Wet Silty Floodplain Forest
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Lack of disturbance >20 years; repeated timber harvests.
More details -
Transition T1B
Woody removal; vegetative seeding; grassland management
More details -
Transition T1C
Woody removal; Tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Forest stand improvement
More details -
Transition T2A
Woody removal; vegetative seeding; grassland management
More details -
Transition T2B
Woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system; water management.
More details -
Transition T3A
Tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
More details -
Transition T4A
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
The historical reference state for this ecological site was old growth riverine forest. The forest was dominated by hackberry, green ash and elms. Maximum tree age was likely 150 to 300 years. Periodic disturbances from flooding, wind or ice maintained the open, uneven structure and ground flora species. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in both the density of trees and the abundance of shade tolerant species.
Two community phases are recognized in the reference state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency. Reference states are very rare today. Altered drainage has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Most reference states are currently altered because of timber harvesting, clearing and conversion to grassland or cropland.
Submodel
Description
Composition is altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. This state will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species with selective harvesting techniques. Without periodic canopy disturbance, stem densities and more shade tolerant species will increase in abundance. Some periodic uncontrolled grazing may be occurring.
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 have scattered bur and pin 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
Description
This is a 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. Some conversion to cool season grassland occurs for a limited period of time before transitioning back to cropland.
Submodel
Mechanism
Lack of natural disturbance events > 20 years. Repeated timber harvest may also transition this state.
Mechanism
Clearing/woody removal; vegetative seeding; grassland management
Mechanism
Clearing/woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
Mechanism
Woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
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.