Loamy Slopes
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 covers a broad area and will require significant study to identify the full range of disturbances and plant communities associated with it. Northern hardwoods dominate, particularly yellow birch, sugar maple and beech. However, where soils somewhat shallower or wetter than the typical site concept there is often more red spruce, balsam fire, white birch and eastern hemlock present in the community.
On gentler slopes, this site may be cultivated for crop or pasture. When cropland or pastureland management ceases, the site either returns to northern hardwoods or may transition to a white pine forest. Once white pine is established, it tends to form a single age stand with low diversity and little understory.
Resilience management
Treethrow and logging are the most common disturbances on this site. The site is resilient following these disturbances and succeeds through an herbaceous and shrubby phase prior to tree establishment and eventual return to the reference community. The young forest stands include several species not typically dominant in the reference community, including pin cherry, white birch, aspen, balsam fir, etc.
Submodel
Description
Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics driven by natural disturbances, processes, and pressures (may have some anthropogenic drivers). 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 drivers). More research is needed to determine the extent of the cultural state associated with this ecological site.
Submodel
Mechanism
climate change, dominant hardwood loss, introduction of invasive species, pests, and pathogens
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Monitoring and Evaluation |
Mechanism
landscape alteration, logging, mechanical soil disturbance, landscape clearing, seeding, planting
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Cover Crop |
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Land Clearing |
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Precision Land Forming |
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Irrigation Land Leveling |
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Land Smoothing |
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Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment |
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Planned Grazing System |
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Forest Land Management |
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Conversion of cropped land to grass-based agriculture |
Mechanism
management of invasive species, pests, and pathogens, restoration of key native plant species, restoration of terrestrial habitat, white pine thinning
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems |
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Native Plant Community Restoration and 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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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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Hardwood Crop Tree Release |
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Habitat Development for Beneficial Insects for Pest Management |
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Biological suppression and other non-chemical techniques to manage brush, weeds and invasive species |
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Biological suppression and other non-chemical techniques to manage herbaceous weeds invasive species |
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Monitoring and Evaluation |
Mechanism
landscape alteration, logging, mechanical soil disturbance, landscape clearing, seeding, planting
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Cover Crop |
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Land Clearing |
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Precision Land Forming |
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Irrigation Land Leveling |
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Land Smoothing |
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Forage Harvest Management |
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Planned Grazing System |
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Monitor key grazing areas to improve grazing management |
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Conversion of cropped land to grass-based agriculture |
Mechanism
seeding, planting, restoration of compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Critical Area Planting |
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Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
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Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
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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 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 |
Mechanism
seeding, planting, restoration of compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Critical Area Planting |
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|
Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats |
|
|
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
|
|
Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems |
|
|
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
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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 |
Model keys
Briefcase
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Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
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.