Mesic Temperature Regime, Flood Plain Forest, Very Wet
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Clearcut logging or other large-scale disturbances that cause canopy removal.
More details -
Transition T2A
Long-term natural succession.
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
This mature forest state supports a mixture of bottomland hardwood species.
Characteristics and indicators
Stands are uneven-aged with a broad diameter class distribution. The forest typically has a closed canopy, though canopy gaps and standing dead trees are frequently interspersed. Species diversity is generally higher than in young secondary stands.
Except for on broad floodplains with well-developed backswamps, bottomland oaks (Quercus lyrata, Q. phellos, etc.) typically occupy a relatively small portion of the canopy. Nevertheless, their presence is a good indicator of mature forest conditions.
Description
This successional phase develops in the wake of clearcut logging, storm-related catastrophic tree mortality, or other large-scale disturbances that have led to canopy removal in the recent past. Which species colonize a particular location in the wake of a disturbance does involve a considerable degree of chance. It also depends a great deal on the type, duration, and magnitude of the disturbance event.
Characteristics and indicators
Plant age distribution is usually even.
Submodel
Mechanism
The reference state can transition to the secondary succession state through clearcut logging or other large-scale disturbances that cause canopy removal.
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.