Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R116AY001MO
Claypan Summit Prairie
Last updated: 6/26/2024
Accessed: 12/03/2024
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 Hardpan Prairie.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Schizachyrium scoparium - Bouteloua curtipendula - Agrostis hyemalis - Eleocharis spp. Hardpan Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL002249).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs primarily in the Prairie Ozark Border Subsection, and in northern areas of the Central Plateau Subsection.
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”.
Claypan Summit Prairies occur primarily in the northwest part of the Ozark Highland. Soils have root-limiting claypans or root-restricting fragipans, and seasonal perched water tables. The reference plant community is prairie dominated by Indiangrass, big bluestem, little bluestem and sideoats grama with a wide variety of prairie wildflowers and wet-tolerant sedges.
Associated sites
| R116AY006MO |
Loamy Upland Prairie Loamy Upland Prairies are adjacent and downslope, on convex summits, shoulders and upper backslopes. |
|---|
Similar sites
| R116AY001MO |
Claypan Summit Prairie There are no other ecological sites similar to a Claypan Summit Prairie |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Amorpha canescens |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Schizachyrium scoparium |
Physiographic features
This site is on broad upland summit interfluves and divides, with slopes of 0 to 9 percent. The site generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Wolf, 2003) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with other ecological sites. It is within the area labeled “1” on the figure. Claypan Summit Prairie sites are typically upslope from Loamy Upland Prairie sites, labeled “2”. The dashed lines within the Loamy Upland 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)
Interfluve
(2) Ridge (3) Divide |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Slope | 5% |
| Water table depth | 9 – 18 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) | 154-178 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 181-201 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 44-47 in |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 145-180 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 177-206 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 44-48 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | 165 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 191 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 45 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) ELDON [USC00232503], Eldon, MO
-
(2) SEDALIA WTP [USC00237632], Sedalia, MO
-
(3) ROLLA UNI OF MISSOURI [USC00237263], Rolla, MO
Influencing water features
This ecological site is influenced by a seasonal high water table, perched on the clayey subsoil. Some depressional areas pond for short periods of time, mostly in the spring. These shallow depressional areas were more common prior to the conversion of nearly all areas of this ecological site from prairie to cropland. Leveling and surface drainage have reduced or eliminated the shallow depressions. These areas were Emergent Palustrine wetlands (Cowardin et al., 1979).
This ecological site contains wetlands which fit into the MINERAL FLAT class in the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) system (Brinson, 1993). The water source is direct precipitation, because there are no upslope contributing sites. Vertical water percolation in the soil is impeded by the clayey subsoil (the “claypan”), resulting in significant lateral discharge to adjacent downslope ecological sites. Adjacent sites include Headwater SLOPE HGM class sites in watershed headwaters. This discharge supports surface saturation in the adjacent areas.
In general, MINERAL FLAT areas provide watershed recharge and runoff that accumulates in downslope reaches as groundwater discharge and surface water accumulation. Wetland hydrology is effectively removed by surface ditches or subsurface tile drainage that directs vertical downward movement in a horizontal direction to the drainage element. Wetland hydrology is also influenced by the surface storage afforded by vegetation and natural surface roughness. This storage is a large part of the water budget, allowing the profile to be re-filled with water which would otherwise run off. In extreme cases, conversion to agriculture can completely remove wetland hydrology.
Soil features
These soils have either a fragipan at about 24 inches, or an abrupt textural change to silty clay or clay at about 18 inches, or a clayey subsoil that is similar to an abrupt textural change. Fragipans stop most roots, whereas abrupt textural changes impede but do not exclude rooting. The soils were formed under prairie vegetation, and have dark, organic-rich surface horizons. They have silt loam surface horizons, and silty clay to clay subsoils. Parent material is mainly loess. Some soils are underlain with residuum derived from limestone. A seasonal high water table is perched above the fragipan or abrupt textural change during the spring months in most years. Soil series associated with this site include Crestmeade, Gerald, Glensted, Leslie and Rosati.
The accompanying picture of the Glensted series shows a dark silt loam surface horizon over the claypan, a clay horizon that impedes water movement and root penetration. Indicators of seasonal wetness (redoximorphic features) are visible in the lower part of the profile. Photo credit NRCS.
Figure 9. Glensted series
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Loess
(2) Residuum – limestone |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Silt loam (2) Silty clay loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained |
| Permeability class | Very slow |
| Soil depth | 72 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
5 – 7 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) |
8% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
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.
Claypan Summit Prairies were dominated by tallgrass prairie grasses and forbs, but also had a substantial component of wet tolerant sedges. This expanse of grass occurred on upland summit interfluves and divides and was interrupted by shallow drainages whose wetness lessened the influence frequent, intense fires. Here the prairie transitioned into shrubby thickets and savannas with scattered trees. Leadplant and New Jersey tea were typical low growing shrubs that occurred over the site. Unlike most shrubs, these plants are both quite tolerant to fire. Islands of other shrubs such as dogwood, coralberry and Carolina rose were also found on the site.
With little to interrupt fire, this ecological site burned every 1 to 3 years. Fire removed dead plant litter and provided room for a lush growth of prairie vegetation. Fire also kept woody species at bay.
Grazing by native large herbivores, such as bison, elk, and white-tailed deer, also impacted these sites. Their activities would have altered composition and structure of the vegetation. Fuel loads would have been altered by heavy grazing and fire behavior affected, providing for a diversity of structure and composition. The partially wooded draws would have burned less intensely and frequently. During fire free intervals woody species would have increased in abundance and spread out onto the prairie.
Today, Claypan Summit Prairies are nearly extirpated from the region as the former prairies have been converted to intensive agriculture. Few known remnants exist and those remaining are degraded by fire suppression and grazing by domestic livestock.
A state-and-transition model 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 may change as knowledge increases.
State and transition model
Figure 10. 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 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 1
Reference
This state is native tall grass prairie dominated by little bluestem, big bluestem and forbs, but also a substantial component of wet tolerant sedges. This state occurs on level to gently sloping soils that have a seasonal high water table that is perched above the abrupt textural change or clayey subsoil during the spring months in most years. This condition influences the species composition and site productivity. Two phases can occur that will transition back and forth depending on fire frequencies. Longer fire free intervals will allow woody species to increase such as gray dogwood and eastern redcedar. When fire intervals shorten these woody species will decrease. This state is extremely rare. Nearly all remaining sites have been converted to cool season grassland, cropland, or have been degraded through uncontrolled domestic livestock grazing.
Community 1.1
Leadplant – Carolina Rose/Prairie Dropseed – Big Bluestem
Figure 11. Reference state at Hite Prairie Conservation Area, Morgan County, Missouri; photo credit MDC.
Two phases can occur that will transition back and forth depending on fire frequencies.
Forest understory. 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
Gray Dogwood/ Prairie Dropseed – Big Bluestem
Two phases can occur that will transition back and forth depending on fire frequencies. Longer fire free intervals will allow woody species to increase such as gray dogwood and eastern redcedar. When fire intervals shorten these woody species will decrease.
Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
This pathway results from fire suppression. With fire-free intervals of 10 to 20 years, woody species will increase in density and cover causing the community to gradually shift to phase 1.2 . Some displacement of grasses and forbs may be occurring due to shading, competition from the increased densities of shrubs, and increased thatch build up.
Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
With increased fire frequencies, woody species will decrease in density and cover and over time this community will gradually shift back to community phase 1.1. Production levels will generally increase.
State 2
Woody Invaded Savanna
Degraded reference states that have experienced fire suppression for 20 or more years will transition to this state. With fire suppression, woody species such as pin oak and eastern redcedar will begin to dominate transitioning this state from a prairie to a Woody Invaded Savanna. Native ground cover will also decrease and invasive species such as tall fescue may begin to dominate.
Community 2.1
Post Oak – Eastern Redcedar /American Plum/Little Bluestem
State 3
Cool Season Grassland
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue and red clover has been common. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered oak. 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.
Community 3.1
Tall Fescue-Red Clover
State 4
Cropland
This is the dominant state that exists currently with intensive cropping of corn, soybeans, and wheat occurring. Some conversion to non-native cool season grassland occurs for a limited period of time before transitioning back to cropland. Limited acres are sometimes converted to native warm season grassland.
Community 4.1
Corn, Soybean, Wheat
State 5
Native Warm Season Grassland
Conversion from the Cool Season Grassland (State 3) or the Cropland (State 4) to this state is increasing due to renewed interest in warm season grasses as a supplement to cool season grazing systems or as a native restoration activity. This state is the most easily transformable state back to a reference state. Substantial restoration time and management inputs will be needed.
Community 5.1
Big Bluestem-Switchgrass
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Fire suppression activities for greater than 20 years and woody invasion will result in a transition to community phase 2.1.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
Destroying the prairie sod with tillage, adding a cool season grass/legume vegetative seeding and grassland management will result in a transition to community phase 3.1.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4
Removing the prairie sod with tillage and adding a conservation cropping system and surface drainage will result in a transition to community phase 4.1.
Transition T1D
State 1 to 5
Transition activities include prescribed grazing; prescribed fire
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
This state can be restored to a reference state with woody removal, brush management, planting additional native grass and forb species (if needed) and initiating a prescribed fire regime (every 1 to 3 years). Limited controlled grazing may also be needed.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
Woody removal, brush control, removing the prairie sod with tillage seeding cool season grass and legume species and incorporating grassland management will result in a transition to community phase 3.1.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4
Woody removal, brush control, removing the prairie sod with tillage and incorporating conservation cropping system and surface drainage will result in a transition to community phase 4.1.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4
Removing the cool season sod with tillage and adding a conservation cropping system and surface drainage will result in a transition to community phase 4.1.
Transition T3B
State 3 to 5
Killing the existing cool season sod, reseeding to native warm season grasses and adding prescribed fire will result in a transition to community phase 5.1.
Transition T4A
State 4 to 3
A seeding of cool season grasses and legumes and grassland management will result in a transition to community 3.1.
Transition T4B
State 4 to 5
A seeding of native warm season grasses and grassland management will result in a transition to community 3.1. Prescribed fire is added in many cases.
Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1
This state can be restored to a reference state by planting additional native grass and forb species and initiating or maintaining a prescribe fire regime (every 1 to 3 years). Limited controlled grazing may also be needed.
Transition T5A
State 5 to 3
Removing the warm season grass sod, adding seasonal tillage, surface drainage and a conservation cropping system will result in a transition to community 3.1.
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (ft) | Canopy cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
|
||||||
| Indiangrass | SONU2 | Sorghastrum nutans | Native | – | – | |
| prairie dropseed | SPHE | Sporobolus heterolepis | Native | – | – | |
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | Native | – | – | |
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | Native | – | – | |
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | Native | – | – | |
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | Native | – | – | |
| spikerush | ELEOC | Eleocharis | Native | – | – | |
| inland rush | JUIN2 | Juncus interior | Native | – | – | |
| common spikerush | ELPA3 | Eleocharis palustris | Native | – | – | |
| Bush's sedge | CABU5 | Carex bushii | Native | – | – | |
| Mead's sedge | CAME2 | Carex meadii | Native | – | – | |
| eastern gamagrass | TRDA3 | Tripsacum dactyloides | Native | – | – | |
| winter bentgrass | AGHY | Agrostis hyemalis | Native | – | – | |
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| common cinquefoil | POSI2 | Potentilla simplex | Native | – | – | |
| ashy sunflower | HEMO2 | Helianthus mollis | Native | – | – | |
| narrowleaf mountainmint | PYTE | Pycnanthemum tenuifolium | Native | – | – | |
| wild quinine | PAIN3 | Parthenium integrifolium | Native | – | – | |
| sessileleaf ticktrefoil | DESE | Desmodium sessilifolium | Native | – | – | |
| button eryngo | ERYU | Eryngium yuccifolium | Native | – | – | |
| flowering spurge | EUCO10 | Euphorbia corollata | Native | – | – | |
| Baldwin's ironweed | VEBA | Vernonia baldwinii | Native | – | – | |
| prairie milkweed | ASSU3 | Asclepias sullivantii | Native | – | – | |
| white wild indigo | BAAL | Baptisia alba | Native | – | – | |
| longbract wild indigo | BABR2 | Baptisia bracteata | Native | – | – | |
| prairie blazing star | LIPY | Liatris pycnostachya | Native | – | – | |
| purple milkwort | POSA3 | Polygala sanguinea | Native | – | – | |
| whorled milkwort | POVE | Polygala verticillata | Native | – | – | |
| Missouri goldenrod | SOMI2 | Solidago missouriensis | Native | – | – | |
| arrowleaf violet | VISA2 | Viola sagittata | Native | – | – | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| Carolina rose | ROCA4 | Rosa carolina | Native | – | – | |
| Illinois bundleflower | DEIL | Desmanthus illinoensis | Native | – | – | |
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | Native | – | – | |
| New Jersey tea | CEAM | Ceanothus americanus | Native | – | – | |
| coralberry | SYOR | Symphoricarpos orbiculatus | Native | – | – | |
Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife *
Game species that utilize this ecological site include:
Northern Bobwhite will utilize this ecological site for food (seeds, insects) and cover needs (escape, nesting and roosting cover).
Cottontail rabbits will utilize this ecological site for food (seeds, soft mast) and cover needs.
Turkey will utilize this ecological site for food (seeds, green browse, soft mast, insects) and nesting and brood-rearing cover. Turkey poults feed heavily on insects provided by this site type.
White-tailed deer will utilize this ecological site for browse (plant leaves in the growing season, seeds and soft mast in the fall/winter). This site type also can provide escape cover.
Bird species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition:
Breeding birds as related to vegetation structure (related to time since fire, grazing, haying, and mowing):
Vegetation Height Short (< 1.5 feet, low litter levels, bare ground visible): Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, and Northern Bobwhite
Vegetation Height Moderate (1.5 – 3 feet, moderate litter levels, some bare ground visible): Eastern Meadowlark, Dickcissel, Field Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite, Blue Grosbeak, Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher, and Eastern Kingbird
Vegetation Height Tall (> 3 feet, moderate-high litter levels, little bare ground visible):
Henslow’s Sparrow, Dickcissel, Field Sparrow, and Northern Bobwhite
Brushy – Mix of grasses, forbs, native shrubs (e.g., Rhus copallina, Prunus americana), native vines (Rubus spp., Rosa carolina) and small trees (e.g., Cornus racemosa):
Bell’s Vireo, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Loggerhead Shrike, Brown Thrasher, and Common Yellowthroat
Amphibian and reptile species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition: ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata), western slender glass lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus attenuatus), prairie ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi), prairie kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster), and bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi).
Prairies with ephemeral vernal fishless wetlands: western chorus frog (Pseudacris triseriata triseriata) and eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum).
Small mammals associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition:
least shrew (Cryptotis parva), plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius), prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius), and badger (Taxidea taxus).
Many native insect species are likely associated with this ecological site, especially native bees, ants, beetles, butterflies and moths, and crickets, grasshoppers and katydids. However information on these groups is often lacking enough resolution to assign them to individual ecological sites.
Insect species known to be associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition: mottled dusky wing butterfly (Erynnis martialis), golden byssus butterfly (Problema byssus kumskaka), Delaware skipper butterfly (Atryone logan logan), and crossline skipper butterfly (Polites origenes). The larvae of the moth Eucosma bipunctella bore into compass plant (Silphium laciniatum) roots and feed and the larvae of the moth Eucosma giganteana bore into a number of Silphium species roots and feed. Native bees, important pollinators, that may be associated with this ecological site’s reference condition include: Colletes brevicornis, Andrena beameri, A. helianthiformis, Protandrena rudbeckiae, Halictus parallelus, Lasioglossum albipennis, L. coreopsis, L. disparilis, L. nymphaereum, Ashmeadiella bucconis, Megachile addenda, Anthidium psoraleae, Eucera hamata, Melissodes coloradensis, M. coreopsis, and M. vernoniae. The short-winged katydid (Amblycorypha parvipennis), green grasshopper (Hesperotettix speciosus) and two-voiced conehead katydid (Neoconcephalus bivocatus) are possible orthopteran associates of this ecological site.
Other invertebrate associates include the grassland crayfish (Procambarus gracilis).
*This section prepared by Mike Leahy, Natural Areas Coordinator, Missouri Department of Conservation, 2013. References for this section: Fitzgerald and Pashley 2000b; Heitzman and Heitzman 1996; Jacobs 2001; Johnson 2000; Pitts and McGuire 2000; Schwartz and others 2001.
Other information
Forestry
Management: This ecological site is not recommended for traditional timber management activity. Historically this site was dominated by a ground cover of native prairie grasses and forbs. Some scattered open grown trees may have also been present. Altered sites may be suitable for non-traditional forestry uses such as windbreaks, environmental plantings, alley cropping (a method of planting, in which rows of trees or shrubs are interspersed with rows of crops) or woody bio-fuels.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Potential Reference Sites: Claypan Summit Prairie
Plot HIPRCA01 – Glensted soil
Located in Hite Prairie CA, Morgan County, Missouri
Latitude: 38.420282
Longitude: -92.861883
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.
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.
Fitzgerald, J.A. and D.N. Pashley. 2000a. Partners in Flight bird conservation plan for the Ozark/Ouachitas. American Bird Conservancy.
Harlan, J.D., T.A. Nigh and W.A. Schroeder. 2001. The Missouri original General Land Office survey notes project. University of Missouri, Columbia.
Heitzman, J.R. and J.E. Heitzman. 1996. Butterflies and moths of Missouri. 2nd ed. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
Jacobs, B. 2001. Birds in Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
Johnson, T.R. 2000. The amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. 2nd ed. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
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.
Pitts, D.E. and W.D. McGuire. 2000. Wildlife management for Missouri landowners. 3rd ed. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
Schwartz, C.W., E.R. Schwartz and J.J. Conley. 2001. The wild mammals of Missouri. University of Missouri Press, Columbia and Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
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. 2003. Soil Survey of Morgan County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Contributors
Fred Young
Doug Wallace
Approval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 6/26/2024
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 | 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:
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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.
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.