Chert Mudstone Upland Woodland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Transition T1D More details
- Restoration pathway R1B More details
- Transition T More details
- Restoration pathway R1A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Transition T5B More details
- Transition T5A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
The historical reference state for this ecological site was old growth, oak woodland. The reference state was dominated by black oak and scarlet oak. 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 grassland (State 4). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with uncontrolled domestic livestock grazing (State 5).
Submodel
Description
This state can start with a sequence of early seral mixed oak woodlands, which mature over time. These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a sparse understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. However, in the absence of fire, the diversity and cover of the ground flora is still diminished.
Submodel
Description
This state results from no management. Without a regular 15 to 20 year harvest re-entry into these stands, they will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species and white oak will become less dominant. The Un-Managed Woodland state is also denser because of fire suppression. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like sassafras and hickory, increase in abundance.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of woodlands to planted, non-native cool season grassland species such as tall fescue is common for this region. Surface fragments and low organic matter contents make grasslands harder to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site.
Two community phases are recognized in the grassland state, with shifts between phases based on types of management. Poor management will result in a shift to Community 4.2 that shows an increase in oak sprouting and increases in broomsedge densities.
Submodel
Description
States that were subjected to repeated, high-grading timber harvests and uncontrolled domestic grazing transitioned to a High-Graded/Grazed Woodland state. This state exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less desirable tree species, and weedy understory species such as coralberry, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. The existing vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive cattle stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff.
Two common transitions from this state are woody clearing and conversion to State 4, grassland or removing livestock, limited harvesting, and allowing long term succession to occur to some other woodland state.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition typically results from even-aged management, younger canopy ages, and prescribed fire.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest and fire suppression.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearing and conversion to non-native cool season grassland.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of high-grade harvesting and uncontrolled domestic livestock grazing.
Mechanism
This restoration transition generally requires extended rotations that allow mature trees to exceed ages of about 120 years along with prescribed fire.
Mechanism
This transition typically results with initial uneven-age management and eventual cessation of any management.
Mechanism
This restoration transition generally requires extended rotations that allow mature trees to exceed ages of about 120 years along with prescribed fire.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from active even-age management.
Mechanism
This transition typically results with tree planting, long-term succession, and no grazing.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of light intermittent grazing, long idle periods and increased woody growth and development.
Mechanism
This transition typically results with uneven-age management, tree planting and livestock exclusion.
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.