Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Residuum Upland Forest
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Disturbance; invasion of non-native species; no management inputs
More details -
Transition T1B
Clearing; site prep; seeding; brush/weed control; agricultural management
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Planting; weed/brush control; long-term management inputs
More details -
Transition T2A
site prep; seeding; weed control; agricultural management
More details -
Transition T3A
Abandonment; no management inputs
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
These sites have variable canopy cover with oaks as a dominant species. Topography, aspect, rock content and soil depth will influence species composition. Canopy species may include white oak (Quercus alba), northern red oak (Q. rubra), black oak (Q. velutina), shagbark (Carya ovata), pignut hickory(C. ovalis) and mockernut (C. tomentosa).
The subcanopy will also be influenced by topography, aspect and available water. Common species include white ash (Fraxinus americana), eastern black cherry (Prunus serotina), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) and dogwoods (Cornus spp.)
The shrub layer can be quite variable but may include flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), alternative leaf dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), maple-leaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis), common serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), prickly ash (Zanthoxylum americanum), and hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana).
The herbaceous layer is often quite diverse and will vary from site to site.
Dominant plant species
white oak (Quercus alba), tree
northern red oak (Quercus rubra), tree
hybrid hickory (Carya), tree
common serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), shrub
northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin), shrub
hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), shrub
flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), shrub
eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), shrub
Canadian blacksnakeroot (Sanicula canadensis), grass
clustered blacksnakeroot (Sanicula odorata), grass
Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), grass
Submodel
Description
Disturbances such as selective harvest, clear cutting, grazing, recreational uses, urban development and fire suppression have transitioned these communities to a more mesic woodland dominated by Acer saccharum, Acer rubrum, and/or Liriodendron tulipifera. Understory composition on these sites is altered due to heavy shade, lack of natural fire, and thick leaf litter. Disturbance also often results in an invasion of non-native species. Numerous species may be possible depending on seed sources.
Mesophication of upland residuum sites is also occurring due to lack of a natural fire regime. Lack of fire is increasing the abundance of fire-sensitive species (maples, ashes, poplar) and poor recruitment of oak (Quercus spp.) in the absence of frequent fire..
Dominant plant species
maple (Acer), tree
white ash (Fraxinus americana), tree
tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), tree
honeysuckle (Lonicera), shrub
autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), shrub
Nepalese browntop (Microstegium vimineum), grass
garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), grass
Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), grass
winter creeper (Euonymus fortunei), grass
Submodel
Description
Many sites are currently used for agricultural production. Row crop production is limited to lower slope mapunits only. Numerous crops may be produced on sites and the specific species will be determined by the landowners goals and objectives given the suitability of the site.
Dominant plant species
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
brome (Bromus), grass
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
red clover (Trifolium pratense), grass
white clover (Trifolium repens), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Substantial disturbance such as altered fire regime, selective harvest of oaks, clearing of site, and/or development. Introduction of non-native species with no management input to control spread.
Transition T1B
Clearing; site prep; seeding; brush/weed control; agricultural management
Mechanism
Clearing of mature high-quality forest for conversion to agricultural production. This transition is a consideration for lower slopes only.
Mechanism
Restoration of site would include planting of oaks and timber stand improvement activities to insure high value trees thrive including selective thinning, brush control, and understory weed control. Prescribed fire may be appropriate for some sites.
Mechanism
Transition to agricultural state. Activities would be determined by the landowner’s production objectives and goals for the site. Numerous crops with varying management scenarios may be feasible. This transition is appropriate for low-slopes only.
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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