Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F116BY033MO
Low-Base Chert Exposed Backslope Woodland
Last updated: 10/07/2020
Accessed: 04/25/2024
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): 116B–Springfield Plain
The Springfield Plain is in the western part of the Ozark Uplift. It is primarily a smooth plateau with some dissection along streams. Elevation is about 1,000 feet in the north to over 1,700 feet in the east along the Burlington Escarpment adjacent to the Ozark Highlands. The underlying bedrock is mainly Mississippian-aged limestone, with areas of shale on lower slopes and structural benches, and intermittent Pennsylvanian-aged sandstone deposits on the plateau surface.
Classification relationships
Terrestrial Natural Community Type in Missouri (Nelson, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Dry Chert Woodland.
Missouri Department of Conservation Forest and Woodland Communities (Missouri Department of Conservation, 2006):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Mixed Oak Woodland.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica - Quercus velutina - Carya texana / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (CEGL002149).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs primarily within the following Land Type Associations:
Spring River Prairie/Savanna Dissected Plain
James River Oak Savanna/Woodland Low Hills
Finley River Oak Savanna/Woodland Low Hills
Seymour Highland Oak Savanna/Woodland Dissected Karst Plain
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”.
Low-base Chert Exposed Backslope Woodlands occur on steep backslopes with southern and western aspects. In Missouri they are prevalent in the easternmost lobe of the Springfield Plain in the upper watersheds of the James River and Finley Creek. They are also prevalent on steep backslopes in the Spring River watershed in south-west Kansas and north-east Oklahoma. This site is mapped in complex with the Low-base Chert Protected Backslope Woodland ecological site. Soils are typically very deep, acidic, and low in bases such as calcium, with an abundance of chert fragments. The reference plant community is woodland with an overstory dominated by black oak and white oak and a ground flora of native grasses and forbs.
Associated sites
| F116BY004MO |
Low-Base Chert Upland Woodland Low-base Chert Upland Woodlands are upslope, on convex summit crests, and often contain a fragipan in the subsoil. |
|---|---|
| F116BY017MO |
Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Woodland Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Woodlands are downslope. |
| F116BY010MO |
Low-Base Chert Protected Backslope Woodland Low-base Chert Protected Backslope Woodlands are mapped in complex with this ecological site, on steep northern and eastern aspects. |
Similar sites
| F116BY004MO |
Low-Base Chert Upland Woodland Low-Base Chert Upland Woodlands are similar in species composition, but more dense and more productive. |
|---|
Figure 2.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Quercus velutina |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Vaccinium |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Carex |
Physiographic features
This site is on upland backslopes with slopes of 15 to 50 percent. It is on exposed aspects (south, southwest, and west), which receive significantly more solar radiation than the protected 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 Aldrich, 1989) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with other ecological sites. Low-base Chert Exposed Backslope Woodland sites are within the area labeled “2”, on lower backslopes with southerly to westerly exposures. Low-base Chert Protected Backslope Woodland sites are on the corresponding northerly to easterly exposures. Low-base Chert Upland Woodland sites, labeled “1”, are typically upslope on crests and shoulders.
Figure 3. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Hill
(2) Hillslope |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Slope | 15 – 50% |
| Water table depth | 60 in |
| Aspect | W, SE, S, SW |
Climatic features
The Springfield Plain 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 Springfield Plain experiences few regional differences in climates. The average annual precipitation in this area is 41 to 45 inches. Snow falls nearly every winter, but the snow cover lasts for only a few days. The average annual temperature is about 55 to 58 degrees F. The lower temperatures occur at the higher elevations. Mean July maximum temperatures have a range of only one or two degrees across the area.
Mean annual precipitation varies along a west to east 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) | 152-164 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 188-194 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 46-47 in |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 148-166 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 187-195 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 46-47 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | 158 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 191 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 46 in |
Figure 4. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 5. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 6. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 7. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 8. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 9. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) SPRINGFIELD [USW00013995], Springfield, MO
-
(2) CASSVILLE RANGER STN [USC00231383], Cassville, MO
-
(3) JOPLIN REGIONAL AIRPORT [USW00013987], Webb City, MO
Influencing water features
Water features associated with this upland ecological site are influenced by karst landscapes throughout the area (see following graphic). 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 flow shows the impact of karst in the form of losing and gaining stream sections (Owen and Pavlowsky 2010).
The following graphic 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.
Figure 10. Image from Wikimedia Commons developed from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology and Land Survey.
Soil features
These soils have acidic subsoils that are low in bases. Soils having low concentrations of calcium and containing few calcium bearing minerals along with increased levels of aluminum may also be vulnerable to base depletion by timber harvesting, plant uptake, and leaching. The soils were formed under woodland vegetation, and have thin, light-colored surface horizons. Parent material is slope alluvium over residuum weathered primarily from limestone. They have very gravelly or very cobbly silt loam surface horizons, and skeletal subsoils with high amounts of chert gravel and cobbles. They are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Clarksville, Crackerneck, and Noark.
The accompanying picture of a roadcut in the Clarksville series shows a thin, light-colored surface horizon underlain by reddish loam with a high chert fragment content. Although rooting depth is high, as is shown in this picture, plants must be adapted to these low-base soils, which are high in soluble aluminum. Picture courtesy of John Preston, NRCS.
Figure 11. Clarksville series
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Residuum
–
cherty limestone
(2) Slope alluvium |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Very gravelly silt loam (2) Extremely gravelly silt loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Soil depth | 72 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 40 – 70% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 6% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
1 – 4 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) |
3.5 – 5.5 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
40 – 65% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
30% |
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.
This ecological site is a well-developed Oak Woodland dominated by an overstory of black oak and white oak and are similar to Low-Base Chert Upland Woodland in this MLRA, except that it may be less dense with more afternoon sunlight covering the woodland floor and less productive. The canopy is moderately tall (60 to 70 feet) but less dense (40 to 70 percent cover) than protected slopes. Increased light from the more open canopy causes a diversity of ground flora species to flourish. In addition, proximity to open woodlands provides additional opportunity for increased light and species diversity. Woodlands are distinguished from forest, by their relatively open understory, and the presence of sun-loving ground flora species. Characteristic plants in the ground flora can be used to gauge the restoration potential of a stand along with remnant open-grown old-age trees, and tree height growth.
Fire played an important role in the maintenance of these systems. It is likely that these ecological sites burned at least once every 5 to 10 years. These periodic fires kept woodlands open, removed the litter, and stimulated the growth and flowering of the grasses and forbs. During fire free intervals, woody understory species increased and the herbaceous understory diminished. The return of fire would open the woodlands up again and stimulate the abundant ground flora.
Low-base Chert Exposed Backslope Woodlands were also subjected to occasional disturbances from wind and ice, as well as grazing by native large herbivores, such as bison, elk and white-tailed deer. Wind and ice would have periodically opened the canopy up by knocking over trees or breaking substantial branches off canopy trees. Grazing by native herbivores would have effectively kept understory conditions more open, creating conditions more favorable to oak reproduction and sun-loving ground flora species.
Today, these ecological sites have been cleared and converted to pasture or have undergone repeated timber harvest and domestic grazing. Most existing forested ecological sites have a younger (50-80 years) canopy layer whose species composition and quality has been altered by timber harvesting practices. In the long term absence of fire, woody species, especially hickory, encroach into these woodlands. Once established, these woody plants can quickly fill the existing understory increasing shade levels with a greatly diminished ground flora. Removal of the younger understory and the application of prescribed fire have proven to be effective restoration means.
Uncontrolled domestic grazing has also impacted these communities, further diminishing the diversity of native plants and introducing species that are tolerant of grazing, such as coralberry, gooseberry, and Virginia creeper. Grazed sites also have a more open understory. In addition, soil compaction and soil erosion from grazing can be a problem and lower site productivity.
These ecological sites are only moderately productive, especially when compared to adjacent protected slopes and deeper loess covered units. Oak regeneration is typically problematic. Red maple, red elm, and hickories are often dominant competitors in the understory. Maintenance of the oak component will require disturbances that will encourage more sun adapted species and reduce shading effects.
Single tree selection timber harvests are a common form of harvesting and often results in removal of the most productive trees (high grading) in the stand leading to poorer quality timber and a shift in species composition away from more valuable oak species. Better planned single tree selection or the creation of group openings can help regenerate and maintain more desirable oak species and increase vigor on the residual trees.
Clearcutting also occurs and results in dense, even-aged stands dominated by oak. This may be most beneficial for existing stands whose composition has been highly altered by past management practices. However, without some thinning of the dense stands, and periodic prescribed fires, the ground flora diversity can be shaded out and diversity of the stand may suffer.
Prescribed fire can play a beneficial role in the management of this ecological site. The dryer nature of these sites makes control of woody species somewhat easier. The inclusion of protected backslope sites in larger burn units can add to the habitat diversity of the landscape.
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 is likely to change as knowledge increases.
State and transition model
Figure 12. State and Transition Model for this ecological site.
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
Ecosystem states
States 1, 5 and 2 (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
The historical reference state for this ecological site was old growth oak woodland. The woodland was dominated by black oak, post oak and white oak. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind or ice maintained the woodland structure and diverse ground flora species. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in both the density of trees and the abundance of shade tolerant species. Two community phases are recognized in the reference state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency. Unaltered reference sites are rare today. Many sites have been converted to grassland (State 4). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with domestic livestock grazing (State 5). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Many former reference sites have been managed effectively for timber harvest, resulting in either even-age (State 2) or uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.
Community 1.1
Black Oak – White Oak/Fragrant Sumac/Sedge - Little Bluestem
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
Black Oak – White Oak - Hickory/Fragrant Sumac/Sedge - Little Bluestem
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
This pathway is a gradual transition that results from extended, disturbance-free periods of roughly 10 years or longer.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
This pathway results from reoccurring periodic ecological disturbances such as fire, ice storms, or violent wind storms.
State 2
Even-Age Managed Woodland
Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a sparse understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. However, in the absence of fire, the diversity and cover of the ground flora is still diminished. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, will either maintain this state, or convert the site to uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 2.1
Black Oak – White Oak – Post Oak/Hazelnut
This woodland community has a simple, dense, single-tiered structure, with canopy height that varies with age, and 100 percent canopy closure. The understory and ground flora is diminished. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. However, in the absence of fire, the diversity and cover of the ground flora is still diminished.
State 3
Uneven-Age Managed Woodland
Composition is altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. In addition, without a regular 15 to 20 year harvest re-entry into these stands, they will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species and white oak will become less dominant and scarlet oak is often more abundant than historically. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like hickory, increase in abundance.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 3.1
Black Oak – Hickory/Common Serviceberry /Hairy Woodland Brome
This woodland community has a multi-tiered structure, and 60 to 90 percent canopy closure.
State 4
Grassland
Conversion of woodlands to non-native cool season grassland species such as tall fescue has been common. Steep slopes, low available water, abundant surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity make non-native grasslands difficult to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered patches of tall, mature pine. If grazing and pasture management is discontinued, oak sprouts will occur and the site will eventually transition to State 2. Forest stand improvement and tree planting practices can hasten this process.
Community 4.1
Tall Fescue - Red Clover
This is an herbaceous community that is typically dominated by tall fescue. Various other grass and forb species are typically present, in various amounts.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 4.2
Tall Fescue - Broomsedge/Oak Sprouts
Shrub and pioneer tree species such as eastern redcedar and oak sprouts typically invade sites that are not regularly managed.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Ephemeral gully erosion
-
Nutrients transported to surface water
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Plant pest pressure
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
-
Feed and forage imbalance
Pathway P4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2
Over grazing; no fertilization
Pathway P4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.1
Brush management; grassland seeding; grassland management
State 5
High-Graded/Grazed Woodland
Timbered sites subjected to repeated, high-graded timber harvests and 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 cattle from sites in this state coupled with uneven-age management techniques will cause a transition to State 3 (Uneven-Age).
Community 5.1
Black Oak – Hickory/Sassafras/Coralberry
Dominant resource concerns
-
Ephemeral gully erosion
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Plant pest pressure
-
Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
This transition typically results from uneven-age forest management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest and fire suppression.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 5
This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting pasture species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter. Liming and fertilizing associated with pasture management typically raises the soil pH and increases the cation concentration (such as calcium and magnesium) of the upper soil horizons.
Restoration pathway R1B
State 2 to 1
Forest stand improvement; prescribed fire; extended rotations
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
This transition typically results from uneven-age forest management practices.
Restoration pathway R1A
State 3 to 1
Forest stand improvement; prescribed fire; extended rotations
Transition T3A
State 3 to 2
This transition typically results from even-age forest management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Transition T4A
State 4 to 2
This transition typically results from tree planting; long-term succession; no grazing .
Transition T5A
State 5 to 2
This transition results from the cessation of cattle grazing and associated pasture management such as mowing and brush-hogging. Herbicide application, tree planting and timber stand improvement techniques can speed up this otherwise very lengthy transition.
Restoration pathway T5B
State 5 to 3
Uneven-age management; no grazing; forest stand improvement
Transition T5A
State 5 to 4
Clearing; grassland planting; 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
|
|||||||
| black oak | QUVE | Quercus velutina | Native | – | 10–20 | – | – |
| white oak | QUAL | Quercus alba | Native | – | 10–20 | – | – |
| post oak | QUST | Quercus stellata | Native | – | 10–20 | – | – |
| mockernut hickory | CATO6 | Carya tomentosa | Native | – | 10–20 | – | – |
| sassafras | SAAL5 | Sassafras albidum | Native | – | 10–20 | – | – |
| black hickory | CATE9 | Carya texana | Native | – | 10–20 | – | – |
| scarlet oak | QUCO2 | Quercus coccinea | Native | – | 10–20 | – | – |
| shortleaf pine | PIEC2 | Pinus echinata | Native | – | 5–10 | – | – |
Table 6. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (ft) | Canopy cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
|
||||||
| hairy woodland brome | BRPU6 | Bromus pubescens | Native | – | 5–20 | |
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | Native | – | 5–20 | |
| oval-leaf sedge | CACE | Carex cephalophora | Native | – | 5–20 | |
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | Native | – | 5–20 | |
| poverty oatgrass | DASP2 | Danthonia spicata | Native | – | 5–20 | |
| Pennsylvania sedge | CAPE6 | Carex pensylvanica | Native | – | 5–20 | |
| fuzzy wuzzy sedge | CAHI6 | Carex hirsutella | Native | – | 5–20 | |
| eastern bottlebrush grass | ELHY | Elymus hystrix | Native | – | 5–10 | |
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| hairy sunflower | HEHI2 | Helianthus hirsutus | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| eastern beebalm | MOBR2 | Monarda bradburiana | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| bristly buttercup | RAHI | Ranunculus hispidus | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| fire pink | SIVI4 | Silene virginica | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| elmleaf goldenrod | SOUL2 | Solidago ulmifolia | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| manyray aster | SYAN2 | Symphyotrichum anomalum | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| fourleaf milkweed | ASQU | Asclepias quadrifolia | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| pointedleaf ticktrefoil | DEGL5 | Desmodium glutinosum | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil | DEMA2 | Desmodium marilandicum | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| nakedflower ticktrefoil | DENU4 | Desmodium nudiflorum | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| Arkansas bedstraw | GAAR4 | Galium arkansanum | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| American ipecac | GIST5 | Gillenia stipulata | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| American hogpeanut | AMBR2 | Amphicarpaea bracteata | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| spotted geranium | GEMA | Geranium maculatum | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| rue anemone | THTH2 | Thalictrum thalictroides | Native | – | 1–10 | |
| white wild indigo | BAAL | Baptisia alba | Native | – | 1–10 | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| Blue Ridge blueberry | VAPA4 | Vaccinium pallidum | Native | – | 5–20 | |
| fragrant sumac | RHAR4 | Rhus aromatica | Native | – | 5–20 | |
| farkleberry | VAAR | Vaccinium arboreum | Native | – | 5–20 | |
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | Native | – | 5–20 | |
Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife (MDC 2006):
Oaks provide hard mast for wildlife; scattered shrubs provide soft mast.
Sedges and native grasses provide green browse; native grasses on dry sites provide cover and nesting habitat and a diversity of forbs provides a diversity and abundance of insects.
Post-burn areas can provide temporary bare-ground – herbaceous cover habitat important for turkey poults and quail chicks.
Bird species associated with Chert Woodlands include Indigo Bunting, Red-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Bobwhite, Summer Tanager, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will’s widow, and Red-eyed Vireo.
Reptiles and amphibians associated with mature Chert Woodlands include: ornate box turtle, northern fence lizard, five-lined skink, coal skink, broad-headed skink, six-lined racerunner, western slender glass lizard, prairie ring-necked snake, flat-headed snake, rough earth snake, red milk snake, western pygmy rattlesnake, and timber rattlesnake.
Other information
Forestry (NRCS 2002; 2014)
Management: Field measured site index values average 54 for white oak and 59 black oak. Timber management opportunities are 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 is an effective management tool.
Limitations: Large amounts of coarse fragments throughout profile; Surface stones and rocks are problems for efficient and safe equipment operation and will make equipment use somewhat difficult. Disturbing the surface excessively in harvesting operations and building roads increases soil losses, which leaves a greater amount of coarse fragments on the surface. Hand planting or direct seeding may be necessary. Seedling mortality due to low available water capacity may be high. Mulching or providing shade can improve seedling survival. Mechanical tree planting will be limited. Erosion is a hazard when slopes exceed 15 percent. On steep slopes greater than 35 percent, traction problems increase and equipment use is not recommended.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Potential Reference Sites: Low-Base Chert Exposed Backslope Woodland
Plot COHOCA_JK04 – Clarksville soil
Located in Compton Hollow CA, Webster County, MO
Latitude: 37.239071
Longitude: -92.99747
Plot COHOCA03 – Clarksville soil
Located in Compton Hollow CA, Webster County, MO
Latitude: 37.23665
Longitude: -93.00825
Other references
Aldrich, Max W. 1989. Soil Survey of Newton County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Soil Conservation Service.
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.
Fletcher, P.W. and R.E. McDermott. 1957. Influence of Geologic Parent Material and Climate on Distribution of Shortleaf Pine in Missouri. University of Missouri, Research Bulletin 625. 43p.
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, 2006. Missouri Forest and Woodland Community Profiles. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2002. Woodland Suitability Groups. Missouri FOTG, Section II, Soil Interpretations and Reports. 30 pgs.
Natural Resources Conservation Service. Site Index Reports. Accessed May 2014. https://esi.sc.egov.usda.gov/ESI_Forestland/pgFSWelcome.aspx
NatureServe. 2005. International Ecological Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Classifications. Rapid Assessment Reference Condition Model, R5BSOW Interior Highlands Dry Oak/Bluestem Woodland/Glade. NatrueServe Central Databases. Arlington, VA U.S.
Nelson, Paul W. 2010. The Terrestrial Natural Communities of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
Nigh, Timothy A., and Walter A. Schroeder. 2002. Atlas of Missouri Ecoregions. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
Schoolcraft, H.R. 1821. Journal of a tour into the interior of Missouri and Arkansas from Potosi, or Mine a Burton, in Missouri territory, in a southwest direction, toward the Rocky Mountains: performed in the years 1818 and 1819. Richard Phillips and Company, London.
United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296. 682 pgs.
Contributors
Doug Wallace
Fred Young
Approval
Nels Barrett, 10/07/2020
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 | 09/30/2020 |
| 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):
-
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):
-
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:
-
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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