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Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R115XB018MO
Limestone/Dolomite Protected Cliff
Accessed: 08/17/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 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 Moist Limestone/Dolomite Cliff.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Limestone - Dolostone Midwest Moist Cliff Sparse Vegetation (CEGL002292).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs primarily in Land Type Associations of the following Subsections:
Outer Ozark Border
Mississippi River Hills
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”.
Limestone/Dolomite Protected Cliffs are within the green areas on the map. They occupy northerly and easterly aspects, and are mapped in complex with the Limestone/Dolomite Exposed Cliff ecological site. These sites are north of the Missouri River, often on cliffs adjacent to floodplains. They are typically associated with Limestone/Dolomite Glade/Woodland ecological sites. Soils are very shallow to limestone or dolomite. The reference plant community consists of scattered small trees, shrubs, grasses, forbs, and ferns, occupying cracks and ledges in the cliff face.
Associated sites
F115XB003MO |
Deep Loess Protected Backslope Forest Deep Loess Protected Backslope Forests are typically upslope from this ecological site |
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R115XB009MO |
Shallow Limestone/Dolomite Upland Glade/Woodland Shallow Limestone/Dolomite Glade/Woodlands are typically associated with this ecological site. |
Similar sites
R115XB019MO |
Limestone/Dolomite Exposed Cliff Limestone/Dolomite Exposed Cliffs are similar but on south and west aspects. |
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Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
(1) Acer saccharum |
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Shrub |
(1) Hydrangea arborescens |
Herbaceous |
(1) Aquilegia canadensis |
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