Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R116BY024MO
Shallow Limestone Upland Glade/Woodland
Last updated: 10/07/2020
Accessed: 11/21/2024
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 Limestone Glade.
Missouri Department of Conservation Forest and Woodland Communities (Missouri Department of Conservation, 2006):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Limestone/Dolomite Woodland.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Schizachyrium scoparium - Bouteloua curtipendula - Rudbeckia missouriensis - Mentzelia oligosperma Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL002251).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs primarily within the following Land Type Associations:
Upper Sac River Oak Savanna/Woodland Low Hills
Stockton Prairie/Savanna Dissected Plain
Big Sugar Creek Oak Woodland/Forest Hills
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”.
Shallow Limestone Glade/Woodlands occur in dissected areas where the underlying limestone is exposed, primarily in the Sac River watershed and tributaries in Dade County and Cedar County, Missouri. Small areas also occur to the south in the Elk River watershed, primarily over dolomite. Soils are very shallow to limestone bedrock. The reference plant community ranges from open areas of grasses and forbs interspersed with bare bedrock, to areas with shrubs and widely scattered chinkapin and post oak.
Associated sites
| F116BY003MO |
Chert Upland Woodland Chert Upland Woodlands are often upslope, where soils are very deep. |
|---|---|
| F116BY006MO |
Chert Limestone Upland Woodland Chert Limestone Upland Woodland are adjacent and often upslope, where soils are 20 to 40 inches to limestone bedrock. |
| F116BY011MO |
Chert Limestone Protected Backslope Forest Chert Limestone Protected Backslope Forests are adjacent and often downslope, on steep northern and eastern aspects, where soils are 20 to 40 inches to limestone bedrock. |
| F116BY034MO |
Chert Limestone Exposed Backslope Woodland Chert Limestone Exposed Backslope Woodlands are adjacent and often downslope, on steep southern and western aspects, where soils are 20 to 40 inches to limestone bedrock. |
Similar sites
| R116BY025MO |
Shallow Sandstone Upland Glade/Woodland Shallow Sandstone Upland Glade/Woodlands are also glades on similar landscape positions but on sandstone. Structure is similar but species composition is in many ways different. |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Quercus muehlenbergii |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Bumelia lanuginosa |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Schizachyrium scoparium |
Physiographic features
This site is on upland crests, shoulders and backslopes with slopes of 3 to 50 percent. The site generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites, and in places receives runoff from upslope summit and shoulder sites. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Dodd, 1985) 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, shown here on knobs. Shallow Limestone Upland Glade/Woodland sites are typically associated with Chert Limestone Upland Woodland sites, labeled “4”.
Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Ridge
(2) Knob (3) Bluff |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Slope | 3 – 50% |
| Water table depth | 152 cm |
| 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) | 151-162 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 184-192 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 1,168 mm |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 145-162 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 181-194 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 1,168 mm |
| Frost-free period (average) | 156 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 188 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 1,168 mm |
Figure 3. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 8. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) STOCKTON DAM [USC00238082], Stockton, MO
-
(2) SPRINGFIELD [USW00013995], Springfield, MO
-
(3) MT VERNON M U SW CTR [USC00235862], Mount Vernon, MO
Influencing water features
This ecological site is not influenced by wetland or riparian water features. High temperatures, intense solar radiation, and dry conditions prevail throughout much of the growing season, although soils may be saturated in spring, winter and late fall. Frost upheaval frequently disrupts these shallow soils during the dominant season. While evapotranspiration remains the most constant water feature, evapotranspiration rates typically peak in the summer and become dominant. The surface runoff pulse is greatly influenced by extreme weather events.
Soil features
These soils are underlain with limestone bedrock at less than 20 inches. The soils were formed under prairie vegetation, and have dark, organic-rich surface horizons. Parent material is limestone residuum. These soils are loamy and are skeletal, with high amounts of limestone gravel, channers and flagstones. They are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Gasconade and Moko.
The accompanying picture of a roadcut in the Moko series shows the shallow depth to the fractured limestone bedrock that characterizes this ecological site. Picture from Baker (1998).
Figure 9. Moko series
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Residuum
–
cherty limestone
|
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Flaggy silty clay loam (2) Gravelly silt loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained to somewhat excessively drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately slow to slow |
| Soil depth | 10 – 51 cm |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 12 – 35% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 0 – 20% |
| Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
2.54 – 5.08 cm |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
0% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
5.1 – 7.3 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
10 – 50% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
10 – 50% |
Ecological dynamics
Information contained in this section was developed using historical data, professional experience, field reviews, and scientific studies. The information presented is representative of very complex 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.
Glade plants in general possess many adaptations enabling them to survive in a harsh environment often subject to widely fluctuating extremes of temperature and moisture. The following conditions are general characteristic of most limestone glades (Nelson and Ladd 1983; Nelson et al. 2013):
• Calcareous bedrock at or near the surface because of major erosional activity;
• Moderate to steep slopes in deeply dissected drainages or hilly to mountainous terrain with a southern or western exposure with intense solar radiation;
• Extremely thin soil cover interspersed with abundant rock fragments and rock outcrops;
• Exceptionally dry conditions throughout much of the growing season, although soils may be seasonally saturated in spring, winter, and fall;
• Peripheral areas and sometimes large expanses of the glades themselves characterized by a mosaic of stunted, often gnarled trees and shrubs.
The shallow soils of this ecological site limit the growth and abundance of trees and support the native grasses and forbs that dominate these systems. Fire played an important role in the maintenance of these systems, as well. It is likely that these sites burned at least once every five years. These periodic fires removed the litter and stimulated the growth and flowering of the grasses and forbs. They also further limited the growth and dominance of trees, especially eastern redcedar1.
Fire tolerant chinkapin oak and post oak occupied islands and edges of deeper soils, creating a complex mosaic of open glade and low-density woodland. During fire-free intervals, woody species increased, but not to densities on over-grazed glades.
In the absence of fire, woody species, especially eastern redcedar, quickly occupy the site. This is especially true after grazing has reduced grass cover and exposed more surface to the dispersal of eastern redcedar seeds by birds. Once established, eastern redcedar can quickly fill in a glade/woodland system, especially if grazing has diminished the vigor of the diverse flora. Many glades have been heavily grazed and suffer substantial redcedar invasion. Removal of the eastern redcedar by chainsaw and the application of prescribed fire have proven to be an effect way to management these systems.
Glade/Woodland Complexes harbor a wide diversity of plants and animals. Grasses such as little bluestem, Indiangrass, and sideoats grama, are also found on prairies. But other species, such as Missouri coneflower, limestone calamint, and the federally listed Missouri bladder-pod (Lesquerella filaformis), are only found on limestone/dolomite glades. Desert-adapted animals, like scorpions and tarantulas, also occupy healthy glades.
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 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference
Glade/Woodland reference sites harbor a wide diversity of plants and animals. Many, like little bluestem, Indiangrass, and sideoats grama, are also found on prairies. But others, such as Missouri coneflower and calamint are only found on limestone/dolomite glades. Desert-adapted animals, like scorpions and tarantulas, also occupy healthy glades. The glade/woodland complexes range from wide open grassy areas with shallow soils and bare bedrock, to areas with widely scattered chinkapin oak and post oak on locations with soil depths at the deeper extreme of the range for this soil component. On protected slopes, open woodlands are more common. Here the deeper soil depth range for this soil component and protected aspects allow more woody components to dominate. While many have suffered from grazing and fire suppression, good examples can still be found.
Community 1.1
Chinkapin Oak/Gum Bully – Fragrant Sumac/ Little Bluestem – Sideoats Grama
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
Chinkapin Oak - Post Oak /Gum Bumelia / Little Bluestem - Sideoats Grama
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
With fire-free intervals of 5 to 10 years, woody vegetation will increase and the community will gradually shift.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
More frequent fire intervals of 3 to 5 years will help to suppress and remove woody invasive species.
State 2
Woody Invaded Glade/Woodland
This state is dominated by eastern redcedar with large increases of oak density due to extended periods of fire suppression. This state can form relatively even-age stands, dating to when fire suppression became the dominant management characteristic on the site. Canopy closures can approach 100% with little or no ground flora. Transition back to the reference state may require a number of prescribed fire events and thinning out of excess woody species. This state also can transition to a grazed state (State 3) with the introduction of domestic livestock.
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
Eastern Redcedar – Oak/ Winged Sumac/Little Bluestem
State 3
Grazed Glade/Woodland
The Grazed Glade/Woodland State has reduced cover, diversity and vigor of native glade/woodland flora. Woody species encroachment, particularly by eastern redcedar, has also increased in this state. Potential physical site damage by uncontrolled livestock grazing may further degrade this State.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Sheet and rill erosion
-
Ephemeral gully erosion
-
Compaction
-
Nutrients transported to surface water
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
-
Feed and forage imbalance
Community 3.1
Chinkapin Oak - Eastern Redcedar /Winged Sumac / Broomsedge
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
This gradual transition results from prolonged periods of fire suppression, generally over 20 years.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
This transition results from persistent livestock grazing accompanied by fire suppression.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Restoration requires removing most of the eastern redcedar and other woody invaders, accompanied by prescribed fire.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1
Restoration requires exclusion of livestock grazing, accompanied by prescribed fire and woody removal.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 2
This gradual transition results from uncontrolled grazing.
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (m) | Canopy cover (%) | Diameter (cm) | Basal area (square m/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
|||||||
| chinquapin oak | QUMU | Quercus muehlenbergii | Native | – | 0–10 | – | – |
| post oak | QUST | Quercus stellata | Native | – | 0–10 | – | – |
| blue ash | FRQU | Fraxinus quadrangulata | Native | – | 0–10 | – | – |
| dwarf hackberry | CETE | Celtis tenuifolia | Native | – | 0–10 | – | – |
Table 6. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (m) | Canopy cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
|
||||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| puffsheath dropseed | SPNE2 | Sporobolus neglectus | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| Mead's sedge | CAME2 | Carex meadii | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| flatstem spikerush | ELCO2 | Eleocharis compressa | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| Lindheimer panicgrass | DIACL | Dichanthelium acuminatum var. lindheimeri | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| Crawe's sedge | CACR3 | Carex crawei | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| prairie dropseed | SPHE | Sporobolus heterolepis | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| Bush's sedge | CABU5 | Carex bushii | Native | – | 1–5 | |
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| pinnate prairie coneflower | RAPI | Ratibida pinnata | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| aromatic aster | SYOB | Symphyotrichum oblongifolium | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| butterfly milkweed | ASTU | Asclepias tuberosa | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| Sampson's snakeroot | ORPE | Orbexilum pedunculatum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| Tharp's spiderwort | TRTH | Tradescantia tharpii | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| pale purple coneflower | ECPA | Echinacea pallida | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| devil's-tongue | OPHU | Opuntia humifusa | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| small skullcap | SCPA7 | Scutellaria parvula | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| purple prairie clover | DAPU5 | Dalea purpurea | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| limestone calamint | CLAR5 | Clinopodium arkansanum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| blue wild indigo | BAAUM | Baptisia australis var. minor | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| prairie tea | CRMO6 | Croton monanthogynus | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| slimleaf milkweed | ASST | Asclepias stenophylla | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| hoary puccoon | LICA12 | Lithospermum canescens | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| chickenthief | MEOL | Mentzelia oligosperma | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| slimflower scurfpea | PSTE5 | Psoralidium tenuiflorum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| prairie rosinweed | SITE | Silphium terebinthinaceum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| Michaux's croton | CRMIE | Croton michauxii var. ellipticus | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| pasture heliotrope | HETE3 | Heliotropium tenellum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| widowscross | SEPU | Sedum pulchellum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| limestone adderstongue | OPEN | Ophioglossum engelmannii | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| Missouri orange coneflower | RUMI | Rudbeckia missouriensis | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| diamondflowers | STNIN | Stenaria nigricans var. nigricans | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| meadow garlic | ALCA3 | Allium canadense | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| western silver aster | SYSE2 | Symphyotrichum sericeum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| Carolina larkspur | DECA3 | Delphinium carolinianum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| fragrant sumac | RHAR4 | Rhus aromatica | Native | – | 2–5 | |
| Carolina buckthorn | FRCA13 | Frangula caroliniana | Native | – | 2–5 | |
| leadplant | AMCA6 | Amorpha canescens | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| gum bully | SILA20 | Sideroxylon lanuginosum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| spotted St. Johnswort | HYPU | Hypericum punctatum | Native | – | 1–5 | |
|
Nonvascular
|
||||||
| wart lichen | VEMA6 | Verrucaria marmorea | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| fishscale lichen | PSDE60 | Psora decipiens | Native | – | 1–5 | |
| sarcogyne lichen | SARE18 | Sarcogyne regularis | Native | – | 1–5 | |
Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife
Wildlife habitat: oaks provide hard mast; numerous native legumes provide high-quality wildlife food; native warm-season grasses provide extensive 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.
Game species that utilize this ecological site include:
Northern Bobwhite will utilize this ecological site for food (seeds, insects), cover needs (escape, nesting and roosting cover) and brood-rearing habitat.
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, and 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.
Breeding bird species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition:
Field Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue-winged Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Indigo Bunting, Red-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Bobwhite, Prairie Warbler, and Eastern Towhee.
Amphibian and reptile species that may be associated with this ecological site’s reference state: collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris collaris), five-lined skink (Eumeces fasciatus), six-lined racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus), flat-headed snake (Tantilla gracilis), eastern coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum flagellum), red milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila), eastern narrow-mouthed toad (Gastrophyne carolinensis), coal skink (Eumeces anthracinus pluvialis), ground snake (Snora semiannulata), and prairie ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi).
Small mammals likely associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition: eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana) and peromyscus species.
Invertebrates – Many native insect species are likely associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition, especially native bees, ants, beetles, butterflies and moths, and crickets, grasshoppers and katydids.
Insect species likely associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition: dusted skipper butterfly (Atrytonopsis hianna), cobweb skipper butterfly (Hesperia metea), pepper and salt skipper butterfly (Amblyscirtes hegon), Delaware skipper butterfly (Atryone logan logan), crossline skipper butterfly (Polites origenes), native ants (Crematogaster lineolata, Monomorium minimum, Forelius pruinosus Paratrechnia terricola), and native bees (Colletes aestivalis, Andrena helianthiformis, Protandrena rudbeckiae, Lasioglossum coreopsis, Anthidium psoraleae and Dianthidium subrufulum).
Other invertebrates: black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) and striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus)
(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: Site index values are less than 30 for eastern redcedar and generally less than 40 for oak. Productivity is very low. No timber management opportunities exist. These sites are valuable for wildlife purposes and watershed protection. Severely reduced rooting depth restricts tree growth and increases windthrow hazards. These sites respond well to prescribed fire as a management tool.
Limitations: Surface stones and surface rock; very shallow soil depth. Surface stones and rocks are problems for efficient and safe equipment operation. Severe seedling mortality due to high soil surface temperatures and low available water holding capacity is possible. Machine planting and mechanical site preparation is not recommended. Hard bedrock at shallow depths may interfere with equipment operation. Rock outcrops may cause breakage of timber when harvesting. Surface stones and rocks will make equipment use extremely difficult. 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: Shallow Limestone Upland Glade/Woodland
Plot PLHOCA06 – Moko soil
Located in Pleasant Hope CA, Polk County, MO
Latitude: 37.429681
Longitude: -93.298301
Plot STLACE05 – Gasconade soil
Located in Stockton Lake COE/CA, Cedar County, MO
Latitude: 37.574269
Longitude: -93.665836
Plot SPNACA_JK05 – Moko soil
Located in Springfield Nature Center, Greene County, MO
Latitude: 37.127052
Longitude: -93.244542
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.
Dodd, Jerry A. 1985. Soil Survey of Christian County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Soil Conservation Service.
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, Missouri.
Jacobs, B. 2001. Birds in Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri.
Johnson, T.R. 2000. The amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. 2nd ed. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri.
Nelson, Paul W. 2010. The Terrestrial Natural Communities of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri.
Nelson P.W. and D. Ladd. 1983. Preliminary report on the identification, distribution, and classification of Missouri glades. Pp. 59-76 in C.L. Kucera (ed.). Proceedings of the seventh North American Prairie Conference. Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri.
Nelson, P. W., J. A. Fitzgerald, K. Larson, R. McCoy, A. Schotz, J. Taft, T. Witsell, B. Yahn. 2013. Central Hardwoods Joint Venture Glade Conservation Assessment for the Interior Highlands and Interior Low Plateaus of the Central Hardwoods Region. Central Hardwoods Joint Venture. http://www.chjv.org/projects.html.
Nigh, Timothy A., and 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, 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.
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, Missouri.
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.