Dry Sand Dunes
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Large scale disturbance
More details -
Transition T1C
Clearing of site; agricultural production - forage
More details -
Transition T1B
Clearing of site; agricultural production -row crops.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Restoration inputs such as planting, brush control, prescribed fire, and timber stand improvement.
More details -
Transition T2B
Clearing; agricultural production - forage
More details -
Transition T2C
Clearing; agricultural production - row crops
More details -
Transition T3B
Abandonment of agricultural practices
More details -
Transition T3A
Site preparation and tillage, seeding, weed control, cropland management
More details -
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
Select a state
Description
The vegetative community on this dune woodland community was historically influenced by frequent fire, periods of drought, ungulate grazing, and ice/windstorms. The reference state is an open oak woodland dominated by drought tolerant oak and hickory species and a variety of prairie grasses and native forbs. Slopes range from 0-50% so slope and aspect will influence vegetation on these sites. A reduction in fire frequency will transition this site to a denser woodland with more dry forest species being present.
Submodel
Description
Today, remaining wooded sites have often had repeated and sever disturbances including lack of natural fire regimes, selective oak harvest, clearing, unmanaged grazing, and the introduction of non-native species. Depending on the intensity and duration of the disturbances, multiple tree species may now be on these sites. Lack of natural fire will transition an oak dominated woodland to a more closed canopy woodland with a variety of tree species possible .
Tree recorded on sites include hackberry, black oak, white oak, scarlet oak, blackgum, white ash, shagbark hickory, and shingle oak. Tree age, shrub density, and understory composition will vary depending on the type of disturbance, slope, aspect, and fire regime.
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.
Submodel
Description
This land use is appropriate only on lower slope sites within this PES group. 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 (oak/hickory removal) , will transition this site to State 2. Long term absence of fire will increase shrub density and alter tree species composition.
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
This transition is appropriate for lower slope sites only.
Site is transitioned to an agricultural site focused on row crop production. Management inputs would include clearing, site preparation, seeding and weed control.
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
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.