Chert 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 T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Restoration pathway R1A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Transition T5A More details
- Transition T6B More details
- Transition T6A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The historical reference state for this ecological site was old growth, oak woodland. The reference state was dominated by white oak and black 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 5). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with uncontrolled domestic livestock grazing (State 6). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Some former reference states have been managed effectively for timber harvests, resulting in either even-age (State 2) or uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.
Submodel
Description
This state starts with a sequence of early seral mixed oak woodlands, which mature over time. These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a depauperate 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. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, will either maintain this state, or convert the site to uneven-age (State 3) woodlands. Prescribed fire without extensive timber harvest will, over time, cause a transition to Managed Oak Woodlands (state 4).
Submodel
Description
Composition and stand age are likely altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. In addition, 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. Uneven Age Managed Woodland is also denser because of fire suppression. Consequently, the woodland ground flora is suppressed, and structural diversity is increased. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like sassafras and hickory, increase in abundance.
Submodel
Description
The Managed Silvopasture state results from managing woodland communities (States 2 or 3) with prescribed fire, canopy thinning, and controlled grazing. This state can resemble the reference state, but with younger maximum tree ages, more open canopies and lower ground flora diversity. Cessation of grazing and controlled harvesting will allow transition to various managed woodland states.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of woodlands to planted, non-native cool season grassland species such as tall fescue is common for this region. Steep slopes, surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity 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 5.2 that shows an increase in oak sprouting and increases in broomsedge densities. If grazing and active pasture management is discontinued, the site will eventually transition to State 2 from this phase.
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 5, 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-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest along with fire suppression.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting pasture species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter. Liming and fertilizing associated with pasture management typically raises the soil pH and increases the cation concentration (such as calcium and magnesium) of the upper soil horizons.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of poorly planned timber harvest techniques such as high-grading, accompanied by unmanaged cattle grazing. Soil erosion and compaction often result from cattle grazing after the understory has been damaged.
Mechanism
This restoration transition generally requires forest management practices with extended rotations that allow mature trees to exceed ages of about 120 years along with prescribed fire.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of the systematic application of prescribed fire and grazing management. Mechanical thinning may also be used.
Mechanism
This restoration pathway is the result of the systematic application of prescribed fire. Mechanical thinning may also be used along with understory removal and extended rotations.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from even-age forest management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest and no grazing.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest and cessation of grazing.
Mechanism
This transition results from the cessation of cattle grazing and associated pasture management such as mowing and brush management. Herbicide application, tree planting and timber stand improvement techniques can speed up this otherwise very lengthy transition.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest. Tree planting, mechanical thinning and other timber stand improvement techniques may be helpful to decrease the transition time.
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.