![3561](https://edit.jornada.nmsu.edu/uploads/large/es/pc/3561.jpg)
Fragipan Upland Woodland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- 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
- Transition T2C More details
- Restoration pathway R1A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Transition T3C More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Transition T4C More details
- Transition T5A More details
- Restoration pathway R6A More details
- Transition T6B More details
- Transition T6C 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
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Description
These open woodland communities were strongly influenced by fire. Herbivory by native (now expatriated) ungulates also played a role. Consequently, this maintained drought and fire-tolerant post, black and blackjack oaks over a ground flora of tallgrass prairie grasses, sedges and wildflowers. There are two phases associated with this Reference State.
Submodel
Description
Most current areas of Fragipan Upland Woodlands have suffered fire exclusion for decades. In the absence of fire, ongoing recruitment of trees develops into a closed canopy, shading out the rich herbaceous ground flora. This results in the formation of the post oak, black oak, black hickory closed woodland. Black oak and white oak increase in the canopy. Herbaceous cover and diversity greatly diminishes, leaf litter builds up, and only a few shade-tolerant woodland species persist, such as elmleaf goldenrod, panicgrass and spreading aster. The understory also develops with oak and hickory saplings along with sassafras and black cherry. Single-tree timber harvest often occurs, resulting in a stimulation of understory saplings and herbaceous vegetation. However, without fire, the reference species richness and open structure do not return.
Submodel
Description
Although many of the closed Fragipan Upland Woodlands are now fenced, most have been heavily grazed by domestic livestock at some point in their history. Grazing decreases the cover and abundance of saplings, shrubs and herbaceous ground flora, opening up the understory. Weedy native shrubs and vines, such as coralberry, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper, often flourish after grazing, and exotic species like tall fescue and sericea lespedeza increase in abundance. Poorly managed grazing can cause compaction and denudation of the soil surface, allowing mats of lichens and mosses to flourish. Soil compaction may also further limit height growth of trees. With poorly managed grazing, this can result in an increase in weedy natives such as broomsedge, and exotics such as sericea lespedeza if they are present. Single-tree timber harvesting also occurred, resulting in a high grading of the canopy structure, creating many stands with poorly formed trees.
Submodel
Description
The Pine Plantation state results from clearing the oak woodlands and planting shortleaf pine. Shortleaf pine grows well on less-productive sites, so the practice was common during reforestation of the Ozarks in the middle of the 20th century. The plantations are typically dense, mature stands of pine with deep leaf litter and little understory or groundflora vegetation. A return from this condition to a woodland state requires enormous energy inputs.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of these woodlands to planted, non-native grassland species such as tall fescue and red clover has been common occurrence. Clearing is often done by bulldozing. This practice often strips the thin topsoil along with most of the native ground cover plants. Occasionally, clumps of trees will be left in small groves for shade, giving the structural appearance of historic woodlands. However, Fragipan Upland Woodlands have most often been converted into wide, open fescue grasslands, adjacent to densely overgrown and grazed woodlots. A return from this condition to a reference state requires enormous cost and management inputs.
Submodel
Description
Although this state is currently uncommon, Fragipan Upland Woodlands have the potential to support controlled grazing while maintaining a near-reference composition and structure. Short periods of rotational grazing, especially during the hot, dry summer season, along with thinning and prescribed fire, has the potential to create an open, diverse woodland with abundant native forage. Controlled grazing may emulate historical grazing by native herbivores and create a structural diversity in the ground flora that may be beneficial to ground-nesting birds.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition results from fire suppression combined with timber harvests and domestic grazing.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting pasture species. Topsoil can be relocated to bulldozed burn piles or lost to erosion 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 thinning the canopy species, combined with prescribed fire and well-managed domestic grazing.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of poorly managed domestic grazing and timber harvesting.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearcutting the hardwood canopy species and planting shortleaf pine.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting pasture species. Topsoil can be relocated to bulldozed burn piles or lost to erosion 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
Exclude domestic grazing; thinning; prescribed fire - 2-5 years; long rotations of 70-80 years.
Mechanism
This transition results from the exclusion of domestic grazing and forest stand improvement.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearcutting the hardwood canopy species and planting shortleaf pine.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of planting shortleaf pine, combined with prescribed fire and well-managed domestic grazing.
Mechanism
This transition results from clearcut harvest of the shortleaf pine, combined with fire exclusion and long-term succession.
Mechanism
This transition results from clearcut harvest of the shortleaf pine, combined with fire exclusion and long-term succession, under the influence of domestic grazing.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearing the pine community and planting pasture species. Topsoil can be relocated to bulldozed burn piles or lost to erosion 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 results from the cessation of cattle grazing and associated pasture management such as mowing and brush-hogging. Herbicide application, tree planting and timber stand improvement techniques can speed up this otherwise very lengthy transition.
Mechanism
Exclude domestic grazing; prescribed fire 2-5 years; long rotations of 70-80 years.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting pasture species. Topsoil can be relocated to bulldozed burn piles or lost to erosion 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.
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.