Marsh
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 R3A More details
- Restoration pathway R3B More details
-
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The marsh ecological site includes all open wetlands in MLRA 146. Current soil mapping does not distinguish between significant marsh types, and further research is required to define true wetland site concepts for the MLRA.
Freshwater marsh sites occur in closed or open basins that are generally flat and shallow, they are associated with lakes, ponds, slow-moving streams, and/or impoundments or ditches. Surface water is non-tidal, persistent year-round (saturated to flooded), and ranges from several centimeters to several meters in depth.
This ecological site provides a foraging, breeding, nesting habitat for many water-dependent animal populations. Several rare or endangered insects reptile, bird and amphibian species utilize these freshwater marsh habitats.
Characteristics and indicators
These sites are characterized by a variety of emergent , floating, and/or submergent aquatic vegetation species. Deciduous shrubs may be present and scattered, but trees are generally absent on these sites. The substrate is often a mixture of silty organic muck rather than peat.
Resilience management
The major threats to this ecological site are water quality degradation from excess nutrients in runoff and the spread of invasive aquatic plants. Maintaining appropriate wetland buffers can help ensure that adjacent land uses do not result in marsh degradation.
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
hydrologic alteration (natural/anthropogenic), soil disturbance, increased flooding, drought, climate change
Mechanism
hydrologic alteration (anthropogenic), mechanical soil disturbance
Mechanism
restoration, seeding/planting, actively managed for invasiveness and biological introductions, remediation of hydrologic alteration
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Obstruction Removal |
|
|
Drainage Water Management |
|
|
Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management |
|
|
Wetland Restoration |
|
|
Wetland Enhancement |
|
|
Floodproofing |
|
|
Riparian Buffers - Vegetative |
|
|
Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems |
|
|
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
|
|
Forest Land Management |
|
|
Invasive Plant Species Control |
|
|
Pathogen Management |
|
|
Invasive Species Pest Management |
|
|
Precision Pest Control Application |
|
|
Shallow water habitat |
|
|
Establish pollinator habitat |
|
|
Biological suppression and other non-chemical techniques to manage brush, weeds and invasive species |
|
|
Biological suppression and other non-chemical techniques to manage herbaceous weeds invasive species |
|
|
Monitoring and Evaluation |
|
|
Establish pollinator and/or beneficial insect habitat |
Mechanism
hydrologic alteration, significant drought, potential for agricultural use
Mechanism
remediation of hydrologic alteration, increased flooding frequency/duration, active restoration management
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Obstruction Removal |
|
|
Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|
|
Wetland Restoration |
|
|
Wetland Creation |
|
|
Wetland Enhancement |
|
|
Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems |
|
|
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
|
|
Restoration of Compacted Soils |
|
|
Monitoring and Evaluation |
Mechanism
remediation of hydrologic alteration, increased flooding frequency/duration, active restoration management
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Obstruction Removal |
|
|
Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems |
|
|
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management |
|
|
Restoration of Compacted Soils |
Model keys
Briefcase
Add ecological sites and Major Land Resource Areas to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase (
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
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.