Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Loamy Sinkhole Woodland
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1A More details
- Transition T1B More details
- Transition T1C More details
- Transition T1D More details
- Restoration pathway R1B More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Restoration pathway R1A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T5B More details
- Transition T5A More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
The reference state for this ecological site was old growth oak woodland dominated by black oak, hickory, and white oak. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind or ice maintained the woodland structure and diverse ground flora species. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in both the density of trees and the abundance of shade tolerant species. Two community phases are recognized in the reference state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency.
This reference state is uncommon today. Some sites have been converted to grassland (State 4). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with domestic livestock grazing (State 5). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Many reference sites have been managed for timber harvest, resulting in either even-age (State 2) or uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.
Submodel
Description
These former woodlands are now rather dense, with an under developed understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, will either maintain this state, or convert the site to Uneven-age Managed (state 3) woodlands.
Submodel
Description
Composition and age are altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. In addition, without a regular 15 to 20 year harvest re-entry into these stands and use of prescribed fire, they will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species such as hickory, and white oak will become less dominant.
Submodel
Description
Conversion of woodlands to planted, non-native pasture species such as tall fescue has been common in this MLRA. If grazing and active pasture management is discontinued, the site will eventually transition to State 2.
Submodel
Description
Ecological sites subjected to repeated, high-graded timber harvests and uncontrolled domestic grazing transition to this State. This state exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less desirable tree species, and weedy understory species such as coralberry, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. The vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff. Exclusion of livestock from sites in this state coupled with uneven-age management techniques will cause a transition to State 3.
Submodel
Mechanism
Prescribed fire; extended rotations; forest stand improvement
Mechanism
Prescribed fire; extended rotations; forest stand improvement
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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