Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Moist Sandy Nutrient Limited Lowland Forest
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Clear cutting or stand-replacing fire.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Disturbance-free period 70+ years.
More details -
Transition T2A
Grazing by livestock.
More details -
Transition T2B
Removal of forest vegetation and tilling.
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Removal of livestock grazing.
More details -
Transition T3A
Removal of forest vegetation and tilling.
More details -
Restoration pathway R4A
Cessation of agriculture and natural or artificial afforestation.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
In absence of stand-leveling disturbances the Reference State Community oscillates between two easily definable community phases, a mature, or late successional, community phase and a rejuvenated community phase.
Dominant plant species
eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), tree
white oak (Quercus alba), tree
red maple (Acer rubrum), tree
serviceberry (Amelanchier), shrub
western brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum), grass
Submodel
Description
Post-logging state may consist of considerable diversity of pioneer and mid-successional community phases. Here we are describing four, most commonly found under current conditions.
Dominant plant species
pine (Pinus), tree
oak (Quercus), tree
paper birch (Betula papyrifera), tree
quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree
Submodel
Description
Site phase consists of various grasses and forbs impacted by livestock grazing.
Dominant plant species
brome (Bromus), grass
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass
Submodel
Description
Sites phase consists of various crops being grown. Numerous species may be grown. The site may be tiled to improve drainage.
Dominant plant species
corn (Zea mays), grass
wheat (Triticum), grass
soybean (Glycine max), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Clear cutting with initial control of competing vegetation, or stand-replacing fire, prepare the site for occupancy by shade intolerant species. This may occur through natural regeneration or by planting.
Mechanism
A period of some 70-100 years without major stand disturbance, especially fire, leads to decreased presence, through natural mortality, of early successional species and the dominance of relatively shade tolerant white pine and sub-canopy of red maple, returning the community to Reference State.
Mechanism
Removal of forest vegetation and tilling.
Mechanism
Removal of livestock grazing.
Mechanism
Removal of forest vegetation and tilling.
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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