site has largely been converted to agricultural use. Most of the historic acres are now in row crop agricultural use. Most common is a corn and soybean rotation of various types. Roughly 2% of the site is not used to grow hay or cool season forage and used for grazing.
Submodel
Description
Abandoned agricultural lands move into the old field state. This state is dominated at the outset by cool season grasses, mostly fescue, and weedy, opportunistic forbs. Absent management or fire, the site will progress to a shrub dominated phase then to that of a mesic forest.
Submodel
Mechanism
No management that selects for certain tree species, in this case white oak and shagbark hickory. No fire for 40-100 years.
Mechanism
Removal of the tree species, installation of drainage, tillage, and planting of the agricultural crop transition the site to state 3.
Mechanism
Removal of the trees with no management afterwards to include the lack of fire. This moves the site to the Old Field State (4).
Mechanism
Prescribed tree thinning to give competitive advantage to desired species and fire move the site back to the reference state.
Mechanism
All trees removed, drainage installed, the site prepared, tillage and planting the of the agricultural crop.
Mechanism
Remove drainage, tree planting, timber stand improvement and application of fire.
Mechanism
No management. Agricultural practices abandoned and succession allowed to take place
Mechanism
Timber stand improvement, to include tree removal. Planting of desired tree species, especially white oak and shagbark hickory, if not present. The periodic application of surface fires.
Mechanism
No management over a long time frame (100+ years) in the absence of fire.
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.