Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Claypan Summit Woodland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Fire suppression > 20 years; woody invasion; repeated timber harvests.
More details -
Transition T1B
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
More details -
Transition T1C
Clearing; tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Forest stand improvement; prescribed fire 1-3 years; extended rotations
More details -
Transition T2A
Woody removal, tillage, vegetative seeding and grassland management..
More details -
Transition T2B
Woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system
More details -
Restoration pathway T3C
Woody invasion; fire suppression; grazing exclusion
More details -
Transition T3A
Clearing; tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
More details -
Transition T3B
Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
More details -
Transition T3C
Woody invasion; fire suppression; grazing exclusion
More details -
Restoration pathway T4A
Vegetative seeding; grassland management
More details -
Transition T4B
Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
More details -
Transition T5A
Clearing; tillage; conservation cropping system; water management
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
These open woodland communities were strongly influenced by fire and seasonal soil wetness. Herbivory by native (now expatriated) ungulates also played a role. Consequently, fire-tolerant post and black oaks over a ground flora of tallgrass prairie grasses, sedges and wildflowers made up the claypan woodland. There are two phases associated with this reference state.
Dominant plant species
post oak (Quercus stellata), tree
black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
American plum (Prunus americana), shrub
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
sedge (Carex), grass
Submodel
Description
Most current areas of Claypan Woodlands have experienced fire exclusion for decades. In the absence of fire, ongoing recruitment of trees into the canopy develops a closed canopy, shading out the herbaceous ground flora. This results in the formation of Post Oak – Black Oak – Black Hickory / Oak – Hickory Saplings / Goldenrod woodland. Black oak and mid-story species increase. Herbaceous cover and diversity greatly diminishes, leaf litter builds up, and more shade-tolerant woodland species persist, such as elm-leaved goldenrod, panic grass and spreading aster. The understory also develops with oak and hickory saplings along with sassafras and black cherry.
Dominant plant species
black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
post oak (Quercus stellata), tree
hybrid hickory (Carya), tree
oak (Quercus), shrub
elm (Ulmus), shrub
goldenrod (Solidago), grass
Submodel
Description
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue and red clover has been common in the Missouri Central Claypan area. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered post and pin oaks. Long term uncontrolled grazing can cause significant soil erosion and compaction.
Dominant plant species
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), grass
red clover (Trifolium pratense), grass
Submodel
Description
This is the dominant State that exists currently with intensive cropping of corn, soybeans, and wheat occurring. Some conversion to cool season grassland occurs for a limited period of time before transitioning back to cropland.
Dominant plant species
corn (Zea mays), grass
red clover (Trifolium pratense), grass
Submodel
Description
Conversion to this State is increasing due to renewed interest in warm season grasses as a supplement to cool season grazing system or as a native restoration activity.
Dominant plant species
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition is the result of fire suppression for at least 20 years and woody invasion or repeated timber harvests.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of fire suppression, tillage, vegetative seeding and grassland management.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of tillage, conservation cropping system and water management.
Restoration pathway R2A
Forest stand improvement; prescribed fire 1-3 years; extended rotations
Mechanism
This restoration pathway is the result of forest stand improvement, prescribed fire every 1-3 years and extended rotations.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of woody removal, tillage, vegetative seeding and grassland management.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of woody removal, tillage, conservation cropping system and water management.
Mechanism
Woody invasion; fire suppression; grazing exclusion
Mechanism
This transition is the result of tillage, conservation cropping system and water management.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of vegetative seeding, prescribed fire, and grassland management.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of woody invasion, fire suppression and grazing exclusion.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of vegetative seeding and grassland management.
Mechanism
This transition is the result of vegetative seeding, prescribed fire, and grassland management.
Model keys
Briefcase
Add { ecological sites } and { Major Land Resource Areas } to your briefcase by clicking on the briefcase
(
) icon wherever it occurs. Drag and drop items to reorder. Cookies are used to store briefcase items between browsing sessions. Because of this, the number of items that can be added to your briefcase is limited, and briefcase items added on one device and browser cannot be accessed from another device or browser. Users who do not wish to place cookies on their devices should not use the briefcase tool. Briefcase cookies serve no other purpose than described here and are deleted whenever browsing history is cleared.
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.
Accessibility statement