Dry Outwash 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; no post-disturbance management
More details -
Transition T1B
Clearing; site prep; planting; weed control; agricultural management
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Brush control; weed control; planting of desired species; long-term timber management inputs
More details -
Transition T2A
Clearing; site preparation; continual agricultural management
More details -
Transition T3A
Abandonment
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This state is characterized by a closed canopy dominated by upland oak and hickory forest. Multiple species may be present depending on past disturbances, fire regime (or lack of), seed sources, microtopography, and soil characteristics. Historically, these communities were oak-hickory forest influenced by fire. Species may include white oak, shagbark hickory, black oak, pignut hickory, sugar maple, American beech, white ash, and tulip poplar.
The natural fire regime favors oak regeneration, so with a lack of fire, many sites today have become dominated by associate species. Many sites will need selective thinning to encourage oak reproduction. Timber stand improvement activities will encourage oak reproduction and growth while controlling fast-growing, shade-tolerant species.
Submodel
Description
Most sites have incurred historic disturbances including selective harvest (oak removal), clearing, grazing, recreational uses, development, or absence of natural fire regimes. These disturbances will transition this community to a woodland dominated by fast-growing, shade-tolerant species such as sugar maple, tulip poplar, white ash, and beech. The resulting dense canopy shade results in a sparser understory community with more shade tolerant species. Few high-quality, old-growth communities remain. Agriculture is the largest use of these soils in MLRA 114X.
Species on disturbed sites may vary greatly depending on the type and length of disturbance 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. This state is found on lower slope mapunits within this group. A smaller portion are used for forage and pasture with cool and/or warm season grasses.
Some mapunits in this group have high slopes and are not appropriate for cropland or pasture production.
Species planted will depend on the landowners management goals and objectives.
Submodel
Mechanism
Removal of high value timber; usually, the removal of oaks. Little to no post-harvest timber stand management to encourage oak regeneration. No long-term control of non-native species.
Mechanism
Clearing of mature high-quality forest for conversion to agricultural production. This is applicable only to lower slope mapunits in this group.
Mechanism
Restoration of site would include planting of oaks and timber stand improvement activities to insure high value trees thrive. Timber stand improvement efforts would include planting desired species, thinning, brush control and weed control.
Mechanism
Transition from forest to agricultural state. Activities would be determined by the landowner’s production objectives. This is feasible for lower slope sites only.
Species planted would depend upon management goals.
Mechanism
Cropland or pastureland that is abandoned will slowly, but naturally, transition to a mixed deciduous woodland usually dominated by fast growing and shade tolerant trees such as maple, ash, poplar, elm, etc. Weeds and brush are often problematic on these sites without control.
Model keys
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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.