Wet Clayey Floodplain
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Large scale disturbance
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Transition T1C
Clearing of site; agricultural production - forage
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Transition T1B
Clearing of site; agricultural production -row crops.
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Restoration pathway R2A
Restoration inputs such as planting, brush control, prescribed fire, and timber stand improvement.
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Transition T2B
Clearing; agricultural production - forage
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Transition T2C
Clearing; agricultural production - row crops
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Transition T3B
Abandonment of agricultural practices
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Transition T3A
Site preparation and tillage, seeding, weed control, cropland management
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Transition T4A
Transition site to forage production; seeding; weed/brush control; pasture management
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
Historically these sites were influenced by flooding, ponding, wind/ice storms, and grazing by native species. The reference state for this ecological site is a deciduous floodplain forest. The vegetative communities on these sites are influenced by the frequency and depth of flooding and ponding. Natural disturbances and microtopography will create a mosaic of wet forest along with areas of more open marsh habitat.
Tree species include pin oak (Quercus palustris), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), green ash (Fraxinus pensylvanica), hackberry (Celtis spp.), American elm (Ulmus americana), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), and red maple (Acer rubrum). Pin oak (Quercus palustris), swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) may be present in some areas. Understory composition and density will be controlled by flooding severity and frequency and includes possumhaw (Ilex decidua) and hawthorn (Crataegus spp.).
The forest understory will contain a variety of grasses, bulrushes, cutgrasses, sedges, and forbs influenced by flooding regime. Species may include sweet woodreed (Cinna arundinacea), eastern woodland sedge (Carex blanda), eastern star sedge (Carex rosea), riverbank wildrye (Elymus riparius), Virginia wildrye (Elymus virginicus), bulbous bittercrest (Cardamine bulbosa), Pennsylvania sedge (Cardamine pensylvanica), false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), Virginia bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus), fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata), clearweed (Pilea pumila), and star sedge (Carex intumescens). Ground flora on frequently, long-term flooded sites may be sparse with a moderate level of species diversity.
Today, hydrology on many sites has been altered due to modifications upstream and throughout the watershed.
Submodel
Description
Many remaining Wet Clayey Floodplain sites have been altered due to disturbances and hydrological modifications – either within the watershed or upstream. Dams, ditching, tiling, levees, and urban, industrial and agricultural impacts are common and have modified the historic natural riparian processes. Trees on disturbed sites will depending on the type, length and severity of disturbances. Many areas are now protected from frequent and severe flooding so have transitioned to a more mesic upland tree community.
Disturbance may introduce non-native plant species to these sites and without management control, these invasive plants will fundamentally alter the plant community. Many of these sites have been transitioned to Pastureland (State 3) or cropland (State 4).
Submodel
Description
A portion of these sites have been converted to pastureland or forage production. Species selection will depend upon the objectives and goals of the landowner; however, commonly planted grasses include tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), brome (Bromus spp.), white clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). Species health and productivity are determined by the management and long-term overgrazing on some sites has caused soil erosion and compaction.
Submodel
Description
Hydrological modifications such as ditching and tiling are often used on these sites to increase crop production. Common crops include corn (Zea mays), soybeans (Glycine max), and occasionally winter wheat (Triticum aestivum). Some landowners choose to convert sites to cool season grasses for a period before resuming cropland production. A return to the historical Reference State from State 4 is unlikely, if not impossible.
Submodel
Mechanism
Severe disturbances, such as clearing or selective harvesting of trees, will transition this site to State 2.
Mechanism
Site is transitioned to an agricultural site focused on forage production. Management inputs would include clearing, site preparation, seeding and weed/brush control.
Mechanism
Site is transitioned to an agricultural site focused on row crop production. Management inputs would include clearing, site preparation, seeding and weed control. Hydrological modifications are often installed to aid in drainage.
Mechanism
Restoration would require long-term management inputs including planting of desired species, weed control, brush control, timber stand improvement, and prescribed fire.
Mechanism
Site is cleared and forage/pasture production is initiated. Management inputs would include tree/shrub removal, site preparation, seeding, and weed/brush control.
Mechanism
Site is cleared and row crop production is initiated. Management inputs would include tree/shrub removal, site preparation, tillage, seeding, and weed control.
Mechanism
Site is abandoned and slowly would transition to a wooded state dominated by deciduous trees. Species on site would depend on the severity and length of disturbance and available seed sources.
Mechanism
Management inputs that transition a site from pasture or forage production to a site that is utilized for row crop production.
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.