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Ecological Sites - PowerPoint Presentation

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Ecological Sites - PPT Presentation

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

ecological state soil site state ecological site soil management juniper project transition land vegetation community actions kinds esd distinctive

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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 communitySlide19
Slide20

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