Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Frigid Xeric Maritime North Slopes 35-55 PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Extensive timber harvest
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Forest restoration, stand replacing fire
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
A cool, moist forest community, this site occurs across the landscape as a mosaic of plant community phases characterized by variation in forest structural stage (tree age, density and cover) and plant community composition. This mosaic pattern is highly influenced by a mixed fire regime likely approximating Landfire fire regime group 3: 35 - 200 Year Fire Return Interval, Low and Mixed Severity. As a highly productive forest community, this site will persist in closed canopy conditions represented by communities 1.2 and 1.3 most often. The mature, closed forest community represented by 1.3 is the reference community. Open stand conditions are possible due to insect outbreak or disease but rarely persist under a historical disturbance regime given site productivity.
Dominant plant species
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), tree
grand fir (Abies grandis), tree
Submodel
Description
This alternative state represents the many variations of timber harvesting that can occur in this site. This may result in a number of manipulated community types and pathways depending on strategies surrounding harvest, shrub control, weed control and replanting. Following harvest, some sites with adequate moisture and shrub seed source may be dominated by early seral shrubs. These may persist for decades yet are likely important for providing shade to young conifers, cycling nutrients and providing wildlife forage and cover.
Dominant plant species
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), tree
Submodel
Mechanism
Extensive timber harvest followed by continual management for timber production that has significantly altered species compositions and resulting disturbance responses.
Mechanism
Ecological forestry practices may promote a return to reference state. Forest reestablishment may require shrub control and tree replanting if the desired goal is regaining a forest structure within a desired timeframe. Stand replacing fire may lead to a transition to community 1.1 of the reference state if soil compaction is not severe, species composition has not been significantly altered and tree seed source is available.
Context dependence
Alterations of forest tree species composition, as well as soil compaction and surface disturbances due to large machine usage may hinder passive forest reestablishment.
Model keys
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Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
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.
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