Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Northern Moderately Wet Alluvial Flat
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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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 R2A More details
- Transition T2A More details
- Transition T2B More details
- Transition T2C More details
- Restoration pathway R3A More details
- Restoration pathway R3B More details
- Transition T3A More details
- Transition T3B More details
- Restoration pathway R4A More details
- Restoration pathway R4B More details
- Transition T4A More details
- Restoration pathway R5A More details
- Restoration pathway R5B More details
- Restoration pathway R5C 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 pre-settlement plant community of this ecological site was largely removed more than 100 years ago, and there are no extant examples of that community. Following decades of land-use impacts, the plant community that returned in areas initially set aside for protection include several species of broad-leaved trees commonly referred to as bottomland hardwoods.
Vegetation associated with this site exhibits signs of increasing soil wetness compared to the better drained areas of the floodplain. Species that may occur on the drier flats (e.g., American beech, white oak, tuliptree) generally begin to drop out or their abundance decreased. A shift toward species more tolerant of wet conditions (or increased anaerobic conditions) typically occurs.
Submodel
Description
This state is characterized by the regeneration or regrowth of a pre-existing forest stand following a major, stand-replacing disturbance. Scale of the disturbance is at the stand level and is greater than one acre in size (Johnson et al., 2009). Potential types of disturbances include catastrophic windstorms, wildfire, silvicultural clearcuts, and particularly destructive ice storms. The resulting, even-aged stand (or single-cohort) is set on a new course of development, which is highly dependent upon several critical factors including: the composition and structure of the stand prior to the disturbance; the degree or intensity of the disturbance; size and configuration of the disturbed area; and distance to seed sources.
Composition and condition of the forest stand prior to a major disturbance may dictate, in large part, future composition of the regenerating stand. Although colonization by new species is expected soon after the disturbance, many of the pre-existing overstory components are anticipated to occupy position in the new, developing stand – their presence arising mainly from stump or root sprouts, advance regeneration, and germination from the seed bank (Oliver and Larson, 1990).
Submodel
Description
This state represents the breadth of forest management activities on this site. Various management or silvicultural methods can lead to very different structural and compositional results within a managed stand. The range of methods are diverse and include even-aged (e.g., clearcut and shelterwood) and uneven-aged (single tree, diameter-limit, basal area, group selection, etc.) approaches. Included within these approaches is an option to use disturbance mechanisms (e.g., timber stand improvement) 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 approaches and management results 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 and description iterations of this site will provide more detail on this state and associated management phases. One limitation of this site is periodic flooding. Management activities may need to be restricted to drier times of the year.
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 site has some limitations due to periodic flooding and seasonal wetness, particularly in unprotected areas. Management may be delayed during periods of high rainfall. Crops that are often established include cotton, corn, soybean, and small grains.
Submodel
Mechanism
This pathway represents a large-scale, stand replacing disturbance, which may be caused by a catastrophic windstorm (e.g., straight-line winds, tornado), ice storm, severe fire, or a silvicultural clearcut. For this stressor to occur, most or all of the overstory must be removed or destroyed. A few residual trees may persist, but overall, the disturbance must be intensive enough, at least one acre or larger (Johnson et al., 2009), that a new, even-aged stand is created.
Mechanism
This pathway consists of prescribed silvicultural activities specifically designed to meet stand compositional and production objectives. Activities may include release cuttings through a combination of low and high thinning, mechanical and chemical control of competition, and artificial regeneration (i.e., planting) of sites with low oak presence. A variety of silvicultural methods may be employed including group selection, single tree selection harvests (all classes/condition; avoid “high-grading”), or even-age management (clearcut).
Mechanism
Actions required to convert forests to grassland or forage production include forest clearing, stump removal, herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants.
Mechanism
Actions include mechanical removal of vegetation and stumps; herbicide treatment of residual plants; and preparation for planting.
Mechanism
This pathway represents a return to reference conditions through natural succession, if the disturbance occurred within a reference community. Depending upon objectives and stand condition, management activities to aide recovery may include exotic species control and silvicultural treatment that benefits oak regeneration and establishment (e.g., TSI practices such as crop tree release, low thinning, and cull removal). This pathway will occur only under the natural hydrologic regime (i.e., natural channel and no levees). It should be noted that a return to reference conditions requires that the natural hydrodynamics must be restored to the system. Exceptional conservation measures may be implemented in hydrologically altered systems, but the connectivity between the stream and its associated floodplain remains disconnected.
Mechanism
This pathway represents the development of an even-aged stand that is prescribed to meet compositional and production objectives.
Mechanism
Actions required to convert forests to pasture or forage production include forest clearing, stump removal, herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants.
Mechanism
Actions include mechanical removal of vegetation and stumps, herbicide treatment of residual plants, and preparation for planting.
Mechanism
Natural succession over a period of time may transition a former timber-managed stand to one supporting reference conditions. 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. Floodplains where streams have been channelized and leveed must have the natural hydrology restored BEFORE reference conditions are achieved.
Mechanism
This pathway represents a large-scale, stand-initiating disturbance, which effectively removes most or all of the pre-existing overstory. Disturbances may include a catastrophic windstorm, severe wildfire, and silvicultural management (even-aged).
Mechanism
Actions required to convert forests to pasture or forage production include forest clearing, stump removal, herbicide application, seedbed preparation, and the establishment of desired plants.
Mechanism
Actions include mechanical removal of vegetation and stumps, herbicide treatment of residual plants, and preparation for crop establishment.
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. LANDFIRE models (2008) 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 in addition to the appropriate level and type of disturbance (e.g., periodic flood regime, presence/absence of catastrophic wind events, etc.). Significant efforts may be required before a return to reference conditions is achieved (e.g., exotic species control, appropriate connectivity between stream and floodplain, potential artificial regeneration of community components, etc.). Floodplains where streams have been channelized and leveed must have the natural hydrology restored BEFORE reference conditions are achieved.
Mechanism
This pathway represents prescribed management strategies for transitioning abandoned pastureland to managed woodland. Activities may include artificial regeneration of and management for desired species and exotic species control.
Mechanism
Actions include mechanical removal of vegetation and stumps; herbicide treatment of residual plants; and preparation for crop establishment.
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. LANDFIRE models (2008) 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 in addition to the appropriate level and type of disturbance (e.g., periodic flood regime, presence/absence of catastrophic wind events, etc.). Significant efforts may be required before a return to reference conditions is achieved and may never fully reach perceived reference conditions (e.g., exotic species control, appropriate connectivity between stream and floodplain, potential artificial regeneration of community components, etc.). Floodplains where streams have been channelized and leveed must have the natural hydrology restored BEFORE reference conditions are achieved.
Mechanism
This pathway represents prescribed management strategies for transitioning abandoned cropland to managed woodland. Activities may include artificial regeneration of and management for desired species and exotic species control.
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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