Loamy Limestone/Dolomite Upland Woodland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
The historical reference state for this Ecological Site was old growth oak woodland.
The reference state was dominated by chinkapin oak, post oak and white oak. Maximum tree age was likely 150 to 300 years. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind or ice maintained the woodland structure and diverse ground flora species. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in both the density of trees and the abundance of shade tolerant species.
Two community phases are recognized in reference state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency. Reference state woodlands are very rare today. Many sites have been converted to non-native pasture (State 5). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with domestic livestock grazing (State 6). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora.
Submodel
Description
This state starts with a sequence of early seral mixed oak woodlands, which mature over time. These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a depauperate understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. However, in the absence of fire, the diversity and cover of the ground flora is still diminished. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, will either maintain this state, or convert the site to uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.
Submodel
Description
Uneven Age Managed Woodland isdense because of fire suppression, but less so than the Even-Age Managed state. Consequently, the woodland ground flora is less suppressed and structural diversity is better maintained. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like hickory, increase in abundance. Without a regular 15 to 20 year harvest re-entry into these stands, they will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species and white oak will become less dominant.
Submodel
Description
The Managed Silvopasture State results from managing woodland communities with prescribed fire, selective thinning, and introducing a managed grazing system with livestock. This state can resemble the reference state, with younger maximum tree ages and lower ground flora diversity.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of woodlands to planted, non-native pasture species such as tall fescue has been common in the Springfield plateau. Low available water, abundant surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity make non-native pastures difficult to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site. If grazing and active pasture management are discontinued, the site will eventually transition to State 2 (Even-Age). Timber Stand Improvement practices can hasten this process.
Submodel
Description
Wooded sites subjected to repeated, high-graded timber harvests and domestic grazing transition to this State. This state exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less desirable tree species, and weedy understory species such as buckbrush, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. The vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff. Exclusion of livestock from sites in this state coupled with uneven-age management techniques will cause a transition to State 3 (Uneven-Age).
Submodel
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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.