Wet Till 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 management inputs
More details -
Transition T1B
Clearing; site prep; tillage; seeding; weed control; agricultural management
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Planting; brush control; weed control; long-term timber stand improvement inputs
More details -
Transition T2A
Clearing; site prep; tillage; seeding; weed control; agricultural management
More details -
Transition T3A
Planting; brush control; weed control; long-term timber stand improvement inputs
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
The Wet Till Upland Forest historical reference community is a mature oak hardwood forest. Many soils in this group are mapped in complexes with one to two other soil series. This variation in soils across the landscape will result in subtle to substantial differences in plant communities along a moisture gradient dependent on topography, soil characteristics, and disturbance regimes.
Species tolerant of wetter zones include swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), pin oak (Quercus palustris), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and maple (Acer spp.). Species found on slightly higher sites or on soils with slightly better drainage may include northern red oak (Quercus rubra), Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii), white oak (Quercus alba), American elm (Ulmus americana L.), ash (Fraxinus spp.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.). Understory species on these sites were extremely diverse and varied depending on shade, microtopography, disturbance history, and finer soil characteristics.
Few reference sites remain. Today, remaining wooded sites are often dominated by maple and ash. Pin oak and sweetgum are common on many sites in Indiana.
Submodel
Description
Many forest sites today have been disturbed and may have had oaks removed through repeated selective harvesting. These sites often have common species of ash (Fraxinus spp.), red maple (Acer rubrum), boxelder (Acer negundo), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Sites in Indiana often have sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). Various forest composition variations will result due to disturbances such as logging, grazing, oak removal, non-native vegetation, hydrological modifications, etc.
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.
Many crops can be grown on these sites, so species and management practices will depend upon landowner objectives. Sites require hydrology modifications (ditching, tiling) to facilitate crop production.
Landowner should be aware of any wetland issues on site prior to agricultural conversion.
Submodel
Mechanism
Substantial disturbance with no timber stand improvement inputs. This transition often occurs after selective harvesting of higher value trees followed by no management and no long-term control of non-native species.
Mechanism
Clearing of mature high-quality forest for conversion to agricultural production.
Landowners should be aware of any potential wetland issues prior to conversion.
Mechanism
Transition R2A
Restoration of site would include planting of oaks and timber stand improvement activities to insure high value trees thrive. Restoration of natural hydrology may be required.
Mechanism
Transition from forest to agricultural state. Activities would be determined by the landowner’s production objectives. Landowners should be aware of and identify wetlands on these sites prior to conversion.
Mechanism
Cropland or pastureland that is abandoned will slowly, but naturally, transition to a mixed deciduous woodland usually dominated by poplar, maple, ash, elm, etc. Species composition will depend on a number of factors including the type and length of disturbance, available seed sources, and the resiliency of the natural community.
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.