Wet Rich Forests And Woodlands
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
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Description
The drier portions of this site support pine woodlands which are maintained by frequent fire regimes. This includes Mesic Flatwoods and Wet Flatwoods (FNAI 2010). Pine are dominant, and may include longleaf (P. palustris) and slash pines (P. elliottii). Mid- and understory woody vegetation includes hydrophytic oaks (Q. nigra, Q. laurifolia), saw palmetto, gallberry (Ilex glabra), blueberries (Vaccinium spp.). Ground cover vegetation includes many perennial bunch grasses, including wiregrass and bluestem species (Andropogon spp.), and many sedges and forbs.
Description
Mesic hammock result when fire regimes are altered or suppressed in mesic flatwoods (and maybe wet flatwoods). Live oak (Q. virginiana) overtakes pines and other hardwoods as the dominant species in a closed forest canopy. The midstory and ground cover are very dependent on soil moisture and hydrology, but in general is sparse. Cabbage palm may be a subcanopy dominant.
Description
State 3 variously describes a grasslands and pine woodlands consisting of seeded and planted native species, OR a mixture of native and non-native herbaceous species. 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. Native plant populations are purposefully re-established in this state, for the purpose of ecological restoration.
The phases of State 3 include grasslands and, if native pines are planted, woodlands with herbaceous ground cover. These plant communities have restored ecological function and provide habitat for native wildlife species. Restoration of native grasses provides fine fuels for frequent ground fires and is necessary for restoration of ecological site dynamics. State 3 woodlands may provide suitable habitat for ground nesting birds and small mammals.
Description
State 4 represents a REFERENCE site condition of this sites STM. Hydric Hammock occur in the wetter portions of this concept. These are closed canopy forests of flood tolerant evergreen hardwoods and palms. Ponding and inundation are frequent, and related to rainfall and poorly drained and frequently saturated soils.
Forest composition is influenced by flooding frequency and depth of inundation. Cypress (Taxodium spp.) may be infrequently present where flooding is more pronounced. More commonly, canopy species include swamp laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), live oak (Q. virginiana), American elm (Ulmus americana), swamp blackgum (Nyssa biflora), sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), red maple (Acer rubrum), sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and water oak (Q. nigra). Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) may be abundant in all forest strata.
The mid- and under-story vegetation of hydric hammocks is variable, and depend on small scale variations in hydrology and topography. Common species include many ferns and vines, as well as hardwood saplings.
Description
State 5 describes a condition where one or several noxious non-native species has invaded and dominated the site. In the drier portions of this site, cogongrass is the most pervasive noxious invader. Cogongrass is not common in frequently inundated areas.
Description
This state describes commodity land uses of the drier portions of this site, including cleared land, crop production and improved pastures.
All phases of State 6 describe conditions following clearing and ground penetrating soil disturbance, to the degree that native ground cover is mostly absent. Generally these phases are characterized by the complete extirpation of native ground cover populations, including seed banks and dormant propagules, although native weedy species may persist (mostly annual species). Depending on the severity and frequency of ground disturbance, soil profile characteristics in the upper part of the soil may be altered.
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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.