Wet Clay Flats and Depressions
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Historical replacement of Longleaf pine
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Transition T1B
Loss of tree canopy
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Transition T1C
Drainage
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Transition T2A
Re-establishment of Longleaf pine
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Transition T2B
Significantly increased inundation
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Transition T2C
Drainage
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Transition T3A
Establishment of tree cover
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Transition T3B
Decreased inundation
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Transition T3C
Drainage
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Transition T4A
Restoration of hydrology, vegetation, and fire
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
Wet pine flatwoods often occur on the landscape as an ecotone between Wet Organic Soil Flats and Depressions and moist flats and depressions. The distinction between wet flats and depressions from moist flats and depressions can be exceptionally subtle with many sites supporting an even mix of facultative wetland, facultative, and facultative upland species
This reference state presents as two relatively distinct community phases: a pine savanna community and a shrubby flatwoods community. The relationship between the two community phases seems poorly understood. The relationship between the two community phases will tend to reflect slight changes in fire return intervals and lengths in hydroperiod. Nonetheless, across the MLRA it is consistently understood that the pine savanna community occurs where fire intervals are more frequent (every 1-3 years), and the shrubby flatwoods are more common where fire is less frequent (every 5-10 years). Extreme fluctuations in these drivers may warrant a state change with changes in dynamic soil properties, shifting Wet Pine Flatwoods to Pond Pine Woodlands
(FNAI, 2010; Peet and Allard, 1993; Schafale et al., 1990)
Submodel
Submodel
Description
Historically, these sites have been drained frequently to support a variety of land uses including forestry, agriculture, and development. This drained state is included in this STM because this state exists widely today across the landscape. Drainage of wetlands today is significantly regulated. NRCS is required to consider impacts to wetlands according to Federal laws including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, and State, Tribal, and local laws. It is the policy of NRCS to protect and promote wetland functions and values in all NRCS assistance (National Environmental Compliance Handbook (NECH) 610.36).
Submodel
Description
After land on this site has been drained, it is impossible to return fully to reference conditions that existed at that location prior to drainage, especially at locations that remained under active drainage management for long periods of time. Restoration efforts might include blocking and removing drainage structures, revegetation, and reintroduction of periodic fire.
Submodel
Mechanism
A variety of industrial exploitations cycles, loss of periodic fire cycles, and industrial removal of longleaf pine.
Mechanism
Any mechanism that causes widespread mortality of overstory trees including insects, diseases, weather, and/or increased inundation. These systems are well adapted to fire, so fire would not likely trigger this transition.
Mechanism
The drained state is included in this STM because this state exists widely today across the landscape. This transition is included to show how we got to where we are today. Drainage of wetlands today is significantly regulated. NRCS is required to consider impacts to wetlands according to Federal laws including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, and State, Tribal, and local laws. It is the policy of NRCS to protect and promote wetland functions and values in all NRCS assistance (National Environmental Compliance Handbook (NECH) 610.36).
Mechanism
Renewed planting of longleaf pine as well as expanded application of low-intensity, frequent prescribed fire
Mechanism
The drained state is included in this STM because this state exists widely today across the landscape. This transition is included to show how we got to where we are today. Drainage of wetlands today is significantly regulated. NRCS is required to consider impacts to wetlands according to Federal laws including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, and State, Tribal, and local laws. It is the policy of NRCS to protect and promote wetland functions and values in all NRCS assistance (National Environmental Compliance Handbook (NECH) 610.36).
Mechanism
The drained state is included in this STM because this state exists widely today across the landscape. This transition is included to show how we got to where we are today. Drainage of wetlands today is significantly regulated. NRCS is required to consider impacts to wetlands according to Federal laws including, but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, and State, Tribal, and local laws. It is the policy of NRCS to protect and promote wetland functions and values in all NRCS assistance (National Environmental Compliance Handbook (NECH) 610.36).
Model keys
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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.