State 1
Reference

Community 1.1
Douglas Spirea, American Skunkcabbage, and Slough Sedge

Structure: Wet depression dominated by shrubs, forbs, and sedges
The reference community is a meadow that consists dominantly of shrubs, forbs, sedges, and rushes and is influenced by a water table near the soil surface or above it much of the growing season. The soils associated with this site are acidic and very poorly drained. This restricts plant growth to uniquely adapted species. Common plants include Douglas spirea, western Labrador tea (Ledum glandulosum), common ladyfern (Athyrium filix-femina), American skunkcabbage, deer fern (Blechnum spicant), slough sedge, and rush (Juncus). Salal (Gaultheria shallon), salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), and twinberry (Lonicera involucrata) may be on hummocks and in other drier microsites. Slough sedge covers much of the site. The sedges are sod-forming species that create dense thickets as a result of the rhizomatous root system. They are shade-intolerant; however, they may be at multiple stages of succession (Hauser, 2006).

Community 1.2
Slough Sedge

Structure: Saturated depression dominated by sedges
Community phase 1.2 represents a plant community of sedges and rushes that is influenced by a water table above the soil surface during the growing season. Extended ponding restricts the diversity of plants to water- and peat-adapted species such as water sedge and slough sedge. The rhizomatous nature of sedges makes these species successful colonizers in disturbed environments (Hauser, 2006). Both species adapt to the decrease in the depth to the water table. They are early seral species under excessively wet conditions (Tesky, 1992).

Community 1.3
Willow, American Skunkcabbage, and Slough Sedge

Structure: Dry phase depression or slightly elevated organic deposits with shrub and forb encroachment
Community phase 1.3 represents a plant community of shrubs, forbs, grasses, and sedges that is influenced by a water table at or below the soil surface during the growing season or by a buildup of organic matter above the soil surface. This community is influenced by below-average ponding and precipitation for several consecutive years. The drier conditions restrict the regeneration of wetland species such as water sedge. Species that inhabit the edges of the reference site and ecotone, such as salal, willow species (Salix spp.), and Oregon crabapple (Malus fusca), will begin to encroach on the open meadow and become more dominant.

Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.2

This pathway represents a climatic change toward wetter conditions. If the site becomes wetter from increased precipitation, the depth to a water table will decrease and the duration of flooding or ponding will increase.

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.3

This pathway represents a climatic change toward drier conditions. If the site becomes drier from reduced precipitation, the depth to a water table will increase and the duration of ponding will decrease.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

This pathway represents a climatic change toward drier conditions. If the site becomes drier from reduced precipitation, the depth to a water table will increase and the duration of ponding will decrease. This will increase the growing season for non-hydrophytic species and alter the plant community.

Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1

This pathway represents a climatic change toward wetter conditions. If the site becomes wetter from increased precipitation, the depth to a water table will decrease and the duration of flooding or ponding will increase. This will impact the growing season and alter the plant community.

State 2
Converted

Community 2.1
Managed Cropland or Hayland

Structure: Annual or perennial non-native species monoculture
Community phase 2.1 may consist of a range of crops, including annually planted species, short-lived perennial species, and more permanent shrubby plants. Hay and grasses and legumes for silage are included in this community phase.

Community 2.2
Non-Native Grassland and Shrubland

Structure: Annual or perennial herbaceous or shrubby species
Community phase 2.2 is characterized by low-level agronomic or management activity such as adding soil nutrients, intensive grazing management, regular mowing, or weed control. This plant community commonly consists dominantly of introduced weedy species. Areas that have extremely low fertility or are subject to heavy grazing pressure have a higher proportion of annual, stoloniferous, or rhizomatous species. Wetland areas commonly support dominantly non-native rhizomatous grasses. The plant community may include remnants of introduced pasture species that commonly are seeded.

Community 2.3
Managed Grassland

Structure: Perennial herbaceous species
Community phase 2.3 receives regular agronomic inputs, including adding soil nutrients and other soil amendments such as lime, implementing grazing management plans, regular mowing, controlling weeds, and reseeding as needed. This plant community typically includes introduced perennial pasture and hay species that commonly are seeded. In areas of historic native grassland, mixtures of perennial and annual native species may be seeded and managed by appropriate agronomic and livestock management activities. Minor amounts of introduced species that commonly are in non-native grassland and shrubland communities (community phase 2.2) are in this phase.

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

In the absence of agronomic and livestock management activities, seeds from surrounding weedy plant communities will be transported to the site by wind, floodwater, animals, or vehicle traffic. Adapted species will become established. Management activities include tilling, adding soil nutrients and other soil amendments such as lime, mowing, burning, harvesting or chemically controlling vegetation, planting to desirable herbaceous species, and implementing grazing management plans.

Pathway 2.1B
Community 2.1 to 2.3

This pathway represents agronomic and livestock management activities, including tilling, adding soil nutrients and other soil amendments such as lime, mowing, burning, harvesting or chemically controlling vegetation, planting to desirable herbaceous species, and implementing grazing management plans.

Pathway 2.2B
Community 2.2 to 2.1

This pathway represents agronomic activities such as tilling, adding soil nutrients and other soil amendments such as lime, mowing, burning, harvesting or chemically controlling vegetation, and planting to desirable crop species.

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.3

This pathway represents agronomic and livestock management activities, including tilling, adding soil nutrients and other soil amendments such as lime, mowing, burning, harvesting or chemically controlling vegetation, planting to desirable herbaceous species, and implementing grazing management plans.

Pathway 2.3A
Community 2.3 to 2.1

This pathway represents agronomic activities, including tilling, adding soil nutrients and other soil amendments such as lime, mowing, burning, harvesting or chemically controlling vegetation, and planting to desirable crop species.

Pathway 2.3B
Community 2.3 to 2.2

In the absence of agronomic and livestock management activities, seeds from surrounding weedy plant communities will be transported to the area by wind, floodwater, animals, or vehicle traffic. Adapted species will become established. Management activities include tilling, adding soil nutrients and other soil amendments such as lime, mowing, burning, harvesting or chemically controlling vegetation, planting to desirable herbaceous species, and implementing grazing management plans.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

This pathway represents a change in land use. Land management includes modifications to the hydrologic function to develop pasture and agriculture. Non-native seed disbursement is introduced (intentionally or unintentionally), which alters the reference community.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 1

This pathway represents restoration of the natural hydrologic function and native plant habitat. Native seed sources and extensive management and mitigation of brush and invasive species are needed to restore the community.