Mollic Till Ridge
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
- Restoration pathway R 2-1 More details
- Transition T 2-3 More details
- Restoration pathway R 3-1 More details
- Restoration pathway R 3-2 More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This is the reference or diagnostic plant community for this site. In reference condition, this site was a co-dominance of prairie grass species and black oaks. Fire was the main disturbance agent that maintained the site. The more recent the fire the greater the dominance of grasses. Longer time between fire would sway dominance towards the trees.
The removal of fire from the system and lack of tree management would move the site toward the fire suppressed state. Restoration back to the reference state could be accomplished with timber harvest, seeding of appropriate species, and the application of fire.
Plowing the prairie portions up,removing the trees, and preparation for seeding for would transition the site to the agriculture state. Cessation of tillage practices, seeding the proper species and the application of fire would allow the agriculture state to return to the reference state.
Submodel
Description
Absence of fire and/or lack of woody vegetation management will move this site to the fire suppressed state. This state is characterized by an increase in tree canopy concomitant with shrub species becoming the dominant growth form in the understory. White oaks and black oaks will still be the dominant tree species, but hickory becomes more prevalent in the canopy. Sub canopy and shrub species include the dogwood species, sassafras, and hazelnut species. Continued suppression of disturbance will lead to this site being a closed canopy oak-dominated forest at the higher end of the suggested canopy range.
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 8% of the site is not used to grow hay or cool season forage and used for grazing.
Submodel
Mechanism
No fire, no woody species management allow the site to transition to the fire suppressed state (#2).
Mechanism
Tillage and/or spraying to kill the herbaceous understory species. Complete tree removal. Site preparation along with seeding will transition the site to the agriculture state (#3).
Mechanism
Prescribed tree removal to allow for species, particularly white oak, competitive advantage. If the understory conditions warrant, it may be needed to also plant the herbaceous prairie species. Once established, regular application of fire will move the site back towards the reference state.
Mechanism
Complete removal of the trees. Preparation of the site, tillage for seedbed preparation and seeding of the crop species. Agricultural practices will maintain the site in State 3.
Mechanism
Site preparation, tree planting, and regular application 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.