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 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 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

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

1.11.2

T1 R2

State and Transition Diagram

States

Communities

phases

Community

pathways

Transitions

Restoration

Pathways

Narrative

Deep Redland Ecological Site MLRA 81C

1.0

2.0

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., 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 both

THRESHOLD – 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

Longleaf Pine

Sage Grouse

Provide management interpretations (wildlife, grazing, wood products, hydrology, invasive plant control, etc.)

Serve as a tool for conservation planning

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 alternatives Illustrate consequences of management

actions guide to maintenance of existing condition Predict actions needed to transition to

desired plant community

Operating ProceduresOperating Procedures

Operating ProceduresOperating Procedures

Project ManagementProject Management Board of Directors State Conservationists, grouped by MO

Approve and review all ES Project Plans Approve certified ES descriptions

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

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 projects

Technical Team MLRA ES QC Specialist, any needed regional, state or local

specialists Develops Project Plans Accomplishes planned projects

Accomplishing the Project

Accomplishing the Project

ESD Technical Team- identified in Project Plan MLRA ES (QC) Specialist

Other NRCS Specialists

Other Agency Specialists

Partners

Contractors or others

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

Involve experts from the area and other interested parties

to develop the State and

Transition Model

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.

Linking

Scientific 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!

Questions?

Contact Information:

susan.andrews@lin.usda.gov402) 437-5687

george.peacock@ftw.usda.gov(817) 509-3211