Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F108XD757IA
Sandstone Upland Woodland
Last updated: 10/17/2024
Accessed: 08/15/2026
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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.
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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): 108X–Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift
The Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift, Western Part MLRA covers parts of both Iowa and Missouri and is known locally as part of the Southern Iowa Drift Plain. A silty loess deposit of varying thickness (5 to 20 feet) covers a series of glacial advances known collectively as pre-Illinoisan till. This till, deposited more than half a million years ago, was subjected to multiple instances of extreme erosion as well as periods of subdued erosion and intense weathering. The loess is thickest in the western part of the MLRA and generally thins eastward. In some areas, the loess has been removed and the older weathered till, called a “paleosol,” entirely exposed. These highly weathered soils, or paleosols, have a high content of clay, which slows the downward movement of water through the profile and causes water to move laterally instead of vertically. Wet areas, or “side-hill seeps,” commonly form where these paleosols become exposed along hillsides (Prior, 1991).
The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Mollisols and Alfisols and, to a lesser extent, Entisols and Inceptisols. Most of the soils are Udolls or Udalfs. Aquolls are on the flatter interfluves. The soils in the area dominantly have a mesic soil temperature regime, an aquic or udic soil moisture regime, and mixed mineralogy. They generally are very deep, well drained to poorly drained, and silty, loamy, or clayey. These soils on uplands include somewhat poorly drained, nearly level Argiudolls (Macksburg series); moderately well drained, gently sloping to strongly sloping Argiudolls (Sharpsburg series); poorly drained, nearly level Argiaquolls (Winterset series); and well drained strongly, sloping to steep Hapludalfs (Gara, Lindley, Ladoga, and Armstrong series) (USDA-NRCS, 2006). The western part of the Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift is a segment of three other MLRAs within the Central Feed Grains and Livestock Region. The other areas are: the West-Central part (108C), the East-Central part (108B) and the Eastern part (108A).Classification relationships
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift, Western Part (108D)
USFS Subregions: Central Dissected Till Plains Section (251C); Loess Hills (251Cb) and Central Dissected Till and Loess Plain (251Cc) Subsections (Cleland et al. 2007)
Relationship to Other Established Classifications:
NatureServe Classification: Ecological System: North-Central Interior Dry-Mesic Oak Forest and Woodland (4116); Ecological Association: Central Midwest White Oak Mixed Oak Woodland (NatureServe, 2013)
Landfire Biophysical Setting: North-Central Interior Dry-Mesic Oak Forest and Woodland (4313100) (Landfire, 2009)Ecological site concept
These sites formed in sandstone residuum and can be found on hillslopes on uplands. Typically these sites are located down slope from till ecological sites. Soils are typically Alfisols and are moderately deep (24 to 40 inches) to paralithic contact. Plant communities consist of mostly trees and few grasses forbs and shrubs.
Associated sites
R108XD824IA Wet Upland Drainageway Prairie
Fine and fine-silty textured soils include Ackmore, Colo, Judson, Vesser and Zook series.
R108XD841IA Loamy Footslope Savanna
Fine-loamy and fine-silty soils including Arbor, Ely, Judson and Olmitz series.
R108XD863IA Till Upland Prairie
Till Upland Prairie. Fine and fine loamy soils, including Adair, Armstrong, Bucknell, Gara, Lamoni and Shelby series.
Similar sites
R108XD767IA Sandstone Backslope Prairie
Fine loamy, course loamy and sandy soils including Hesch, Histon and Montieth series.
R108XD767IA Sandstone Backslope Prairie
Sandstone Backslope Prairie. Fine-loamy, coarse-loamy and sandy soils including Hesch, Hixton and Montieth series.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Quercus alba
(2) Carya ovataShrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Carex pensylvanica
Physiographic features
Sandstone Upland Woodlands are of small extent, and can be found on hillslopes in uplands in the northwestern part of MLRA 108D. These sites are within a dissected till plain landscape. Slopes range from 9 to 14 percent. These sites typically occur the lower parts of slopes along stream valleys.
Figure 2. Block diagram representing typical soil-landform s
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
Runoff class Medium to high Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 800 – 1100 ft Slope 9 – 14 % Water table depth 20 – 40 in Aspect W, NW, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW Climatic features
The soil temperature regime of MLRA 108D is classified as “mesic” where the mean annual soil temperature is between 46 and 59°F (Soil Survey Staff, 2014). The average freeze-free period of this ecological site is about 165 days, while the frost-free period is about 140 days (Table 2). Average annual precipitation is 32 inches, which includes rainfall plus the water equivalent from snowfall (Table 3). The average annual low and high temperatures are 37 and 60°F, respectively. Climate data and analyses are derived from 30-year averages gathered from two National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather stations contained within the range of this ecological site (Table 4).
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 140-150 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 160-180 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 40-40 in Frost-free period (actual range) 130-150 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 150-180 days Precipitation total (actual range) 40-40 in Frost-free period (average) 140 days Freeze-free period (average) 170 days Precipitation total (average) 40 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 8 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) WINTERSET 1N [USC00139132], Winterset, IA
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(2) GUTHRIE CTR [USC00133509], Guthrie Center, IA
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(3) DES MOINES INTL AP [USW00014933], Des Moines, IA
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(4) CLARINDA [USC00131533], Clarinda, IA
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(5) MARYVILLE 2E [USC00235340], Maryville, MO
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(6) KNOXVILLE [USC00134502], Knoxville, IA
">Influencing water features
This ecological site is not influenced by wetland or riparian water features. Drainage is excessively well. Permeability is moderate to slow. The soil at this site is in hydrologic group A. Land capability class is 6e. The water source is direct precipitation and overland flow from upslope contributing sites. Depth of endosaturation is greater than 5 feet.
Soil features
These soils have a major rooting restriction at a depth of 32 inches. The soils were formed under woodland vegetation, and have thin surface horizons. These sites formed in material weathered from a sandstone layer ranging from 10 to greater than 40 feet thick. Beneath this sandstone is typically clayey shale or limestone bedrock. The soils have a loamy sand surface horizon. Subsoils are also loamy sand. Montieth is the only soil series associated with this site.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Residuum – sandstone
Surface texture (1) Loamy sand
Family particle size (1) Sandy
Drainage class Excessively drained Permeability class Moderate to rapid Soil depth 32 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)2.7 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)5 – 6.2 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)2 – 3 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)2 – 3 % Ecological dynamics
Reference plant community is categorized as a dry/mesic oak woodland and includes trees, grasses, and forbs. Species composition typically includes Quercus alba, Carya ovata, Andropogon gerardii and Carex pensylvanica.
Fire, windstorms, ice storms and grazing, are all disturbances influencing the dynamics at this site. Disturbances at these sites likely occurred every 10 years. The most common fires were surface fires which were fast moving and moderate to high intensity. Native Americans contributed to the majority of ignitions, though a limited amount of lightning strike ignitions were also responsible. Wind and ice storm damage contributed to increased canopy openings and light penetration. Grazing, from elk and bison was minimal (Mutel, 2008).State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 9. State-and-transition diagram for Sandstone Upland
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 textEcosystem states
States 1, 5 and 2 (additional transitions)
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
ReferenceThis phase is a dry/mesic oak woodland. As such, this has a reference plant community which includes trees, grasses and forbs.
Dominant plant species
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), shrub
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hairy woodland brome (Bromus pubescens), grass
Community 1.1
White Oak – Black Oak / Aromatic Sumac / Woodland BromeSpecies composition of this phase includes Quercus alba, Carya ovata, Carya tomentosa, Carya ovalis, Quercus rubra, Quercus velutina, Andropogon gerardii, Elymus virginicus, Elymus hystrix, Festuca subverticillata, Carex pensylvanica, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Asclepias purpurascens, Helianthus strumosus, Penstemon digitalis, Sanicula Canadensis, Sanicula odorata, Solidago ulmifolia, and Veronicastrum virginicum. Canopy cover is between 21 and 60 percent. Periods of no disturbance greater than 10 years will cause a shift to phase 1.2 (Figure 3). If disturbance frequency becomes more often than every 10 years, the phase will shift back to this phase.
Dominant plant species
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white oak (Quercus alba), tree
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), shrub
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hairy woodland brome (Bromus pubescens), grass
Community 1.2
White Oak – Black Oak – Hickory / Eastern Hop Hornbeam – Aromatic Sumac / Woodland BromeThis phase forms as a result of periods of no disturbance greater than
10 years. If disturbance frequency becomes more often than every 10 years, this phase will shift back to phase 1.1.Dominant plant species
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white oak (Quercus alba), tree
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), shrub
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hairy woodland brome (Bromus pubescens), grass
Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2No disturbance for 10 plus years.
Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Disturbance (fire, wind, ice) less than 10 year interval.
State 2
Timber Managed StateThe reference state will transition to this state phase due to fire suppression and timber management. A restoration path is also possible to the reference state by proper prescribed fire, extended rotations and selective thinning. The timber managed state can transition to either a high graded / grazed woodland state or to a fire managed woodland state. The high graded / grazed woodland state is formed by high-grading harvesting and uncontrolled grazing. In order to return to the timber managed state, thinning, forest stand improvement and ceasing grazing are required. The fire managed woodland is formed by prescribed fire and thinning and can return to the timber managed state by fire suppression and forest timber management.
Dominant plant species
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white oak (Quercus alba), tree
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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serviceberry (Amelanchier), shrub
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maple (Acer), shrub
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American hazelnut (Corylus americana), shrub
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Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), grass
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aster (Aster), other herbaceous
Community 2.1
Black Oak – White Oak / Serviceberry – Hazelnut / Aster – Pennsylvania SedgeForest timber management is required to maintain this phase. If this phase remains idle, hickory and maple saplings become more prevalent and the phase becomes phase 2.2.
Dominant plant species
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white oak (Quercus alba), tree
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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serviceberry (Amelanchier), shrub
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American hazelnut (Corylus americana), shrub
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Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), grass
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aster (Aster), other herbaceous
Community 2.2
Black Oak – White Oak – Hickory / Serviceberry – Maple saplings / Aster – Pennsylvania sedgeThis phase is a result of phase 2.1 if it remains idle. Hickory and maple
saplings have become more prevalent. It can be reversed back to phase 2.1 through forest timber management.Dominant plant species
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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white oak (Quercus alba), tree
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serviceberry (Amelanchier), shrub
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maple (Acer), shrub
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Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), grass
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aster (Aster), other herbaceous
Pathway P2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2No activity; idle.
Pathway P2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1Forest timber management.
State 3
Fire Managed Woodland StateThis state has three other possible states it can change to, the timber managed woodland, the high-graded / grazed woodland and restoration to the reference state. Restoration requires extended rotations and selective thinning. Transitioning to the timber managed woodland requires fire suppression and forest timber management. High-grading harvesting and uncontrolled grazing will cause a transition to the high-graded / grazed woodland state.
Dominant plant species
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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white oak (Quercus alba), tree
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hybrid hickory (Carya), tree
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buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus), shrub
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black cherry (Prunus serotina), shrub
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hairy woodland brome (Bromus pubescens), grass
Community 3.1
black oak – white oak – hickory / buckbrush / woodland bromeA lack of activity, remaining idle and fire suppression will cause a shift from phase 3.1 to 3.2. Conversely, prescribed fire and selective thinning will reverse this transition.
Dominant plant species
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white oak (Quercus alba), tree
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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hybrid hickory (Carya), tree
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buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus), shrub
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hairy woodland brome (Bromus pubescens), grass
Community 3.2
black oak – white oak – hickory / Oak saplings – black cherry / woodland bromeThis phase is a result of lack of activity, remaining idle and fire suppression on phase 3.1. Prescribed fire and selective thinning will reverse this transition back to phase 3.1.
Dominant plant species
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white oak (Quercus alba), tree
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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hybrid hickory (Carya), tree
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oak (Quercus), shrub
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black cherry (Prunus serotina), shrub
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hairy woodland brome (Bromus pubescens), grass
Pathway P3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2No activity; idle; fire suppression.
Pathway P3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1Prescribed fire; selective thinning.
State 4
Grassland StateThe grassland state has only one possible transition, which is directly from the tall fescue – white clover / multi-flora rose phase to the black oak – hickory / black cherry – buckbrush – gooseberry –multi-flora rose / black snakeroot – geranium phase of the high-graded / grazed woodland state.
Two possible transitions to this state are from the reference state and the high-graded / grazed woodland state. Transitioning from the high-graded / grazed woodland state requires clearing, pasture planting and grassland management.
Many species are possible in this State.Community 4.1
cool season grasses – legumesThe reference state can transition directly to this phase of the grassland state with the following processes, clearing, pasture planting, and grassland management. The cool season grasses – legumes phase can transition to phase 4.2 without proper management and overgrazing. Phase 4.2 can transition back to the cool season grasses – legumes phase with proper grassland management, including managing brush and grassland seeding.
Community 4.2
multi-flora rose/ tall fescue – white cloverThis phase can transition to the cool season grasses – legumes phase with proper grassland management, including managing brush and grassland seeding. Without proper management and overgrazing the cool season grasses – legumes phase will transition back to phase 4.2.
Dominant plant species
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multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), shrub
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tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), grass
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white clover (Trifolium repens), other herbaceous
Community 4.3
Native warm season grassesIn some instances, this state has been converted to native warm season grasses, primarily big bluestem, switchgrass, and Indiangrass or pure stands of single species. These sites are typically converted through a federal cost share
program such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Some sites are associated with an active rotational grazingDominant plant species
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big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), grass
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Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), grass
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switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), grass
Pathway P4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2Overgrazing; no management.
Pathway P4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.1Brush management; grassland seeding; grassland management.
State 5
High- graded/ Grazed Woodland StateThis state can transition to three other possible states, the grassland state, the timber managed woodland state, and the fire managed woodland state. A transition to the grassland state requires clearing, pasture planting, and grassland management. The timber managed woodland state can be formed by forest stand improvement ceasing grazing, and thinning. Transitioning to the fire managed woodland state also requires forest stand improvement and a ceasing of grazing, but will require prescribed burning as well.
Dominant plant species
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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hybrid hickory (Carya), tree
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multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), shrub
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buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus), shrub
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geranium (Geranium), other herbaceous
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Canadian blacksnakeroot (Sanicula canadensis), other herbaceous
Community 5.1
black oak – hickory / hickory saplings – gooseberry – multi-flora rose / black snakeroot – geranium phaseThis phase can transition to phase 5.2 due to no activity and
remaining idle. Reversing this transition requires high-grading and uncontrolled grazing.Dominant plant species
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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hybrid hickory (Carya), tree
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multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), shrub
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currant (Ribes), shrub
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Canadian blacksnakeroot (Sanicula canadensis), other herbaceous
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geranium (Geranium), other herbaceous
Community 5.2
black oak - hickory / black cherry – buckbrush – gooseberry – multi-flora rose / black snakeroot – geraniumThis phase can transition to phase 5.1 due to high-grading
and uncontrolled grazing. Reversing this transition requires no activity and remaining idle (Woodland Health, 2004).Dominant plant species
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black oak (Quercus velutina), tree
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hybrid hickory (Carya), tree
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black cherry (Prunus serotina), shrub
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buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus), shrub
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currant (Ribes), shrub
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multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), shrub
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Canadian blacksnakeroot (Sanicula canadensis), other herbaceous
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geranium (Geranium), other herbaceous
Pathway P5.1A
Community 5.1 to 5.2No activity; idle.
Pathway P5.2A
Community 5.2 to 5.1High grading; uncontrolled grazing
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Fire suppression; forest timber management
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Prescribed burning; forest stand improvement.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4Clearing; pasture planting; grassland management.
Transition T1D
State 1 to 5High grading harvesting; uncontrolled grazing
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Prescribed fire; extended rotations; selective thinning.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Prescribed fire; thinning.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 5High grading harvesting; uncontrolled grazing.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1Extended rotations; selective thinning.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 2Fire suppression; forest timber management.
Transition T3B
State 3 to 5High grading harvesting; uncontrolled grazing.
Transition T4A
State 4 to 5Long term succession; no grazing.
Transition T5C
State 5 to 2Forest stand improvement; no grazing; thinning.
Transition T5B
State 5 to 3Forest stand improvement; no grazing; prescribed burning.
Transition T5A
State 5 to 4Clearing; pasture planting; grassland management.
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 6. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 7. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 3.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 4.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 4.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 5.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 5.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Supporting information
Inventory data references
No field plots were available for this site. A review of the scientific literature and professional experience were used to approximate the plant communities for this provisional ecological site. Information for the state-and-transition model was obtained from the same sources. All community phases are considered provisional based on these plots and the sources identified in ecological site description.
Other references
Cleland, D.T., J.A. Freeouf, J.E. Keys, G.J. Nowacki, C. Carpenter, and W.H. McNab. 2007. Ecological Subregions: Sections and Subsections of the Conterminous United States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report WO-76. Washington, DC.
Landfire. 2009. Biophysical Setting 4314210 Central Tallgrass Prairie. In: Landfire National Vegetation Dynamics Models. USDA For. Serv. and U.S. Department of Interior. Washington, DC.
Mutel, Cornelia F. 2008. The Emerald Horizon: The History of Nature in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.
NatureServe. 2013. Associations and alliances of Iowa. St. Paul, Minnesota.
Prior, Jean Cutler. 1991. Landforms of Iowa. University of Iowa Press. Iowa City, Iowa.
Soil Survey Staff. 2014. Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 12th ed. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, DC.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. USDA Handbook 296.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Hydrologic Soil Group. National soil survey handbook, title 430-VI. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcs142p2_054223#39 accessed August 29, 2016.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Land Capability Classification. National soil survey handbook, title 430-VI.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcs142p2_054226#02 accessed August 29, 2016.
Woodland Health: Stewardship Options for Iowa Woodland Owners. 2004. Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Des Moines, Iowa.Contributors
John Hammerly (john.hammerly@usda.gov)
Dan Pulido (dan.pulido@usda.gov)Approval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 10/17/2024
Acknowledgments
This ESD was originally approved prior to April 2021.
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) John Hammerly, Soil Scientist Dan Pulido, SSOL Contact for lead author Date 08/15/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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