Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Coastal Redwood Slopes
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1 More details
- Restoration pathway R1 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 dynamics described below are general to the level that the site concept has been developed for provisional ecological site concept identification and further investigation purposes only. It is meant to give a general overview of the ecological dynamics of the system and should not be viewed as a model for a specific ecological site level management. It is supported by the current available literature that was reviewed for a general understanding of the system and basic understanding of the abiotic and biotic drivers. Further investigations and soil-site data collection and analysis should be conducted before specific land management can be applied at the ecological site specific scale. This STM only serves to explain the general ecology and dynamics.
Reference State (State 1) – This reference state includes a simple dynamic between the coast redwood forest and patchwork of coastal scrub dominated shrublands and coastal prairie. These communities are confined primarily to areas protected from the heavy coastal winds and winter storms that are common to this LRU, and within the lower elevation areas that commonly experience fog in the summer time. Historically, this reference state would have been primarily represented by Community Phase 1.1, but today it is mostly reflected by either Community Phase 1.2 or Community Phase 2.1.
Submodel
Description
This state represents the community phases that have been invaded by non-native species. This ESG is highly susceptible to non-natives and invasives, especially in the Reference State in Community Phase 1.2, given the current types of pressures from human use in this LRU. Non-natives and invasives are able to capitalize quickly on available resources much better than the native species can, especially during years that are hotter and drier than average. This state is based on limited observational information and should be further investigated in the field for better data and refinement of the concepts and dynamics.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition occurs when the seed source is introduced to the ecological site. This ecological site is not highly resistant to outside pressures like invasive species, and in Community Phase 1.2 the site is most at-risk of this type of invasion. The threshold is crossed when feedback mechanisms shift from natural dynamics to feedback mechanisms that cater to the invasive species.
Mechanism
This restoration pathway occurs through the planting of redwoods and the control of invasive species that can potentially restore this ecological site to its reference state. It is more likely that the invasions are minimized and controlled, but complete removal of the invasives may not be possible without significant time and money inputs and repeated treatments.
Model keys
Briefcase
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Ecological site groups
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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