Low-Base Sandstone Exposed Backslope Woodland
List model
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
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
- Transition T1F More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Restoration pathway T4B More details
- Restoration pathway R5A More details
- Transition T5A More details
- Restoration pathway R6A More details
- Restoration pathway T6A More details
- Transition T6B More details
- Restoration pathway T7A More details
- Transition T8A More details
- Transition T8C More details
- Restoration pathway T9A 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 reference state for this ecological site was old growth oak or oak-pine woodland. The reference state was dominated by black oak, post oak and scarlet oak or with shortleaf pine as a common overstory component within the Ozark historic pine range. 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 geographic location. The reference state for this ecological site can fluctuate between phases 1. Within the native pine range phase 1.2 was dominant.
Submodel
Description
Where all of the shortleaf pine was removed, this system became dominated by oaks. 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 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. Prescribed fire without extensive timber harvest will, over time, cause a transition to Fire Managed Oak Woodland (State 4).
Submodel
Description
Where shortleaf pine was removed from the system, but uneven-age management was applied, this system became dominated by oaks. Composition is likely altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. Scarlet oak is often more abundant than historically. 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 oak species will become less dominant. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like hickory, increase in abundance.
Submodel
Description
Where pine was removed from the system, the Fire Managed Oak Woodland State will result from managing woodland communities from States 2 or 3 with prescribed fire. This state can resemble phase 1.1 of the reference state, but with younger maximum tree ages and lower ground flora diversity.
Submodel
Description
Where some shortleaf pine remained after initial harvest, this state may occur. The Fire Managed Oak-Pine Woodland state results from managing State 6 with selective thinning and prescribed fire. A more open structure with abundant ground flora can be restored. It will take time to recover older maximum tree ages and ground flora diversity and cover to resemble the reference state (phase 1.2).
Submodel
Description
Where some shortleaf pine remained after initial harvest, the Managed Oak-Pine Woodland State may occur. While shortleaf pine lets more light to the ground than oak, these even-aged woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a depauperate understory and ground flora due to an increase in oak and hickory density. 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. A return to the phase 1.2 of the reference state will require prescribed fire along with no harvest or long rotations to restore uneven-age structure and pine densities and increase maximum tree age.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of woodlands to non-native cool season grassland species such as tall fescue has been common. Low available water, abundant surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity make non-native grasslands difficult to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered patches of tall, mature shortleaf pine. If grazing and pasture management is discontinued, oak sprouts will occur and the site will eventually transition to State 2. Forest stand improvement and tree planting practices can hasten this process.
Submodel
Description
Ecological sites subjected to repeated, high-grading timber harvests and uncontrolled domestic grazing transition to this 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 vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff. This state can be transitioned to a grassland state through clearing and grassland planting or to a shortleaf pine plantation through clearing, tree planting and fire control.
Submodel
Description
Many areas were planted to plantations of shortleaf pine from the 1940s to the early 1960s. They are now mature plantations that are usually a mono-culture of a dense shortleaf pine overstory with a brush understory of oak and hickory and a dense carpet of pine needles on the ground. They lack the diversity and structure. Restoration to phase 1.2 of the reference state is a long-term prospect, requiring extensive thinning, long-term prescribed fire, and perhaps planting of native ground flora species.
Submodel
Mechanism
Poorly planned harvest (high grading); uncontrolled grazing; fire suppression
Mechanism
Restoration to community phase 1.1A. Prescribed fire; uneven-age management; extended rotations
Mechanism
Forest stand improvement; extended rotations; prescribed fire
Mechanism
Pines absent; fire suppression; uneven-age management
Mechanism
Within shortleaf pine range - Prescribed fire; uneven-age management; extended rotations
Mechanism
Retain shortleaf pine; uneven-age management; extended rotations
Mechanism
Restoration activities to community phase 1.2A: Prescribed fire; uneven-age management; extended rotations; retain shortleaf pine
Mechanism
Prescribed fire; uneven-age management; extended rotations; retain shortleaf pine
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.