Wet Organic Soil Flats and Depressions
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Decreased organic soil depth
More details -
Transition T1B
Significantly increased inundation
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Transition T1C
Drainage
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Transition T2A
Increased organic soil depth
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Transition T2B
Significantly increased inundation
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Transition T2C
Drainage
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Transition T3A
Periodic fire and significantly decreased inundation
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Transition T3B
Decreased inundation
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Transition T3C
Drainage
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Transition T4A
Restoration of hydrology, vegetation, and fire
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
Shrub bog is found on the edge of swamps, in stream head drainage seeps, and on flat, poorly drained divides between rivers. Shrub bogs occur in areas of poor internal drainage that typically have highly developed organic soils.
Community dynamics are driven by hydrology, especially hydroperiod, accumulation of organic soils, and periodic fire. This site has a long hydroperiod with the water table at or near the soil surface 6 to 12 months of the year. Periodic low intensity surface fire impacts species composition and productivity, but intense fire during droughty conditions can consume significant volumes of organic soil. Periodic low intensity surface fires favor pond pine, but the absence of fire favors bay hardwoods and slash pine. Intense fire can significantly lower soil surface elevation and may cause a state transition with prolonged periods of inundation.
(FNAI, 2010; Schafale et al., 1990; Sharitz et al., 1982)
Submodel
Submodel
Description
Much of this community is commonly found occurring in shallow depressions containing standing water during most of the year. Some depressions are formed by fires that consume the organic soil material to depths that are sufficient to expose the water table. Most marsh is mucky and is dominated by dense stands of sedges, and they may succeed to shrub bog.
(Florida SWCD, 1989; Sharitz et al., 1982)
Description
Historically, these sites have been drained frequently to support a variety of land uses including forestry, agriculture, and development. This drained state is included in this STM because this state exists widely today across the landscape. Drainage of wetlands today is significantly regulated. NRCS is required to consider impacts to wetlands according to Federal laws including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, and State, Tribal, and local laws. It is the policy of NRCS to protect and promote wetland functions and values in all NRCS assistance (National Environmental Compliance Handbook (NECH) 610.36).
Submodel
Description
After land on this site has been drained, it is impossible to return fully to reference conditions that existed at that location prior to drainage, especially at locations that remained under active drainage management for long periods of time. Drained organic soils will have a lower soil surface elevation, and thinner organic horizons, than prior to drainage. Restoration efforts might include blocking and removing drainage structures, revegetation, and reintroduction of periodic fire, but redevelopment of organic soil surface elevations will take profoundly long periods of time to achieve, if ever.
Submodel
Mechanism
Decreased organic soil depth through either different fire dynamics or different hydrology.
Mechanism
The drained state is included in this STM because this state exists widely today across the landscape. This transition is included to show how we got to where we are today. Drainage of wetlands today is significantly regulated. NRCS is required to consider impacts to wetlands according to Federal laws including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, and State, Tribal, and local laws. It is the policy of NRCS to protect and promote wetland functions and values in all NRCS assistance (National Environmental Compliance Handbook (NECH) 610.36).
Mechanism
Increased organic soil depth through changes in fire or changes in hydrology.
Mechanism
The drained state is included in this STM because this state exists widely today across the landscape. This transition is included to show how we got to where we are today. Drainage of wetlands today is significantly regulated. NRCS is required to consider impacts to wetlands according to Federal laws including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, and State, Tribal, and local laws. It is the policy of NRCS to protect and promote wetland functions and values in all NRCS assistance (National Environmental Compliance Handbook (NECH) 610.36).
Mechanism
The drained state is included in this STM because this state exists widely today across the landscape. This transition is included to show how we got to where we are today. Drainage of wetlands today is significantly regulated. NRCS is required to consider impacts to wetlands according to Federal laws including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, and State, Tribal, and local laws. It is the policy of NRCS to protect and promote wetland functions and values in all NRCS assistance (National Environmental Compliance Handbook (NECH) 610.36).
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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.