Sandstone Exposed Backslope 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
This state is native oak woodland dominated by white oak and black oak, with a variety of prairie forbs and grasses in the understory. 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 3). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with domestic livestock grazing (State 4). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora (State 2).
Submodel
Description
Degraded reference states that have experienced fire suppression and woody invasion for 20 or more years will transition to this state. With fire suppression, woody species such as black oak, post oak and hickory will begin to increase. Some past logging has occurred reducing white oak densities. Native herbaceous ground cover will also decrease.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue and red clover has been common in this area. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered oaks. Long term uncontrolled grazing and a lack of grassland management can cause significant soil erosion and compaction and increases in less productive species such as Kentucky bluegrass and weedy forbs such as ironweed. A return to the reference state may be impossible, requiring a very long term series of management options.
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
Model keys
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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.