Semi-acidic Peat Wetland Complex
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
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R3B More details
- Restoration pathway R3A 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
This site occurs in flat, low-lying areas characterized by very poorly-drained, semi-acidic peat soils and bog vegetation. Soil pH is typically between 4.5 and 6.0 throughout, allowing for more overall species diversity than true acid bogs, but also lacking many true acid bog indicator species. It is dominated by sphagnum moss and heath shrubs, and supports other common bog species such as cotton grass in lower quantities. This site may also support low cover of black spruce and larch trees in some areas.
Characteristics and indicators
The vegetation of this site is dominated by sphagnum moss and heath shrubs. It also supports other common bog species such as cotton grass in lower quantities. This site may sometimes support low cover of black spruce and larch trees, though the reason for tree presence or absence is poorly-understood.
Resilience management
This ecological site is resistant to major disturbances except for small scale hydrologic alterations that may create small patches of drained or ponded peatland (such as near a culvert). This ecological resistance can be attributed to the ability of these bogs to respond to large fluctuations in water, as the peat acts like a sponge, expanding and contracting with the water supply. There is also a general resistance to fire, insects, disease, construction, land management, etc. due to the wet nature and particular species on the site. Further study is needed to identify alternative states for this site.
Submodel
Description
Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics driven by natural disturbances, processes, and pressures (may have some anthropogenic influences). More research is needed to determine the extent of the Semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.
Submodel
Description
Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics that are primary driven by anthropogenic disturbances and pressures (may have some associated natural influences). More research is needed to determine the extent of the cultural state associated with this ecological site.
Submodel
Mechanism
Climate change, hydrological alteration, increased nutrients or chemicals (pesticide, herbicide, fertilizer) transported to surface water, significant increase in flooding events and annual precipitation, introduction of invasive species, pests, and pathogens
Mechanism
hydrologic alteration (barrier, obstruction, dam, diversion), landscape alteration, mechanical soil disturbance, landscape development
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Dam, Diversion |
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Diversion |
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Dam |
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Land Clearing |
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Precision Land Forming |
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Land Smoothing |
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Drainage Water Management |
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Subsurface Drain |
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Floodproofing |
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Land Grading |
Mechanism
remediation of hydrologic alteration, management of invasive species, pests, and pathogens, restoration of key native plant species, restoration of terrestrial and aquatic habitat
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Riparian Herbaceous Cover |
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Stream Habitat Improvement and Management |
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Aquatic Organism Passage |
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Obstruction Removal |
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Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats |
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Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Shallow Water Development and Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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Wetland Restoration |
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Wetland Enhancement |
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Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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Pathogen Management |
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Invasive Plant Species Control |
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Pathogen Management |
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Invasive Species Pest Management |
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Precision Pest Control Application |
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Extending existing riparian herbaceous cover for water quality protection and wildlife habitat |
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Shallow water habitat |
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Non-forested riparian zone enhancement for fish and wildlife |
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Riparian forest buffer, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat |
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Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats |
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Multi-species Native Perennials for Biomass/Wildlife Habitat |
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Establish pollinator habitat |
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Monitoring and Evaluation |
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Herbaceous Weed Control |
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Aquatic Organism Passage Barrier Removal |
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Riparian buffer, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat |
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Establish pollinator and/or beneficial insect habitat |
Mechanism
hydrologic alteration (barrier, obstruction, dam, diversion), landscape alteration, mechanical soil disturbance, landscape development
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Dam, Diversion |
|
|
Diversion |
|
|
Dam |
|
|
Land Clearing |
|
|
Precision Land Forming |
|
|
Land Smoothing |
|
|
Drainage Water Management |
|
|
Subsurface Drain |
|
|
Floodproofing |
|
|
Land Grading |
|
|
Monitoring and Evaluation |
Mechanism
remediation of hydrologic alteration, seeding, planting, significant flooding events and increase in annual precipitation, compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Riparian Herbaceous Cover |
|
|
Stream Habitat Improvement and Management |
|
|
Aquatic Organism Passage |
|
|
Obstruction Removal |
|
|
Tree/Shrub Establishment |
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Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats |
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Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Shallow Water Development and Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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Constructed Wetland |
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Wetland Restoration |
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Wetland Creation |
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Wetland Enhancement |
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Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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Restoration of Compacted Soils |
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Shallow water habitat |
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Non-forested riparian zone enhancement for fish and wildlife |
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Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats |
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Multi-species Native Perennials for Biomass/Wildlife Habitat |
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Monitoring and Evaluation |
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Aquatic Organism Passage Barrier Removal |
Mechanism
remediation of hydrologic alteration, seeding, planting, significant flooding events and increase in annual precipitation, compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Stream Habitat Improvement and Management |
|
|
Aquatic Organism Passage |
|
|
Obstruction Removal |
|
|
Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Shallow Water Development and Management |
|
|
Constructed Wetland |
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Wetland Restoration |
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Wetland Creation |
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Wetland Enhancement |
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Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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Non-forested riparian zone enhancement for fish and wildlife |
|
|
Multi-species Native Perennials for Biomass/Wildlife Habitat |
|
|
Monitoring and Evaluation |
|
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Aquatic Organism Passage Barrier Removal |
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.