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Ecological site F115XB017MO

Sandstone Protected Backslope Forest

Accessed: 12/22/2024

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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): 115X–Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes

The Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes, Western Part (area outlined in red on the map) consists mainly of the deeply dissected, loess-covered hills bordering the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers as well as the floodplains and terraces of these rivers. It wraps around the northeast corner of the Ozark Uplift, and constitutes the southern border of the Pre-Illinoisan-aged till plain. Elevation ranges from about 320 feet along the Mississippi River near Cape Girardeau in the south to about 1,020 feet on the highest ridges near Hillsboro, MO in the east. Local relief varies from 10 to 20 feet in the major river floodplains, to 50 to 100 feet in the dissected uplands, with bluffs of 200 to 350 feet along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Underlying bedrock is mainly Ordovician-aged dolomite and sandstone, with Mississippian-aged limestone north of the Missouri River.

Classification relationships

Terrestrial Natural Community Type in Missouri (Nelson, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Dry-Mesic Sandstone Forest.

Missouri Department of Conservation Forest and Woodland Communities (MDC, 2006):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Mixed Hardwood Mesic Forest.

National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Acer saccharum - Carya cordiformis / Lindera benzoin Forest (CEGL002058).

Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs in several Land Type Associations of the following Subsections:
Inner Ozark Border
Outer Ozark Border

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”.

Sandstone Protected Backslope Forests are within the green areas on the map. They occupy the northerly and easterly aspects of steep, dissected slopes, and are mapped in complex with the Sandstone Exposed Backslope Woodland ecological site. These sites are inextensive in uplands not adjacent to the Missouri or Mississippi River floodplains, and are associated with the St. Peter and LaMotte sandstone formations. The St.Peter sandstone units are located on lower slopes below Limestone/Dolomite Glade and Woodland ecological sites, while the Lamotte sandstone units are part of a complex of sandstone glades, woodlands and forests. These ecological sites are often downslope from Loamy Upland Woodlands. Soils are typically moderately deep over sandstone bedrock, with an abundance of sandstone fragments in the subsoil.The reference plant community is forest dominated by white oak, with a well-developed understory and a rich herbaceous ground flora.

Associated sites

F115XB005MO	Loamy Upland Woodland Loamy Upland Woodland sites underlain by sandstone are often upslope.
F115XB016MO	Sandstone Upland Woodland Sandstone Upland Woodlands are on upper backslopes and shoulders
F115XB051MO	Sandstone Exposed Backslope Woodland Sandstone Exposed Backslope Woodlands are also on steep, dissected slopes but on southerly and westerly aspects.
R115XB052MO	Shallow Sandstone Backslope Glade/Woodland Shallow Sandstone Backslope Glade/Woodland sites are usually closely associated with this site

Similar sites

F115XB051MO	Sandstone Exposed Backslope Woodland Sandstone Exposed Backslope Woodlands are also on steep, dissected slopes but on southerly and westerly aspects.

F115XB051MO

Sandstone Exposed Backslope Woodland

Sandstone Exposed Backslope Woodlands are also on steep, dissected slopes but on southerly and westerly aspects.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Quercus alba
Shrub	(1) Cornus florida
Herbaceous	(1) Polystichum acrostichoides (2) Podophyllum peltatum

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Physiographic features

This site is on upland backslopes with slopes of 15 to 35 percent. It is on protected aspects (north, northeast, and east), which receive significantly less solar radiation than the exposed aspects. The site receives runoff from upslope summit and shoulder sites, and generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.

The accompanying figure (adapted from Skaer, 2004) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships among the major ecological sites in uplands that are underlain by sandstone. The site is within the area labeled “4”, on northerly and easterly exposures of steep lower backslopes. Loamy Upland Woodland sites underlain by sandstone are often upslope (labeled “2” on the figure) on loess-covered benches and summits, and Sandstone Upalnd Woodland sites (labeled “3”) are on upper backslopes and shoulders. Shallow Sandstone Glade sites are usually closely associated with this site (labeled “1”), often as a narrow band or ledge.

Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Hill
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Slope	15 – 35%
Water table depth	152 cm
Aspect	N, NE, E

Climatic features

The Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes, Western Part 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.

The Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes, Western Part experiences regional differences in climates, but these differences do not have obvious geographic boundaries. Regional climates grade inconspicuously into each other. The basic gradient for most climatic characteristics is along a line diagonally crossing the MLRA from northwest to southeast. Both mean annual temperature and precipitation exhibit gradients along this line.

The average annual precipitation in most of this area is 38 to 48 inches. The average annual temperature is 53 to 57 degrees F. Mean January minimum temperature follows the northwest-to-southeast gradient. However, mean July maximum temperature shows hardly any geographic variation in the MLRA. Mean July maximum temperatures have a range of only two or three degrees across the area.

Mean annual precipitation varies along the same gradient as temperature. Seasonal climatic variations are more complex. Seasonality in precipitation is very pronounced due to strong continental influences. June precipitation, for example, averages three to four times greater than January precipitation. Most of the rainfall occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms in summer. Snowfall is common in winter.

During years when precipitation is normal, moisture is stored in the soil profile 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 affects plant and animal life by limiting water supplies, especially at times of high temperatures and high evaporation rates.

Superimposed upon the basic MLRA climatic patterns are local topographic influences that create topoclimatic, or microclimatic variations. In regions of appreciable relief, 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. Higher daytime temperatures of bare rock surfaces and higher reflectivity of these unvegetated surfaces create characteristic glade and cliff ecological sites. Slope orientation is an important topographic influence on climate. Summits and south-and-west-facing slopes are regularly warmer and drier than adjacent north- and-east-facing slopes. Finally, the climate within a canopied forest ecological site is measurably different from the climate of the more open grassland or savanna ecological sites.

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 (average)	171 days
Freeze-free period (average)	197 days
Precipitation total (average)	1,143 mm

Bar

Line

Figure 3. Monthly precipitation range

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Line

Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) FESTUS [USC00232850], Crystal City, MO
(2) FULTON [USC00233079], Fulton, MO
(3) PERRYVILLE WTP [USC00236641], Perryville, MO
(4) NEW FRANKLIN 1W [USC00236012], Franklin, MO

Influencing water features

The water features of this upland ecological site include evapotranspiration, surface runoff, and drainage. Each water balance component fluctuates to varying extents from year-to-year. Evapotranspiration remains the most constant. Precipitation and drainage are highly variable between years. Seasonal variability differs for each water component. Precipitation generally occurs as single day events. Evapotranspiration is lowest in the winter and peaks in the summer. Water stored as ice and snow decreases drainage and surface runoff rates throughout the winter and increases these fluxes in the spring. The surface runoff pulse is greatly influenced by extreme events. Conversion to cropland or other high intensities land uses tends to increase runoff, but also decreases evapotranspiration. Depending on the situation, this might increase groundwater discharge, and decrease baseflow in receiving streams (Vano 2005).

Soil features

These soils are underlain with sandstone bedrock at 20 to 60 inches deep. They have subsoils that are not low in bases. The soils were formed under forest vegetation, and have thin, light-colored surface horizons. Parent material is slope alluvium and residuum weathered from sandstone, overlying sandstone bedrock. They have sandy loam or loam surface layers. Subsoils are loamy and are skeletal, with high amounts of sandstone fragments. These soils are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Lily, Neotoma, and Pevely.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Slope alluvium – sandstone (2) Residuum – sandstone
Surface texture	(1) Very gravelly fine sandy loam (2) Extremely cobbly sandy loam (3) Very cobbly loam
Family particle size	(1) Loamy
Drainage class	Moderately well drained to well drained
Permeability class	Moderate
Soil depth	51 – 152 cm
Surface fragment cover <=3"	5 – 40%
Surface fragment cover >3"	3 – 50%
Available water capacity (0-101.6cm)	10.16 – 15.24 cm
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm)	0%
Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm)	0 – 2 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm)	0
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm)	4.5 – 7.3
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	20 – 50%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 40%

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.

The historical reference state was dominated by white oak. These forest sites had a well-developed forest canopy (80 to 90 feet tall and 90 to 100 percent canopy cover), a structurally diverse understory and an abundant forest ground flora.

In this region flanked by historic fire-prone prairies, savannas and open woodlands, Sandstone Protected Backslope Forests occur in the most protected landscape positions on lower, steep slopes in the deeper valleys furthest from the prairie uplands. While the upland prairies and savannas had an estimated fire frequency of 1 to 3 years, Sandstone Protected Backslope Forests burned less frequently (10 to 25 years) and with lower intensity.

Historically, grazing by large native herbivores, such as bison, elk and deer, affected understory conditions. In addition, Sandstone Protected Backslope Forests are subject to occasional disturbances from wind and ice, which periodically open the canopy up by knocking over trees or breaking substantial branches of canopy trees. Such canopy disturbances allow more light to reach the ground and favor reproduction of the dominant oak species.

Today, these communities have either been cleared or converted to pasture, or have undergone repeated timber harvest and domestic grazing. Most existing occurrences have a younger (50 to 80 years) canopy layer whose composition may have been altered by timber harvesting practices. An increase in hickories over historic conditions is common. The absence of periodic fire may have allowed more shade-tolerant tree species, such as sugar maple, white ash, or hickories to increase in abundance.

Uncontrolled domestic grazing has also diminished the diversity and cover of woodland ground flora species, and has often introduced weedy species such as gooseberry, buckbrush, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. Grazed sites also have a more open understory. In addition, soil compaction and erosion related to grazing can lower site productivity.

Sandstone Protective Backslope Forests are moderately productive timber sites. Timber harvest in this region typically is done using single-tree selection, and often results in removal of the most productive trees, thus high-grading the stand. This can result in poorer quality timber and a shift in species composition away from more valuable oak species. Carefully planned single tree selection or the creation of group openings can help regenerate more desirable oak species and increase vigor on the residual trees. Clear-cutting often occurs and results in dense, even-aged stands of primarily oak. This technique may be most beneficial for existing stands whose composition has been highly altered by past management practices. However, without some thinning of the dense stands, the ground flora diversity can be shaded out and productivity of the stand may suffer.

Protected aspect forests did evolve with some fire, but their composition often reflects more closed, forested conditions, with fewer woodland ground flora species that can respond to fire. Consequently, while having protected aspects in a burn unit is acceptable, targeting them solely for woodland restoration is not advisable.

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 7. State and transition diagram for this ecological s

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

State 1
Reference

This state is native oak forest dominated by white oak with a structurally diverse understory and an abundant forest ground flora. Maximum tree age was likely 150 to 300 years. These sites were subject to occasional disturbances from wind and ice, which periodically open the canopy up by knocking over trees or breaking substantial branches of canopy trees. Such canopy disturbances allowed more light to reach the ground and favor reproduction of the dominant oak species. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in both the density of trees and the abundance of shade tolerant species. Two community phases are recognized in the reference state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency. Reference states are rare today. Many sites have been converted to non-native pasture (State 3). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with domestic livestock grazing (State 4). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora (State 2).

Community 1.1
White Oak/Flowering Dogwood/Christmas Fern – May Apple

This phase is a forest dominated by an overstory of white oak. The canopy and understory are well developed with great structural and species diversity. This phase experienced some periodic burning (estimated 10 to 25 years) but with low intensity.

Forest overstory. The Overstory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).

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

Community 1.2
White Oak/Flowering Dogwood – Maple Saplings/Christmas Fern – May Apple

Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in more shade tolerant species such as northern red oak and sugar maple with increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora.

State 2
Unmanaged Forest

Unmanaged reference states that have experienced, occasional logging, a lack of natural disturbance, and woody invasion for 30 or more years will transition to this state. With a lack of disturbance, woody species such as northern red oak, hickory species, and eastern hophornbeam will begin to increase. Logging and woody invasion decreases the overall age (50 to 80 years) and average diameter (most canopy trees – less than 20 inches in diameter) of the forest.

Community 2.1
White Oak – Northern Red/ Eastern Hophornbeam – Hickory/May apple

This is the only phase in this state at this time. See the corresponding state narrative for details.

State 3
Cool Season Grassland

Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue and red clover has been common in this area. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered 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.

Community 3.1
Tall Fescue – Red Clover

This phase is well managed grassland, composed of non-native cool season grasses and legumes. Grazing and haying is occurring. The effects of long-term liming on soil pH, and calcium and magnesium content, is most evident in this phase. Studies show that these soils have higher pH and higher base status in soil horizons as much as two feet below the surface, relative to poorly managed grassland and to woodland communities (where liming is not practiced).

State 4
High-Graded/Grazed Forest

Wooded sites subjected to repeated, high-graded timber harvests and uncontrolled domestic grazing transition to this State. This state exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less desirable tree species, and weedy understory species such as buckbrush, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. The vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff.

Community 4.1
Black Oak – Hickory/ Eastern Hophornbeam - Buckbrush/ Greenbrier

This is the only phase in this state at this time. See the corresponding state narrative for details.

Additional community tables

Table 5. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (m)	Canopy cover (%)	Diameter (cm)	Basal area (square m/hectare)
Tree
white oak	QUAL	Quercus alba	Native	–	50–70	–	–
northern red oak	QURU	Quercus rubra	Native	–	30–50	–	–
bitternut hickory	CACO15	Carya cordiformis	Native	–	20–30	–	–
red maple	ACRU	Acer rubrum	Native	–	5–20	–	–
sugar maple	ACSA3	Acer saccharum	Native	–	5–20	–	–
American basswood	TIAM	Tilia americana	Native	–	5–20	–	–
mockernut hickory	CATO6	Carya tomentosa	Native	–	–	–	–

Table 6. Community 1.1 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (m)	Canopy cover (%)
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
eastern woodland sedge	CABL	Carex blanda	Native	–	5–10
Forb/Herb
mayapple	POPE	Podophyllum peltatum	Native	–	10–30
toadshade	TRSE2	Trillium sessile	Native	–	5–20
jumpseed	POVI2	Polygonum virginianum	Native	–	5–20
soft agrimony	AGPU	Agrimonia pubescens	Native	–	5–20
bloodroot	SACA13	Sanguinaria canadensis	Native	–	5–20
Virginia snakeroot	ARSE3	Aristolochia serpentaria	Native	–	5–20
Virginia springbeauty	CLVI3	Claytonia virginica	Native	–	5–20
white fawnlily	ERAL9	Erythronium albidum	Native	–	5–20
feathery false lily of the valley	MARA7	Maianthemum racemosum	Native	–	5–20
goldenseal	HYCA	Hydrastis canadensis	Native	–	5–20
largeflower bellwort	UVGR	Uvularia grandiflora	Native	–	5–20
dutchman's breeches	DICU	Dicentra cucullaria	Native	–	5–20
nakedflower ticktrefoil	DENU4	Desmodium nudiflorum	Native	–	0–10
Fern/fern ally
Christmas fern	POAC4	Polystichum acrostichoides	Native	–	5–20
brittle bladderfern	CYFR2	Cystopteris fragilis	Native	–	5–10
marginal woodfern	DRMA4	Dryopteris marginalis	Native	–	5–10
Shrub/Subshrub
northern spicebush	LIBE3	Lindera benzoin	Native	–	10–20
alternateleaf dogwood	COAL2	Cornus alternifolia	Native	–	5–10
Tree
flowering dogwood	COFL2	Cornus florida	Native	–	20–30
hophornbeam	OSVI	Ostrya virginiana	Native	–	10–20
common serviceberry	AMAR3	Amelanchier arborea	Native	–	10–20
pawpaw	ASTR	Asimina triloba	Native	–	10–20
Vine/Liana
Virginia creeper	PAQU2	Parthenocissus quinquefolia	Native	–	10–20
summer grape	VIAE	Vitis aestivalis	Native	–	10–20

Interpretations

Animal community

Wildlife Species (MDC 2006):

Wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and eastern gray squirrel depend on hard and soft mast food sources and are typical upland game species of this type.

Birds associated with mid-successional stages include Whip-poor-will and Wood Thrush while birds associated with late-successional stages include Worm-eating warbler, Whip-poor-will, Great Crested Flycatcher, Ovenbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush (near streams), and Broad-winged Hawk.

Reptile and amphibian species associated with mature forests include: ringed salamander, spotted salamander, marbled salamander, central newt, long-tailed salamander, dark-sided salamander, southern red-backed salamander, three-toed box turtle, western worm snake, western earth snake, and American toad.

Other information

Forestry (NRCS 2002, 2014):

Management: Field collected site index values average 54 for northern red oak. Timber management opportunities are moderate. Create group openings of at least 2 acres. Large clearcuts should be minimized if possible to reduce impacts on wildlife and aesthetics. Uneven-aged management using single tree selection or small group selection cuttings of ½ to 1 acre are other options that can be used if clear cutting is not desired or warranted. Using prescribed fire as a management tool could have a negative impact on timber quality, and should be used with caution on a particular site if timber management is the primary objective. Favor white oak and northern red oak.

Limitations: Coarse fragments in profile; bedrock is within 60 inches. Disturbing the surface excessively in harvesting operations and building roads increases soil losses, which leaves a greater amount of coarse fragments on the surface. Hand planting or direct seeding may be necessary. Seedling mortality due to low available water capacity may be high. Mulching or providing shade can improve seedling survival. Mechanical tree planting will be limited. Erosion is a hazard when slopes exceed 15 percent. On steep slopes greater than 35 percent, traction problems increase and equipment use is not recommended.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Sandstone Protected Backslope Forest – Potential Reference – F115BY017MO

Plot GRCASP06 – Pevely soil – no cover or heights
Located in Graham Cave State Park, Montgomery County, MO
Latitude: 38.908577
Longitude: -91.581018

Other references

MDC, 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., & Walter A. Schroeder. 2002. Atlas of Missouri Ecoregions. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.

Skaer, David M. 2004. Soil Survey of Jefferson County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Vano, Julie A. 2005. Land Surface Hydrology in Northern Wisconsin: Influences of climatic variability and land cover. University of Wisconsin-Madison.

University of Missouri Climate Center - http://climate.missouri.edu/climate.php; accessed June 2012

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/

Contributors

Fred Young
Doug Wallace

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
Approved by
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:

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