Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Alfic Loamy Uplands
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Large scale disturbance
More details -
Transition T1B
Clearing of site; agricultural production
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Abandon agricultural practices
More details -
Transition T2A
Clearing; agricultural production
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The reference plant community is categorized as mesic forest community dominated by mixed deciduous species, primarily sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and sporadic occurrence of several conifer species. Although forest communities can vary greatly in terms of species composition and stand structure, depending on type, degree and frequency of disturbance, two common phases predominate.
Dominant plant species
sugar maple (Acer saccharum), tree
red maple (Acer rubrum), tree
balsam fir (Abies balsamea), tree
sugar maple (Acer saccharum), shrub
western brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum), grass
Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), grass
Submodel
Description
Following disturbances described in Transition T1A a wide range of forest community phases may come into temporary existence, the three most common ones are red oak -red maple -sugar maple, red oak - red maple, and aspen-paper birch.
Dominant plant species
northern red oak (Quercus rubra), tree
red maple (Acer rubrum), tree
balsam fir (Abies balsamea), tree
sugar maple (Acer saccharum), tree
sugar maple (Acer saccharum), shrub
beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), shrub
western brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum), grass
Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Major stand-replacing disturbance. In pre-European settlement time, the event was most often a severe blow down, sometimes followed by fires. Such blow downs have been estimated to occur in this part of Wisconsin every 300 to 400 years (Schulte and Mladenoff, 2005). In post settlement virtually every acre has been logged either by clear cutting or successive cuts targeting species marketable at that time. Post logging slash fires also have been a significant factor in most areas. These disturbances created the environment suitable for natural regeneration of many shade-intolerant species and for commercial planting.
Mechanism
Elimination of forest cover, application of agricultural practices.
Mechanism
Abandonment of agricultural practices and allowing natural vegetation to colonize the site or apply artificial afforestation. The time required for forest community to reach the reference state conditions may exceed 100 years.
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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