Wet Clayey Till Backslope Woodland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Fire suppression > 20 years; woody invasion; repeated timber harvests; domestic grazing
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Transition T1B
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
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Transition T1C
Woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
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Restoration pathway R2A
Forest stand improvement; livestock access control; prescribed fire, 3-5 years; long term stand rotation
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Transition T2A
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
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Transition T2B
Woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
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Transition T3A
Tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
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Transition T4A
Vegetative seeding ; grassland management
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
These woodland communities were strongly influenced by fire and seasonal soil wetness. Herbivory by native (now expatriated) ungulates also played a role. Consequently, fire-tolerant oaks over a ground flora of native prairie grasses, sedges and wildflowers made up the Wet Clayey Till Backslope Woodland ecological site. There are two phases associated with this reference state.
Submodel
Description
Most current areas of Wet Clayey Till 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. This results in the formation of Oak - Hickory/Hickory Saplings – American Elm/ Goldenrod woodland. Hickory and midstory species such as American elm may also increase. Herbaceous cover and diversity greatly diminishes, leaf litter builds up, and more shade-tolerant woodland species persist. The understory also changes with oak and hickory saplings along with persimmon (Diospyros virginiana L.) and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.). Transition to cool season grasslands (State 3) or intensive cropland (State 4) is common, especially on slopes less than 10 percent.
Description
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.), red top (Agrostis stolonifera L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) has been common in the Illinois Central Claypan area. 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.
Description
This is an occasional state that exists currently on slopes less than 10 percent with intensive cropping of corn (Zea mays L.), soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) occurring. Water management activities are needed to maximize yields. Some conversion to cool season grassland occurs for a limited period of time before transitioning back to cropland.
Mechanism
Fire suppression > 20 years; woody invasion; repeated timber harvests; domestic grazing
Mechanism
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
Mechanism
Woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
Mechanism
Forest stand improvement; livestock access control; prescribed fire, 3-5 years; long term stand rotation
Mechanism
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
Mechanism
Woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
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.