Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Northern Loess Fragipan Terrace
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
- Restoration pathway R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T2C More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Transition T3C More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Transition T4B More details
- Transition T4C More details
- Restoration pathway R5A More details
- Transition T5A More details
- Transition T5B More details
- Transition T5C More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
The reference conditions of this ecological site are chosen to reflect the dominant plants that occur in a few existing woodlots. Many of the native plant species occurring within these areas are considered to be close correlates of the natural vegetation of this site, which is mainly comprised of a drier association of upland hardwoods. This projection of the natural community is based on the fragic properties of the soils associated with this site, particularly with respect to their tendency of becoming dry during periods of low rainfall. Characteristic species of the site include oaks and hickory typical of upland environments but may also include species more aligned with moist (i.e., mesic) conditions. The name of the reference state is reflective of the moisture tolerances of the species associated with this site.
From a structural perspective, this site may have supported a mosaic of conditions that included closed forests, open woodlands, and meadows or small prairies, the latter either occurring along the fringes or within the site proper. A single community phase is provided to represent current conditions of protected stands, which is a closed canopy, structurally complex forest. Additional reference community phases may be included in subsequent iterations of this site description, if warranted.
Submodel
Description
Agriculture production is the dominant land use activity on this site, today. Most cropland is relegated to the uplands and broad terraces of the Loess Plains within MLRA 134.
Submodel
Description
This state is representative of sites that have been converted to and maintained in pasture and forage cropland, typically a grass – legume mixture. For pastureland, planning or prescribing the intensity, frequency, timing, and duration of grazing can help maintain desirable forage mixtures at sufficient density and vigor (USDA-NRCS, 2010; Green et al., 2006). Overgrazed pastures can lead to soil compaction and numerous bare spots, which may then become focal points of accelerated erosion and colonization sites of undesirable plants or weeds.
Establishing an effective pasture management program can help minimize the rate of weed establishment and assist in maintaining vigorous growth of desired forage. An effective pasture management program includes: selecting well-adapted grass and/or legume species that will grow and establish rapidly; maintaining proper soil pH and fertility levels; using controlled grazing practices; mowing at proper timing and stage of maturity; allowing new seedings to become well established before use; and renovating pastures when needed (Rhodes et al., 2005; Green et al., 2006). It is strongly advised that consultation with State Grazing Land Specialists and District Conservationists at local NRCS Service Centers be sought when assistance is needed in developing management recommendations or prescribed grazing practices.
Submodel
Description
This state represents a broad range of management objectives, options, and stand conditions including woodlots allowed to grow or revert naturally; repeated single-tree harvests (often high-graded); carefully prescribed treatments; and conversion to a monoculture or single-species stand.
Various management or silvicultural methods can lead to very different structural and compositional results. For prescribed management options, methods are diverse, which include even-aged (e.g., clearcut and shelterwood) and uneven-aged (single tree, diameter-limit, basal area, group selection, etc.) approaches. Included within these methods is an option to use disturbance mechanisms (e.g., fire, TSI, etc.) to reduce competition and achieve maximum growth potential of the desired species. Inherently, these various approaches result in different community or “management phases” and possibly alternate states. The decision to represent these varying methods and management strategies into a single state and phase at this time hinges on the need for additional information in order to formulate definitive pathways, management actions, and community responses. Forthcoming inventories of this site will provide more detail on this state and associated management phases.
Submodel
Description
This alternative state is included to represent the range or breadth of conservation actions that may be implemented and established should other land uses be discontinued within a given location. Several actions may be chosen including the standard of establishing: native warm season grasses; suitable forbs for pollinators; select native trees to manage for forest or woodland conditions. If at all possible, the herbaceous species established should be derived from the “wild types” (genetic stock) from the Loess Plains or from adjoining ecoregions. This action would help preserve the unique genetic material from the area and would help to reintroduce the native herbaceous taxa back into a portion of their former range.
Submodel
Mechanism
Actions include mechanical removal of vegetation and stumps; preparation for and establishment of crops (State 2).
Mechanism
This pathway represents an attempt to convert the woodland community to pasture or forage production. Actions include clearing, stump removal, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants (State 3).
Mechanism
This pathway consists of prescribed silvicultural activities specifically designed to meet stand compositional and production objectives.
Mechanism
This pathway represents natural succession back to perceived reference conditions. The period required for this transition to take place likely varies by location and is dependent upon local site conditions and the intensity of former land use impacts. LANDFIRE models (2009) suggest that over 80 years is required for a return to a late development community and this pathway is highly dependent upon species present in the developing stand and former disturbances. Significant efforts may be required before a return to reference conditions is achieved (e.g., exotic species control, potential artificial regeneration of community components, etc.).
Mechanism
Seedbed preparation and establishment of desired forage/grassland mixture (State 3).
Mechanism
This pathway represents prescribed management strategies for transitioning former cropland and/or cutover woodland to one that meets timber stand composition and production objectives. For enhanced oak production, actions may include artificial regeneration and reduction of oak competition. Managing for mixed hardwood production may require exotic species control and general timber stand improvement practices. The final option of this pathway is the establishment of a pine monoculture or plantation. Establishment of the latter may be most successful on thin loess soils and/or in the southern portions of this site (State 4).
Mechanism
This pathway represents the decision to discontinue cultivation/production and establish native grasses/forbs or trees on this site. This action also includes management activities to “guide” natural succession and conservation maintenance. Actions may include prescribed fire for maintaining and enhancing herbaceous establishment and herbicide treatments for controlling exotic species invasions and to ensure select tree establishment (State 5).
Mechanism
This pathway represents natural succession back to perceived reference conditions. The period required for this transition to take place likely varies by location and is dependent upon local site conditions and the intensity of former land use impacts. LANDFIRE models (2009) suggest that over 80 years is required for a return to a late development community and this pathway is highly dependent upon species present in the developing stand and former disturbances. Significant efforts may be required before a return to reference conditions is achieved (e.g., exotic species control, potential artificial regeneration of community components, etc.).
Mechanism
Actions include removal of vegetation; herbicide treatment of residual plants; and preparation for crop establishment.
Mechanism
This pathway represents natural succession of former pasture to non-managed “woods” or forest or implementing prescribed management strategies for meeting timber stand composition and production objectives. For enhanced oak production, actions may include artificial regeneration and reduction of oak competition. Managing for mixed hardwood production may require exotic species control and general timber stand improvement practices. The final option of this pathway is the establishment of a pine monoculture or plantation. Establishment of the latter may be most successful on thin loess soils and/or in the southern portions of the site.
Mechanism
This pathway represents the decision to discontinue grazing/non-native forage management and establish native grasses/forbs or trees on this site. This action also includes management activities to “guide” natural succession. Actions may include prescribed fire for maintaining and enhancing herbaceous establishment and herbicide treatments for controlling exotic species invasions and to ensure select tree establishment.
Mechanism
Natural succession over a period of time may transition a former timber-managed stand to one supporting reference conditions. Based on observations of some reference stands, a period greater than 50 years may be required, unless it was a former pine monoculture. Some question remains whether a return to reference conditions will occur in every situation, especially since some components may have been selectively culled from the stand. Management activities to aide recovery may include exotic species control and silvicultural treatment.
Mechanism
Actions include removal of vegetation; herbicide treatment of residual plants; and preparation for planting.
Mechanism
Seedbed preparation and establishment of desired forage/grassland mixture.
Mechanism
This pathway represents the decision to discontinue timber management and establish native grasses/forbs on this site. This decision also includes the implementation of management activities to “guide” natural succession and conservation end goals. Actions may include prescribed fire for maintaining and enhancing herbaceous establishment and herbicide treatments for controlling exotic species invasions.
Mechanism
This pathway represents natural succession back to perceived reference conditions. The period required for this transition to take place likely varies by location and is dependent upon local site conditions and the intensity of former land use impacts. LANDFIRE models (2009) suggest that over 80 years is required for a return to a late development community and this pathway is highly dependent upon species present in the developing stand and former disturbances. Significant efforts may be required before a return to reference conditions is achieved (e.g., exotic species control, potential artificial regeneration of community components, etc.).
Mechanism
This pathway represents the discontinuation of conservation practices and a return to production.
Mechanism
This pathway represents the discontinuation of conservation practices and a return to pasture and/or hayland management entailing removal of vegetation, seedbed preparation, and establishment of desired forage/grassland mixture.
Mechanism
This pathway represents the discontinuation of conservation practices and establishing prescribed management strategies for timber stand composition and production objectives. For enhanced oak production, actions may include artificial regeneration and reduction of oak competition. Managing for mixed hardwood production may require exotic species control and general timber stand improvement practices. The final option of this pathway is the establishment of a pine monoculture or plantation. Establishment of the latter may be most successful on thin loess soils and/or in the southern portions of the site.
Model keys
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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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