Ecological dynamics
This site occurs on level to nearly level alluvial flats and within localized, shallow depressions that are often pocked throughout the better drained areas of narrow to broad floodplains. The site may also be viewed as a transitional zone between landforms and positions with better drainage (e.g., natural levees) and the hydric, low-lying flats and backswamps. Within narrower floodplains, this site is positioned at slightly lower elevations landward of the stream bank.
A key characteristic of this site pertains to a distinct gradation of soil wetness. When viewed from the perspective of a soil catena, this site lies in the middle of the classic floodplain moisture gradient. This gradient is also reflected in the plant community. Species requiring drier conditions begin dropping out and are replaced by plants more tolerant of anaerobic conditions. Overstory components generally include swamp chestnut oak, water oak, willow oak, overcup oak, pin oak, American sycamore, sweetgum, red maple, hickory, green ash, American elm, and ironwood. Understory density is typically lower than the adjoining better drained sites and ground cover may consist of a mixture of facultative wetland and wetland obligate species, depending on local conditions.
The dominant ecological processes associated with this site include periodic flooding, stand disturbances at varying scales, and natural, stream migration. Given the site’s landform position, periodic flooding is a common and important process of the system. Flooding can enhance fertility of the soil environment via deposition of new alluvium but can also impact the site by scouring and/or depositing excessive materials. Flood duration is highly variable and directly dependent upon stream size and magnitude of the flood event. Flood durations of small streams are typically brief and “flashy”, while those of larger systems may range from brief to very long depending on drainage basin size and flood magnitude. The collective effects of the hydrodynamics within this system naturally lead to migration or movement of the stream across its connected landscape, the floodplain. Low-gradient streams generally meander and frequently change course leading to the erosion of a portion of the floodplain with the concomitant deposition and creation of new point bars, levees, and alluvial flats (LANDFIRE, 2008).
Forest stand disturbances vary in both size and type. Disturbances range from gap-scale (single tree to small group) to stand-initiating events that are greater than one acre (per Johnson et al., 2009). Smaller gaps or forest openings may result in the release of suppressed understory components, but the greatest response is often ingrowth or expansion of the surrounding canopy (Oliver and Larson, 1990). Understories of long-term, non-disturbed portions of the stand (i.e., complete canopy closure) are typically comprised of shade-tolerant woody and herbaceous species. Larger gaps often consist of heavy, downed woody debris and a dense concentration of shrubs, forbs, vines, and released saplings and young trees. Types of disturbances may include wind, severe ice storms, and beaver. The influence of the latter is perhaps the most dynamic as local hydrologic regimes are dramatically altered leading to wetter soils, different vegetation communities, and a different suite of ecological processes.
An additional disturbance factor that rarely occurs on this site today but is thought to have been an important historical influence is fire. This supposition is drawn from the presence of a single species: cane. Cane grows readily on this site and historically, extended across many floodplains of the Southeast (Gagnon, 2009). The sheer presence of this species in the historic community suggests disturbance beyond flooding alone. Fire may have been an important disturbance factor in the pre-settlement bottomland community (see Gagnon and Platt, 2008; Gagnon, 2009), which suggests that the structure of this site may have been more open where dense canebrakes existed. However, any vestige of that system is long past. Those areas that have been allowed to revert naturally are now best characterized as closed-canopied, bottomland hardwoods.
The principal land use, today, is agriculture production with some areas in pasture and/or forage production. The fertile soils of the broader floodplains are almost exclusively cropland. Timber production is mostly restricted to the narrower drainageways. Perhaps the largest and most significant alteration to this site has been channelization and levee (or spoil bank) construction. Such hydrologic alterations are probably more commonplace on streams that extend onto the Western Lowlands than those occurring within Crowley’s Ridge physiographic area. Still, this action results in a disconnection between the stream - floodplain environment, which interrupts and alters the ecological processes and functions of the system as a whole.
There are a few areas that have been set aside in the public and/or private interest (e.g., parks, refuges, natural areas, and forest preserves), and those areas are now heavily forested. With no example of the pre-settlement plant community remaining intact, reference conditions of this site have been arbitrarily chosen to reflect the native plant species that most frequently occur and that influence the overall structure and characteristics of maturing stands. Locations that offer an opportunity to examine these “surrogate” reference conditions are relegated to those public and private land holdings.
Following this narrative, a “provisional” state and transition model is provided that includes the “perceived” reference state and several alternative (or altered) vegetation states that have been observed and/or projected for the this ecological site. This model is based on limited inventories, literature, expert knowledge, and interpretations. Plant communities will differ across MLRA 134 due to natural variability in climate, soils, and physiography. Depending on objectives, the reference plant community may not necessarily be the management goal.
The environmental and biological characteristics of this site are complex and dynamic. As such, the following diagram suggests pathways that the vegetation on this site might take, given that the modal concepts of climate and soils are met within an area of interest. Specific locations with unique soils and disturbance histories may have alternate pathways that are not represented in the model. This information is intended to show the possibilities within a given set of circumstances and represents the initial steps toward developing a defensible description and model. The model and associated information are subject to change as knowledge increases and new information is garnered. This is an iterative process. Most importantly, local and/or state professional guidance should always be sought before pursuing a treatment scenario.
State 1
Moderately Wet Bottomland Forest
The pre-settlement plant community of this ecological site was largely removed more than 150 years ago, and there are no extant examples of that community. Following decades of land-use impacts, the plant community that returned in areas initially set aside for protection include several species of broad-leaved trees commonly referred to as bottomland hardwoods.
Vegetation associated with this site exhibits signs of increasing soil wetness compared to the better drained areas of the floodplain. Species that may occur on the drier flats (e.g., American beech, white oak, tuliptree) generally begin to drop out or their abundance decreased. A shift toward species more tolerant of wet conditions (or increased anaerobic conditions) typically occurs.
Community 1.1
Mixed Species Moderately Wet Bottomland Hardwoods
This community phase represents the successional stage, composition, and structural complexity of stands supporting perceived reference conditions. Today, this community is representative of maturing stands (late development) often found on public lands and private preserves.
Overstory composition of this site may vary due to local conditions. Where soils are a little drier and conditions more conducive, tree species may consist of swamp chestnut oak, water oak, willow oak, cherrybark oak, Shumard’s oak, sweetgum, American sycamore, hickory, sugarberry, green ash, American elm, red maple, and an understory component of American hornbeam and cane. This pattern may shift where water remains on a local area for longer periods. Species occurring within wetter areas may include overcup oak, water hickory, water tupelo, bald cypress, and water elm. The latter suite of species are more indicative of “wet” alluvial flats, which occur as inclusions on broader floodplains of this site.
State 2
Post Large-scale Disturbance Forest
This state is characterized by the regeneration or regrowth of a pre-existing forest stand following a major, stand-replacing disturbance. Scale of the disturbance is at the stand level, which is greater than one acre (per Johnson et al., 2009). Potential types of disturbances include catastrophic windstorms, wildfire, silvicultural clearcuts, and particularly destructive ice storms. The resulting, even-aged stand (or single-cohort) is set on a new course of development, which is highly dependent upon several critical factors including: the composition and structure of the stand prior to the disturbance; the degree or intensity of the disturbance; size and configuration of the disturbed area; and distance to seed sources.
Composition and condition of the forest stand prior to a major disturbance may dictate, in large part, future composition of the regenerating stand. Although colonization by new species is expected soon after the disturbance, many of the pre-existing overstory components are anticipated to occupy position in the new, developing stand – their presence arising mainly from stump or root sprouts, advance regeneration, and germination from the seed bank (Oliver and Larson, 1990).
Community 2.1
Mixed Species Forest Regrowth
Large blowdowns such as straight-line winds and tornadoes may have a major influence on composition and successional patterns of hardwood stands (Hodges, 1998). Soon after overstory removal, numerous species may colonize large openings and influence the dynamics of the site. Initial colonizers are often forbs, graminoids, and vines that may have existed in the seed bank, were forest floor components prior to disturbance, or transported into the site via flood waters, wind, and/or animals. Overstory species anticipated to occur during the stand-initiation stage include sweetgum, American sycamore, eastern cottonwood, ash, oaks, hickory, elm, sugarberry, boxelder, along with the residual shade-tolerant species of red maple and American hornbeam.
For stands that were highly altered prior to the disturbance (e.g., high-graded), intensive management may be necessary in order to establish a desired composition. Management actions may include controlling undesirable species mechanically and chemically and planting the desired species.
State 3
Timber Management
This state represents the breadth of forest management activities on this site. Various management or silvicultural methods can lead to very different structural and compositional results within a managed stand. The range of methods are diverse and include even-aged (e.g., clearcut and shelterwood) and uneven-aged (single tree, diameter-limit, basal area, group selection, etc.) approaches. Included within these approaches is an option to use disturbance mechanisms (e.g., timber stand improvement, etc.) to reduce competition and achieve maximum growth potential of the desired species. Inherently, these various approaches result in different community or “management phases” and possibly alternate states. The decision to represent these varying approaches and management results into a single state and phase at this time hinges on the need for additional information in order to formulate definitive pathways, management actions, and community responses. Forthcoming inventories and description iterations of this site will provide more detail on this state and associated management phases.
Community 3.1
Mixed Species (Various)
This phase represents the prevailing compositional diversity of hardwood species occurring on this site. Components of the system that are often in greatest demand are the oaks. Oaks that respond well on the drier portions of this site include cherrybark, Shumard’s, swamp chestnut, willow, and water. However, managing for oaks alone on this site may be time, labor, and cost prohibitive. Managing for a mixed diversity of hardwoods (including oaks) is the option representative of this management phase. In addition to oaks, species responding well on this site include sweetgum, ash, elm, sycamore, and cottonwood.
There are a variety of silvicultural methods for achieving this management state including both uneven-aged approaches (e.g., group selection) and even-aged actions (e.g., clearcut). Finding the appropriate approach for a given stand and environment necessitates close consultation with trained, experienced, and knowledgeable forestry professionals. If there is a desire to proceed with this state, it is strongly urged and advised that professional guidance be secured and a well-designed silvicultural plan developed in advance of any work conducted. As an additional precaution, this site has seasonal limitations to timber management due to flooding and wetness issues. It is strongly advised to refrain from management activities when the soils are saturated.
State 4
Grassland/Pastureland
This state is representative of sites that have been converted to and maintained in pasture and forage cropland, typically a grass – legume mixture. For pastureland, planning or prescribing the intensity, frequency, timing, and duration of grazing can help maintain desirable forage mixtures at sufficient density and vigor (USDA-NRCS, 2010; Green et al., 2006). Overgrazed pastures can lead to soil compaction and numerous bare spots, which may then become focal points of accelerated erosion and colonization sites of undesirable plants or weeds.
Establishing an effective pasture management program can help minimize the rate of weed establishment and assist in maintaining vigorous growth of desired forage. An effective pasture management program includes: selecting well-adapted grass and/or legume species that will grow and establish rapidly; maintaining proper soil pH and fertility levels; using controlled grazing practices; mowing at proper timing and stage of maturity; allowing new seedings to become well established before use; and renovating pastures when needed (Rhodes et al., 2005; Green et al., 2006). It is strongly advised that consultation with State Grazing Land Specialists and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations or prescribed grazing practices.
Community 4.1
Select Forage/Species Mixture
This community phase represents commonly planted forage species on pasturelands and haylands. The suite of plants established on any given site may vary considerably depending upon purpose, management goals, usage, and soils. Most systems include a mixture of grasses and legumes that provide forage throughout the growing season. However, wetness is a limitation of this site, which may affect the type of forage established and management activities during wet seasons and after heavy rain events (Capability Class 2w).
Cool season forage may include tall fescue, orchardgrass, white clover, and red clover, and warm season forage often consists of bermudagrass, bahiagrass, and annual lespedeza. Several additional plants and/or species combinations may be desired depending on the objectives and management approaches. As a precaution, the location of this site and the seasonal wetness of the soil creates exceptional conditions (habitat) for a number of native sedges, rushes, and grasses, which will seed quickly and form thick cover (thatch) in wetter spots of pastures and hayfields.
If active management (and grazing) of the pastureland is stopped, this phase will transition to “old field” conditions, which is the transitional period between a predominantly open, herbaceous field and the brushy stage of a newly initiated stand of trees.
State 5
Crop Production
Upon settlement, the fertility of the soils led to rapid land clearing and crop production. Today, crops that are often established include cotton, corn, soybean, and small grains.
Community 5.1
Cropland
Soybean, small grains, and grain sorghum are a few of the crops grown on this site. This site does have some seasonal wetness limitations, which may restrict the types of crops grown in addition to management activities.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
This pathway represents a large-scale, stand replacing disturbance, which may be caused by a catastrophic windstorm (e.g., straight-line winds, tornado), ice storm, severe fire, or a silvicultural clearcut. For this stressor to occur, most or all of the overstory must be removed or destroyed. A few residual trees may persist, but overall, the disturbance must be intensive enough, at least one acre or larger (Johnson et al., 2009), that a new, even-aged stand is created.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
This pathway consists of prescribed silvicultural activities specifically designed to meet stand compositional and production objectives. Activities may include release cuttings through a combination of low and high thinning, mechanical and chemical control of competition, and artificial regeneration (i.e., planting) of sites with low oak presence. A variety of silvicultural methods may be employed including group selection, single tree selection harvests (all classes/condition; avoid “high-grading”), or even-age management (clearcut).
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4
Actions required to convert forests to grassland or forage production include forest clearing, stump removal, herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants.
Transition T1D
State 1 to 5
Actions include mechanical removal of vegetation and stumps; herbicide treatment of residual plants; and preparation for planting.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
This pathway represents a return to reference conditions through natural succession, if the disturbance occurred within a reference community. Depending upon objectives and stand condition, management activities to aide recovery may include exotic species control and silvicultural treatment that benefits oak regeneration and establishment (e.g., TSI practices such as crop tree release, low thinning, and cull removal). This pathway will occur only under the natural hydrologic regime (i.e., natural channel and no levees).
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
This pathway represents the development of an even-aged stand that is prescribed to meet compositional and production objectives.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4
Actions required to convert forests to pasture or forage production include forest clearing, stump removal, herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants.
Transition T2C
State 2 to 5
Actions include mechanical removal of vegetation and stumps, herbicide treatment of residual plants, and preparation for planting.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1
Natural succession over a period of time may transition a former timber-managed stand to one supporting reference conditions. Some question remains whether a return to reference conditions will occur in every situation, especially since some components may have been selectively culled from the stand. Management activities to aide recovery may include exotic species control and silvicultural treatment. Floodplains where streams have been channelized and leveed must have the natural hydrology restored BEFORE reference conditions are achieved.
Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 2
This pathway represents a large-scale, stand-initiating disturbance, which effectively removes most or all of the pre-existing overstory. Disturbances may include a catastrophic windstorm, severe wildfire, and silvicultural management (even-aged).
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4
Actions required to convert forests to pasture or forage production include forest clearing, stump removal, herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants.
Transition T3B
State 3 to 5
Actions include mechanical removal of vegetation and stumps, herbicide treatment of residual plants, and preparation for planting.
Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 1
This pathway represents natural succession back to perceived reference conditions. The period required for this transition to take place likely varies by location and is dependent upon local site conditions. LANDFIRE models (2008) suggest that over 80 years is required for a return to a late development community and this pathway is highly dependent upon species present in the developing stand in addition to the appropriate level and type of disturbance (e.g., periodic flood regime, presence/absence of catastrophic wind events, etc.). Significant efforts may be required before a return to reference conditions is achieved (e.g., exotic species control, appropriate connectivity between stream and floodplain, potential artificial regeneration of community components, etc.). Floodplains where streams have been channelized and leveed must have the natural hydrology restored BEFORE reference conditions are achieved.
Restoration pathway R4B
State 4 to 3
This pathway represents prescribed management strategies for transitioning abandoned pastureland to managed woodland. Activities may include artificial regeneration of and management for desired species and exotic species control.
Transition T4A
State 4 to 5
Actions include mechanical removal of vegetation and stumps; herbicide treatment of residual plants; and preparation for planting.
Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1
This pathway represents natural succession back to perceived reference conditions. The period required for this transition to take place likely varies by location and is dependent upon local site conditions. LANDFIRE models (2008) suggest that over 80 years is required for a return to a late development community and this pathway is highly dependent upon species present in the developing stand in addition to the appropriate level and type of disturbance (e.g., periodic flood regime, presence/absence of catastrophic wind events, etc.). Significant efforts may be required before a return to reference conditions is achieved and may never fully reach perceived reference conditions (e.g., exotic species control, appropriate connectivity between stream and floodplain, potential artificial regeneration of community components, etc.). Floodplains where streams have been channelized and leveed must have the natural hydrology restored BEFORE reference conditions are achieved.
Restoration pathway R5B
State 5 to 3
This pathway represents prescribed management strategies for transitioning abandoned cropland to managed woodland. Activities may include artificial regeneration of and management for desired species and exotic species control.
Restoration pathway R5C
State 5 to 4
Seedbed preparation and establishment of desired forage/grassland mixture.
