State 1
Cutthroat Grasslands

Figure 9. Open flat prairie dominated by a dense layer of cutthroat grass with scattered slash pines.

These are densely vegetated, single-layered grassland communities that are dominated by cutthroat grass (Panicum abscissum). Trees and shrubs are rarely present in its natural state, and will often occur most often along the ecotone of other communities or in an altered state. This community is found along the foot slope toe slope of the Lake Wales Ridge and Bombing Range Ridge, extending exclusively within Polk and Highlands Counties.

Characteristics and indicators. This state is characterized by the stiff, strongly rhizomatous, turf-forming cutthroat grass, which often will result in an overwhelming dominance of this species in each of these communities.

Resilience management. This natural state is maintained by a high water table at or near the surface for most of the year. Cutthroat grass communities exist along the seepage slope and slope break, where groundwater flows downslope and rainfall attribute to the hydric conditions of these communities. These communities are also dependent strongly on frequent fire to maintain community composition and structure. Fire return intervals every 1 to 10 years during the growing season (mid-April to mid-June) should act to prevent extensive woody encroachment.

Community 1.1
Cutthroat Seeps

Figure 10. Cutthroat seep dominated by a dense understory of cutthroat grass.

Figure 11. Cutthroat seep dominated by cutthroat grass with flowering yellow milkwort. Other grasses and forbs may be present as minor species.

Cutthroat grass seeps are the most strongly seepage-influenced community in south and central Florida. These are dominated by a dense ground layer of cutthroat grass (Panicum abscissum) and a distinct ground cover layer of Sphagnum moss. These will occur naturally along the foot and toe slopes of the Lake Wales Ridge and Bombing Range Ridge in Polk and Highlands Counties exclusively. While primarily dominated by cutthroat grass, slight changes in microtopography and hydroperiod may allow for other species to be present, creating a highly biodiverse community.

Resilience management. Cutthroat seeps are integrated hydrologically with the surrounding upland habitats. Surface seepage originating from rainfall in the upland habitats along with rainfall is one of the main sources of water for these communities. Maintenance of cutthroat seeps hydroperiods are critical for the survival of this habitat. Reductions in the amount of water flow due to ditching, roads, prescribed fire lines, or other hydrologic alterations allows for a shift in dominantly herbaceous and grasses species in open areas to shrubby and closed forests. These communities also depend on frequent fire to maintain community structure and prevent woody establishment. Fire return intervals every 1 to 3 years during the growing season (mid-April to mid-June) favor cutthroat grass and other flowering herbaceous species. These fires are critical for the flowering and seed production of many species found within these communities as well as suppressing woody shrubs and trees by introducing another stress factor into the community. If prescribed burning is unfeasible for any reason, mechanical maintenance can be used to upkeep these communities. Examples may include brush cutting and removal of undesirable species. Fire is the preferred management strategy in these communities as mechanical maintenance may introduce non-native species.

Forest overstory. Trees and shrubs are rarely found in this community and may be most often seen along the ecotones of higher communities or due to alterations of the natural community (fire-suppression, change in hydrologic flow, etc).

Forest understory. The understory consists of a dense single-layer of cutthroat grass (Panicum abscissum) with sphagnum moss (Sphagnum spp.) or a mucky mineral ground cover beneath. Slight depressional areas may favor wetter species such as maidencane (Panicum hemitomon) and Elliot's yelloweyed grass (Xyris elliottii). Less common grasses include bushy bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus var. hirsutior) and bunched beaksedge (Rhynchospora cephalantha). Many flowering species are present in these communities, with the most commonly associated being yellow milkwort (Polygala rugelii) and rose gentian (Sabatia spp.)

Community 1.2
Shrubby Cutthroat Seeps

This community reflects a short term fire-suppressed cutthroat seepage community. With short-term fire suppression, up to 10 years, woody species begin to become established within the cutthroat seep. This community will have short shrubs and immature tree species unevenly spaced with an understory of cutthroat grass and other herbaceous species. This may also be reflected due to slight decreased in the hydroperiod, due to extended dry periods or anthropogenic affects such as ditching, roads, prescribed fire lines, etc. Fire has not been excluded from the system long enough to completely shade the understory and cause the complete removal of cutthroat grass.

Resilience management. This community can return to its reference state with the return of fire into the system via frequent, randomly timed, early growing-season fires (April to mid-August). Growing season fires provide an essential cue for flowering herbaceous species and provide effective management to remove woody species and prevent their re-invasion. Mechanical removal of shrubs may be implemented but not be completely necessary as shrub species are not completely established in the community and may cause mechanical soil disturbances.

Forest overstory. Trees and shrubs begin to become established due to short term fire suppression or hydrologic alterations. The most common shrubs and trees are often bay species (Gordonia lasianthus, Persea palustris, Magnolia virginiana), St. Johnswort (Hypericum spp.), wax myrtle (Morella cerifera), fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), gallberry (Ilex glabra), and slash pine (Pinus elliottii). These will be dense, low-growing woody vegetation that are less than 20 feet (6 meters) tall. These shrubs will consist of both true shrubs that never attain a greater height, and young trees of other species that may never obtain their maximum height due to the harsh environmental conditions. Some shrub-scrub wetlands are a successional change from non-forested wetland to forested wetland communities over time without disturbance.

Forest understory. The understory consists of a dense single-layer of cutthroat grass (Panicum abscissum) with sphagnum moss (Sphagnum spp.) or a mucky mineral ground cover beneath. Slight depressional areas may favor wetter species such as maidencane (Panicum hemitomon) and Elliot's yelloweyed grass (Xyris elliottii). Less common grasses include bushy bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus var. hirsutior) and bunched beaksedge (Rhynchospora cephalantha). Many flowering species are present in these communities, with the most commonly associated being yellow milkwort (Polygala rugelii) and rose gentian (Sabatia spp.)

Pathway 1.1 A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

The natural fire return interval is suppressed for up to 10 years allowing for the establishment and growth of shrubby species. This shift may be compounded if the hydroperiod is shortened most often caused by fire line plows, road establishment, or off-road vehicle tracks.

Context dependence. Within a short period (up to a 10 years without fire) trees and shrubs begin to become established within the cutthroat seeps, an area that historically underwent the stress of fire every 1 to 3 years.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

A fire interval is reintroduced on a 1 to 3 year rotation during the early growing season (April to mid-June). This is typically done via prescribed burning. Reintroducing fire into the system via frequent burns introduce a second stress at the time of year where woody species are already under stress and have low carbohydrate reserves after green-up. Over time this can lead to a decline in shrub recruitment and abundance while promoting flowering and seed production of the desirable grasses and herbaceous forbs that exist in the reference community.

Context dependence. For best management results prescribed burns should be done during the early growing season (April to mid-June) to promote flowering of desired species and reduction of undesired species. Prescribed burning in the late growing season or between growing seasons may stimulate clonal growth of woody shrubs and trees while also depress flowering of desired species. If late growing season or between growing season burns are implemented over long intervals, reduction in the herbaceous species present and displace by woody species will increase.

State 2
Cutthroat Woodlands

Figure 12. Cutthroat Flatwoods, a phase where pine became dominant in the overstory and the fire return interval was reintroduced, allowing for the reestablishment of cutthroat grass.

This state is occupied by a open or closed canopy of woody shrubs and trees that have become completely established with the absence of fire from the natural community at one point or another. These are most often created due to alteration of the natural habitat and are the successional climax community of these habitats.

Characteristics and indicators. These areas are characterized by broadleaf evergreen or coniferous wetland shrubs and trees that exist along the side slope and slope breaks of the Lake Wales Ridge and Bombing Range Ridge.

Resilience management. This natural state is maintained by a high water table at or near the surface for most of the year. These communities depend on the absence of fire from the system to allow for woody species to become dominant in the overstory. If fire is reintroduced into the system after pine establishment but before hardwood dominance and is continuously maintained as a fire dependent community it can allow for the creation of a cutthroat flatwoods community. If fire is continuously suppressed it will continue to smother the understory cutthroat grass and can lead to the development of a hardwood dominated baygall.

Community 2.1
Shrub Thickets

This community describes the absence of fire or hydrologic alteration from a cutthroat seep allowing for woody shrubs and trees to shade out the understory and cause the removal of cutthroat grass. This will often have a dense shrub layer with emergent tree species and a spare understory.

Resilience management. This community is maintained by the absence of fire from a cutthroat seep for more than 10 years but less than 40 years. Hydrologic alteration to the surrounding communities may also result in similar shrub and tree growth. This allows for the establishment of shrub species to become prevalent in the midstory and allow for an emergent overstory while shading out the understory species. These are still seepage wetlands and have shifted from non-forested palustrine communities to forested palustrine communities and will need to be maintained to preserve natural hydrologic conditions. Mechanical soil disturbances created in attempts to remove these species may negatively impact lower communities by create hydrologic changes.

Forest overstory. This consists of dense stands of broadleaf evergreen wetland shrubs 1 to 5 meters tall, with or without a scattered overstory of pines and bays.

Forest understory. The understory will often be highly shaded, with or without patchy areas of cutthroat grass (Panicum abscissum) or pineland threeawn (Aristida stricta), depending on last time since fire. Sphagnum moss (Sphagnum spp.) or a mucky mineral ground surface will be present under the grass layer.

Community 2.2
Grassy Cutthroat Flatwoods

Figure 13. Cutthroat Flatwoods, overstory of open canopy slash pine with a dense understory of cutthroat grass.

This community describes the presence of an open canopy of slash pine in the overstory with no midstory shrubs and a dense groundlayer of cutthroat grass. This is often formed after the creation of a shrub thicket where pine species become established and fire is reintroduced into the system at natural intervals of 1 to 3 years to promote the flowering and reestablishment of cutthroat grass, while suppressing and killing shrubby fire intolerant species.

Resilience management. This habitat is maintained by natural fire every 1 to 3 years in the growing season (April to mid-June) and will often become established during or immediately after the creation of a shrub thicket. The reintroduction of fire kills off the shrub and fire intolerant tree species, while promoting cutthroat grass. Slash pine is able to survive light surface fires due to its thick bark and deep rooting system. This reestablishment of cutthroat grass with the overstory of slash pine will need frequent fire to prevent the reestablishment of shrubby species.

Forest overstory. The overstory consists of an open, widely spaced canopy of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) at least 20 feet (6 meters) tall.

Forest understory. The understory will represent the understory found in the reference state. It will consist of a dense single-layer of cutthroat grass (Panicum abscissum) with sphagnum moss (Sphagnum spp.) or a mucky mineral ground cover beneath. Slight depressional areas may favor wetter species such as maidencane (Panicum hemitomon) and Elliot's yelloweyed grass (Xyris elliottii). Less common grasses include bushy bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus var. hirsutior) and bunched beaksedge (Rhynchospora cephalantha). Many flowering species are present in these communities, with the most commonly associated being yellow milkwort (Polygala rugelii) and rose gentian (Sabatia spp.)

Community 2.3
Baygalls

This community is an evergreen forested wetland of bay species that forms when fire is absence from a cutthroat seepage community for long periods of time (>40 years). Seepage from uplands and rainfall still maintain a saturated soil surface for most of the year. These are closed canopy forests that shaded out the understory species of cutthroat grass, and maintain highly saturated soils, creating a fire-intolerant system. As the broad-leaved species become established they may inhibit growth of smaller pine species to be more adaptive of low light tolerant species.

Resilience management. This is often the climax community of many wetland communities, including the cutthroat seeps, when fire is excluded for very long periods of time. Fires from adjacent cutthroat seeps and flatwoods communities should be allowed to extinguish naturally at the edges of the baygall to help prevent encroachment of bay species into the remaining seepage communities.

Forest overstory. The canopy and understory do not generally for distinct strata but rather will appear as a dense tall thicket.

Forest understory. Vines may be abundant and contribute to an impentratable thicket throughout the understory. Herbaceous species are few to absent, and typically consist of sphagnum species and ferns.

Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Frequent fires are reintroduced into the system implemented over the long-term for the removal of woody shrubs and fire intolerant tree species.

Context dependence. Frequent fires should be reintroduced into the system every 1 to 3 years during the growing season to suppress shrub growth and prevent reintroduction. Slash pine is adaptive to light surface ground fires, allowing them to survive the reintroduction of frequent fires, thus leaving them often as the only overstory species. Fire can be reintroduced into the system via prescribed burning.

Pathway 2.1b
Community 2.1 to 2.3

This is driven by long-term fire-suppression, typically seen along the ecotones to higher communities. Absence of fire from the system for long periods of time (>40 years) will allow broad-leaved evergreen bay species to germinate and mature, shading out the understory and causing the removal of cutthroat grass. The understory will often be replaced by vines as more shade tolerant species become prevalent.

Context dependence. Fire must be absent from the system for long periods of time, often greater than 40 years for bay species and other broad-leaved evergreen wetland species to become dominant.

Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1

For this transition of a cutthroat flatwoods to return to a shrub thicket, fire must be suppressed from the system again long enough for the growth and establishment of woody species. The growth of woody shrubs may also be accomplished by the decrease in hydroperiod which may be due to soil disturbances from ditching, roads, or prescribed fire lines.

Context dependence. Fire must be suppressed from the system for more than 10 years to allow for the establishment of shrubby species while also shading out the understory, causing the removal of cutthroat grass and other herbaceous species.

State 3
Grazed Rangeland

Rangelands are described as lands on which the indigenous vegetation is predominately grasses, grass-like plants, forbs, and possibly shrubs or dispersed trees. Existing plant communities can include both native and introduced plants. Primary export from Florida ranges are cattle and have been present in the state since their first introduction by Spanish explorers in 1521. Native forage production is very good with proper management in this community, with only a slight effect on the community. Proper management will often result in an increase of grasses and reduction of shrubs while also maintaining proper fire intervals. Rangelands provide a diversity of ecosystems and also provide a diverse and significant production of economic benefits and ecosystem goods and services. Livestock production along with sustainable wildlife populations provide for the major direct economic benefits, but also tourism, recreational uses, minerals/energy production, renewable energy, and other natural resource uses can be very significant. Vital ecosystem contributions include clean water, clean air, fish/wildlife habitat, as well as intangible considerations such as historical, cultural, aesthetic and spiritual values. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Resource Conservationist and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations or prescribed grazing practices.

Community 3.1
Cutthroat Grass (LRS007- Excellent)

Cutthroat grass (Panicum abscissum) is a stiff, strongly rhizomatous, turf-forming native warm-season perennial grass that has the potential for producing significant amounts of good quality forage. Growth starts in January, but little foliage is produced until March, April, and May. It regrows well after spring grazing. The seedheads appear in June with seed ripening in late July and early August. It reproduces primarily from robust, thick rhizomes. It grows well in 35 to 40 percent shade and only on strongly acid, seepy, sandy sites. These are highly suitable sites for grazing due to the sod-forming nature of cutthroat grass, and with proper management can be grazed with little to no effect on biodiversity. In excellent conditions cutthroat grass will be found in association with bushy bluestem (Andropogon virginicus), creeping bluestem (Schizachyrium stoloniferum), and toothache grass (Ctenium aromaticum). Where cattle grazing or trampling is shown to be an intolerable problem in a cutthroat seepage community, steps should be taken to attract cattle away from the seepage slope. Fencing may be necessary if livestock trampling becomes problematic. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Grazing Land Specialists and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations or prescribed grazing practices.

Resilience management. Livestock that graze it in the winter must be fed a complete mineral and protein supplement during the summer months where ponding conditions are present and unfavorable to cattle. Deferred grazing every few years during the spring for at least 90 days keeps this grass vigorous and productive. Frequent controlled burning (every 1 to 3 years to mimic natural fire regimes) eliminates unused material. New growth following a burn is excellent forage.

Community 3.2
Saw Palmetto - Wax Myrtle - Wiregrass (LRS007- Poor or Fair)

This phase represent the succession of rangeland in excellent condition to poor or fair conditions. The stage of this phase is the transitional period between a predominaely open, herbaceous field and the shrub thicket phase of a cutthroat woodland. Duration of this phase is dependent on former and future management, use, and impacts. The early pioneer shrub thicket phase will be dependent on the available seedbank present. This poor to fair condition phase will most often consist of the saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) and wiregrass (Aristida stricta). This phase often transitions due to poor management, including overstocking and overgrazing, as well as mismanagement of the natural habitat. Other undesirable species may be present in this community that have not been mentioned,

Pathway 3.1a
Community 3.1 to 3.2

This pathway occurs when range management activities include overgrazing, overstocking, etc., natural succession of the once managed site leads to this stage.

Pathway 3.2a
Community 3.2 to 3.1

This pathway represents renovation of the unmanaged condition back to managed rangeland in excellent condition. Management activities likely include mechanical removal of the larger, woody vegetation followed by herbicide treatment and establishment of desired seeding mixtures, and correcting grazing management plans.

State 4
Managed Grassland / Pastureland

Pasture is a land use type having vegetation cover comprised primarily of introduced or enhanced native forage species that is used for livestock grazing. Pasture vegetation can consist of grasses, legumes, other forbs, shrubs or a mixture. The majority of these forages are introduced, having originally come from areas in other states or continents. Most are now naturalized and are vital components of pasture based grazing systems. Pasture lands provide many benefits other than forage for livestock. Wildlife use pasture as shelter and for food sources. Well managed pasture captures rainwater that slowly infiltrates into the soil which helps recharge groundwater. It is especially important as livestock grazers continues to experience extraordinarily high fuel and other input costs. Overgrazed pastures can lead to soil compaction and numerous bare spots, which may then become focal points of accelerated erosion and colonization sites of undesirable plants or weeds. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Resource Conservationist and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations or prescribed grazing practices. This grassland / pastureland state correlates with the 2013 Florida Forage Suitability Group G155XB145FL (Sandy Soils on Stream Terraces, Flood Plains or in Depressions).

Community 4.1
Limpograss - Maidencane - Blue Maidencane (FSG145)

This community phase represent commonly planted forage species on pasturelands, haylands, and open grasslands found adaptive to the natural seasonal high water table representative of this community. The suite of plants established on any given site may vary considerably depending upon purpose, management goals, and usage (e.g., horses vs. cattle). Most systems include a mixture of grasses and legumes that provide forage throughout the growing season. Warm season perennial forage species often include limpograss (Hemarthria altissima), maidencane (Panicum hemitomon), and blue maidencane (Amphicarpum muhlenbergianum). Warm season annual forage species often include Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta) and aeschynomene (Aeschynomene americana). Several additional plants and/or species combinations may be present depending on the objectives and management approaches of the land manager/owner.

Community 4.2
Bahiagrass - Bermudagrass (FSG141)

This community phase represent commonly planted forage species on pasturelands, haylands, and open grasslands found in drained areas of this natural community. The suite of plants established on any given site may vary considerably depending upon purpose, management goals, and usage (e.g., horses vs. cattle). Most systems include a mixture of grasses and legumes that provide forage throughout the growing season. Warm season perennial forage species often include bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis), limpograss (Hemarthria altissima), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), purple bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus var. glaucopsis), yellow indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), lopsided indiangrass (Sorghastrum secundum), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), rhizoma perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata), and carpon desmodium (Desmodium heterocarpon). Warm season annual forage species often include browntop millet (Urochloa ramosa), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta) and aeschynomene (Aeschynomene americana). Cool season annual forage species often include annual ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum), oat (Avena sativa), rye (Secale cereale), wheat (Triticum aestivum), Triticale (x Triticosecale rimpaui), and white clover (Trifolium repens). Several additional plants and/or species combinations may be present depending on the objectives and management approaches of the land manager/owner.

Resilience management. For this phase, use of cool season forages such as annual ryegrass, oats, and wheat planted in a prepared seedbed is dependent upon the location in the MLRA. Forage production is usually at the middle to lower end of the production range due to limited and sporadic rainfall during fall and winter months, particularly in the southern half of this MLRA. Additionally in the southern portion of the MLRA, warm temperatures persisting into the fall and returning quickly in the spring greatly shorten the production period for cool season forages. Thus in the southern portion of the MLRA, cool season forages generally will only produce sufficient winter grazing in years with average and above average rainfall (El Niño winters) for specialized management uses such as creep grazing, early weaning, or purebred operations. While in more northerly locations in the MLRA, planting winter annual forages for use as a winter feed supply for the whole cow herd may be practical most years due to better winter rainfall. Overseeding annual ryegrass on a bahiagrass pasture also is not recommended in the southern end of this MLRA, due to excessive competition from bahiagrass for soil moisture, but may be an option in the northern portions of the MLRA. Similarly winter legumes are less productive the further south in the MLRA the site is located. White clover is the only winter legume recommended for this FSG due to its better tolerance to saturated soil conditions. Grazing management and fertilization need to favor the legume component for persistence. Even then, reseeding every other year may be necessary. White clover, which is normally considered a perennial species, functions more as an annual in Florida and thus is heavily dependent upon reseeding to persist. Due to bloat issue, white clover should be used only in mixtures unless bloat preventative treatments are fed. Initial growth of perennial warm season grasses and legumes or establishment of warm season annual grasses may be delayed in the spring due to low rainfall. Often production of perennial species also dips during the April/May dry period. Once normal summer rainfall be-gins, plant production should resume. Warm season legumes such as aeschynomene and carpon desmodium can also be over sown onto warm season grasses in this forage suitability group, although fertilization (no N fertilizer) and grazing management needs to favor legume establishment and persistence. Additional lime may be needed to maintain a pH of 5.5 to 6.0. Limpograss should be limited to soils where drainage has not been altered.

Forest overstory. The overstory in the grassland state is minimal, consisting mainly of scattered shade trees.

Forest understory. Species composition of pastures, hayfields, and open areas of this community phase will vary considerably. Newly planted and/or renovated sites will consist mainly of the selected seeding mixtures, which may include bahiagrass and bermudagrass among others. Depending on the amount of time elapsed since planting, a number of native and non-native species may invade the site and co-exist with the selected species.

Community 4.3
Dogfennel - Wax Myrtle (Unmanaged)

This phase represent the succession of pastureland and/or open grassland to unmanaged conditions. Duration of this phase is dependent on former and future management, use, and impacts. The early pioneer shrub thicket phase will be dependent on the available seedbank present. This unmanaged phase will most often consist of the shrub wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) and dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), an aggressive native perennial that is characteristic of unimproved, unmanaged, or overgrazed pastures, where it adds the decline of forage yield and quality. Other undesirable species may be present in this community that have not been mentioned,

Pathway 4.1a
Community 4.1 to 4.2

This pathway occurs when this phase is drained to lower the seasonal high-water table to be more suitable for a greater variety of pasture grasses.

Pathway 4.1b
Community 4.1 to 4.3

This pathway occurs when pasture management activities include overgrazing, overstocking, etc., natural succession of the once managed site leads to this stage.

Pathway 4.2a
Community 4.2 to 4.3

This pathway occurs when pasture management activities are discontinued (e.g. grazing, moving, etc.), natural succession of the once managed site leads to this stage.

Pathway 4.3a
Community 4.3 to 4.1

This pathway represents renovation of the unmanaged condition back to managed pastureland, forage production, or open grassland. Management activities likely include mechanical removal of the larger, woody vegetation followed by herbicide treatment and establishment of desired seeding mixtures.

Pathway 4.3b
Community 4.3 to 4.2

This pathway represents renovation of the unmanaged condition back to managed pastureland, forage production, or open grassland. Management activities likely include mechanical removal of the larger, woody vegetation followed by herbicide treatment and establishment of desired seeding mixtures.

State 5
Agriculture

The agriculture industry includes cultivated crops, aquaculture, and apiculture. Cultivated cropland includes areas used for the production of adapted crops for harvest. These areas comprise of land in row crops or close-grown crops that are in a rotation with row or close-grown crops. Primary exports from Florida consist of fruits, greenhouse and nursery products, sugar cane, and the signature export of citrus. Aquaculture includes the cultivation and maintenance of aquatic plants, aquatic reptiles, crustaceans, food/ ornamental fish, shellfish, and other miscellaneous species for harvesting. Apiculture includes the maintenance of honeybees and hives to provide beeswax, honey/ other edible bee products, crop pollination services, and sales of bees to other beekeepers. These areas have been modified resulting in land clearing practices and hydrologic management to fit the growers needs. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Agronomist and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations.

Resilience management. Major natural resource concerns facing cropland include: (1) erosion by wind and water, (2) maintaining and enhancing soil quality, (3) water quality from nutrient and pesticides runoff and leaching, and (4) managing the quantity of water available for irrigation. For more specific information regarding cropland please contact your local NRCS office.

Community 5.1
Non-Citrus Fruits & Vegetables

This phase describes the growth and harvest of non-citrus fruits and vegetables. Land conversion is necessary to create fields suitable for crop growth. Common fruits and vegetables grown in these soils include tomatoes and watermelons. Due to the year-round warm climate Florida has, non-citrus fruits and vegetables can often be harvested in both winter and summer seasons.

Resilience management. Selection of species and varieties is critical for fruit and vegetable production, as plants that are not adapted to local conditions will generally fail to produce regardless of how much care and attention they receive. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Agronomist and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations.

Community 5.2
Citrus Crops

This phase describes the growth of citrus crops, dominantly identified as oranges and grapefruit within this ecological site area. Creation of citrus groves frequently requires bedding in very poorly and poorly drained soils, altering the natural habitat. For citrus crops to be harvested, trees must be established and fruiting.

Resilience management. Management should be based off individual groves, as different areas will require different management. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Agronomist and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations.

Community 5.3
Abandoned Agriculture Fields

This phase describes the absence of management from agriculture fields, often resulting in overgrowth of woody shrubs and vines as well as invasive weeds. This community may occur when producers abandon a field due to any number of reasons. Many fields in the first seasons of abandonment will remain fallow until weedy and shrubby species become dominant. With proper management this community has the potential to support agricultural commodities.

Pathway 5.1a
Community 5.1 to 5.2

This transition is driven by the preparation and management of creating a citrus grove. This is a complex process and will need individual site assessment for new groves. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Agronomist and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations.

Context dependence. Many factors must be taken into consideration, including creating a grove design before the site is prepared and irrigation system installed. Factors should include tree spacing and orientation, soil fertility, soil moisture and water supply, and species variety selection. Maintenance of a grove is required to sustain healthy crops, including managing for insect pests and diseases, weed management, and proper irrigation and nutrition.

Pathway 5.1b
Community 5.1 to 5.3

Many fields become abandoned when a producer doesn't maintain and harvest crops against pests, diseases, rising costs of labor, or any other reason that will lead to field abandonment.

Pathway 5.2a
Community 5.2 to 5.1

This transition is driven by the preparation and management of creating a field designed for non-citrus fruits or vegetable crops. This is a complex process and will need individual site assessment for new planting. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Agronomist and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations.

Pathway 5.2b
Community 5.2 to 5.3

Many fields become abandoned when a producer doesn't maintain and harvest crops against pests, diseases, rising costs of labor, or any other reason that will lead to field abandonment.

Pathway 5.3a
Community 5.3 to 5.1

The restoration of an abandoned field or grove to an active agriculture field often includes removal of the abandoned crop and weeds, converting the land if necessary, and replanting of desired species. Abandoned citrus groves that get converted to agriculture fields will often need complete removal of the citrus tree and the land to be flattened from furrows present in citrus groves. Once removal of undesirable species is complete and the land is converted to a flat field (if necessary), and new seedlings are planted, maintenance is required to keep the crop healthy until harvest.

Pathway 5.3b
Community 5.3 to 5.2

The restoration of an abandoned field or grove to an active citrus grove often includes removal of the abandoned crop and weeds and replanting of desired species. In citrus groves removal of abandoned citrus trees are often either completely pulled out of the ground or cut to the stump and new seedlings are planted next to the cut stumps. Once removal of undesirable species is complete and new resets are planted, maintenance is required to keep the crop healthy until harvest.

State 6
Silviculture

This state is important and used by silviculturists, landowners, land managers, and the public/private silviculture industry. The two most common species of trees that can be harvested for timber in this community are slash pine and longleaf pine. Large areas of cutthroat seeps are typically not used for managed woodlands due to the extreme wetness, plant composition, and difficulty of harvest, but may be used for silviculture management if part of a larger wooded area. Silviculture is land used in controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society such as wildlife habitat, timber, water resources, restoration, and recreation on a sustainable basis. These are forestry practices that include thinning, harvesting, planting, pruning, prescribed burning and site preparation, for managed goals such as wildlife habitat creation or harvesting. Many managed silvicultural lands in Florida include tree plantations for growth of tropical ornamental species such as palms; and lumber, pulp, and paper species such as slash pine and longleaf pine.

Resilience management. This state is managed by silviculture prescriptions that will vary based on individual forest stand and management goals.

Community 6.1
Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) / South Florida Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa) Managed Stand

Slash pine is important silviculture product because its a strong heavy wood making it ideal for construction. The high resin content also makes it useful for railroad poles, ties and piling. In regards for pulpwood Slash pine can be harvested at 15 to 20 years. For lumber, Slash pine can be harvested at 25 to 40 or more years of age. Diseases: The two most severe diseases of slash pine are fusiform rust (Cronartium quercuum f. sp. fusiforme) and annosus root rot (Heterobasidion annosum). Fusiform rust is a stem disease that affects seedlings and saplings. The younger the pine is when it becomes infected, the more likely it is to die. This disease causes stem, branch and trunk cankers (galls) to form on infected trees ultimately killing them. Removing trees with severe stem galls minimizes timber losses and improves stand quality. Annosus root rot infects thinned stands. The fungus colonizes on freshly cut stumps and spreads by root contact. This disease is most damaging to slash pine if there is good surface drainage which is not present in this community due it being poorly drained and a high water table during the raining months. Pest: Insects that attack slash pine include pales weevil (Hylobius pales), black turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus terebrans), engraver beetles (Ips spp.), pine web worm (Tetralopha robustella), and pine sawfly (Neodiprion spp.). Florida slash pine are less susceptible to insects and disease than the common species of slash pine.

Resilience management. Fire Relations: In a slash pine silvicultural stand, a fire interval of at least 5 to 6 years allows young trees to develop some fire resistance. When fire comes through, it exposes the mineral soil which enhances germination. One- and two-year-old slash pine are killed by low-severity fire. After 3 to 4 years, seedlings survive low-severity fire but not moderate-severity fire. Ten- to fifteen-foot-tall (3.0-4.6 m) saplings survive moderate-severity fires. Once slash pine is 10 to 12 years old, it survives fire that does not reach the crown. This community has occasional flooding during the rain season and very brief to brief flooding during the dry season which hinders potential fire. A drainage system such as bedding may be needed for this issue. Shallow bedding has occasionally been seen to fail on pine plantations of more wet drainage classes. The solution to this may be to establish deeper beds for better drainage. For the best results from regeneration, slash pine is best when under even - aged management. The silviculture system used in slash pine are seed tree and shelter wood, described below. Seed Tree Management: This Silviculture System defined as the removal of an old stand except for a few single/small group/line of the old stand. This will cause for the natural regeneration of the pine species. Shelter Wood Management: This Silviculture System is defined as partial cutting of overstory which provides "shelter" or protection for the young understory to grow. Once the understory becomes of appropriate age, the remaining overstory will be cut.

Community 6.2
Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) Managed Stand

Longleaf pine is a valued timber species because it is composed of straight wood with few defects. It was used extensively in the past for timber and ship building. Most virgin stands have now been harvested. Longleaf pine is highly desirable wood but because longleaf pine is not as easy to regenerate as other southern pine timber species, it is not used as extensively as it once was. When Longleaf pine reaches 40 - 50 years they may meet the standards for utility poles and can be harvested. Of all the southern pine species, longleaf pine is the most insect, disease, and fire resistant and has the greatest longevity. Disease: The main disease of longleaf pine is brown-spot needle blight (Scirrhia acicola). Defoliation suppresses and eventually kills grass-stage seedlings. Infection of seedlings is less severe under a pine overstory than in the open. Other diseases include pitch canker (Fusarium moniliforme var. subglutinans), annosus root rot (Heterobasidion annosum), and cone rust (Cronartium strobilinum). Pests: Insects that attack longleaf pine include black turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus terebrans), bark beetles (Ips spp.), and seed bugs (Tetyra bipunctata and Leptoglossus corculus), which can destroy a seed crop.

Resilience management. Longleaf pine is classified as fire-resistant. The natural fire interval is every year to every 5 to 10 years through lighting strikes in the late spring - summer months. Young stands should not be burned until at least 2 years after the removal cut to allow time for logging slash to decay and the seedlings to respond to release. Since Longleaf pine are a shade and competition intolerant species, and most susceptible to death in its youngest state, Longleaf has developed adaptations. An example being in the grass-stage if top-killed, it sprouts from the root collar. Once the terminal bud develops, it is protected by a moist, dense tuft of needles. As the tuft burns towards the bud from the needle tips, water is vaporized. The steam reflects heat away from the bud and extinguishes the fire. After the fire has died off this leaves no competition from neighboring species such as hardwoods, other pine species, and shrubs. Leaving all the sun light for the young understory to grow in complete sunlight. Although fire can be beneficial to Longleaf, once a seedling has entered the height-growth stage, fire damage can decrease growth. Natural regeneration of longleaf pine is difficult due to poor seed production, heavy seed predation by animals, poor seedling survival, and slow seedling growth. Longleaf pine is best managed with even-aged silviculture using a three-cut shelterwood system. Three-cut shelterwood management: The mature stand is removed in a series of three harvests, with a portion left standing as a seed source until regeneration is well established. Under natural conditions these areas are identified as wetlands. Altering the natural conditions to create proper drainage for agricultural needs should be carefully managed and assessed during, before, and after conversions.

Pathway 6.1A
Community 6.1 to 6.2

To transition from a slash pine stand to a longleaf pine stand it must include removal of slash pine because longleaf are shade and competition intolerant, drastic water drainage is recommended. This is due to the fact that longleaf pine are commonly found and grow best in well drained soils. Well drained soils are improbable in this reference community due to it having a high water table with occasional flooding during summer rains with very brief to brief ponding during the fall and spring. Once the soil drainage is altered to support Longleaf, planting and maintenance of this community is needed. Fire return intervals averaging 5 to 10 years will maintain community composition and structure. Young stands should not be burned until at least 2 years after the removal cut to allow time for logging slash to decay and the seedlings to respond to release.

State 7
Invaded State

This state represents the dominance of one or multiple non-native or exotic species which outcompetes the native natural community and may significantly alter the composition and structure of the invaded stand by overshading the canopy and understory components and preventing regeneration of native species.

Community 7.1
Melaleuca - Brazilian Peppertree

This phase describes the introduction and establishment of two invasive species , melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia). These are shrubs and trees that produce a dense canopy that shade out all other plants. These species are adapted to wet conditions, allowing them to occupy wetlands as well as upland terrestrial habitats. The rapid growth and high germination rates make these species very difficult to suppress. Other undesirable species may be present in this community that have not been mentioned,

Resilience management. Restoring native habitat may be very difficult with these species. Mechanical removal must be aggressive, removing the entire root system to prevent rhizomatous sprouting. Both of these species are adapted to fire, with melaleuca germinating following a fire and Brazilian pepper resprouting rapidly following a fire. Chemical treatments may be applied via foliar treatments, cut-stump, bail bark, or hack and squirt methods.

State 8
Human Altered / Human Transported Areas

These areas include soils that were intentionally and substantially modified by humans for an intended purpose, commonly for terraced agriculture, building support, mining, transportation, and commerce. The alteration is of sufficient magnitude to result in the introduction of a new parent material (human-transported material) or a profound change in the previously existing parent material (human-altered material). They do not include soils modified through standard agricultural practices or farmed soils with unintended wind and water erosion. When a soil is on or above an anthropogenic landform or microfeature, it can be definitely be associated with human activity and is assigned to a unique taxa, usually found as an "Urban land complex" within that communities' natural soil properties (e.g., Immokalee sand-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes).

Characteristics and indicators. Evidence of these areas include soils with manufactured items (e.g. artifacts) present in the profile, human altered-materials (e.g., deeply excavated or plowed soil) or human-transported material (e.g., fill), and position on or above anthropogenic landforms (e.g., flood-control levees) and microfeatures (e.g., drainage ditches). Detailed criteria regarding the identification of anthropogenic (artificial) landforms, human-altered materials, and human-transported material are in the "Keys to Soil Taxonomy" (Soil Survey Staff, 2014).

Community 8.1
Reclaimed Areas

Reclaimed areas are areas that have been modified through anthropogenic means that are restored to a natural or second-hand natural community. Areas that can be reclaimed are any intensity urban areas, and may be required to be reclaimed after urban use (e.g., active mines must be reclaimed). These practices include the identification, removal, and stockpiling soil materials before altering the land, and revegetation and replacement of soil materials after altering the land. This also applies to nearby urban areas that have been adversely affected by the anthropogenic activities.

Community 8.2
Urban

This urban community consists of development for human use. Urban areas include a variety of land uses, e.g., inner city or urban core, industrial and residential areas, cemeteries, parks, and other open spaces; the overall function which may benefit the quality of human life. These often form an urban soil mosaic, where the natural landscape has been fragmented into parcels with distinctive disturbance and management regimes and, as a result, distinctive characteristic soil properties.

Resilience management. Within this community there are three different levels of urbanization, based off population dynamics, residential density, and intensity of development. These are labeled as low-intensity, medium-intensity, and high-intensity urban areas, which can eventually be split apart into its own separate state. Low-intensity urban areas may consist of single dwelling homes with little impact on the surrounding community which still somewhat represents the natural community (e.g., represents natural landscape, hydrology, and vegetation) , other examples of this are urban parks, cemeteries, or campgrounds with little urban development. Medium-intensity urban areas consist of larger urban dwellings with some natural features, but have been modified to meet urban needs (e.g., towns). High-intensity urban areas are areas of heavily modified areas with complete alterations of the natural landscape, hydrology, and vegetation to support a very large population, which once constructed is permanently altered (e.g., metropolis areas/ active mines).

Community 8.3
Non-Reclaimed Areas

Non-reclaimed areas are areas that have been modified through anthropogenic means that are unable to be restored to a natural or second-hand natural community. Areas that cannot be reclaimed are areas under active mining status or mined areas before the Phosphate Land Reclamation Act in 1975, which leaves shut down operations alone. These areas also include fallow mines that have been flooded and are now permanent bodies of water.

Pathway 8.1A
Community 8.1 to 8.2

Driven by clearing and developing the land for the desired community.

Pathway 8.2A
Community 8.2 to 8.1

Driven by the revegetation, reestablished hydroperiod, and replacement of displaced soil materials after altering the land.

Pathway 8.2B
Community 8.2 to 8.3

Driven from heavy industrial or urban development which causes the land to become non-reclaimable. This transition is rare due to the many environmental laws and regulations that must be followed when developing land.

Pathway 8.3A
Community 8.3 to 8.1

Driven by the revegetation, reestablished hydroperiod, and replacement of displaced soil materials after altering the land.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Cutthroat Grasslands

Cutthroat Woodlands

This transition is driven by the long-term absence of fire from these communities. Fire suppression for 10 to 40 years. This long-term fire-suppression allows the growth of shrub and tree species present from short-term suppressed areas out of the understory into the overstory. This will shade out the understory that was once dominant by dense cutthroat grass. Absence of fire may be due to increased fragmentation of natural habitats and mismanagement of natural communities.

Constraints to recovery. Once the shrub and trees become established, mechanical, biological, and/or chemical removal of species will be required to return to the reference state.

Context dependence. Long-term fire-suppression from 10 to 40 years will allow for the establishment of immature shrub and tree layer to become established and closely to completely shade the understory. This will remove the cutthroat grass as a dominant understory species.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

This mechanism is driven by the introduction of livestock species to the natural system and implementing a planned grazing strategy. Use of a planned grazing strategy to balance animal forage demand with available forage resources. Timing, duration, and frequency of grazing are controlled and some type of grazing rotation is applied to allow for plant recovery following grazing.

Constraints to recovery. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Resource Conservationist and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations or prescribed grazing practices.

Transition T1C
State 1 to 4

Actions required to convert native habitat to pasture or forage production include herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants. Decisions to convert native land to pastureland on this site should be made carefully and continuously evaluated before, during, and after conversion activities. This site is extremely susceptible to soil compaction and erosion. The decision to proceed with this action should be done so in close communication with and guidance from local NRCS Service Centers.

Constraints to recovery. Under natural conditions these areas are identified as wetlands. Altering the natural conditions to create proper drainage for agricultural needs should be carefully managed and assessed during, before, and after conversions.

Transition T1D
State 1 to 5

Actions required to convert native habitat to agricultural land include herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants. Decisions to convert native land to agriculture on this site should be made carefully and continuously evaluated before, during, and after conversion activities. This site is extremely susceptible to soil compaction and erosion. The decision to proceed with this action should be done so in close communication with and guidance from local NRCS Service Centers.

Constraints to recovery. Under natural conditions these areas are identified as wetlands. Altering the natural conditions to create proper drainage for agricultural needs should be carefully managed and assessed during, before, and after conversions.

Transition T1E
State 1 to 6

This pathway consists of prescribed silvicultural activities specifically designed to meet stand compositional and production objectives. For increasing native pine recruitment and production (State 6 Phase 1- Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) / South Florida Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa) Managed Stand) achieving proper pine regeneration and maintenance is necessary. Low intensity ground fires and shelter/ seed tree management may assist in creating natural regeneration while promoting a healthy understory system. For management of more well drained pine species (State 7 Phase 2- Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) Managed Stand) alteration of the natural habitat may be required to create suitable conditions or may have been a result of past land use alteration (bedding, ditching) while utilizing low intensity ground fires and shelter/ seed tree management for necessary growth.

Constraints to recovery. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Resource Conservationist and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations or prescribed silvicultural practices.

Transition T1F
State 1 to 7

This transition represents proliferation and dominance of an invasive species. Soil mechanical disturbances can compound this effect and create suitable conditions for invasive species.

Transition T1G
State 1 to 8

This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

Cutthroat Woodlands

Cutthroat Grasslands

This restoration strategy includes the removal of the undesirable woody species through mechanical, biological, and / or chemical means to assist in its return to a natural state. This should incorporate sensitive, non-invasive practices that favors reestablishment of cutthroat grass while minimizes soil disturbance. Once overstory species have been removed a fire return interval mimicking the natural return interval of every 1 to 3 years should be reintroduced during the growing season to promote the flowering and growth of cutthroat grass.

Context dependence. Initial removal of trees in these communities may be necessary to restore areas where trees have shaded out herbaceous vegetation. This may be accomplished via hand cutting or the use of stem-selective herbicides. Large scale mechanical site preparation such as roller chopping or discing should not be used in these areas. Fire intervals should mimic the natural return interval of every 1 to 3 years during the growing season to promote flowering and growth of cutthroat grass. This should be implemented continuously over the long-term to prevent woody reestablishment.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

This mechanism is driven by the introduction of livestock species to the natural system and implementing a planned grazing strategy. Use of a planned grazing strategy to balance animal forage demand with available forage resources. Timing, duration, and frequency of grazing are controlled and some type of grazing rotation is applied to allow for plant recovery following grazing.

Constraints to recovery. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Resource Conservationist and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations or prescribed grazing practices.

Transition T2B
State 2 to 4

Actions required to convert woodlands to pasture or forage production include forest clearing, stump removal, herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants. Decisions to convert woodlands to pastureland on this site should be made carefully and continuously evaluated before, during, and after conversion activities. This site is extremely susceptible to soil compaction and erosion. The decision to proceed with this action should be done so in close communication with and guidance from local NRCS Service Centers.

Transition T2C
State 2 to 5

Actions required to convert native habitat to agricultural land include herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants. Decisions to convert native land to agriculture on this site should be made carefully and continuously evaluated before, during, and after conversion activities. This site is extremely susceptible to soil compaction and erosion. The decision to proceed with this action should be done so in close communication with and guidance from local NRCS Service Centers.

Constraints to recovery. Under natural conditions these areas are identified as wetlands. Altering the natural conditions to create proper drainage for agricultural needs should be carefully managed and assessed during, before, and after conversions.

Transition T2D
State 2 to 6

This pathway consists of prescribed silvicultural activities specifically designed to meet stand compositional and production objectives. For increasing native pine recruitment and production (State 6 Phase 1- Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) / South Florida Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa) Managed Stand) achieving proper pine regeneration and maintenance is necessary. Low intensity ground fires and shelter/ seed tree management may assist in creating natural regeneration while promoting a healthy understory system. For management of more well drained pine species (State 7 Phase 2- Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) Managed Stand) alteration of the natural habitat may be required to create suitable conditions or may have been a result of past land use alteration (bedding, ditching) while utilizing low intensity ground fires and shelter/ seed tree management for necessary growth.

Constraints to recovery. It is strongly advised that consultation with State Resource Conservationist and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations or prescribed silvicultural practices.

Transition T2E
State 2 to 7

This transition represents proliferation and dominance of an invasive species. Soil mechanical disturbances can compound this effect and create suitable conditions for invasive species.

Transition T2F
State 2 to 8

This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1

This mechanism is driven by the removal of livestock species from the naturally grazed system and restoring natural frequent fire intervals to maintain natural community composition and structure.

Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 2

This mechanism is driven by the removal of livestock species from the naturally grazed system and restoring natural frequent fire intervals to maintain natural community composition and structure.

Transition T3A
State 3 to 4

Actions required to convert rangeland to pasture or forage production include forest clearing, stump removal, herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants. Decisions to convert woodlands to pastureland on this site should be made carefully and continuously evaluated before, during, and after conversion activities. This site is extremely susceptible to soil compaction and erosion. The decision to proceed with this action should be done so in close communication with and guidance from local NRCS Service Centers.

Transition T3B
State 3 to 5

Actions required to convert native habitat to agricultural land include herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants. Decisions to convert native land to agriculture on this site should be made carefully and continuously evaluated before, during, and after conversion activities. This site is extremely susceptible to soil compaction and erosion. The decision to proceed with this action should be done so in close communication with and guidance from local NRCS Service Centers.

Transition T3C
State 3 to 6

This pathway consists of prescribed silvicultural activities specifically designed to meet stand compositional and production objectives. Decisions to convert land to silviculture on this site should be made carefully and continuously evaluated before, during, and after conversion activities. This pathway consists of prescribed silvicultural activities specifically designed to meet stand compositional and production objectives.

Transition T3D
State 3 to 7

This transition represents proliferation and dominance of an invasive species. Soil mechanical disturbances can compound this effect and create suitable conditions for invasive species.

Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 1

This mechanism is driven by restoring natural hydrologic flow to the area (dependent on level of alteration) to meet the natural hydroperiod once supported by these communities. This can be done via blocking or filling in previously made ditches used to drain and channelize water flow out of the system from pasture or other land use management. Other management practices such as replanting native grasses (cutthroat grass) and prescribed burning must be implemented to return the to the natural state. Local site conditions and disturbances may determine existing plant seed banks and community composition of managed grasslands/ pastures. Frequent fires should be implemented every 1 to 3 years in the growing season (April to mid-June) to help promote flowering native species while controlling invasive plants and encroaching woody shrubs and trees. The decision to proceed with this action should be done so in close communication with and guidance from local NRCS Service Centers.

Transition T4A
State 4 to 5

Actions required to convert native habitat to agricultural land include herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants. Decisions to convert native land to agriculture on this site should be made carefully and continuously evaluated before, during, and after conversion activities. This site is extremely susceptible to soil compaction and erosion. The decision to proceed with this action should be done so in close communication with and guidance from local NRCS Service Centers.

Transition T4B
State 4 to 6

This pathway consists of prescribed silvicultural activities specifically designed to meet stand compositional and production objectives. Decisions to convert land to silviculture on this site should be made carefully and continuously evaluated before, during, and after conversion activities. This pathway consists of prescribed silvicultural activities specifically designed to meet stand compositional and production objectives.

Transition T4C
State 4 to 7

This transition represents proliferation and dominance of an invasive species. Soil mechanical disturbances can compound this effect and create suitable conditions for invasive species.

Transition T4D
State 4 to 8

This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.

Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1

This mechanism is driven by restoring natural hydrologic flow to the area (dependent on level of alteration) to meet the natural hydroperiod once supported by these communities. This can be done via blocking or filling in previously made ditches used to drain and channelize water flow out of the system from pasture or other land use management. Other management practices such as replanting native grasses (cutthroat grass) and prescribed burning must be implemented to return the to the natural state. Local site conditions and disturbances may determine existing plant seed banks and community composition of managed grasslands/ pastures. Frequent fires should be implemented every 1 to 3 years in the growing season (April to mid-June) to help promote flowering native species while controlling invasive plants and encroaching woody shrubs and trees. The decision to proceed with this action should be done so in close communication with and guidance from local NRCS Service Centers.

Transition T5A
State 5 to 4

Actions required to convert agriculture to pasture or forage production include forest clearing, stump removal, herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants. Decisions to convert woodlands to pastureland on this site should be made carefully and continuously evaluated before, during, and after conversion activities. This site is extremely susceptible to soil compaction and erosion. The decision to proceed with this action should be done so in close communication with and guidance from local NRCS Service Centers.

Transition T5B
State 5 to 6

This pathway consists of prescribed silvicultural activities specifically designed to meet stand compositional and production objectives. Decisions to convert land to silviculture on this site should be made carefully and continuously evaluated before, during, and after conversion activities. This pathway consists of prescribed silvicultural activities specifically designed to meet stand compositional and production objectives.

Transition T5C
State 5 to 7

This transition represents proliferation and dominance of an invasive species. Soil mechanical disturbances can compound this effect and create suitable conditions for invasive species.

Transition T5D
State 5 to 8

This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.

Restoration pathway R6A
State 6 to 1

Very selective time removal activities should be conducted to restore cutthroat seeps from a timber managed state. Timber removal should only be done in the winter months, when there is very little to no water present at the soil surface, and in a way that favors maintenance of indigenous ground cover vegetation and minimizes soil disruption. Only use skidders with large, soft tires, and only log in the driest weather to prevent rutting and compaction. Avoid dragging log butts or ends in the ground to minimize soil disturbances. Leave trees should be avoided to prevent damage when removing selective species, avoid leaving slash pines and locate landing zones outside of sensitive habitats. Once proper removal of selective timber activities are completed, restored maintenance of the natural community is needed to control desired community structure and composition.

Context dependence. Timber removal activities should be carefully managed to prevent damage to the natural community. The effects of logging on ground cover must be assessed after each individual logging event. Frequent fires should be reintroduced (if excluded during silviculture management) every 1 to 3 years during the growing season to promote flowering and seeding of natural grasses while preventing woody species encroachment.

Restoration pathway R6B
State 6 to 2

Very selective time removal activities should be conducted to restore cutthroat seeps from a timber managed state. Timber removal should only be done in the winter months, when there is very little to no water present at the soil surface, and in a way that favors maintenance of indigenous ground cover vegetation and minimizes soil disruption. Only use skidders with large, soft tires, and only log in the driest weather to prevent rutting and compaction. Avoid dragging log butts or ends in the ground to minimize soil disturbances. Leave trees (if present/ applicable) should be avoided to prevent damage when removing selective species, avoid leaving slash pines and locate landing zones outside of sensitive habitats. Once proper removal of selective timber activities are completed, restored maintenance of the natural community is needed to control desired community structure and composition.

Context dependence. Timber removal activities should be carefully managed to prevent damage to the natural community. The effects of logging on ground cover must be assessed after each individual logging event. Restoration to the Cutthroat Woodland state should be managed to meet the Cutthroat Flatwoods community (Phase 2.2), in which cutthroat grass is present with the overstory of pine. Frequent fires should be reintroduced (if excluded during silviculture management) every 1 to 3 years during the growing season to promote flowering and seeding of natural grasses while preventing woody species encroachment.

Transition T6A
State 6 to 7

This transition represents proliferation and dominance of an invasive species. Soil mechanical disturbances can compound this effect and create suitable conditions for invasive species.

Transition T6B
State 6 to 8

This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.

Restoration pathway R7A
State 7 to 1

The establishment of, or a return to, natural habitat conditions following a previous invasive / non-native / undesirable species infestation may be possible in some areas. Successful actions will require relentless efforts that include removal of the species via chemical, mechanical, and / or biological means. In some extreme cases, restoration attempts could result in greater erosion and worsening of local conditions. Please consult with District and Soil Conservationists at local NRCS Field Offices for advice and guidance on land restoration attempts on invaded areas.

Restoration pathway R7B
State 7 to 2

The establishment of, or a return to, natural habitat conditions following a previous invasive / non-native / undesirable species infestation may be possible in some areas. Successful actions will require relentless efforts that include removal of the species via chemical, mechanical, and / or biological means. In some extreme cases, restoration attempts could result in greater erosion and worsening of local conditions. Please consult with District and Soil Conservationists at local NRCS Field Offices for advice and guidance on land restoration attempts on invaded areas.

Restoration pathway R7C
State 7 to 3

The establishment of, or a return to, altered land use conditions following a previous invasive / non-native / undesirable species infestation may be possible in some areas. Successful actions will require relentless efforts that include removal of the species via chemical or mechanical or biological means. In some extreme cases, restoration attempts could result in greater erosion and worsening of local conditions. Please consult with District and Soil Conservationists at local NRCS Field Offices for advice and guidance on land restoration attempts on invaded areas.

Restoration pathway R7D
State 7 to 4

The establishment of, or a return to, altered land use conditions following a previous invasive / non-native / undesirable species infestation may be possible in some areas. Successful actions will require relentless efforts that include removal of the species via chemical or mechanical or biological means. In some extreme cases, restoration attempts could result in greater erosion and worsening of local conditions. Please consult with District and Soil Conservationists at local NRCS Field Offices for advice and guidance on land restoration attempts on invaded areas.

Restoration pathway R7E
State 7 to 5

The establishment of, or a return to, altered land use conditions following a previous invasive / non-native / undesirable species infestation may be possible in some areas. Successful actions will require relentless efforts that include removal of the species via chemical or mechanical or biological means. In some extreme cases, restoration attempts could result in greater erosion and worsening of local conditions. Please consult with District and Soil Conservationists at local NRCS Field Offices for advice and guidance on land restoration attempts on invaded areas.

Restoration pathway R7F
State 7 to 6

The establishment of, or a return to, altered land use conditions following a previous invasive / non-native / undesirable species infestation may be possible in some areas. Successful actions will require relentless efforts that include removal of the species via chemical or mechanical or biological means. In some extreme cases, restoration attempts could result in greater erosion and worsening of local conditions. Please consult with District and Soil Conservationists at local NRCS Field Offices for advice and guidance on land restoration attempts on invaded areas.

Transition T7A
State 7 to 8

This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of soil materials via anthropogenic means.