Poorly Drained Clayey Bottomland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Introduction of Chinese tallow and/or other non-native species
More details -
Transition T1B
harvest by clearcut and planted to a monoculture of hardwood trees
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Mechanical and/or chemical control of Chinese tallow and/or other non-natives
More details -
Transition T2A
harvest by clearcut and planted to a monoculture of hardwoods
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Selective harvest coupled with the reintroduction of native species
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
The Poorly Drained Clayey Bottomland ecological site is a Water Oak/Overcup Oak forest. The deep clayey soils are poorly drained and support hydrophytic vegetation. The overstory is moderate to heavy from 75 to 95 percent canopy cover. The basal areas are high, from 80 to over 100 square feet per acre. Fire is infrequent, occurring at intervals greater than 20 years apart, typically when lengthy dry periods occur. The dominant force in shaping the ecosystem is the flooding regimes. When flooding saturates the soil, water does not allow oxygen to flow through the soil, causing anoxic conditions. Some soil indicators include: gleyed (grey) colors with redoximorphic features (reds and yellow intermixed) and manganese nodules. The understory vegetation has adapted to the seasonally anaerobic conditions are dominant. The USACOE classifies plants that occur in wetlands with an estimated probability greater than 99 percent obligate (OBL), and those 67 to 99 percent facultative wetland (FACW) plants. Facultative wet wetland plants are the most common encountered throughout the bottomlands, with obligate plants found in the longer flooded areas and facultative wetland plants found on the peripheries.
Submodel
Description
Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) is an undesired, invasive species brought to the United States in 1776 (Randall & Marinelli, 1996). Rapid expansion along the gulf coastal states has allowed the species to invade many ecosystems and consequently reduce diversity. Tallow trees are known to cause gastrointestinal upset, contact dermatitis, and toxicity in livestock and humans. Mechanical and chemicals options exist as a means to control the trees.
Submodel
Mechanism
The transition from State 1 to State 2 is a result of occupancy by Chinese tallow or other noxious weeds. Invasive plants outcompete, and eventually choke out, all other native species.
Mechanism
The transition is due to the land manager maximizing silviculture potential. Merchantable timber is harvested by clearcut, the site prepared and planted to a monoculture of hardwood trees.
Mechanism
The driver for restoration is control of Chinese tallow. Although an option, mechanical removal of the trees is difficult because they readily regrow from roots and seeds. Several chemicals methods are available, including glyphosate for cut-stump treatments, triclopyr for cut-stump and foliar treatments, imazamox for broad spectrum application, and imazapyr as a foliar spray. Many aquatic herbicides have water use restrictions and can potentially kill hardwoods, so labels and restrictions should be read carefully prior to application.
Mechanism
The transition is due to the land manager maximizing silviculture potential. Merchantable timber is harvested by clearcut. Then, the site is prepared and planted to a monoculture of hardwood trees.
Mechanism
When restoring a plantation, the land manager can either clearcut the timber and begin as in the previous example. Otherwise, gap-phase regeneration is possible through selective timber harvests. This involves replanting the desired overstory species in small openings within the current structure of the woodland. The benefit is a slow progression of restoration instead of starting from primary succession.
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.