Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F116AY011MO
Chert Upland Woodland
Last updated: 9/24/2020
Accessed: 04/23/2024
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): 116A–Ozark Highland
The Ozark Highland constitutes the Salem Plateau of the Ozark Uplift. Elevation ranges from about 300 feet on the southeast edge of the Ozark escarpment, to about 1,600 feet in the west, adjacent to the Burlington Escarpment of the Springfield Plateau. The underlying bedrock is mainly horizontally bedded Ordovician-aged dolomites and sandstones that dip gently away from the uplift apex in southeast Missouri. Cambrian dolomites are exposed on deeply dissected hillslopes. In some places, Pennsylvanian and Mississipian sediments overlie the plateau. Relief varies, from the gently rolling central plateau areas to deeply dissected hillslopes associated with drainageways such as the Buffalo, Current, Eleven Point and White Rivers.
Classification relationships
Terrestrial Natural Community Type in Missouri (Nelson, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Dry-Mesic Chert Woodland.
Missouri Department of Conservation Forest and Woodland Communities (MDC, 2006):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Mixed Oak Woodland.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Quercus alba - Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (CEGL002150).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site is widespread across the Ozark Highlands Section.
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”.
Chert Upland Woodlands are widely distributed on dissected hillslopes throughout the Ozark Highland. Soils are typically very deep, with an abundance of chert fragments. The reference plant community is woodland with an overstory dominated by white oak and black oak, and a ground flora of native grasses and forbs.
Associated sites
| F116AY002MO |
Chert Protected Backslope Forest Chert Protected Backslope Forests are downslope, on steep lower backslopes with northern to eastern exposures. |
|---|---|
| F116AY004MO |
Fragipan Upland Woodland Fragipan Upland Woodlands are upslope, on summits. |
| F116AY016MO |
Chert Dolomite Protected Backslope Forest Chert Dolomite Protected Backslope Forests are downslope in areas where dolomite bedrock is within 40 inches, on steep lower backslopes with northern to eastern exposures. |
| F116AY018MO |
Loamy Dolomite Upland Woodland Loamy Dolomite Upland Woodlands are adjacent in areas where loess is present and dolomite bedrock is within 40 inches. |
| F116AY037MO |
Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Forest Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Forests are often downslope. |
| F116AY048MO |
Chert Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodland Chert Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodlands are downslope in areas where dolomite bedrock is within 40 inches,, on steep lower backslopes with southern to western exposures. |
| F116AY062MO |
Chert Exposed Backslope Woodland Chert Exposed Backslope Woodlands are downslope, on steep lower backslopes with southern to western exposures. |
Similar sites
| F116AY008MO |
Loamy Upland Woodland Loamy Upland Woodlands are on similar landscape positions and have similar species composition but have no surfaces gravels and are generally more productive. |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Quercus alba |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Rhus aromatica |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Carex |
Physiographic features
This site is on upland summit crests, shoulders and backslopes with slopes of 1 to 15 percent. The site generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Larsen and Cook, 2002) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with other ecological sites. It is within the area labeled “2” on the figure, on upland summit crests, shoulders and upper backslopes. This site may be associated with a variety of upland sites on the landscape. In one area of the figure, the thickness of the residuum decreases downslope, resulting in Chert Dolomite Backslope ecological sites, labeled “4”. In another area of the figure, a layer of loess results in the Loamy Dolomite Upland Woodland site, labeled “3”. Upslope crests that have a layer of loess are typically Fragipan Upland Woodland sites, labeled “1”.
Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Ridge
(2) Hill (3) Interfluve |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Slope | 1 – 15% |
| Water table depth | 30 – 60 in |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
The Ozark Highland 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 Ozark Highland 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 crossing the MLRA from northwest to southeast.
The average annual precipitation in almost all of this area is 38 to 45 inches. Snow falls nearly every winter, but the snow cover lasts for only a few days. The average annual temperature is about 53 to 60 degrees F. The lower temperatures occur at the higher elevations in the western part of the MLRA. Mean January minimum temperature follows a stronger north-to-south 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 a northwest to southeast gradient. 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.
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. Deep sinkholes often have a microclimate significantly cooler, moister, and shadier than surrounding surfaces, a phenomenon that may result in a strikingly different ecology. 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; Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin, United States Department of Agriculture Handbook 296 - http://soils.usda.gov/survey/geography/mlra/
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (characteristic range) | 149-157 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 179-194 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 45-47 in |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 147-162 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 166-196 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 44-48 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | 153 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 185 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 46 in |
Figure 3. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 8. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) MANSFIELD [USC00235227], Mansfield, MO
-
(2) BOLIVAR 1 NE [USC00230789], Bolivar, MO
-
(3) GALENA [USC00233094], Galena, MO
-
(4) CLEARWATER DAM [USC00231674], Ellington, MO
-
(5) VICHY ROLLA NATIONAL AP [USW00013997], Vichy, MO
-
(6) MAMMOTH SPRING [USC00034572], Thayer, AR
Influencing water features
Water features associated with this upland ecological site are influenced by karst landscapes throughout the area (see diagram). Rainfall enters the groundwater system through the soil or by flowing into sinkholes and streams. Springs form where land drops low enough to meet underground water tables. Dissolution of carbonate rocks along fractures and faults has produced cave systems, sinkholes (closed and open), springs, and natural tunnels in the region. These sinkholes and losing streams can rapidly transfer water from upland recharge areas to spring outlets. The most common mechanism for groundwater recharge occurs by the relatively slow downward movement of water through soil and carbonate bedrock over a large area known as diffuse recharge, which maintains a high storage volume providing a consistent supply of water to springs. In addition to diffuse recharge, aquifers in karst terrain receive the relatively rapid transfer of water through sinkholes or losing streams connected by subsurface conduits. Surface water entering the aquifer in this fashion has very little contact with soil or rock and consequently the chemical nature of the water changes little in route. Discharge variability does not seem to be controlled by drainage area, but rather the conduit capacity of losing stream sections that can transport the entire volume of base-flow during dry periods in the year. High variability in base ?ow shows the impact of karst in the form of losing and gaining stream sections (Owen and Pavlowsky 2010).
The accompanying map depicts the distribution of these karst-related features in the state of Missouri. Relative cave density per USGS 7.5" quadrangle is depicted by shades of red, deeper red signifying a larger number of caves in the quadrangle. Stretches of losing streams are shown in yellow. Known springs are shown as blue dots. Image from Wikimedia Commons developed from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology and Land Survey.
Figure 9. Distribution of karst-related features in Missouri. Image from Wikimedia Commons developed from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology and Land Survey.
Soil features
These soils have no rooting restrictions, and subsoils are not low in bases. The soils were formed under woodland vegetation, and have thin, light-colored surface horizons. Parent material is slope alluvium over residuum weathered from limestone and dolomite. They have gravelly or very gravelly silt loam surface horizons, and skeletal subsoils with high amounts of chert gravel and cobbles. These soils are not affected by seasonal wetness. Some soils have bedrock between 40 and 60 inches, but this does not significantly affect native vegetation. Soil series associated with this site include Alred, Beemont, Gepp, Gobbler, Goss, Hailey, Mano, Ocie, Rueter, and Swiss.
The accompanying picture of the Goss series shows a thin, light-colored surface horizon underlain by very cobbly reddish clay. Scale is in inches. Picture from Henderson (2004).
Figure 10. Goss series
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Residuum
–
limestone and dolomite
(2) Slope alluvium – limestone and dolomite |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Very gravelly silt loam (2) Gravelly loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Moderately well drained to somewhat excessively drained |
| Permeability class | Very slow to moderately slow |
| Soil depth | 40 – 72 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 15 – 50% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 35% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
3 – 6 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
Not specified |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
Not specified |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
4.5 – 7.3 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
35 – 60% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
3 – 50% |
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 reference plant community is well developed woodland dominated by an overstory of white oak and black oak. The canopy is moderately tall (60 to 80 feet.) but less dense (65 to 85 percent canopy) than protected slopes and the understory is poorly developed with less structural diversity. Increased light form an open canopy causes a diversity of ground flora species to flourish. In addition, proximity to shallow soil glades and open woodlands provides additional opportunity for increased light and species diversity. Woodlands are distinguished from forest, by their relatively open understory, and the presence of sun-loving ground flora species.
Fire played an important role in the maintenance of these systems. It is likely that these ecological sites burned at least once every 5 to 10 years. These periodic fires kept woodlands open, removed the litter, and stimulated the growth and flowering of the grasses and forbs. During fire free intervals, woody understory species increased and the herbaceous understory diminished. The return of fire would open the woodlands up again and stimulate the abundant ground flora.
This ecological site was also subjected to occasional disturbances from wind and ice, as well as grazing by native large herbivores, such as bison, elk, and white-tailed deer. Wind and ice would have periodically opened the canopy up by knocking over trees or breaking substantial branches off canopy trees. Grazing by native herbivores would have effectively kept understory conditions more open, creating conditions more favorable to oak reproduction and sun-loving ground flora species.
Today, these ecological sites have been cleared and converted to pasture or have undergone repeated timber harvest and domestic grazing. Most existing forested ecological sites have a younger (50 to 80 years) canopy layer whose species composition and quality has been altered by timber harvesting practices. In the long term absence of fire, woody species, especially hickory, encroach into these woodlands. Once established, these woody plants can quickly fill the existing understory increasing shade levels with a greatly diminished ground flora. Removal of the younger understory and the application of prescribed fire have proven to be effective restoration means.
Domestic grazing has also impacted these communities, further diminishing the diversity of native plants and introducing species that are tolerant of grazing, such as coralberry, gooseberry, and Virginia creeper. Grazed sites also have a more open understory. In addition, soil compaction and soil erosion can be a problem and lower productivity.
These ecological sites are only moderately productive, especially when compared to protected slopes and deeper loess covered units. Oak regeneration is typically problematic. Sugar maple, red elm, and hickories are often dominant competitors in the understory. Maintenance of the oak component will require disturbances that will encourage more sun adapted species and reduce shading effects.
Single tree selection timber harvests are common in this region and often results in removal of the most productive trees (high grading) in the stand leading to poorer quality timber and a shift in species composition away from more valuable oak species. Better planned single tree selection or the creation of group openings can help regenerate and maintain more desirable oak species and increase vigor on the residual trees.
Clearcutting also occurs and results in dense, even-aged stands dominated by 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 and prescribed burning the ground flora diversity can be shaded out and diversity of the stand may suffer. Characteristic plants in the ground flora can be used to gauge the restoration potential of a stand along with remnant open-grown old-age trees, and tree height growth.
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
Figure 11. State and transition diagram for this ecological site
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
Ecosystem states
States 1, 5 and 6 (additional transitions)
States 2 and 5 (additional transitions)
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 6 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference
The historical reference state for this ecological site was old growth, oak woodland. The reference state was dominated by white oak and black oak. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind or ice 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 rare today. Many sites have been converted to grassland (State 5). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with uncontrolled domestic livestock grazing (State 6). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Some former reference states have been managed effectively for timber harvests, resulting in either even-age (State 2) or uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.
Community 1.1
White Oak – Black Oak/Fragrant Sumac/Sedge – Little Bluestem
This phase has old growth white oak and black oak that dominate the overstory with little bluestem and sedge dominating the open ground layer. Numerous forbs and grasses are also present. Shrubs and forest understory trees can be locally abundant.
Forest overstory. Forest Overstory Species list is based on field reconnaissance as well as commonly occurring species listed in Nelson 2010; names and symbols are from USDA PLANTS database.
Forest understory. Forest Understory Species list is based on field reconnaissance as well as commonly occurring species listed in Nelson 2010; names and symbols are from USDA PLANTS database.
Community 1.2
White Oak – Black Oak/Hickory Saplings/Sedge – Little Bluestem
This phase is similar to community phase 1.1 but oak and hickory densities are increasing due to longer periods of fire suppression. Displacement of some grasses and forbs may be occurring due to shading and competition from the increased densities of oak and hickory saplings in the understory.
Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
This pathway is the result of a disturbance-free interval >10 years.
Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
This pathway is the result of a fire 10 to 20-year disturbance cycle being reestablished.
State 2
Even-Age Managed Woodland
This state starts with a sequence of early seral mixed oak woodlands, which mature over time. These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a depauperate understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. However, in the absence of fire, the diversity and cover of the ground flora is still diminished. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, will either maintain this state, or convert the site to uneven-age (State 3) woodlands. Prescribed fire without extensive timber harvest will, over time, cause a transition to Managed Oak Woodlands (state 4).
Dominant resource concerns
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 2.1
Black Oak – White Oak – Post Oak/Fragrant Sumac
This is an even-aged forest management phase. Logging activities are removing higher volumes of white oak causing a decrease in white oak in the canopy and an increase in black oak and post oak. Large group, shelterwood or clearcut harvests create a more uniform age class structure throughout the canopy layer while also opening up the understory and allowing more sunlight to reach the forest floor.
State 3
Uneven-Age Managed Woodland
Composition and stand age are likely altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. In addition, without a regular 15 to 20 year harvest re-entry into these stands, they will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species and white oak will become less dominant. Uneven Age Managed Woodland is also denser because of fire suppression. Consequently, the woodland ground flora is suppressed, and structural diversity is increased. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like sassafras and hickory, increase in abundance.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 3.1
Black Oak – Hickory/Sassafras/Eastern Bottlebrush Grass
This is an uneven-aged forest management phase. Selective logging activities are removing higher volumes of white oak causing a decrease in white oak in the canopy and an increase in black oak and hickory. Densities numbers, especially more shade tolerant species, are increasing in the lower size-class levels.
State 4
Managed Silvopasture
The Managed Silvopasture state results from managing woodland communities (States 2 or 3) with prescribed fire, canopy thinning, and controlled grazing. This state can resemble the reference state, but with younger maximum tree ages, more open canopies and lower ground flora diversity. Cessation of grazing and controlled harvesting will allow transition to various managed woodland states.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 4.1
White Oak – Black Oak/Little Bluestem
This is the only phase associated with this state at this time. See the corresponding state narrative for details.
State 5
Grassland
Conversion of woodlands to planted, non-native cool season grassland species such as tall fescue is common for this region. Steep slopes, surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity make grasslands harder to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site. Two community phases are recognized in the grassland state, with shifts between phases based on types of management. Poor management will result in a shift to Community 5.2 that shows an increase in oak sprouting and increases in broomsedge densities. If grazing and active pasture management is discontinued, the site will eventually transition to State 2 from this phase.
Community 5.1
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).
Dominant resource concerns
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 5.2
Tall Fescue - Broomsedge/Oak Sprouts
This phase is the result of poor grassland management. Over grazing and little fertility application has allowed broomsedge and oak sprouts to increase in cover and density reducing overall forage quality and site productivity. Soil pH and bases such as calcium and magnesium are lower, relative to well-managed pastures.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Ephemeral gully erosion
-
Pathogens and chemicals from manure, biosolids, or compost applications transported to surface water
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Plant pest pressure
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
-
Feed and forage imbalance
Pathway P5.1A
Community 5.1 to 5.2
This pathway is the result of over grazing and lack of proper grassland management.
Pathway P5.2A
Community 5.2 to 5.1
This pathway is the result of brush management, grassland re-seeding and proper grassland management.
State 6
High-Graded/Grazed Woodland
States that were subjected to repeated, high-grading timber harvests and uncontrolled domestic grazing transitioned to a High-Graded/Grazed Woodland state. This state exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less desirable tree species, and weedy understory species such as coralberry, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. The existing vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive cattle stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff. Two common transitions from this state are woody clearing and conversion to State 5, grassland or removing livestock, limited harvesting, and allowing long term succession to occur to some other woodland state.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Ephemeral gully erosion
-
Classic gully erosion
-
Pathogens and chemicals from manure, biosolids, or compost applications transported to surface water
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Plant pest pressure
-
Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 6.1
Black Oak-Hickory / Sassafras/Buckbrush
This is the only phase associated with this state at this time. See the corresponding state narrative for details.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest along with fire suppression.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 5
This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting pasture species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter. Liming and fertilizing associated with pasture management typically raises the soil pH and increases the cation concentration (such as calcium and magnesium) of the upper soil horizons.
Transition T1D
State 1 to 6
This transition is the result of poorly planned timber harvest techniques such as high-grading, accompanied by unmanaged cattle grazing. Soil erosion and compaction often result from cattle grazing after the understory has been damaged.
Restoration pathway R1B
State 2 to 1
This restoration transition generally requires forest management practices with extended rotations that allow mature trees to exceed ages of about 120 years along with prescribed fire.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4
This transition is the result of the systematic application of prescribed fire and grazing management. Mechanical thinning may also be used.
Restoration pathway R1A
State 3 to 1
This restoration pathway is the result of the systematic application of prescribed fire. Mechanical thinning may also be used along with understory removal and extended rotations.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 2
This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Transition T4A
State 4 to 2
This transition typically results from even-age forest management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest and no grazing.
Transition T4B
State 4 to 3
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest and cessation of grazing.
Transition T5A
State 5 to 2
This transition results from the cessation of cattle grazing and associated pasture management such as mowing and brush management. Herbicide application, tree planting and timber stand improvement techniques can speed up this otherwise very lengthy transition.
Transition T6B
State 6 to 3
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest. Tree planting, mechanical thinning and other timber stand improvement techniques may be helpful to decrease the transition time.
Transition T6A
State 6 to 5
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest and cessation of grazing.
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (ft) | Canopy cover (%) | Diameter (in) | Basal area (square ft/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
|||||||
| white oak | QUAL | Quercus alba | Native | – | – | – | – |
| post oak | QUST | Quercus stellata | Native | – | – | – | – |
| black oak | QUVE | Quercus velutina | Native | – | – | – | – |
| shortleaf pine | PIEC2 | Pinus echinata | Native | – | – | – | – |
| shagbark hickory | CAOV2 | Carya ovata | Native | – | – | – | – |
| sassafras | SAAL5 | Sassafras albidum | Native | – | – | – | – |
Table 6. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (ft) | Canopy cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
|
||||||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | Native | – | – | |
| hairy woodland brome | BRPU6 | Bromus pubescens | Native | – | – | |
| oval-leaf sedge | CACE | Carex cephalophora | Native | – | – | |
| Muhlenberg's sedge | CAMU4 | Carex muehlenbergii | Native | – | – | |
| eastern bottlebrush grass | ELHY | Elymus hystrix | Native | – | – | |
| Pennsylvania sedge | CAPE6 | Carex pensylvanica | Native | – | – | |
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | Native | – | – | |
| cypress panicgrass | DIDI6 | Dichanthelium dichotomum | Native | – | – | |
| Bosc's panicgrass | DIBO2 | Dichanthelium boscii | Native | – | – | |
| rock muhly | MUSO | Muhlenbergia sobolifera | Native | – | – | |
| poverty oatgrass | DASP2 | Danthonia spicata | Native | – | – | |
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| Missouri orange coneflower | RUMI | Rudbeckia missouriensis | Native | – | – | |
| fringeleaf wild petunia | RUHU | Ruellia humilis | Native | – | – | |
| prairie blazing star | LIPY | Liatris pycnostachya | Native | – | – | |
| prostrate ticktrefoil | DERO3 | Desmodium rotundifolium | Native | – | – | |
| woman's tobacco | ANPL | Antennaria plantaginifolia | Native | – | – | |
| late purple aster | SYPA11 | Symphyotrichum patens | Native | – | – | |
| feathery false lily of the valley | MARA7 | Maianthemum racemosum | Native | – | – | |
| eastern beebalm | MOBR2 | Monarda bradburiana | Native | – | – | |
| bristly buttercup | RAHI | Ranunculus hispidus | Native | – | – | |
| fire pink | SIVI4 | Silene virginica | Native | – | – | |
| elmleaf goldenrod | SOUL2 | Solidago ulmifolia | Native | – | – | |
| manyray aster | SYAN2 | Symphyotrichum anomalum | Native | – | – | |
| smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil | DEMA2 | Desmodium marilandicum | Native | – | – | |
| nakedflower ticktrefoil | DENU4 | Desmodium nudiflorum | Native | – | – | |
| Arkansas bedstraw | GAAR4 | Galium arkansanum | Native | – | – | |
| spotted geranium | GEMA | Geranium maculatum | Native | – | – | |
| American ipecac | GIST5 | Gillenia stipulata | Native | – | – | |
| hairy sunflower | HEHI2 | Helianthus hirsutus | Native | – | – | |
| rue anemone | THTH2 | Thalictrum thalictroides | Native | – | – | |
| fourleaf milkweed | ASQU | Asclepias quadrifolia | Native | – | – | |
| pointedleaf ticktrefoil | DEGL5 | Desmodium glutinosum | Native | – | – | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | Native | – | – | |
| fragrant sumac | RHAR4 | Rhus aromatica | Native | – | – | |
| Blue Ridge blueberry | VAPA4 | Vaccinium pallidum | Native | – | – | |
| shrubby lespedeza | LEFR5 | Lespedeza frutescens | Native | – | – | |
|
Tree
|
||||||
| flowering dogwood | COFL2 | Cornus florida | Native | – | – | |
Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife (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.
Oaks provide abundant hard mast; scattered shrubs provide soft mast.
Native legumes provide high-quality wildlife food; sedges and native cool-season grasses provide green browse; native warm-season grasses provide cover and nesting habitat; and a diversity of forbs provides a diversity and abundance of insects.
Post-burn areas can provide temporary bare-ground – herbaceous cover habitat important for turkey poults and quail chicks.
Bird species associated with early-successional Woodlands are Northern Bobwhite, Prairie Warbler, Field Sparrow, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Brown Thrasher.
Bird species associated with mid- to late successional Woodlands are Indigo Bunting, Red-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Bobwhite, Summer Tanager, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will’s widow, Red-eyed Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Broad-winged Hawk.
Reptile and amphibian species associated with Woodlands include ornate box turtle, northern fence lizard, five-lined skink, broad-headed skink, six-lined racerunner, flat-headed snake, rough earth snake, and timber rattlesnake.
Other information
Forestry (NRCS 2002, 2014):
Management: Field measured site index values average 62 for white oak and 61 for black oak. Timber management opportunities are generally good. These groups respond well to management. 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 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, may not be fitting, or should be used with caution on a particular site if timber management is the primary objective.
Limitations: Large amounts of coarse fragments throughout profile; bedrock may be within 60 inches. Surface stones and rocks are problems for efficient and safe equipment operation and will make equipment use somewhat difficult. 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
Potential Reference Sites: Chert Upland Woodland
Plot BLRINA01 – Ocie soil
Located in Blue River Glades NA, Jackson County, Missouri
Latitude: 38.980599
Longitude: -94.535732
Plot STFRSP_KS03 – Rueter soil
Located in St. Francois State Park, St. Francois County, Missouri
Latitude: 37.974275
Longitude: -90.52839
Plot BISUSP02 – Hailey soil
Located in Big Sugar Creek SP, McDonald County, Missouri
Latitude: 36.63004
Longitude: -94.28532
Other references
Anderson, R.C. 1990. The historic role of fire in North American grasslands. Pp. 8-18 in S.L. Collins and L.L. Wallace (eds.). Fire in North American tallgrass prairies. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.
Batek, M.J., A.J. Rebertus, W.A. Schroeder, T.L. Haithcoat, E. Compas, and R.P. Guyette. 1999. Reconstruction of early nineteenth-century vegetation and fire regimes in the Missouri Ozarks. Journal of Biogeography 26:397-412.
Harlan, J.D., T.A. Nigh and W.A. Schroeder. 2001. The Missouri original General Land Office survey notes project. University of Missouri, Columbia.
Ladd, D. 1991. Reexamination of the role of fire in Missouri oak woodlands. Pp. 67-80 in G.V. Brown, James K.; Smith, Jane Kapler, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 257 p.
Larsen, Scott E., & Michael A. Cook. 2002. Soil Survey of Crawford County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
MDC, 2006. Missouri Forest and Woodland Community Profiles. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri.
Nelson, Paul W. 2010. The Terrestrial Natural Communities of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri.
Nigh, Timothy A., and Walter A. Schroeder. 2002. Atlas of Missouri Ecoregions. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri.
Owen, Marc R. and Robert T. Pavlowsky. 2010. Baseflow hydrology and water quality of an Ozarks spring and associated recharge area, southern Missouri, USA. Environ Earth Sci (2011) 64:169–183.
Schoolcraft, H.R. 1821. Journal of a tour into the interior of Missouri and Arkansas from Potosi, or Mine a Burton, in Missouri territory, in a southwest direction, toward the Rocky Mountains: performed in the years 1818 and 1819. Richard Phillips and Company, London.
United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296. 682 pgs.
Contributors
Doug Wallace
Fred Young
Approval
Nels Barrett, 9/24/2020
Acknowledgments
Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Natural Resources personnel provided significant and helpful field and technical support during this project.
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 | 09/06/2022 |
| Approved by | Nels Barrett |
| 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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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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