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 Brief History of Ecological Sites in NRCS Brief History of Ecological Sites in NRCS Ecological Site Definitions and Concepts Ecological Site Definitions and Concepts Why are Ecological Sites useful? Why are Ecological Sites useful? Operating Procedures Operating Procedures Project Steps Project Steps Goals and Expectations 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 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 species composition of the reference community Significant differences in the relative proportions of species that are in 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 Significant differences in the total annual production of species that are in the reference community Significant differences in the species composition of the reference community 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 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 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  Herbivory  Fire  Drought  Invasive Species  Cropping System

Community Phase 1.1 Community Phase 1.2 State 1 State 2 Community Phase T1R2 State and Transition Diagram States States Communities phases Communities phases Community pathways Community pathways Transitions Transitions Restoration Pathways Restoration Pathways Narrative Narrative States States Communities phases Communities phases Community pathways Community pathways Transitions Transitions Restoration Pathways Restoration Pathways Narrative Narrative

Deep Redland Ecological Site MLRA 81C MLRA 81C Deep Redland Ecological Site MLRA 81C MLRA 81C

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) 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 Vegetation attribute(s) thresholds feedbackmechanisms restoration pathway transition

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 81C

Ecological Site Description (ESD) C omprehensive reference document containing : Site Characteristics (Abiotic) Site Characteristics (Abiotic) Physiographic Features Physiographic Features Climatic Features Climatic Features Water Features Water Features Soils Soils Plant Communities (Biotic) Plant Communities (Biotic) State and Transition Model State and Transition Model Site Interpretations Site Interpretations Supporting Information Supporting Information Site Characteristics (Abiotic) Site Characteristics (Abiotic) Physiographic Features Physiographic Features Climatic Features Climatic Features Water Features Water Features Soils Soils Plant Communities (Biotic) Plant Communities (Biotic) State and Transition Model State and Transition Model Site Interpretations Site Interpretations Supporting Information Supporting Information

Why are ESDs useful? Help predict the outcomes of major natural disturbances Help predict the outcomes of major natural disturbances Provide a roadmap for restoration Provide a roadmap for restoration Support agency initiatives Support agency initiatives Longleaf Pine Longleaf Pine Sage Grouse Sage Grouse Provide management interpretations (wildlife, grazing, wood products, hydrology, invasive plant control, etc.) Provide management interpretations (wildlife, grazing, wood products, hydrology, invasive plant control, etc.) Serve as a tool for conservation planning Serve as a tool for conservation planning

Conservation Planning Uses ESDs can be used to: Refine the planning unit to areas that respond similarly Refine the planning unit to areas that respond similarly Provide a quick reference for resource inventory and appropriate alternatives Provide a quick reference for resource inventory and appropriate alternatives Illustrate consequences of management actions Illustrate consequences of management actions guide to maintenance of existing condition guide to maintenance of existing condition Predict actions needed to transition to desired plant community Predict actions needed to transition to desired plant community

Operating Procedures

Project Management Board of Directors State Conservationists, grouped by MO Approve and review all ES Project Plans Approve and review all ES Project Plans Approve certified ES descriptions Approve certified ES descriptions Board of Directors State Conservationists, grouped by MO Approve and review all ES Project Plans Approve and review all ES Project Plans Approve certified ES descriptions Approve certified ES descriptions Management Team SSSs, SRCs, Tech Specialists, ES QA Specialists Reviews Project Plans Reviews Project Plans Prioritizes Plans Prioritizes Plans Management Team SSSs, SRCs, Tech Specialists, ES QA Specialists Reviews Project Plans Reviews Project Plans Prioritizes Plans Prioritizes Plans Technical Team MLRA ES QC Specialist, any needed regional, state or local specialists Develops Project Plans Develops Project Plans Accomplishes planned projects Accomplishes planned projects Technical Team MLRA ES QC Specialist, any needed regional, state or local specialists Develops Project Plans Develops Project Plans Accomplishes planned projects Accomplishes planned projects

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 collection 6. Draft Ecological Site Description 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 collection 6. 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  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 to develop the State and Transition Model

2.1 - One-seed juniper > 4’ tall Shrubs warm season tall and mid grasses 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 One-seed juniper Shrubs and warm season mid grasses 3.0 Eroded State 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 24%, juniper >4’. 1.1a1.2a T1aR2a 2.2a2.1a T2a R3a

Levels of Intensity for Data Collection

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

Linking Scientific Knowledge with Local Knowledge Local KnowledgeLinking Scientific Knowledge with Local Knowledge Local Knowledge

Role of MLRA-SSO Leader Develop Long-range plan, project and annual plans Develop Long-range plan, project and annual plans Provide leadership for technical team Provide leadership for technical team Update of soil surveys Update of soil surveys Keep maps and data current Keep maps and data current Management of activities Management of activities Supervision of QC specialist Supervision of QC specialist Follow standards, policy, & procedure Follow standards, policy, & procedure Support NCSS initiatives Support NCSS initiatives

Approval & Certification Certification of quality control: SSO Leader Certification of quality control: SSO Leader Quality control review: MRLA ES (QC) specialist Quality control review: MRLA ES (QC) specialist Content review: Vegetation specialist Content review: Vegetation specialist Certification of ESD: MO Leader Certification of ESD: MO Leader Quality Assurance: MO ES (QA) Specialist Quality Assurance: MO ES (QA) Specialist Content approval: SSS & SRC (or designee) Content approval: SSS & SRC (or designee) Approval for use in state: State Conservationist Approval for use in state: State Conservationist

Goals and Expectations Project progress will be measured using percent completion of Project Milestones Project progress will be measured using percent completion of Project Milestones Milestones are significant accomplishments of a project Milestones are significant accomplishments of a project Acreage will only be counted for completed ESDs Acreage will only be counted for completed ESDs Expect a minimum of one project per SSO with an MLRA ES (QC) Specialist 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 Chief’s or NRCS’ Initiatives Ecological significance, such as: Ecological significance, such as: At risk areas At risk areas Critical habitat Critical habitat T&E species T&E species Benchmark ecological sites Benchmark ecological sites Benchmark soils Benchmark soils Major land uses Major land uses

Finally…Finally… Detailed information on a relatively few ecological sites can provide information for large areas of land 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 A combination of expert knowledge, historical data and inventory provides defensible science for conservation planning Must include soil AND vegetation experts to succeed! Must include soil AND vegetation experts to succeed! Detailed information on a relatively few ecological sites can provide information for large areas of land 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 A combination of expert knowledge, historical data and inventory provides defensible science for conservation planning Must include soil AND vegetation experts to succeed! Must include soil AND vegetation experts to succeed!

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