Moist Sandy Scrubby Flatwoods
Scenario model
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
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Description
Moist Sandy Scrubby Flatwoods vegetation (State 1) is variable in its structure, ranging from scrub shrublands to open pine woodlands with a well-developed understory. The former condition resembles that of the Dry White Sand Scrubs concept. The latter has widely spaced canopy of longleaf or slash pines (Pinus palustris, P. elliottii), and an understory of scrub oak patches interspersed with herbaceous ground cover and other low shrubs. Wiregrass (Aristida stricta) and saw palmetto are present and distinguish scrubby flatwoods vegetation from scrub.
Description
State 2 describes late successional vegetation resulting from long term fire suppression. Xeric hammocks are compositionally similar to State 1 white sands scrub in that the same clonal oak species are dominant. However, xeric hammock is a forest with a closed canopy of sand live oak overtopping lower growths of clonal scrub oaks and hardwood seedlings. Sand pine is either absent, having failed to regenerate under densely forested conditions, or is present as a few old emergent trees. The forest floor is covered with oak leaf litter which holds considerable moisture, creating mesic conditions at ground level and further depressing native herbaceous growth as well as pine germination (FNAI, 2010).
Description
This state describes a restored woodland or shrubland with similar structure and ecological function to that of State 1. Notably, this state describes conditions where native propagules have been extirpated following long term fire suppression and/or extensive soil disturbance associated with commodity land uses, followed by artificial establishment of native clonal oaks and other scrub shrub species. Many native species are absent, and weedy or residual non-native species may persist in this restored scrub community. Herbaceous species are absent, weedy or non-native, depending on pre-restoration conditions and geography.
Restoration of native oaks provides fuels for infrequent fires necessary for ecological functioning and dynamics. Once established, clonal oaks may provide habitat suitable for establishment of other native plant populations, either from artificial seeding or natural recruitment.
The full complement of native species remains incomplete in State 3. Perennial grasses and forbs with seed dispersal mechanisms not conducive to colonization of distant and disturbed sites are notably absent (i.e. big seeded species which rely on animal and gravity dispersal, and long lived clonal species). However, over time, native plants may recolonize, particularly wind-dispersed native herbaceous species.
Description
State 4 describes a condition where one or more noxious non-native plant species has invaded and dominated the site. By far the most common invasive plant species is cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica; (MacDonald, 2004)). This highly clonal grass spreads rapidly by underground rhizomes and windblown seeds, forming dense circular patches which can become very large (on the order of 100’s of acres). Cogongrass grows vigorously in full sunlight and thrives on acidic, nutrient-poor soils and droughty conditions (MacDonald, 2004). Furthermore, cogongrass is a prolific seed producer, and readily invades following soil disturbances. (Yager, Miller, and Jones, 2010). Once clones are established, rapid cogongrass growth will extirpate native ground cover plant populations. In addition, cogongrass may be allelopathic in some situations (Brook, 1989; Bryson and Carter, 1993). In general, cogongrass may colonize conditions with plenty of sun exposure and open ground. Soil disturbance is conducive to cogongrass colonization.
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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.