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Ecological site F133BY006TX

Northern Sandy Loam Upland

Last updated: 12/13/2023
Accessed: 11/23/2024

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General information

Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 133B–Western Coastal Plain

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 133B, Western Coastal Plain is in eastern Texas, western Louisiana, and the southwest corner of Arkansas. The area is dominated by coniferous forest covering 45,450 square miles (29,088,000 acres). The region is a hugely diverse transition zone between the eastern deciduous forests and the central grasslands to the west.

Classification relationships

NatureServe, 2002
- CEGL007946 – West Gulf Coastal Subxeric Shortleaf Pine – Oak Forest

Soil Survey Staff, 2011
- Woodland Suitability Group 2s2

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2006.
-Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 133B

Van Kley et. Al., 2007
- 231Eg.12.1.20 – Shortleaf Pine-Blackjack Oak/Schizachyrium Arenic Dry Uplands

Ecological site concept

The Northern Sandy Loam Uplands site has a sandy or loamy surface soil with a gradual increase in clay through the subsurface horizons. The gradual increase in clay content aids in moisture retention, allowing the formation of a well-developed vegetative community. The ecological site has more biomass development than the deep sandy uplands, sometimes located adjacently upslope, and a more open canopy than the adjacent clayey uplands, located downslope.

Associated sites

F133BY004TX	Loamy Claypan Upland Sites have an abrupt textural change from loam to clay and are sometimes shallow to bedrock.
F133BY013TX	Terrace Sites are on a lower terrace position.
F133BY003TX	Loamy Over Clayey Upland Sites are clayey throughout their horizon profile.
F133BY008TX	Northern Deep Sandy Upland Sites have deeper sands before there is any clay accumulation. Vegetation is more sparse.

Similar sites

F133BY005TX	Loamy Upland Sites have loamy textures throughout their entirety as opposed to sands.
F133BY007TX	Southern Sandy Loam Upland Very similar site except located on the southern geologies of MLRA 133B. Longleaf pine is the major overstory tree instead of shortleaf pine.
F133BY013TX	Terrace Sites are located on a lower terrace position.
F133BY008TX	Northern Deep Sandy Upland Sites have deeper sands before increasing in clay content.
F133BY009TX	Southern Deep Sandy Upland Sites have deeper sand before an increase in clay content. Also located on southern geologies of MRLA with longleaf pine as major overstory tree.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Pinus echinata (2) Quercus marilandica
Shrub	(1) Vaccinium arboreum
Herbaceous	(1) Schizachyrium scoparium

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Physiographic features

The ecological site includes areas of gently sloping to moderately steep uplands. Slopes are dominantly 1 to 8 percent but ranges from 0 to 35 percent. Elevation ranges from 160 to 700 feet. The topography of the area includes stream divides and sideslopes.

Figure 1. Sandy/Loamy Uplands and associated sites.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Coastal plain > Interfluve
Runoff class	Negligible to low
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	49 – 213 m
Slope	1 – 8%
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)

Runoff class	Not specified
Flooding frequency	Not specified
Ponding frequency	Not specified
Elevation	Not specified
Slope	0 – 35%

Climatic features

Climate feature narrative: The climate of the Western Coastal Plain (MLRA 133B) is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. Canadian air masses that move southward across Texas and Louisiana over the Gulf of Mexico in winter produce cool, cloudy, rainy weather with only rare cold waves that moderate in one or two days. Precipitation is distributed fairly even throughout the year and is most often in the form of slow and gentle rains.

Spring weather can be variable. March is relatively dry while thunderstorm activities increase in April and May. Occasional slow-moving thunderstorms or other weather disturbances may dump excessive amounts of precipitation on the area. Fall has moderate temperatures. Fall experiences an increase of precipitation and frequently has periods of mild, dry, sunny weather. Heavy rain may occur early in the fall because of tropical disturbances, which move westward from the gulf. Tropical storms are a threat to the area in the summer and fall but severe storms are rare. Prolonged droughts and snowfall are rare.

The total annual precipitation ranges from 39 inches in the western part of the region to 60 inches in the eastern part of the region. Approximately 50 percent of the rainfall occurs between April and September, which includes the growing season for most crops. Thunderstorms occur on about 50 days each year and most occur during the summer.

The average relative humidity in mid-afternoon is about 60 percent. Humidity is higher at night and the average at dawn is about 90 percent. The sun shines 70 percent of the time in summer and 50 percent in winter. The prevailing wind is from the south-southeast. Average wind-speed is highest at 11 miles per hour in spring.

Table 4. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (average)	216 days
Freeze-free period (average)	250 days
Precipitation total (average)	1,372 mm

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Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

Bar

Line

Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 4. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 5. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) SPARKMAN [USC00036768], Sparkman, AR
(2) BIENVILLE 3 NE [USC00160800], Bienville, LA
(3) CENTERVILLE [USC00411596], Centerville, TX
(4) SAN AUGUSTINE [USC00417951], San Augustine, TX
(5) DAINGERFIELD 9 S [USC00412225], Daingerfield, TX
(6) RUSK [USC00417841], Rusk, TX
(7) MAGNOLIA [USC00034548], Magnolia, AR
(8) RUSTON LA TECH [USC00168067], Ruston, LA
(9) ATHENS [USC00410404], Athens, TX
(10) HENDERSON [USC00414081], Henderson, TX
(11) EL DORADO S AR RGNL AP [USW00093992], El Dorado, AR
(12) ATLANTA [USC00410408], Atlanta, TX

Soil features

The soils of this site are deep and characterized by sands through the A and E profiles. The Bt layer is generally a sandy clay loam occurring between 20 and 40 inches continuing through the lower profiles of the soil. The Briley series is a representative soil and consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in sandy and loamy Coastal Plain sediments. The series is classified as a loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Arenic Paleudult. Other soils are included within the ecological site and all are defined by their upper horizons of sands and presence of an argillic between 20 and 40 inches. Besides the Briley series, Darbonne, Larue, Lilbert, Rentzel, Rosalie, Tenaha, Trep, and Wolfpen are correlated to the ecological site.

Table 5. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Marine deposits – sandstone and shale
Surface texture	(1) Loamy fine sand
Family particle size	(1) Loamy
Drainage class	Well drained to moderately well drained
Permeability class	Moderate to slow
Soil depth	203 cm
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0%
Surface fragment cover >3"	0%
Available water capacity (0-101.6cm)	7.62 – 12.7 cm
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm)	0%
Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm)	0 – 2 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm)	0
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm)	4.5 – 6.5
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 4%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	0%

Ecological dynamics

The information in this ecological site description (ESD), including the state-and-transition model (STM), was developed using archeological and historical data, professional experience, and scientific studies. The information is representative of a complex set of plant communities. Not all scenarios or plants are included. Key indicator plants, animals, and ecological processes are described to inform land management decisions.

Introduction – Southern Arkansas, western Louisiana, and eastern Texas have been deemed the Pineywoods because of the vast expanse of pine trees. The region represents the western edge of the southern coniferous belt. Historically, the area was covered by pines with mixed hardwoods, sparse shrubs, and a diverse understory of grasses and forbs. Fire played a significant role in reducing the woody competition that generally out-competes the herbaceous understory layer. Fire suppression and land conversion have reduced the amount of historical communities in existence today.

Background – Prior to settlement by the Europeans, the reference state for the Northern Sandy Loam Uplands was a Shortleaf Pine/Blackjack Oak (Pinus echinata/Quercus marilandica) Woodland. Remnants of this presumed historic plant community still exist where natural conditions are replicated through conservation management techniques. Evidence of the reference state is found in accounts of early historic explorers to the area, historic forest and biological survey teams, as well as recent ecological studies in the last 30 years. The community is an uneven-aged woodland with a diverse understory of grasses and forbs.

Settlement Management – As human settlement increased throughout the area, so did the increase in logging and grazing by domestic livestock. The logging became so extensive that by the 1930’s most of the region had been cut-over. Replanting trees to historic communities was not common and early foresters began planting loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) for its quick growth. As more people colonized they began suppressing fire, which allowed dense thickets of shrubs to replace the herbaceous understory.

Current Management and State – Today much of the remnant forest is gone, replaced by pine plantations, crops, and pastures. The areas that were not converted have been fire-suppressed so long that loblolly pine and fire intolerant hardwoods populate the overstory structure. Currently, U.S. Forest Service properties are the best place to view the remnant sites. Some private individuals have begun restoring communities through selective tree planting and retention of communities that remain. Other restoration efforts include mimicking natural-disturbance regimes through gap-phase regeneration on plantation sites.

Fire Regimes – Fire was a natural and important disturbance throughout the Western Gulf Plain. Fire occurred naturally from lightning strikes and was started by Native Americans for game movement. The reference community developed with a frequency of fire every 1 to 3 years. Fires usually occurred in early spring, removing senescent vegetation, recycling nutrients and minerals, and spurring new plant growth. Late summer fires occurred as well, but with a different community effect. Summer fires burned hotter and with more intensity, greatly suppressing the shrub canopy layer. The summer fires also shifted the ecological site transitional state by decreasing grass densities and increasing forb densities. The topography, fuel loads, and other conditions caused patchy burns throughout the region resulting in mosaic patterns of plant communities and a heterogeneous landscape.

Disturbance Regimes – Extreme weather events occur occasionally throughout the region. Tornados uproot trees and open canopies in the spring months. In the late summer and early fall, hurricanes or tropical depressions often make landfall, dumping excessive amounts of rain and toppling trees with high winds. Another cause of large canopy openings is the effects of the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis). Starting in the late 1950’s, beetle outbreaks have occurred every 6 to 9 years (although a major attack has not occurred in some time), usually when the trees are stressed due to multiple environmental factors.

Plant Community Interactions – The mixture of sands, loams, and clays in the soil profile provides the vegetative community with readily accessible water. Therefore, abundant vegetative species occur and large accumulations of biomass are common. Due to the ability to rapidly grow plants, the areas carried fire on frequent intervals, probably 1 to 3 years. The length of fire intervals, coupled with the soils inability to hold significant moisture, creates an open canopy (60 to 80 percent). The understory is dominated by little bluestem, a variety of forbs, and farkleberry (Vacinium arboreum). Overstory-canopy trees are usually dominated by shortleaf pine with blackjack oak and post oak (Quercus stellata) mixed in.

State and transition model

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

5. Pasture and Cropland

States 1, 5 and 2 (additional transitions)

1. Woodland

5. Pasture and Cropland

2. Mixed Mid-story

T1A	-	Fire suppression, no management
T1B	-	Clearcut, site preparation, tree planting
T1C	-	Clearcut, grass/crop planting
R2A	-	Selective timber harvest, prescribed burns
T2A	-	Fire suppression, no management
T2B	-	Clearcut, site preparation, tree planting
T2C	-	Clearcut, grass/crop planting
R3A	-	Selective timber harvest, mid-story shrub control, prescribed burns
T3A	-	Clearcut, site preparation, tree planting
T3B	-	Clearcut, grass/crop planting
R4A	-	Gap-phase regeneration or clearcut with tree planting
T4A	-	Fire suppression, no management
T4B	-	Clearcut, grass/crop planting
R5A	-	Tree planting, mid-story shrub control, prescribed burns
T5A	-	Clearcut, site preparation, tree planting

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Shortleaf Pine/Blackjack Oak Woodland

1.2. Fire-primed Understory

1.1A	-	Natural development between fire intervals
1.2A	-	Fire (1-3 year interval)

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Mixed Mid-story

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Dense Mixed Forest

3.2. No Overstory

3.1A	-	Fire suppression, no management
3.2A	-	Clearcut or natural disturbance

State 4 submodel, plant communities

4.1. Pine/Hardwood Plantation

State 5 submodel, plant communities

5.1. Planted Pasture and Row Crop

State 1
Woodland

There are two communities in the Woodland State: Shortleaf Pine/Blackjack Oak Woodland Community (1.1) and the Fire-primed Understory Community (1.2). The reference state has a moderate overstory cover (60 to 80 percent) of shortleaf pine with an upland oak mixed in (blackjack oak and post oak are most common). The understory is diverse, dominated by grasses and forbs. Significant portions of the forest floor are dominated by little bluestem, sometimes up to 75 percent of the site. Saplings and some shrubs are in the area, but make up a small percentage of the mid-story canopy. The forest composition is uneven-aged with members of the pine community probably over 200 years old. Natural disturbances of fires, lightning strikes, hurricanes (wind throw), ice events (rare), and beetle infestations maintain the uneven-age structure. The natural canopy spacing is kept intact by periodic fires ranging from 1 to 3 years. Representative basal areas range from 50 to 90 square feet per acre. The basal area and canopy cover generally increase at a parallel rate. Growth competition can be seen in the outer rings on trees in locations where the basal area exceeds 100 square feet per acre.

Community 1.1
Shortleaf Pine/Blackjack Oak Woodland

Shortleaf pine trees comprise the majority of the overstory. The occurrence in the overstory on any given site is between 75 to 100 percent. Blackjack and post oaks have established on some sites, comprising up to 20 percent of the overall canopy structure. Farkleberry, winged sumac (Rhus copallinum), yaupon (Ilex vomitoria), sassafras (Sassafras albidium), and oak saplings are common in the mid-story layer, increasing in abundance with time since last fire. Both communities are characterized by a diverse ground layer with sometimes large accumulations of plant litter, 15 to 45 percent. Little bluestem and needleleaf rosette grass (Dichanthelium aciculare) are the most abundant grasses seen in the two communities, at times seemingly dominating the entire area. Indicator forbs include Virginia tephrosia (Tephrosia virginiana), St. Andrew’s cross (Hypericum hypericoides), Nuttall’s wild indigo (Baptistia nuttalliana), and Atlanta pigeonwings (Clitoria mariana).

Table 6. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-20%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	5-25%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	50-75%
Forb foliar cover	5-25%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0%
Litter	15-45%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0%
Surface fragments >3"	0%
Bedrock	0%
Water	0%
Bare ground	0-10%

Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)

Height Above Ground (m)	Tree	Shrub/Vine	Grass/ Grasslike	Forb
<0.15	1-5%	3-20%	5-15%	3-10%
>0.15 <= 0.3	3-20%	5-20%	15-40%	3-5%
>0.3 <= 0.6	1-15%	3-15%	25-75%	1-5%
>0.6 <= 1.4	1-10%	1-10%	5-45%	–
>1.4 <= 4	0-3%	–	–	–
>4 <= 12	5-15%	–	–	–
>12 <= 24	10-50%	–	–	–
>24 <= 37	40-80%	–	–	–
>37	–	–	–	–

Community 1.2
Fire-primed Understory

Phase 1.1 is the most representative community with fire recently traveling through the system. Litter accumulation is minimal and understory vegetation is occupied with grasses and forbs. Phase 1.2 has an increased abundance of grasses and forbs, increasing the fuel load for fire. Litter accumulation has built up, bare ground has lessened, and last year’s vegetative growth may still be seen on the ground layer. Under natural conditions, only fire tolerant saplings will grow into the overstory.

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Shortleaf Pine/Blackjack Oak Woodland

Fire-primed Understory

The driver for the community shift is time since the last fire. As post-fire time increases, so does the foliar cover by shrub species. As the perennial grasses and forbs age, their senesced leaves increase fine fuel levels.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Fire-primed Understory

Shortleaf Pine/Blackjack Oak Woodland

The driver for the community shift is fire. As fire burns through the understory, it encourages a diverse herbaceous layer while suppressing shrubs and tree seedlings.

State 2
Mixed Mid-story

The understory dominance state has crossed a threshold in which normal environmental events cannot transition the community back to State 1. The mid-story canopy has become so thick, it has begun to limit the productivity of the grass/forb-ground layer. The limited ground layer does not provide enough fuel to harbor a burn with the intensity found in State 1.

Community 2.1
Mixed Mid-story

Encroachment by fire intolerant species like sweetgum (Liquidambar stryacifula), red maple (Acer rubrum), and loblolly pine begin to grow in the mid-story. Added foliar cover and litter accumulation increases the water retention on the sites. The shading reduces the unique environment that the indicator species adapted. Both factors combine to allow more generalist species to propagate. Long-leaf wood-oats (Chasmanthium sessiliflorum) and American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) quickly become the most dominant understory vegetation. Tree seedlings have grown higher and are beginning to escape the effects of fire and will become part of the overstory given more time with lack of management. The species present in the reference community will still be found, only in lesser amounts because the canopy cover is creating a better environment for fire-intolerant and shade-loving species.

Table 8. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	20-50%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	35-75%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	10-35%
Forb foliar cover	5-15%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0%
Litter	25-75%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0%
Surface fragments >3"	0%
Bedrock	0%
Water	0%
Bare ground	0-5%

Table 9. Canopy structure (% cover)

Height Above Ground (m)	Tree	Shrub/Vine	Grass/ Grasslike	Forb
<0.15	1-5%	5-35%	3-10%	1-5%
>0.15 <= 0.3	3-10%	10-35%	5-35%	3-10%
>0.3 <= 0.6	5-35%	15-50%	3-25%	1-3%
>0.6 <= 1.4	10-40%	10-65%	0-5%	0-3%
>1.4 <= 4	20-50%	5-20%	–	–
>4 <= 12	20-50%	–	–	–
>12 <= 24	25-50%	–	–	–
>24 <= 37	40-80%	–	–	–
>37	–	–	–	–

State 3
Mixed Forest

A long-term lack of fire and management has caused the plant community to cross two major thresholds resulting in a very-closed canopy community. Fire-intolerant hardwoods, sweetgums, and lowland oaks, have become part of the overstory. The overstory trees are overstocked and limit the growth of neighboring species. The overstocking reduces tree growth and causes stress in overstory trees making them vulnerable to attacks from insects and/or diseases. Shortleaf recruitment may be nonexistent due to lack of light to the forest understory. Loblolly pine may take advantage of the current conditions, but hardwood species will usually outcompete.

Community 3.1
Dense Mixed Forest

The understory plant layer only contains remnants of the State 1 and possibly no indicator species. Shade tolerant grasses, such as longleaf woodoats, and forbs, greenbriers (Smilax sp.), replace the reference species. The shrub-layer canopy cover will be lessened due to the increased shading of the overstory, as compared to State 2. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) may be the only shrub on site. Because the site lacks the diversity found in State 1 the wildlife diversity is reduced to only generalist species, species requiring a closed canopy, and those seeking refuge. Similar to State 2, this ecological state requires management to restore the reference community. Selective timber harvest to remove unwanted hardwood species is the first step to allow the understory to return. Frequent prescribed burns (1 to 2 years) will help suppress the hardwood regeneration, but only after understory fuel levels are adequate. Intense summer fires may also be required. The suppression of overstory seedlings will allow grasses, forbs, and shrubs to reestablish. Shortleaf pine seedlings may have difficulty regenerating and could need manual reseeding.

Table 10. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-15%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	0-25%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	0-15%
Forb foliar cover	0-5%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0%
Litter	65-95%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0%
Surface fragments >3"	0%
Bedrock	0%
Water	0%
Bare ground	0-1%

Table 11. Canopy structure (% cover)

Height Above Ground (m)	Tree	Shrub/Vine	Grass/ Grasslike	Forb
<0.15	1-5%	3-10%	1-5%	1-5%
>0.15 <= 0.3	5-10%	3-10%	3-10%	1-3%
>0.3 <= 0.6	5-10%	3-15%	1-3%	0-1%
>0.6 <= 1.4	5-15%	3-20%	0-3%	0-1%
>1.4 <= 4	20-50%	5-30%	–	–
>4 <= 12	50-65%	0-10%	–	–
>12 <= 24	35-70%	–	–	–
>24 <= 37	65-95%	–	–	–
>37	–	–	–	–

Community 3.2
No Overstory

The No Overstory (3.2) phase is a result of natural environmental disturbances or clearcutting the overstory trees. The plant communities from State 1 may return initially, but if the natural disturbance of fire, or overstory stand management do not occur, the site will transition into a Mixed Forest (3.1) community.

Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2

The driver for the shift is a natural disaster or clearcut situation. Examples of natural disasters include hurricane, wind throw, tornadoes, severe ice storms, or severe fires. Following timber harvest by clearcut, little of the reference state vegetation remains. Primary vegetative succession occurs post clearcut.

Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1

The driver for the community shift is time and lack of fire. Shrubs and tree saplings will not be suppressed without return fire intervals.

State 4
Plantation

The Plantation State is a result of conversion activities. The landowner has maximized silviculture production by planting a monoculture of tree species.

Community 4.1
Pine/Hardwood Plantation

In the immediate years following the initial plantation tree planting, the understory community will resemble State 1. During this early growth period, the landowner will typically remove unwanted hardwoods and herbaceous plants to reduce competition with the planted pine trees. As the overstory canopy closes, less understory management is required due to sunlight restrictions to the ground layer.

State 5
Pasture and Cropland

The Pasture and Cropland State is a result of conversion activities. The landowner has maximized agriculture production by planting a monoculture of introduced grass species or agricultural row crops.

Community 5.1
Planted Pasture and Row Crop

Typical introduced pasture grass species include bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) and different varieties of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon). The grasses are grown for livestock production through direct grazing or baling hay for later use. Agricultural row crops are grown for food and fiber production. Many farmers use herbicides to reduce unwanted plant competition which yields a plant community unrepresentative of the reference (State 1) or subsequent vegetative states.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

The transition from State 1 to State 2 is a result of time and long periods (greater than 10 years) of no fire and/or forest management practices. Without fire to suppress shrubs and tree seedlings, biomass and diversity is lost from the grass and forb layers of the system. The transition is also characterized by tree sapling’s bud zones escaping the height at which fire is effective at suppression.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 4

The transition is due to the land manager maximizing silviculture potential. Merchantable timber is harvested by clearcut, then the site is prepared and planted to a monoculture of trees.

Transition T1C
State 1 to 5

The transition is due to the land manager maximizing agricultural production. Merchantable timber is harvested by clearcut, then, the site is prepared and planted to either an improved grass or row crops.

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

The driver for restoration is fire. Enough fuel is still left in this community to carry a fire through the site. More frequent burns (1 to 2 years) may be required, initially, to suppress the woody vegetation. Timber stand improvement practices should be used on undesirables and some species may have escaped the effective fire height and will have to be selectively cut down to return to the reference state.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

The transition from a Mixed Mid-story (State 2) to the Mixed Forest (State 3) is a result of time and long periods (greater than 25 years) of no fire and/or no forest management. Without fire to suppress fire intolerant trees, they become part of the overstory canopy. The overstory is so saturated that the understory herbaceous layer is almost non-existent. As the overstory canopy closes, the mid-story becomes well established with shade tolerant species.

Transition T2B
State 2 to 4

The transition is due to the land manager maximizing silviculture potential. Merchantable timber is harvested by clearcut, then the site is prepared and planted to a monoculture of trees.

Transition T2C
State 2 to 5

The transition is due to the land manager maximizing agricultural production. Merchantable timber is harvested by clearcut, then the site is prepared and planted to either an improved grass or row crops.

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1

Among all restoration pathways, the R3A path is the most energy intensive. Restoration of this community to the reference state begins with a selective timber harvest. Removing unwanted trees (shade and fire intolerant) opens up the canopy, allowing sunlight penetration to the ground. Years of overstory growth have limited the fuel necessary to have an effective fire. Time will be needed to encourage an understory and, if possible, mowing the understory may help. Once the herbaceous layer has established, frequent burns (1 to 2 years) may be required to suppress the woody vegetation. If shortleaf pine does not exist in the overstory, the site will have to be prepared and replanted.

Transition T3A
State 3 to 4

The transition is due to the land manager maximizing silviculture potential. Merchantable timber is harvested by clearcut, prepared, and planted to a monoculture of trees.

Transition T3B
State 3 to 5

Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 1

This restoration pathway can be accomplished in different ways depending on goals. One option is to create canopy openings by reducing the number of overstory trees. Then, restore the resulting canopy gaps with species from State 1's understory. Restoring the understory may include planting shortleaf pine and blackjack oak. This method keeps the woodland structure intact and slowly changes the species composition. Another restoration method is to selectively harvest and remove brush (via mechanical or chemical means) followed by re-planting shortleaf pine and oak species (using reduced planting rates). The herbaceous understory will take time to develop, but this process can be expedited if adapted plant material seed is available. Fire is the best option to maintain desired canopy cover for enhancement of the understory, and reduce undesirable woody species. Fire frequencies of 1 to 2 years during both growing and cool seasons may be desired in order to maintain an open canopy and reduce undesirable plant competition. If fire is not a viable option, management of woody encroachment could be controlled by mowing or the use of herbicides.

Transition T4A
State 4 to 3

This community transition is caused by neglecting the plantation understory. Without fire, mowing, or herbicides, the brush canopy becomes a dense thicket.

Transition T4B
State 4 to 5

Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1

This restoration path can be accomplished by planting a mix of pine and oak species to their natural frequencies (see State 1 Overstory Composition table), trying to attain a 60 to 80 percent mature overstory canopy. Management will be required to control unwanted species by burning, mowing, and/or herbicides. Controlling introduced pasture grasses is difficult, with complete control likely not attainable. The herbaceous understory will take time to develop, but this process can be expedited if adapted plant material is available.

Transition T5A
State 5 to 4

The transition is due to the land manager maximizing silviculture production. The site is prepared and planted to either a monoculture of pine or hardwood trees.

Additional community tables

Table 12. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (m)	Canopy cover (%)	Diameter (cm)	Basal area (square m/hectare)
Tree
shortleaf pine	PIEC2	Pinus echinata	Native	–	65–100	–	–
blackjack oak	QUMA3	Quercus marilandica	Native	–	0–20	–	–
post oak	QUST	Quercus stellata	Native	–	0–10	–	–
southern red oak	QUFA	Quercus falcata	Native	–	0–10	–	–
black hickory	CATE9	Carya texana	Native	–	0–5	–	–
bluejack oak	QUIN	Quercus incana	Native	–	0–5	–	–

Table 13. Community 1.1 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (m)	Canopy cover (%)
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	Native	–	35–75
needleleaf rosette grass	DIAC	Dichanthelium aciculare	Native	–	20–35
variable panicgrass	DICO2	Dichanthelium commutatum	Native	–	10–25
splitbeard bluestem	ANTE2	Andropogon ternarius	Native	–	0–20
switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	Native	–	0–10
Forb/Herb
eastern poison ivy	TORA2	Toxicodendron radicans	Native	–	5–25
Texas bullnettle	CNTE	Cnidoscolus texanus	Native	–	1–10
whitemouth dayflower	COER	Commelina erecta	Native	–	1–10
shiny goldenrod	OLNI	Oligoneuron nitidum	Native	–	1–10
Louisiana nerveray	TELU	Tetragonotheca ludoviciana	Native	–	0–5
St. Andrew's cross	HYHY	Hypericum hypericoides	Native	–	1–5
Nuttall's wild indigo	BANU2	Baptisia nuttalliana	Native	–	1–5
Atlantic pigeonwings	CLMA4	Clitoria mariana	Native	–	1–5
New Jersey tea	CEAM	Ceanothus americanus	Native	–	0–5
nettleleaf noseburn	TRUR2	Tragia urticifolia	Native	–	0–3
Gulf Coast yucca	YULO	Yucca louisianensis	Native	–	0–3
butterfly milkweed	ASTU	Asclepias tuberosa	Native	–	1–3
spotted beebalm	MOPU	Monarda punctata	Native	–	0–3
sidebeak pencilflower	STBI2	Stylosanthes biflora	Native	–	0–1
sessileleaf ticktrefoil	DESE	Desmodium sessilifolium	Native	–	0–1
Fern/fern ally
western brackenfern	PTAQ	Pteridium aquilinum	Native	–	1–15
Shrub/Subshrub
American beautyberry	CAAM2	Callicarpa americana	Native	–	5–35
yaupon	ILVO	Ilex vomitoria	Native	–	0–20
sassafras	SAAL5	Sassafras albidum	Native	–	3–20
winged sumac	RHCO	Rhus copallinum	Native	–	5–20
farkleberry	VAAR	Vaccinium arboreum	Native	–	0–5
smallflower pawpaw	ASPA18	Asimina parviflora	Native	–	0–3
Tree
blackjack oak	QUMA3	Quercus marilandica	Native	–	1–5
black hickory	CATE9	Carya texana	Native	–	1–5
post oak	QUST	Quercus stellata	Native	–	1–5
eastern redcedar	JUVI	Juniperus virginiana	Native	–	0–3
shortleaf pine	PIEC2	Pinus echinata	Native	–	1–3
bluejack oak	QUIN	Quercus incana	Native	–	0–1
Vine/Liana
summer grape	VIAE	Vitis aestivalis	Native	–	3–25
Virginia creeper	PAQU2	Parthenocissus quinquefolia	Native	–	1–10
cat greenbrier	SMGL	Smilax glauca	Native	–	1–5
muscadine	VIRO3	Vitis rotundifolia	Native	–	0–3

Interpretations

Animal community

Turkey and quail will utilize the site to some degree, but in combination with other sites. The grass layer is well-suited to provide nesting habitat, and the presence of mature oaks will provide roosting areas. As long as the canopy is open, such as those found in the reference conditions, a diverse forb layer will create an abundance of insects. The insects provide high-quality protein in their diet, especially for newly hatched chicks.

Deer will utilize the site as the community matures and browse the saplings and desired shrubs. With the amount of understory development, the sites are ideal to provide good bedding cover. As with most deer habitat, deer utilize a large array of ecological sites throughout their life. Well-managed browse, cover, and natural food sources provide the best habitat.

Migratory song birds and woodpeckers use the site as well. Locations with fire and snags will typically have a higher diversity of birds. Fruits from the shrub species (American beautyberry and yaupon) are readily consumed by birds as well.

Grazing animals primarily use grasses as their food source. While grasses can be in abundance on the Sandy Loam Uplands, the sites will have to be specifically managed for grazing to produce enough biomass. Reduction of basal area, below 60 square feet per acre, will create more openings for light to penetrate to the ground layer, therefore allowing more biomass to be produced.

Recreational uses

The most popular recreational use is hunting for white-tail deer and other game animals.

Wood products

These sandy soils are on uplands and have a high potential for pine management. The 50-year site index for loblolly pine ranges from 85 feet to 95 feet (approximately 57 to 64 feet on a 25-year curve). The yield from a natural, unmanaged stand of loblolly pine, over a 50-year period, is approximately 330 board feet (Doyle Rule), 2.64 tons, or 90 cubic feet per acre per year. Management can substantially increase this yield. Because these soils are loose when dry, access and equipment operability is only fair during such periods when rutting is possible.

They are, however, well suited for access and equipment operability during wet periods. These soils are well suited for roads and log landings and should have little erosion problems when adequate water control devises such as wing ditches and water bars are installed on the steeper slopes. Seedling mortality may be slight to moderate. Proper planting depth and compaction will be important. Attention should be given to the possible leaching of fertilizers and of chemicals when herbicides are used for site preparation. Choose appropriate chemicals and application methods to reduce the possibility of contaminating ground water.

Other products

Fruits, nuts, acorns, and seeds of the trees, shrubs, vines and herbaceous plants are used for food, jellies and jam. Sand may be used for construction purposes.

Table 14. Representative site productivity

Common name	Symbol	Site index low	Site index high	CMAI low	CMAI high	Age of CMAI	Site index curve code	Site index curve basis	Citation
loblolly pine	PITA	85	95	280	330	35	–	–
shortleaf pine	PIEC2	76	79	210	270	40	–	–

Supporting information

Inventory data references

These site descriptions were developed as part a Provisional Ecological Site project using historic soil survey manuscripts, available site descriptions, and low intensity field traverse sampling. Future work to validate the information is needed. This will include field activities to collect low, medium, and high-intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of that data. A final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance review of the will be needed to produce the final document.

Type locality

Location 1: Houston County, TX
Latitude	31° 31′ 18″
Longitude	95° 9′ 49″
General legal description	Davy Crockett National Forest

Other references

Ajilvsgi, G. 2003. Wildflowers of Texas. Revised edition. Shearer Publishing, Fredericksburg, TX.

Ajilvsgi, G. 1979. Wildflowers of the Big Thicket. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, TX.

Allen, J. A., B. D. Keeland, J. A. Stanturf, and A. F. Kennedy Jr. 2001. A guide to bottomland hardwood restoration. Technical report, USGS/BRD/ITR-2000-0011.

Bray, W. L. 1904. Forest resources of Texas. Bureau of Forestry Bulletin 47, Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.

Diggs, G. M., B. L. Lipscomb, M. D. Reed, and R. J. O’Kennon. 2006. Illustrated flora of East Texas. Second edition. Botanical Research Institute of Texas & Austin College, Fort Worth, TX.

Jones, S. D., J. K. Wipff, and P. M. Montgomery. 1997. Vascular plants of Texas: a comprehensive checklist including synonymy, bibliography, and index. University of Texas Press, Austin.

NatureServe. 2002. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the United States. National forests in Texas final report. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.

Nixon, E. S. 2000. Trees, shrubs & woody vines of East Texas. Second edition. Bruce Lyndon Cunningham Productions, Nacogdoches, TX.

Picket, S. T. and P. S. White. 1985. The ecology of natural disturbance and patch dynamics. Academic Press, Orlando, FL.

Randall, J. M., and J. Marinelli. 1996. Invasive plants: weeds of the global garden. Volume 149. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY.

Roberts, O. M. 1881. A description of Texas, its advantages and resources with some account of their development past, present and future. Gilbert Book Company, Saint Louis, MO.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database.

Stanturf, J. A., S. H. Schoenholtz, C. J. Schweitzer, and J. P. Shepard. 2001. Achieving restoration success: Myths in bottomland hardwood forests. Restoration Ecology, 9:189-200.

Stringham, T. K., W. C. Krueger, and P. L. Shaver. 2003. State and transition modeling: An ecological process approach. Journal of Range Management 56:106-113.

Truett, J. C. 1984. Land of bears and honey: A natural history of East Texas. The University of Texas Press, Austin, TX.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2010. Regional supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Region (Version 2.0). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory ERDC/EL TR-10-20.

USDA-NRCS Ag Handbook 296 (2006).

Van Kley, J. E., R. L. Turner, L. S. Smith, and R. E. Evans. 2007. Ecological classification system for the national forests and adjacent areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Second approximation. Stephen F. Austin University and The Nature Conservancy, Nacogdoches, TX.

Vines, R. A. 1960. Trees, shrubs, and woody vines of the Southwest. University of Texas Press, Austin, TX.

Watson, G. E. 2006. Big Thicket Plant Ecology. Third Edition. University of North Texas Press, Denton, TX.

Contributors

Tyson Hart

Approval

Bryan Christensen, 12/13/2023

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date	09/03/2021
Approved by	Bryan Christensen
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

Download reference sheet

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Ecosystem states

5. Pasture and Cropland

States 1, 5 and 2 (additional transitions)

1. Woodland

5. Pasture and Cropland

2. Mixed Mid-story

T1A	-	Fire suppression, no management
T1B	-	Clearcut, site preparation, tree planting
T1C	-	Clearcut, grass/crop planting
R2A	-	Selective timber harvest, prescribed burns
T2A	-	Fire suppression, no management
T2B	-	Clearcut, site preparation, tree planting
T2C	-	Clearcut, grass/crop planting
R3A	-	Selective timber harvest, mid-story shrub control, prescribed burns
T3A	-	Clearcut, site preparation, tree planting
T3B	-	Clearcut, grass/crop planting
R4A	-	Gap-phase regeneration or clearcut with tree planting
T4A	-	Fire suppression, no management
T4B	-	Clearcut, grass/crop planting
R5A	-	Tree planting, mid-story shrub control, prescribed burns
T5A	-	Clearcut, site preparation, tree planting