State 1
Reference State (minimally-managed)

Community 1.1
Maple - Basswood -Ash Forest

These sites occur on sheltered (concave) hillsides, ravines, stream drainages, or slope bases where nutrients accumulate, often over calcium-bearing bedrock. Slopes often grade from moderate to flat as these forests straddle the base of a hillslope. Small drainage channels may occur in the lower portions, maintaining saturated soils over at least part of the site.

These closed canopy forests are dominated by sugar maple, with beech and/or yellow birch subordinate. Basswood and white ash are typical indicators but are not necessarily abundant, and they are often absent in northwest Maine. The shrub layer is usually sparse and dominated by saplings of the canopy species. The lush herb layer may contain rare species that are strong indicators of this forest type with relatively nutrient rich soils. Bryoids are virtually absent. (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

Resilience management. Maine Natural Areas Program State Rank: S3 Vulnerable – At moderate risk of extinction or elimination due to a fairly restricted range, relatively few populations or occurrences, recent and widespread declines, threats, or other factors. There are many known mature occurrences of Maple - Basswood - Ash Forests in the state, most with a history of harvesting. However, the market pressures for hardwoods have recently led to heavy cutting of several sites. Typical sites where this community occurs are naturally small and should be buffered from surrounding forest uses. Since this natural community type is most often an inclusion within larger northern hardwood forests, many of the species using northern hardwood forests will also use this type. (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

Community 1.2
Spruce - Northern Hardwoods Forest

These forests occur on cooler microsites from near sea level to 2200’. They are usually on hillslopes, ranging from lower to upper slopes and from gentle to steep (up to 50%). The soils are typically well drained, sometimes somewhat excessively drained, sandy to loamy in texture, with pH 5.0-5.4. This mixed forest type is characterized by hardwoods with occasional scattered large supercanopy species. The sapling/shrub layer may be fairly well developed (20-40% cover), with saplings of canopy species; shrub species vary among sites. The herb layer ranges from sparse to dense but is usually >15% cover, divided between forbs, ferns, and regenerating trees, with dwarf shrubs virtually absent. The bryoid layer is patchy and locally well developed, with bryophytes far more abundant than lichens. (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

Resilience management. Maine Natural Areas Program State Rank: S5 Secure – At very low risk or extinction or elimination due to a very extensive range, abundant populations or occurrences, and little to no concern from declines or threats. Nearly all forests of this type have been harvested in the past, and at many sites the spruce has been selectively removed. As a result, the canopies of such sites are more often indicative of Beech - Birch - Maple Forests, with spruce and fir more common in the understory than in the canopy. Sites with relatively little human disturbance are rare but are moderately well represented on conservation lands. (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

State 2
Semi-natural State

Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics driven by natural disturbances, processes, and pressures (may have some anthropogenic influences). More research is needed to determine the extent of the Semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.

Community 2.1
Invasiveness and Biological Introductions

Introduction of invasive species, pathogens, and/or pests resulting in shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics. More research is needed to determine the extent of these effects on the semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.

State 3
Cultural State

Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics that are primary driven by anthropogenic disturbances and pressures (may have some associated natural influences). More research is needed to determine the extent of the cultural state associated with this ecological site.

Community 3.1
Plantation

The cultivation, management, and harvesting of timber resulting in landscape clearing, mechanical landscape alteration, and mechanical soil disturbance.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Introduction of invasive species, pests, and/or pathogens that alter ecological site functions, dynamics, and properties

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

Timber management and harvesting, landscape clearing, mechanical landscape alteration, mechanical soil disturbance, planting, seeding, cultivation

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

Removal, remediation, or control of invasive species, pests, and/or pathogens through mechanical, biological, or chemical management; establishment of native plants through seeding and/or planting

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Timber management and harvesting, landscape clearing, mechanical landscape alteration, mechanical soil disturbance, planting, seeding, cultivation

Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 1

Restoration of native plant communities, planting, seeding, removal of obstructions or barriers

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2

Restoration of native plant communities, planting, seeding, removal of obstructions or barriers