and the MLRA SSO Leader George Peacock Team Leader Grazing Lands Technology Development Team Central National Technology Support Center and Susan Andrews National Leader Soil Quality and Ecosystems Branch ID: 402559
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Slide1
Ecological Sites and the MLRA SSO Leader
George Peacock, Team Leader
Grazing Lands Technology Development Team
Central National Technology Support Center
and
Susan Andrews, National Leader
Soil Quality and Ecosystems Branch
National Soil Survey CenterSlide2
Webinar Overview
Brief History of Ecological Sites in NRCS
Ecological Site Definitions and Concepts
Why are Ecological Sites useful?
Operating Procedures
Project Steps
Goals and ExpectationsSlide3
Ecological
Sites in NRCS
In 1997, the Ecological site concept was introduced into NRCS manuals and handbooks
Initial acceptance was slow
No national strategy for development
In 2009, Chief White approved a Decision Memo to:
Accelerate development of ESDs
Improve quality and standardization of ESDs developed
Joint effort between S&T and SS&RASlide4
Ecological Site - Definition
a conceptual division of the landscape that is defined as a distinctive kind of land based on recurring soil, landform, geological, and climatic characteristics that differs from other kinds of land in its ability to produce distinctive kinds and amounts of vegetation, and in its ability to respond similarly to management actions and natural disturbances.
- Interagency ESD Handbook, 2011Slide5
Ecological Site - Definition
a conceptual division of the landscape that is defined as a
distinctive kind of land based on recurring soil, landform, geological, and climatic characteristics
that differs from other kinds of land in its ability to produce distinctive kinds and amounts of vegetation, and in its ability to respond similarly to management actions and natural disturbances.
- Interagency ESD Handbook, 2011Slide6
Ecological Site - Definition
a conceptual division of the landscape that is defined as a distinctive kind of land based on recurring soil, landform, geological, and climatic characteristics that
differs
from other kinds of land
in its ability to produce distinctive kinds and amounts of vegetation, and in its ability to respond similarly to management actions and natural disturbances.
- Interagency ESD Handbook, 2011Slide7
Ecological Site - Definition
a conceptual division of the landscape that is defined as a distinctive kind of land based on recurring soil, landform, geological, and climatic characteristics that
differs
from other kinds of land in its ability to produce distinctive kinds and amounts of vegetation, and
in its ability to respond similarly to management actions and natural disturbances
.
- Interagency ESD Handbook, 2011Slide8
Distinctive Type of LandSlide9
Kinds and Amounts of Vegetation
Significant
differences in the species composition
of the reference community
Significant
differences in the relative proportions
of species that are in the reference community
Significant
differences in the total annual production
of species that are in the reference communitySlide10
Response to Management and Disturbance
Herbivory
Fire
Drought
Invasive Species
Cropping SystemSlide11
Community Phase 1.1
Community Phase 1.2
State 1
State 2
Community Phase 2.1
1.1
1.2
T1
R2
State and Transition Diagram
States
Communities
phases
Community pathways
Transitions
Restoration
Pathways
NarrativeSlide12
Deep Redland Ecological Site
MLRA 81C
1.0
2.0Slide13
State-and-Transition Definitions
STATE
- a recognizable, resistant and resilient complex of two ecosystem
components:
1) the
soil base 2) the vegetation structure Stringham, et al., 2003
Time
Vegetation attribute(s)
StatesSlide14
TRANSITION
- the trajectory of a change
- state changes are precipitated by natural events,
management actions or bothTHRESHOLD – boundary in space and time between two states - irreversible for without significant inputs or possibly completely irreversible
State-and-Transition Definitions
Time
Vegetation attribute(s)
thresholds
feedback
mechanisms
restoration pathway
transition
transitionSlide15
2.1
– Oak/Juniper
Community Phase
1.1
– Oak Savannah
Community Phase
1.2
– Oak/Grassland
Community Phase
1.0
Reference
State
2.0
Oak Juniper
State
2.2
– Oak/Juniper
Complex
Community Phase
3.0
Open Grassland
State
3.1
– Open Grassland
Community Phase
1.1a
1.2a
T1a
R2a
T1b
T2b
2.1a
2.2a
3.2 – Open Grassland/Juniper
Community Phase
3
.1a
3
.2a
Deep Redland ES
–
MLRA 81CSlide16
Ecological
Site
Description
(ESD)
C
omprehensive reference document containing :
Site Characteristics (Abiotic)
Physiographic Features
Climatic Features
Water Features
Soils
Plant
Communities (Biotic)
State and Transition Model
Site Interpretations
Supporting InformationSlide17
Why are ESDs useful?
Help predict the outcomes of major natural disturbances
Provide a roadmap for restoration
Support agency initiatives
Longleaf Pine Sage GrouseProvide
management interpretations (wildlife, grazing, wood products, hydrology, invasive plant control, etc.)Serve as a tool for conservation planning Slide18
Conservation Planning Uses
ESDs can be used to:
Refine the planning unit
to areas that respond similarly
Provide a quick reference for resource inventory and appropriate alternativesIllustrate consequences of management actions
guide to maintenance of existing conditionPredict actions needed to transition to desired plant communitySlide19Slide20
Operating ProceduresSlide21
Operating ProceduresSlide22
Project Management
Board of Directors
State Conservationists, grouped by MO
Approve and review all ES Project Plans
Approve certified ES descriptions
Management Team
SSSs, SRCs , Tech Specialists, ES QA Specialists
Reviews Project Plans
Prioritizes Plans
Technical Team
MLRA ES QC Specialist, any needed regional, state or local specialists
Develops Project Plans
Accomplishes planned projectsSlide23
Accomplishing the Project
ESD Technical Team- identified in Project Plan
MLRA ES (QC) Specialist
Other NRCS Specialists
Other Agency Specialists
Partners
Contractors or othersSlide24
Major Steps in ESD Development
Creation of initial Ecological Site concepts
Draft initial State and Transition Model
Testing Concepts-data collection & analysis
Refine State and Transition Model and Ecological Site concept (if needed)
High intensity data collectionDraft Ecological Site DescriptionSlide25
Steps in ESD Development
Creation of initial Ecological Site concepts
Reconnaissance
Literature review
Clearly specify the what distinguishes the site from others
Use existing vegetation as a guide to site characteristics (but not primary criterion)
Initial site concepts represent a hypothesis that can be testedSlide26
Involve
experts from the area and other interested parties
to develop the
State and Transition ModelSlide27
2.1 - One-seed juniper >
4’
tall
Shrubs
warm season tall and mid grasses
1.2 - Warm season mid and tall grasses and one-seed juniper < 4’ tall Shrubs
1.1 Warm season mid and tall grasses
1.0 Reference State
2.0 Juniper/Shrub State
2.2 - One-seed juniper
Shrubs
and warm season mid grasses
3.0 Eroded State
3.1 - One-seed juniper
active wind and water erosion
1.0 Reference
State:
Two community
phases
Indicators:
High perennial grass cover and production.
Surface soil stability > 3.4. One-seed juniper < 4’ tall.
Feedbacks:
Organic matter inputs allows for increased soil moisture,
herbaceous production
, root turnover and litter increasing soil surface
stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling.
Management:
Management actions focus on activities that maintain herbaceous production and organic matter inputs. Prescribed burning or other actions to limit juniper establishment and growth are necessary.
Transition 1a:
Triggers:
Change in fire frequency interval causing increase in juniper establishment and growth.
Threshold:
Surface soil stability <3.4, basal cover <7%, juniper foliar cover >24%, juniper >4’.
1.1a
1.2a
T1a
R2a
2.2a
2.1a
T2a
R3aSlide28
Levels of Intensity
for Data CollectionSlide29
Accomplishing the Task
Multidisciplinary
Interagency effort
Involve others
groups such as university, research, private groups, etc.
Slide30
Linking
Scientific Knowledge
with
Local KnowledgeSlide31
Role of MLRA-SSO Leader
Develop Long-range plan, project and annual plans
Provide leadership
for technical team
Update of soil surveysKeep maps and data currentManagement of activities Supervision of QC specialistFollow standards, policy, & procedureSupport NCSS initiativesSlide32
Approval & Certification
Certification of quality control:
SSO Leader
Quality control review:
MRLA ES (QC) specialistContent review: Vegetation specialistCertification of ESD: MO Leader
Quality Assurance: MO ES (QA) Specialist Content approval: SSS & SRC (or designee)Approval for use in state: State ConservationistSlide33
Goals and Expectations
Project progress will be measured using percent completion of Project Milestones
Milestones are significant accomplishments of a project
Acreage will only be counted for completed ESDs
Expect a minimum of one project per SSO with an MLRA ES (QC) SpecialistSlide34
Prioritization Guidelines for Ecological Site Projects
Chief’s or NRCS’ Initiatives
Ecological significance, such as:
At risk areas
Critical habitatT&E speciesBenchmark ecological sites
Benchmark soilsMajor land usesSlide35
Finally…
Detailed information on a relatively few ecological sites can provide information for large areas of land
A combination of expert knowledge, historical data and inventory provides defensible science for conservation planning
Must include soil AND vegetation experts to succeed!Slide36
Questions?
Contact Information:
susan.andrews@lin.usda.gov
402) 437-5687
george.peacock@ftw.usda.gov
(817) 509-3211