Sandy Loam or Loam
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
The Reference State (1) may transition to the Cleared and Abandoned State (4) by mechanical clearing of the land followed by invasion by introduced species and increase of native nondominant species.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
The Grassland State (2) can be restored to a facsimile of the Reference State (1) by suppressing grasses and replanting native trees. Protection from ungulates will likely be needed.
More details -
Transition T2A
The Grassland State (2) will transition to the Pioneer Tree-Invaded State (3) from Community Phase 2.2 as beach sheoak gradually forms denser stands and outcompetes other vegetation.
More details -
Transition R2B
The Grassland State (2) can be restored to the Farmed State (5) by removing grass species and cultivating crops or planting agroforest.
More details -
Restoration pathway R3B
The Pioneer Tree-Invaded State (3) can be restored to a facsimile of Reference State (1) by removal of beach sheoak followed by replanting of a variety of native tree species commonly found in State 1.
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
The Pioneer Tree-Invaded State (3) may be restored to the Grassland State (2) by human-caused fire.
More details -
Restoration pathway R3C
The Pioneer Tree-Invaded State (3) can be restored to the Farmed State (5) by clearing the land and cultivating crops or planting agroforest.
More details -
Restoration pathway R4A
The Cleared and Abandoned State (4) may be restored to a facsimile of the Reference State (1) by brush and weed control followed by replenishing native tree species and numbers.
More details -
Transition T4B
The Cleared and Abandoned State (4) may transition to the Grassland State (2) if fire clears a site before development of closed forest with little understory and where Pacific Island silvergrass is either still present or seed sources are nearby.
More details -
Transition T4A
The Cleared and Abandoned State (4) may transition to the Pioneer Tree-Invaded State (3) by if few or no seed sources for trees other than beach sheoak are near the site during the temporary stage dominated by grasses, forbs, and shrubs.
More details -
Restoration pathway R4B
The Cleared and Abandoned State (4) may be restored to the Farmed State (5) by clearing the site, followed by cultivation or planting agroforest.
More details -
Restoration pathway R5A
The Farmed State (5) may be restored to a facsimile of the Reference State (1) by weed control followed by replanting of native trees.
More details -
Restoration pathway T5A
The Farmed State (5) transitions to the Cleared and Abandoned State (4) when the site is abandoned in the presence of tree seed sources.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference State (1) has two community phases consisting of native forest. Few if any intact examples remain of undisturbed forest in this ecological site. Dominant canopy species can vary by island and region of island, making this forest type hard to characterize by dominant or even characteristic species. The undergrowth in this forest is usually sparse and perhaps not very flammable (Amidon et al., 2017; Carlisle et al., 2001; Fosberg, 1960; Kessler, 2011; Liske-Clark, 2015; Willsey et al, 2019).
Submodel
Description
The Grassland State (2) consists of two community phases consisting mostly of native grass species.
Submodel
Description
The Pioneer Tree-Invaded State (3) consists of one community phase dominated by beach sheoak (Casuarina equisetifolia), the primary native pioneer tree species.
Submodel
Description
The Cleared and Abandoned State (4) consists of one community phase with a variable mix of native and introduced tree species. Some grasses and light-requiring shrubs are likely to persist until they are shaded out by canopy closure.
Submodel
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) may transition to the Cleared and Abandoned State (4) by mechanical clearing of the land followed by invasion by introduced species and increase of native nondominant species.
Mechanism
The Grassland State (2) can be restored to a facsimile of the Reference State (1) by suppressing grasses and replanting native trees. Protection from ungulates will likely be needed.
Mechanism
The Grassland State (2) will transition to the Pioneer Tree-Invaded State (3) from Community Phase 2.2 as beach sheoak gradually forms denser stands and outcompetes other vegetation.
Mechanism
The Grassland State (2) can be restored to the Farmed State (5) by removing grass species and cultivating crops or planting agroforest.
Mechanism
The Pioneer Tree-Invaded State (3) can be restored to a facsimile of Reference State (1) by removal of beach sheoak followed by replanting of a variety of native tree species commonly found in State 1.
Mechanism
The Pioneer Tree-Invaded State (3) may be restored to the Grassland State (2) by human-caused fire.
Mechanism
The Pioneer Tree-Invaded State (3) can be restored to the Farmed State (5) by clearing the land and cultivating crops or planting agroforest.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (4) may be restored to a facsimile of the Reference State (1) by brush and weed control followed by replenishing native tree species and numbers.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (4) may transition to the Grassland State (2) if fire clears a site before development of closed forest with little understory and where Pacific Island silvergrass is either still present or seed sources are nearby.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (4) may transition to the Pioneer Tree-Invaded State (3) by if few or no seed sources for trees other than beach sheoak are near the site during the temporary stage dominated by grasses, forbs, and shrubs.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (4) may be restored to the Farmed State (5) by clearing the site, followed by cultivation or planting agroforest.
Mechanism
The Farmed State (5) may be restored to a facsimile of the Reference State (1) by weed control followed by replanting of native trees.
Model keys
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.