Ecological Sites: A n Executive Summary for State Leadership
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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 212/519-0839
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Ecological Sites: A n 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 212/519-0839. Ecological Sites: A n Executive Summary for State Leadership. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Ecological Sites: A n Executive Summary for State Leadership
Ecological Sites:An Executive Summary
for State LeadershipPLEASE 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 CSTCALL IN 212/519-0839
Ecological Sites:An Executive Summary
for State LeadershipGeorge Peacock, Team Leader
Grazing Lands Technology Development Team
Central National Technology Support Centerand
Susan Andrews, National LeaderSoil Quality and Ecosystems Branch
National Soil Survey Center
Webinar Overview
Brief History of Ecological Sites in NRCS
Ecological Site Definitions and Concepts
Why are Ecological Sites useful? Operating Procedures 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
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
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
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
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…)
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
Operating Procedures
Operating Procedures
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 projects
Accomplishing the Task Multidisciplinary Interagency effort Involve others such
as university, research, NGOs, etc.
LinkingScientific Knowledge
with Local Knowledge
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!
