State 1
Reference

The historical reference state for this Ecological Site was old growth oak woodland.
The reference state was dominated by chinkapin oak, post oak and white oak. Maximum tree age was likely 150 to 300 years. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind or ice maintained the woodland structure and diverse ground flora species. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in both the density of trees and the abundance of shade tolerant species.

Two community phases are recognized in reference state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency. Reference state woodlands are very rare today. Many sites have been converted to non-native pasture (State 5). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with domestic livestock grazing (State 6). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora.

Community 1.1
White Oak – Chinkapin Oak/Red Bud – Fragrant Sumac/Virginia Wildrye –Little Bluestem

Figure 10. Reference Loamy Limestone/Dolomite Upland Woodland at Graham Cave State Park, near Montgomery City, Missouri

This phase is a woodland with a white oak dominated a semi-open overstory with occasional chinkapin oak and northern red oak. This woodland phase has a two-tiered structure with an open understory with scattered shrubs and a dense, diverse native herbaceous ground flora.

Periodic disturbances including fire, ice and wind created canopy gaps, allowing oak species to successfully reproduce and remain in the canopy. It is likely that this phase burned at least once every 5 years.

Forest overstory.Forest Overstory Composition based on field surveys (species with cover percentages) and Nelson (2010) and field surveys.

Forest understory. Forest Understory Composition based on field surveys (species with cover percentages) and Nelson (2010) and field surveys.

Community 1.2
White Oak – Chinkapin Oak/Red Bud – Fragrant Sumac – Hickory /Virginia Wildrye – Little Bluestem

This phase is similar to community phase 1.1 but oak, hickory and shrub understory densities are increasing due to longer periods of fire suppression. Displacement of some grasses and forbs may be occurring due to shading and competition from the increased densities of oak and hickory saplings in the understory.

Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

This pathway is the result of a disturbance-free interval of greater than 10 years.

Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

This pathway is the result of a fire 3 to 10-year disturbance cycle being reestablished.

State 2
Even-Age Managed Woodland

This state starts with a sequence of early seral mixed oak woodlands, which mature over time. These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a depauperate understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. However, in the absence of fire, the diversity and cover of the ground flora is still diminished. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, will either maintain this state, or convert the site to uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.

Community 2.1
White Oak – Post Oak – Chinkapin Oak /Aromatic Sumac

This is an even-aged forest management phase. Logging activities are removing higher volumes of white oak causing a decrease in white oak in the canopy and an increase in northern red oak. Large group, shelterwood or clearcut harvests create a more uniform age class structure throughout the canopy layer while also opening up the understory and allowing more sunlight to reach the forest floor.

State 3
Uneven-Age Managed Woodland

Uneven Age Managed Woodland isdense because of fire suppression, but less so than the Even-Age Managed state. Consequently, the woodland ground flora is less suppressed and structural diversity is better maintained. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like hickory, increase in abundance. Without a regular 15 to 20 year harvest re-entry into these stands, they will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species and white oak will become less dominant.

Community 3.1
White Oak – Hickory – Northern red Oak/Red Bud/ Bottlebrush grass

This is an uneven-aged forest management phase. Selective logging activities are removing higher volumes of white oak causing a decrease in white oak in the canopy and an increase in northern red oak and hickory. Densities numbers, especially more shade tolerant species, are increasing at the lower size-class levels.

State 4
Managed Silvopasture

The Managed Silvopasture State results from managing woodland communities with prescribed fire, selective thinning, and introducing a managed grazing system with livestock. This state can resemble the reference state, with younger maximum tree ages and lower ground flora diversity.

Community 4.1
White Oak – Chinkapin Oak – Black Oak/Little Bluestem

This phase is an agroforestry practice that combines forestry and grazing of domesticated animals in a mutually beneficial way. Advantages of a properly managed silvopasture operation are enhanced soil protection and increased long-term income due to the simultaneous production of trees and grazing animals.

State 5
Grassland

Conversion of woodlands to planted, non-native pasture species such as tall fescue has been common in the Springfield plateau. Low available water, abundant surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity make non-native pastures difficult to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site. If grazing and active pasture management are discontinued, the site will eventually transition to State 2 (Even-Age). Timber Stand Improvement practices can hasten this process.

Community 5.1
Tall Fescue - Red Clover

This phase is well-managed grassland, composed of non-native cool season grasses and legumes. Grazing and haying is occurring. The effects of long-term liming on soil pH, and calcium and magnesium content, is most evident in this phase. Studies show that these soils have higher pH and higher base status in soil horizons as much as two feet below the surface, relative to poorly managed grassland and to woodland communities (where liming is not practiced).

Community 5.2
Tall fescue - Broomsedge/Oak Sprouts

This phase is the result of over use, poor grassland and grazing management and lack of adequate nutrient application. Oak sprouts, oak saplings, and invasive species are increasing as a result of poor management.

Pathway P5.1A
Community 5.1 to 5.2

This pathway is the result of over grazing and lack of proper grassland management.

Pathway P5.2A
Community 5.2 to 5.1

This pathway is the result of brush management, grassland reseeding and proper grassland management.

State 6
High-Graded, Grazed Woodland

Wooded sites subjected to repeated, high-graded timber harvests and domestic grazing transition to this State. This state exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less desirable tree species, and weedy understory species such as buckbrush, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. The vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff. Exclusion of livestock from sites in this state coupled with uneven-age management techniques will cause a transition to State 3 (Uneven-Age).

Community 6.1
Black Oak – Post Oak – Hickory / Sassafras/Buckbrush

Due to high-grade logging and uncontrolled grazing, this community phase exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less economically desirable tree species and weedy understory species such as buckbrush, gooseberry, poison ivy and multi-flora rose. The understory vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive livestock stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest and fire suppression..

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest along with fire suppression.

Transition T1C
State 1 to 5

This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting non-native grassland species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter.

Transition T1D
State 1 to 6

This transition is the result of poorly planned timber harvest techniques such as high-grading, accompanied by unmanaged livestock grazing. Soil erosion and compaction often result from livestock grazing after the understory has been damaged.

Restoration pathway R1B
State 2 to 1

This restoration transition generally requires forest management practices with extended rotations that allow mature trees to exceed ages of about 100 years along with prescribed fire.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest.

Transition T2B
State 2 to 4

This transition is the result of the systematic application of prescribed fire and grazing management. Mechanical thinning may also be used.

Restoration pathway R1A
State 3 to 1

This restoration pathway is the result of the systematic application of prescribed fire. Mechanical thinning may also be used along with understory removal and extended rotations.

Transition T3A
State 3 to 2

This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.

Transition T4A
State 4 to 2

This transition typically results from even-age forest management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest, cessation of grazing and fire suppression.

Transition T4B
State 4 to 3

This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest, cessation of grazing and fire suppression.

Transition T5A
State 5 to 2

This transition results from the cessation of livestock grazing and associated pasture management such as mowing and brush management. Herbicide application, tree planting and forest stand improvement techniques can speed up this otherwise very lengthy transition.

Transition T6B
State 6 to 3

This transition typically results from uneven-age forest management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest. Tree planting, mechanical thinning and other forest stand improvement techniques may be helpful to decrease the transition time.

Transition T6A
State 6 to 5

This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting non-native grassland species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter.