Somewhat Poorly and Poorly Drained Valley Bottoms and Coastal Plains
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 Naturalized Grassland State (2) by removal of native vegetation and planting, or allowing colonization by, introduced grass species.
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Transition T1B
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Cleared and Abandoned State (3) if previously cleared of forest and then abandoned. This allows heliophytes, both native and introduced, to temporarily cover the ground.
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Transition T1C
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Invaded Forest State (4) by wind damage to the forest when there is a nearby source of seeds of invasive species or, more gradually, by damage to the forest understory by ungulates, especially feral pigs, when there is a source of seeds of invasive species.
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Restoration pathway R2A
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) could theoretically be restored to the Reference State (1) by suppression of grassland vegetation and replanting with native species. Natural reseeding by native forest species can be expected if there is a nearby stand of suitable species.
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Transition T2B
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) transitions to the Cleared and Abandoned State (3) upon abandonment of grasslands, which are invaded by low-statured, native and/or introduced heliophytes.
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Restoration pathway R3B
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) may be restored to the Reference State (1). The intensity of active restoration measures will be determined by the presence or lack of nearby native forest or, at least, some native trees as well as the density and species mix of grasses, vines, shrubs, and invasive trees present on the site, especially if many competitive introduced species are present.
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Restoration pathway R3A
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) may be restored to the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by land clearing, weed control, and replanting grasses.
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Transition T3A
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) transitions to the Invaded Forest State (4) by growth of an overstory of trees with an understory of shade-tolerant shrubs, vines, ferns, forbs, and grasses. The species mix is variable but may be mostly introduced species or a combination of native and introduced species.
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Restoration pathway R4A
The Invaded Forest State (4) can be restored to the Reference State (1). The difficulty, cost, and likelihood of success will depend on the species composition and amount and competitiveness of introduced species present on a given site.
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Transition T4A
The Invaded Forest State (4) may transition to Cleared and Abandoned State (3) due to mechanical clearing or fire. State 3 is likely to rapidly transition back to State 4 due to the presence of an abundant tree seed bank in the soil.
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
The Reference State (1) is a forest that is 32 to 48 feet (10 to 15 meters) tall. There is little or no undergrowth (Amidon et al., 2017; Fosberg, 1960; Marshall et al., 2020; Stemmermann, 1981; Stone, 1970; Wagner and Grether, 1948; Willsey et al., 2019).
Submodel
Description
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) consists of two community phases that have been cleared of natural vegetation and planted or colonized with introduced grass species. It can be used for grazing. Soil compaction will become a problem if wet areas are heavily used by grazing animals (Amidon et al., 2017; Fosberg, 1960; Marshall et al., 2020; Stemmermann, 1981; Stone, 1970; Wagner and Grether, 1948; Willsey et al., 2019).
Submodel
Description
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) consists of one community phase dominated by a variable mixture of small trees, shrubs, vines, forbs, and grasses that thrive in sunny environments. Remnant para grass (Urochloa mutica) and hilograss (Paspalum conjugatum) are present (Amidon et al., 2017; Fosberg, 1960; Marshall et al., 2020; Stemmermann, 1981; Stone, 1970; Wagner and Grether, 1948; Willsey et al., 2019).
Submodel
Description
The Invaded Forest State (4) consists of one community phase. It is a forest with both an overstory and understory composed of a variable mix of native and introduced species. The actual species composition on a given site depends on the original native species composition, the disturbance history, and the species composition existing near the site before, during, and after disturbances (Amidon et al., 2017; Fosberg, 1960; Marshall et al., 2020; Stemmermann, 1981; Stone, 1970; Wagner and Grether, 1948; Willsey et al., 2019).
Submodel
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by removal of native vegetation and planting, or allowing colonization by, introduced grass species.
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Cleared and Abandoned State (3) if previously cleared of forest and then abandoned. This allows heliophytes, both native and introduced, to temporarily cover the ground.
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Invaded Forest State (4) by wind damage to the forest when there is a nearby source of seeds of invasive species or, more gradually, by damage to the forest understory by ungulates, especially feral pigs, when there is a source of seeds of invasive species.
Mechanism
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) could theoretically be restored to the Reference State (1) by suppression of grassland vegetation and replanting with native species. Natural reseeding by native forest species can be expected if there is a nearby stand of suitable species.
Mechanism
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) transitions to the Cleared and Abandoned State (3) upon abandonment of grasslands, which are invaded by low-statured, native or introduced heliophytes.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) may be restored to the Reference State (1). The intensity of active restoration measures will be determined by the presence or lack of nearby native forest or, at least, some native trees as well as the density and species mix of grasses, vines, shrubs, and invasive trees present on the site, especially if many competitive introduced species are present.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) may be restored to the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by land clearing, weed control, and replanting grasses.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) transitions to the Invaded Forest State (4) by growth of an overstory of trees with an understory of shade-tolerant shrubs, vines, ferns, forbs, and grasses. The species mix is variable but may be mostly introduced species or a combination of native and introduced species.
Mechanism
The Invaded Forest State (4) can be restored to the Reference State (1). The difficulty, cost, and likelihood of success will depend on the species' composition and amount and competitiveness of introduced species present on a given site.
Model keys
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