Mixed Metamorphic And Granitic Upland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Restoration pathway R3B More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
- Restoration pathway R4B 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
The reference state is a combination of several vegetation communities within the Northeastern Interior Dry-Mesic Oak Forest, the Central Appalachian Dry Oak-Pine Forest, and the Central Appalachian Pine-Oak Rocky Woodland Forest Systems as defined by NatureServe (NatureServe 2009). These are oak-dominated, mostly closed canopy forests that occur as matrix (dominant) types through much of the Appalachians. Oak species characteristic of dry to mesic conditions and hickories are dominant in mature stands. Convex, shallow, exposed ridgetop, and rocky areas will tend to have more open canopies and will include pine species. The communities listed below have been documented on this ecological site and are associated with the Northern Blue Ridge. Due to the heterogeneity and the broadness of this provisional ecological unit, they are not intended to cover every situation or the full range of conditions and species for this site. There are no transition pathways designated between the three communities in the reference state because the differences in vegetation is more controlled by landscape position than management or disturbance.
Submodel
Submodel
Submodel
Mechanism
Logging, but no agricultural conversion. Trees are allowed to stump sprout, soil is minimally disturbed, seed bank remains. Fire suppression allows fire sensitive species like tuliptree, red maple, and birches to out compete oak seedlings in the understory.
Mechanism
Logging, clearing, and then planting of non-native pasture grass mixes, and grazing. Maintenance with periodic mowing to prevent trees and shrubs from reestablishing.
Mechanism
Logging followed by agricultural conversion. Soil surface is disturbed by tillage or clearing of tree stumps and vegetation, and allows colonization by successional species. Field is then abandoned. If surrounding forests are still intact, they can provide native seed sources. If surrounding forests are not intact, or area is surrounded by agriculture, or other human development, nonnative species may become dominant.
Mechanism
Control of understory to allow oak seedling recruitment. Prescribed fire will further advance the growth of oaks over fire sensitive species.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Critical Area Planting |
|
|
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
|
|
Forest Trails and Landings |
|
|
Forest Stand Improvement |
|
|
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
|
|
Invasive Plant Species Control |
|
|
Forest Management Plan - Written |
|
|
Monitoring and Evaluation |
|
|
Herbaceous Weed Control |
Mechanism
Logging, clearing, and then planting of non-native pasture grass mixes, and grazing. Maintenance with periodic mowing to prevent trees and shrubs from reestablishing.
Mechanism
Logging followed by agricultural conversion. Soil surface is disturbed by tillage or clearing of tree stumps and vegetation, and allows colonization by successional species. Field is then abandoned. If surrounding forests are still intact, they can provide native seed sources. If surrounding forests are not intact, or area is surrounded by agriculture, or other human development, nonnative species may become dominant.
Mechanism
Return to the reference or post logged minimally managed state may require a very long term series of costly management options and stages. Many species may need to be planted or seeded to restore the system. If using acorns, direct seeding must be done fairly heavily. Herbivory can be a problem as well as competition from faster growing species. Depending on the existing seed bank and the proximity of a mature forest from which to recruit seeds, ruderal forests may regain a mixed forest stand. Nevertheless, sites that have been cleared and tilled have significant soil disturbance which may include compaction, erosion, loss of native soil structure, loss of soil organic matter, disruption of soil microorganisms, all which affect the soil’s nutrient availability and water holding capacity (Duiker and Myers, 2005). These characteristics favor recolonization by plant species that have wind dispersed seeds (verses those that propogate through underground roots called rhizomes, or which have heavy seeds that stay near the parent tree), are shade intolerant, have rapid to moderate growth rates, and drought tolerance. These communities are distinctly different from the reference forest state (Dyer, 2010).
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Critical Area Planting |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Site Preparation |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Establishment |
|
|
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
|
|
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
|
|
Invasive Plant Species Control |
|
|
Monitoring and Evaluation |
|
|
Herbaceous Weed Control |
Mechanism
Abandonment of pasture or old field. Discontinue mowing and do not allow grazing. Allow natural regeneration.
Mechanism
Return to the reference or post logged minimally managed state may require a very long term series of costly management options and stages. Many species may need to be planted or seeded to restore the system. If using acorns, direct seeding must be done fairly heavily. Herbivory can be a problem as well as competition from faster growing species. Depending on the existing seed bank and the proximity of a mature forest from which to recruit seeds, ruderal forests may regain a mixed forest stand. Nevertheless, sites that have been cleared and tilled have significant soil disturbance which may include compaction, erosion, loss of native soil structure, loss of soil organic matter, disruption of soil microorganisms, all which affect the soil’s nutrient availability and water holding capacity (Duiker and Myers, 2005). These characteristics favor recolonization by plant species that have wind dispersed seeds (verses those that propagate through underground roots called rhizomes, or which have heavy seeds that stay near the parent tree), are shade intolerant, have rapid to moderate growth rates, and drought tolerance. These communities are distinctly different from the reference forest state (Dyer, 2010).
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Critical Area Planting |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Site Preparation |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Establishment |
|
|
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
|
|
Forest Trails and Landings |
|
|
Forest Stand Improvement |
|
|
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
|
|
Invasive Plant Species Control |
|
|
Forest Management Plan - Written |
|
|
Monitoring and Evaluation |
|
|
Herbaceous Weed Control |
Mechanism
Return to the reference or post logged minimally managed state may require a very long term series of costly management options and stages. Many species may need to be planted or seeded to restore the system. If using acorns, direct seeding must be done fairly heavily. Herbivory can be a problem as well as competition from faster growing species. Depending on the existing seed bank and the proximity of a mature forest from which to recruit seeds, ruderal forests may regain a mixed forest stand. Nevertheless, sites that have been cleared and tilled have significant soil disturbance which may include compaction, erosion, loss of native soil structure, loss of soil organic matter, disruption of soil microorganisms, all which affect the soil’s nutrient availability and water holding capacity (Duiker and Myers, 2005). These characteristics favor recolonization by plant species that have wind dispersed seeds (verses those that propagate through underground roots called rhizomes, or which have heavy seeds that stay near the parent tree), are shade intolerant, have rapid to moderate growth rates, and drought tolerance. These communities are distinctly different from the reference forest state (Dyer, 2010).
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
|
|
Prescribed Burning |
|
|
Critical Area Planting |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Site Preparation |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Establishment |
|
|
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
|
|
Forest Trails and Landings |
|
|
Forest Stand Improvement |
|
|
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
|
|
Invasive Plant Species Control |
|
|
Forest Management Plan - Written |
|
|
Monitoring and Evaluation |
|
|
Herbaceous Weed Control |
Model keys
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