Ecological Sites and the MLRA SSO Leader

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 differsfrom 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

7. 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

8. Distinctive Type of Land

9. 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

10. Response to Management and Disturbance • Herbivory • Fire • Drought • Invasive Species • Cropping System

11. State and Transition Diagram • States • Communities phases • Community pathways • Transitions • Restoration Pathways • Narrative State 1 Community Phase 1.1 1.1 1.2 Community Phase 1.2 T1 R2 State 2 Community Phase 2.1

12. Deep Redland Ecological Site MLRA 81C 1.0 2.0

13. State-and-Transition Definitions STATE - a recognizable, resistant and resilient complex of two ecosystem components: 1) the soil base 2) the vegetation structure States Vegetation attribute(s) Time Stringham, et al., 2003

14. State-and-Transition Definitions 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 feedback mechanisms thresholds Vegetation attribute(s) transition restoration pathway transition Time

15. Deep Redland ES –MLRA 81C 1.0 Reference State R2a 1.1a 1.1 – Oak Savannah Community Phase 1.2 – Oak/Grassland Community Phase T1a 1.2a T1b 2.0 Oak Juniper State 3.0 Open Grassland State 2.1 – Oak/Juniper Community Phase T2b 3.1 – Open Grassland Community Phase 2.1a 2.2a 3.1a 3.2a 2.2 – Oak/Juniper Complex Community Phase 3.2 – Open Grassland/Juniper Community Phase

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

20. Operating Procedures

21. Operating Procedures

22. 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 projects

23. Accomplishing the Project ESD Technical Team- identified in Project Plan • MLRA ES (QC) Specialist • Other NRCS Specialists • Other Agency Specialists • Partners • Contractors or others

24. 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 collection Draft Ecological Site Description

25. 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

26. Involve experts from the area and other interested parties to develop the State and Transition Model

27. 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’. 1.0 Reference State 1.1 Warm season mid and tall grasses 1.1a 1.2a 1.2 - Warm season mid and tall grasses and one-seed juniper < 4’ tall Shrubs R2a T1a 2.0 Juniper/Shrub State 2.1 - One-seed juniper > 4’ tall Shrubs warm season tall and mid grasses 2.2a 2.1a 2.2 - One-seed juniper Shrubs and warm season mid grasses R3a T2a 3.0 Eroded State 3.1 - One-seed juniper active wind and water erosion

28. Levels of Intensity for Data Collection

29. Accomplishing the Task • Multidisciplinary • Interagency effort • Involve others groups such as university, research, private groups, etc.

30. Linking Scientific Knowledge with Local Knowledge

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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!

36. Questions? Contact Information: susan.andrews@lin.usda.gov 402) 437-5687 george.peacock@ftw.usda.gov (817) 509-3211