State 1
Pine Woodland

This state depicts forested rocklands consisting of open canopied forests dominated by pine trees. Fire is used to maintain this habitat and will have an open to dense understory of diverse subtropical and temperate species. Exposed limestone rocks can be found at or close to the surface throughout the entire area.

Characteristics and indicators. This site is characterized by shallow to exposed bedrock with an open pine woodland similar to pine flatwoods communities. Subtropical species will be present in the understory.

Resilience management. Fire is used to maintain community composition and structure and was historically introduced every 3 to 10 years. In areas of high density urbanization and fragmentation of this habitat, mechanical treatments such as roller chopping or hand removal can be utilized but are less effective than fire treatments.

Community 1.1
Pine Rockland

Figure 12. Pine Rockland in Everglades National Park near Homestead FL. This community is dominated by Florida Slash Pines in the overstory and a diverse assemblage of temperate and tropical species in the understory

Figure 13. Understory of pine rockland community. A diverse assemblage of grasses, palms, and shrubs growing on very thin soil with exposed limestone present.

Figure 14. Surface fragments (Limestone) are often present in these areas, with exposed limestone rock very common.

Pine rocklands are open canopied forested dominated by pines with a patchy understory of tropical and temperate shrubs and palms and a rich herbaceous layer of mostly perennial species endemic to south Florida. These communities will exist on very shallow to bedrock soils that are dominantly marl textured. This community is globally impaired and limited in distribution to Big Cypress National Preserve (Monroe and Collier Counties), the Florida Keys, and the southern portion of the Miami Ridge. The pine rocklands in the Miami Ridge area will have more tropical species and is generally drier (similar to those of the Florida Keys) than pine rocklands in the Big Cypress ecoregion due to slight climatic variations.

Resilience management. Fire is used to maintain community structure and composition with return intervals every 3 to 10 years, and without fire would allow the development of hardwood species to close the canopy transitioning to a rockland hammock. Although hardwood species are a natural component of pine rocklands, an exclusion of fire greater than 15 to 25 years will result in a succession to rockland hammock.

Community 1.2
Fire Excluded Pine Rockland

This community described a reference pine rockland in which fire has been excluded from the system for greater than 10 years but less than 15 years. This is longer than the naturally accepted fire return interval of 3 to 10 years but less than the 15 to 25 year exclusion limit where a rockland hammock gradually develops. Plant composition will be similar to the reference community, but community structure will be different. The shrubs will begin to shade out the understory and accumulate leaf litter, creating a moist environment.

Resilience management. Fire may still be carried through this community and can return to a reference pine rockland if introduced and maintained along a 3 to 10 year return interval.

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

This transition is driven by the exclusion of fire from the community for 10 to 15 years, which allows the establishment of shrubs to enter the midstory and begin a gradual transition to a hammock. This exclusion of fire can be due to high urbanization and fragmentation within the Miami Ridge area.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

This transition is driven by the reintroduction of fire into the system, which will assist in maintaining community structure of a reference pine rockland community. Once fire is reintroduced, to maintain a reference pine rockland community a fire return interval of every 3 to 10 years must be maintained to keep hardwoods excluded from growing into the midstory and preventing a possible hammock transition.

State 2
Rockland Forest

This state depicts forested rocklands consisting of closed canopied forests dominated by hardwood species. This is considered the successional stage of pine rocklands, characterized by long periods of time without fire in the system.

Characteristics and indicators. These rockland hammocks are characterized by closed canopy forests with a high diversity of species assemblage. These communities have shaded understories allowing for a dense assemblage of inflammable species and the creation of high moisture conditions creating a cool interior. Leaf litter accumulation will be present on the ground surface and will increase over time.

Community 2.1
Early Successional Rockland Hammock

This community describes an early successional rockland hammock in which fire has been excluded from a pine rockland for greater than 15 to 25 years, allowing for the shrubs to grow into the overstory and created shaded conditions that will no longer carry ground fires. Species composition will be similar to a rockland hammock but estimates require more than 100 fire free years to have maximum development of hammock structure and diversity. A relict overstory of slash pine may be present, representative of a transitioned pine rockland.

Resilience management. Gap succession is the main driver for this community and is often seen as windthrow during high energy storm events such as hurricanes. This community also requires time to transition to a rockland hammock and is estimated more than 100 fire free years to mature.

Community 2.2
Rockland Hammock

Rockland hammocks are very diverse tropical hardwood forests and considered the successional stage to pine rocklands. Limestone bedrock is very near the surface and often exposed. These communities can have greater than 120 native tree and shrub species present, many of which are at the northern extent of their native range. Organic acids from the decomposition of leaf litter can cause dissolving in the limestone bedrock forming solution holes, which may hold water and help maintain high humidity within the hammock. These will occur in limited extent in the Miami Ridge and will tend to consist of more tropical species due to slight climatic variations compared to those in the Big Cypress area. These are highly protected communities to to their highly desired locations on upland areas.

Resilience management. Gap succession is the biggest driver in this community, often driven by periodic wind events such as hurricanes or by urbanization and fragmentation.

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

This transition is driven by time which causes the early succession community to mature into a rockland hammock. While the early successional community can form as soon as 15 to 25 years in the absence of fire, it is estimated to need an additional 75 years of a fire free system, for more than 100 years total of being fire free to have maximum development of structure and species diversity.

Context dependence. This often occurs when a rockland hammock is fragmented due to urbanization.

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1

This transition is driven by a disturbance event which may return a rockland hammock back to an early succession phase. Overstory mortality may create canopy gaps which would allow for the rapid growth of species as they compete for light availability. Many different factors may cause overstory mortality in a rockland hammock, including, but not limited to, windthrow, crown fires, selective logging, or tree fall by weathering limestone.

State 3
Bare Ground / Pioneer Habitat

This state depicts a community that lacks vegetation. This is most often associated with extreme fires that will cause high mortality rates within a vegetative community. This state will also describe the secondary succession pioneer habitat that will become established if left undisturbed.

Characteristics and indicators. It is characteristic of herbaceous and succulent species found on exposed bedrock with little to no soil development.

Community 3.1
Bare Ground or Exposed Soil / Bedrock

This community describes an area in which a disturbance event has cleared or killed the existing vegetative community, leaving behind the bare ground or exposed soil or bedrock. Disturbance events may include wildfires which kill existing vegetation or windthrow from storm events such as hurricanes.

Community 3.2
Secondary Succession Pioneer Habitat

This community described a secondary succession pioneer habitat where a disturbance has taken place and cleared the soil, but is still able to support plant growth due to an existing or introduced seedbed. Rapid colonization will begin from herbaceous species, shrubs, and climbing species as well as seedlings from pioneer tree species. Over time it will transition into either a pine rockland or rockland hammock if managed for those habitats. If left unmanaged, this community will have large amounts of invasive species throughout the community.

Resilience management. Once a seedbank is established this secondary succession pioneer community can transition to either a rockland hammock or pine rockland, dependent on what was the existing community. Maintenance of that habitat will be required to reflect natural conditions.

Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2

This transition is driven by seedbank establishment, in where existing seeds are present in the remaining soil and begin to grow, creating an secondary succession pioneer habitat.

Context dependence. The seedbank must be preexisting in the remaining soil or must be deposited via natural or anthropogenic means.

Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1

This transition is driven by a disturbance event which destroys the secondary succession pioneer habitat back to exposed ground. This may be from abiotic factors such as hurricane events or by wildfires which will destroy the regrowth.

State 4
Invasive Non-Native Community

This state consists of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Non-Native Category 1 Species list . More information on these species list can be found: https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/63140/file/Florida%E2%80%99s_Pest_Plants.pdf or by contacting the UF / IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/), the UF / IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas (https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/), or the FWC Invasive Plant Management Section (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/invasive-plants/). This community will not represent every possibility of invasive species but rather the most common in these areas.

Characteristics and indicators. Non-Native species include species that exist outside of Florida's natural range and are introduced to the state via people, weather events, or any other means.

Resilience management. This state can be found as a part of any other state and can completely replace the native habitat if not properly managed. Restoration to natural communities after exotic non-native invasion includes practices such as mechanical and chemical removal.

State 5
Managed Resource Areas

The following communities comprise the major land uses in the United States and the land uses receiving the majority of the conservation treatment that address soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources within the USDA.

Characteristics and indicators. These land uses consist of areas that are not completely naturalized (i.e. native habitat) but are not completely altered by anthropogenic means.

Community 5.1
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. This is the reference community for this state because it requires very little alterations to the landscape for grazing species. 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.

Resilience management. Grazing, by both domestic livestock and wildlife, is the most common ecological management process, with fire and weather extremes also being significant ecological factors. For information regarding specific cattle grazing techniques please contact your local NRCS office.

Community 5.2
Open Transitional Managed Communities

This is an area that is managed to maintain open land before shifting to another community. These communities are often used as transitional periods from one practice to another and could lead to an abandoned / fallow field.

Community 5.3
Improved Pasture

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 is slowly infiltrated into the soil which helps recharge groundwater. Many small pasture livestock operations are near urban areas providing vistas for everyone to enjoy. Pasture is the basis of any livestock operation that is truly sustainable. It is especially important as livestock grazers continues to experience extraordinarily high fuel and other input costs.

Resilience management. Pastures receive periodic renovation and cultural treatments such as tillage, fertilization, mowing, weed control, and may be irrigated. For more information regarding specific pasture management please contact your local NRCS office.

Community 5.4
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 comprises land in row crops or close-grown crops that are in a rotation with row or close-grown crops. Primary export from Florida consists 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.

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 5.5
Silviculture

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, longleaf pine, cypress, and eucalyptus. This community also include management practices of agroforestry, the intentional mixing of trees and shrubs into crop and/or animal production systems to create environmental, economic and social benefits. This is included in this community and not any other state because the primary management is for tree species. This may include practices such as riparian forest buffers, windbreaks, forest farming, silvopasture, and alley cropping.

Resilience management. Management of silvicultural lands require specific prescriptions based on the management goals for the stand, and may include thinning, harvesting, planting, pruning, prescribed burning and site preparation. For more information regarding specific management for silviculture practices please contact your local NRCS office.

Pathway 5.1A
Community 5.1 to 5.2

This pathway is driven by land clearing practices that consists of removing the existing vegetation from the habitat and altering the habitat to prepare for modified land use.

Pathway 5.2A
Community 5.2 to 5.1

This pathway is driven by the restoration of the native habitat for the use of rangeland. This includes restoration of both the natural hydroperiods and landscape in advance of replanting native species. This is a time-consuming process and often results in second-hand community structure. Once restored to a natural capacity the introduction of grazing species to the system creates a managed rangeland.

Pathway 5.2B
Community 5.2 to 5.3

This pathway is driven by preparing the land for pasteurization. This includes the planting of vegetation consisting of grasses, legumes, other forbs, shrubs or a mixture that will provide preferred forage for managed grazing species.

Pathway 5.2C
Community 5.2 to 5.4

This pathway is driven by the preparation of land for agricultural uses. This change is dependent on the type of agricultural community is being created, but often depends on the growing, maintenance, and cultivation of an agricultural product for consumers. This community may require modification to the land to fit the hydrologic requirement of the growing crop.

Pathway 5.2D
Community 5.2 to 5.5

This pathway is driven by the preparation of the land for silvicultural purposes. This change is dependent on the type of silvicultural product being cultivated, as many different practices require different growth requirements.

Pathway 5.3A
Community 5.3 to 5.2

This pathway is driven by land clearing practices that consists of removing the existing vegetation from the habitat and altering the habitat to prepare for modified land use.

Pathway 5.3B
Community 5.3 to 5.4

This pathway is driven by the preparation of land for agricultural uses. This change is dependent on the type of agricultural community is being created, but often depends on the growing, maintenance, and cultivation of an agricultural product for consumers. This community may require modification to the land to fit the hydrologic requirement of the growing crop.

Pathway 5.3C
Community 5.3 to 5.5

This pathway is driven by the preparation of the land for silvicultural purposes. This change is dependent on the type of silvicultural product being cultivated, as many different practices require different growth requirements.

Pathway 5.4A
Community 5.4 to 5.2

This pathway is driven by land clearing practices that consists of removing the existing vegetation from the habitat and altering the habitat to prepare for modified land use.

Pathway 5.5A
Community 5.5 to 5.2

This pathway is driven by land clearing practices that consists of removing the existing vegetation from the habitat and altering the habitat to prepare for modified land use.

State 6
Human Altered and 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 formed 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., Opalocka sand -Rock outcrop -Urban land complex, 0-2% 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 deeply 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 6.1
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 6.2
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. 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 6.3
Non-Reclaimed Lands

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.

Community 6.4
Landfills

This is an anthropogenic site for the disposal of waste material. It includes manufactured layers (artificial, root limiting layer below the soil surface) that are representative of human altered and human transported sites. These layers are often alternative between natural fill material and geotextile liners, asphalt, concrete, rubber or plastic that are built up and can rise above the surrounding landscape by 30 meters or more often impeding water, gas, or roots from moving through the profile.

Pathway 6.1A
Community 6.1 to 6.2

This shift in communities is driven by clearing and developing the land for the desired community.

Pathway 6.1B
Community 6.1 to 6.4

This transition is driven by the deposition of manufactured layers along with anthropogenic waste which is consistently built upon.

Pathway 6.2A
Community 6.2 to 6.1

This transition is driven by the revegetation, reestablished hydroperiods, and replacement of displaced soil materials after altering the land.

Pathway 6.2B
Community 6.2 to 6.3

This transition is 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.

Pathway 6.2C
Community 6.2 to 6.4

This transition is driven by the deposition of manufactured layers along with anthropogenic waste which is consistently built upon.

Pathway 6.3A
Community 6.3 to 6.1

This transition is driven by the revegetation, reestablished hydroperiods, and replacement of displaced soil materials after altering the land.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

This state transition is driven by an exclusion of fire from the system for greater than 15 to 25 years. The absence of fire for this amount of time will allow the understory shrub species to mature and grow in the overstory. This will shade out the understory, losing species diversity and accumulating organic matter over time, creating a cool, moist interior, which helps exclude fire from the area.

Constraints to recovery. As the shrubs grow into the overstory they will shade the understory creating more moist conditions in which fire is unable to pass through. If this state is surrounded by pine rocklands which have a regular fire return interval, there will be a sharp ecotone between these two states. If fire has been excluded from the reference state then there will be a gradual transition into the rockland hammock.

Context dependence. The absence of fire from these systems are largely due to the high levels of urbanization and fragmentation along the Miami Ridge ecoregion.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

This transition is driven by an extreme fire which removes all of the existing vegetation, leaving behind bare soil or exposed bedrock.

Constraints to recovery. An existing seedbank must be present in the soil and enough time must be allowed for the establishment of the native species to grow. During the growth of these species proper management must be taken to ensure there is no undesirable invasive or exotic species that become established.

Context dependence. An extreme fire can occur due to high buildup of organic matter in the understory and presence of ladder fuels into the overstory.

Transition T1C
State 1 to 4

The invasion of non-native or exotic species can be driven by a multitude of different environmental factors such as changes in natural hydroperiods or in fire regimes. Typically once a change in one of the two factors mentioned above occurs, non-native or exotic invasive species become established and begin to compete with native species for habitat and nutrients.

Constraints to recovery. Recovery from non-native or exotic invasive species may be difficult due to many adaptations which allow them to outcompete and survive in intolerable conditions. Localized knowledge for each species must be known for best management of it it without harming the natural habitat, and often different treatments must be applied over one given area.

Context dependence. Growth of non-native and exotic invasive species can be rapid following a change in a natural stressor such as fire frequency or natural hydroperiods which might have once kept the invasive species at bay.

Transition T1D
State 1 to 5

Modify the land for the desired land use. This may include the establishment of grazing species or the modification of land for the cultivation of crops of other desired products.

Transition T1E
State 1 to 6

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

Transition T2A
State 2 to 1

This transition is driven by the selective removal or hardwood and pine species to transition the community structure back to a pine rockland state. Once community structure and composition is to the desired criteria a regular fire return interval must be established every 3 to 10 years.

Context dependence. This is a very costly and time consuming process.

Transition T2B
State 2 to 3

This transition is driven by an extreme fire which removes all of the existing vegetation, leaving behind bare soil or exposed bedrock.

Constraints to recovery. An existing seedbank must be present in the soil and enough time must be allowed for the establishment of the native species to grow. During the growth of these species proper management must be taken to ensure there is no undesirable invasive or exotic species that become established.

Context dependence. An extreme fire can occur due to high buildup of organic matter in the understory and presence of ladder fuels into the overstory.

Transition T2C
State 2 to 4

The invasion of non-native or exotic species can be driven by a multitude of different environmental factors such as changes in natural hydroperiods or in fire regimes. Typically once a change in one of the two factors mentioned above occurs, non-native or exotic invasive species become established and begin to compete with native species for habitat and nutrients.

Constraints to recovery. Recovery from non-native or exotic invasive species may be difficult due to many adaptations which allow them to outcompete and survive in intolerable conditions. Localized knowledge for each species must be known for best management of it it without harming the natural habitat, and often different treatments must be applied over one given area.

Context dependence. Growth of non-native and exotic invasive species can be rapid following a change in a natural stressor such as fire frequency or natural hydroperiods which might have once kept the invasive species at bay.

Transition T2D
State 2 to 5

Modify the land for the desired land use. This may include the establishment of grazing species or the modification of land for the cultivation of crops of other desired products.

Transition T2E
State 2 to 6

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

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1

This restoration strategy to reestablish a pine rockland community cannot be done without an established seedbank. This seedbank may be preexisting in the soil or may be planted via human restoration. Once the seedbank is established the area must continually undergo habitat management to ensure there is no presence of undesirable invasive or exotic species over time.

Context dependence. Maintenance of a pine rockland habitat includes regular fire return intervals every 3 to 10 years to prevent hardwood inclusion into the system, if fire is not present in the system this may gradually transition to a rockland hammock.

Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 2

This restoration strategy to reestablish a rockland hammock community cannot be done without an established seedbank. This seedbank may be preexisting in the soil or may be planted via human restoration. Once the seedbank is established the area must continually undergo habitat management to ensure there is no presence of undesirable invasive or exotic species over time.

Context dependence. Maintenance of a rockland hammock habitat includes the absence of fire from the system for greater than 25 years while the hammock undergoes development.

Transition T3A
State 3 to 4

The invasion of non-native or exotic species can be driven by a multitude of different environmental factors such as changes in natural hydroperiods or in fire regimes. Typically once a change in one of the two factors mentioned above occurs, non-native or exotic invasive species become established and begin to compete with native species for habitat and nutrients.

Constraints to recovery. Recovery from non-native or exotic invasive species may be difficult due to many adaptations which allow them to outcompete and survive in intolerable conditions. Localized knowledge for each species must be known for best management of it it without harming the natural habitat, and often different treatments must be applied over one given area.

Context dependence. Growth of non-native and exotic invasive species can be rapid following a change in a natural stressor such as fire frequency or natural hydroperiods which might have once kept the invasive species at bay.

Transition T3B
State 3 to 5

Modify the land for the desired land use. This may include the establishment of grazing species or the modification of land for the cultivation of crops of other desired products.

Transition T3C
State 3 to 6

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

Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 1

Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal strategies include removing the non-native and exotic invasive species through various mechanisms. Localized knowledge for individual non-native or exotic invasive species is needed for specific management. Sometimes introduction of fire regimes may prevent or stop the growth of non-native or exotic invasive species, but many species are fire tolerant. Mechanical removal might include roller chopping, harvesting, or cutting and removal of invasive species. Chemical removal might include aerial dispersal from planes, or basal bark injection treatments.

Context dependence. Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal of non-native and exotic invasive species is a time dependent process, with both removal types taking long times to be considered effective.

Restoration pathway R4B
State 4 to 2

Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal strategies include removing the non-native and exotic invasive species through various mechanisms. Localized knowledge for individual non-native or exotic invasive species is needed for specific management. Sometimes introduction of fire regimes may prevent or stop the growth of non-native or exotic invasive species, but many species are fire tolerant. Mechanical removal might include roller chopping, harvesting, or cutting and removal of invasive species. Chemical removal might include aerial dispersal from planes, or basal bark injection treatments.

Context dependence. Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal of non-native and exotic invasive species is a time dependent process, with both removal types taking long times to be considered effective.

Restoration pathway R4C
State 4 to 3

Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal strategies include removing the non-native and exotic invasive species through various mechanisms. Localized knowledge for individual non-native or exotic invasive species is needed for specific management. Sometimes introduction of fire regimes may prevent or stop the growth of non-native or exotic invasive species, but many species are fire tolerant. Mechanical removal might include roller chopping, harvesting, or cutting and removal of invasive species. Chemical removal might include aerial dispersal from planes, or basal bark injection treatments.

Context dependence. Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal of non-native and exotic invasive species is a time dependent process, with both removal types taking long times to be considered effective.

Restoration pathway R4D
State 4 to 5

Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal strategies include removing the non-native and exotic invasive species through various mechanisms. Localized knowledge for individual non-native or exotic invasive species is needed for specific management. Sometimes introduction of fire regimes may prevent or stop the growth of non-native or exotic invasive species, but many species are fire tolerant. Mechanical removal might include roller chopping, harvesting, or cutting and removal of invasive species. Chemical removal might include aerial dispersal from planes, or basal bark injection treatments.

Context dependence. Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal of non-native and exotic invasive species is a time dependent process, with both removal types taking long times to be considered effective.

Transition T4A
State 4 to 6

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

Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1

These practices include the restoration of both the natural hydroperiods and landscape in advance of revegetating the area (if needed).

Restoration pathway R5B
State 5 to 2

These practices include the restoration of both the natural hydroperiods and landscape in advance of revegetating the area (if needed).

Restoration pathway R5C
State 5 to 3

These practices include the restoration of both the natural hydroperiods and landscape in advance of revegetating the area (if needed).

Transition T5A
State 5 to 4

The invasion of non-native or exotic species can be driven by a multitude of different environmental factors such as changes in natural hydroperiods or in fire regimes. Typically once a change in one of the two factors mentioned above occurs, non-native or exotic invasive species become established and begin to compete with native species for habitat and nutrients.

Constraints to recovery. Recovery from non-native or exotic invasive species may be difficult due to many adaptations which allow them to outcompete and survive in intolerable conditions. Localized knowledge for each species must be known for best management of it it without harming the natural habitat, and often different treatments must be applied over one given area.

Context dependence. Growth of non-native and exotic invasive species can be rapid following a change in a natural stressor such as fire frequency or natural hydroperiods which might have once kept the invasive species at bay.

Transition T5B
State 5 to 6

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