Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F116AY016MO
Chert Dolomite Protected Backslope Forest
Last updated: 12/18/2024
Accessed: 12/26/2024
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-Hickory Forest.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Quercus muehlenbergii / Cercis canadensis Forest (CEGL002070).
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”.
The Chert Dolomite Protected Backslope Forests occupy the northerly and easterly aspects of steep, dissected slopes, and are mapped in complex with the Chert Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodland ecological site. These ecological sites are extensive, particularly in the northern and western Ozark Highland over the Ordovician-aged Jefferson City formation. Soils are typically moderately deep over dolomite bedrock, with gravelly surfaces. The historic reference plant community was an oak forest dominated by white oak and northern red oak.
Associated sites
| F116AY011MO |
Chert Upland Woodland Chert Upland Woodlands are upslope where dolomite bedrock is below 40 inches, on upper backslopes. |
|---|---|
| F116AY012MO |
Low-Base Chert Upland Woodland Low-base Chert Upland Woodlands are upslope where dolomite bedrock is very deep, on shoulders and upper backslopes. |
| F116AY044MO |
Chert Dolomite Upland Woodland Chert Dolomite Upland Woodlands are upslope, on upper backslopes. |
| F116AY048MO |
Chert Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodland Chert Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodlands are mapped in complex with this ecological site, on steep lower backslopes with southern to western aspects. |
| R116AY020MO |
Shallow Dolomite Upland Glade/Woodland Shallow Dolomite Upland Glade/Woodlands are adjacent, often downslope. |
Similar sites
| F116AY048MO |
Chert Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodland Chert Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodlands are mapped in complex with this ecological site, on steep lower backslopes but with southern to western aspects. These sites are generally less productive than the protected sites. |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Quercus alba |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Cercis canadensis |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Elymus virginicus |
Physiographic features
This site is on backslopes with slopes of 15 to 70 percent. It is on protected aspects (north, northeast, and east), which receive significantly less solar radiation than the exposed aspects. The site receives runoff from upslope summit and shoulder sites, and generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Wolf, 1994) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with other ecological sites. It is within the area labeled “3” on the figure, on lower backslopes with northerly to easterly exposures. Chert Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodland sites are on the corresponding southerly to westerly exposures. Chert Dolomite Upland Woodland sites, labeled “2”, are typically upslope on crests and shoulders. Small dolomite outcroppings are common in this ecological site. Low-base Chert Upland Woodland sites, labeled “1”, are often upslope on broader crests and summits where depth to dolomite bedrock is greater.
Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Hill
(2) Hillslope |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Slope | 15 – 70% |
| Water table depth | 61 – 152 cm |
| Aspect | NW, N, NE, E |
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) | 158-163 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 191-192 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 1,092-1,143 mm |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 155-164 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 191-193 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 1,092-1,194 mm |
| Frost-free period (average) | 160 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 192 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 1,118 mm |
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) CALICO ROCK 2 WSW [USC00031132], Calico Rock, AR
-
(2) OZARK BEACH [USC00236460], Forsyth, MO
-
(3) TRUMAN DAM & RSVR [USC00238466], Warsaw, MO
-
(4) FESTUS [USC00232850], Crystal City, MO
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 are underlain with dolomite bedrock at 20 to 40 inches deep. The soils were formed under woodland vegetation, and have thin, light-colored surface horizons. Parent material is slope alluvium over residuum weathered from dolomite, overlying dolomite bedrock. They have gravelly to very gravelly and cobbly silt loam surface layers, with clayey subsoils that have moderate to high amounts of chert gravel and cobbles. These soils are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Bardley, Gatewood, Gobbler, Niangua, Ocie, and Sonsac.
The accompanying picture of the Gatewood series shows abundant chert fragments in the upper part of the soil, over a reddish clay subsoil. Cherty dolomite bedrock limits rooting depth. Picture courtesy of John Preston, NRCS.
Figure 10. Gatewood soil profile
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Slope alluvium
–
dolomite
(2) Residuum – dolomite |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Very gravelly silt loam (2) Gravelly loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Moderately well drained to well drained |
| Permeability class | Very slow |
| Soil depth | 51 – 152 cm |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 20 – 40% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 0 – 15% |
| Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
2.54 – 12.7 cm |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
0% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
4.5 – 7.3 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
35 – 60% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 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 vegetational 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.
Chert Dolomite Protected Backslope Forest is a forest with a moderately developed canopy dominated by white oak along with northern red oak, Shumard oak and other hardwoods. Compared to the associated Loamy Dolomite Protected Backslope Forests, this ecological site is less productive with more of a woodland character.
Chert Dolomite Protected Backslope Forests occur in rather protected landscape positions on steep slopes in the deeper valleys furthest from the prairie uplands. While the upland prairies and savannas had an estimated fire frequency of 1 to 3 years, this ecological site burned less frequently (estimated 10 to 25 years) and with lower intensity. The moderately deep soils and occasional fires make this community transitional between forest and woodland, with more open woodland conditions being created briefly after the periodic fires. Site conditions overall, however, favor shade and moisture loving forest species that quickly redevelop after fire.
These ecological sites would have also been subjected to occasional disturbances from wind and ice, as well as grazing by large native 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. Such canopy disturbances allowed more light to reach the ground and favored reproduction of the dominant oak species. Grazing by native large herbivores would have kept understory conditions more open, also creating conditions more favorable to oak reproduction.
Today, these communities have been cleared and converted to pasture, or have undergone repeated timber harvest and domestic livestock grazing. Most existing occurrences have a younger (50 to 80 years) canopy layer whose composition has been altered by timber harvesting practices. An increase in hickory over historic conditions is common. In addition, in the absence of fire, the canopy, sub-canopy and woody understory layers are better developed. The absence of periodic fire has allowed more shade-tolerant tree species, such as sugar maple, white ash, and hickories to increase in abundance.
Uncontrolled domestic grazing has diminished the diversity and cover of woodland ground flora species, and has introduced weedy species such as gooseberry, coralberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper created a more open understory and increased soil compaction.
Chert Dolomite Protected Backslope Forests are moderately productive timber sites. Carefully planned small 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 regeneration method 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 woodland sites in the region. Control of woody species will be more difficult. Protected aspect woodlands did evolve with some fire, and their composition and structure often reflects more open, woodland conditions than adjacent forest sites, with more woodland ground flora species that can respond to fire.
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 Model for this ecological site.
More interactive model formats are also available.
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More interactive model formats are also available.
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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
Ecosystem states
States 1 and 5 (additional transitions)
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference
The reference state was dominated by white oak and black oak. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind or ice maintained the dominance of oaks by opening up the canopy and allowing more light for oak reproduction. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in more shade tolerant species such as hickory and sugar maple. Two community phases are recognized in this state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency. In the absence of disturbance, more shade tolerant species such as sugar maple and hickory, white ash and others increase in importance and add structural diversity to the system.
Community 1.1
White Oak – Northern Red Oak/ Flowering Dogwood/ Virginia Wildrye – Mayapple
Figure 12. Chert Dolomite Protected Backslope Forest reference site at Montauk State Park, MDNR, Dent County; photo credit - Dennis Meinert, MDNR
Two community phases are recognized in this state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency.
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/ Flowering Dogwood – Hickory/ Virginia Wildrye – Mayapple
Two community phases are recognized in this state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency.
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 10 to 20-year disturbance cycle being reestablished.
State 2
Even-Age Managed Forest
These forests tend to be rather dense, with an under developed understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, will either maintain this state, or convert the site to uneven-age (State 3) forests.
Community 2.1
White Oak – Northern Red Oak /Eastern Redbud/Eastern Bottlebrush Grass
State 3
Uneven-Age Managed Forest
Uneven-Age Managed forests can resemble the reference state. The biggest difference is tree age, most being only 50 to 90 years old. Composition is also 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 such as sugar maple and white oak will become less dominant.
Community 3.1
White Oak – Maple/ Hophornbeam – Flowering Dogwood/ Mayapple
State 4
Grassland
Conversion of forests to planted, non-native pasture species such as tall fescue has been common in this MLRA. Steep slopes, abundant surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity make non-native pastures challenging to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site. If grazing and active pasture management is discontinued, the site will eventually transition, over time, to State 2 (Even-Age).
Community 4.1
Tall Fescue-Red Clover
Community 4.2
Tall Fescue-Broomsedge/Oak Sprouts
Pathway P4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2
This pathway is the result of over grazing and lack of proper grassland management.
Pathway P4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.1
This pathway is the result of brush management, grassland re-seeding and proper grassland management.
State 5
High-Graded, Grazed Forest
Forested sites subjected to repeated, high-graded timber harvests and uncontrolled domestic grazing transition to this state. This state exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less desirable tree species, and weedy understory species such as coralberry, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. The vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff. Exclusion of livestock from sites in this state coupled with uneven-age management techniques will cause a transition to State 3 (Uneven-Age).
Community 5.1
Oak – Hickory – Elm/ Hophornbeam/Coralberry/Sedge
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
This transition typically results from even-age forest management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest and fire suppression.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
This restoration pathway generally requires uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest, with extended rotations that allow mature trees to exceed ages of about 120 years.
Transition T1D
State 1 to 5
This transition is the result of high-grade logging and uncontrolled domestic livestock grazing.
Restoration pathway R1B
State 2 to 1
This restoration pathway generally requires uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest, with extended rotations that allow mature trees to exceed ages of about 120 years.
Restoration pathway R1A
State 3 to 1
This restoration pathway generally requires uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest, with extended rotations that allow mature trees to exceed ages of about 120 years.
Transition T4A
State 4 to 2
This transition results from the cessation of cattle grazing and associated pasture management such as mowing and brush-hogging. Herbicide application, tree planting and timber stand improvement techniques can speed up this otherwise very lengthy transition.
Transition T5B
State 5 to 3
This is a gradual transition that results from extended, disturbance-free periods of roughly 50 years or longer, selective logging, tree planting and no grazing.
Transition T5B
State 5 to 4
This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest, tree planting and no grazing.
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (m) | Canopy cover (%) | Diameter (cm) | Basal area (square m/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
|||||||
| white oak | QUAL | Quercus alba | Native | – | – | – | – |
| northern red oak | QURU | Quercus rubra | Native | – | – | – | – |
| chinquapin oak | QUMU | Quercus muehlenbergii | Native | – | – | – | – |
| sugar maple | ACSA3 | Acer saccharum | Native | – | – | – | – |
| white ash | FRAM2 | Fraxinus americana | Native | – | – | – | – |
| blue ash | FRQU | Fraxinus quadrangulata | Native | – | – | – | – |
| pignut hickory | CAGL8 | Carya glabra | Native | – | – | – | – |
| red maple | ACRU | Acer rubrum | Native | – | – | – | – |
| Shumard's oak | QUSH | Quercus shumardii | Native | – | – | – | – |
| mockernut hickory | CATO6 | Carya tomentosa | Native | – | – | – | – |
| blackgum | NYSY | Nyssa sylvatica | Native | – | – | – | – |
Table 6. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (m) | Canopy cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
|
||||||
| hairy woodland brome | BRPU6 | Bromus pubescens | Native | – | – | |
| bearded shorthusk | BRER2 | Brachyelytrum erectum | Native | – | – | |
| hairy wildrye | ELVI | Elymus villosus | Native | – | – | |
| eastern bottlebrush grass | ELHY | Elymus hystrix | Native | – | – | |
| threeflower melicgrass | MENI | Melica nitens | Native | – | – | |
| Indian woodoats | CHLA5 | Chasmanthium latifolium | Native | – | – | |
| slender looseflower sedge | CAGR8 | Carex gracilescens | Native | – | – | |
| oval-leaf sedge | CACE | Carex cephalophora | Native | – | – | |
| woodland muhly | MUSY | Muhlenbergia sylvatica | Native | – | – | |
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | Native | – | – | |
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| clustered blacksnakeroot | SAOD | Sanicula odorata | Native | – | – | |
| dutchman's breeches | DICU | Dicentra cucullaria | Native | – | – | |
| cutleaf toothwort | CACO26 | Cardamine concatenata | Native | – | – | |
| bloodroot | SACA13 | Sanguinaria canadensis | Native | – | – | |
| largeflower bellwort | UVGR | Uvularia grandiflora | Native | – | – | |
| roundlobe hepatica | HENOO | Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa | Native | – | – | |
| eastern greenviolet | HYCO6 | Hybanthus concolor | Native | – | – | |
| wild comfrey | CYVI | Cynoglossum virginianum | Native | – | – | |
| early meadow-rue | THDI | Thalictrum dioicum | Native | – | – | |
| purple meadowparsnip | THTR | Thaspium trifoliatum | Native | – | – | |
| meadow zizia | ZIAP | Zizia aptera | Native | – | – | |
| Wood's bunchflower | VEWO3 | Veratrum woodii | Native | – | – | |
| downy pagoda-plant | BLCI | Blephilia ciliata | Native | – | – | |
| pointedleaf ticktrefoil | DEGL5 | Desmodium glutinosum | Native | – | – | |
| wild quinine | PAIN3 | Parthenium integrifolium | Native | – | – | |
| downy ragged goldenrod | SOPE | Solidago petiolaris | Native | – | – | |
| late purple aster | SYPA11 | Symphyotrichum patens | Native | – | – | |
| yellow pimpernel | TAIN | Taenidia integerrima | Native | – | – | |
| bluejacket | TROH | Tradescantia ohiensis | Native | – | – | |
| meadow zizia | ZIAP | Zizia aptera | Native | – | – | |
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | Native | – | – | |
| white prairie clover | DACA7 | Dalea candida | Native | – | – | |
| smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil | DEMA2 | Desmodium marilandicum | Native | – | – | |
| button eryngo | ERYU | Eryngium yuccifolium | Native | – | – | |
| scaly blazing star | LISQ | Liatris squarrosa | Native | – | – | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| eastern redbud | CECA4 | Cercis canadensis | Native | – | – | |
| lanceleaf buckthorn | RHLA | Rhamnus lanceolata | Native | – | – | |
| American bladdernut | STTR | Staphylea trifolia | Native | – | – | |
| Blue Ridge blueberry | VAPA4 | Vaccinium pallidum | Native | – | – | |
| American hazelnut | COAM3 | Corylus americana | Native | – | – | |
|
Tree
|
||||||
| eastern redbud | CECA4 | Cercis canadensis | Native | – | – | |
| common serviceberry | AMAR3 | Amelanchier arborea | Native | – | – | |
| slippery elm | ULRU | Ulmus rubra | Native | – | – | |
| hophornbeam | OSVI | Ostrya virginiana | Native | – | – | |
| Carolina buckthorn | FRCA13 | Frangula caroliniana | Native | – | – | |
| Virginia creeper | PAQU2 | Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Native | – | – | |
Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife Species (MDC 2006):
Wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and eastern gray squirrel depend on hard and soft mast food sources and are typical upland game species of this type.
Bird species associated with early-successional Forests are Prairie Warbler, Field Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, Blue-winged Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat, Indigo Bunting, and Eastern Towhee.
Birds associated with late-successional forests include Worm-eating warbler, Whip-poor-will, Great Crested Flycatcher, Ovenbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Northern Parula, and Broad-winged Hawk.
Reptile and amphibian species associated with mature forests include: ringed salamander, spotted salamander, marbled salamander, central newt, long-tailed salamander, dark-sided salamander, southern red-backed salamander, three-toed box turtle, western worm snake, western earth snake, and American toad.
Other information
Forestry (NRCS 2002, 2014):
Management: Field measured site index values average 58 for oak. Timber management opportunities are generally fair to moderate. Create group openings of at least 2 acres. Large clearcuts should be minimized if possible to reduce impacts on wildlife and aesthetics. Uneven-aged management using single tree selection or group selection cuttings of ½ to 1 acre are other options that can be used if clear cutting is not desired or warranted. Using prescribed fire as a management tool could have a negative impact on timber quality and should be used with caution on a site if timber management is the primary objective.
Limitations: Large amounts of coarse fragments throughout profile; bedrock is within 40 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. Mechanical tree planting will be limited. Hand planting or direct seeding may be necessary. Seedling mortality due to low available water capacity may be high. 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 Dolomite Protected Backslope Forest
Plot HATOSP12 - Bardley soil
Located in HaHa Tonka State Park, Camden County, MO
Latitude: 37.974248
Longitude: -92.76044
Plot MERASP_KS02 - Gatewood soil
Located in Meramec State Park, Crawford County, MO
Latitude: 38.206754
Longitude: -91.113199
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.
Missouri Department of Conservation. 2010. Missouri Forest and Woodland Community Profiles. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
NatureServe. 2010. International Ecological Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Classifications. NatureServe Central Databases. Arlington, VA U.S.
Nelson, Paul W. 2010. The Terrestrial Natural Communities of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri. 550p.
Nigh, Timothy A., & Walter A. Schroeder. 2002. Atlas of Missouri Ecoregions. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri. 212p.
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.
Wolf, David W. 1989. Soil Survey of Pulaski County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Soil Conservation Service.
Contributors
Fred Young
Doug Wallace
Approval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 12/18/2024
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 | 09/24/2020 |
| Approved by | Suzanne Mayne-Kinney |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
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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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