Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Arctic Sedge Peat Frozen Depressions
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1
Soil creep results in the formation of string bogs.
More details -
Transition T2
catastrophic lake drainage leads to improved soil drainage
More details -
Transition T3
perched water table increases ponding frequency and duration
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This state covers all fresh water depressions in this MLRA that do not have a mosaic of vegetation related to low- and high-center ice-wedge polygons. Two plant community were identified within the reference state related to ponding depth and duration. Community 1.1 has a soil profile with permafrost, while community 1.2 has a soil profile without permafrost.
Dominant plant species
water sedge (Carex aquatilis), grass
tall cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium), grass
Submodel
State 2
String Bog State
String Bog State
Description
This alternate state covers depressions with string bogs. Two plant communities were identified. Community 2.1 occurs on nearly level surfaces termed flarks, while community 2.2 occurs on the elevated ridge termed strings. In the National Petroleum Reserve, strings were 3 to 6 feet wide, raised up to 3 feet, and 300 or more feet long.
Dominant plant species
entireleaf mountain-avens (Dryas integrifolia), shrub
water sedge (Carex aquatilis), grass
Bigelow's sedge (Carex bigelowii), grass
sphagnum (Sphagnum), grass
Submodel
Description
This alternate state covers lakes that are catastrophically drained. Two plant communities were identified within this state related to lakebed microtopography. Community 3.1 occurs on nearly level surfaces while community 3.2 occurs on slight rises. Both communities have very deep soils without restrictions like permafrost. Community 3.1 has a water table at very shallow depth, while community 3.2 has a water table at shallow depth.
Dominant plant species
entireleaf mountain-avens (Dryas integrifolia), shrub
water sedge (Carex aquatilis), grass
dwarf scouringrush (Equisetum scirpoides), grass
Submodel
Transition T1
Soil creep results in the formation of string bogs.
Mechanism
Soil creep results in the formation of string bogs.
Transition T2
catastrophic lake drainage leads to improved soil drainage
Mechanism
A stream, drainageway, or flood plain approaches the lake basin and thermal erosion of ice and thaw of permafrost create exit pathways for water. The lake is catastrophically drained. Bare soils is exposed, permafrost drops out of the soil profile, and soil drainage improves.
Transition T3
perched water table increases ponding frequency and duration
Mechanism
Relict lakebed is colonized by sedges and organic matter increases. Permafrost aggradations occurs within the soil profile and soils pond for longer durations of time. The vegetation shifts back to reference conditions.
Model keys
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Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
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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