Somewhat Poorly and Poorly Drained Limestone Basins
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) transitions to the Secondary Forest State (2) by removal of grazing and browsing ungulates, allowing colonization by local tree species.
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Transition T1B
The Reference State (1) is restored to the Farmed State (3) by cultivating the soil and then planting crops.
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Transition T2A
The Secondary Forest State (2) can be restored to the Reference State (1) by burning or mechanically clearing trees, shrubs, and undesirable forbs.
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Transition T2B
The Secondary Forest State (2) can be restored to the Farmed State (3) by burning or mechanically clearing trees, shrubs, and undesirable forbs and then cultivating the soil and planting crops.
More details -
Transition T3B
The Farmed State (3) may be restored to the Reference State (1) by cessation of cropping activities. Seeding of desired forage species may be needed if they are not present in the local area.
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Transition T3A
If not artificially drained for crops, the Farmed State (3) will transition to the Secondary Forest State (2) by abandonment.
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Transition T4A
The Native Forest State (4) can transition to the Reference to the Reference State (1) by burning or mechanical clearing.
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Transition T4B
The Native Forest State (4) will transition to the Farmed State (3) by burning or mechanical clearing followed by cultivation and planting crops. Artificial drainage is sometimes installed.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The Reference Sate (1) is naturalized grassland. There are two community phases.
Submodel
Description
The Secondary Forest State (2) consists of one community phase consisting of a variable array of native and introduced tree species dependent on the species existing in the local area.
Submodel
Description
The Farmed State (3) consists of one community phase dominated by selected crops. This is a very common land use for the soils in this ecological site.
Submodel
Description
The Native Forest State (4) consists of one community phase. Hypothetically, this ecological site was originally vegetated by swamp forest. While the species composition is not known, some native tree species commonly inhabit these sites (Amidon et al., 2019; Athens and Ward, 2004; CNMI SWARS Council, 2010; Donnegan et al., 2011; Falanruw et al., 1989; Fosberg, 1960; Kuo and Berry, 2018; Liske-Clark, 2015; Marshall et al., 2020; Stemmermann, 1981; Wagner and Grether, 1948; Willsey et al., 2019).
Submodel
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Secondary Forest State (2) by removal of grazing and browsing ungulates, allowing colonization by local tree species.
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) is restored to the Farmed State (3) by cultivating the soil and then planting crops.
Mechanism
The Secondary Forest State (2) can be restored to the Reference State (1) by burning or mechanically clearing trees, shrubs, and undesirable forbs.
Mechanism
The Secondary Forest State (2) can be restored to the Farmed State (3) by burning or mechanically clearing trees, shrubs, and undesirable forbs and then cultivating the soil and planting crops.
Mechanism
The Farmed State (3) transitions to the Reference State (1) by cessation of cropping activities. Seeding of desired forage species may be needed if they are not present in the local area.
Mechanism
If not artificially drained for crops, the Farmed State (3) will transition to the Secondary Forest State (2) by abandonment.
Mechanism
The Native Forest State (4) can transition to the Reference to the Reference State (1) by burning or mechanical clearing.
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.