Very Deep Sandy Upland
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
- Transition T4B 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
There are two communities in the Woodland State: Post Oak/Shortleaf Pine Woodland Community (1.1) and the Fire-primed Understory Community (1.2). State 1 has a low overstory cover (40 to 60 percent) of post oak, shortleaf pine, bluejack oak (Quercus incana), and blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica). The understory is sparsely vegetated with grasses and forbs. Much of the woodland floor naturally lacks vegetation, and patches of sandy-bare ground are always visible. Saplings and some shrubs are in the area, but make up a small percentage of the mid-story canopy.
Natural disturbances of fires, lightning strikes, hurricanes (wind throw), ice events (rare), and beetle infestations aid in maintaining the uneven-age structure. The natural canopy spacing is kept intact by the natural droughtiness and periodic fires ranging from 4 to 8 years. Representative basal areas range from 40 to 60 square feet per acre. The basal area and canopy cover generally increase at a parallel rate.
Submodel
Description
There are two communities in the Mixed Forest State (2): the Mixed Forest Community (2.1) and the No Overstory Community (2.2). The Mixed Forest community represents a steady-state for the Very Deep Sandy Uplands. Without fire or management, the site begins to lose the vegetative indicators that make the ecological site unique. The plant communities will stay constant without disturbance or intervention.
Submodel
Description
The Pine Plantation State is a result of conversion activities. The landowner has maximized silviculture production by planting a monoculture of pine species, usually loblolly pine.
Submodel
Mechanism
The transition from a Woodland (State 1) to the Mixed Forest (State 2) is a result of time and long periods (greater than 20 years) of no fire and/or forest management practices. Without fire to suppress tree seedlings, biomass and diversity is lost from the grass and forb layers of the system.
Mechanism
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.
Mechanism
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.
Mechanism
Restoration of this community to the reference state begins with a selective timber harvest. Removing unwanted trees 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 understory growth. Once the herbaceous layer has established, more frequent than natural burns (3 to 5 years) may be required to suppress the woody vegetation.
Mechanism
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.
Mechanism
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.
Mechanism
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 oak species found in the reference state. This method keeps the woodland structure intact and slowly changes the species composition.
Mechanism
This community transition is caused by neglecting the plantation understory. Without fire, mowing, or herbicides, the overstory canopy can become very dense.
Mechanism
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.
Mechanism
This restoration path can be accomplished by planting a mix of oak and pine species to their natural frequencies (see State 1 Overstory Composition table), trying to attain a 40 to 60 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.
Mechanism
This community transition is caused by neglecting the plantation understory. Without fire, mowing, or herbicides, the brush canopy becomes a dense thicket.
Model keys
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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.