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Ecological site R113XY004MO

Wet Terrace Prairie

Last updated: 5/17/2024
Accessed: 07/17/2024

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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.

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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): 113X–Central Claypan Areas

The western, Missouri portion of the Central Claypan is a weakly dissected till plain. Elevation ranges from about 1,000 feet in the north along the divide between the Missouri and Mississippi River watersheds to about 625 feet where the North Fork of the Salt River flows out of the area. Relief is generally low, with low slope gradients and relatively narrow drainageways. Most of the Central Claypan is in the Salt River watershed. The characteristic “claypan” occurs in the loess that caps the pre-Illinoisan aged till on the broad interfluves that characterize this region. Till is exposed on lower slopes. The underlying Mississippian aged limestone and Pennsylvanian aged shale is exposed in only a few places along lower slopes above the Salt River.

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 Prairie.

National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Andropogon gerardii - Panicum virgatum - Helianthus grosseserratus Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL002024).

Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs throughout the Claypan Till Plains Subsection, and in adjacent Land Type Associations of the Wyaconda River Dissected Till Plains, Mississippi River Hills, and Chariton River Hills Subsections.

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. After additional information is collected, analyzed and reviewed, this ESD will be refined and published as “Approved”.

Wet Terrace Prairies are scattered throughout the MLRA and adjacent areas in river valleys of the major streams of the area, such as the Salt River and its tributaries. They are associated with floodplain ecological sites such as Loamy Floodplain Forest and Wet Floodplain Woodland, which are on lower positions closer to the stream channel. Adjacent upland sites are typically Till Savanna or Loess Prairie. Soils have a silty clay subsoil that perches water in the spring, and affects rooting depth and species composition. The reference plant community is prairie dominated by a dense cover of wetland species, including prairie cordgrass, sedges, and wetness-tolerant forbs.

Associated sites

F109XY030MO	Loamy Floodplain Forest Loamy Floodplain Forests are often on adjacent, lower floodplain positions.
R109XY031MO	Wet Floodplain Prairie Wet Floodplain Prairies are often on adjacent, lower floodplain positions.
R109XY046MO	Till Upland Savanna Till Upland Savannas are often upslope.
R113XY002MO	Loess Upland Prairie Loess Upland Prairies are often upslope.

Similar sites

R113XY004MO	Wet Terrace Prairie There are no similar Wet Terrace Prairie ecological sites in this MLRA.

R113XY004MO

Wet Terrace Prairie

There are no similar Wet Terrace Prairie ecological sites in this MLRA.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	(1) Salix humilis
Herbaceous	(1) Spartina pectinata (2) Andropogon gerardii

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Physiographic features

This site is on footslopes and stream terraces with slopes of 0 to 9 percent. The site receives runoff from adjacent upland sites. A few areas are subject to rare flooding.

The following figure (adapted from Young and Geller, 1995) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with the dominant floodplain ecological sites in this MLRA.

Figure 2. Landscape sequence of ecological sites

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Stream terrace
Runoff class	Low to medium
Flooding frequency	None to rare
Ponding frequency	None to rare
Elevation	320 – 890 ft
Slope	9%
Water table depth	9 – 15 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The western part of the Central Claypan Area 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 western part of the MLRA experiences regional differences in climates that grade across the region. The basic gradient for most mean annual climatic characteristics is along a line from north to south. Both mean annual temperature and precipitation exhibit modest gradients along this line.

Mean January minimum temperature follows a 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 also varies along the north to south gradient – lower annual precipitation in the north, somewhat higher in the south. Seasonality in precipitation is very pronounced due to strong continental influences. June precipitation, for example, averages three to four 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. 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)	155-167 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	183-195 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	42-44 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	147-172 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	182-198 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	41-44 in
Frost-free period (average)	161 days
Freeze-free period (average)	190 days
Precipitation total (average)	43 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 8. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) MEXICO [USC00235541], Mexico, MO
(2) MOBERLY [USC00235671], Moberly, MO
(3) KIRKSVILLE [USC00234544], Kirksville, MO
(4) VANDALIA [USC00238577], Vandalia, MO

Influencing water features

This ecological site is influenced by a seasonal high-water table from high groundwater levels, as well as slow hydraulic conductivity, which impedes throughflow from precipitation and flood events. The water table is typically near the surface in late fall through spring, receding in the summer. This ecological site is on footslopes, and on high stream terraces of perennial streams. They are not adjacent to the current stream channel. A few areas on stream terraces are subject to rare flooding, typically of short duration and low intensity. Constructed levees, often accompanied by stream channelization, have altered the flooding dynamics in many places. This ecological site is influenced by a seasonal high-water table, resulting from a combination of high groundwater levels and slow hydraulic conductivity, which impedes throughflow from precipitation and flood events. The water table is typically near the surface in late fall through spring, receding in the summer.

This ecological site contains first-order streams, which originate from headslope positions at the upper reaches of the units and are fed from smaller headslopes in the adjacent uplands. The lower reaches of units often contain second-order streams. These streams are ephemeral in most years, with flow in the late fall, winter, and spring months, generally disappearing in the summer, or reduced to isolated pools in the lower reaches. Stream levels typically respond quickly to storm events, especially in watersheds where surface runoff is dominant. Shortduration flooding is common in many areas. Streambeds are typically incised into the surrounding floodplain by as much as 10 feet may be a sign of an alternative state. Sites that flood are in the RIVERINE wetlands class of the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system (Brinson, 1993), whereas footslopes and high stream terrace areas are best considered as MINERAL FLAT wetlands.

Cowardin (Cowardin et al., 1979) wetland types include: Palustrine Emergent Temporarily Flooded and Intermittently Flooded (high-water table may cause soil saturation in late winter and early spring).

Soil features

These soils have an abrupt textural change to silty clay at about 12 inches, or a clayey subsoil that is similar to an abrupt textural change. Abrupt textural changes impede but do not exclude rooting. The soils were formed under prairie vegetation, and have dark, organic-rich surface horizons. Parent material is loess over alluvium or colluvium from loess and till. They have silt loam surface horizons and clayey subsoils. A seasonal high water table is perched above the clayey subsoil during the spring months. Soil series associated with this site include Chariton, Edinburg and Gifford.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Alluvium (2) Colluvium
Surface texture	(1) Silt loam (2) Silty clay loam
Family particle size	(1) Clayey
Drainage class	Poorly drained
Permeability class	Very slow
Soil depth	72 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	6 – 7 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)	5.1 – 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. 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 Terrace Prairie ecological sites exist because of their association with wet conditions and heavy, clayey soils. These conditions along with periodic fire have a strong influence on excluding trees. Wet Terrace Prairies are dominated by a dense cover of wet tolerant grasses and forbs. On slightly higher areas within the ecological site occasional widely scattered bur oak, pin oak, and shellbark hickory also occurred.

These sites were on relatively stable former floodplain positions that rarely flooded, probably once every 25 or so years. In addition to site wetness, periodic fire also played a role in keeping woody species at bay. Fire during dry periods removed the dense mat of leaf litter creating opportunities for plants less aggressive than the grasses and sedges.

Wet Footslope Prairies were also subjected to grazing by native large herbivores, such as bison, elk, and white-tailed deer. Grazing by native herbivores would have effectively kept understory conditions open, creating conditions more favorable to ground flora species and minimizing woody trees and shrubs.

Today almost all of these ecological sites have been drained and farmed. However, during wet years, they do act as ephemeral farmed wetlands in the agricultural landscape. While their flood regime usually has been altered, their position and soil properties still make them good candidates for wet prairie and savanna development management. Quality remnants are very rare.

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

Custom diagram

Standard diagram

Figure 9. State and Transition Model for this ecological site

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

1. Reference

2. Woody Invaded Savanna

3. Cool Season Grassland

4. Cropland

5. Native Warm Season Grassland

States 1 and 5 (additional transitions)

1. Reference

5. Native Warm Season Grassland

T1A	-	Fire suppression greater than 20 years; woody invasion.
T1B	-	Tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management.
T1C	-	Woody removal; tillage; seeding; conservation cropping system.
R2A	-	Woody species removal; prescribed fire 1-3 years
T2A	-	Woody species removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
T2B	-	Woody species removal; tillage, conservation cropping system
T3A	-	Tillage; conservation cropping system
T3B	-	Vegetative seedling; prescribed fire; grassland management
T4A	-	Vegetative seeding; grassland management
T4B	-	Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
R5A	-	Vegetative seedling; prescribed fire 1-3 years
T5A	-	Tillage; conservation cropping system

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Prairie Willow/Prairie Cordgrass-Big Bluestem

1.2. Prairie Willow-False Indigo Bush/Prairie Cordgrass-Big Bluestem

1.1A	-	Fire free interval 10 plus years.
1.2A	-	Fire interval 1-3 years.

State 1
Reference

This state is native tall grass prairie dominated by prairie cordgrass, big bluestem and a wide variety of prairie forbs. This state occurs on level to gently sloping soils. In some cases, bur oak, swamp white oak, elm, American hazelnut, prairie willow and wild plum occurred in small groves or as scattered individuals across the prairie landscape. Two phases can occur that will transition back and forth depending on fire frequencies. Longer fire free intervals will allow woody species to increase such as prairie willow, dogwoods and wild plum. When fire intervals shorten these woody species will decrease. This State is extinct. Most sites have been converted to cool season grassland and intensive agriculture cropland.

Dominant plant species

prairie willow (Salix humilis), shrub
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass

Community 1.1
Prairie Willow/Prairie Cordgrass-Big Bluestem

This phase is a wet prairie dominated by big bluestem, prairie cord grass, eastern gamagrass and a wide variety of prairie wildflowers and sedges. Occasional bur oak, swamp white oak, pin oak, elm, American hazelnut, prairie willow and wild plum occurred as scattered individuals across the open landscape. The Forest Understory list is based on commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).

Forest understory. The Forest Understory list is based on commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).

Dominant plant species

prairie willow (Salix humilis), shrub
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass

Community 1.2
Prairie Willow-False Indigo Bush/Prairie Cordgrass-Big Bluestem

This phase is similar to community phase 1.1 but shrubs are increasing due to longer periods of fire suppression. Some displacement of grasses and forbs may be occurring due to shading and competition from the increased woody canopy cover.

Dominant plant species

prairie willow (Salix humilis), tree
false indigo (Amorpha ×notha), tree
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Fire free interval 10 plus years.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Fire interval 1-3 years.

State 2
Woody Invaded Savanna

Degraded reference states that have experienced fire suppression for 20 or more years will transition to this state. With fire suppression, woody species such as bur oak and eastern redcedar will begin to increase transitioning this state from a prairie to a Woody Invaded Savanna. Native ground cover will also decrease and invasive species such as tall fescue may begin to dominate. Today, this State is probably nonexistent. Transition from this state to cool season grasslands (State 3) or intensive cropland (State 4) was very common in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s.

Dominant plant species

pin oak (Quercus palustris), tree
bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), tree
false indigo bush (Amorpha fruticosa), shrub
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis), grass

Community 2.1
Pin Oak -Bur Oak/False Indigo Bush/Prairie Cordgrass-Canada Wildrye

This community is dominated by pin oak, bur oak, false indigo bush, prairie cordgrass, and Canada wildrye.

Dominant plant species

pin oak (Quercus palustris), tree
bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), tree
false indigo bush (Amorpha fruticosa), shrub
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis), grass

State 3
Cool Season Grassland

Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue, red top and white clover has been common in this area. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered bur oaks. Long term uncontrolled grazing and a lack of grassland management can cause significant soil erosion and compaction and increases in less productive species such as Kentucky bluegrass and weedy forbs such as ironweed. A return to the Reference State may be impossible, requiring a very long term series of management options.

Dominant plant species

tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
bentgrass (Agrostis), grass
white clover (Trifolium repens), other herbaceous

Community 3.1
Tall Fescue - Red Top - White Clover

Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue and red top has been common in the Missouri Central Claypan area. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered pin oaks. Long term uncontrolled grazing can cause significant soil erosion and compaction.

Dominant plant species

tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
bentgrass (Agrostis), grass
white clover (Trifolium repens), other herbaceous

State 4
Cropland

This is the dominant State that exists currently with intensive cropping of corn and soybeans occurring. Some conversion to cool season hayland occurs for a limited period of time before transitioning back to cropland. Limited acres are sometimes converted to native warm season grassland through federal set-aside programs.

Dominant plant species

corn (Zea mays), grass
soybean (Glycine max), other herbaceous

Community 4.1
Corn - Soybean

This phase has intensive cropping of corn and soybeans. Tillage operations generally leave little residue on the surface over winter. Surface drainage has usually been altered.

State 5
Native Warm Season Grassland

Conversion from the Cool Season Grassland (State 3) or the Cropland (State 4) to this State is increasing due to renewed interest in warm season grasses as a supplement to cool season grazing systems or as a native restoration activity. This State is the most easily transformable state back to a Reference State. Substantial restoration time and management inputs will still be needed.

Dominant plant species

big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass

Community 5.1
Prairie Cordgrass - Big Bluestem - Switchgrass

This phase is increasing due to renewed interest in warm season grasses as a supplement to cool season grazing systems or as a native restoration activity.

Dominant plant species

prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Fire suppression greater than 20 years allows woody species to increase.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

Tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management.

Transition T1C
State 1 to 4

Tillage; conservation cropping system.

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

Woody species removal and prescribed fire 1-3 years.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Woody species removal followed by tillage, vegetative seeding, and grassland management

Transition T2B
State 2 to 4

Woody species removal followed by tillage and conservation cropping.

Transition T3A
State 3 to 4

Tillage; conservation cropping system

Transition T3B
State 3 to 5

Vegetative seedling; prescribed fire; grassland managment

Restoration pathway T4A
State 4 to 3

Vegetative seeding; grassland management

Transition T4B
State 4 to 5

Vegetative seeding, prescribed fire followed by grassland management.

Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1

Vegetative seedling; prescribed fire 1-3 years

Transition T5A
State 5 to 4

Tillage with a conservation cropping system.

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
pin oak	QUPA2	Quercus palustris	Native	–	0–5	–	–
bur oak	QUMA2	Quercus macrocarpa	Native	–	0–5	–	–
shellbark hickory	CALA21	Carya laciniosa	Native	–	0–5	–	–

Table 6. Community 1.1 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	Native	–	10–40
prairie cordgrass	SPPE	Spartina pectinata	Native	–	10–40
switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	Native	–	10–30
fox sedge	CAVU2	Carex vulpinoidea	Native	–	5–20
fescue sedge	CAFE3	Carex festucacea	Native	–	5–20
hop sedge	CALU4	Carex lupulina	Native	–	5–20
Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	Native	–	5–20
bluejoint	CACA4	Calamagrostis canadensis	Native	–	5–20
Forb/Herb
white doll's daisy	BOAS	Boltonia asteroides	Native	–	5–20
sweet coneflower	RUSU	Rudbeckia subtomentosa	Native	–	5–20
bearded beggarticks	BIAR	Bidens aristosa	Native	–	5–20
prairie ironweed	VEFA2	Vernonia fasciculata	Native	–	5–20
Virginia bunchflower	VEVI5	Veratrum virginicum	Native	–	5–20
Culver's root	VEVI4	Veronicastrum virginicum	Native	–	5–20
water knotweed	POAM8	Polygonum amphibium	Native	–	5–20
harvestlice	AGPA6	Agrimonia parviflora	Native	–	5–20
hemlock waterparsnip	SISU2	Sium suave	Native	–	5–20
Virginia iris	IRVI	Iris virginica	Native	–	5–20
sawtooth sunflower	HEGR4	Helianthus grosseserratus	Native	–	5–20
swamp milkweed	ASIN	Asclepias incarnata	Native	–	5–20
smooth white oldfield aster	SYRA5	Symphyotrichum racemosum	Native	–	5–20
sawtooth sunflower	HEGR4	Helianthus grosseserratus	Native	–	5–20
winged lythrum	LYAL4	Lythrum alatum	Native	–	5–20
Shrub/Subshrub
prairie willow	SAHU2	Salix humilis	Native	–	5–20
false indigo bush	AMFR	Amorpha fruticosa	Native	–	5–20

Interpretations

Animal community

Wildlife
Game species that utilize this ecological site include: Northern Bobwhite will utilize this ecological site for food (seeds, insects) and cover needs (escape, nesting and roosting cover).

Cottontail rabbits will utilize this ecological site for food (seeds, soft mast) and cover needs.

Turkey will utilize this ecological site for food (seeds, green browse, soft mast, insects) and nesting and brood-rearing cover. Turkey poults feed heavily on insects provided by this site type.

White-tailed Deer will utilize this ecological site for browse (plant leaves in the growing season, seeds and soft mast in the fall/winter). This site type also can provide escape cover.

Migratory Waterbirds inlcude: Sora, Common Snipe and Virginia Rail

Bird species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition include:
Breeding birds as related to vegetation structure (related to time since fire, grazing, haying, and mowing):

Vegetation Height Short ( 0.5 meter, low litter levels, bare ground visible):
Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Upland Sandpiper, Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Bobwhite

Mid-Vegetation Height (0.5 – 1 meter, moderate litter levels, some bare ground visible):
Eastern Meadowlark, Dickcissel, Field Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Kingbird, Bobolink, Lark Sparrow

Tall Vegetation Height (> 1 meter, moderate-high litter levels, little bare ground visible):
Henslow’s Sparrow, Dickcissel, Greater Prairie Chicken, Field Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite, Sedge Wren, Northern Harrier, Red-Winged Blackbird, American Bittern

Brushy – Mix of grasses, forbs, native shrubs (e.g., Rhus copallina, Prunus americana, Rubus spp., Rosa carolina) and small trees (e.g., Cornus racemosa): Bell’s Vireo, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Loggerhead Shrike, Brown Thrasher, Common Yellowthroat

Winter Resident: Short-Eared Owl, Le Conte’s Sparrow

Migratory birds: Sora, Virginia Rail, Sedge Wren, American Bittern, Yellow Rail and Common Snipe.

Amphibian and reptile species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition include: prairies with or nearby to fishless ponds/pools (may be ephemeral) may have Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum) and Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata triseriata); Northern Crawfish Frog (Rana areolata circulosa), Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata), Western Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus attenuatus), Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris), Prairie Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi), and Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi).

Small mammals associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition include: Least Shrew (Cryptotis parva), Franklin’s Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus franklinii), Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius), Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster), Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi), Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius), Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) and Badger (Taxidea taxus).

Invertebrates include:
Many native insect species are likely associated with this ecological site, especially native bees, ants, beetles, butterflies and moths, and crickets, grasshoppers and katydids. However information on these groups is often lacking enough resolution to assign them to individual ecological sites.

Insect species known to be associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition include: Regal Fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia) whose larvae feed primarily on native prairie violets (Viola pedata, V. pedatifida, and V. sagittata); Mottled Dusky Wing butterfly (Erynnis martialis), Golden Byssus butterfly (Problema byssus kumskaka), Delaware Skipper butterfly (Atryone logan logan), and Crossline Skipper butterfly (Polites origenes). The larvae of the moth Eucosma bipunctella bore into compass plant (Silphium laciniatum) roots and feed and the larvae of the moth Eucosma giganteana bore into a number of Silphium species roots and feed. Native bees, important pollinators, that may be associated with this ecological site’s reference condition include: Colletes brevicornis, Andrena beameri, A. helianthiformis, Protandrena rudbeckiae, Halictus parallelus, Lasioglossum albipennis, L. coreopsis, L. disparilis, L. nymphaereum, Ashmeadiella bucconis, Megachile addenda, Anthidium psoraleae, Eucera hamata, Melissodes coloradensis, M. coreopsis, and M. vernoniae. The Short-winged Katydid (Amblycorypha parvipennis), Green Grasshopper (Hesperotettix speciosus) and Two-voiced Conehead katydid (Neoconcephalus bivocatus) are possible orthopteran associates of this ecological site.

Other invertebrate associates include the Grassland Crayfish (Procambarus gracilis).

(This section prepared by Mike Leahy, Natural Areas Coordinator, Missouri Department of Conservation, 2013. References for this section: Fitzgerald and Pashley 2000b; Heitzman and Heitzman 1996; Jacobs 2001; Johnson 2000; Pitts and McGuire 2000; Schwartz and others 2001)

Other information

Forestry
Management: This ecological site is not recommended for traditional timber management activity. Historically this site was dominated by a ground cover of native prairie grasses and forbs. Some scattered open grown trees may have also been present. Altered states may be suitable for non-traditional forestry uses such as windbreaks, environmental plantings, alley cropping (a method of planting, in which rows of trees or shrubs are interspersed with rows of crops) or woody bio-fuels.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Potential Reference Sites: Loess Upland Prairie

No quality reference sites are known to exist

Other references

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, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deep-water habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FWS/OBS-79/31.

Fitzgerald, J.A. and D.N. Pashley. 2000a. Partners in Flight bird conservation plan for the Ozark/Ouachitas. American Bird Conservancy.

Fitzgerald, J.A. and D.N. Pashley. 2000b. Partners in Flight bird conservation plan for the Dissected Till Plains. American Bird Conservancy.

Harlan, J.D., T.A. Nigh and W.A. Schroeder. 2001. The Missouri original General Land Office survey notes project. University of Missouri, Columbia.

Heitzman, J.R. and J.E. Heitzman. 1996. Butterflies and moths of Missouri. 2nd ed. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.

Jacobs, B. 2001. Birds in Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.

Johnson, T.R. 2000. The amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. 2nd ed. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.

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.

Pitts, D.E. and W.D. McGuire. 2000. Wildlife management for Missouri landowners. 3rd ed. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.

Schwartz, C.W., E.R. Schwartz and J.J. Conley. 2001. The wild mammals of Missouri. University of Missouri Press, Columbia and Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 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.

Young, F. J. and A. W. Geller. 1995. Soil Survey of Audrain County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Contributors

Doug Wallace
Fred Young

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 5/17/2024

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.

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	05/19/2024
Approved by	Suzanne Mayne-Kinney
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
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:

Download reference sheet

Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.

Ecosystem states

1. Reference

2. Woody Invaded Savanna

3. Cool Season Grassland

4. Cropland

5. Native Warm Season Grassland

States 1 and 5 (additional transitions)

1. Reference

5. Native Warm Season Grassland

T1A	-	Fire suppression greater than 20 years; woody invasion.
T1B	-	Tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management.
T1C	-	Woody removal; tillage; seeding; conservation cropping system.
R2A	-	Woody species removal; prescribed fire 1-3 years
T2A	-	Woody species removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
T2B	-	Woody species removal; tillage, conservation cropping system
T3A	-	Tillage; conservation cropping system
T3B	-	Vegetative seedling; prescribed fire; grassland management
T4A	-	Vegetative seeding; grassland management
T4B	-	Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
R5A	-	Vegetative seedling; prescribed fire 1-3 years
T5A	-	Tillage; conservation cropping system