Chert Upland Woodland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Transition T1D More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Transition T6B More details
- Transition T6A More details
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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The historical reference state for this Ecological Site was old growth oak woodland.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 black 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 the reference state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency. Reference states are 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
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
The biggest difference for this state is tree age, most being only 50 to 90 years old. Composition is also likely altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. In addition, 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.
Uneven Age Managed Woodland is more dense because of fire suppression, and more so than the Even-Age Managed state. Consequently, the woodland ground flora is more suppressed and structural diversity is lower. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like hickory, increase in abundance.
Submodel
Description
The Silvopasture State results from managing woodland communities with prescribed fire and prescribed grazing. This state can resemble the reference state, but 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.
Submodel
Description
Wooded sites subjected to repeated, high-graded timber harvests and uncontrolled 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.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition typically results from even-age forest management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest and fire suppression.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age forest management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest along with fire suppression.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting pasture species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter. Liming and fertilizing associated with pasture management typically raises the soil pH
and increases the cation concentration (such as calcium and magnesium) of the upper soil horizons.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of poorly planned timber harvest techniques such as high-grading, accompanied by unmanaged livestock grazing. Soil erosion and compaction often result from livestock grazing after the understory has been damaged.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age forest management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of the systematic application of prescribed fire and grazing management. Forest stand improvement may also be used.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from even-age forest management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from even-age forest management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest, no grazing, and fire suppression.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age forest management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest, fire suppression and cessation of grazing.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age forest management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest and cessation of grazing. Tree planting, mechanical thinning and other forest stand improvement techniques may be helpful to decrease the transition time.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting grassland species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter. Liming and fertilizing associated with pasture management typically raises the soil pH
and increases the cation concentration (such as calcium and magnesium) of the upper soil horizons.
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.