Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Loamy Sand 26-33" PZ
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
State 1
Savanna State - Reference
Savanna State - Reference
Description
The reference plant community for the Loamy Sand ecological site is a Tallgrass/Midgrass Savanna Community. In reference conditions, the site is dominated by tallgrasses. Midgrasses are also prominent on this site. An abundant variety of perennial forbs occur on this site. Trees, shrubs, and vines are a critical component of the plant community. Annual production ranges from 2500 to 5500 pounds per acre.
The Little Bluestem Dominant Community occurs when tallgrasses decline. Little bluestem is an opportunistic species on this site. In the absence of other tallgrasses, little bluestem becomes the dominant species and may eventually comprise as much as 60% of the plant community. Some midgrass species may increase on the site. The tree, shrub, and forb composition remain relatively stable in this stage. Annual production ranges from 2200 to 5000 pounds per acre.
The Midgrass Community is noted by a drastic shift in the herbaceous plant community. Little bluestem remains a significant component, but midgrasses and shortgrasses become dominant. Remnant populations of tallgrasses still occur in protected areas. Forbs increase, and invasive shrubs begin to encroach from adjacent sites. The annual production ranges from 2000 to 3400 pounds per acre.
Dominant plant species
post oak (Quercus stellata), tree
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), grass
Submodel
Description
In the Midgrass/Shrubland Community, the tallgrasses are almost completely eliminated and sideoats grama is severely reduced in this state. Midgrasses are the dominant grasses. Forbs increases significantly and broomweed invades the site. Trees and shrubs create a midstory canopy below the overstory of oaks, elms, and other trees. Total canopy exceeds 20%. Total annual production ranges from 1000 to 2000 pounds per acre.
Dominant plant species
post oak (Quercus stellata), tree
blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), tree
elm (Ulmus), tree
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass
Submodel
Description
The Oak Woodland Community has become a dense, thicketed woodland. The Loamy Sand site will develop a dense overstory of oaks, elms, hackberry, and other trees. Bumelia, pricklyash, sumacs, lotebush mesquite, and other shrubs form a dense midstory, and greenbriar can create an impenetrable thicket. Annual production ranges from 1000 to 2000 pounds per acre.
Dominant plant species
oak (Quercus), tree
elm (Ulmus), tree
hackberry (Celtis), tree
saw greenbrier (Smilax bona-nox), shrub
sumac (Rhus), shrub
Texas wintergrass (Nassella leucotricha), grass
Submodel
State 4
Converted Land State
Converted Land State
Description
Hundreds of thousands of acres have been plowed up and converted to cropland, pastureland, or hayland. This community is known as the Converted Land Community. Wheat is the primary annual crop. Bermudagrass is the primary introduced pasture species used in this area.
Abandoned croplands and reseeded areas tend to revert back to a more natural state through the process of secondary succession. This is a very slow process that takes decades or centuries to evolve, dependent on the status of the area at the time it is abandoned. The first plants to establish are “pioneer plants” (annual forbs and grasses followed by early successional shortgrasses and midgrasses). This community is known as the Abandoned Land Community.
Dominant plant species
Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Abusive grazing pressure, no fires, and no brush management leads the transition from the Savanna State to the Shrubland State.
Mechanism
With Seedbed Preparation, Range Planting, Pasture Planting, Crop Cultivation, the Savanna State can transition into the Converted Land State.
Mechanism
With Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, Seedbed Preparation, and Range Planting, the Shrubland State can be restored to the Savanna State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
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Brush Management |
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Prescribed Burning |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Range Planting |
Mechanism
With Abusive Grazing, No Fires, and No Brush Management, the Shrubland State will shift to the Woodland State.
Mechanism
With Brush Management, Seedbed Preparation, Range Planting, Pasture Planting, and Crop Cultivation, the Shrubland State can transition into the Converted Land State.
Mechanism
With Prescribed Grazing, Prescribed Burning, Brush Management, Seedbed Preparation, and Range Planting, the Woodland State can be restored to the Shrubland State.
Relevant conservation practices
| Practice | External resources |
|---|---|
|
Brush Management |
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Prescribed Burning |
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Prescribed Grazing |
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Range Planting |
Model keys
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