Shallow Limestone/Dolomite Upland Glade/Woodland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
-
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
Glade/Woodland Complexes harbor a wide diversity of plants and animals. Many, like the dominant grasses little bluestem, Indian grass, and sideoats grama, are also found on prairies. But others, such as Missouri coneflower, calamint, and federally listed Missouri bladder-pod, are only found on limestone/dolomite glades. Desert-adapted animals, like scorpions and tarantulas, also occupy healthy glades. The glade/woodland complexes range from wide open grassy areas with shallow soils and bare bedrock, to areas with widely scattered chinquapin and post oaks on soils 12-20 inches deep. While most have suffered from grazing and fire suppression, good examples can be found.
Submodel
Description
This state is dominated by eastern redcedar. These can form relatively even-age stands, dating to when fire suppression became the dominant management characteristic on the site. Canopy closures can approach 100% with little or no ground flora.
Submodel
Description
Grazing has reduced the cover, diversity and vigor of the native glade/woodland flora. Woody species encroachment, particularly by eastern redcedar, has increased the woodland density relative to the reference state,
Submodel
Mechanism
Restoration requires cutting most of the eastern redcedar, accompanied by prescribed fire.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Firebreak |
|
|
Forest Stand Improvement |
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.