Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R116BY022MO
Loamy Upland Prairie
Last updated: 10/07/2020
Accessed: 04/16/2024
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-Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Prairie.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Andropogon gerardii - Sorghastrum nutans Unglaciated Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL002204).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs primarily within the following Land Type Associations:
Lockwood Smooth Prairie Plain
Spring River Prairie/Savanna Dissected Plain
Springfield Karst Prairie 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”.
Loamy Upland Prairie occur on the broad gently rolling surface of the Springfield Plain, particularly in the Spring River watershed in Jasper County, Missouri, and in the vicinity of Springfield between the James and Sac River watersheds. Soils are very deep, and are silt loam loess overlying loamy or gravelly residuum. The reference plant community is prairie dominated by little bluestem, big bluestem, Indiangrass, prairie dropseed, and a wide variety of prairie wildflowers.
Associated sites
| R116BY020MO |
Claypan Summit Prairie Claypan Summit Prairies are upslope, on nearly level interfluves. |
|---|---|
| R116BY021MO |
Chert Upland Prairie Chert Upland Prairies are downslope, on shoulders and upper backslopes. |
| R116BY023MO |
Sandstone/Shale Upland Prairie Sandstone/Shale Upland Prairies are downslope in places, on backslopes underlain by sandstone and shale. |
Similar sites
| R116BY021MO |
Chert Upland Prairie Chert Upland Prairies are downslope, on shoulders and upper backslopes. These sites are generally dryer and less productive. |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Amorpha canescens |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Andropogon gerardii |
Physiographic features
This site is on upland summit interfluves, crests and shoulders with slopes of 1 to 5 percent. The site generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Peer, 2004) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with other ecological sites. It is within the area labeled “2” on the figure, on convex summits and shoulders. The dashed lines within the area indicate the various soils included in this ecological site. Clayey Summit Prairie sites, labeled “1”, are upslope in areas where summits are nearly level. Chert Upland Prairie sites, labeled “3”, are often downslope.
Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Interfluve
|
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Slope | 1 – 5% |
| Water table depth | 60 in |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
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) | 153-166 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 186-195 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 45-47 in |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 144-170 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 182-196 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 45-47 in |
| Frost-free period (average) | 159 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 190 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 46 in |
Figure 3. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 8. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) CARTHAGE [USC00231356], Carthage, MO
-
(2) MONETT 4SW [USC00235704], Monett, MO
-
(3) NEOSHO [USC00235976], Neosho, MO
-
(4) SPRINGFIELD [USW00013995], Springfield, MO
Influencing water features
This ecological site is not influenced by wetland or riparian water features. However, seeps may occur in headslope positions, particularly in the spring and following heavy rainfall events. These seeps are source areas for first-order ephemeral streams, typically within Upland Drainageway ecological sites downslope. Where present, these headslope seeps are in the SLOPE wetlands class of the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system (Brinson, 1993).
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 loess over slope alluvium. Some soils are underlain by residuum derived primarily from limestone. They have silt loam surface horizons, with loamy subsoils. Some soils have gravelly substrata. These soils are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Newtonia, Maplegrove, and Wanda.
The accompanying picture of the Newtonia series shows the relatively uniform dark reddish brown silty clay loam subsoil characteristic of this series. Scattered limestone and chert fragments are visible in the lower part of the profile. (Photo credit - NRCS)
Figure 9. Newtonia series
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Slope alluvium
–
limestone
(2) Loess (3) Residuum – cherty limestone |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Silt loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately slow to very slow |
| Soil depth | 72 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
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) |
5.1 – 7.3 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
15% |
| 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.
Loamy Upland Prairies are characterized as a tallgrass prairie unit dominated by little bluestem1, big bluestem, Indiangrass, prairie dropseed and a wide variety of prairie wildflowers. In some cases, bur oak, post oak, hazelnut, prairie willow and American plum occurred in small groves or as scattered individuals across the prairie landscape. On lower slopes and draws where water balances are enhanced, more mesic prairie species such as switchgrass, eastern gamagrass, Culver’s root, Michigan lily, and Virginia bunchflower are added to the diverse mix of prairie species.
The open landscape allowed this ecological site to burn 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 altered the composition, fuel loads and structure of the vegetation, creating a diversity of structure and composition. The partially wooded draws would have burned less intensely and less frequently. During fire free intervals woody species would have increased in abundance and spread out onto the prairie.
Today, Loamy Upland Prairies are nearly extirpated from the region as the former prairies have been converted to pasture or cropland. The remaining known remnants are degraded by fire suppression and grazing by domestic livestock. Many of the forbs are very palatable and readily grazed by livestock. These palatable forbs decrease with even moderate continuous grazing, but composition can be maintained using prescribed grazing. Forbs that increase include heathaster, goldenrod, western ragweed and Louisiana sagewort. Woody plants such as coralberry, blackberry and sumac also increase with continuous overgrazing and the the absence of fire on site.
The absence of both grazing and fire will encourage a gradual increase of mulch and litter. Heavy accumulations of mulch and litter will negatively affect vegetation growth. Herbage production will be reduced. Bunchgrasses, especially little bluestem, are usually reduced. Heavy mulch accumulation also accommodates the encroachment of woody plant species such as coralberry, blackberry, roughleaf dogwood, sumac, elm, persimmon, hawthorn and hackberry.
However, when properly managed, including the reintroduction of fire, existing remnants of Loamy Upland Prairies show great resiliency and the stand composition can be improved and maintained indefinitely.
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.
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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, 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
This state is native prairie dominated by prairie dropseed, big bluestem, little bluestem, and forbs, along with numerous shrubs and occasional, widely scattered, stunted trees such as post oak and bur oak. 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 post oak and eastern redcedar. When fire intervals shorten these woody species will decrease. This undisturbed state is uncommon but some excellent examples still exist. Most sites, however, have been converted to cool season grasslands, cropland, or degraded by domestic grazing.
Community 1.1
Lead Plant – New Jersey Tea/ Big Bluestem – Prairie Dropseed
Forest understory. The following "Understory plant type" list is based on reconnaissance-level plots, inventory plots, as well as commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010). Species identified from plot data include cover percentages. Note that plot data for canopy heights are by height class, not actual species heights. Names and symbols are from USDA PLANTS database.
Community 1.2
Leadplant – New Jersey Tea – Winged Sumac/ Big Bluestem – Prairie Dropseed
Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Fire-free interval 5-10 years
Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Fire interval 1-3 years
State 2
Degraded Native Grassland
Reference states that have experienced fire suppression for 10 or more years and heavy domestic grazing will transition to this State. With fire suppression, woody species such as post oak and eastern redcedar will begin to increase transitioning this state from a prairie to a woody invaded state. Native ground cover will also decrease and invasive species such as tall fescue, broomsedge and sericea lespedeza may begin to dominate. Transition to cool season grasslands (State 3) or cropland (State 4) is very common. Transition back to a reference state may be difficult if fire suppression and other disturbances have been long term. It may be easier to move to a re-established native warm season grassland and then over time back to a reference state.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Plant pest pressure
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 2.1
Eastern Redcedar - Oak Sprouts/ Broomsedge - Sericea Lespedeza
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 in this area. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered post oak and eastern redcedar. Long term uncontrolled grazing can cause significant soil erosion and compaction. A return to the reference state may require a very long series of management options.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 3.1
Tall Fescue – Red Clover
State 4
Cropland
This is a common state that currently exists in the region with corn, milo, wheat, and hay land production occurring. Some conversion to 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, Soybeans, Wheat
State 5
Native Warm Season Grassland
Conversion from 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, once established, can be transformed back to a reference state. Substantial restoration time and management inputs will be needed.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 5.1
Little Bluestem – Big Bluestem – Indiangrass
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Fire suppression > 10 years; woody invasion; domestic grazing
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
Tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4
Tillage; conservation cropping system
Transition T1D
State 1 to 5
Prescribed grazing; prescribed fire
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Woody removal; prescribed fire 1-3 years; limited grazing
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 T2C
State 2 to 5
Woody removal; grassland management; prescribed fire
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4
Tillage; conservation cropping system
Transition T3B
State 3 to 5
Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
Transition T4A
State 4 to 3
Vegetative seeding ; grassland management
Transition T4B
State 4 to 5
Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1
Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire 1-3 years; limited grazing
Transition T5A
State 5 to 4
Tillage; conservation cropping system
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)
|
||||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | Native | – | 5–95 | |
| prairie dropseed | SPHE | Sporobolus heterolepis | Native | – | 25–50 | |
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | Native | – | 0.1–50 | |
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | Native | – | 5–25 | |
| Indiangrass | SONU2 | Sorghastrum nutans | Native | – | 5–20 | |
| whip nutrush | SCTR | Scleria triglomerata | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| marsh bristlegrass | SEPA10 | Setaria parviflora | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| Heller's rosette grass | DIOL | Dichanthelium oligosanthes | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| porcupinegrass | HESP11 | Hesperostipa spartea | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| white heath aster | SYER | Symphyotrichum ericoides | Native | – | 5–10 | |
| golden zizia | ZIAU | Zizia aurea | Native | – | 2–5 | |
| ashy sunflower | HEMO2 | Helianthus mollis | Native | – | 0.1–5 | |
| sessileleaf ticktrefoil | DESE | Desmodium sessilifolium | Native | – | 0.1–5 | |
| flowering spurge | EUCO10 | Euphorbia corollata | Native | – | 2–5 | |
| manyray aster | SYAN2 | Symphyotrichum anomalum | Native | – | 2–5 | |
| winecup | CADI2 | Callirhoe digitata | Native | – | 0.1–2 | |
| common sneezeweed | HEAU | Helenium autumnale | Native | – | 1–2 | |
| Missouri goldenrod | SOMI2 | Solidago missouriensis | Native | – | 1–2 | |
| gray goldenrod | SONE | Solidago nemoralis | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| western rough goldenrod | SORA | Solidago radula | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| wild bergamot | MOFI | Monarda fistulosa | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| Sampson's snakeroot | ORPE | Orbexilum pedunculatum | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| Canadian lousewort | PECA | Pedicularis canadensis | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| downy phlox | PHPI | Phlox pilosa | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| common cinquefoil | POSI2 | Potentilla simplex | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| narrowleaf mountainmint | PYTE | Pycnanthemum tenuifolium | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| Virginia strawberry | FRVI | Fragaria virginiana | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| agueweed | GEQU2 | Gentianella quinquefolia | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| skyblue aster | SYOO | Symphyotrichum oolentangiense | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| Arkansas ironweed | VEAR3 | Vernonia arkansana | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| prairie blazing star | LIPY | Liatris pycnostachya | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| roundhead lespedeza | LECA8 | Lespedeza capitata | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| slender lespedeza | LEVI7 | Lespedeza virginica | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| Nuttall's sensitive-briar | MINU6 | Mimosa nuttallii | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| stiff ticktrefoil | DEOB5 | Desmodium obtusum | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| blackeyed Susan | RUHI2 | Rudbeckia hirta | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| fringeleaf wild petunia | RUHU | Ruellia humilis | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| azure blue sage | SAAZ | Salvia azurea | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| milkweed | ASCLE | Asclepias | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| tall tickseed | COTR4 | Coreopsis tripteris | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| Texas goldentop | EUGY | Euthamia gymnospermoides | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| button eryngo | ERYU | Eryngium yuccifolium | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| pale purple coneflower | ECPA | Echinacea pallida | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| white wild indigo | BAAL | Baptisia alba | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
| Indianhemp | APCA | Apocynum cannabinum | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| prairie willow | SAHU2 | Salix humilis | Native | – | 0.1–10 | |
| New Jersey tea | CEAM | Ceanothus americanus | Native | – | 2–5 | |
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | Native | – | 0.1–2 | |
| Carolina rose | ROCA4 | Rosa carolina | Native | – | 0.1–1 | |
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 ( 0.5 meter, low litter levels, bare ground visible):
Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Upland Sandpiper, Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Bobwhite
Vegetation Height Moderate (0.5 – 1 meter, moderate litter levels, some bare ground visible): Eastern Meadowlark, Dickcissel, Field Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Bobwhite, Blue Grosbeak, Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Lark Sparrow
Vegetation Height Tall (> 1 meter, moderate-high litter levels, little bare ground visible):
Henslow’s Sparrow, Dickcissel, Greater Prairie Chicken, Field Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite, Sedge Wren, Northern Harrier
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, Common Yellowthroat
Winter Resident: Short-Eared Owl, Northern Harrier
Amphibian and reptile species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition: prairies with crawfish burrows may have Northern Crawfish Frog (Rana areolata circulosa); 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), Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala), 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: Regal Fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia) whose larvae feed primarily on native prairie violets (Viola pedata, V. pedatifida, and V. sagittata); Mottled Dusky Wing butterfly (Erynnis martialis), Ottoe Skipper butterfly (Hesperia ottoe), Arogos Skipper butterfly (Atrytone arogos iowa), 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), Prairie Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa major), 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: Loamy Upland Prairie
Plot DIGRCA05 – Maplegrove soil
Located in Diamond Grove CA, Newton County, MO
Latitude: 37.017071
Longitude: -94.376844
Plot GOPRPF04 – Maplegrove soil
Located in Golden Prairie MPF, Barton County, MO
Latitude: 37.351885
Longitude: -94.148681
Plot WOPROR03 – Wanda soil
Located in Woods Prairie ORLT, Lawrence County, MO
Latitude: 37.09251
Longitude: -93.731905
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.
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.
Ladd, D. 1991. Reexamination of the role of fire in Missouri oak woodlands. Pp. 67-80 in G.V. Brown, James K.; Smith, Jane Kapler, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 257 p.
Missouri Department of Conservation. 2010. Missouri Forest and Woodland Community Profiles. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
NatureServe. 2010. 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., and Walter A. Schroeder. 2002. Atlas of Missouri Ecoregions. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
Peer, Alan C. 2004. Soil Survey of Jasper County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Pitts, D.E. and W.D. McGuire. 2000. Wildlife management for Missouri landowners. 3rd ed. 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.
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.
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 | 10/06/2020 |
| 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:
-
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.