Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R116AY005MO
Wet Footslope Savanna
Last updated: 9/24/2020
Accessed: 11/13/2024
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 Mississippian 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 Wet-Mesic Bottomland Prairie.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Quercus macrocarpa - Quercus palustris - Quercus bicolor / Calamagrostis canadensis Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL005120).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs primarily in the Prairie Ozark Border Subsection, and in western 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”.
Wet Footslope Savannas occur primarily in the northwest part of the Ozark Highland. Soils are very deep, with clayey subsoils and seasonal high water tables. The reference plant community is savanna with scattered bur oak, pin oak, shellbark hickory and willow, and a ground flora dominated by wet-tolerant grasses, sedges and forbs.
Associated sites
| F116AY037MO |
Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Forest Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Forests are downslope. |
|---|---|
| R116AY006MO |
Loamy Upland Prairie Loamy Upland Prairies are upslope, on convex summits, shoulders and upper backslopes. |
Similar sites
| F116AY033MO |
Wet Footslope Forest Wet Footslope Forest ecological sites are on similar landform positions but have higher tree densities. |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Quercus palustris |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Salix humilis |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Spartina pectinata |
Physiographic features
This site is on footslopes and toe slopes along drainageways with slopes of 0 to 5 percent. The site generates some runoff to adjacent lower terrace and floodplain sites, and receives some runoff from adjacent uplands. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Wolf, 2004) 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. Wet Footslope Savanna sites are typically downslope from Loamy Upland Prairie sites, labeled “2”.
Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Hillslope
(2) Toe |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Slope | 5% |
| Water table depth | 6 – 30 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) | 148-162 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 166-187 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 44-45 in |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 145-167 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 163-195 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 44-45 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | 155 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 177 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) CALIFORNIA [USC00231189], California, MO
-
(2) MANSFIELD [USC00235227], Mansfield, MO
-
(3) BUFFALO 2N [USC00231087], Buffalo, MO
Influencing water features
This ecological site is influenced by a seasonal high water table from high groundwater levels, as well as slow hydraulic conductivity, which impedes throughflow from precipitation and flood events. The water table is typically near the surface in late fall through spring, receding in the summer. This ecological site is on footslopes and toe slopes along drainageways . They are not adjacent to the current stream channel.
Footslopes, and stream terraces not subject to flooding, are in the MINERAL SOIL FLAT wetlands of the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system class (Brinson, 1993). Sites on stream terraces subject to flooding are in the RIVERINE wetlands class. Both footslope and stream terrace sites are Emergent Palustrine wetlands (Cowardin et al., 1979).
Soil features
These soils have no rooting restriction. The soils were formed under prairie vegetation, and have dark, organic-rich surface horizons. Parent material is colluvium. They have silt loam or silty clay loam surface horizons, and clayey subsoils. They are affected by a seasonal high water table during the spring months. Soil series associated with this site include Sacville and Willowfork.
The accompanying picture of the Sacville series shows a dark silty clay loam surface horizon over dark gray silty clay subsoil. The dull gray colors indicate seasonal wetness, which affects the species composition of the reference community and the ecological dynamics of the site. Scale is in centimeters. Picture courtesy of John Preston.
Figure 9. Sacville series
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Colluvium
|
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Silt loam (2) Silty clay loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | 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) |
6 – 8 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 – 7.8 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
30% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
5% |
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.
Wet Footslope Savannas are a component of shallow draws in the high flat prairie plain of the region. Wet Footslope Savannas exist because of their association with wet, seasonal high water tables. These conditions along with periodic fire, likely occurring at least once every 3 years, had a strong influence on limiting trees. Fire during dry periods removed the dense mat of leaf litter creating opportunities for plants less aggressive than the grasses and sedges.
These ecological sites are dominated by a dense cover of wet tolerant grasses and forbs. On slightly higher areas within or at the edge of the prairie matrix scattered bur oak, pin oak, shellbark hickory and willow occurred throughout the grass-dominated landscape.
Wet Footslope Savannas were also subjected to grazing by native large herbivores, such as bison, elk and white-tailed deer. Grazing by native herbivores would have effectively kept understory conditions open, creating conditions more favorable to ground flora species and minimizing woody trees and shrubs.
Today most of these ecological sites have been drained and farmed. Only a few remnants exist. However, during wet years, they do act as ephemeral farmed wetlands in the agricultural landscape. Their position and soil properties still make them good candidates for wet prairie and savanna development and management.
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 10. 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
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference
The historical reference state for this ecological site was an oak savanna. The savanna was dominated by pin oak and bur oak. Periodic disturbances from flooding, fire, wind or ice as well as grazing by native large herbivores maintained the savanna structure and diverse ground flora species. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in both the density of trees and the abundance of shade tolerant species. Two community phases are recognized in the reference state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency. Reference states are very rare today. Fire suppression and altered drainage have resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Most reference states are currently altered because of clearing and conversion to grassland or cropland.
Community 1.1
Pin Oak – Bur Oak/Prairie Willow/Prairie Cordgrass – Big Bluestem
Two community phases are recognized in the reference state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency.
Forest overstory. The 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. The 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
Pin Oak – Bur Oak/Shellbark Hickory – Prairie Willow/Prairie Cordgrass – Big Bluestem
Two community phases are recognized in the reference state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency.
Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Lack of disturbance events - 10 plus years,
Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Disturbance events 2-5 years
State 2
Low Disturbance/ Logged Woodland
Composition is altered from the reference state through long term, low disturbance which allows woody species to increase in density and size. This state will slowly increase with shellbark hickory, pin oak and bur oak species. Without periodic canopy disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like hackberry and elm, will also increase in abundance. Some periodic grazing may be occurring.
Community 2.1
2.1 Bur Oak – Elm – Hackberry /Possumhaw/Sedge
State 3
Cool Season Grassland
Conversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue and white 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 and transitions.
Community 3.1
Tall Fescue – White Clover
State 4
Cropland
This is a common state that exists currently with intensive cropping of corn, soybeans and wheat. Some conversion to cool season hay land occurs, but when commodity prices are high, these states transition back to cropland.
Community 4.1
Corn, Soybean, Wheat
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Lack of disturbance events greater than 20 years ; repeated timber harvests.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4
Woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Thinning; bush Management; prescribed fire 3-10 years
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4
Woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4
Tillage; conservation cropping system.
Restoration pathway T4A
State 4 to 3
Vegetative seeding; grassland management.
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
|
|||||||
| shellbark hickory | CALA21 | Carya laciniosa | Native | – | 0–10 | – | – |
| bur oak | QUMA2 | Quercus macrocarpa | Native | – | 0–10 | – | – |
| pin oak | QUPA2 | Quercus palustris | Native | – | 0–10 | – | – |
Table 6. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (ft) | Canopy cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
|
||||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | Native | – | – | |
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | Native | – | – | |
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | Native | – | – | |
| eastern gamagrass | TRDA3 | Tripsacum dactyloides | Native | – | – | |
| Heller's rosette grass | DIOL | Dichanthelium oligosanthes | Native | – | – | |
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | Native | – | – | |
| tapered rosette grass | DIAC2 | Dichanthelium acuminatum | Native | – | – | |
| Indiangrass | SONU2 | Sorghastrum nutans | Native | – | – | |
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | Native | – | – | |
| prairie cordgrass | SPPE | Spartina pectinata | Native | – | – | |
| bluejoint | CACA4 | Calamagrostis canadensis | Native | – | – | |
| fescue sedge | CAFE3 | Carex festucacea | Native | – | – | |
| ravenfoot sedge | CACR8 | Carex crus-corvi | Native | – | – | |
| awlfruit sedge | CAST5 | Carex stipata | Native | – | – | |
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| ashy sunflower | HEMO2 | Helianthus mollis | Native | – | – | |
| Texas goldentop | EUGY | Euthamia gymnospermoides | Native | – | – | |
| narrowleaf false dragonhead | PHAN6 | Physostegia angustifolia | Native | – | – | |
| narrowleaf mountainmint | PYTE | Pycnanthemum tenuifolium | Native | – | – | |
| pinnate prairie coneflower | RAPI | Ratibida pinnata | Native | – | – | |
| pale purple coneflower | ECPA | Echinacea pallida | Native | – | – | |
| New England aster | SYNO2 | Symphyotrichum novae-angliae | Native | – | – | |
| sawtooth sunflower | HEGR4 | Helianthus grosseserratus | Native | – | – | |
| smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil | DEMA2 | Desmodium marilandicum | Native | – | – | |
| stiff ticktrefoil | DEOB5 | Desmodium obtusum | Native | – | – | |
| sessileleaf ticktrefoil | DESE | Desmodium sessilifolium | Native | – | – | |
| white wild indigo | BAAL | Baptisia alba | Native | – | – | |
| partridge pea | CHFA2 | Chamaecrista fasciculata | Native | – | – | |
| white prairie clover | DACA7 | Dalea candida | Native | – | – | |
| Illinois ticktrefoil | DEIL2 | Desmodium illinoense | Native | – | – | |
| largeflower tickseed | COGR5 | Coreopsis grandiflora | Native | – | – | |
| compassplant | SILA3 | Silphium laciniatum | Native | – | – | |
| prairie blazing star | LIPY | Liatris pycnostachya | Native | – | – | |
| prairie milkweed | ASSU3 | Asclepias sullivantii | Native | – | – | |
| Virginia bunchflower | VEVI5 | Veratrum virginicum | Native | – | – | |
| lanceleaf loosestrife | LYLA | Lysimachia lanceolata | Native | – | – | |
| bluejacket | TROH | Tradescantia ohiensis | Native | – | – | |
| foxglove beardtongue | PEDI | Penstemon digitalis | Native | – | – | |
| bearded beggarticks | BIAR | Bidens aristosa | Native | – | – | |
| prairie ironweed | VEFA2 | Vernonia fasciculata | Native | – | – | |
| sweet coneflower | RUSU | Rudbeckia subtomentosa | Native | – | – | |
| spotted water hemlock | CIMA2 | Cicuta maculata | Native | – | – | |
| common sneezeweed | HEAU | Helenium autumnale | Native | – | – | |
| seedbox | LUAL2 | Ludwigia alternifolia | Native | – | – | |
| common boneset | EUPE3 | Eupatorium perfoliatum | Native | – | – | |
| obedient plant | PHVI8 | Physostegia virginiana | Native | – | – | |
| swamp milkweed | ASIN | Asclepias incarnata | Native | – | – | |
| sawtooth sunflower | HEGR4 | Helianthus grosseserratus | Native | – | – | |
| winged lythrum | LYAL4 | Lythrum alatum | Native | – | – | |
| golden zizia | ZIAU | Zizia aurea | Native | – | – | |
| fourflower yellow loosestrife | LYQU | Lysimachia quadriflora | Native | – | – | |
| purple meadow-rue | THDA | Thalictrum dasycarpum | Native | – | – | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| northern dewberry | RUFL | Rubus flagellaris | Native | – | – | |
| winged sumac | RHCO | Rhus copallinum | Native | – | – | |
| Carolina rose | ROCA4 | Rosa carolina | Native | – | – | |
| spotted St. Johnswort | HYPU | Hypericum punctatum | Native | – | – | |
| prairie willow | SAHU2 | Salix humilis | Native | – | – | |
| dwarf St. Johnswort | HYMU | Hypericum mutilum | Native | – | – | |
| false indigo bush | AMFR | Amorpha fruticosa | Native | – | – | |
|
Tree
|
||||||
| common persimmon | DIVI5 | Diospyros virginiana | Native | – | – | |
Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife*
Prairie Phase
Game species that utilize this ecological site include:
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.
Migratory Waterbirds: Sora, Common Snipe and Virginia Rail
Furbearers: Muskrat, Beaver, and Mink.
Bird species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition:
Breeding birds: Red-Winged Blackbird, Least Bittern, and Common Yellowthroat.
Migratory birds: Sora, Sedge Wren, Least Bittern, and Common Snipe.
Amphibian and reptile species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition: Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata triseriata), Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala), and Midland Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi wrightourm).
Small mammals associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition: Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi), and Mink (Mustela vison).
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 that may be associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition: Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle (Labidomera clivicollis), Cordgrass Planthopper (Prokelisia crocea), Dion Skipper butterfly (Euphyes dion), Duke’s Skipper butterfly (Euphyes dukesi), native bees (Lasioglossum hartii, Hesperapis carinata, Svastra atripes and Cemolobus ipomoeae), Bullate Meadow katydid (Orchelimum bullatum) and Sedge Grasshopper (Stethophyma celatum).
Savanna Phase
Both snags and live cavity or den trees provide important food and cover for vertebrate wildlife. Snags are also very important to invertebrate species. Wood Duck and Red-headed Woodpecker utilize snags and den trees for foraging, nesting or shelter. “Wolf” trees are a particularly valuable type of live cavity tree. These large diameter, often open-grown, old-ages, hollow trees provide both cavities for wildlife and usually hard or soft mast food sources. Large diameter snags and den trees are particularly important wildlife habitat features to retain.
Extremely little is known about this phase of this ecological site. It is assumed that many of the animal species described under the prairie phase of this ecological site are found in the savanna phase. Additional species that might be expected in the savanna phase: Red-headed Woodpecker, Wood Duck, Yellow Warbler, and Fox Squirrel.
Wildlife
*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 biofuels.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Potential Reference Sites: Wet Footslope Savanna
Plot LAPECA01 - Sacville soil
Located in La Petite Gemme Prairie, Missouri Prairie Foundation, Dade County, MO
Latitude: 37.564085
Longitude: -93.412184
Plot HILOCA02 - Sacville soil
Located in Hi-Lonesome Prairie CA, Benton County, MO
Latitude: 38.478411
Longitude: -93.224475
Plot HIPRCA04 – Willowfork soil
Located in Hite Prairie CA, Morgan County, MO
Latitude: 38.423818
Longitude: -92.861785
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
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 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 | 09/07/2022 |
| Approved by | Nels Barrett |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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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):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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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:
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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.