Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Skeletal Pachic or Fulvic Forest
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Removal of native vegetation and planting, or allowing colonization by, introduced grass species.
More details -
Transition T1B
Cleared of forest and then abandoned.
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Transition T1C
Wind damage to the forest when there is a nearby source of seeds of invasive species or, more gradually, by damage to the forest understory.
More details -
Restoration pathway R2A
Suppression of grassland vegetation and replanting or natural reseeding with native species.
More details -
Transition T2B
Abandonment of grasslands, which are invaded by low-statured, native and introduced heliophytes.
More details -
Restoration pathway R3B
Active restoration measures.
More details -
Restoration pathway R3A
Land clearing, weed control, and replanting grasses.
More details -
Transition T3A
Growth of an overstory of trees with an understory of shade-tolerant shrubs, vines, ferns, forbs, and grasses.
More details -
Restoration pathway R4A
Active restoration measures.
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Restoration pathway R4B
Clear forested vegetation.
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This ecological site is forest with a very tall (80 to 100 feet or 25 to 30 meters), stratified tree canopy. Ground cover is moderately dense to dense. Epiphytes and lianas are common (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Sene, 2020; Webb and Fa`aumu, 1999; Whistler, 2002).
Dominant plant species
(Dysoxylum), tree
nutmeg (Myristica), tree
(Rhus taitensis), tree
(Lomagramma cordipinna), grass
Hawai'I birdnest fern (Asplenium nidus), grass
seabean (Mucuna gigantea), grass
Submodel
Description
This state consists of two community phases; it has been cleared of natural vegetation and planted or colonized with introduced grass species. It can be used for cattle grazing (USDA-SCS, 1984).
Dominant plant species
para grass (Urochloa mutica), grass
hilograss (Paspalum conjugatum), grass
zarzabacoa comun (Desmodium incanum), grass
comb bushmint (Hyptis pectinata), grass
nettleleaf velvetberry (Stachytarpheta urticifolia), grass
climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa), grass
Submodel
Description
This state consists of one community phase dominated by a variable mixture of small trees, shrubs, vines, forbs, and grasses that thrive in sunny environments. Remnant Californiagrass and hilograss are present.
Submodel
Description
This state consists of one community phase. It is forested with both overstory and understory composed of a variable mix of native and introduced species. The actual species composition on a given site depends on the original native species composition, the disturbance history, and the species composition existing near the site before, during, and after disturbances (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Green et al., 2015; Sene, 2020; Space and Flynn, 2000; Webb and Fa`aumu, 1999; Whistler, 2002; Whistler, 1994).
Submodel
Transition T1A
Removal of native vegetation and planting, or allowing colonization by, introduced grass species.
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by removal of native vegetation and planting, or allowing colonization by, introduced grass species.
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Cleared and Abandoned State (3) if previously cleared of forest and then abandoned. This allows heliophytes, both native and introduced, to temporarily cover the ground.
Transition T1C
Wind damage to the forest when there is a nearby source of seeds of invasive species or, more gradually, by damage to the forest understory.
Mechanism
The Reference State (1) transitions to the Invaded Forest State (4) by wind damage to the forest when there is a nearby source of seeds of invasive species or, more gradually, by damage to the forest understory by ungulates, especially feral pigs, when there is a source of seeds of invasive species.
Restoration pathway R2A
Suppression of grassland vegetation and replanting or natural reseeding with native species.
Mechanism
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) could theoretically be restored to the Reference State (1) by suppression of grassland vegetation and replanting with native species. Natural reseeding by native forest species can be expected if there is a nearby stand of suitable species.
Transition T2B
Abandonment of grasslands, which are invaded by low-statured, native and introduced heliophytes.
Mechanism
The Naturalized Grassland State (2) transitions to the Cleared and Abandoned State (3) with abandonment of grasslands, which are invaded by low-statured, native and introduced heliophytes.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) may be restored to the Reference State (1). The intensity of active restoration measures will be determined by the presence or lack of nearby native forests or, at least, some native trees as well as the density and species mix of grasses, vines, shrubs, and invasive trees present on the site, especially if many competitive introduced species are present.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) may be restored to the Naturalized Grassland State (2) by land clearing, weed control, and replanting grasses.
Transition T3A
Growth of an overstory of trees with an understory of shade-tolerant shrubs, vines, ferns, forbs, and grasses.
Mechanism
The Cleared and Abandoned State (3) transitions to the Invaded Forest State (4) by growth of an overstory of trees with an understory of shade-tolerant shrubs, vines, ferns, forbs, and grasses. The species mix is variable but may be mostly introduced species or a combination of native and introduced species.
Mechanism
The Invaded Forest State (4) can be restored to the Reference State (1). The difficulty, cost, and likelihood of success will depend on the species composition and amount and competitiveness of introduced species present on a given site.
Mechanism
The Invaded Forest State (4) can be restored to the Cleared and Abandoned State (3). After this “restoration,” the Cleared and Abandoned State (3) is likely to rapidly transition back to the Invaded Forest State (4) due to presence of an abundant tree seed bank in the soil.
Model keys
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