Boreal Peat Frozen Flats Complex
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Peat Mound Formation
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Soil ice melts; Soil collapse
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
The reference state describes two distinct vegetative communities grouped by the structure and dominance of the vegetation (e.g., shrubs, forbs, and graminoids) and their ecological function and stability. Fire is the major disturbance on this ecological site. Vegetation in the reference plant community (1.1) is shaped by very poorly drained, cold soils.
The reference state is developed and characterized using available vegetation models, including Landfire BpS and the Alaska vegetation classification system (Landfire, 2009; Viereck et al., 1992).
Submodel
Description
The peat plateau develops from the wet meadows in the reference state. Peat mounds are present. A peat mound is an elliptical dome-like permafrost mound containing alternating layers of ice lenses and peat or mineral soil, which are typically less than 10 feet in height. The edges of these raised features are strongly sloping. Peat mounds can raise significantly above the water table and soil drainage can improve. If these landforms raise high enough above the water table, soil temperature increases, and the ice lens melt.
Submodel
Mechanism
A peat plateau forms from raised soils with underlying permafrost. Peat mounds are generally present. This raised feature supports different vegetation than the reference state.
Mechanism
The ice core melts, causing the peat plateau and associated mounds to collapse. This generally occurs when the ice lenses melt as a result of the loss of the insulating cover. This may be due to natural dieback of the living organic horizon or from fire.
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.