Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R109XY001MO
Claypan Summit Prairie
Last updated: 7/02/2024
Accessed: 09/22/2026
-
Search
Major Land Resource Area or ecological site by name and/or ID.
PreviousSectionsNextGeneral 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.
Click to explore map
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): 109X–Iowa and Missouri Heavy Till Plain
The Iowa and Missouri Heavy Till Plain is an area of rolling hills interspersed with interfluve divides and alluvial valleys. Elevation ranges from about 660 feet (200 meters) along the lower reaches of rivers, to about 980 feet (300 meters) on stable interfluve summits in southern Iowa. Relief is about 80 to 160 feet (25 to 50 meters) between major streams and adjacent interfluve summits. Most of the till plain drains south to the Missouri River via the Grand and Chariton River systems, but the northeastern portion drains southeast to the Mississippi River. Loess caps the pre-Illinoisan aged till on interfluves, whereas the till is exposed on side slopes. Mississippian aged limestone and Pennsylvanian aged sandstone and shale crop out on lower slopes in some areas.
Classification relationships
Terrestrial Natural Community Type in Missouri (Nelson, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Hardpan Prairie.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Schizachyrium scoparium - Bouteloua curtipendula - Agrostis hyemalis - Eleocharis spp. Hardpan Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL002249).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs in several Land Type Associations, primarily within the following Subsections:
Chariton River Hills
Claypan Till Plains
Grand River Hills
Wyaconda River Dissected Till PlainsEcological 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. As additional information is collected, analyzed and reviewed, this ESD will be refined and published as “Approved”.
Claypan Summit Prairies are on broad summit interfluves, particularly in the northern and northeastern parts of the MLRA. Soils have a silty clay subsoil that perches water in the spring, and affects rooting depth. The reference plant community is prairie dominated by Indiangrass, big bluestem, little bluestem and sideoats grama, with a wide variety of prairie wildflowers and wetness-tolerant sedges.Associated sites
R109XY002MO Loess Upland Prairie
Loess Upland Prairies are adjacent to this site, on convex summits and shoulders.
R109XY006MO Till Upland Prairie
Till Upland Prairies are downslope.
Similar sites
R109XY001MO Claypan Summit Prairie
There are no similar ecological sites in this MLRA.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Amorpha canescens
(2) Rosa carolinaHerbaceous (1) Schizachyrium scoparium
(2) Andropogon gerardiiPhysiographic features
This site is on broad upland summit interfluves and divides, with slopes of 0 to 5 percent. The site generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Lucassen, 1991) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships among the major ecological sites of the uplands. This site is within the area labeled as “1” on the figure, and is typically upslope from Loess Upland Prairie sites.
Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Interfluve
(2) Divide
(3) Ridge
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 660 – 1100 ft Slope 0 – 5 % Water table depth 6 – 24 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The Iowa and Missouri Heavy Till Plain MLRA 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.
This MLRA experiences small regional differences in climates that grade inconspicuously into each other. The basic gradient for most climatic characteristics is along a line from north to south. Both mean annual temperature and precipitation exhibit fairly minor gradients along this line. Mean January minimum temperature follows the north-to-south gradient. However, mean July maximum temperature shows hardly any geographic variation in the region. Mean July maximum temperatures have a range of only two to three degrees across the region.
Mean annual precipitation varies along the same gradient as temperature – lower annual precipitation in the north, higher in the south. Seasonality in precipitation is very pronounced due to strong continental influences. June precipitation, for example, averages four to five times greater than January precipitation. 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 influences ecological communities by limiting water supplies, especially at times of high temperatures and high evaporation rates. Drought indirectly affects ecological communities by increasing plant and animal susceptibility to the probability and severity of fire. Frequent fires encourage the development of grass/forb dominated communities and understories.
Superimposed upon the basic MLRA climatic patterns are local topographic influences that create topoclimatic, or microclimatic variations. 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. Slope orientation is an important topographic influence on climate. Summits and south-and-west-facing slopes are regularly warmer and drier, supporting more grass dominated communities than adjacent north- and-east-facing slopes that are cooler and moister that support more woody dominated communities. Finally, the cooler microclimate within a canopied forest is measurably different from the climate of a more open and warmer grassland or savanna area.
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) 140-160 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 180-190 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 40-40 in Frost-free period (actual range) 140-170 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 170-200 days Precipitation total (actual range) 40-40 in Frost-free period (average) 150 days Freeze-free period (average) 180 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
-
(1) BROOKFIELD [USC00230980], Brookfield, MO
-
(2) MEMPHIS [USC00235492], Memphis, MO
-
(3) CENTERVILLE [USC00131354], Centerville, IA
-
(4) KEOSAUQUA [USC00134389], Keosauqua, IA
-
(5) TRENTON [USC00238444], Trenton, MO
-
(6) KEOKUK LOCK DAM 19 [USC00134381], Keokuk, IA
">Influencing water features
This ecological site is influenced by a seasonal high water table, perched on the clayey subsoil. Some depressional areas pond for short periods of time, mostly in the spring. These shallow depressional areas were more common prior to the conversion of nearly all areas of this ecological site from prairie to cropland. Leveling and surface drainage have reduced or eliminated the shallow depressions. These areas were Emergent Palustrine wetlands (Cowardin et al., 1979).<br />
<br />
This ecological site contains wetlands which fit into the MINERAL FLAT class in the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) system (Brinson, 1993). The water source is direct precipitation, because there are no upslope contributing sites. Vertical water percolation in the soil is impeded by the clayey subsoil (the “claypan”), resulting in significant lateral discharge to adjacent downslope ecological sites. Adjacent sites include Headwater SLOPE HGM class sites in watershed headwaters. This discharge supports surface saturation in the adjacent areas. <br />
<br />
In general, MINERAL FLAT areas provide watershed recharge and runoff that accumulates in downslope reaches as groundwater discharge and surface water accumulation. Wetland hydrology is effectively removed by surface ditches or subsurface tile drainage that directs vertical downward movement in a horizontal direction to the drainage element.<br />
<br />
Rainfall that contacts the surface either infiltrates into the soil, or runs off. The degree to which either vector is dominant is dependent on the State. Lower surface cover increases runoff, and decreases infiltration. This in turn affects the condition of adjacent sites by increasing or decreasing runoff or groundwater discharge. <br />
Soil features
These soils have an abrupt textural change to silty clay at about 18 inches. Abrupt textural changes impede but do not exclude rooting. The soils were formed under prairie vegetation, and have dark, organic-rich surface horizons. They have silt loam surface horizons, and silty clay to clay subsoils. Parent material is loess. A seasonal high water table is perched above the abrupt textural change during the spring months in most years. Soil series associated with this site include Belinda, Crestmeade, Edina, and Kilwinning.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Loess
(2) Till
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained Permeability class Very slow Depth to restrictive layer 18 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)6 – 7 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)Not specified Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)4.5 – 6.5 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)Not specified 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.
Claypan Summit Prairies were dominated by tallgrass prairie grasses and forbs, but also had a substantial component of wet tolerant sedges. This expanse of grass stretched for miles and was only interrupted by shallow drainage whose wetness lessened the influence frequent, intense fires. Here the prairie transitioned into shrubby thickets and savannas with scattered trees.(Nigh and Schroeder 2002)
Leadplant and New Jersey tea were typical low growing shrubs that occurred over the site. Unlike most shrubs, these plants are both quite tolerant to fire. Islands of other shrubs such as dogwood, coral berry and prairie rose were also found on the site (Nelson 2010).
With little to interrupt fire, this ecological site burned every 1-3 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, prairie elk, and white-tailed deer, also impacted these sites. Their activities would have altered composition and structure of the vegetation. Fuel loads would have been altered by heavy grazing and fire behavior affected, providing for a diversity of structure and composition. The partially wooded draws would have burned less intensely and frequently. During fire free intervals woody species would have increased in abundance and spread out onto the prairie.
Today, reference Claypan Summit Prairies are extirpated from the region as the former prairies have been converted to intensive agriculture. Few known remnants exist but are degraded by fire suppression or grazing by domestic livestock.
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 may change as knowledge increases.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 9. 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 textEcosystem states
States 1 and 5 (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
ReferenceThis State is native tall grass prairie dominated by little bluestem, switchgrass and forbs, but also a substantial component of wet tolerant sedges. This State occurs on level to gently sloping soils that have a seasonal high water table that is perched above the abrupt textural change or clayey subsoil during the spring months in most years. This condition influences the species composition and site productivity. 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 gray dogwood and eastern redcedar. When fire intervals shorten these woody species will decrease.
This State is extremely rare. Nearly all sites have been converted to cool season grasslands and cropland.Dominant plant species
-
leadplant (Amorpha canescens), shrub
-
Carolina rose (Rosa carolina), shrub
-
gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa), shrub
-
little bluestem (Schizachyrium), other herbaceous
-
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), other herbaceous
Community 1.1
Lead Plant-Carolina Rose/Little Bluestem-Big BluestemThis phase has scattered lead plant, New Jersey tea, and prairie willow with grasses such as big bluestem, Indian grass and dropseeds dominating the ground layer. Numerous forbs such as Missouri coneflower, prairie clovers, bunchflower, rosinweed, and compass plant are also present and locally abundant. Fire frequencies of 1 to 3 years helped maintain the community structure and composition.
Forest understory. The Forest Understory list is based on commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).
Dominant plant species
-
leadplant (Amorpha canescens), shrub
-
Carolina rose (Rosa carolina), shrub
-
little bluestem (Schizachyrium), other herbaceous
-
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), other herbaceous
Community 1.2
/Lead Plant-Gray Dogwood/Little Bluestem-Big BluestemThis phase is similar to community phase 1.1 but numerous shrubs are increasing due to longer periods of fire suppression. Some displacement of grasses and forbs may be occurring due to shading and competition from the increased densities of shrubs.
Dominant plant species
-
leadplant (Amorpha canescens), shrub
-
gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa), shrub
-
little bluestem (Schizachyrium), other herbaceous
-
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), other herbaceous
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Fire-free interval 1-3 years
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Fire interval 1-3 years
State 2
Woody Invaded SavannaDegraded Reference States that have experienced fire suppression for 20 or more years will transition to this State. With fire suppression, woody species such as pin oak and eastern redcedar will begin to dominate transitioning this state from a prairie to a Woody Invaded Savanna. Native ground cover will also decrease and invasive species such as tall fescue may begin to dominate. Transition to cool season grasslands (State 3) or intensive cropland (State 4) is very common.
Dominant plant species
-
pin oak (Quercus palustris), tree
-
eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), tree
-
American plum (Prunus americana), shrub
-
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), other herbaceous
Community 2.1
Pin Oak-Eastern Redcedar/Wild Plum/Tall FescueDominant plant species
-
pin oak (Quercus palustris), tree
-
eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), tree
-
American plum (Prunus americana), shrub
-
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), other herbaceous
State 3
Cool Season GrasslandConversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue and red clover has been common in the Missouri Central Claypan area. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered pin oaks. Long term uncontrolled grazing can cause significant soil erosion and compaction. A return to the Reference State may be impossible, requiring a very long term series of management options.
Dominant plant species
-
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), other herbaceous
-
orchardgrass (Dactylis), other herbaceous
-
red clover (Trifolium pratense), other herbaceous
Community 3.1
Cool Season GrasslandDominant plant species
-
tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), other herbaceous
-
orchardgrass (Dactylis), other herbaceous
-
red clover (Trifolium pratense), other herbaceous
State 4
CroplandThis is the dominant state that exists currently with intensive cropping of corn, soybeans, and wheat 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. Most sites have installed surface drainage systems to mitigate wetness problems.
Community 4.1
Corn, Soybeans, WheatDominant plant species
State 5
Native Warm Season GrasslandConversion from the 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 is the most easily transformable state back to a Reference State. Substantial restoration time and management inputs will be needed.
Dominant plant species
-
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), other herbaceous
-
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), other herbaceous
Community 5.1
Big Bluestem-SwitchgrassDominant plant species
-
big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), other herbaceous
-
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), other herbaceous
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Fire suppression >20 years; woody invasion
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4Tillage; conservation cropping system; surface drainage
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Woody removal; prescribed fire 1-3 years
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4Woody removal; tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4Tillage; conservation cropping system; surface drainage
Transition T3B
State 3 to 5Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
Restoration pathway T4A
State 4 to 3Vegetative seeding; grassland management
Transition T4B
State 4 to 5Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire 1-3 years
Restoration pathway T5A
State 5 to 4Tillage; conservation cropping system; surface drainage
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 6. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium Native – 30–50 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii Native – 30–50 Indiangrass SONU2 Sorghastrum nutans Native – 10–20 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula Native – 10–20 Mead's sedge CAME2 Carex meadii Native – 5–10 Bush's sedge CABU5 Carex bushii Native – 5–10 switchgrass PAVI2 Panicum virgatum Native – 5–10 eastern gamagrass TRDA3 Tripsacum dactyloides Native – 5–10 slender spikerush ELTET Eleocharis tenuis var. tenuis Native – 5–10 Forb/Herbwild quinine PAIN3 Parthenium integrifolium Native – 5–20 butterfly milkweed ASTU Asclepias tuberosa Native – 5–20 prairie blazing star LIPY Liatris pycnostachya Native – 5–20 Missouri goldenrod SOMI2 Solidago missouriensis Native – 5–20 wholeleaf rosinweed SIIN2 Silphium integrifolium Native – 5–20 ashy sunflower HEMO2 Helianthus mollis Native – 5–20 button eryngo ERYU Eryngium yuccifolium Native – 5–20 longbract wild indigo BABR2 Baptisia bracteata Native – 5–20 white wild indigo BAAL Baptisia alba Native – 5–20 prairie milkweed ASSU3 Asclepias sullivantii Native – 5–20 purple milkwort POSA3 Polygala sanguinea Native – 5–10 Illinois bundleflower DEIL Desmanthus illinoensis Native – 5–10 Shrub/SubshrubCarolina rose ROCA4 Rosa carolina Native – 5–10 New Jersey tea CEAM Ceanothus americanus Native – 5–10 leadplant AMCA6 Amorpha canescens Native – 5–10 gray dogwood CORA6 Cornus racemosa Native – 5–10 coralberry SYOR Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Native – 5–10 Table 7. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 2.1 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 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 5.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife
Game species that utilize this ecological site include (Pitts, and McGuire. 2000):
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) (Fitzgerald and Pashley. 2000b; Jacobs, 2001):
Vegetation Height Short ( 0.5 meter, low litter levels, bare ground visible):
Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Upland Sandpiper, Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Bobwhite
Mid-Vegetation Height (0.5 – 1 meter, moderate litter levels, some bare ground visible):
Eastern Meadowlark, Dickcissel, Field Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Kingbird, Bobolink, Lark Sparrow
Tall Vegetation Height (> 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, 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, Le Conte’s Sparrow
Amphibian and reptile species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition (Johnson, 2000): prairies with or nearby to fishless ponds/pools (may be ephemeral) may have Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum) and Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata triseriata); prairies with crawfish burrows may have Northern Crawfish Frog (Rana areolata circulosa); other species include Northern Prairie Skink (Eumeces septentrionalis septentrionalis), Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata), Western Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus attenuatus), Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris), Prairie Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi), and Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi).
Small mammals associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition (Schwartz and others, 2001): Least Shrew (Cryptotis parva), Franklin’s Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus franklinii), Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius), Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster), Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi), Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius), Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) and Badger (Taxidea taxus).
Invertebrates:
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 (Heitzman and Heitzman, 1996): 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), 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), 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 developed by Mike Leahy, Natural Areas Coordinator, Missouri Department of Conservation, 2013; references for this section include: Easterla, 1962; Fitzgerald and Pashley. 2000b; Heitzman and Heitzman 1996; Jacobs 2001; Johnson 2000; Pitts and McGuire 2000; Schwartz and others 2001)Other products
Grassland
Pasture Suitability Group(s): WCU - Clayey Upland. This group consists of deep, poorly drained upland soils that have slopes of less than 35 percent and a potential rooting depth of more than 40 inches. Wetness is the main management concern. These soils are well suited to most commonly grown forages. They are also well suited to wetness-tolerant, shallow-rooted legumes. They are generally too wet for alfalfa and Caucasian bluestem. In depression areas, maintaining stands of desirable species is difficult.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. This site 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
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.
Brinson, M.M. 1993. A hydrogeomorphic classification for wetlands. Technical Report WRP-DE-4, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS
Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deep-water habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FWS/OBS-79/31.
Fitzgerald, J.A. and D.N. Pashley. 2000a. Partners in Flight bird conservation plan for the Ozark/Ouachitas. American Bird Conservancy.
Fitzgerald, J.A. and D.N. Pashley. 2000b. Partners in Flight bird conservation plan for the Dissected Till Plains. American Bird Conservancy.
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.
Lucassen, John A. 1991. Soil Survey of Davis County, Iowa. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Soil Conservation Service.
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.
Pitts, D.E. and W.D. McGuire. 2000. Wildlife management for Missouri landowners. 3rd ed. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
Schroeder, W.A. 1981. Presettlement prairie of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Natural History Series No. 2. Jefferson City, Missouri
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.
Sims, P.L. and P.G. Risser. 2000. Grassland. Pp 323-356 in M.G. Barbour and W.D. Billings (eds.). North American terriestrial vegetation. Second Edition. Cambridge University Press, New York.
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 YoungApproval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 7/02/2024
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. This site was originally approved on 07/28/2015 for publication.
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Contact for lead author Date 09/22/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
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:
-
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:
Print Options
Sections
Font
AAAAOther
PrintThe 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.
Accessibility statement
