Sand Dunes
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Large scale disturbance
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Transition T1C
Clearing of site; agricultural production - forage
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Transition T1B
Clearing of site; agricultural production -row crops.
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Restoration pathway R2A
Restoration inputs such as planting, brush control, prescribed fire, and timber stand improvement.
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Transition T2B
Clearing; agricultural production - forage
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Transition T2C
Clearing; agricultural production - row crops
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Transition T3B
Abandonment of agricultural practices
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Transition T3A
Site preparation and tillage, seeding, weed control, cropland management
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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
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Description
The vegetative community on this dune woodland community was historically influenced by a natural fire regime, periods of drought, ungulate grazing, and periodic ice and windstorms. Community 1.1. is an open woodland dominated by black oak. A natural fire regime would have maintained the oak dominance in the canopy and a variety of native shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous species. Plant community composition will vary depending on the fire regime, slope, aspect, and other natural disturbances.
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 open oak-dominated woodland to a more closed forest-type with an increase in maples, hickories, sassafras, and tulip poplar. NRCS has recorded many tree species on these sites including southern red oak, shingle oak, scarlet oak, blackgum, white oak, black walnut, yellow poplar, sugar maple, sycamore, and hackberry.
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
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, will transition this site to State 2.
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
Site is transitioned to an agricultural site focused on row crop production. Management inputs would include clearing, site preparation, seeding and weed control. Hydrological modifications are often installed to aid in drainage.
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
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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.