Acidic Upland Forest
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Disturbance; introduction of non-native plants
More details -
Transition T1B
Clearing; site preparation; seeding; agricultural management
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Brush control; weed control; timber stand improvement inputs
More details -
Transition T2A
Clearing; site preparation; tillage; seeding; weed control; agricultural management.
More details -
Restoration pathway T3A
Abandonment
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This ecological site is an oak-hickory forest. Tree species on these sites may include black oak (Quercus velutina), white oak (Q. alba), chestnut oak (Q montana), shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), scarlet oak (Q. coccinea), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), and sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Red maple (Acer rubrum) and black cherry (Prunus serotina) may be present. The herbaceous layer will vary depending on soil depth, rock content, and aspect, but often includes numerous vines, forbs, and herbs including: Vitis spp., Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Botrychium virginianum, Carex spp., Agrimonia spp., Polygonatum biflorum, Maianthemum spp., Galium circaezans, Geranium maculatum, Aquilegia canadensis, Asarum canadense, Erythronium americanum, Mitchella repens, and Polystichum acrostichoides.
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by disturbance and subsequent increase in non-native invasive species. Species present will vary depending on disturbance severity and available seed sources.
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by the conversion of the site to agricultural use. Most common practice is a corn and soybean rotation of various types. A small portion of the historic acres are used for forage and pasture.
Some mapunits in this group are not appropriate for cropland due to high slopes, rock content, thin soils, and potential for erosion. Many of these sites are utilized as unmanaged pasture.
Submodel
Mechanism
Disturbance and lack of post-management inputs can result in numerous non-native plants gaining a foothold on these sites. Species will depend upon seed sources introduced. Common invasives include honeysuckle, euonymus, and garlic mustard.
Mechanism
This state is characterized by the conversion of the site to agricultural use. Most common practice is a corn and soybean rotation of various types.
Many different crops and small grains may be grown on lower sloping sites - depending on management goals and objectives.
NOTE: Many mapunits in this group are not appropriate for cropland due to high slopes, thin soils, and potential for erosion.
Mechanism
Treatment and control of non-native vegetation will help restore these sites. Additional forest management activities may be needed including planting, selective thinning, and brush control.
Mechanism
Transitioning an invasive wooded state to an cropland or pastureland community will require substantial management inputs. Clearing, site preparation, seeding, and weed control will be required.
Species will depend on management goals and objectives. For pastures, many landowners utilize mixes of, generally, cool season grasses and forbs, largely clovers, are grown.
Transitioning to a crop field will also require site preparation, seeding, and weed control.
Note: Some of the mapunits in this initial PES grouping have high slopes that would preclude mechanical management. Often these sites are best left in ungrazed forest to protect soil resources.
Mechanism
Agricultural sites that are abandoned will natural transition from a weedy herbaceous community to shrubs/saplings to a woodland state. Numerous non-native and native plants may be present depending on past use and adjacent seed sources. Fast growing trees such as maples, ash, locusts and poplars are often present on these sites.
Model keys
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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.