Floodplains
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
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Restoration pathway R3B 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
Forested floodplains typically consist of water tolerant oaks, red maples, black gum, sweet gum, elm, tulip poplar, shortleaf pine and Virginia pine; with aquatic grasses and sedges in places.
Description
Pasture crops are primarily baniagrass, coastal bermudagrass, or fescue grass with a legume. Other crops include corn, soybeans, cotton, and small grains.
Description
Where previously disturbed, sites can become overrun by non-native, invasive plants. In the worst cases, these sites will not regenerate to naturalized forests unless measures are taken to control the problem plants. The non-native privets are among the worst problem plants on this ecological site.
Mechanism
Pastureland establishment or renovation; vegetation removal (mechanical/chemical); seedbed preparation; planting desired species at appropriate rate. Cropland would be established similarly, by clearing and planting. Soil health should be a consideration.
Mechanism
Abandonment after disturbance; invasion by non-native, invasive plant species
Mechanism
In most cases, an abandoned pasture will revert to forest naturally. However, invasive exotic plants are almost always a problem following this type of major disturbance. If desirable, several management practices can improve the chances of restoration to a more native forest state including managing for species adapted/favored to the site; potential planting, competitor control - herbicide and/or mechanical, continual Timber Stand Improvement (TSI), which would require a forest management plan. Cropland can be even more disturbed and restoration practices would have to be site specific and account for past land-use.
Mechanism
Abandonment; introduction (typically unintentional) of non-native, invasive plant species
Restoration pathway R3A
Mechanism
Natural succession or tree planting and subsequent site-specific forest management. Control of invasive, exotic plant species. Control measures should be site-specific based on existing conditions.
Mechanism
Control of non-native, invasive plant species, clearing; Pastureland or cropland establishment: seedbed preparation; planting desired species at appropriate rates.
Invasive plants can be controlled using a number of methods including but not exclusive to mechanical control, chemical control, and if possible, biological control. Each site should be considered individually.
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.