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Ecological site F115XB023MO

Wet Footslope Forest

Accessed: 11/21/2024

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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 Wet-Mesic Bottomland Forest.

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

National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a uercus macrocarpa – Quercus shumardii – Carya cordiformis / Chasmanthium latifolium Forest (CEGL004544).

Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs in several of the westernmost 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”.

Wet Footslope Forests (green areas on the map) are mainly in the western part of the MLRA south of the Missouri River, although a few scattered areas are in the southern part in the Missouri River watershed. Soils are very deep, with silt loam surface horizons, loamy to clayey subsoils and seasonal high water tables. The reference plant community is forest with an overstory dominated by a variety of trees including bur oak, Shumard oak, swamp white oak, American elm, and black cherry, an understory dominated by blue beech, spicebush, and Ohio buckeye, and a rich herbaceous ground flora.

Associated sites

F115XB004MO	Loess Upland Woodland Loess Upland Woodlands, and other upland and backslope ecological sites, are upslope.
F115XB024MO	Loamy Terrace Forest Loamy Terrace Forests are adjacent and downslope.
F115XB025MO	Wet Terrace Forest Wet Terrace Forests are generally adjacent and downslope.
F115XB031MO	Loamy Floodplain Forest Loamy Floodplain Forests are downslope in the main floodplain.

Similar sites

F115XB025MO	Wet Terrace Forest Wet Terrace Forests are generally adjacent and downslope.

F115XB025MO

Wet Terrace Forest

Wet Terrace Forests are generally adjacent and downslope.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Quercus macrocarpa (2) Quercus shumardii
Shrub	(1) Ilex decidua
Herbaceous	(1) Chasmanthium latifolium

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Physiographic features

This site is on footslopes, with slopes of 2 to 9 percent. The site receives runoff from adjacent upland sites. This site does not flood.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Hill
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Slope	1 – 9%
Water table depth	15 – 30 cm
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

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 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 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 may create distinctive environmental niches such as glades and cliffs. 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 is measurably different from the climate of a more open grassland or savanna areas.

Source: 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/

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (average)	179 days
Freeze-free period (average)	199 days
Precipitation total (average)	1,118 mm

Bar

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Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

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Line

Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 4. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 5. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) CALIFORNIA [USC00231189], California, MO
(2) MARSHALL [USW00013991], Marshall, MO
(3) NEW FRANKLIN 1W [USC00236012], Franklin, MO
(4) JEFFERSON CITY WTP [USC00234271], Jefferson City, 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 of perennial streams. They are not adjacent to the current stream channel. Areas on stream terraces are subject to flooding, typically of short duration and low intensity. Constructed levees, often accompanied by stream channelization, have altered the flooding dynamics in many places may indicate an altered state.

Footslopes not subject to flooding, are in the SLOPE wetlands of the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system class (Brinson, 1993). SLOPE wetlands are found in stream headwaters, slope toes, or at outcrops of low conductivity soil or rock layers. In a stream network, they are found on stream corridor reaches upstream of higher order RIVERINE reaches. Water is forced to the surface by a break in land slope, or when it encounters an aquaclude that moves it to an outcrop. These topographic conditions are common at the boundary between floodplains and adjoining uplands where groundwater is forced to the surface by a rapid change in slope.

Soil features

These soils have no rooting restriction. The soils were formed under forest vegetation, and have thin, light-colored surface horizons. Parent material is colluvium. They have silt loam surface horizons, and clayey subsoils. They are affected by a seasonal high water table during the spring months. Soil series associated with this site include McGirk.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Surface texture	(1) Silt loam
Family particle size	(1) Clayey
Drainage class	Poorly drained
Permeability class	Very slow
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0%
Surface fragment cover >3"	0%
Available water capacity (0-101.6cm)	12.7 – 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 – 6
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	0%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	0%

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 Footslope Forests in the Ozark Border are on lower slope colluvium positions. The historic reference plant community is dominated by a wide variety of deciduous hardwood tree species, tolerant of seasonally wet conditions including bur oak, Shumard oak, swamp white oak, American elm, black cherry. Trees are generally large and tall forming a dense, closed canopy. These forests are structurally and compositionally diverse, with occasional tree-fall gaps and natural mortality providing opportunities for regeneration of overstory species. The understory is also complex, with multiple layers of shade tolerant species such as blue beech, spicebush, and Ohio buckeye. Grape vines, greenbriar, and trumpet creeper are also present along with a diverse array of ground flora species that carpets the forest floor.

In this region of historic fire-prone savannas and woodlands, Wet Footslope Forests occur in the most protected landscape positions on lower, concave slopes distant from the fire prone uplands. While the upland woodlands had an estimated fire frequency of 3 to 5 years, these sites burned much less frequently (estimated 10 to 25 years) and with lower intensity. Wet Footslope Forests are also 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 been cleared and 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.

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.

Wet Footslope Forests are 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, or high-grading of 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 does occur and results in dense, even-aged stands of primarily oak. This 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.

Prescribed fire can play a beneficial but limited role in the management of this ecological site. The higher productivity of these sites makes it more challenging than on other forest and woodland sites in the region. Control of woody species will be more difficult. Footslope 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 these sites 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.

Ecological Site Correlation Issues and Questions:

There is uncertainty with selected footslope and high terrace sites. High quality Loess High Terrace Forest (F115BY022MO) and Wet Footslope Forest (F115BY023MO) reference ecological sites are absent from the current landscape. Conceptually they appear to be distinct ecological sites due to potential drainage and permeability issues but without any field varication it may be best to combine these two sites especially since Wet Footslope Forest (F115BY023MO) has only four, small acreage map units (McGirk: 10103, 10104, 10178, 60162) assigned to it.

State and transition model

Custom diagram

Standard diagram

Figure 6. 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

The historical reference state for this ecological site was old growth oak forest. The forest was dominated by Shumard oak and bur oak. Maximum tree age was likely 150 to 300 years. Periodic disturbances from flooding, fire, wind or ice as well as grazing by native large herbivores maintained the woodland structure and diverse ground flora 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 very rare today. Fire suppression and altered drainage have resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Most reference states are currently altered because of timber harvesting, clearing and conversion to grassland or cropland.

Community 1.1
Bur Oak – Shumard Oak/Possum Haw/River Oats

This phase burns an estimated every 10-25 years and is also 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.

Forest overstory. Forest Overstory Composition list is based on Nelson (2010) and field surveys.

Forest understory. Forest Understory Composition list is based on Nelson (2010) and field surveys.

Community 1.2
Bur Oak – Shumard Oak/ Hackberry – Possum Haw/River Oats

Long disturbance-free periods in this community phase allowed an increase in more shade tolerant species such as hackberry and elm with increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora.

State 2
Low Disturbance/ Logged Forest

Composition is altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. This state will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species and swamp white oak and bur oak will become less dominant. Without periodic canopy disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like hackberry, will increase in abundance. Some periodic grazing may be occurring.

Community 2.1
Bur Oak – Elm – Hackberry/Possum Haw/Sedge

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, orchard grass, and white clover has been common. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered oaks. Long term uncontrolled grazing can cause significant soil erosion and compaction. A return to the reference state may be impossible, requiring a very long term series of management options and transitions.

Community 3.1
Tall Fescue – White 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
Cropland

This is a state that exists currently with intensive cropping of soybeans and wheat. Some conversion to cool season hay land occurs, but when commodity prices are high, these states transition back to cropland.

Community 4.1
Soybean, Wheat

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
bur oak	QUMA2	Quercus macrocarpa	Native	–	–	–	–
Shumard's oak	QUSH	Quercus shumardii	Native	–	–	–	–
bitternut hickory	CACO15	Carya cordiformis	Native	–	–	–	–
pecan	CAIL2	Carya illinoinensis	Native	–	–	–	–
shellbark hickory	CALA21	Carya laciniosa	Native	–	–	–	–
green ash	FRPE	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	Native	–	–	–	–
swamp white oak	QUBI	Quercus bicolor	Native	–	–	–	–
pin oak	QUPA2	Quercus palustris	Native	–	–	–	–
slippery elm	ULRU	Ulmus rubra	Native	–	–	–	–
common hackberry	CEOC	Celtis occidentalis	Native	–	–	–	–
American sycamore	PLOC	Platanus occidentalis	Native	–	–	–	–

Table 6. Community 1.1 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (m)	Canopy cover (%)
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
Indian woodoats	CHLA5	Chasmanthium latifolium	Native	–	–
hop sedge	CALU4	Carex lupulina	Native	–	–
Muskingum sedge	CAMU9	Carex muskingumensis	Native	–	–
sweet woodreed	CIAR2	Cinna arundinacea	Native	–	–
Forb/Herb
smallspike false nettle	BOCY	Boehmeria cylindrica	Native	–	–
jewelweed	IMCA	Impatiens capensis	Native	–	–
veiny skullcap	SCNE2	Scutellaria nervosa	Native	–	–
bristly buttercup	RAHI	Ranunculus hispidus	Native	–	–
wingstem	VEAL	Verbesina alternifolia	Native	–	–
cutleaf coneflower	RULA3	Rudbeckia laciniata	Native	–	–
pale touch-me-not	IMPA	Impatiens pallida	Native	–	–
foxglove beardtongue	PEDI	Penstemon digitalis	Native	–	–
Canadian clearweed	PIPU2	Pilea pumila	Native	–	–
bristly buttercup	RAHI	Ranunculus hispidus	Native	–	–
limestone wild petunia	RUST2	Ruellia strepens	Native	–	–
calico aster	SYLAA	Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. angustifolium	Native	–	–
Shrub/Subshrub
possumhaw	ILDE	Ilex decidua	Native	–	–
northern spicebush	LIBE3	Lindera benzoin	Native	–	–
Tree
American hornbeam	CACA18	Carpinus caroliniana	Native	–	–
Ohio buckeye	AEGL	Aesculus glabra	Native	–	–
Vine/Liana
heartleaf peppervine	AMCO2	Ampelopsis cordata	Native	–	–
catbird grape	VIPA7	Vitis palmata	Native	–	–
riverbank grape	VIRI	Vitis riparia	Native	–	–

Interpretations

Animal community

Wildlife (MDC 2006):

Moist conditions with abundant coarse woody debris make this type of ecological site important for many herptiles. Ephemeral pools provide important amphibian breeding habitat.

Acorns provide important habitat and food for migrating ducks (especially mallards) and breeding ducks including wood ducks and hooded mergansers.

Tall emergent trees along with an uneven canopy structure and canopy gaps are important for heron colonies, eagle nesting, Mississippi kites, cerulean warblers and other bird species.

Birds associated with late-successional to mature forests are Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Barred Owl, Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo, Brown Creeper, and Yellow-crowned Night Heron.

Reptiles and amphibians associated with ecological site include: small-mouthed salamander, central newt, midland brown snake, gray treefrog, northern spring peeper, Blanchard’s cricket frog, southern leopard frog, western painted turtle, and red-eared slider.

Other information

Forestry (NRCS 2002, 2014):

Management: Field collected site index values average 52 for white oak. 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.

Limitations: Seasonal 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. Unsurfaced 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. Unsurfaced roads and skid trails may be impassable during rainy periods.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

No known reference sites.

Other references

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.

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.

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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