Somewhat Poorly Drained Alluvium
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) when the overstory plants of the forest are removed and then the site is abandoned. This allows increased light available to shade-intolerant 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 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 T2A
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.
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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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Restoration pathway R4B
The Invaded Forest State (4) can be restored to the Cleared and Abandoned State (3). After this “restoration,” State 3 is likely to rapidly transition back to State 4 due to presence of an abundant tree seed bank in the soil, unless fire is frequent.
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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 Sate (1) is forest with a tree canopy of variable height often determined by the depth of the ravine, which protects trees from the destructive effects of typhoons (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 livestock grazing. The Naturalized Grassland State often occurs after fire removes the natural vegetation.
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.
Submodel
Description
The Invaded Forest State (4) consists of one community phase. It is forest with both 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.
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) when the overstory plants of the forest are removed and then the site is abandoned. This allows increased light available to shade-intolerant 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 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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