ecological sites

Ecological Sites

Relationship to Other Classification Systems

Ecological Classification Systems and E l gi l Sit Ecological Sites

Ecological classification Ecological classification • Long history of land and ecosystem classification and mapping

among the agencies

Ecological sites• Represent a common, standardized approach to classify, describe,

d l d b l d d and map land capability and interpret ecosystem processes and response at local scales.

Ecological site relationships with hierarchical ecological classification & mapping systems and planning/analysis levels.

Ecological Classification Systems Ecological Mapping Systems

Hierarchical Planning and Analysis Levels

Ecosystem ClassificationNRCS and BLM

Ecosystem ClassificationFS1, 2

Potential Natural Vegetation Hierarchy6

National Vegetation Classification (NVC)5

National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units1

NRCSSoil Geography Hierarchy3y y (NVC)5 Ecological Units1 y

Continental and Region (Ecoregion) NA PNV

Series Groups1PNV 1;Groups, Sub-classes Formation/Division

Domain, Division, and Province (1:5,000,000-1:30,000,000)

Land Resource Region (LRR)/Common Ecological Region(1:7,500,000)

Subregion NA PNC – Series, Formation

Plant Series; Formation

Division/Macrogroup

Section (1:3,500,000) andSubsection(1:250,000)

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA)(1:3,500,000)Land Resource Unit (LRU)/Common Resource Area (CRA)(1:1,000,000)(1:1,000,000)General Soil Map(1:250,000)

Landscape(watershed—5th unit of Hydrologic Unit NA

Potential Natural Community (PNC) Series;Habitat Type Group

Plant Series;Habitat Type Group

Group/Alliance;(Dominance Type4)

Landtype Association(1:60 000)

NAy gCode) Habitat Type Group,

Ecological type2

yp p ( yp ) (1:60,000)

Land Unit (subwatershed—6th

unit of Hydrologic Unit Code), grazing allotment

NA Ecological type2Potential Plant Association;Habitat type

Association/Alliance

Landtype(1:24,000)

Detailed Soil Map(1:24,000)

2Potential Plant Landtype Phase Soil Seriesallotment,

farm/ranch)Ecological Site Ecological type2 Association Phase;

Habitat type phaseAssociation Landtype Phase

(< 1:12,000)Soil Series(1:12,000)

Individual Sites Vegetation plot and soil series

Sample site(soil pedon/vegetation plot)2

Vegetation plot Vegetation plot NA Soil Pedon

Interagency Ecological SiteD l t Development

Abiotic & Biotic Factors as Criteria

Climate Topographic features

Abiotic & Biotic Factors as Criteria

Geology

Geomorphology

p g p(slope, aspect, shape, elevation)

Hydrology

S il Landform Soils

Vegetation

f d d l lSame factors are required & used in ecological unit map hierarchy & ecological type classification

• Their influence and importance as ecosystem drivers vary with scale• Their influence and importance as ecosystem drivers vary with scale

Interagency Development of Ecological Sit Sites Opportunity to:

Build upon past investments when developing ecological site concepts Reference or utili e agenc ’s information and data from e isting Reference or utilize agency s information and data from existing

classifications

Incorporate agency’s legacy data

P i l l i l if i d d ibi l i h d • Particularly in classifying and describing plant community phases and dynamics associated with ecological sites

Utilize agency’s expertise

Some Examples: Existing Ecological Classifications and Inventory DataExisting Ecological Classifications and Inventory Data

Westwide272 bli h d h bit t t l ifi ti ( f 1987)• 272 published habitat type classification (as of 1987)

FS Southwestern Region• Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory (TEUI)

FS Northern Region 3800 veg. plot/soil pedon data collected concurrently since 1986 LTA mapping completed, Land system inventory & TEUIpp g p , y y

FS North Central Region• Lake states and Missouri multi factor classification and modeling• LTA mapping completed across all ownerships for 3 states• LTA mapping completed across all ownerships for 3 states

FS Southern Region• LTAs mapped across all National Forests

FS Background Ecological Type and Ecological SiteEcological Type and Ecological Site• FS Handbook (1991) incorporated many concepts and terminology

i 1983 R I S d di i C i (RISC) R in 1983 Range Inventory Standardization Committee (RISC) Report, except ecological site

• FS adopts ecological type; the term • Type was more descriptive for a kind of land

• Collection of sites make up a typeCollection of sites make up a type• Site refers to a specific location on the landscape (plot)• Ecological type was already in use by some FS Regions

• Ecological type has a similar definition and concept (based on multiple abiotic/biotic factors) to define and describe kinds of land that respond similarly

Ecological Site – Ecological TypeM Si il th Diff tMore Similar than Different

Ecological type: A category of Ecological site: A distinctive land with a distinctive combination of landscape elements (climate, geology,

kind of land with specific soil and physical characteristics that differs from other kinds ( , g gy,

geomorphology, soils, potential natural vegetation), that differs from other types

of land in its ability to produce distinctive kinds and amounts of vegetation and in that differs from other types

in the kind and amount of vegetation it can produce and i it bilit t d t

amounts of vegetation and in its ability to respond similarly to management actions and

t l di t b in its ability to respond to management actions and natural disturbances.

natural disturbances.

Ecological Site – Ecological TypeA li d t Diff t S lApplied at Different Scales

Ecological type:Ecological site:• Correlated with PNV, soil

properties and soil family, geology geomorphology

• Correlated to soil series, soil series phase which incorporate climate geology geology, geomorphology

• A landtype, landtype association ecological map

incorporate climate, geology, geomorphology, soil properties, and climate

unit component• 3rd - 4th order soil survey

• Associated with soil map unit components

• 1st – 3rd order soil survey1 3 order soil survey

Forest Service Ecological Classification d M i gand Mapping

FS Policy• Use ecological classification and ecological units to make predictions and

interpretations for resource management on National Forest System Lands.• Cooperate with other agencies to identify, define, provide quality assurance for

use of rangeland ecological sites (recently added).

A nested multi-factor hierarchical classification & mapping system:• Addresses FS resource management information needs at multiple

planning and assessment levelsplanning and assessment levels

• Utilizes multiple ecosystem factors applied at appropriate scales to d ib d t d diti t describe and assess ecosystem processes, response, and condition at multiple levels (site to continental).

Applications of National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units

Planning and Analysis Levels

Ecological Units

Purpose and General Use General Geographic Extent (map unit size)

Units

EcoregionContinentalRegional

DomainDivisionProvince

• Characterize continental and regional patterns and relationships

• Modeling, sampling, national/regional analysis and planning

> thousands of square miles

Subregion Section • Characterize subregional ecosystem Thousands to tens ofSubregion SectionSubsection

• Characterize subregional ecosystem patterns and relationships

• Strategic, subregional, statewide, assessment and planning, inventory, monitoring

Thousands to tens of square miles

Landscape Landtype association

• Characterize landscape ecosystem patterns and relationships

• National Forest, landscape, & watershed analysis, modeling,planning inventory monitoring

Thousands to hundreds of acres

planning, inventory, monitoring.

Land Unit LandtypeLandtype phase

• Characterize land unit ecosystem processes and relationships

• Sub-watershed, grazing allotment,

Hundreds to less than ten acres

modeling, land treatment planning, inventory, monitoring.

FS - Ecological Classification and E l gi l U it M i gEcological Unit MappingAccomplished through:

• Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory (TEUI) Classify and map ecosystems based on biotic and abiotic factors (regional

climate, local climate, geology, geomorphology, landform, topography, g gy g p gy p g p ysoil, PNV)

• National Hierarchy Framework of Ecological Units• National Hierarchy Framework of Ecological Units Provides a framework for mapping ecological units from continental to

local scales

Ecological Unit Criteria(Cleland et al 1997)

Ecological nit Principal map nit design criteriaEcological unit Principal map unit design criteriaDomain Broad climatic zones or groups (e.g., dry, humid, tropical)

Division Regional climatic types vegetation affinities (e.g., prairie or forest) soil ordero de

Province Dominant potential natural vegetation (Kuchler 1964) highlands or mountains with complex vertical climate-vegetation-soil zonation

Geomorphic province, geologic age, stratigaphy, lithology regional climate Section Phases of soil orders, suborders, or great groups Potential natural

vegetation Potential natural communities (PNC) (FSH 2090)

SubsectionGeomorphic process, surficial geology, lithology phases of soil orders, suborders or great groups subregional climatic data PNC formation orSubsection suborders, or great groups subregional climatic data PNC—formation or series

Landtype association

Geomorphic process, geologic formation, surficial geology, and elevation Phases of soil subgroups, families, or series local climate PNC—series, association subseries, plant associations

LandtypeLandform and topography (elevation, aspect, slope gradient, and position) Phases of soil subgroups, families, or series Rock type, geomorphic process PNCprocess PNC

Landtype phase Phases of soil subfamilies or series Landform and slope position PNC—plant associations or phases

TEUI – Landscape/Land Unit Scalep /

TEUI Tech Guide and National Cooperative Soil Survey Standards l db k(USDA Soil Survey Handbook)

• Provides guidance and standard methods for identifying, classifying, and describing ecological types (sites) and mapping ecological units.

Interdisciplinary/multi-factor classification and mapping system:• Interdisciplinary teams (soil scientists, vegetation ecologists, others)

D d i• Data driven• Soil pedon, site, and vegetation data collected concurrently• Identify and describe abiotic/biotic factors that influence ecosystem processes

and response associated with environmental gradients and response associated with environmental gradients (e.g. plant distribution/abundance, water/nutrient availability, soil properties)

Ecological site relationships at landscape and land unit scales


Hierarchical Planning and

Ecosystem Classification

Ecosystem Classification

Potential Natural Vegetation

National Vegetation Classification

National Hierarchical Framework of

NRCSSoil GeographyPlanning and

Analysis LevelsClassificationNRCS and BLM

ClassificationFS1, 2

Vegetation Hierarchy6

Classification (NVC)5

Framework of Ecological Units1

Soil Geography Hierarchy3

Potential Natural

Landtype Association

NA

Landscape(watershed—5th

unit of Hydrologic Unit Code)

NA

Natural Community (PNC) Series;Habitat Type Group, E l i l



Association(1:60,000)

) Ecological type2

Land Unit (subwatershed—6th unit of

NA Ecological type2

Potential Plant Association;Habitat type


Landtype(1:24,000)


Hydrologic Unit Code), grazing allotment, farm/ranch)

Ecological Site

Ecological type2

Potential Plant Association Phase;Habitat type phase

Association

Landtype Phase(< 1:12,000)

Soil Series(1:12,000)

Sample site Integrated Plot Soil Pedon

Individual SitesVegetation plot and soil series


Vegetation plot Vegetation plot

Integrated Plot Soil Pedon

Rangeland Interagency Ecological Site M l (RIESM)Manual (RIESM)Common Approach at Local Scales:

• Cooperative, interagency, and interdisciplinary, approach to ecological site classification, descriptions, and delineation

• Common definitions and classification of land and ecosystem Common definitions and classification of land and ecosystem capability at local scales

• Share agency expertise, resources, and data• Interagency access to agency’s technical strengths and expertise

Ecological Sites Ecological Sites

Relationship to Existing Vegetation Classification SystemSystem

Range Sites P d t E l gi l SitPredecessor to Ecological Sites

Site Classification System for Rangelandsy g

Relationship to Existing Vegetation Communities was with Range Condition

An Existing Vegetation Classification Did Not Exist

Ecological SitesEcological Sites Site Classification System for Any Land Type

Potential Vegetation Still Used to Classify Ecological Site

However, existing vegetation assemblages that can exist on h l l l d the ecological site, as a response to land management,

disturbances, and succession, are now a part of the description of an ecological site p g

Many Existing Vegetation Types Can Occur on Same Ecological Site At Various Times and In Response toEcological Site At Various Times and In Response to Management and Disturbance

Describing the ecological dynamics of the site through S&T Models and narratives

An Existing Vegetation ClassificationTh N ti l V g t ti Cl ifi tiThe National Vegetation Classification

A classification of existing vegetation (the plant cover, or floristic g gcomposition and vegetation structure, documented to occur at a specific location and time) for the United States

Integrating National Vegetation Cl ifi ti I t E l gi l SitClassification Into Ecological Sites Existing vegetation types in the National Vegetation

Classification and the associated vegetation data can be used as a source to identify plant community phases in state-and-transition models in ecological site descriptionstransition models in ecological site descriptions.

Integrating National Vegetation Cl ifi ti d E l gi l SitClassification and Ecological Sites Vegetation data collected to describe the plant community

phases that can exist on an ecological site can be used to identify new existing vegetation types in the NVC or can be used to match up to already known existing vegetation types used to match up to already known existing vegetation types in the NVC.

Source of Vegetation Data on Existing V g t ti TVegetation Types VegBank is a publicly-accessible database that contains

vegetation plot data for existing vegetation types across North America at http://www vegbank org/vegbank/index jsphttp://www.vegbank.org/vegbank/index.jsp

Source of Vegetation Data on Existing V g t ti TVegetation Types BLM has Legacy Vegetation Plot Data Associated with

Ecological Site Inventory (ESI) and Soil-Vegetation Inventory Method (SVIM)

BLM continues to collect vegetation data on existing BLM continues to collect vegetation data on existing vegetation types as part of conducting range condition surveys.y

Legacy data and newly collected data are useful to identify plant community phases on ecological sites

Summary PointsSummary Points Ecological Sites have a relationship to the National Vegetation

Cl ifi i Cl ifi i f E i i V iClassification, a Classification of Existing Vegetation

Denoting plant community phases (existing vegetation types) and their successional response to disturbance and land management in p gstate-and-transition models is where the relationship exists

Existing vegetation types and data from NVC can be used to d l h l l ddenote plant community phases in ecological site descriptions.

Plant community data, whether legacy or contemporary data, can be used to describe new existing vegetation types for the NVC or be used to describe new existing vegetation types for the NVC or to match up to already identified existing vegetation types in the NVC.

Ecological site relationships with hierarchical ecological classification & mapping systems and planning/analysis levels.


Hierarchical Planning and Analysis Levels

Ecosystem ClassificationNRCS and BLM

Ecosystem ClassificationFS1, 2

Potential Natural Vegetation Hierarchy6

National Vegetation Classification (NVC)5

National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units1

NRCSSoil Geography Hierarchy3y y (NVC)5 Ecological Units1 y

Continental and Region (Ecoregion) NA PNV

Series Groups1PNV 1;Groups, Sub-classes Formation/Division

Domain, Division, and Province (1:5,000,000-1:30,000,000)

Land Resource Region (LRR)/Common Ecological Region(1:7,500,000)

Subregion NA PNC – Series, Formation

Plant Series; Formation

Division/Macrogroup

Section (1:3,500,000) andSubsection(1:250,000)

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA)(1:3,500,000)Land Resource Unit (LRU)/Common Resource Area (CRA)(1:1,000,000)(1:1,000,000)General Soil Map(1:250,000)

Landscape(watershed—5th unit of Hydrologic Unit NA

Potential Natural Community (PNC) Series;Habitat Type Group



Landtype Association(1:60 000)

NAy gCode) Habitat Type Group,

Ecological type2

yp p ( yp ) (1:60,000)

Land Unit (subwatershed—6th

unit of Hydrologic Unit Code), grazing allotment

NA Ecological type2Potential Plant Association;Habitat type


Landtype(1:24,000)


2Potential Plant Landtype Phase Soil Seriesallotment,

farm/ranch)Ecological Site Ecological type2 Association Phase;

Habitat type phaseAssociation Landtype Phase

(< 1:12,000)Soil Series(1:12,000)

Individual Sites Vegetation plot and soil series


Vegetation plot Vegetation plot NA Soil Pedon

ecological sites

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