Limestone Backslope Glade

Description

This state is a shallow limestone glade. As such, this has a reference plant community which includes trees, grasses and forbs. Species composition includes Quercus muehlenbergii, Juniperus virginiana, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon gerardii, Helianthus divaricatus, Cercis Canadensis, and Quercus stellate. Canopy cover is between 5 and 15 percent. If disturbance frequency becomes more often, between 3 and 10 years, the phase will shift back to chinkapin oak / Little bluestem phase.

Dominant plant species

1. chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), tree

2. little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass

3. Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), grass

Submodel

Description

This state is chinkapin oak – eastern redcedar / little bluestem phase and the reference state will transition to this state phase due to fire suppression of greater than 20 years. A restoration path is also possible to the reference state by removal of cedars and prescribed fire. If phase 2.1 is grazed uncontrollably, the phase becomes chinkapin oak – eastern redcedar / big bluestem (Woodland Health, 2004).

Dominant plant species

1. chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), tree

2. eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), tree

3. little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass

Submodel

Description

This state is chinkapin oak – eastern redcedar / big bluestem phase. A transition to this state can occur from the reference state with uncontrolled grazing and fire suppression. This state has a possibility for restoration to the reference state which requires the exclusion of grazing, prescribed fire, and woody removal.

Dominant plant species

1. chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), tree

2. eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), shrub

3. big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass

Submodel