Ecological Sites: A n Executive Summary for State Leadership

1. 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

2. Ecological Sites:An Executive Summary for State Leadership 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

3. Webinar Overview Brief History of Ecological Sites in NRCS Ecological Site Definitions and Concepts Why are Ecological Sites useful? Operating Procedures Goals and Expectations

4. 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

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 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

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 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

8. 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

9. Distinctive Type of Land

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. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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…)

18. Additional Uses for ESDs • Standard reference for natural resource information for all federal agenciesand other interestedgroups • 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

19. Operating Procedures

20. Operating Procedures

21. 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

22. Accomplishing the Task • Multidisciplinary • Interagency effort • Involve others such as university, research, NGOs, etc.

23. Linking Scientific Knowledge with Local Knowledge

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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!

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