Deep Sandy Terrace
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Fire suppression, no management
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Transition T1B
Clearcut, site preparation, tree planting
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Transition T1C
Clearcut, grass/crop planting
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Restoration pathway R2A
Selective timber harvest, prescribed burns
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Transition T2A
Clearcut, site preparation, tree planting
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Transition T2B
Clearcut, grass/crop planting
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Restoration pathway R3A
Gap-phase regeneration or clearcut with tree planting
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Transition T3A
Clearcut, no management
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Transition T3B
Clearcut, grass/crop planting
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Restoration pathway R4A
Tree planting, mid-story shrub control, prescribed burns
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Transition T4A
Fire suppression, no management
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Transition T4B
Clearcut, site preparation, tree planting
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
State 1 has a low overstory cover of bluejack oak, post oak, and shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata). Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) may be found in the southernmost areas of the MLRA. 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 5 to 10 years.
Submodel
Description
The Mixed Forest community represents a steady-state for the Deep Sandy Terraces. 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 Plantation State is a result of conversion activities. The landowner has maximized silviculture production by planting a monoculture of tree species.
Submodel
Mechanism
The transition from a 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 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 State 1 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
When restoring a plantation, the land manager can either clearcut the timber, prepare the site, and plant trees. Otherwise, gap-phase regeneration is possible through selective timber harvests. This involves replanting the desired overstory species in small openings within the current structure of the woodland. The benefit is a slow progression of restoration instead of starting from primary succession.
Mechanism
This community transition is caused by neglecting the plantation understory. Without fire, mowing, or herbicides, unwanted understory saplings can begin to grow into the overstory.
Mechanism
The transition is due to the land manager maximizing agricultural production. Merchantable timber is harvested by clearcut, then the site prepared and planted to either an improved grass or row crops.
Mechanism
This restoration path can be accomplished by planting a mix of bluejack oak and post oak species to their natural frequencies, trying to attain a 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.