Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
-
Transition T1A
Large scale disturbance
More details -
Transition T1C
Clearing of site; agricultural production - forage
More details -
Transition T1B
Clearing of site; agricultural production -row crops.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Restoration inputs such as planting, brush control, prescribed fire, and timber stand improvement.
More details -
Transition T2B
Clearing; agricultural production - forage
More details -
Transition T2C
Clearing; agricultural production - row crops
More details -
Transition T3B
Abandonment of agricultural practices
More details -
Transition T3A
Site preparation and tillage, seeding, weed control, cropland management
More details -
Transition T4A
Transition site to forage production; seeding; weed/brush control; pasture management
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
Historically these sites were a dense and graminoid dominated meadow with many species of grasses, sedges and forbs. Common species included sedges (Carex spp.), prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Native herbaceous species included meadowsweet (Spirea alba), spotted joe-pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum), queen of the prairie (Filipendula rubra), swamp lousewort (Pedicularis lanceolata), purple meadowrue (Thalictrum dasycarpum), and fringed loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata). Shrubs were scattered and included dogwoods (Cornus spp.), willow (Salix spp.) and common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis).
Fire, during summer months or during periods of drought, maintained these sites. Other natural influencers included long-term flooding from beaver activity and grazing of large mammals. Reoccurring fire was a key influencer that helped to maintain these sites as a grass dominated plant community. Sites without a natural fire regime are often a mixed deciduous woodland.
Dominant plant species
willow (Salix), shrub
common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), shrub
dogwood (Cornus), shrub
hairy sedge (Carex lacustris), grass
upright sedge (Carex stricta), grass
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
fringed sedge (Carex crinita), grass
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), grass
spotted joe pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum), grass
swamp lousewort (Pedicularis lanceolata), grass
purple meadow-rue (Thalictrum dasycarpum), grass
queen of the prairie (Filipendula rubra), grass
white meadowsweet (Spiraea alba), grass
fringed loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata), grass
Submodel
Description
Today, sites that are not in agricultural production have still been altered due to a long-term absence of fire, eradication of beavers, hydrological modifications, and other anthropogenic disturbances. Trees on site, will depending on the type, length and severity of disturbances and the current hydrology. Common species include red maple, silver maple, elm, and green ash. Sites that have had a long-term absence of fire will display the following characteristics: an increase in tree and shrub density, an increase in leaf-litter buildup, and an increase in shade-tolerant understory species. Diversity of species may also be reduced, especially if there has been an introduction of non-native species.
Dominant plant species
red maple (Acer rubrum), tree
silver maple (Acer saccharinum), tree
green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), tree
elm (Ulmus), tree
willow (Salix), shrub
dogwood (Cornus), shrub
common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), shrub
sedge (Carex), grass
Submodel
Description
A portion of these sites have been converted to pastureland or forage production. Species selection will depend upon the objectives and goals of the landowner; however, commonly planted grasses include tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), brome (Bromus spp.), white clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). Species health and productivity are determined by the management and long-term overgrazing on some sites has caused soil erosion and compaction.
Dominant plant species
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
brome (Bromus), grass
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), grass
white clover (Trifolium repens), grass
red clover (Trifolium pratense), grass
Submodel
Description
Common crops include corn (Zea mays), soybeans (Glycine max), and occasionally common wheat (Triticum aestivum). Some landowners choose to convert sites to cool season grasses for a period before resuming cropland production.
A return to the historical Reference State from State 4 is unlikely, if not impossible.
Dominant plant species
corn (Zea mays), grass
soybean (Glycine max), grass
common wheat (Triticum aestivum), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Long-term fire suppression and hydrological changes will transition this state to a more mixed deciduous forest community.
Mechanism
Site is transitioned to an agricultural site focused on forage production. Management inputs would include clearing, site preparation, seeding and weed/brush control. Sites may be ditched or tiled to improve drainage. Landowners should insure compliance with any applicable wetland regulations.
Mechanism
Site is transitioned to an agricultural site focused on row crop production. Management inputs would include clearing, site preparation, seeding and weed control. Sites are usually ditched or tiled to improve drainage. Landowners should insure compliance with any applicable wetland regulations.
Restoration pathway R2A
Restoration inputs such as planting, brush control, prescribed fire, and timber stand improvement.
Mechanism
Restoration would require long-term management inputs including hydrological restoration, planting of desired species, weed control, brush control, timber stand improvement, and prescribed fire.
Mechanism
Site is cleared and forage/pasture production is initiated. Management inputs would include tree/shrub removal, site preparation, seeding, and weed/brush control. Sites may be ditched or tiled to improve drainage. Landowners should insure compliance with any applicable wetland regulations.
Mechanism
Site is cleared and row crop production is initiated. Management inputs would include tree/shrub removal, site preparation, tillage, seeding, and weed control. Sites are usually ditched or tiled to improve drainage. Landowners should insure compliance with any applicable wetland regulations.
Mechanism
Site is abandoned and slowly would transition to a wooded state dominated by deciduous trees. Species on site would depend on the severity and length of disturbance and available seed sources.
Transition T3A
Site preparation and tillage, seeding, weed control, cropland management
Mechanism
Management inputs that transition a site from pasture or forage production to a site that is utilized for row crop production. Sites are usually ditched or tiled to improve drainage. Landowners should insure compliance with any applicable wetland regulations.
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