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Slide1
Ecological Sites:An Executive Summary for State Leadership
PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOUR PHONE ON HOLD FOR ANY REASON DURING THE WEBINAR.
MUTE YOUR PHONE USING *6.
THE WEBINAR WILL BEGIN AT 2:30 PM CST
CALL IN 212/519-0839Slide2
Ecological Sites:An Executive Summary for State Leadership
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 CenterSlide3
Webinar OverviewBrief History of Ecological Sites in NRCS Ecological Site Definitions and Concepts
Why are Ecological Sites useful?
Operating Procedures
Goals and ExpectationsSlide4
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&RASlide5
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
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, 2011Slide9
Distinctive Type of LandSlide10
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
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 81CSlide14
Why are ESDs useful?Help predict the outcomes of major natural disturbances
Provide a roadmap for restoration
Support agency initiatives
Longleaf Pine
Sage Grouse
Provide
management interpretations
(wildlife, grazing, wood products, hydrology, invasive plant control, etc.)Serve as a tool for conservation planning Slide15
Conservation Planning UsesESDs can be used to:
Refine the planning unit
to areas that respond similarly
Provide a quick reference for
resource inventory and appropriate alternatives
Illustrate
consequences of management actions
guide to maintenance of existing conditionPredict actions needed to transition to desired plant communitySlide16
Practice Applications of ESDs
Early
Successional
Habitat Development (647)
Field Border (386)
Filter Strips (393)
Forage and Biomass Planting
Land Reclamation, Abandoned Mined Land (543)Range Planting (550)Restoration & Management of Rare &Declining Habitats (643)
Riparian Forest Buffers (391)
Riparian Herbaceous Cover (390)
Silvopasture
Establishment (381)
Tree/Shrub Establishment (Ac.) (612)
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (645)
Vegetative Barrier (601)
And associated practices (and more as ESDs for other land uses are developed…)Slide17Slide18
Additional Uses for ESDs
Standard reference for natural resource information for all federal agencies
and other interested
groups
Training tool and information source
Tool to assess lands for
resource values
or
resource-specific
concerns
wildlife habitat
carbon sinks
vulnerability to loss or degradation
Site
restoration potential
Tool to prioritize and target
activities Slide19
Operating ProceduresSlide20
Operating ProceduresSlide21
Project Management
Board of Directors
State Conservationists, grouped by MO
Approves and review all ES Project Plans
Approves 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 projectsSlide22
Accomplishing the Task
Multidisciplinary
Interagency
effort
Involve others such
as university, research,
NGOs, etc. Slide23
Linking
Scientific Knowledge
with
Local KnowledgeSlide24
Approval & CertificationCertification of quality control: SSO Leader
Quality control review:
MRLA ES (QC) specialist
Content review:
Vegetation specialist
Certification of ESD: MO Leader
Quality Assurance:
MO ES (QA) Specialist Content approval: SSS & SRC (or designee)Approval for use in state: State ConservationistSlide25
Goals and ExpectationsProject progress will be measured using percent completion of Project MilestonesMilestones 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) SpecialistSlide26
Prioritization Guidelines for Ecological Site Projects Chief’s or NRCS’ Initiatives
Ecological significance, such as:
At risk areas
Critical habitat
T&E species
Benchmark ecological sites
Benchmark soils
Major land usesSlide27
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!Slide28
Questions?
Contact Information:
susan.andrews@lin.usda.gov
402) 437-5687
george.peacock@ftw.usda.gov
(817) 509-3211