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 Center
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 Center. Webinar Overview. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Ecological Sites and the MLRA SSO Leader
George Peacock, Team LeaderGrazing Lands Technology Development
TeamCentral National Technology Support Center
andSusan Andrews, National Leader
Soil Quality and Ecosystems BranchNational Soil Survey Center
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 Expectations
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&RA
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, 2011
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, 2011
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, 2011
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, 2011
Distinctive Type of Land
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 community
Response to Management and Disturbance
Herbivory
Fire
Drought
Invasive Species
Cropping System
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 Narrative
Deep Redland Ecological Site MLRA 81C
1.02.0
State-and-Transition DefinitionsSTATE - a recognizable, resistant and resilient complex of two ecosystem components:
1) the soil base 2) the vegetation structure
Stringham, et al., 2003Time
Vege
tatio
n att
ribut
e(s) States
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
Vege
tatio
n att
ribut
e(s) thresholds
feedbackmechanisms
restoration pathway
transition
transition
2.1 – Oak/JuniperCommunity Phase
1.1 – Oak SavannahCommunity Phase
1.2 – Oak/Grassland Community Phase
1.0 Reference State
2.0 Oak Juniper State
2.2 – Oak/JuniperComplex
Community Phase
3.0 Open Grassland State
3.1 – Open GrasslandCommunity Phase
1.1a
1.2aT1a
R2a
T1b
T2b
2.1a2.2a
3.2 – Open Grassland/JuniperCommunity Phase
3.1a3.2a
Deep Redland ES – MLRA 81C
Ecological Site Description (ESD)
Comprehensive reference document containing : Site Characteristics (Abiotic)
Physiographic Features Climatic Features Water Features Soils
Plant Communities (Biotic) State and Transition Model Site Interpretations Supporting Information
Why are ESDs useful? Help predict the outcomes of major natural
disturbances Provide a roadmap for restoration Support agency initiatives
ESD Technical Team- identified in Project Plan MLRA ES (QC) Specialist Other NRCS Specialists
Other Agency Specialists Partners Contractors or others
Major Steps in ESD Development
1. Creation of initial Ecological Site concepts
2. Draft initial State and Transition Model
3. Testing Concepts-data collection & analysis
4. Refine State and Transition Model and Ecological Site concept (if needed)
5. High intensity data collection6. Draft Ecological Site Description
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 tested
Involve experts from the area and other interested parties
to develop the State and
Transition Model
2.1 - One-seed juniper > 4’ tallShrubs
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 juniperShrubs
and warm season mid grasses
3.0 Eroded State
3.1 - One-seed juniperactive wind and water erosion
1.0 Reference State: Two community phasesIndicators: 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
T1aR2a
2.2a 2.1a
T2aR3a
Levels of Intensity for Data Collection
Accomplishing the Task
Multidisciplinary Interagency effort
Involve others groups such as university, research, private groups, etc.
LinkingScientific Knowledge
with Local Knowledge
Role of MLRA-SSO Leader Develop Long-range plan, project and
annual plans Provide leadership for technical
team Update of soil surveys Keep maps and data current Management of activities Supervision of QC specialist Follow standards, policy, & procedure Support NCSS initiatives
Approval & Certification Certification 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 Conservationist
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) Specialist
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 uses
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!