Delta Plain - Natural Levees and Ridge Hardwoods

Description

The historic community of the site would contain an overstory of Pecan (Carya illinoinensis), Cow Oak (Quercus michauxii), Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda), Water Oak (Quercus nigra).

Dominant plant species

1. pecan (Carya illinoinensis), tree

2. swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii), tree

3. cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda), tree

4. water oak (Quercus nigra), tree

Submodel

Description

Forest Canopy opening created by potentially several ways that allows the understory community to receive adequate sunlight. This State will have a continuum from sparse herbaceous due to recent opening occurring to regeneration of Woody species with dense herbaceous species to the stage where the woody regeneration overtops the herbaceous and begins to shade them out. This continuum of colonization can be delineated as multiple phases depending on needs, and succession can be set back along the continuum.

Submodel

Description

This state represents a crop production field. Annual plantings for forage production would also be included in this phase, which may include cool season annual grasses and legumes and warm season forage species. Vegetable crops are grown on this site and are generally on a small scale. Sugarcane, Corn and Soybeans are dominant crops and can be planted on fields with adequate management. Wheat may be included in the rotation or as a standalone crop. Other row crop species have been produced on these sites. Often two or more crops will be grown in a multiyear rotation, this breaks pest cycles and some crops produce higher amounts of residue, which is left on the soil to improve soil health. Maintenance of monoculture crop stands also requires the control of unwanted species, which will require Pest Management and Nutrient Management to maintain the needed fertility for production of the desired species. Refer to E-Field Office Technical Guide and the local NRCS Field Office for management assistance.

Submodel

Description

Pasture or Grassland
This state is characterized by a monoculture or a mixture of forage species planted or allowed to establish from naturalized species managed for forage production or as herbaceous ground cover.

This Site fits into Pasture and Hayland Group: 2C
Of note: the soils of this ecological site fits the better drained soils of this Pasture and Hayland group.

2C - Deep bottomland soils with loamy surface layers and loamy subsoils. Somewhat poorly drained to well drained alkaline bottomland soils of high natural fertility. 0-8% slopes. Most slopes are 0-3%. Only a few soils occur on 3-5% slopes.

This site is suited for forage production, however, it may some wetness limitations. When the site hydrology has been altered with drainage systems forage species may be established and the site utilized for forage production. Maintenance of hydrologic control must be continued to maintain production and if control is abandoned or lost, wet conditions will reduce forage production and limit the ability of livestock to graze. When the site is utilized for forage production wetness and/or flooding must be monitored to prevent loss of livestock or forage crop. Additionally, adjacent higher elevation areas or protected areas may be needed for the storage of harvested forage or holding of livestock when wet or flooded conditions occur. Some forage operations on this site may not experience extreme wetness events in any year, however, preplanning and resources to meet the needs of the livestock should be part of the operational plan.

Most soils need nitrogen fertilization for higher levels of production when grasses are grown alone. It is not practical to apply high rates of fertilizer due to the wetness limitation potential of the site which normally occurs from December through June. To prevent extreme acidity in the subsoil when high rates of acidifying nitrogen is used, the surface soil should not be allowed to become more acid than 5.0 pH and lime should be applied at more frequent intervals.

Adapted Grasses and Legumes
Hybrid bermudagrass, common bermudagrass, dallisgrass, bahiagrass, and johnsongrass are the better adapted warm season perennials. Overflow hazards should be controlled to reduce the limitations of forage species. White clover, vetch, winter peas, and red clover are adapted cool season legumes. Periodic brush control is needed to prevent the area from reverting to woodland.

Submodel

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Dominant plant species

1. pecan (Carya illinoinensis), tree

2. swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii), tree

3. cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda), tree

4. water oak (Quercus nigra), tree

Submodel

Description

This state represents an area that has been altered to provide locations for homes, businesses, and infrastructure where people live, work, and recreate. The human population is higher than in the surrounding rural area. It is where buildings are close together and are usually considered cities and towns. This state may be found in small clusters in rural areas where multiple buildings are in close proximity with roads and infrastructure that support a rural population.

The changes to the landscape will not generally return to the historic community of Hardwood trees, however, some of this landcover may be present in areas. There are generally many introduced and potentially invasive species located in these areas and managed as ornamentals. These non-native species should be managed to prevent infestation and invasion into other areas where they can become a problem.

Within this land use, there are expansive networks of infrastructure both above and below ground for use by the inhabitants of the area. These include roads, drainage channels and structures, electrical distribution systems, telecommunications systems, drinking water distribution systems, and many other components that contribute to the quality of human life.

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