Moderately Deep Bedrock Backslope
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Fire suppression > 30 years; disturbances
More details -
Transition T1B
Clearing; tillage; vegetative seeding, grassland management
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Forest stand improvement; access control; prescribed fire; long term stand rotation
More details -
Transition T2A
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
These woodland communities is dominated by oaks and hickories were influenced by fire, drought, and wind. Herbivory by native (now expatriated) ungulates also played a role. There are two phases associated with this reference state.
Submodel
Description
Most current areas of Moderately Deep Bedrock Backslope Woodlands have experienced fire exclusion for decades along with periodic domestic livestock grazing. In the absence of fire, ongoing recruitment of trees into the canopy develops a closed canopy, shading out the herbaceous ground flora. Herbaceous cover and diversity greatly diminishes, leaf litter builds up, and more shade-tolerant species persist. Transition to cool season grasslands (State 3) is common.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) has been common in the Illinois Central Claypan area. Occasionally, these pastures may contain scattered oaks. Long term uncontrolled grazing can cause significant soil erosion and compaction. A return to the Reference State may be impossible, requiring a very long term series of management options.
Submodel
Mechanism
Fire suppression > 30 years; woody invasion; repeated timber harvests; uncontrolled livestock grazing
Mechanism
Forest stand improvement; access control; prescribed fire; long term stand rotation
Model keys
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase (
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
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.