Sandy Exposed Backslope Woodland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R1B More details
- Restoration pathway R1A More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Transition T1D More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Transition T5A More details
- Transition T6B More details
- Transition T6A 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The historical reference state for this Ecological Site was old growth oak woodland.
The Old Growth Woodland was dominated by black oak, post oak and white oak. Maximum tree age was likely 150-300 years. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind or ice maintained the woodland structure and diverse ground flora species. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in both the density of trees and the abundance of shade tolerant species. Two community phases are recognized in the Old Growth Woodland state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency.
Old Growth Woodlands are very rare today. Many sites have been converted to non-native pasture (State #5). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with domestic livestock grazing (State #6). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Many Old Growth Woodlands have been managed effectively for timber harvest, resulting in either even-age (State 2) or uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.
Submodel
Description
This state starts with a sequence of early seral mixed oak woodlands, which mature over time. These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a depauperate understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. However, in the absence of fire, the diversity and cover of the ground flora is still diminished. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, will either maintain this state, or convert the site to uneven-age (State 3) woodlands. Prescribed fire without extensive timber harvest will, over time, cause a transition to Managed Oak Woodlands (state 4).
Submodel
Description
Uneven-Age Managed Woodlands resemble their Reference State (Old Growth Woodlands). The biggest difference is tree age, most being only 50-90 years old. Composition is also likely altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. In addition, without a regular 15-20 year harvest re-entry into these stands, they will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species and white oak will become less dominant.
Uneven Age Managed Woodland is also dense because of fire suppression, but less so than the Even-Age Managed state. Consequently, the woodland ground flora is less suppressed and structural diversity is better maintained. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like hickory, increase in abundance.
Submodel
Description
The Managed Oak Woodland State results from managing woodland communities in States 2 or 3 with prescribed fire, over time. This state resembles the reference state, with younger maximum tree ages and lower ground flora diversity.
Submodel
Description
Type conversion of woodlands to planted, non-native pasture species such as tall fescue has been common in this area. Steep slopes, abundant surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity make non-native pastures difficult to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site. If grazing and active pasture management are discontinued, the site will eventually transition to State 2 (Even-Age). Timber Stand Improvement practices can hasten this process.
Submodel
Description
Timbered sites subjected to repeated, high-graded timber harvests and domestic grazing transition to this State. This state exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less desirable tree species, and weedy understory species such as buckbrush, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. The vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff. Exclusion of cattle from sites in this state coupled with uneven-age management techniques will cause a transition to State 3 (Uneven-Age).
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest.
Mechanism
This restoration pathway generally requires uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest, with extended rotations that allow mature trees to exceed ages of about 150 years. Prescribed fire is part of the restoration process. Mechanical thinning may be necessary in dense woodlands.
Mechanism
This restoration pathway generally requires uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest, with extended rotations that allow mature trees to exceed ages of about 150 years. Prescribed fire is part of the restoration process.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting pasture species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter. Liming and fertilizing associated with pasture management typically raises the soil pH and increases the cation concentration (such as calcium and magnesium) of the upper soil horizons.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of poorly planned timber harvest techniques such as high-grading, accompanied by unmanaged cattle grazing. Soil erosion and compaction often result from cattle grazing after the understory has been damaged.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of the systematic application of prescribed fire. Mechanical thinning may also be used.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of the systematic application of prescribed fire. Mechanical thinning may also be used.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest.
Mechanism
This transition results from the cessation of cattle grazing and associated pasture management such as mowing and brush-hogging. Herbicide application, tree planting and timber stand improvement techniques can speed up this otherwise very lengthy transition.
Mechanism
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest. Tree planting, mechanical thinning and other timber stand improvement techniques may be helpful to decrease the transition time.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of clearing the woodland communities and planting pasture species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter. Liming and fertilizing associated with pasture management typically raises the soil pH and increases the cation concentration (such as calcium and magnesium) of the upper soil horizons.
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.