Wet Silty Eolian 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; planting; 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; planting; agricultural management
More details -
Transition T3A
Abandonment; no management inputs
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
Soils in this group range from somewhat poorly drained to poorly drained. Species include pin oak (Quercus palustris), swamp white oak (Q. bicolor), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and red maple (Acer rubrum) on the wetter portions of sites. Areas with more slope and better drainage will include white oak (Q. alba), northern red oak (Q. rubra), American elm (Ulmus americana), and hickories (Carya spp.). Microtopography, drainage, and fluctuating water levels can result in a complex mosaic of sites where wetland species are adjacent to more wet-mesic upland forest species across the landscape. Most sites today have had some level of disturbance including clearcutting, selective harvest, grazing, hydrological modifications, and/or non-native vegetation.
Submodel
Description
This phase is characterized by substantial canopy disturbance. Often the activity is the removal of the higher value tree species such as the oaks. Often this disturbance introduces non-native understory species which, if not controlled, will overtake the site.
Species composition will vary depending on the type, severity and length of disturbance(s), available seed sources, and the resilience of the natural community.
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. Species planted will depend upon site conditions and the producer’s goals and objectives.
Landowners should be aware of any wetland issues prior to conversion of these sites to agricultural production.
Submodel
Mechanism
Significant disturbances with no long-term control of non-native species or timber stand improvement management activities.
Mechanism
Forest for conversion to agricultural production. Species selection and management inputs will depend upon landowner objectives and production goals. Landowners should be aware of any wetland issues prior to conversion of these sites to agricultural production.
Mechanism
Restoration of site would include planting of desired tree species, weed and brush control, and long-term timber stand improvement activities to insure high value trees thrive. Hydrology of the site may also need to be restored.
Mechanism
Transition from forest to agricultural state. Species and management activities would be determined by the landowner’s production objectives.
Mechanism
Cropland or pastureland that is abandoned will slowly, but naturally, transition to a mixed deciduous woodland usually dominated ash, tuliptree, maples, elms, etc. Species on site will depend on a number of factors including previous changes to the natural hydrology of the site, the type, severity and length of the disturbance, and available seed sources for the site.
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.