Limestone Uplands
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
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
- Transition T4A 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
This State is a oak-hickory or mixed oak hardwood forest.
The Hierarchical Classification Relationship to reference this community is:
Scientific Name: Southern Interior Low Plateau Dry-Mesic Oak Forest
Unique Identifier: CES202.898
Submodel
Description
This state will consist of whatever grass and/or forbs have been seeded and managed for. Most common is fescue or fescue - orchard grass -clover mix. Native or non-native grasses could be grown on these sites.
Submodel
Description
This state is a successional vegetation state which without interference will move naturally from a managed pasture scenario to an unmanaged pasture to a shrubland to a mixed woodland. Each of these phases would exhibit differing dominant species - grasses to shrubs to trees. However, timber stand improvement would be needed to achieve a quality oak or oak-hickory reference state community.
Submodel
Description
The dominant species in this state will depend upon what is planted and what the landowner management goals are. Corn, soybean, wheat, and tobacco are just some of the crops found on these soils. USDA-NRCS county soil surveys are available to landowner and provide production data for croplands based on soil series.
Submodel
Mechanism
This is a transitional (successional) state. This state could occur due to disturbances which remove the overstory canopy.
This state would also occur moving from a managed to unmanaged pasture. Tree species would encroach. Forest state management would be required to achieve a quality mixed oak or oak hickory forest.
Mechanism
Restoration of an oak-hickory or mixed-oak forest from a pasture state. Multiple forest conservation practices would be required to successfully restore this reference community. Forest management planning, weed control, plantings, brush management, and even fire management may be warranted.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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Tree/Shrub Site Preparation |
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Tree/Shrub Establishment |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Invasive Plant Species Control |
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Forest Management Plan - Written |
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Forest Management Plan - Applied |
Mechanism
Managed pasture to abandoned pasture. natural successional changes will occur including brush and trees encroaching on the site. Often these sites have high wildlife values.
Mechanism
Pastureland to croplands. Crops seeded will depend on management goals.
Mechanism
Restoration of a oak-hickory or mixed-oak forest would require multiple conservation practices and long-term management inputs. Practices may include brush and non-native species control and desired tree species plantings. the development of a comprehensive forest management plan would be the initial step toward a successful forestland restoration goal.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Site Preparation |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Establishment |
|
|
Forest Stand Improvement |
|
|
Forest Management Plan - Written |
|
|
Forest Management Plan - Applied |
Mechanism
Transitional site to managed pasture. Management activities may include brush removal, weed control, seeding, fertilizer, etc.
Mechanism
Management transition from pasture to cropland. Seeded species will depend upon management objectives.
Mechanism
Restoration of cropland to a oak-hickory or mixed oak forest would require multiple forest stand improvement activities. A comprehensive forest management plan would be the first step in restoring this high quality environment.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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|
Tree/Shrub Establishment |
|
|
Forest Stand Improvement |
|
|
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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|
Forest Management Plan - Written |
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|
Forest Management Plan - Applied |
Model keys
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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.