Calcareous Limestone Protected Backslope Forest
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference State was dominated by white oak and chinkapin oak. Maximum tree age was likely 150 to 300 years. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind or ice maintained the dominance of oaks by opening up the canopy and allowing more light for oak reproduction. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in more shade tolerant species such as hickory, white ash, northern red oak and sugar maple. Two community phases are recognized in this state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency.
Submodel
Description
Fire suppression has allowed these previously open woodlands to become dense with less fire-tolerant trees and saplings such as northern red oak, and hickory. The dense, shaded conditions and lack of fire has caused the ground flora to decrease in cover and diversity. Aromatic sumac often forms a dense shrub understory under these conditions. However, many of the original herbaceous species persist as small plantlets or in the seed bank. Consequently, thinning of the woody species and the re-introduction of fire has shown these communities to be exceptionally resilient, and a return, after a period of many years, to the reference condition is possible.
Submodel
Description
In addition to fire exclusion, many of these sites have been subjected to heavy grazing by domestic livestock and periodic logging. Like State 2, these areas are dense and shady with a diminished ground flora. In addition, grazed areas exhibit a lower diversity of native ground flora species and an increased abundance of eastern redcedar and other invasive natives such as buck brush. Like State 2, restoration using thinning and fire is possible, but will take longer and require more effort. Restricting livestock access and eliminating logging will be necessary for successful restoration.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue and red clover has been common. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered oaks. Long term uncontrolled grazing can cause significant soil erosion and compaction. A return to the reference state may be impossible, requiring a very long term series of management options. If oak sprouting is left unchecked and grazing is eliminated or reduced then over time this state will transition to a fire excluded woodland or to a high-graded/grazed woodland.
Submodel
Model keys
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase (
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
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.