Land Management Lynchpin

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I apologize for hijacking this important blog post about seral stages and plant succession; I couldn't wait to share this exciting news with you. Don’t forget to take advantage of the referral program and help us grow our community!

Hello Again!

In this edition of Whetstone Weekly, we delve into a fundamental yet often overlooked concept in habitat management: understanding seral stages and plant succession. Mastery of this concept is crucial for anyone looking to promote healthier game populations, bolster species diversity, and enhance their hunting experience.

What are Seral Stages and Plant Succession?

Plant succession refers to the natural process by which plant communities change over time. This progression occurs in distinct phases known as seral stages, each characterized by specific types of vegetation and habitat conditions. These stages typically move from bare ground to mature forest but vary widely depending on local conditions and disturbances. Understanding these stages is essential for practical habitat management.

Five Seral Stages:

1. Bare Ground Stage: Following a disturbance such as fire or disking, the land is primarily bare, laying the foundation for establishing pioneering species.

2. Herbaceous Stage: Early colonizers like grasses and annuals start to dominate. Common species include broom sedge, ragweed, and foxtail.

3. Shrubland Stage: Shrubs and young trees begin to appear. Typical species are blackberry, sumac, and eastern red cedar. This stage is what I refer to as Old Field Habitat.

4. Young Forest Stage: Small trees and dense undergrowth become prominent. Species include loblolly pine, maple, sycamore, sweetgum, and tulip poplar. This stage is typically composed of shade-intolerant species with good dispersal abilities. Why do you think Maple seeds have helicopters? To disperse and encroach on recently disturbed areas!

5. Mature Forest Stage: A mature, stable community of shade-tolerant trees, such as oak and hickory, becomes prominent. These trees eventually mature and outcompete their shorter-lived sun-loving placeholders, like beech and maple.

The Importance of Early Successional and Old Field Plant Communities

Early successional habitats, including old fields, are critical for many wildlife species. These habitats provide essential resources such as food, cover, and nesting sites. Species such as quail, turkey, and deer thrive in these environments due to the abundance of forage and protective cover.

Maintaining these early successional habitats requires understanding and managing the seral stages effectively. By implementing disturbances like prescribed fire, disking, or herbicide treatments, landowners can create a diverse and productive landscape that benefits a wide range of wildlife.

Influencing Plant Communities Through Disturbance

Create a mosaic of different seral stages across your property to maximize diversity and bolster ecosystem resilience. Here are some techniques to achieve this:

1. Prescribed Fire: One of the most effective tools for resetting succession. Fire can maintain early successional habitats crucial for species like quail and deer.

2. Dormant Season Disking: This practice disturbs the soil, promoting early successional plants and improving habitat for ground-nesting birds. It does a fantastic job of terminating grasses by exposing the roots. It often results in a flush of annual ragweed, a highly preferred deer forage high in crude protein.

3. Herbicide Treatments: Target invasive species that can dominate and suppress desirable plant communities or burn out sections of existing vegetation to set back the serial stage.

**IMPORTANT NOTE: Mowing and bush hogging do not (I repeat) DO NOT set back the serial stage. These management practices merely maintain the current stage. Whatever woody vegetation is present will likely sprout back. 

Timing of Fire and Correlated Response

The timing of your disturbance activities is critical in determining the types of plants that will thrive in your habitat. Here’s how different timings can influence plant communities:

• Dormant Season Fire: If you manage old field habitat for deer and want to promote more native warm-season grasses (fawning cover), a dormant season fire will yield the best results. This type of fire occurs when plants are not actively growing, which allows grasses to dominate as they respond more vigorously in the growing season following the burn. With all their nutrients in the roots and last year's seeds on the ground, a dormant season fire will initiate a strong response of warm season grasses.

• Growing Season Burn: A growing season burn is ideal if you aim to promote broadleaf plants and wildflowers (deer forage). With most of the grass’s nutrients in the stems and blades, this timing of fire will terminate the grass. By opening up ground space and stimulating the seed bank with a temperature shock, growing season burns create a diverse habitat that can support a variety of wildlife, including pollinators and ground-nesting birds. Ragweed, trefoil, bergamont, goldenrod, and black eyed susan abound! The species richness in response to these burns can be spectacular.

Practical Tips for Landowners

• Assess Your Land: Identify the current seral stages on your property.

• Set Goals: Determine the desired habitat conditions for your target species.

• Create a Plan: Develop a management plan with a schedule for disturbances like burning or disking.

• Monitor and Adapt: Regularly check the progress and adapt your management strategies as needed.

Benefits of Mastering Succession

By understanding and manipulating plant succession, you can:

• Improve Habitat Quality: Create environments that meet the needs of various wildlife species.

• Enhance Biodiversity: Support a broader range of plants and animals.

• Boost Game Populations: Provide the optimal conditions for healthier and more abundant game species.

• Increase Hunting Success: Better habitat leads to more successful hunts.

Understanding and managing seral stages and plant succession is a game-changer for anyone serious about land stewardship and wildlife management. Whether you want to grow more giant deer, support more turkey, or enjoy a more vibrant and diverse ecosystem, mastering this concept is essential.

As always, we’re here to help you give your property an edge. If you’re ready to take your habitat management to the next level, contact us today to schedule a consultation before our schedule fills up!

Stay tuned for more tips and insights in next week’s edition of Whetstone Weekly. Until then, happy managing!

Best regards,

Zack Vucurevich

Founder, Whetstone Habitat

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