Northern Ponded Loess Terrace - PROVISIONAL
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T3A 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
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Description
The Northern Ponded Loess Terrace is inextricably linked to the larger matrix community within which it belongs, the Northern Wet Loess Terrace or hydroxeric flatwoods. Any severe alteration that changes composition or functionality of the matrix system affects this site. Therefore, reference conditions of these seasonally ponded flatwood depressions are defined by and occur within reference sites of the matrix community.
Classifying this system with a single plant association name is extremely difficult, if not impossible, due to the variability of species dominance from one depression to another. Composition of this site appears to be directly related to aerial extant and more importantly, depth of individual depressions. Collectively, size and depth of these surface concavities ultimately determine ponding duration – that and the amount of precipitation that has fallen within the wet season. Sites that are relatively shallow and ponded from winter into mid-spring typically support a mixed-oak stand that often consist of species found in drier habitats. Deeper sites that remain ponded for longer periods (some into early summer, precipitation depending) may support a greater number of wetland obligate species.
From a conservation and biodiversity perspective, seasonally ponded (closed) depressions or vernal pools are recognized for the critically important functions and values they provide. This site contributes to the biodiversity of the overall flatwoods system by supporting a number of additional wetland components that may not occur otherwise. These features may also support rare and vanishing plant species and serve as vital habitat for an entire zoological system.
Of concern, portions of this site have incurred tremendous alteration due to drainage. Any attempt to reestablish perceived reference conditions of a stand or a local site must first restore the natural hydrology of that location, which may entail removing drainage structures. If not, management may improve stand structure and even composition to a degree, but the site, overall, will remain in an altered state relative to reference conditions.
Submodel
Description
This ecological site is inextricably associated to the matrix community within which it occurs. Impacts to the surrounding flatwoods system are filtered into this site. Therefore, this state represents many of the early impacts to the flatwoods system during and after settlement. This state is believed to represent the prevailing condition of this site, today.
A key criterion of this state is that the geomorphological characteristics of the depressions are not destroyed and that these surface concavities still pond seasonally. The surrounding matrix community may sustain varying levels of impacts from land use actions that include forestry practices, pasturage, and cropland. It is acknowledged that each of the preceding land uses will exert varying levels of impacts on isolated depressions, and each land practice may transition this site to completely different altered states. However, adequate information to describe those potential differences (or altered states) are unknown at this time. Future inventories may lead to readjustments of this state.
It is worth noting that all areas currently supporting perceived reference conditions were once in this particular altered state. There are no known examples of a pre-settlement reference site. Conceivably, if formerly impacted sites (from timber, grazing, and cropland) can support perceived reference conditions, today, then surely areas currently under varying land uses have that same potential, provided that soil properties, drainage patterns, and geomorphic characteristics have not been destroyed or severely altered.
Submodel
Description
This state is representative of areas that have had drainage structures installed to meet production objectives. Many of the drained depressions have been cleared of vegetation and included within the greater production system, which was either cropland or pastureland. In pastureland settings, some of these depressions were not drained but retained as stock or cattle ponds. Draining these seasonal ponds also assisted with forest or timberland production.
Areas that have been simply ditched may have restorative capacity. However, those areas that have been drained and had the micro-topographic features of the depression removed (bulldozing, leveling, filling, etc.), are lost. Such former sites have been essentially erased.
Submodel
Description
This alternative state is included to represent the range or breadth of conservation actions that may be implemented and established should other land uses be discontinued within a given location. Several actions may be chosen including the restoration of the site’s natural hydrology (removal of drainage structures) and establishing native warm season grasses, suitable forbs for pollinators, and/or native trees and managing for forest or woodland conditions. If at all possible, the herbaceous species established should be derived from the “wild types” (genetic stock) from the Loess Plains or from adjoining ecoregions. This action would help preserve the unique genetic material from the area and would help to reintroduce the native herbaceous varieties back into a portion of their former range.
Submodel
Mechanism
This pathway represents what generally occurred historically where well-defined flatwoods depressions were left mostly intact. Some timber harvests to remove desirable species was certainly conducted, but the ponding capabilities of the depressions were not altered (i.e., drained). However, the surrounding matrix community, the hydroxeric flatwoods, incurred alteration from heavy cutting, grazing, and then a final conversion to open cropland and/or pastureland.
Mechanism
This pathway represents dramatic alteration to the function and characteristics of this site by ditching and draining depressions in addition to alteration of the matrix community.
Mechanism
This pathway signifies a return to perceived reference conditions where the hydrologic characteristics of the flatwoods community and associated depressions were never severely altered. Natural succession is the principal process leading back to the perceived reference state. This pathway is representative of most “protected” flatwoods in existence, today.
Mechanism
This pathway represents an attempt to drain these depressions for wider coverage of and increase in production (includes timberland, pastureland, and cropland).
Mechanism
This pathway represents the decision to discontinue production of the surrounding matrix community and to establish native grasses/forbs or trees on this site. This action also includes management activities to “guide” natural succession and conservation maintenance. Actions may include prescribed fire for maintaining and enhancing herbaceous establishment of the matrix community and herbicide treatments for controlling exotic species invasions and to ensure select tree establishment.
Mechanism
This pathway represents the decision to discontinue production of the surrounding matrix community and to establish native grasses/forbs or trees on this site. This action also includes management activities to “guide” natural succession and conservation maintenance. Actions may include prescribed fire for maintaining and enhancing herbaceous establishment of the matrix community and herbicide treatments for controlling exotic species invasions and to ensure select tree establishment. This action may also include the removal of drainage ditches, tiles, or other water control structures.
Mechanism
This pathway signifies a return to perceived reference conditions where the hydrologic characteristics of the flatwoods community and associated depressions were never severely altered. Natural succession is the principal process leading back to the perceived reference state. This pathway is representative of most “protected” flatwoods in existence, today.
Mechanism
This pathway represents the discontinuation of conservation practices and a return to production with isolated depressions remaining intact.
Model keys
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