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Ecological site F115XB041MO

Clayey Floodplain Forest

Accessed: 11/23/2024

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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 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 an Acer saccharinum-Ulmus americana-Populus deltoides Forest (CEGL002586).

Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs throughout the following Subsections:
Missouri River Alluvial Plain
Mississippi River Alluvial Plain

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”.

Clayey Floodplain Forests (green areas on the map) are on the Missouri and Mississippi River floodplains, primarily adjacent to the current river channel. Sites are commonly adjacent to the Loamy Floodplain Forest and the Sandy Floodplain Forest ecological sites, and are closely associated with Ponded Floodplain Prairie sites. Soils are very deep and clayey, with seasonal high water tables. The reference plant community is forest dominated by swamp white oak, green ash, hackberry, cottonwood, shellbark hickory, sycamore, silver maple, and American elm.

Associated sites

F115XB015MO	Sandy/Loamy Floodplain Forest Sandy/Loamy Floodplain Forests are commonly adjacent to Clayey Floodplain Forests
F115XB031MO	Loamy Floodplain Forest Loamy Floodplain Forests sometimes form a complex with this ecological site.
R115XB042MO	Ponded Floodplain Prairie Ponded Floodplain Prairies are in the lower former channel areas that have high seasonal water tables with some ponding.

F115XB015MO

Sandy/Loamy Floodplain Forest

Sandy/Loamy Floodplain Forests are commonly adjacent to Clayey Floodplain Forests

F115XB031MO

Loamy Floodplain Forest

Loamy Floodplain Forests sometimes form a complex with this ecological site.

R115XB042MO

Ponded Floodplain Prairie

Ponded Floodplain Prairies are in the lower former channel areas that have high seasonal water tables with some ponding.

Similar sites

F115XB025MO	Wet Terrace Forest Wet Terrace Forests can have similar species composition but are on higher elevations in the floodplain.

F115XB025MO

Wet Terrace Forest

Wet Terrace Forests can have similar species composition but are on higher elevations in the floodplain.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Celtis occidentalis (2) Ulmus americana
Shrub	(1) Cephalanthus occidentalis
Herbaceous	(1) Leersia oryzoides

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Physiographic features

This site is on the Missouri River floodplain, with slopes of less than 2 percent. Most areas are in current or former backswamp positions. Areas not protected by levees are subject to frequent flooding.

The following figure (adapted from Horn, 1992) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships among the major ecological sites of the Missouri River floodplain. This site is within the area labeled as “3” on the figure, and is typically in former backswamp positions of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. These sites are commonly adjacent to Sandy/Loamy Floodplain sites (labeled “2”), and often contain or are adjacent to Ponded Floodplain Prairie sites (labeled “5”). The dashed lines within the Sandy/Loamy Floodplain Forest area indicate the various soils included in this ecological site.

Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Flood plain
Flooding duration	Brief (2 to 7 days) to long (7 to 30 days)
Flooding frequency	Occasional to frequent
Ponding frequency	None
Slope	0 – 6%
Water table depth	15 – 51 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)	202 days
Precipitation total (average)	1,143 mm

Bar

Line

Figure 3. Monthly precipitation range

Bar

Line

Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) NEW FRANKLIN 1W [USC00236012], Franklin, MO
(2) ST CHARLES 7 SSW [USC00237398], Saint Louis, MO
(3) ALTON MELVIN PRICE L&D [USC00110137], West Alton, IL
(4) KASKASKIA RVR NAV LOCK [USC00114629], Ellis Grove, IL
(5) JEFFERSON CITY WTP [USC00234271], Jefferson City, MO
(6) CAIRO 3N [USW00093809], Barlow, IL
(7) CAPE GIRARDEAU MUNI AP [USW00003935], Chaffee, MO

Influencing water features

This ecological site is in floodplains of perennial streams, but are not typically adjacent to the current stream channel. They are influenced by a seasonal high water table, due to high groundwater levels in these topographically low positions and flooding. The water table may be near the surface in late fall through spring, receding in the summer.

Stream levels typically respond quickly to storm events, especially in watersheds where surface runoff is dominant. Medium- to long-duration flooding is common in many areas, particularly during spring and early summer storm events. Constructed levees, often accompanied by stream channelization, have altered the hydrology and flooding dynamics in many places and may indicate an altered state.

This site is in the RIVERINE wetlands class of the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system (Brinson, 1993), and are Forested Palustrine wetlands (Cowardin et al., 1979).

Soil features

These soils are very deep, with seasonal high water tables. They were formed under a mixture of herbaceous wetland and woodland vegetation. Organic matter content is variable. Parent material is alluvium. They have silt loam to silty clay surface horizons, with calcareous clayey subsurface layers. Some have a fine sandy loam or silt loam subsurface. Soil series associated with this site include Blencoe, Bowdre, Darwin, Fults, Gorham, Jacob, Karnak, McFain, Nameoki, Parkville, SansDessein, and Waldron.

The accompanying picture of the Parkville series shows dark silty clay surface horizons, over fine sandy loam and silt loam subsurface horizons below about 30 cm. These contrasting textures are the result of a dramatic change in the depositional history of the site caused by shifts in the course of the Missouri River. This two-tiered depositional pattern is characteristic of several soils in this ecological site. The underlying silt loam has little effect on the native vegetation, which is controlled by the seasonal wetness and clayey surface layers. Photo courtesy of NRCS.

Figure 7. Parkville series

Table 4. Representative soil features

Surface texture	(1) Silt loam (2) Silty clay loam (3) Silty clay
Family particle size	(1) Clayey
Drainage class	Poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained
Permeability class	Very slow
Soil depth	183 cm
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0%
Surface fragment cover >3"	0%
Available water capacity (0-101.6cm)	10.16 – 17.78 cm
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm)	0 – 10%
Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm)	0 – 2 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm)	0
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm)	6.6 – 8.2
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.

Historically, the Missouri and Mississippi rivers were a very dynamic system with frequent flooding and multiple braided channels that shifted back and forth across the floodplain. Gravelly, sandy, loamy, and clayey deposits of sediment sorted themselves out on the floodplain depending on the speed, volume and duration of the waters carrying them. Clayey deposits occurred in areas of slower moving water, such as in isolated, concave meander scars or backwater areas between the natural levees formed nearer the channel. Current management of the river has drastically altered this dynamic process although the clayey soil texture and seasonally high water table still influences the development of these floodplain forest communities.

Clayey Floodplain Forests resemble the adjacent Loamy Floodplain Forests, except that they lack species of oak, sugar maple, and walnut that do not tolerate extended periods of wetness that can occur in these units. In addition, the ground flora is often barren because of inundation and occasional ponding. Historic flooding of Clayey Floodplain Forest sites occurred annually in this region or at least once every 3 years. Flooding would have been a combination of headwater and backwater events, with periods of slower moving water distinguishing it from adjacent forest types. Succession in Clayey Floodplain Forests appears to be similar to that of the Loamy Floodplain Forests, except that periods of inundation and ponding exclude many later successional hardwood species. Hackberry, elm, ash, cottonwood and sycamore form a tall canopy (80 to 100 feet) that is uneven and has frequent canopy holes. Catastrophic floods will often partially or completely knock down trees. Consequently, this ecological site is often made up of a mosaic of early to late successional floodplain forests.

Today most of these ecological sites have been cleared and converted to agriculture. While some cleared fields have retained a narrow strip of forest along the stream, many of these ecological sites are often cleared right up to the bank. In such cases, severe flooding may cause stream bank erosion and complete loss of this ecological site. Uncontrolled grazing by domestic livestock in the remaining strips of forest can also kill trees and remove the ground cover, resulting in de-stabilization and degradation of this ecological site as well.

The remaining remnants that still exist along un-leveed areas, within levees and on islands play an important role as a source of food and shelter for migrating birds. In addition, large floodplain trees that extend above the canopy are important nesting sites for bald eagles and herons. Carefully planned timber harvests can be tolerated in this system, but high grading of the timber will eventually degrade the ecological site.

Re-establishment of these riparian forests is important for stream quality and health, as well as for migratory birds. Planting of appropriate species has proven to be quite successful.

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: The Illinois NRCS state office staff has requested the Illinois map units that are unique to Illinois (e.g. Bowdre, Gorham) have further field investigation. This would include this ecological site, F115BY041MO.

State and transition model

Custom diagram

Standard diagram

Figure 8. 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 riverine forest. The forest was dominated by hackberry, cottonwood and elms. Maximum tree age was likely 150 to 300 years. Periodic disturbances from flooding, wind or ice as well as grazing by native large herbivores maintained the open, uneven 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. Altered drainage has 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
Hackberry – American Elm/Buttonbush/Ricecut grass

This community phase contains old growth hackberry, elm, ash, cottonwood and sycamore that form a tall canopy (80 to 100 feet) that is uneven and has frequent canopy holes. Catastrophic floods will often partially or completely knock down trees.

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

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

Community 1.2
Hackberry – American Elm/Pin Oak – Buttonbush/Ricecut grass

This phase is similar to phase 1.1. With lower flooding disturbance frequencies, a mid-story layer of pin oak and shellbark hickory quickly develops.

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
Hackberry – Elm – Cottonwood/Possum Haw/Sedge

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

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 associated with 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
shellbark hickory	CALA21	Carya laciniosa	Native	–	–	–	–
sugarberry	CELA	Celtis laevigata	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	–	–	–	–
eastern cottonwood	PODE3	Populus deltoides	Native	–	–	–	–
common hackberry	CEOC	Celtis occidentalis	Native	–	–	–	–
silver maple	ACSA2	Acer saccharinum	Native	–	–	–	–
American sycamore	PLOC	Platanus occidentalis	Native	–	–	–	–
pecan	CAIL2	Carya illinoinensis	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	–	–
squarrose sedge	CASQ2	Carex squarrosa	Native	–	–
sweet woodreed	CIAR2	Cinna arundinacea	Native	–	–
fowl mannagrass	GLST	Glyceria striata	Native	–	–
	CAVU7	Carex vulpina	Native	–	–
rice cutgrass	LEOR	Leersia oryzoides	Native	–	–
Forb/Herb
Canadian woodnettle	LACA3	Laportea canadensis	Native	–	–
smallspike false nettle	BOCY	Boehmeria cylindrica	Native	–	–
eastern waterleaf	HYVI	Hydrophyllum virginianum	Native	–	–
wingstem	VEAL	Verbesina alternifolia	Native	–	–
cutleaf coneflower	RULA3	Rudbeckia laciniata	Native	–	–
jewelweed	IMCA	Impatiens capensis	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	–	–
giant goldenrod	SOGI	Solidago gigantea	Native	–	–
Shrub/Subshrub
common buttonbush	CEOC2	Cephalanthus occidentalis	Native	–	–
silky dogwood	COOB9	Cornus obliqua	Native	–	–
Tree
boxelder	ACNE2	Acer negundo	Native	–	–
black willow	SANI	Salix nigra	Native	–	–
Vine/Liana
heartleaf peppervine	AMCO2	Ampelopsis cordata	Native	–	–
trumpet creeper	CARA2	Campsis radicans	Native	–	–
frost grape	VIVU	Vitis vulpina	Native	–	–
eastern poison ivy	TORA2	Toxicodendron radicans	Native	–	–

Interpretations

Animal community

Wildlife (MDC 2006):

This ecological site is a dense, muti-layered forest, with snags and cavities and down dead wood that provides habitat for many species requiring cool, rich, moist conditions.

Bird species associated with these mature forests include Great Blue Heron (colonies especially in large sycamores and cottonwoods), Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Cerulean Warbler, and Yellow-throated Warbler.

Reptiles and amphibians associated with this ecological site include small-mouthed salamander, central newt, midland brown snake, and gray tree frog.

Other information

Forestry (NRCS 2002, 2014):

Management: Field collected site index values range from 78 for silver maple, 71 for pecan and 106 for cottonwood. Timber management opportunities are good. 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. Harvest methods that leave some mature trees to provide shade and soil protection may be desirable. Maintain adequate riparian buffer areas.

Limitations: Wetness from flooding – short to long duration and/or high water table; Use of equipment may be restricted in spring and other excessively wet periods. Equipment use when wet may compact soil and damage tree roots. Tree planting is difficult during spring flooding periods. Seedling mortality may be high due to excess wetness. Ridging the soil and planting on the ridges may increase survival. Clayey soils have reduced traction and compact easily when wet. Unsurfaced roads and skid trails may be impassable during rainy periods. Restrict activities to dry periods or surfaced areas. The surface layer is firm when dry and sticky when wet and becomes cloddy if tilled. Seedling mortality may occur during the summer because of lack of adequate soil moisture.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Clayey Floodplain Forest – Potential Reference – F115BY041MO

Plot ARROSHS01 – SansDessein soil;
Arrow Rock State Park, Arrow Rock, MO

Plot VOESL001 – SansDessein soil

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.

Horn, Frederick E. 1992. Soil Survey of Callaway County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Soil Conservation Service.

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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Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site F115XB041MO

Clayey Floodplain Forest

Accessed: 11/23/2024

General information

Figure 1. Mapped extent

MLRA notes

Classification relationships

Ecological site concept

Associated sites

Similar sites

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Ecosystem states

State 1 submodel, plant communities

State 2 submodel, plant communities

State 3 submodel, plant communities

State 4 submodel, plant communities

Natural Resources
Conservation Service