Convergent Uplands
Circle-spoke model
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
BpS Dominant and Indicator Species
Symbol Scientific Name Common Name
FAGR Fagus grandifolia American beech
LITU Liriodendron tulipifera Tuliptree
ACSA3 Acer saccharum Sugar maple
TIAMH Tilia americana var. heterophylla American basswood
QURU Quercus rubra Northern red oak
JUNI Juglans nigra Black walnut
CADE12 Castanea dentata American chestnut
TSCA Tsuga canadensis Eastern hemlock
Disturbance Description
The mixed-mesophytic forest type is fire regime class III, surface fires with return intervals 30-100yrs+ (Wade et al. 2000). Mixed severity fires will occur approximately every 500yrs opening the canopy with increased mortality. This effect may also be achieved by recurrent, severe insect defoliations or droughts. Straight-line winds or microbursts may cause blow-downs on a scale of 1 to 100ac. Due to the mesic nature of these forests, stand replacement fires happen very infrequently. Ice storm damage is a more common disturbance than fire in this system, and yet ice storm frequency directly feeds into fuel loading at these sites. The oaks found within this forest type are susceptible to Gypsy Moth, but these effects are not included in this model since it is a recent invasive. Another prominent current issue is Oak Decline, but its impact on reference conditions is not known.
The reference state is a combination of several vegetation associations of the following systems as described by NatureServe(2007):
• CES 202.887 South-Central Interior Mesophytic Forest
• CES 202.373 Southern and Central Appalachian Cove Forest
Due to the heterogeneity and the broadness of this provisional ecological site, the plant communities listed are not intended to cover every situation nor the full range of conditions and species. There are no transition pathways designated between the communities in the reference state because the differences in vegetation are more controlled by landscape position or inherent soil fertility than management or disturbance.
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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.