Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F109XY037MO
Wet Floodplain Woodland
Last updated: 7/02/2024
Accessed: 12/21/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 109X–Iowa and Missouri Heavy Till Plain
The Iowa and Missouri Heavy Till Plain is an area of rolling hills interspersed with interfluve divides and alluvial valleys. Elevation ranges from about 660 feet (200 meters) along the lower reaches of rivers, to about 980 feet (300 meters) on stable interfluve summits in southern Iowa. Relief is about 80 to 160 feet (25 to 50 meters) between major streams and adjacent interfluve summits. Most of the till plain drains south to the Missouri River via the Grand and Chariton River systems, but the northeastern portion drains southeast to the Mississippi River. Loess caps the pre-Illinoisan aged till on interfluves, whereas the till is exposed on side slopes. Mississippian aged limestone and Pennsylvanian aged sandstone and shale crop out on lower slopes in some areas.
Classification relationships
Terrestrial Natural Community Type in Missouri (Nelson, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Wet-Mesic Bottomland Woodland.
Missouri Department of Conservation Forest and Woodland Communities (Missouri Department of Conservation, 2006):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Bottomland Woodland.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Quercus macrocarpa - Quercus palustris - Quercus bicolor / Calamagrostis canadensis Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL005120).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs in many Land Type Associations, primarily within the following Subsections:
Chariton River Hills
Claypan Till Plains
Wyaconda River Dissected Till Plains
Ecological site concept
NOTE: This is a “provisional” Ecological Site Description (ESD) that is under development. It contains basic ecological information that can be used for conservation planning, application and land management. As additional information is collected, analyzed and reviewed, this ESD will be refined and published as “Approved”.
Wet Floodplain Woodlands occur along streams, primarily in the eastern portion of the Till Plain and adjacent areas. They are often associated with Loamy Floodplain Forest sites, which are usually on slightly higher positions adjacent to stream channels. In some areas they are adjacent to Wet Floodplain Prairie sites, which are in slightly lower, wetter positions. Soils are very deep, with seasonal high water tables, and are subject to flooding. The reference plant community is woodland with an overstory dominated by American elm, bur oak, pin oak and shellbark hickory and a dense ground flora of sedges.
Associated sites
| R109XY002MO |
Loess Upland Prairie Loess Upland Prairies are often the dominant ecological site in the adjacent uplands. |
|---|---|
| F109XY030MO |
Loamy Floodplain Forest Loamy Floodplain Forest sites are often in adjacent, natural levee positions between this site and the active stream channel. |
| R109XY031MO |
Wet Floodplain Prairie Wet Floodplain Prairies are often in adjacent, backswamp positions farther from the channel. |
Similar sites
| R109XY036MO |
Wet Loess High Terrace Savanna Wet Loess High Terrace Savannas have a similar overstory species composition but with a more open canopy. These sites do not flood and can be more sloping. |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Quercus palustris |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Carex |
Physiographic features
This site is on floodplains and floodplain steps, with slopes of 0 to 5 percent. The site generates some runoff to adjacent lower floodplain sites, and receives some runoff from higher stream terraces and uplands. This site is subject to flooding.
The following figure (adapted from Abney, 1997) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships among the major ecological sites of the floodplains and adjacent uplands. This site is within the area labeled as “3” on the figure, and is typically adjacent to the Loamy Floodplain Forest site that contains the active stream channel. Wet Floodplain Prairie sites are often in adjacent, backswamp positions farther from the channel. Several sites occur in adjacent upland positions, such as the Loess Upland Prairie.
Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Flood plain
(2) Flood-plain step |
|---|---|
| Flooding duration | Brief (2 to 7 days) to long (7 to 30 days) |
| Flooding frequency | Rare to occasional |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 340 – 1,100 ft |
| Slope | 5% |
| Water table depth | 6 – 24 in |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
The Iowa and Missouri Heavy Till Plain MLRA has a continental type of climate marked by strong seasonality. In winter, dry-cold air masses, unchallenged by any topographic barriers, periodically swing south from the northern plains and Canada. If they invade reasonably humid air, snowfall and rainfall result. In summer, moist, warm air masses, equally unchallenged by topographic barriers, swing north from the Gulf of Mexico and can produce abundant amounts of rain, either by fronts or by convectional processes. In some summers, high pressure stagnates over the region, creating extended droughty periods. Spring and fall are transitional seasons when abrupt changes in temperature and precipitation may occur due to successive, fast-moving fronts separating contrasting air masses.
This MLRA experiences small regional differences in climates that grade inconspicuously into each other. The basic gradient for most climatic characteristics is along a line from north to south. Both mean annual temperature and precipitation exhibit fairly minor gradients along this line. Mean January minimum temperature follows the north-to-south gradient. However, mean July maximum temperature shows hardly any geographic variation in the region. Mean July maximum temperatures have a range of only two to three degrees across the region.
Mean annual precipitation varies along the same gradient as temperature – lower annual precipitation in the north, higher in the south. Seasonality in precipitation is very pronounced due to strong continental influences. June precipitation, for example, averages four to five times greater than January precipitation. During years when precipitation comes in a fairly normal manner, moisture is stored in the top layers of the soil during the winter and early spring, when evaporation and transpiration are low. During the summer months the loss of water by evaporation and transpiration is high, and if rainfall fails to occur at frequent intervals, drought will result. Drought directly influences ecological communities by limiting water supplies, especially at times of high temperatures and high evaporation rates. Drought indirectly affects ecological communities by increasing plant and animal susceptibility to the probability and severity of fire. Frequent fires encourage the development of grass/forb dominated communities and understories.
Superimposed upon the basic MLRA climatic patterns are local topographic influences that create topoclimatic, or microclimatic variations. For example, air drainage at nighttime may produce temperatures several degrees lower in valley bottoms than on side slopes. At critical times during the year, this phenomenon may produce later spring or earlier fall freezes in valley bottoms. Slope orientation is an important topographic influence on climate. Summits and south-and-west-facing slopes are regularly warmer and drier, supporting more grass dominated communities than adjacent north- and-east-facing slopes that are cooler and moister that support more woody dominated communities. Finally, the cooler microclimate within a canopied forest is measurably different from the climate of a more open and warmer grassland or savanna area.
Source: University of Missouri Climate Center - http://climate.missouri.edu/climate.php; Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin, United States Department of Agriculture Handbook 296 - http://soils.usda.gov/survey/geography/mlra/
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (characteristic range) | 141-157 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 174-189 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 38-42 in |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 130-169 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 157-196 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 36-42 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | 150 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 181 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 39 in |
Figure 3. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 8. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) BRUNSWICK [USC00231037], De Witt, MO
-
(2) MEMPHIS [USC00235492], Memphis, MO
-
(3) ALBIA 3 NNE [USC00130112], Albia, IA
-
(4) CHARITON 1 E [USC00131394], Chariton, IA
-
(5) KEOKUK LOCK DAM 19 [USC00134381], Keokuk, IA
-
(6) BROOKFIELD [USC00230980], Brookfield, MO
-
(7) LONG BRANCH RSVR [USC00235050], Macon, MO
Influencing water features
This ecological site is in floodplains of perennial streams, but are not typically adjacent to the current stream channel. They are influenced by a seasonal high water table, due to high groundwater levels in these topographically low positions. The water table is typically near the surface in late fall through spring, receding in the summer.
Stream levels typically respond quickly to storm events, especially in watersheds where surface runoff is dominant. Medium- to long-duration flooding is common in many areas, particularly during spring and early summer storm events. Constructed levees, often accompanied by stream channelization, have altered the hydrology and flooding dynamics in many places.
This site is in the RIVERINE wetlands class of the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system (Brinson, 1993), and are Forested Palustrine wetlands (Cowardin et al., 1979).
Soil features
These soils have no rooting restriction. They were formed under forest vegetation, with periodic depositional flood events. Organic matter content is variable. Parent material is alluvium. They have silt loam or silty clay surface horizons, and loamy or clayey subsoils. They are affected by a seasonal high water table during the spring months. Soil series associated with this site include Blackoar, Piopolis, Tice, Twomile, and Westerville.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
|
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Silt loam (2) Silty clay loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained |
| Permeability class | Slow to moderately slow |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
7 – 8 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
Not specified |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
Not specified |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
4.5 – 7.3 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
Ecological dynamics
Information contained in this section was developed using historical data, professional experience, field reviews, and scientific studies. The information presented is representative of very complex vegetation communities. Key indicator plants, animals and ecological processes are described to help inform land management decisions. Plant communities will differ across the MLRA because of the naturally occurring variability in weather, soils, and aspect. The Reference Plant Community is not necessarily the management goal. The species lists are representative and are not botanical descriptions of all species occurring, or potentially occurring, on this site. They are not intended to cover every situation or the full range of conditions, species, and responses for the site.
Wet Floodplain Woodlands occupy a transitional area between lower, wetter and more clayey wet prairies and higher, better drained riverfront forests. They have loamy to clayey soil textures and are poorly drained, consequently limiting the density of trees creating a woodland structure. In addition, the transitional position between prairie and riverfront forest causes periodic fire to have an influence on their woodland structure. Elm, bur oak, pin oak and shellbark hickory form a medium to tall (70 to 80 feet), semi-open (60 to 80 percent) canopy over an understory with a dense sedge ground cover.
Prior to levee development and channeling, these areas were regularly flooded by a mixture of over-bank, headwater floods and slow-moving backwater floods. In most years, flood duration would have been rather short, occupying these sites for less than a month as waters receded to lower prairie and marsh areas. In addition to flooding, periodic fire also played a role in controlling woody species. Fire during dry periods kept the canopy and understory open, and promoted a dense herbaceous ground flora.
Today most of these ecological sites have been cleared, drained and farmed or converted to cool season grassland. Only a few remnants exist. While their flood regime has been altered, their landscape position and soil properties still make them prime candidates for wet woodland development and management. These ecological sites are optimal locations for oak management in the floodplains.
A State and Transition Diagram follows. Detailed descriptions of each state, transition, plant community, and pathway follow the model. This model is based on available experimental research, field observations, professional consensus, and interpretations. It is likely to change as knowledge increases.
State and transition model
Figure 9. State and Transition Model for this ecological site
More interactive model formats are also available.
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More interactive model formats are also available.
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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
Ecosystem states
States 2 and 5 (additional transitions)
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference
The historical reference state for this ecological site was old growth bottomland woodland. Natural flooding cycles were the primary processes affecting this ecologic site. Maximum tree age was likely 150 to 200 years. The understory was complex, with multiple layers of shade-tolerant species. A highly diverse ground flora was also present. Vines were common and went well into the canopy. Scattered open areas were common. A change to more frequent, higher-intensity floods on the modern landscape creates more frequent canopy gaps, and introduces or helps to maintain more flood-tolerant species such as sycamore, eastern cottonwood, green ash and hackberry. Over the long term, these floodplains may become more elevated and/or isolated and accumulate more fine sediments, becoming more stable and enduring. Oaks and shellbark hickory begin to accumulate in these later stages of succession. Catastrophic floods will often partially or completely knock down the early species and regenerate this site creating a mosaic of early to late successional floodplain woodlands.
Dominant plant species
-
pin oak (Quercus palustris), tree
-
bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), tree
-
elm (Ulmus), shrub
-
shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa), shrub
-
sedge (Abildgaardia), other herbaceous
-
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), other herbaceous
Community 1.1
Pin Oak – Bur Oak//Sedge – Prairie Cord Grass
Figure 10. Atlanta Conservation Area, Macon county, MO
This phase is composed of elm, bur oak, pin oak and shellbark hickory that form a medium to tall (70 to 80 feet), semi-open (60 to 80 percent) canopy over an understory with dense sedge ground cover.
Forest overstory. The Forest Overstory Species list is based on seven reconnaissance-level plots, as well as commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010). Species identified from plot data include cover percentages (except for a few) and canopy heights. Species not found in plots, but listed in Nelson, do not include cover and canopy data.
Forest understory. The Forest Understory list is based on seven reconnaissance-level plots, as well as commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010). Species identified from plot data include cover percentages, and canopy heights. Species not found in plots, but listed in Nelson, do not include cover and canopy data. Note that plot data for canopy heights are by height class, not actual species heights. All grasses and forbs are in the 0.3 to 3 foot height class.
Dominant plant species
-
pin oak (Quercus palustris), tree
-
bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), tree
-
sedge (Abildgaardia), other herbaceous
-
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), other herbaceous
Community 1.2
Pin Oak – Bur Oak/Elm – Shellbark Hickory/Sedge – Prairie Cord Grass
This phase is similar to phase 1.1 but with lower disturbance frequencies such as flooding and fire, a mid-story layer of elm and shellbark hickory quickly develops.
Dominant plant species
-
pin oak (Quercus palustris), tree
-
bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), tree
-
elm (Ulmus), shrub
-
shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa), shrub
-
sedge (Abildgaardia), other herbaceous
-
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), other herbaceous
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Long term succession (+10-30 years); forest stand improvement; access control
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Catastrophic flood; blow-down; prescribed fire
State 2
Managed Woodland
Where this state remains, it has often been subjected to very selective timber harvests. While these woodland areas may resemble the reference state, the diversity of tree species has been selectively (removal of many oaks) altered. Reducing harvests and extending rotations will cause a transition to community phase 2.2. Eliminating harvests, implementing selective thinning, and allowing long tern succession may allow a return to the reference state where hydrologic regimes are least altered.
Dominant plant species
-
oak (Quercus), tree
-
elm (Ulmus), tree
-
shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa), tree
-
American bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia), shrub
-
wildrye (Elymus), other herbaceous
Community 2.1
Oak – Elm – Shellbark Hickory /American Bladdernut/ Wildrye
This phase has been subjected to timber harvests which has altered the species composition and created a more open canopy.
Dominant plant species
-
oak (Quercus), tree
-
elm (Ulmus), tree
-
shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa), tree
-
American bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia), shrub
-
wildrye (Elymus), other herbaceous
Community 2.2
Oak – Elm – Shellbark Hickory/ Green Ash/ Wildrye
Community phase 2.2 is characterized by an increase in overstory species diversity and stand age. Canopy closure is greater than phase 2.1.
Dominant plant species
-
oak (Quercus), tree
-
elm (Ulmus), tree
-
shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa), tree
-
green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), shrub
-
wildrye (Elymus), other herbaceous
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2
Little to no harvesting (10-20 years)
Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1
Crop Tree Release; harvesting
State 3
Grassland
Many acres of this ecological site have been converted to non-native grasslands of tall fescue and red clover. This state frequently transitions to a cropland state especially when commodity prices are high. A return to a near-reference state from this state is not recommended. Transitioning to a Managed Woodland state is possible through long-term commitments of time and money.
Dominant plant species
-
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), other herbaceous
-
red clover (Trifolium pratense), other herbaceous
Community 3.1
Tall Fescue/Red Clover
Dominant plant species
-
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), other herbaceous
-
red clover (Trifolium pratense), other herbaceous
State 4
High Graded/Grazed Woodland
This state is subjected to uncontrolled grazing and high-graded timber harvests. The grazing will open up the understory and remove much of the diverse ground flora. This can lead to erosion of the topsoil during floods. Grazed units also often undergo timber harvest removing a wide variety of outstanding hardwood trees, further diminishing the structural and compositional diversity. A return to the near-reference state will require a long-term commitment including the elimination of grazing, planting of trees and perhaps shrub and herbaceous species, and very limited targeted timber harvests and thinning.
Dominant plant species
-
pin oak (Quercus palustris), tree
-
American elm (Ulmus americana), tree
-
red hickory (Carya ovalis), shrub
-
sedge (Abildgaardia), other herbaceous
-
wildrye (Elymus), other herbaceous
Community 4.1
Pin Oak – American Elm/Hickory/Sedge - Wildrye
Dominant plant species
-
pin oak (Quercus palustris), tree
-
American elm (Ulmus americana), tree
-
red hickory (Carya ovalis), shrub
-
sedge (Abildgaardia), other herbaceous
-
wildrye (Elymus), other herbaceous
State 5
Cropland
Many areas of this ecological site have been converted to row crop agriculture. They can transition to a grassland state. A return to the near-reference state is not practical from this state. Transitioning to a Managed Woodland state may be possible through long-term commitments of time and money.
Community 5.1
Corn/ Soybeans
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Uneven-age timber management; harvesting
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
Clearing; pasture planting; prescribed grazing
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4
Poorly planned harvest (high grading); uncontrolled grazing; no fire
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Forest stand improvement; long term succession (+30 years); prescribed fire
Restoration pathway T3A
State 3 to 2
Tree planting; long-term succession (+30-50 years); forest stand improvement; access control
Transition T3B
State 3 to 5
Tillage; conservation cropping system
Restoration pathway T4C
State 4 to 2
Forest stand improvement; access control
Restoration pathway T4A
State 4 to 3
Clearing; pasture planting; prescribed grazing
Transition T4B
State 4 to 5
Clearing; tillage; conservation cropping system
Restoration pathway T5B
State 5 to 2
Tree planting; long-term succession (+30-50 years); forest stand improvement; access control
Restoration pathway T5A
State 5 to 3
Pasture planting; prescribed grazing
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (ft) | Canopy cover (%) | Diameter (in) | Basal area (square ft/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
|||||||
| shellbark hickory | CALA21 | Carya laciniosa | Native | 30–100 | 5–95 | – | – |
| bur oak | QUMA2 | Quercus macrocarpa | Native | 30–100 | 10–75 | – | – |
| pin oak | QUPA2 | Quercus palustris | Native | 30–70 | 0.1–25 | – | – |
| American elm | ULAM | Ulmus americana | Native | 30–70 | 10–20 | – | – |
| slippery elm | ULRU | Ulmus rubra | Native | 30–70 | 5–10 | – | – |
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | Native | 30–70 | 2–5 | – | – |
| sugar maple | ACSA3 | Acer saccharum | Native | 30–70 | 2–5 | – | – |
| river birch | BENI | Betula nigra | Native | 30–70 | 2–5 | – | – |
| common hackberry | CEOC | Celtis occidentalis | Native | 30–70 | 2–5 | – | – |
| red mulberry | MORU2 | Morus rubra | Native | 30–70 | 2–5 | – | – |
| swamp white oak | QUBI | Quercus bicolor | Native | 70–100 | 1–2 | – | – |
| eastern cottonwood | PODE3 | Populus deltoides | Native | – | – | – | – |
| silver maple | ACSA2 | Acer saccharinum | Native | 70–100 | – | – | – |
| American sycamore | PLOC | Platanus occidentalis | Native | 30–100 | – | – | – |
| hawthorn | CRATA | Crataegus | Native | 30–70 | – | – | – |
Table 6. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (ft) | Canopy cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
|
||||||
| Indian woodoats | CHLA5 | Chasmanthium latifolium | Native | – | 10–75 | |
| Virginia wildrye | ELVI3 | Elymus virginicus | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| Muskingum sedge | CAMU9 | Carex muskingumensis | Native | – | 5–10 | |
| Frank's sedge | CAFR3 | Carex frankii | Native | – | 0.1–10 | |
| Gray's sedge | CAGR5 | Carex grayi | Native | – | 0.1–10 | |
| squarrose sedge | CASQ2 | Carex squarrosa | Native | – | 5–10 | |
| three-way sedge | DUAR3 | Dulichium arundinaceum | Native | – | 2–5 | |
| shoreline sedge | CAHY3 | Carex hyalinolepis | Native | – | 1–2 | |
| hop sedge | CALU4 | Carex lupulina | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| eastern woodland sedge | CABL | Carex blanda | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| fowl mannagrass | GLST | Glyceria striata | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| whitegrass | LEVI2 | Leersia virginica | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| rock muhly | MUSO | Muhlenbergia sobolifera | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| bluejoint | CACA4 | Calamagrostis canadensis | Native | – | – | |
| sweet woodreed | CIAR2 | Cinna arundinacea | Native | – | – | |
| prairie cordgrass | SPPE | Spartina pectinata | Native | – | – | |
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| violet | VIOLA | Viola | Native | – | 1–50 | |
| calico aster | SYLA4 | Symphyotrichum lateriflorum | Native | – | 2–50 | |
| limestone wild petunia | RUST2 | Ruellia strepens | Native | – | 25–50 | |
| Canadian honewort | CRCA9 | Cryptotaenia canadensis | Native | – | 5–50 | |
| Canadian woodnettle | LACA3 | Laportea canadensis | Native | – | 5–25 | |
| aster | SYMPH4 | Symphyotrichum | Native | – | 0.1–25 | |
| Canadian blacksnakeroot | SACA15 | Sanicula canadensis | Native | – | 5–25 | |
| knotweed | POLYG4 | Polygonum | Native | – | 0.1–10 | |
| jewelweed | IMCA | Impatiens capensis | Native | – | 5–10 | |
| eastern greenviolet | HYCO6 | Hybanthus concolor | Native | – | 2–5 | |
| jumpseed | POVI2 | Polygonum virginianum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| bristly buttercup | RAHI | Ranunculus hispidus | Native | – | 2–5 | |
| Canadian clearweed | PIPU2 | Pilea pumila | Native | – | 0.1–5 | |
| cutleaf coneflower | RULA3 | Rudbeckia laciniata | Native | – | 0.1–2 | |
| common blue violet | VISO | Viola sororia | Native | – | 1–2 | |
| beggarticks | BIDEN | Bidens | Native | – | 1–2 | |
| great ragweed | AMTR | Ambrosia trifida | Native | – | 1–2 | |
| American hogpeanut | AMBR2 | Amphicarpaea bracteata | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| bulbous bittercress | CABU3 | Cardamine bulbosa | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| sweetscented joe pye weed | EUPU21 | Eutrochium purpureum | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| white crownbeard | VEVI3 | Verbesina virginica | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| clustered blacksnakeroot | SAOD | Sanicula odorata | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| rosinweed | SILPH | Silphium | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| stinging nettle | URDI | Urtica dioica | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| white avens | GECA7 | Geum canadense | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| waterhorehound | LYCOP4 | Lycopus | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| wild blue phlox | PHDI5 | Phlox divaricata | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| tall thimbleweed | ANVI3 | Anemone virginiana | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| green dragon | ARDR3 | Arisaema dracontium | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| swamp verbena | VEHA2 | Verbena hastata | Native | – | – | |
| sawtooth sunflower | HEGR4 | Helianthus grosseserratus | Native | – | – | |
| giant ironweed | VEGI | Vernonia gigantea | Native | – | – | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| eastern poison ivy | TORA2 | Toxicodendron radicans | Native | 0.3–3 | 0.1–50 | |
| blackhaw | VIPR | Viburnum prunifolium | Native | 10–30 | 1–2 | |
| multiflora rose | ROMU | Rosa multiflora | Introduced | 0.3–5 | 1–2 | |
| coralberry | SYOR | Symphoricarpos orbiculatus | Native | 0.3–5 | 1–2 | |
| red elderberry | SARA2 | Sambucus racemosa | Native | 0.3–3 | 0.1–1 | |
| common buttonbush | CEOC2 | Cephalanthus occidentalis | Native | – | – | |
|
Tree
|
||||||
| shellbark hickory | CALA21 | Carya laciniosa | Native | 0.3–30 | 5–100 | |
| pin oak | QUPA2 | Quercus palustris | Native | 0.3–3 | 5–10 | |
| green ash | FRPE | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | Native | 0.3–30 | 0.1–10 | |
| slippery elm | ULRU | Ulmus rubra | Native | 0.3–30 | 0.1–5 | |
| bitternut hickory | CACO15 | Carya cordiformis | Native | 0.3–3 | 0.1–5 | |
| Ohio buckeye | AEGL | Aesculus glabra | Native | 10–30 | 1–2 | |
| red mulberry | MORU2 | Morus rubra | Native | 0.3–3 | 1–2 | |
| silver maple | ACSA2 | Acer saccharinum | Native | 0.3–3 | 1–2 | |
| bur oak | QUMA2 | Quercus macrocarpa | Native | 0.3–30 | 0.1–1 | |
| American elm | ULAM | Ulmus americana | Native | 0.3–30 | – | |
| common hackberry | CEOC | Celtis occidentalis | Native | 0.3–3 | – | |
|
Vine/Liana
|
||||||
| bristly greenbrier | SMTA2 | Smilax tamnoides | Native | 0.3–3 | 0.1–10 | |
| fourleaf yam | DIQU | Dioscorea quaternata | Native | 0.3–3 | 0.1–1 | |
| Virginia creeper | PAQU2 | Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Native | 0.3–3 | 0.1–1 | |
Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife (MDC 2006):
Tall emergent trees along with an uneven canopy structure and canopy gaps associated with this ecological site are important for heron colonies, eagle nesting, Mississippi kites, and other bird species in additional to being important migratory songbird stopover sites.
Ephemeral pools provide important amphibian breeding habitat.
Bird species associated with these sites include Indigo Bunting, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler, Red-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great Crested Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Orchard Oriole, and Baltimore Oriole.
Reptile and amphibian species associated with Floodplain Woodlands include tiger salamander, small-mouthed salamander, midland brown snake, gray treefrog, plains leopard frog, southern leopard frog, and western chorus frog.
Other information
Forestry
Management: Estimated site index values range from 50 to 90. On the wettest sites, timber management opportunities may be limited. Management of these groups is often difficult because of the great variation in species, age, stocking levels and seasonal wetness. Use seed-tree, group selection, or clear cutting regeneration methods. Harvest favoring reproduction of the less-shade tolerant species such as pin oak, sycamore, and cottonwood. Maintain adequate riparian buffer areas.
Limitations: Wetness from flooding; high water table. Use of equipment may be restricted in spring and other excessively wet periods. Restrict activities to dry periods or surfaced areas. Equipment use when wet may compact soil and damage tree roots. Un-surfaced roads and traffic areas tend to be slippery and form ruts easily. Access to forests is easiest during periods in late summer or winter when soils are frozen or dry. Planting is extremely difficult during spring periods. Seedling mortality may be high due to excess wetness. Un-surfaced roads and skid trails may be impassable during rainy periods.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Plot ATLACA01 – Piopolis soil (reference)
Located in Atlanta CA, Macon County, MO
Latitude: 39.873309
Longitude: -92.489039
Plot PERSSP02 – Blackoar soil (reference)
Located in Pershing State Park, Linn County, MO
Latitude: 39.747835
Longitude: - 93.221928
Plot PERSSP_KS07 – Blackoar soil (reference)
Located in Pershing State Park, Linn County, MO
Latitude: 39.76639
Longitude: - 93.217548
Plot YECRCA01 - Tice soil (reference)
Located in Yellow Creek CA, Chariton County, MO
Latitude: 39.577585
Longitude: - 93.221957
Plot YECRCA04 – Tice soil (reference)
Located in Yellow Creek CA, Chariton County, MO
Latitude: 39.581828
Longitude: - 93.228218
Plot YECRCA_KS04 – Tice soil (reference)
Located in Yellow Creek CA, Chariton County, MO
Latitude: 39.577435
Longitude: - 93.222091
Plot DERICA_KS05 – Blackoar soil (reference)
Located in Deer Ridge CA, Lewis County, MO
Latitude: 40.19233
Longitude: - 91.801538
Other references
Abney, Mark A. 1997. Soil Survey of Chariton County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Anderson, R.C. 1990. The historic role of fire in North American grasslands. Pp. 8-18 in S.L. Collins and L.L. Wallace (eds.). Fire in North American tallgrass prairies. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.
Brinson, M.M. 1993. A hydrogeomorphic classification for wetlands. Technical Report WRP-DE-4, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, & E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Dept. of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington DC.
Harlan, J.D., T.A. Nigh and W.A. Schroeder. 2001. The Missouri original General Land Office survey notes project. University of Missouri, Columbia.
Missouri Department of Conservation. 2006. Missouri Forest and Woodland Community Profiles. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2002. Woodland Suitability Groups. Missouri FOTG, Section II, Soil Interpretations and Reports. 30 pgs.
Natural Resources Conservation Service. Site Index Reports. Accessed May 2014. https://esi.sc.egov.usda.gov/ESI_Forestland/pgFSWelcome.aspx
NatureServe. 2010. Vegetation Associations of Missouri (revised). NatureServe, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Nelson, Paul W. 2010. The Terrestrial Natural Communities of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
Nigh, Timothy A. and Walter A. Schroeder. 2002. Atlas of Missouri Ecoregions. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296. 682 pgs.
Contributors
Doug Wallace
Fred Young
Approval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 7/02/2024
Acknowledgments
Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Natural Resources personnel provided significant and helpful field and technical support in the development of this ecological site.
This site was originally approved on 07/28/2015 for publication.
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
| Author(s)/participant(s) | |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | |
| Date | 07/03/2024 |
| Approved by | Suzanne Mayne-Kinney |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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