Moist Spodosol Rises and Flats
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Lack of fire
More details -
Transition T1B
Land use conversion
More details -
Transition T2A
Reintroduction of fire
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Transition T2B
Land use conversion
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Transition T3A
Restoration
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
These woodlands are characterized by a canopy of longleaf pine above an understory of sparse low shrubs and a diversity of grasses and other herbaceous plants.
(FNAI, 2010; Peat and Allard, 1993; Schafale and Weakley, 1990)
Resilience management
This community is maintained by fires on a return interval of 1 to 3 years. Fires at this return interval maintain both vegetation and fuels so that the overall vegetation community is well adapted to the resulting fire intensity. Longleaf pine is well adapted to frequent low intensity surface fires.
Description
These woodlands are characterized by a dense and closed understory canopy of scrub oaks and woody shrubs. The shade cast by the shrubs decreases grass and herbaceous diversity and cover.
(FNAI, 2010; Peat and Allard, 1993; Schafale and Weakley, 1990)
Resilience management
This community develops as fire return intervals exceed 1 to 3 years on a consistent basis for a long period of time. The size and cover of woody understory plants increase as time since fire increases. The shade cast by the woody understory decreases grass and herbaceous diversity and cover.
Submodel
Description
Restoration efforts might include revegetation and reintroduction of periodic fire. There is increased interest in restoration of longleaf pine and it's associated vegetation communities including the application of prescribed and controlled fire. However, it is unclear whether or not the full historical range of fire behavior and fire seasonality can be restored on the modern landscape, and the limited scope of modern fire application may impact full restoration to historical conditions.
Mechanism
Lack of fire, or a fire return interval that exceeds 3 years on a consistent basis for a long period of time.
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.